Mondays, PLAINFIELD TODAY will take the form of a digest of Plainfield-only news from the past week: That Was The Week That Was -- or TW3 -- with links to the online stories.
GOVERNMENT
Plainfield's (and New Jersey's) first Hispanic police chief, Ed Santiago, was put on administrative leave by Mayor Robinson-Briggs (Courier and Ledger) Wednesday. By week's end, Santiago had decided to fight the forced leave, while the mayor had yet to name a replacement. The Courier maintained editorial silence.
Bernice reported the Council is considering changing its decades-old meeting schedule. Whether or not it makes life easier for the Council or residents, it does help out Public Works Director Jenny Wenson-Maier, who this year is president of the Rahway City Council, and will not have conflicting meetings under the new arrangement.
Finance Director and former City Administrator Norton Bonaparte was (finally!) confirmed as the Topeka, KS, manager. Quite a step up and we all wish him well! Norton's last day at City Hall is Friday, March 3.
Other items: Bernice sees unanswered questions about the Senior Center, the Ledger notes the Council will review the North Avenue Historic District redevelopment area, while the Courier noted the get-together of the Planning, Zoning and HPC boards.
CRIME
Murder No. 1 of 2006: Antwine McAllister became the city's first homicide victim of 2006 on Thursday. The Ledger pointed out that it was about three weeks ahead of 2005's first murder. The Courier quoted activist Terrell Alston as saying there had been previously unreported daytime gunfire in the same area on January 17th. At week's end, there was no news on a suspect. I noticed that by Thursday afternoon a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers placed on a blue bandanna against the light pole at the corner had taken shape. On Saturday, a similar memorial had sprung up on the corner of Arlington Avenue and Laramie Road -- a known drug hangout. Connection?
This was followed by the shooting of two men at an East Front Street apartment complex, noted by the Courier.
Other: Plainfield man indicted for robbing man of cell phone. . .A jury faults Plainfield cop's arrest of a man for 'disobeying an officer.'
COMMUNITY
Long-time community activist and former City Councilperson Helen Miller passed away Feb. 9. The Courier profile was first out of the gate, with the Ledger profile on Valentine's Day. Bernice Paglia posted a personal remembrance, and PLAINFIELD TODAY suggested the new Senior Center, for which the money is in the bank, be named after her.
PLAINFIELD TODAY details some surprises at the PMUA's 10th Anniversary celebration.
The Courier does a top-notch profile of Plainfield artist Maria Mijares, whose public art for NJT will be unveiled next week.
ET CETERA
Dan's photo essay on the Blizzard of '06
Amateur photo contest at the Library has cash prizes
Muhlenberg joins the Aetna insurance network
Where New Jersey newcomers come from
Boys & Girls Club - CN: Father/Daughter Dance Stories:
..... - "Plainfield teen, father share big night at annual dance"
..... - "Looking good: Guys and dolls prep for fun night"
..... - "A Photo Gallery"
Letter: Joe Gutenkauf: "Enough! Just let the mayor serve"
Letter: Allen McPherson: "Plainfield athletes need ways to show pride"
Letter: Shell Sullivan: "Take steps to protect your pets"
-- Dan Damon
Keywords: TW3*
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