My intention was that today I would not write any specifics about the Monday night- Tuesday AM Council Meeting. I hope that Plaintalker II's computer problems are only a temporary aberration and her factual reports will be available. Plainfield Today has already comment on one item that again points out the chaos created by the lack of a CFO. More later this week.
When I had first looked at the agenda the few controversial resolutions for discussions gave me hope that I would be home by 11Pm at the latest. However I did not allow for over an hour discussion on "Recreation".
There are several facets that were touched upon then and later including the Public Commentary midnight session. The first and longest had to do with the relationships between the Mayor's appointed ( and the title has not been made clear) "Recreation Advisory Committee" whose spokesperson Dwayne Wilkins supported by Mr. Tucker(?)-I may need correction on the names-gave an expanded diplomatic 10 minute presentation about the relationships between this dedicated volunteer group and the Recreation Division. More on this later.
Also a Mr Stansbury(?) spoke about an unofficial group organization of which I was unawares, The Youth Council- again I ask for clarification of the name. The membership of this body comes from concerned Churches, individuals, and members of the BOE. Its focus is on after school and evening youth activities as an alternate to gang membership. He remarked that this croup was the sponsors of the Thursday night Gym programs at Washington and Emerson schools for the month of August. His plea was for the need for financial support for security officers for those programs since the group did not have the funds.
Rightly so Mr. Stansbury pointed out that the best weapon to fight the gang problem is to offer readily available community alternatives. I have been preaching that for months.
Aside from the apparent insurmountable problem of funds, which I am sure can be negated by concerted efforts by all who must support recreational programs, there are certain givens that are being ignored: (1) Recreation is much more than athletics, (2) Recreation activities should encompass the preschoolers to the Senior Citizens (3) It is an all-embracing community responsibility as well as activity. (4) It needs a top priority.
That noted; to go back to the Recreation Advisory Committee, it has most of the right people in place for what should be a nucleus of a "Commission" given powers to coordinated all citywide recreational activities. The "Commission" must include those whose interests are in other recreational activities and are willing to include such troubled groups as the Heritage Chorus, a "Plainfield showpiece" in the scope of its oversight.
Obviously to establish such a Commission will take an Ordinance that includes its charge, responsibility and authority. This will be worthless unless all other parties are willing to participate. The challenge is citizenship with its responsibilities.
It is obvious that the City Government's recreational facilities are outdoors and mostly athletically orientated. This includes swimming pools, swings etc.. The city per se has no indoor facilities except the potentiality of the "Tepper's Basement". Indoor facilities, include all the schools but especially Washington, Emerson and the High School, as well as those provided by various religious institutions and the YMCA and YWCA.
The PSS properties, although the BOE/PSS represents an "independent authority" are tax supported public entities. Their use must not be restricted by the turf protection ideology. Somehow, a close integration between community needs and BOE/PSS obligations and activities must be integrated. There are costs that must be met such as upkeep, heat, lighting, security, insurances and legal responsibilities and restrictions.
The Ys and Churches are another kettle of fish. They are unique unto themselves, depending on memberships and charitable donations. They will need public support for their usage in public recreational activities. Above all, churches' religious missions must be segregated from tax supported activities.
There is no quick fix, but without the willingness to start and knowing that here lies the most potential antidote to the gang anarchy.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
CN ON LINE
FYI; This is from the online edition read at 9AM. In the printed edition there is an interesting first page story about a system to identify stolen vehicles. Not strangely mentioned is the big brother capability of monitoring vehicle movements and locations.
Plainfield authorities are investigating a shooting incident that took place in the West End Monday night, said city Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig.At least one person was shot during the incident Hellwig said late Monday, but no information on his condition was immediately available. The city had gone more than three weeks without a shooting after more than a dozen shooting incidents were recorded between May 1 and July 20.More details on this incident are expected to be available early Tuesday according to Hellwig. Check back to MyCentralJersey.com for more details as they become available.
Plainfield authorities are investigating a shooting incident that took place in the West End Monday night, said city Public Safety Director Martin Hellwig.At least one person was shot during the incident Hellwig said late Monday, but no information on his condition was immediately available. The city had gone more than three weeks without a shooting after more than a dozen shooting incidents were recorded between May 1 and July 20.More details on this incident are expected to be available early Tuesday according to Hellwig. Check back to MyCentralJersey.com for more details as they become available.
Why No Council Comments
No the dog days are not over but the summer doldrums are for at least these two weeks. The4 Star Ledger reporter left after 11PM, the Courier reporter about 11:30 or earlier, At the witching hour when I left, Bernice was still taking notes. Read her blog today.
I will post some impressions or commentary later probably after noon time aand I expect for the next few days.
I will post some impressions or commentary later probably after noon time aand I expect for the next few days.
Monday, August 9, 2010
MORE DOG DAYS
My old Heinz Hound would lay in the shade of the cherry tree and pant and pant and---. Today AC helps mediate the heat and the humidity, the cherry tree is long gone.
Most of the "action" at tonight's Council Agenda Setting Session will be devoted to reports and discussions. There are several resolutions that require the presence of a CFO. Since the position is still unfilled and unless Trenton acts there apparently is no indication that Administration is making a honest attempt to seek an acceptable candidate. Who gives authority to what individual to act in that capacity.
Will the Council's Administration and Finance Committee have an update? What will the Council's position be? Stand by.
Most of the "action" at tonight's Council Agenda Setting Session will be devoted to reports and discussions. There are several resolutions that require the presence of a CFO. Since the position is still unfilled and unless Trenton acts there apparently is no indication that Administration is making a honest attempt to seek an acceptable candidate. Who gives authority to what individual to act in that capacity.
Will the Council's Administration and Finance Committee have an update? What will the Council's position be? Stand by.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Potpourri Aug.8,2010
Sunday's Courier Plainfield story was about HERITAGE CHORUS suspending its operations due to financial problems. Once again one of Plainfield's rare jewels will vanish because of lack of public support. I do have a question, are the chorus' and the foundation's books audited for perhaps better use of funds?
Although the chorus is not an athletic activity it is another important and successful youth activity that would keep youngsters off "the street". Somehow there must e a revision of "Recreations" role and adequate funding must be found to support this and other activities that I have alluded to in previous post. They are all important weapons in the fight against gangs.
Renata's blog yesterday noted that the Washington and Emerson School Gyms will be open Thursday evening during August. This is welcomed as a very small step in the right direction in the crime counter offensive. We need 7 nights a week. The BOE merits a few brownie points for the effort.
The answer is of course money. Costs of course included insurances and staffing. The staff problem can be alleviated in part by the greater use of civic minded volunteers. Supervisory personnel must be city/school employees and willing to share responsibilities with the public.
An attitude change in Administration and various departments is essential.
On the subject of the BOE, Maria has noted that the last minutes that have e=been approved was in February. All minutes up to the installation of the present board remain unofficial, however they must be kept and obtainable although never accepted. The present board can not approve or reject minutes from meetings that occurred under the auspices of another board.
If the present board is not acting on the minutes of its meetings it too is being irresponsible.Minutes should be available for acceptance or correction at the next meeting or rarely at a subsequent early meeting. At best minutes are subject to editing, but alterations can not be permitted unless the matter is fresh in the membership's minds.
Sunday's Courier Plainfield story was about HERITAGE CHORUS suspending its operations due to financial problems. Once again one of Plainfield's rare jewels will vanish because of lack of public support. I do have a question, are the chorus' and the foundation's books audited for perhaps better use of funds?
Although the chorus is not an athletic activity it is another important and successful youth activity that would keep youngsters off "the street". Somehow there must e a revision of "Recreations" role and adequate funding must be found to support this and other activities that I have alluded to in previous post. They are all important weapons in the fight against gangs.
Renata's blog yesterday noted that the Washington and Emerson School Gyms will be open Thursday evening during August. This is welcomed as a very small step in the right direction in the crime counter offensive. We need 7 nights a week. The BOE merits a few brownie points for the effort.
The answer is of course money. Costs of course included insurances and staffing. The staff problem can be alleviated in part by the greater use of civic minded volunteers. Supervisory personnel must be city/school employees and willing to share responsibilities with the public.
An attitude change in Administration and various departments is essential.
On the subject of the BOE, Maria has noted that the last minutes that have e=been approved was in February. All minutes up to the installation of the present board remain unofficial, however they must be kept and obtainable although never accepted. The present board can not approve or reject minutes from meetings that occurred under the auspices of another board.
If the present board is not acting on the minutes of its meetings it too is being irresponsible.Minutes should be available for acceptance or correction at the next meeting or rarely at a subsequent early meeting. At best minutes are subject to editing, but alterations can not be permitted unless the matter is fresh in the membership's minds.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
HEALTH C ARE CRISIS
Headline Courier News Saturday August 7,2010. "Pregnant Plainfield woman in labor allegedly turned away from Muhlenberg" What actually took place when she sought admission to the satellite emergency facility will be a matter of "she said,they said" may never be determined.
The fact is that the ER at Muhlenberg does not have complete obstetrical facilities. Yes, it would be possible to deliver a baby in treatment room but that is not a delivery room.
The Satellite Emergence Room is not an ideal venue of choice to deliver a baby. The infection preventive status of a multipurpose room can not equate with that of a hospital delivery suite or birthing room. If the triage nurse did an assessment of the woman's stage in labor and determined that in her opinion the woman was not in active enough labor that she could reach the hospital in Elizabeth in time to be admitted and be properly prepared for giving birth, the recommendation that she not be admitted to the Muhlenberg ER was proper. There may well have been a misunderstanding by naturally apprehensive individuals.
That part of the incident is not as important that in this urban area there was no ambulance available either from the Plainfield or North Plainfield squads that would normally respond. I would hope that there can be clarification how many vehicles were "on duty" in the twin communities? Where they were when the call was made? How long it would have taken for a response from one of those units? What and how are alternate emergency units contacted and what would be their expected response time?
These questions must be answered. I hope that the Director of Public Safety can promptly answer these questions. Emergency medical aid is a Public safety responsibility even if ignored. Over the past few years repeated public questions about disaster plans have never had a satisfactory response. If Administration will not address the issue I hope the Media will actively pursue those questions.
The fact is when at the public hearing(s) it was pointed out the potentiality of a unacceptable delay in transporting critically ill patients to a hospital, it was ignored by the previous Commissioner of Health and Senior Services who had predetermined without adequate study that Muhlenberg should be closed.. A politically safe venue was treated without respect for its population in favor of an affluent community with better access to health centers. The safety and welfare of 50000 individuals meant nothing to Trenton.
Yes public leaders had tried unsuccessfully first to prevent then when that failed to remedy the situation. Non the less there has been no effective support, if any, from the local political leadership. Answers must be demanded from the new Administration. Universal Health Care is valueless if there are not accessible facilities and trained givers
The Muhlenberg we knew can not be restored. However, a credible replacement can be developed if Trenton wishes. It will take time to do so but the longer the delay the longer will be the rebuilding period. One of the fall outs of hospitals closing has been the removal of private physicians offices from the area. How many are today located in the "Park Ave Doctor's Row aa compared with 2000? What is the census in Plainfield and North Plainfield nowadays as compared with 2000? Yes there has been an increase number of medical practitioner's' offices along the Oak Tree Road in Inman Ave corridors as well as along Mountain Ave in Warren. How accessible are they to those without transportation? Plainfield has become a third world medical community.
The fact is that the ER at Muhlenberg does not have complete obstetrical facilities. Yes, it would be possible to deliver a baby in treatment room but that is not a delivery room.
The Satellite Emergence Room is not an ideal venue of choice to deliver a baby. The infection preventive status of a multipurpose room can not equate with that of a hospital delivery suite or birthing room. If the triage nurse did an assessment of the woman's stage in labor and determined that in her opinion the woman was not in active enough labor that she could reach the hospital in Elizabeth in time to be admitted and be properly prepared for giving birth, the recommendation that she not be admitted to the Muhlenberg ER was proper. There may well have been a misunderstanding by naturally apprehensive individuals.
That part of the incident is not as important that in this urban area there was no ambulance available either from the Plainfield or North Plainfield squads that would normally respond. I would hope that there can be clarification how many vehicles were "on duty" in the twin communities? Where they were when the call was made? How long it would have taken for a response from one of those units? What and how are alternate emergency units contacted and what would be their expected response time?
These questions must be answered. I hope that the Director of Public Safety can promptly answer these questions. Emergency medical aid is a Public safety responsibility even if ignored. Over the past few years repeated public questions about disaster plans have never had a satisfactory response. If Administration will not address the issue I hope the Media will actively pursue those questions.
The fact is when at the public hearing(s) it was pointed out the potentiality of a unacceptable delay in transporting critically ill patients to a hospital, it was ignored by the previous Commissioner of Health and Senior Services who had predetermined without adequate study that Muhlenberg should be closed.. A politically safe venue was treated without respect for its population in favor of an affluent community with better access to health centers. The safety and welfare of 50000 individuals meant nothing to Trenton.
Yes public leaders had tried unsuccessfully first to prevent then when that failed to remedy the situation. Non the less there has been no effective support, if any, from the local political leadership. Answers must be demanded from the new Administration. Universal Health Care is valueless if there are not accessible facilities and trained givers
The Muhlenberg we knew can not be restored. However, a credible replacement can be developed if Trenton wishes. It will take time to do so but the longer the delay the longer will be the rebuilding period. One of the fall outs of hospitals closing has been the removal of private physicians offices from the area. How many are today located in the "Park Ave Doctor's Row aa compared with 2000? What is the census in Plainfield and North Plainfield nowadays as compared with 2000? Yes there has been an increase number of medical practitioner's' offices along the Oak Tree Road in Inman Ave corridors as well as along Mountain Ave in Warren. How accessible are they to those without transportation? Plainfield has become a third world medical community.
DOLDRUMS
Dog days doldrums, just two pictures to pass the time.
Fishing boats, Juneau Alaska
University of Virginia, The Lawn in the fall
Fishing boats, Juneau Alaska
University of Virginia, The Lawn in the fallTG; Monday the Council meets.
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