LWV FORUM IMPRESSIONS

World Series Standings (according to my two son-in-laws)
Roanoke 1
Watchung 0

The League of Women Voters Candidates Forum;
These comments represent this observer's impression and are in no way verbatim.

The highlight of the 2 hour forum was the last 90 seconds when the final speaker Debbie Dowe had her turn and was able to delivery a passionate vehement vitriolic rebuttal to the Mayor's statement that she should be reelected because she had spent years in public service and that neither of her two opponents had spent any time in community service.

Otherwise the forum was as expected.

Assemblyman Green arrived 10 minutes late just in time for his delayed opening remarks/ He apologized being late because he was (and the exact remarks were confusing because of poor acoustics) in an important meeting with the Governor(?) in Linden.

All four candidates responded to each of the moderator's questions. Three gave well prepared non earth shaking responses to each question while the fourth kept attacking George Bush and Bo's Texas roots as the campaign issue. Green was so animated in his remarks that at times he appeared to be shaking as he spoke. He alone made the recent Gallon and the BOE a campaign issue, even though no question was connected to the recent controversy.

I think the two Republicans and Stender handled themselves well and stuck to their campaign issues.

When it was the turn for the three Mayoral candidates the Q&A format when as expected. The Mayor again recounted her progress in redevelopment downtown Plainfield noting the long approved yet not started projects as accomplishments. She also noted that the revision of the Police Department had resulted in a great drop in crime. The other two's responses were as expected a overview of what they would hope to accomplish given the chance.

Briggs answer to the hospital problem was they were continuing to have active discussion with possible operators of a new full service hospital but she would be unable to give specifics. If the two names of her last contacts were an example, and I again must note that I had difficulty hearing all remarks, but I believe she said "Patel and Ziglesteen???". The names are unimportant, if these are who our authorities are talking about the they are more entrepreneurial developers who are interested in the buildings and have no true hospital experience. Dowe did give a list of those she had contacted from the Federal Government down to stop or reopen the hospital. She also presented a letter of concern from Christie. Pivnichny siad he would seek professional consultation in obtaining an operator for a new hospital.

There was no question asked about the status of the road infrastructure. In response to the question of the CFO and other fiscal irregularities the Mayor said that they had been trying without success for two years to find a qualified individual and that the $40000 cash loss tin tax receipts was due to the previous administration appointing a tax collector "who could not be bonded". Dowe called for a state audit, Pivnichny noted that a certified CFO was of an utmost priority for administration to function.

I apologize for the sketchiness of this report. And if I seamed biased it is because I am. In both races the incumbents have failed the people of Plainfield and we need a change. Matters can not get worse and could improve.

The question of legitimacy of two PSS appointments; This is an issue that has become a political red herring being used by Assemblyman Green to divert public interest in the actual Assembly race. It is a serious issue and worthy of more blogging but is not germane to the November 3rd election.