Yes, my usual day after “Council Meeting Blog” was not ready
this morning. Nor, will any in depth comment on the business’s transaction be
until I can sort out what was said, not accomplished.
According to Google, today is the 186 anniversary of the author
of “War and Peace”; Leo Tolstoy’s birth. Last night’s Council meeting seemed to
be all “WAR” and a Putin or Hamas concept of peace. The Protagonists were
Councilors Taylor, Reid and in a more laid back attitude, Council President
Rivers.
I shall try to amplify on that statement in a subsequent
blog.
Suffice to say Reid voted “NO” without any explanation
against 6 Resolutions including 1) a transfer of title for the Latin Bar, (2)
Authorization for the Corporation Counsel to settle the Litigation with Dornoch
the Monarch Developers, (3) three waivers of Residency, and (4) with the gang
of four to defeat a settlement not to exceed $17,195.80 with T&M associates.
Councilor Taylor after her oration on how this
Administration is violating the residence ordinance; voted against all
residency waivers relating to filling Health Department Vacancies. Taylor said
that if there was no resident of Plainfield qualified, whoever was appointed
must be required to move here.
A good thought, but who with any degree of competency would
want to move to Plainfield after attending one Council meeting. Indeed with the
antagonism shown it is hard to imagine how anyone attempting to a job can contemplate
staying here.
The most encouraging part of the meeting were the
presentation discussions by two citizen’s groups.
The first was by the CURE (for "Creating Universal
Righteous Establishments.") Group Leader Terry O. Muhammad a member of the
Nation of Islam. He named a large list of co-participants including ministers and
noted that this groups plans included all ethnic and religious factions.
The focus of the group seems to be on providing a better
life environment for all youth including an establishment of a new community
center in the East End.
He mentioned converting the old Armory as a possibility.
Like most well-wishers there is an ignoring that the State had sold the
building to the HOPES Headstart Program in 2012.
This may be a well-rounded diversified citizen’s coalition
that should draw up at the minimum a concise goals plan and should merit a
working relationship with administration.
Likewise Rev. Dean from the East 2nd Street
Revitalization group once again wanted to know why the delay in the application
of the1.2 million funds allocated to the East 2nd Streetscape
several years ago was not being made available for revitalization of the “East
Second Street Neighborhood Commercial District”
Director of Finance West once again as he did last week
explained that there was an in-depth audit to determine how much UEZ funds are
still available and what disposition had been made of the original near 4
million. That information should be available by the October meeting.
The “East Second Street Neighborhood Commercial District” is
a blighted area a disgrace to the city. It should have been the subject for
redevelopment planning thus past 8 years. Not the focus of Councilor’s attacks
on the present Mayor.
A final thought; Councilors are elected (or appointed) to represent the people of the city. They are responsible for all the City’s business. As individual’s they cast a yea or nay vote; however they owe it to the voters to give an explanation of why they object to a resolution. Without such explanations one has the legitimate right to assume that the NO represents a personal vendetta not a realistic objection.
Taylor and Reid and sometimes Rivers all see to have vendettas. Maybe someone they know wasn't appointed to a job they weren't qualified for. I hope we can at least get rid of Taylor in November. Get out the word to vote Republican in the 3rd Ward.
ReplyDeleteToo many local Democrats especially those who do vote are Lemmings and would blindly follow the leader over the clift.
DeleteUnfortunately true.
DeleteJerry told them they did not have to, and the citizens of Plainfield said OK. Hence Gloria Taylor wins the line for the third ward.
ReplyDelete11:18PM- Although I always post all comments even those that find fault with me; there are rules that must be followed or the comment will be discarded. Yours supposedly defending Councilor Taylor violates several of them including being inflammatory racists and using vulgarity.
ReplyDeleteI am considering using your comment with noted redactions as a basis for a blog perhaps next week. Good football weekend.,.
ReplyDeleteTaylor's critiques have nothing to do with race. They come from people of all races. She talks down to people like they are stupid; she shares that with Rivers. She also has trouble keeping on point and explaining her decisions. She is a public servant who needs to serve all of Plainfield and not just Jerry Green. I am white, my son is black and I love him dearly. So, what's your point besides looking for an excuse for Taylor's poor performance for an elected position she chose to do.
ReplyDeleteNot looking for an excuse, just tired of the disrespect that this Black woman receives by the hands of White folks, and those blacks looking for white approval.Yes, she is opinionated,just like you people. She is not afraid to say what is on her mind. She is intelligent and speaks the king's English.She is not intimidated by haters who write the blogs, or those who comment on the blog.She is her own person, yes she is loyal to Green, she already stated that, but Green is not her God.Green would probably want her to shut up until after the election. Nevertheless, Green is not her God.
ReplyDeletePlease stop with the black and white nonsense. I'm black and I think Gloria has proven she is not worthy of that seat on the council. She has shown numerous times that she’s not for the betterment of Plainfield and it’s residence. I am all for organizing a write in for Charles McRae for 3rd ward council. For Gloria to be an educator, she comes off as rude, disrespectful, gratuitous in her comments and willing to do whatever to further the goals of her puppet master. Gloria, before you continue down the path of thinking you can recall the Mayor, keep in mind, that seat you’re sitting in now, it doesn’t have to have you in it come January 1, 2015. We the third ward residence can still vote you out. Your actions since sitting on the council has given us all reason to NOT vote you in come November. As residents we deserve better and more from our elected officials. One other thing, remember, whether or not I am at a council meeting, they are televised.
ReplyDeleteRobin B.