Mondays, PLAINFIELD TODAY is 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 / POLITICS
COUNCIL -- Council has been dark since June. Tonight is Agenda-fixing session: 7:30 PM, City Hall Library. Wednesday is Business Meeting: 8:00 PM, Council Chambers/Courthouse.
CRIME & VIOLENCE -- Robert Clayborne became Plainfield's seventh murder victim of 2006, as reported in the Ledger and the Courier., just days after victim No. 6, Frank Puri, died from injuries sustained in a beating. At the request of several readers, PT posted a table of all the 2006 murders to date ("Murders of 2006: Details"), and will update it if necessary.
As mentioned ("PT on griddle over 'death threats' post?"), Dan met with a Plainfield detective to discuss PT's gossip post of July 7. In answer to the question of what death threats I had heard, my reply was "None. What I heard and reported was GOSSIP ABOUT death threats, not actual threats." And, I continued, as in PT posts, that I had trouble seeing what the Mayor could have done that would give rise to credible threats.
Visiting Police Headquarters did remind PT however, of how desperately the Police Division needs to have its facilities expanded and upgraded. That goes for parking arrangements, too. See "Plainfield cops deserve better." That post also provided an opportunity to correct a statement made in the June 29 post which turned out later not to be so, and to apologize to the fine, hardworking and underappreciated members of our police division for the error.
Domestic violence was in the news this week with the announcement ("Program for domestic abuse victims is expanding") of the expansion of a program run by the Eastern Union County YWCA. This jiggled PT's memory. Doesn't Plainfield have a grant -- several hundred thousand dollars -- to address domestic violence in the community, for which El Centro was to manage the Spanish-language section? Hmmmmmmmmm... Will have to check into that and report back -- haven't heard a word about it in ages...
Finally, USA Today ran an important story ("Police tie jump in crime to juveniles") about the linkage between juveniles and the rise in violent crime nationwide, with a companion piece ("Cities grapple with crime by kids") about how local communities are attempting to come to grips with the problem. Tragically, the stories were illustrated in NJ with the story of the murder of one teen by another at a Teaneck party where the two got into an argument over jewelry. See ("2 arrested in killing of Teaneck 15-year-old" -- Record) and ("Teen charged with killing Teaneck boy after party" -- Ledger). Suspicions of gang association were also aired. This is an issue that strikes us here at home in Plainfield.
DEVELOPMENT -- While not concerned, strictly speaking, with development, the proposal to expand the Special Improvement District helps enhance the desirability of Plainfield to outside developers. Bernice reported on Tuesday "SID Expansion Up Again" that the expansion would come before the Council yet again for action. Persistent non-rocket-science problems.
Meanwhile, PT commented on the South Avenue condo development proposal ("Development: Where the rubber meets the pavement") concerning the parking provisions, which in PT's humble opinion, are deficient.
On Wednesday, Bernice reported back ("Seniors Hear $15 Million Center, Condo Proposal") on the Mayor's and Assemblyman's meeting with the Seniors to discuss a proposal for building a senior center-residential combo. PT wonders -- yet again -- about parking sufficiency. Is there a pattern emerging here?
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARIES & BENEFITS -- Assemblyman Jerry Green and his pals Asm Moriarty and Sen Sweeney have opened a hornet's nest in proposing that state workers make givebacks to balance the budget. As predicted by PT, the question is beginning to be broadened to include LOCAL government employees. The Bergen Record started a six-day series on Sunday with "Can N.J. afford the rising cost of teachers and cops?" The series continues today and the rest of this week and promises to examine the entire question in depth. With Plainfield's round of contract negotiations due to start with the police unions in December, this whole discussion is going to be pertinent to our municipal workers -- first the police, then ultimately firefighters and all other municipal employees.
ADMINISTRATION -- Bernice posted an update on Friday ("Group Seeks Ouster Of Mayor") about the continuing saga of the Court hearings on whether Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs should have to give up her post for not having met the residency requirement of the city's special charter. Seems the hearing is delayed -- yet again -- probably to the consternation of all involved. The Mayor's attorneys -- Angelo Genova, the go-to election law guy in NJ, and Stephen Edelstein of Wiener Lesniak, who represented her pro bono in her previous residency-related court case -- have brought up an interesting argument:
If the charter were overturned, one possible outcome would be the adoption of one of the Faulkner act charters which, incidentally, would allow for dual officeholding (say Mayor and Assembly). Now THAT would be interesting...
CRIME & VIOLENCE -- Robert Clayborne became Plainfield's seventh murder victim of 2006, as reported in the Ledger and the Courier., just days after victim No. 6, Frank Puri, died from injuries sustained in a beating. At the request of several readers, PT posted a table of all the 2006 murders to date ("Murders of 2006: Details"), and will update it if necessary.
As mentioned ("PT on griddle over 'death threats' post?"), Dan met with a Plainfield detective to discuss PT's gossip post of July 7. In answer to the question of what death threats I had heard, my reply was "None. What I heard and reported was GOSSIP ABOUT death threats, not actual threats." And, I continued, as in PT posts, that I had trouble seeing what the Mayor could have done that would give rise to credible threats.
Visiting Police Headquarters did remind PT however, of how desperately the Police Division needs to have its facilities expanded and upgraded. That goes for parking arrangements, too. See "Plainfield cops deserve better." That post also provided an opportunity to correct a statement made in the June 29 post which turned out later not to be so, and to apologize to the fine, hardworking and underappreciated members of our police division for the error.
Domestic violence was in the news this week with the announcement ("Program for domestic abuse victims is expanding") of the expansion of a program run by the Eastern Union County YWCA. This jiggled PT's memory. Doesn't Plainfield have a grant -- several hundred thousand dollars -- to address domestic violence in the community, for which El Centro was to manage the Spanish-language section? Hmmmmmmmmm... Will have to check into that and report back -- haven't heard a word about it in ages...
Finally, USA Today ran an important story ("Police tie jump in crime to juveniles") about the linkage between juveniles and the rise in violent crime nationwide, with a companion piece ("Cities grapple with crime by kids") about how local communities are attempting to come to grips with the problem. Tragically, the stories were illustrated in NJ with the story of the murder of one teen by another at a Teaneck party where the two got into an argument over jewelry. See ("2 arrested in killing of Teaneck 15-year-old" -- Record) and ("Teen charged with killing Teaneck boy after party" -- Ledger). Suspicions of gang association were also aired. This is an issue that strikes us here at home in Plainfield.
DEVELOPMENT -- While not concerned, strictly speaking, with development, the proposal to expand the Special Improvement District helps enhance the desirability of Plainfield to outside developers. Bernice reported on Tuesday "SID Expansion Up Again" that the expansion would come before the Council yet again for action. Persistent non-rocket-science problems.
Meanwhile, PT commented on the South Avenue condo development proposal ("Development: Where the rubber meets the pavement") concerning the parking provisions, which in PT's humble opinion, are deficient.
On Wednesday, Bernice reported back ("Seniors Hear $15 Million Center, Condo Proposal") on the Mayor's and Assemblyman's meeting with the Seniors to discuss a proposal for building a senior center-residential combo. PT wonders -- yet again -- about parking sufficiency. Is there a pattern emerging here?
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE SALARIES & BENEFITS -- Assemblyman Jerry Green and his pals Asm Moriarty and Sen Sweeney have opened a hornet's nest in proposing that state workers make givebacks to balance the budget. As predicted by PT, the question is beginning to be broadened to include LOCAL government employees. The Bergen Record started a six-day series on Sunday with "Can N.J. afford the rising cost of teachers and cops?" The series continues today and the rest of this week and promises to examine the entire question in depth. With Plainfield's round of contract negotiations due to start with the police unions in December, this whole discussion is going to be pertinent to our municipal workers -- first the police, then ultimately firefighters and all other municipal employees.
ADMINISTRATION -- Bernice posted an update on Friday ("Group Seeks Ouster Of Mayor") about the continuing saga of the Court hearings on whether Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs should have to give up her post for not having met the residency requirement of the city's special charter. Seems the hearing is delayed -- yet again -- probably to the consternation of all involved. The Mayor's attorneys -- Angelo Genova, the go-to election law guy in NJ, and Stephen Edelstein of Wiener Lesniak, who represented her pro bono in her previous residency-related court case -- have brought up an interesting argument:
...that the city charter is “constitutionally suspect” and violates the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause because state law requires only one year’s residency immediately prior to election...Could this open the door to a legal challenge to the validity of the City charter in toto?
If the charter were overturned, one possible outcome would be the adoption of one of the Faulkner act charters which, incidentally, would allow for dual officeholding (say Mayor and Assembly). Now THAT would be interesting...
Last Monday's TW3: "TW3: Jul 2 - 9, 2006 - Digest of past week's news"
Mondays, PLAINFIELD TODAY is a digest of Plainfield-only news from the past week: That Was The Week That Was -- or TW3 -- with links to the online stories.
GREEN/MORIARTY/SWEENEY PROPOSAL & STATE BUDGET
Mon 7/10 --
SL: "Shutdown leaves a bitter aftertaste"
..... - Public Reaction: "Jerseyans hit the beaches and blast politicians"
HeraldNews: "Choosing sides may cost legislator her seat"
PoliticsNJ: "A primary for Caraballo for opposing Corzine?"
CN: "Corzine held firm, showed courage during budget fight, politicos say"
Courier Post: "Assembly OKs sales tax hike by 1 vote; Green votes aye?"
Bergen Record: "Lawmaker squares off with labor"
Tue 7/11 --
SL: "Governor: Sidelined workers to be paid; Sweeney objects"
..... - Editorial: "Those state budget baubles"
..... - Column: Paul Mulshine: "Corzine didn't lead; he lied"
..... - Tax Reform: "Trenton puts off property tax reform"
..... - Tuition Hikes: "Budget caps tuition hike for public colleges"
..... - Agencies: "Tourette's agency aid restored in budget"
CN: "Goodbye, shutdown! Hello, tax increases!"
Wed 7/12 --
SL: Pay-to-play: Tom Moran: "Corzine sees 'pay to play' can apply to budgets, too"
..... - 'Christmas Tree' Items: Fran Wood: "'Christmas tree' is not just a grab bag"
CN: Editorial: "Restoring worker pay the wrong response"
Thur 7/13 --
CN: Legislature: "South Jersey lawmakers want pay for shuttered employees"
CN: Pension Changes: "State puts off pension system reform"
PolNJ: Roberts' collapse: Wally Edge: "Blow-by-blow on the Budget resolution" -- Assemblyman Jerry Green delivered the bad news to Speaker Roberts?...
..... - Comment on WE's blog: MercerInCharge: "The straight scoop in NJ in re: The Budget..."
Fri 7/14 --
SL: Norcross loss?: "Casino panel head is arrested" -- Behind this story of domestic violence lurks the Corzine/Norcross relationship -- very much changed by the budget battle -- and how it will work out in appointments...
Sat 7/15 --
SL: Poll: "Voters like Corzine's 'bully' tactics, his rating rises as Legislature's drops" -- the Quinnipiac poll shows voters blaming the Dem-controlled Legislature by 3-to-1 for the budget crisis
SL: Rutgers, Academic: "Rutgers hikes tuition and drops courses due to state aid cuts"
..... - CN: "Rutgers raises tuition by 8%, cuts courses"
SL: Rutgers, Sports: "Bleak day for Scarlet Knights: University benches six sports"
Sun 7/16 --
NYT: Analysis: "In Shutdown, Republicans Pass Up an Opportunity"
CN: Budget Fallout: "Jersey resigned to hike in taxes"
..... - AP: "Political leaders question budget process after shutdown"
CN: Property Tax Reform: "Lawmakers regroup for summer property tax debate"
CONNECTIONS? FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Arts Grants: "Dodge Foundation announces arts grants"
Contaminants: "Edison site under scrutiny for toxins -- again"
Corruption: "Corruption involved inflated 'change orders' on projects"
Development: "Hat-making complex to become condos and arts space"
Development: "Plans for New Brunswick condos gaining traction"
Development: "Developer charges West Orange with violating fair proposal process"
Loft Conversions: "East Orange explores factory conversion to lofts"
Police Contracts, NYC: "A New Tone on Concessions"
Public Access TV: "Bringing public access into TV's 21st century"
Public Access TV: "Film he shoots on firefighters inspires producer to be one"
Schools & Gangs: "Lawrence BOE unveils anti-gang draft policy"
School Dress Codes: "Orange seeks to make schools button-down"
School Vouchers - SL: "Supporters of school vouchers filing suit" -- Black Ministers Council, Latino Leadership Alliance and Excellent Education for Everyone take on top teachers' union, NJEA
School Vouchers - CourierPost: "E3 leads charge for vouchers"
School Vouchers: "Bound Brook schools cited in lawsuit"
Teen Center: "Group looks to open teen dance hall in Somerville"
Traffic Alert: "PA chief says new projects must get under way"
Traffic Alert: "Route 18 widening remains on schedule"
Verizon & Cable: "Verizon makes pitch to Montclair for cable TV pact"
Youth Police Academy: "Summit Academy an exercise in police work"
COMMUNITY
Art Festival: Plainfield Today: "43rd Annual Outdoor Art Festival"
Herman Austin - CN: "Happy ending: Missing man found in NYC" -- Ledger has a brief, in print edition only
Interstate 78: "Public input sought on I-78"
Letter - CN: Rosalie Maimone: "Homophobia not high on priority list"
Library 125th Celebration - CN: "Library celebrating 125th anniversary this weekend"
..... - Plainfield Today: "Plainfield Public Library - 125th Anniversary Celebration"
Red Cross: "Red Cross to discuss programs for future"
Road Work: "It's time for annual delays from repaving" -- In Plainfield, East 7th, from Roosevelt to Terrill is under way now
*
4 comments:
Mr. Damon, the City stopped the VAWA program in March 2006 due to lack
of funds, after the Department of Justice grant failed to be renewed.
The City owes El Centro Hispano Americano for funds already outlaid to
staff the program for January through March.
Norman E. Ortega
Acting Director
El Centro Hispanoamericano
Hi, Dan,
The grant from the Dept. of Justice in Washington, DC was an ARREST grant for victims of domestic violence and a contractual agreement between the PPD and El Centro Hispanoamericano, with the city being the lead agency. This grant was up for renewal in January, 2006, but the city did not renew it, as there were a few powers-that-be in the PPD who were not advocates of the program. The funding ended March 31, 2006, with a significant amount of the funds having to be returned to the DoJ. It's unfortunate, as this program helped many people in our town who were victims of domestic violence obtain counseling, shelter, medical and psychological services, etc. El Centro's piece was to provide advocacy (through my position as Victim Advocate) and immigration asistance through a Staff attorney. Although the program has ended, I am still getting calls from clients we helped through the Office of Violence Against Women on W.7th St.
This was a valuable program and a great loss to those people in need of the services, especially in light of that fact that Plainfield has had a higher rate of DV than towns with more than twice our population such as Elizabeth and Newark (per Union County Crime Statistics, 2002).
Thanks.
Julie
I think the Plainfield police deserve combat pay, not pay cuts.
I think the budget cuts to Rutgers are a bad thing, but Rutgers is poorly run and its priorities are misplaced.
Tina Rock, whose profile says she is from Fanwood, chimes in!
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