SEPTEMBER COUNCIL MEETING

  Once again, the “wham, bam thank you mam” Council meeting will take place at 7pm not the 8pm of yore.

  Although this may be inconvenient for those members of the public who would have dinner at their usual evening hours and have time to attend the meeting it is more convenient for the Council members who will eat at leisure afterwards since it should not last long.

  Of the 22 Resolutions on the earlier approved agenda all but 6 are listed as consent items and a singe vote is all that is needed to approve them no matter what expenditures and their amount are involved.

  Since the agenda items was determined at last week’s Agenda setting meeting there are two new items listed for Monday night.

  An unimportant Resolution will be vote on to be added to the agenda but of greater interest is a 'discussion item' on 'Roles and Responsibilities' in Redevelopment.

  In view of our Administration’ non transparency position, this will probably be a whitewash attempt to clarify the Planning Boards role in redevelopment.

  There is little difference between Plainfield’s Democratic government and Republican Trump’s Presidency. Sad---.

Local Blog

  It has been over a month since I “blogged”. Health issues and computer problems have been in part responsible for the absence of this blog.

  Today however I feel that I must comment on local issues although what is happening in DC is enough for multiple blogs. Today the combination of the Mayor’s hogwash letter and the Council’s get together overwhelmed.

  The Mayor wrote and my comments:” I am angry with lawmakers who can prohibit the easy access to assault weapons and refuse to do so. I am angry with our leader in the white house who continues to feed the basest instincts of white supremacists. I am angry that this country, we call home, is the hunting ground for people seeking to commit mass murders. I am angry that after the civil rights movement of the '60s, and the sacrifice of life given in that struggle to realize some modicum of equality, that we are back here as a nation, once more fighting for the marginalized and oppressed.”

  Yes, Mayor every citizen should be angry with the lawmakers and leaders who place their own agendas and party politics above their public charges and duties. It would be more appropriate for a Mayor to focus his public communications on local issues.

. Likewise, every citizen should be angry at a local government that ignores transparency in favor secrets and political nepotism.

  Will the Mayor ever explain who authorized the 8-person junket to Hawaii. That should have been a Council function, but I do not remember seeing it on any agenda.

  On tonight’s “agenda” there are no CVs of any of the appointees. What other positions have they held in the Mayor’s expanded political circle? What are their experiences and qualifications?

  Nor is there any refence to open bidding on any of the big expenditure items.  Is there any relationship between approved state vendors and political contributions?