LETTER TO MAYOR & COUNCIL

Tom Kaercher asked me to post this letter. Too bad no other group of

concerned citizens have risen in  protest to the Council's actions about

thei rs and the Mayor's stipends as well as the SID takeover and the 

North Ave.gift.

An Letter to Plainfield (NJ) Mayor and Council:    December 12, 2017

The City of Plainfield has worked hard to change the negative image
that has followed Plainfield for decades.   Despite a beautiful
housing stock, diverse population, and active business district, with
the reelection of Mayor Mapp in November 2017 a series of reckless,
one-sided and arrogant decisions were made.

Among the three most recent, and divisive, decisions pushed through
against the will of residents/voters are as follows:

1. The takeover by city/council of the SID, the very active and
financially independent association of business owners that has
thrived for decades, bringing positive attention to business
development and reaching out to residents with activities for all
ages.    The many accomplishments of the SID were disregarded, and
will cost taxpayers dearly as this becomes a government, rather than
private, entity.
2. The increase of Mayor and council salaries was introduced one day
post election.    Despite cogent arguments made by residents, the
Mayor will now receive $75,000, up from $35,000, for his part-time
job.   Council is $25,000 from $10,000 for part-time positions.
3. At the same December 11, 2017 meeting, a deer kill was announced
with no previous notice to the public, based solely on the desire of
council members to mollify a handful of residents whose main complaint
was that deer are eating their shrubs.    This action is over the will
of the majority who have enjoyed the biodiversity of wildlife, with
children and adults alike delighting in watching these graceful
creatures as part of the overall peaceful living environment.

We, as the Animal Initiative Committee, are responding to the last matter..

Union County is always looking for more outlets to satisfy hunters,
and they found a mark in Plainfield.

The catch basin (watershed) on  Cushing Road has long been off-limits
to human interference.     It protects wildlife that has been
displaced from surrounding areas due to development and destruction of
environment.   The development on Cushing Road has done the damage to
environment, why are we not addressing that?

No creature should be killed for eating flowers.   There are many ways
to live peacefully, and still enjoy the beauty of nature.

The council has refused to reach out to the very resources in their
own districts that help resolve issues in a humane, non-lethal manner.
     We also have access to outside resources willing to come in to
address concerns.

For over 18 years, the Animal Initiative Committee has presented a
yearly Celebration of Animals that attracts people from the City and
surrounding areas.    It is a joyous time, filled with educational
programs on how to live in harmony with all beings.     We have a
flyer for distribution on living with wildlife.    Despite invitations
each year, neither Mayor nor council attends.

We received positive feedback last year with the plight of a dog left
in the elements.    As a result, an ordinance that brings attention to
care for animals was established.    Plainfield was praised for its
animal friendly resolution.

This deer kill will divide community and neighbors, and is in direct
opposition to the Mayor's  “One Plainfield” theme.     Nothing divides
like animal issues, as evidenced in the past by the dog situation.
This decision to kill will have far reaching effects outside of
Plainfield.

We urge you to rescind the invitation to the County for this kill.
We do not want the county dictating how our animals are treated, as
they have a singular method that is killing.

We are available to discuss and recommend other methods, and end with
the following Mission Statement, which should be a resolution of
Plainfield:

"Be it resolved, the Animal Initiative Committee is opposed to any
violent or lethal methods designed to target wildlife and other
animals on any properties:   private, municipal, state or county in
and around the City of Plainfield".

And finally,

“Never, never be afraid to do what is right, especially if the well
being of a person or animal is at stake.   Society's punishments are
small, compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the
other way. “    (Martin Luther King, Jr)

Animal Initiative Committee of Plainfield

Marie Ansari
Gloria Binkowski, VMD
MaryEllen Chanda
Shirley Edwards
Thomas Kaercher
Shannon Pacheco