UNCONSCIONAB LE ONGOINGS

Yes Rebecca "Unconscionable" is a properly applies word a not overused especially referring to the continuous turmoil preventing freedom of an organization's use of city property.

Each of the four "Discussion/Action Items" on Monday night's agenda deserve separate attention since they occupied most of the meeting time. Resolutions and Ordinances that will be on next Monday's agenda will be dealt with later this week or Sunday before the meeting when action will be taken.

As has been reported by Plainfield Today and in Plaintalker II The QCBL/Recreation baseball field hassle took most of the time. This is a rehash of a problem that has been ongoing for two years and which a Council approved Recreation Commission Ordinance was designed to eliminate. However the Mayor vetoed the Ordinance and the 3 vote to not override her veto killed it. I need not mention who cast what vote.

Shortly after the meeting started Roland Muhammad materializes in a chair in the front of the Council chamber. This location is close to the door to the Mayor's office.

Ms. Daniels was the key spokesperson for QCBL. She noted that when QCBL applied for usage of playing and practice fields she was offered only Sunday and Monday. They were also being denied use of the Rock Ave facility including the Concession Stand building. They had been locked out of the Concession building and access to there owned equipment, which apparently the Recreation Division was using.

More significant was the fact that one day when QCBL attempted to use a vacant field at Hubbard School for T-ball (ages 4-6) practice; the Recreation Division representative on the adjoining field tried to deny them use of the "open" field since they did not have a permit. That individual was identified as Mr. Roland Muhammad.

It seems that the basis of the denial was failure to comply with a written policy formulated on 2/29/2012 and sent to individual groups on or about April 15th. The QCBL had not submitted the proper papers including a list of roster names with home addresses( Phone numbers not mentioned).

Mr Byron (?) Mills speaking for the QCBL felt that the Recreations Division's policy was a violation of the XIV Amendment Section 1.It could so be interpreted since only QCBL was being denied due to the fact that Recreation offered its own program. Whereas the were no Recreation sponsored programs of the Pop Warner type, or sponsored soccer programs etc so these groups could operate without interference.

Ignored was the fact that QCBL was a successful program for several years before Recreation decided to offer sponsored "little league" type baseball.

To my surprise this was not posted a scheduled yesterday (5/8) afternoon. Sorry-Two today

Remarkably when Mr. Wynn appeared when questioned why QCBL was late in receiving any notification of the new policy h e replied he had no knowledge if it (still) existed. When questioned if he thought QCBl was a new player on the field; Wynn refused to answer.

Mr Muhammad who has frequently appeared before the Council as a citizen defendant of the Recreation program has a never identified himself as an employee of the Recreation Department itha vested interest in the success of his league and an obvious desire to crush the QCBL,

In speaking in defense of Recreations ac tivities he accuse others of "lying"; Council President Mapp and other Councilors of being predjudice against Recration, as well as repeatedly saying "we are doing" etc. When asked why he used the phrase "WE" inferring that he was talking as a member of Recraetion; he insisted he was speaking as a private citizen and the "we" was for all the rest of the public which he represented. Several speaker later on denied that he represented them.

Roland Muhammad has always give the impression when he addressed and often berated the Council that he was a citizen concerned about our youth which is why he spend a great deal of time at the Hannah Atkins Playground. Not once has he every mentioned that he had an intrinsic and perhaps a formative interest as a City employee in the Recreation baseball program.

It seems apparent that City Administrator Berry,who is still new to the city, is not knowledgeable about the problem; in fact he stated that he just was informed that Muhammad was a city employee. Eric Jackson Director of Public Works etc. was unavailable having been advised to go home since he has reputably "Walking Pneumonia". We wish him a quick return.

It also is apparent that the Mayor if she wished could take a more active role in adjudicating this destructie incident.