Today's Plainfield Plaintalker rightly so takes our Assemblyman to task. When he is not publishing self laudatory press releases, he uses his blog to attack those who may disagree with him. Jerry Green is a advocate of distortion, innuendos, threats, and taking credit for himself for the successes of others. To read his column , Obama would not have carried Plainfield (and New Jersey) if it ha not been for JG's support. He seems to have forgotten that he publicly supported Senator Clinton until after the results of NJ's primary and the National Convention. Whereas, Council President Burney was beating the drums for Obama from the day his Candidacy was announced.
I am amazed that the comment by "anonymous 7:37" to today's Plainfield Plaintalker's blog would be verbatim to the one I would have written if I had thought to do so.
I have taken the liberty to copy his comments and reproduce in toto:
"With the Jerry Green – Robinson-Briggs administration having had the same effect as the Bush Administration to the US the best thing would be for him to not say anything. Losing Muhlenberg, higher taxes, less representation, the worst streets ever in the history of Plainfield, School system trying to dig its way out from the Green run choices, this is what he is proud of? If Plainfield reelects the same people that put us in this mess then we deserve what we get. Plainfield has to be nonpartisan and vote for the candidate."
I have written many times before that the good citizen votes for the candidate not the party label. Partisanism unfortunately rears its ugly head when it comes to receiving State or Federal grants. It certainly does not protect the resident voters from allocation of resources to more affluent areas. The best example and most recent is the closing of Muhlenberg.
Transparency is also not the forte of the local political party chairman. Perhaps new leadership and the results on the local ticket in Junes primary will b e an eye opener. Perhaps is the wrong term, this coming election irregardless of the results will be an important indicator of Plainfield's future.
Brenice, please do not dis the "RDO aisle-jumpers". National and local politics are two different animals. The "lifelong Republicans" who did so are the same ones who also cast anti-Bush votes at the last election. They are not line voters, but finally have admitted that to have any impact in New Jersey elections you have to be able to express it at the Primary Elections.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The pictures have no relationship with the subject matter. They are just to look at.
As I had feared a pot hole finally got me or to be more specific,my car.Yesterday afternoon on my way to Walgreen I could not avoid a new trap on Leland. I left the store and everything seemed OK; stopped to go into the PNC Bank and when I left there for my next port of call I noticed that the car was pulling to the left. Yes the front left tire was looking very low. I was able to get into the Shell Station and thank goodness AAA was there within 30 minutes. The tire does not seem to have suffered irreparable damage so I may be in luck.
In Wednesdays Times there was article about New York rehabilitating foreclosed properties that were contributing to neighborhood blight. Under the new program, the city will not take ownership of the properties, but instead will subsidize their rehabilitation through a third party, a nonprofit group called the Restored Homes Housing Development Fund Corporation. This was part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which I think is supposed to end in about 3 weeks. If this is the Program Faith, Brick and Mortar spoke about on Monday, has the city overlooked until the deadline a grant that would be helpful. I am confused because I did not get the gist of presentation and would like some clarification.
Could it be that the local bloggers are fulfilling the functions of the pamphleteers of years ago. The number of welcomed comments that I received on a recent blogging and those both Plainfield Today and Plaintalker have received recently would suggest that. When Marie was active with her blog, it was very School,City Attractiveness,and Ethnic oriented. She too was apparently widely read. The local blogs are disseminating news and opinions that are missed in the restricted newspaper media of today.
Blogs also offer a media for acceptable rebuttal as well as supportive comments. In all honesty, no one can deny that Plainfield Plaintalker and Marie's Blog are nonpolitical. If mine seems to be at times,it is because I am concerned with the welfare of our community. I am not blindly acting for the interests of Republicans, New Democrats,or Old Democrats.
Read my mast head "An octogenarian's vehicle to expound at nonspecific intervals on his opinions regarding politics-local to international, health care, life,society,and perhaps religion plus periodic vignettes about Plainfield N.J." I should also add ;'To share my photographs with others".
I do not believe that I am Propagandizing. The definition of Propaganda reads"the particular doctrines or principles propagated by an organization or concerted movement". Any public figure who uses a media must accept comments on his words, actions or results. That person also has the right and capability to defend himself. I do not think that such defense should include the threat of legal action.
#1 The Danube at Budapest.#2 Russian bullet holes in St Mathias
#3 Budapest waterfront.
#4 Budapest scene
Friday, January 16, 2009
Who is a Propagandist?
To John Rearson, Concerned Plainfield Resident,and also "Anonymous 5.27pm" I published your remarks and rather than answering them in the "comments" to my blog I will do so in this posting.
If you carefully reread my article you will not see any mention of the BOE being responsible for Tuesday's incident. I did mention the occurrence at the High School which received broad area wide notoriety because it was apparently GANG related. The problem is that Plainfield's criminal element is still very active. This contraindicates the claim that great strides have been made to rid Plainfield of the problem.
The old Democrats in their support of the city party chairman always point out that most of the BOE members belong to the NEW DEMOCRATS. I have never alluded to political affiliation among the BOE. I have expressed my displeasure that the elected board which was intended to be a non political process has been bastardized by the filing of politically supported slates.
However, despite some of you who think I was condemning the BOE or the School System professionals I can not find anything I wrote that implied such a charge. I was using the incident to illustrate that gangs are still a criminal element in this community. I agree that there is a fault as the writer says in the community and perhaps parents responsibility. But the question I also posed was HOW DID THE WEAPONS BYPASS THE DETECTORS? I am sure an answer will be forthcoming.
If we are going to have politics enter into the BOE's formation, then let the Mayor appoint the board members subject of course to Council approval. Only then will we have accountability.
I can not understand why all the JG protectors continue to insist that there is no interaction between his position as Assemblyman and City Party Chairman. Nor is their defence of his claim that he has no influence in the city politics valid. I do not believe that these protectors are so naive to believe that those who are picked for election by the party committee are not aware that the chairpersons interests are to be respected or else there will be no political future.
Also do not think that I am a propagandists for the NEW DEMOCRATS. I made known my critical opinions at Council meetings for over a decade prior to the present administration including the McWilliams' era.
Finally, I expect to have some readers who disagree with me and are willing to do so in a proper manner. Your remarks will not be censored, however I will not post any comments that are vicious attacks on any other individual.
Perhaps I can placate you all by posting this picture of the Parthenon. We had visited Athens several times relating to different cruises.The first time we climb to the top of the Acropolis my pictures were unsatisfactory because of camera motion. This time I carried a tripod with me and was able to take several great shots including this one. I hope you agree.
If you carefully reread my article you will not see any mention of the BOE being responsible for Tuesday's incident. I did mention the occurrence at the High School which received broad area wide notoriety because it was apparently GANG related. The problem is that Plainfield's criminal element is still very active. This contraindicates the claim that great strides have been made to rid Plainfield of the problem.
The old Democrats in their support of the city party chairman always point out that most of the BOE members belong to the NEW DEMOCRATS. I have never alluded to political affiliation among the BOE. I have expressed my displeasure that the elected board which was intended to be a non political process has been bastardized by the filing of politically supported slates.
However, despite some of you who think I was condemning the BOE or the School System professionals I can not find anything I wrote that implied such a charge. I was using the incident to illustrate that gangs are still a criminal element in this community. I agree that there is a fault as the writer says in the community and perhaps parents responsibility. But the question I also posed was HOW DID THE WEAPONS BYPASS THE DETECTORS? I am sure an answer will be forthcoming.
If we are going to have politics enter into the BOE's formation, then let the Mayor appoint the board members subject of course to Council approval. Only then will we have accountability.
I can not understand why all the JG protectors continue to insist that there is no interaction between his position as Assemblyman and City Party Chairman. Nor is their defence of his claim that he has no influence in the city politics valid. I do not believe that these protectors are so naive to believe that those who are picked for election by the party committee are not aware that the chairpersons interests are to be respected or else there will be no political future.
Also do not think that I am a propagandists for the NEW DEMOCRATS. I made known my critical opinions at Council meetings for over a decade prior to the present administration including the McWilliams' era.
Finally, I expect to have some readers who disagree with me and are willing to do so in a proper manner. Your remarks will not be censored, however I will not post any comments that are vicious attacks on any other individual.
Perhaps I can placate you all by posting this picture of the Parthenon. We had visited Athens several times relating to different cruises.The first time we climb to the top of the Acropolis my pictures were unsatisfactory because of camera motion. This time I carried a tripod with me and was able to take several great shots including this one. I hope you agree.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What Rise ??
Jerry Green in his blog "A Community On The Rise" of Jan. 12,2009 as usual makes many hyperbolic statements for self justification. Here are three paragraphs (not in order) from that posting with my personal comments.
"I would now like to set the record straight regarding harsh and unmerited criticisms of Plainfield and its leadership that seeks to tear down the city without the thought of rebuilding it. Those who engage in this sort of injurious behavior are beginning to realize the tide which is turning in our City. I am happy to see for the first time in 20 years that the community as a whole is seeing through this sort of behavior and is no longer failing victim to it. I am seeing that as a community, we have turned the corner, and we will continue to move forward in progression and productivity."
In 1981 when Everret Lattimore became the first Afro-American and the first Democrat in 68 years Mayor of Plainfield, it was still a vibrant city and he left it two years later when he became Superintendent of the school system. Rick Taylor who subsequently also was mayor stated in 81 after the election that "Plainfield is now our city". A year latter one Jerry Green was elected to the Union County Board of Freeholders. Can Jerry honestly say that today's Plainfield is a better city that it was in 1982?
The Chairmanship of the Plainfield Democratic Party has been a powerful position for the last 28 years. Looking at Plainfield today perhaps those critics are right and if the tide is to change it will be because of new leadership.
We continue to lose tax rateables. What was once the prime business district in Central Jersey is now a disaster area. For fifteen plus years Plainfield has been promissing its Seniors a center. While other communities have delivered, Plainfield is still waiting continuing to present and then change one unsatisfactory substandard plan for another. The Seniors are still using rented space. That has been a failure of party leadership.
No, criticism does not tear down a city, it is leadership hat has not listen to its critics and have failed to rebuild the city. After three years of the present administration the streets have reach such a degree of disrepair that no one in their right mind would consider the city ideal for a new start. To understand what our streets are like go to this article from the University of Wisconsin; epdfiles.engr.wisc.edu/pdf_web_files/tic/manuals/Asphalt-PASER_02.pdf -. This will give the reader an understanding of the level of our damaged roads. It also shows the causes and preventive measures to preserve the streets.
To be fair all administrations in the past twenty years have to share responsibility. On of the worse examples has been South Ave. which began to fail within a year after it was reconstructed.
"The political climate of change that is sweeping across America, beginning with our President Elect Barack Obama, and manifesting itself here within our city, dictates a message to those who look to undermine and harm our community to ‘Put Up or Shut Up’. For, these same individuals, if asked for their contributions to SOLUTIONS and not just criticisms, would not be able to supply ONE initiative that they have promoted"
Perhaps Assemblyman Green can supply us with the names of individuals who have been critical of him and the city government about specific situations who have been asked and have refused to contribute to "SOLUTIONS" or have been unable to supply any initiative. Has he or the 2008 city government enlisted the aid of any of the local citizens who proposed solutions to Plainfield's Health Care Crisis or any other civic problem?
No, it is that author who failed to put up to save the hospital. His solutions all were designed to implement Solaris' plans. Five months after the city was left without a quality facility we continue to hear horror stories about JFK.
"Unfortunately, we still have people in the city who do not want to give the Mayor and Council credit for moving the City in the right direction in terms of crime prevention and containment. I recently was afforded the opportunity to talk with law enforcement agents on the State and County levels, and they conveyed feelings of pride and satisfaction in the way in which Plainfield’s leadership has been dealing with issues of crime".
On Jan 14 the area network news prominently aired a story about 4 youths being arrested in the High School (according to the paper one was on the street) for having a loaded gun and a kitchen Knife in their possession. The inference was that there was supposedly going to be some "gang" activity after school. Plainfield has been and still is listed as one of the hotbeds of street gangs. The school was listed as dangerous. Although there have been arrests of certain gang members during the past year it seems that they still have a powerful impact upon Plainfield.
It would also be interesting to learn how two weapons were inside the school despite metal detector screening. Where was the break in security?
Yes Jerry I think change is comming. I hope it will start with the members of the 2009 Council, and the Plainfield voters. The June elections will tell part of the story.
"I would now like to set the record straight regarding harsh and unmerited criticisms of Plainfield and its leadership that seeks to tear down the city without the thought of rebuilding it. Those who engage in this sort of injurious behavior are beginning to realize the tide which is turning in our City. I am happy to see for the first time in 20 years that the community as a whole is seeing through this sort of behavior and is no longer failing victim to it. I am seeing that as a community, we have turned the corner, and we will continue to move forward in progression and productivity."
In 1981 when Everret Lattimore became the first Afro-American and the first Democrat in 68 years Mayor of Plainfield, it was still a vibrant city and he left it two years later when he became Superintendent of the school system. Rick Taylor who subsequently also was mayor stated in 81 after the election that "Plainfield is now our city". A year latter one Jerry Green was elected to the Union County Board of Freeholders. Can Jerry honestly say that today's Plainfield is a better city that it was in 1982?
The Chairmanship of the Plainfield Democratic Party has been a powerful position for the last 28 years. Looking at Plainfield today perhaps those critics are right and if the tide is to change it will be because of new leadership.
We continue to lose tax rateables. What was once the prime business district in Central Jersey is now a disaster area. For fifteen plus years Plainfield has been promissing its Seniors a center. While other communities have delivered, Plainfield is still waiting continuing to present and then change one unsatisfactory substandard plan for another. The Seniors are still using rented space. That has been a failure of party leadership.
No, criticism does not tear down a city, it is leadership hat has not listen to its critics and have failed to rebuild the city. After three years of the present administration the streets have reach such a degree of disrepair that no one in their right mind would consider the city ideal for a new start. To understand what our streets are like go to this article from the University of Wisconsin; epdfiles.engr.wisc.edu/pdf_web_files/tic/manuals/Asphalt-PASER_02.pdf -. This will give the reader an understanding of the level of our damaged roads. It also shows the causes and preventive measures to preserve the streets.
To be fair all administrations in the past twenty years have to share responsibility. On of the worse examples has been South Ave. which began to fail within a year after it was reconstructed.
"The political climate of change that is sweeping across America, beginning with our President Elect Barack Obama, and manifesting itself here within our city, dictates a message to those who look to undermine and harm our community to ‘Put Up or Shut Up’. For, these same individuals, if asked for their contributions to SOLUTIONS and not just criticisms, would not be able to supply ONE initiative that they have promoted"
Perhaps Assemblyman Green can supply us with the names of individuals who have been critical of him and the city government about specific situations who have been asked and have refused to contribute to "SOLUTIONS" or have been unable to supply any initiative. Has he or the 2008 city government enlisted the aid of any of the local citizens who proposed solutions to Plainfield's Health Care Crisis or any other civic problem?
No, it is that author who failed to put up to save the hospital. His solutions all were designed to implement Solaris' plans. Five months after the city was left without a quality facility we continue to hear horror stories about JFK.
"Unfortunately, we still have people in the city who do not want to give the Mayor and Council credit for moving the City in the right direction in terms of crime prevention and containment. I recently was afforded the opportunity to talk with law enforcement agents on the State and County levels, and they conveyed feelings of pride and satisfaction in the way in which Plainfield’s leadership has been dealing with issues of crime".
On Jan 14 the area network news prominently aired a story about 4 youths being arrested in the High School (according to the paper one was on the street) for having a loaded gun and a kitchen Knife in their possession. The inference was that there was supposedly going to be some "gang" activity after school. Plainfield has been and still is listed as one of the hotbeds of street gangs. The school was listed as dangerous. Although there have been arrests of certain gang members during the past year it seems that they still have a powerful impact upon Plainfield.
It would also be interesting to learn how two weapons were inside the school despite metal detector screening. Where was the break in security?
Yes Jerry I think change is comming. I hope it will start with the members of the 2009 Council, and the Plainfield voters. The June elections will tell part of the story.
Pictorial Interlud
As a relief from "On the Rise" an as a change from today's weather I present for your pleasure (I hope) two views of Corfu, and two of the windmills of Mykonos.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Potpourri
At one of the Council agenda setting meetings early fall when the subject of allocating funds for finishing this years road resurfacing as part of the 2nd year of the 2004 plan, Kensington Ave was included in the list. , Although the work had not started, we were assured that the it would be finished by the end of November. I questioned if that time of the year was not a proper time to lay down asphalt due to the average temperature range. I was assured that it was no problem.
On Jan 14 I had the occasion to use that street and found it to still be in its "holy" state. Is that why we are now going back to what is to be now known as stage 1 of the six year plan of 2004?
I would like to commend Council President Burney on his assumption of the seat of power. Well it can be if used properly and can have more impact on the future of Plainfield than the Mayor. This can be analogous to Speaker Pelosi influence on President Obama's goals this year. I hope we don't revert to the legal conflicts of several years ago between Council and Administration.
No one knows how much that cost the public.
The Council President's concept of the functioning of committees reflect the legislative function of the State and National bodies. It will work if there is not too much sub rosa deliberations and the transparency promised is enforced. Since these committees are small there may be an over abundance of electronic discussion instead of minute reporting sessions.
FYI: "sub rosa"comes from the practice of medieval councils when debating in private hung a rose on the ceiling and swore not to reveal what they had discussed. In other words a secret session. The rose was also the symbol of the Egyptian God Horas signifying privacy.
"in camera" is most commonly used in legal situations where the parties involved in an action have an "off the record" private meeting in the judge's chambers. Although applicable it is not often used outside of the court room.
On Jan 14 I had the occasion to use that street and found it to still be in its "holy" state. Is that why we are now going back to what is to be now known as stage 1 of the six year plan of 2004?
I would like to commend Council President Burney on his assumption of the seat of power. Well it can be if used properly and can have more impact on the future of Plainfield than the Mayor. This can be analogous to Speaker Pelosi influence on President Obama's goals this year. I hope we don't revert to the legal conflicts of several years ago between Council and Administration.
No one knows how much that cost the public.
The Council President's concept of the functioning of committees reflect the legislative function of the State and National bodies. It will work if there is not too much sub rosa deliberations and the transparency promised is enforced. Since these committees are small there may be an over abundance of electronic discussion instead of minute reporting sessions.
FYI: "sub rosa"comes from the practice of medieval councils when debating in private hung a rose on the ceiling and swore not to reveal what they had discussed. In other words a secret session. The rose was also the symbol of the Egyptian God Horas signifying privacy.
"in camera" is most commonly used in legal situations where the parties involved in an action have an "off the record" private meeting in the judge's chambers. Although applicable it is not often used outside of the court room.
Monday, January 12, 2009
COUNCIL MEETING
Monday's Council agenda setting meeting was well attended by the public and covered a great deal of material. One meeting does not make an institution but it appears that the 2009 Council will be more proactive than any in the past few years.
Apparently the proposed Don Davis appointments a PMUA Commissioner created such an overwhelming public reaction as indicated by the large number of comments received by Plainfield Today. Anyhow the Mayor withdrew the recommendation from consideration at this time.
There was prolonged discoursing about the allocating of three city vehicles 24/7. The Council agreed to put on the agenda for Thursday night's rescheduled meeting the assignment of a car to the Superintendent of Public Works. Although approving a temporary extension they deferred for further information and consideration permanent assignment of vehicles for the City Administrator, and the "Director of Public Affairs and Safety/Police Director" (sic).There is a question especially for the Public Safety director about the "portal to portal" legitimacy of a city owned vehicle. The argument that it would be needed in an emergency situation would be valid if time was a true consideration. Ar present if that individual was travelling at highway speed the entire "40"miles in would take him 27 minutes to reach Plainfield. the more likely time would be more realistically 45 minutes. Thus an extra 5 minutes to switch from his own vehicle to his city car should not be critical.
Public comments were pro and con. The cost saving was given at $1200.00 a year. That may not be a true estimate since 80 miles a day allowing for 5 days a week would be in line with the figures. (10000 miles =500 gal).
What did emerge from the discussion was the lack of controls and accountability over the use of vehicles.
Council President Burney spoke about his desires to make the " Civic Responsibility Act Ordinance" viable , and also for the Council using the Ray Blanco "Rules of Order of 2006" as the basis for a revision applicable to the 2009 Council. He wants greater committee activity with periodic reports to the Council and requested that the following have reports ready in Feb; Board of Education/Council Liaison Committee, The Finance Committee,the liaison to the PMUA, The Roads Construction Oversight Committee, the Economic Growth Committee.
There was spirited discussion on the awarding of no bid "Fair and Open Process contracts" instead of opening professional services up for bids. The possibility of "Pay to Play" could influence the non bid procedure.
On a discussions about road resurfacing and repairs City Manager Deshield mentioned that the 2004 plan of resurfacing roads which is supposedly in its second year would be renamed stages and that the city would embark on the First Stage in 2009. There would be some reassessment of priorities about which streets needed immediate resurfacing. He also reassured the Council that in the spring E-town Water Co. would make definitive repeirs to their street openings. &th Street being a County road is not covered by the water companies bond to the city.
Don't forget the business meeting is this Thursday not next Monday, Martin Luther King Day. As a rule the meeting would have been on Tuesday however that is Inaugural Day and many members expect to be in DC. Unfortunately only 4 Council members plan to be present Thursday.
Apparently the proposed Don Davis appointments a PMUA Commissioner created such an overwhelming public reaction as indicated by the large number of comments received by Plainfield Today. Anyhow the Mayor withdrew the recommendation from consideration at this time.
There was prolonged discoursing about the allocating of three city vehicles 24/7. The Council agreed to put on the agenda for Thursday night's rescheduled meeting the assignment of a car to the Superintendent of Public Works. Although approving a temporary extension they deferred for further information and consideration permanent assignment of vehicles for the City Administrator, and the "Director of Public Affairs and Safety/Police Director" (sic).There is a question especially for the Public Safety director about the "portal to portal" legitimacy of a city owned vehicle. The argument that it would be needed in an emergency situation would be valid if time was a true consideration. Ar present if that individual was travelling at highway speed the entire "40"miles in would take him 27 minutes to reach Plainfield. the more likely time would be more realistically 45 minutes. Thus an extra 5 minutes to switch from his own vehicle to his city car should not be critical.
Public comments were pro and con. The cost saving was given at $1200.00 a year. That may not be a true estimate since 80 miles a day allowing for 5 days a week would be in line with the figures. (10000 miles =500 gal).
What did emerge from the discussion was the lack of controls and accountability over the use of vehicles.
Council President Burney spoke about his desires to make the " Civic Responsibility Act Ordinance" viable , and also for the Council using the Ray Blanco "Rules of Order of 2006" as the basis for a revision applicable to the 2009 Council. He wants greater committee activity with periodic reports to the Council and requested that the following have reports ready in Feb; Board of Education/Council Liaison Committee, The Finance Committee,the liaison to the PMUA, The Roads Construction Oversight Committee, the Economic Growth Committee.
There was spirited discussion on the awarding of no bid "Fair and Open Process contracts" instead of opening professional services up for bids. The possibility of "Pay to Play" could influence the non bid procedure.
On a discussions about road resurfacing and repairs City Manager Deshield mentioned that the 2004 plan of resurfacing roads which is supposedly in its second year would be renamed stages and that the city would embark on the First Stage in 2009. There would be some reassessment of priorities about which streets needed immediate resurfacing. He also reassured the Council that in the spring E-town Water Co. would make definitive repeirs to their street openings. &th Street being a County road is not covered by the water companies bond to the city.
Don't forget the business meeting is this Thursday not next Monday, Martin Luther King Day. As a rule the meeting would have been on Tuesday however that is Inaugural Day and many members expect to be in DC. Unfortunately only 4 Council members plan to be present Thursday.
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