COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING#1

My intention was that today I would not write any specifics about the Monday night- Tuesday AM Council Meeting. I hope that Plaintalker II's computer problems are only a temporary aberration and her factual reports will be available. Plainfield Today has already comment on one item that again points out the chaos created by the lack of a CFO. More later this week.

When I had first looked at the agenda the few controversial resolutions for discussions gave me hope that I would be home by 11Pm at the latest. However I did not allow for over an hour discussion on "Recreation".

There are several facets that were touched upon then and later including the Public Commentary midnight session. The first and longest had to do with the relationships between the Mayor's appointed ( and the title has not been made clear) "Recreation Advisory Committee" whose spokesperson Dwayne Wilkins supported by Mr. Tucker(?)-I may need correction on the names-gave an expanded diplomatic 10 minute presentation about the relationships between this dedicated volunteer group and the Recreation Division. More on this later.

Also a Mr Stansbury(?) spoke about an unofficial group organization of which I was unawares, The Youth Council- again I ask for clarification of the name. The membership of this body comes from concerned Churches, individuals, and members of the BOE. Its focus is on after school and evening youth activities as an alternate to gang membership. He remarked that this croup was the sponsors of the Thursday night Gym programs at Washington and Emerson schools for the month of August. His plea was for the need for financial support for security officers for those programs since the group did not have the funds.

Rightly so Mr. Stansbury pointed out that the best weapon to fight the gang problem is to offer readily available community alternatives. I have been preaching that for months.

Aside from the apparent insurmountable problem of funds, which I am sure can be negated by concerted efforts by all who must support recreational programs, there are certain givens that are being ignored: (1) Recreation is much more than athletics, (2) Recreation activities should encompass the preschoolers to the Senior Citizens (3) It is an all-embracing community responsibility as well as activity. (4) It needs a top priority.

That noted; to go back to the Recreation Advisory Committee, it has most of the right people in place for what should be a nucleus of a "Commission" given powers to coordinated all citywide recreational activities. The "Commission" must include those whose interests are in other recreational activities and are willing to include such troubled groups as the Heritage Chorus, a "Plainfield showpiece" in the scope of its oversight.

Obviously to establish such a Commission will take an Ordinance that includes its charge, responsibility and authority. This will be worthless unless all other parties are willing to participate. The challenge is citizenship with its responsibilities.

It is obvious that the City Government's recreational facilities are outdoors and mostly athletically orientated. This includes swimming pools, swings etc.. The city per se has no indoor facilities except the potentiality of the "Tepper's Basement". Indoor facilities, include all the schools but especially Washington, Emerson and the High School, as well as those provided by various religious institutions and the YMCA and YWCA.

The PSS properties, although the BOE/PSS represents an "independent authority" are tax supported public entities. Their use must not be restricted by the turf protection ideology. Somehow, a close integration between community needs and BOE/PSS obligations and activities must be integrated. There are costs that must be met such as upkeep, heat, lighting, security, insurances and legal responsibilities and restrictions.

The Ys and Churches are another kettle of fish. They are unique unto themselves, depending on memberships and charitable donations. They will need public support for their usage in public recreational activities. Above all, churches' religious missions must be segregated from tax supported activities.

There is no quick fix, but without the willingness to start and knowing that here lies the most potential antidote to the gang anarchy.