Thursday, May 15, 2014

PLAINFIELD POTPOURRI

I know that I had  said I was going to  have another "open forum" blog this week. However, the one subject from Council's meeting, the "Fiestas" which I thought might produce  commentary failed to do so. Therefore, please use  today's blog as a substitute.


One of Mayor Mapp’s campaign promises was the initiating of a forensic audit. We are now half way through the fifth month of his administration and there has been no mention of this subject.

Citizen Robert Darden who made his first Council meeting of the year after a long illness once again requested such an audit. It will be expensive and if made by the city there is no room for it in the budget. Certainly this Council would never consider financing such an operation.

The question remains how does Mapp plan to keep his campaign promise?

We recently had a great committee review and make recommendation regarding the City Charter.  As was pointed out at the last Council meeting thee are Ordinances on the books with wording that do not properly address the issues. There are probably a few old long forgotten ones that are not appropriate in this era.

Should the Council by resolution instruct the Mayor to form a similar Ad Hoc Citizens’ Committee to review all Ordinances and perhaps the City Code in order to bring them up to snuff? Such a task make take more than a year.

One lesson from Tuesday’s Newark Mayor's election is the one too often forgotten; when enough people turn out to vote they will most likely elect the “right” candidate.

Although Newark as a major city uniquely conducts a Non-partisan election for its Mayor and City Council; similarly to Plainfield’s BOE elections there are slates presented. The losing candidate in Newark's race had the backing of the Essex County Democrat party.  There were powerful groups backing the winner including the Teacher’s union. The latter brought more people to the polls.

The message is that Independent voters can defeat an intrenched party machine's candidates. In Plainfield that is critical in the all important Democrat primary election.

1 comment:

  1. I was saddened by the gutter level actions this Council has since resorted. Gloria Taylor's remarks to Flor were appalling and unnecessary. However, considering she is loyal to Jerry Green, and he resorts to such disgusting displays in public, I guess it was just a matter of time.

    Quite frankly, there are many people in this city, and on the council, who I do not understand. They mumble, they do not annunciate, they use incorrect syntax. Because of the lack of value on education in this city, this occurs much too often.

    However, common politeness dictates that you do no correct in public. My one comment to Gloria Taylor is how many languages do you speak?

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