No specific subject today, while I wait for a copy of Monday's agenda and Saturday's for a change snow.
1) Once again we are living in a momentous time in world affairs. The snowball that started in Tunisia and has spread to Egypt, and is growing in Jordan, Yemen, perhaps Syria and the Sudan will have an impact on our lives as the collapse of the Soviet Union empire. It will be years before all impact has been felt.
What does happen here in Plainfield is in the overall scope of affairs insignificant, but who knows? It takes only a pebble to start an avalanche. Good responsible government is the desire of all people.
2) I am sure that there are 191 residents of Plainfield who are in this country legally but never accounted for themselves during the census drive. We will never know but the nature of the census taking did not insure that there would be no misses. If they had registered it might have had an economic effect on our city.
If Muhlenberg was still operational perhaps enough patients could have been counted to make up the deficit. But numbers are numbers and once again Plainfield just falls short.
3) I do not have any idea how candidates for the City Clerk's post were solicited. Were there legal, or plain media advertisements? Or, was the journal devoted to municipalities the source of notification of the vacancy?
Since who has applied is a mystery it is impossible for a just a citizen to make any judgement. However if my two cents were of any value; I would look no further than AJ as a worthy successor to Laddie as City Clerk.
Having learned all the intricacies from his mentor, he has handled himself admirably in his brief "acting" role . He has earned the right on his own merit, not on political relationships. He knows Plainfield and Plainfielders know him. Nuff said.
4) These past snows have once again called attention to the lack of, or the enforcement of regulations controlling long term or overnight street parking. Too many streets have become hazardous one way road due to plows having to avoid parked cars. This is not only the side streets but main arteries such as Watchung Ave south of 7th Street, or Leland Ave by the School at dismissal time. Emergency vehicles would have trouble navigating through these areas.
5) Once again there is the question which Dasheild answered in his customary direct manner; "Does the city have an up to date written disaster plan"? If so where is it kept? who has access to it? Does it cover multiple or all conceived emergencies? Should it not be publicised or at least posted on the City site?
6) The Public Works Division deserves praise for the job they have done to date. However, something has to be done to clear sight lines at intersections. There are too many Plainfield drivers who never heard the term or learned "Defensive Driving". Too many believe that THEY own the road.
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mmmmm..Enforcement. A word that is completely foreign to the city government of Plainfield.
ReplyDeleteParking is quite possibly the easiest thing to fix in Plainfield and there is zero will to fix it.
1) Standard parking issues: Units with 4 or more rentals cannot charge for onsite parking and must have a permitted parking system in place for it's renters. NO GRANDFATHERS CLAUSES ALLOWED.
2) Parking and snow. I have written extensively on this. The cities in Upstate NY declare a snow emergency and restrict which side of the streets you can park on IF AT ALL during the emergency. If you car is there..it's ticketed and or towed.
Simple.
I do realize this might seem right up there with the Gordian Knot when considering it but it's not exactly a new, innovative, complicated or complex idea. Maybe one of us could go to one of the THOUSANDS of cities that have legislated it and photocopy it for the city government and bring it to them so it could be implemented. As far as regular enforcement of parking..once again..Plainfield walking away from easy money.
The census: Again...the Courier News solicits an opinion from our local legislative version of the Village Idiot.
Rob, you point out the need to know what is in the city codes. Revise those that are worthless, and enforce those that exist
ReplyDeleteTwo items you mentioned are very important to me, perhaps three. If our mayor had been a better person we would have had a different result on the census. Her half hearted, almost comical attempts were anything by professional or effective.
ReplyDeleteThe snow problem was felt by us at 735 Park Ave. Though Connolly is gone, the new management company leaves much to be desired. Our elevators were out for over six weeks before they decided to have another elevator company look at the problem and four a disaster in the mechanical room of the elevator. Also this winter has meant that we have never had our parking lot plowed until long after the storm and tenants were left to shovel themselves to the street. This of course is done to save the management company money and for none of the reasons management gave the many who complained. The city needs to address this issue and make fines large enough that not plowing in a timely manner is too costly.
I love Plainfield and have lived here nearly 30 years, but am getting tired of constantly fighting management and the mayor's office to get things done. I'm hopeful that as a new person occupies the mayor's and assemblyman's offices Plainfield will have hope.
oI agree as it pertains to the City Clerk, that we need not look any further than the Deputy Clerk we now have AJ. He has done a great job in the Clerks Absence and he know the in's and out's of this city. I hope they make the right decision and promote from within, making Mr. Jalloh the new city Clerk.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck AJ!!!
Jackie