A PROSPEROUS and HEALTHY 2014 TO ALL
That was to be my entire blog for 1/1/2014, however happenings can change good intentions:
Yesterday, Tuesday, in my blog I wrote :” Instead of the three Candidates proposed. the gang of four en block chose the one candidate that supposedly has the closest allegiance to the Boss-man. The 2014 Council will on the majority of issues vote 5:2 .
The fact that the people chose Mapp to succeed as Mayor means nothing to the unholy four who seem to march to a different drum beat which ignores the will of the people.”
Late Tuesday afternoon I received as had other members of
the Public Affairs and Safety sub-committee
of the Mapp Transition Team, an email from Siddeeq El-Amin who had been
the Director of Public Safety in the Fury Administration and had who a few years ago had resigned as
Police Captain when faced with demotion as part of one of the many of the restructurings
that had taken place during the previous administration.
Mr. El-Amin wrote, and I quote: “Please be
advised that because I would not support the added appointment of an
unqualified Sergeant to the position of "Police Director" for the
city of Plainfield, the Plainfield Democratic Committee Chairman (who was
supporting the Sergeant) recommended to four council people, that he has
supported for election, to "not vote for my name when the Mayor-Elect Adrian
O. Mapp submits it for "Advice and Consent." So when I was
presented for approval to be voted on for confirmation, the four council people
refused to approve me for the cabinet position of Director of Public Affairs
and Safety.”
I have no way of verifying the accuracy of the above
statement.
If this represents true facts I am and all should be
extremely upset.
I believe that all appointments for Director posts must be approved by the Council at a public meeting. Those names may have been presented in December but I have no recollection. If this was done in executive session the procedure should be illegal.
I believe that all appointments for Director posts must be approved by the Council at a public meeting. Those names may have been presented in December but I have no recollection. If this was done in executive session the procedure should be illegal.
Are personal politics going to continue stagnate any
possibility of Plainfield recovering as a viable community? There has been unproven allegations of
political influence on the police. Years ago when the position of Police Chief
was abolished Chief Santiago charged that the move was in punishment for his
not giving public support for Green’s protegee** Robinson-Briggs in her campaign
for Mayor.
I hope that the above is not
true; however if Mayor Mapp submits the El-Amin name to be Director of
Public Safety and it comes to a vote anyone who votes NO should give an
explanation so that the people will not believe that there was a personal motive involved. Councilors
are charged with their acceptance of office to act in the best interests of the
community.
The Mayor needs to have important Directorships filled ASAP preferably by day one of his administration. If there is a void as a result of negative Council action he can fill it on a temporary basis for 90 days without I believe Council approval. Perhaps in a cooling off period common sense will prevail.
The Mayor needs to have important Directorships filled ASAP preferably by day one of his administration. If there is a void as a result of negative Council action he can fill it on a temporary basis for 90 days without I believe Council approval. Perhaps in a cooling off period common sense will prevail.
** The Mayor when elected said that Assemblyman Green was
her mentor
Council President Rivers once said she would support Mayor Mapp's cabinet appointments, and Assemblyman Green has said more than once he does not interfere in City affairs or tell people how to vote. So what gives? Could be just another one of those 'Plainfield be damned' moments. Had your fill yet?
ReplyDeleteThose four Council persons should be seen as obstructionists to the forward movement of the City of Plainfield. They vote as a stupid, self interested, uneducated members who don't ever read their Council packets let alone understand the information provided.
ReplyDeleteyes Alan, I too heard Council President remark in a Council meeting that she would support MAYOR Mapp's cabinet appointments; emphasis on when he was Mayor.
ReplyDeleteMayoral nominations to cabinet positions are submitted to the council which votes on them in public session.
ReplyDeleteThis is excatly what Mapp did Sharon. Just ask Charles Eke and several others.
ReplyDeleteIf this is true, then this is just tit-for-tat.
Wake up Citizens of Plainfield. There is a major league of political influence in the police division visa versa. Many are puppets to one overseer making it one self interest agenda. Unfortunately if you don't play on the "right" team and speak up for yourself you are blacklisted. They call it career suicide. Many of these so-called supporters of the mayor-elect Mapp cabinet have been bought. There needs be a political change in Plainfield immediately. First start by the reorganization, structure and integrity of the council. I certainly hope the best decisions will be made based on an individual's merit and qualifications. Not based on the strings attached or what political bed your in.
ReplyDeleteThis is a horrible time to be a Citizen of Plainfield. The Elected Council, or should I say "Puppets", should have the interest of the Community at heart and not loyalty to the "Puppet Master". The Puppet Master runs Plainfield from behind the scene by hiring and helping unqualified people get get jobs and positions into office. The Puppets now give their souls to Puppet Master who has bought there vote. The Puppets will forever do as told or be replaced by another Puppet. The Puppet Master of Plainfield tells all Council, Police & Fire what do to in this town. If you happen to oppose the Puppet Master, back in the barrel of crabs you go. Personal Interest should be to put to the side in order to effectively do what's best for the Community before we all become crabs in the barrel of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteI would hope the council is more loyal to the Citizens of Plainfield than to an employee of the Police Dept. I would question the fact The retired El-Amin was ever recommended to the Council. He said "Unqualified Sargent" based on what, the fact that he was promoted to Lieutenant as result of passing a civil service test that found him to be qualified as a ranking police supervisor, and the fact that he presently supervises a unit in the police dept. that's responsible for the response of police and fire units, to call from citizens.and running the 911 center. Or was it that the "unqualified Sgt." has worked 20 plus years in every division of the police dept. Narcotics,detective,juvenile bureau. internal affairs, service bureau,with numerous dept. accommodations. So it seems that he not only met the requirements of passing the test, He came through the ranks, working and achieving the respect of his peers... And community by spearheading Community give back program.and mentoring of community youth...Additional the Job of Director, only requires that a person has supervised employee for 5 years...So this "Unqualified Sgt" who is now a Police Dept. Lieutenant is more that qualified by any measurement. And if I remember correctly ElAmin when he became Public Safety Director he was a Sargent himself...was he qualified, many that worked under him would say No he wasn't... but he soon promoted himself.And returned to the Police Dept as a Captain. Where he was disconnected, and unattached to the rank and file as well as the community. its been 5 year at least since ElAmin has been off the Police Dept.scene. If he were dis-connected before he's now out dated too... The new Mayor, A. Mapp had his own idea for whom to fill the position with... and guess what it wasn't the Overly qualified Lieutenant either...Plainfield deal with that...
ReplyDeleteHmmm sounds personal.....maybe you're that "unqualified Sargent".....spell check please....I guess this makes Capt. El-Amin's point.
ReplyDeleteHi, Doc,
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the Police Division, all the applicants were forthcoming and stated their dedication to seeing our city improve its public safety record and ensuring that all stakeholders feel safe and secure. Also, every single applicant, including the internal applicants from the Plainfield Police Division, thanked Adrian on the record for the opportunity to interview and be a part of the process.
Further, each also stated on the record that EVEN IF HE WERE NOT CHOSEN, HE WOULD SUPPORT WHOMEVER ADRIAN, AS THE NEW MAYOR, APPOINTED IN THE ROLE. Again, these statements are on the record. So, if even the applicants who were not chosen by Adrian have PUBLICLY STATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR HIS CHOICES, who are we, as the council, to stand in the way? Who are these anonymous individuals lobbying on behalf of someone who didn't even apply? This is of deep concern to me.
I just put up a blog with my own thoughts on this topic.
Best,
Rebecca
Rebecca, thank you for your supportive remarks and your powerful blog which you posted this Friday.
ReplyDeleteI agree that anytime a Councilor votes against a Mayor's appointment he/she should publicly state the reason.
As I have often remarked; the role of the Police Director is overall policy general administrative including grant seeking and civic relations; day by day operations should equire a Police Chief.
Has anyone considered that there is another force at play? Who would be most concerned about internal police department promotions? While the Public Safety Director position is political, has anyone asked the head of the Plainfield Police Benevolent Association what his position is? Is he the source of the challenge to Mapp's choice?
ReplyDeleteFor the record, Doc--I took the post down--I am making some additional changes/grammatical corrections (yikes!)--it will be up later!
ReplyDeleteRebecca