|
|
As a nation, we witnessed history in the making as the Confederate battle flag was lowered this morning at 10 AM from the State House grounds in Columbia, South Carolina, where it had flown for over half a century. The flag will be moved to a Confederate "relic room". Early Thursday morning, the S.C. House of Representatives voted 94-20 to take down the flag, giving final approval to a bill that passed the state Senate earlier in the week.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley used nine pens to sign a law that will remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds. Each pen will go to the families of the nine victims of last month's massacre at Charleston's Emanuel African American Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Confederate flag, a symbol of racial oppression and white supremacy, was flown over the State House dome in 1961 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Civil War. It remained there to represent official opposition to the civil rights movement. This is history we cannot erase, but we can learn from... where African Americans faced and endured crimes and countless loss of lives. I believe this to be a turning point for us as a country and a society. With the removal of the Confederate battle flag, the President of the NAACP will end the boycott of South Carolina. We have a long way to go, but this represents a good start.
I am pleased to share with you a moving letter from the President of the African American Mayors Association, Mr. Steve Benjamin.
Here are this week's updates:
- Plainfield July 4th Celebration
- Plainfield Road Closure
- PSE&G Prepared for Expected Thunderstorms
- Economic Development Update
- Administration and Finance Update
- Public Affairs and Safety Update
- Workforce Development Update
- Division of Parks and Recreation
- Plainfield Health Center Events
- Plainfield Health and Wellness Fair
- Plainfield YMCA Update
- Plainfield Education Update
- Plainfield Learning Center
- Union County Update: Union County Sheriff's K9 Unit Receives Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks
- State of New Jersey Update: NJ Department of Children and Families: Never Leave Children Unattended in a Car
- Senator Cory Booker: Calls for Stronger Educational Accountability, Greater Access to Quality Schools
- President Obama: This is What Change Looks Like
Creating One Plainfield - One Future,
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
|
Photos from the Plainfield July 4th Celebration
|
Plainfield July 4th Event
I was very proud of the July 4th parade, concert, and fireworks, as the City of Plainfield came together and celebrated the birth of our great nation. Residents including kids, adults, and seniors lined the parade route. Showing much enthusiasm, many were dressed in red, white, and blue. These pictures really capture the spirit, unity, and patriotism of the day. I want to recognize the administration's staff and volunteers for all of their hard work leading up to the 4th. I thank you, the residents, for coming out in such large numbers and making this past July 4th celebration the best yet!
|
|
|
Plainfield Road Closure Notice
|
- Watchung Avenue - is now open to traffic. Park Avenue is now closed between North Avenue and West Fourth Street.
|
|
|
PSE&G Prepared for Expected Thunderstorms
|
Offers Storm Preparation and Safety Tips
(NEWARK, N.J. - July 9, 2015) - Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey's largest utility, is closely monitoring the line of thunderstorms expected to push through the region later this evening and tonight.
"We take every storm with the potential for outages seriously, and have additional personnel scheduled and on standby, with auxiliary equipment at the ready," said John Latka, senior vice president of electric and gas operations for PSE&G.
The possibility of high wind gusts, heavy rain and lightning associated with summer storms can be dangerous and cause power outages. PSE&G offers the following tips on how to prepare for, and be safe during, a storm.
Before a storm:
Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and fresh batteries.
Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water.
Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Fill up your car's fuel tank.
Bring in unsecured objects and furniture from patios and balconies.
Discuss storm and lightning safety with your family.
Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G's Customer Service line 1-800-436-PSEG.
Sign up for My Account and bookmark the mobile-friendly homepage on your smart phone to report outages and check restoration progress.
Register for MyAlerts ahead of time to receive text notifications about an outage: https://www.pseg.com/myalerts/
During a storm:
Listen to news or radio for emergency updates
If you can hear thunder, go indoors and stay inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap.
Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.
Keep away from windows.
Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.
If driving, safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends.
Stay away from downed electrical wires.
All downed wires should be considered dangerous. To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G's Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account on www.pseg.com.
Stay in touch and keep informed:
PSE&G offers its customers a number of ways to stay in touch and informed before, during and after a storm. These tools can be found at PSE&G's mobile-friendly website www.pseg.com in the "Storm Center."
Updated every 15 minutes, PSE&G's online "Outage Map" displays the location and status of power outages.
To report power outages via text, and receive outage updates by text and email, sign up for MyAlerts.
Follow PSEG on Twitter and Facebook for tips and information about restoration progress.
Be sure everyone in the family is prepared. Go to www.pseg.com/sesamestreet to download the PSEG and Sesame Street "Let's Get Ready!" emergency preparedness app for young children.
PSE&G Outage Map
PSE&G
Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company.
|
|
|
Economic Development Update
|
Updated Development Maps
I am pleased to announce the June update to the city's suite of development maps originally released in March. The city updates the development maps quarterly...March, June, September, and December. The four maps showcase the city's current development projects and their status. The June update includes:
- Nine (9) new developments added to the maps including two (2) single-family homes, three (3) mixed-use buildings, a commercial storage proposal, an expansion proposal for a warehouse, and an expansion proposal for the YMCA, and upgrades to Green Brook Park infrastructure.
- Updated construction status for six (6) properties.
- Four newly completed developments: 109 East Fourth Street, 177-185 North Avenue, 119 Park Avenue, and 107-117 Park Avenue.
- Two new developments under constructions: 130-132 North Avenue and the former Red Cross building at 322 West Front Street.
- "New!" signs to designate new developments since the last map update.
- Numerous graphical improvements.
It's important that residents and business owners know what development is occurring in our city. The maps are important to tracking the speed of construction projects, the ability to view projects in relation to each other, and to keep all city departments on the same page regarding city-wide development. But even more importantly, they also help sell the city to potential developers and businesses who are interested in locating to the area and want to know what else is going on in Plainfield. Plainfield is on the move and open to new development.
In April, Plainfield was one of the winners of NJ Future's Smart Growth Award, a prestigious state planning award that praises smart growth land use patterns and higher density near transit hubs. This is on the heels of the NJ Transit's one-seat ride to New York Penn Station in January, which has raised property values by as much as 8% and cuts commutes to Manhattan by as much as 20 minutes. Plainfield's success follows similar successes in 2014: Plainfield's admission into Main Street NJ, the NJDOT's announcement of Plainfield as the state's newest transit village, and Plainfield's partnership with the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to lay the foundations for a third transit village in Plainfield's West End.
Questions regarding the maps can be addressed to the Office of Economic Development at 908-226-2513. For copies of the map, please visit the city's Economic Development page:
http://plainfieldnj.gov/economic-development-divisions.aspx
|
|
|
Administration and Finance Update
|
Seeking Seasonal Work Opportunities?
Are you looking for a summer seasonal position that allows you to explore the City of Plainfield and be a part of its beautification? If so, then you may be interested to know that the Mayor's Clean Street Initiative still has a few summer seasonal positions available. The Mayor's initiative is a six week seasonal summer program for Plainifelders who are 22 and older. If you are interested please contact Plainfield Action Services at (908) 753-3519.
Plainfield Senior Center Upcoming Activities:
Please see the list of activities below and call (908) 753-3506 for additional information:
UNION COUNTY VEGETABLE VOUCHER The Union County Aging and Disability Resource Connection will be at the center on Wednesday, July 29th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon to distribute food vouchers to Union County residents age 60 and over. Please bring proof of residency and current income with you. You will receive four vouchers totaling $20.00. Please Note: Social Security no longer provides a representative at the center. Your membership must be current in order to receive a voucher.
2015 Senior Farmer's Market Vouchers
For more information call (908) 753-3506
|
|
|
Public Affairs and Safety Update
|
Mentoring Academy
The Plainfield Police Division will begin its three week mentoring academy for Plainfield Youth on July 20, 2015. Plainfield youths in grades six, seven, and eight will attend the "Queen City Mentoring Academy" from July 20, 2015 through August 5, 2015. The Academy will meet at Hubbard Middle School; it is designed to educate young adults in various aspects of the criminal justice system. Plainfield Police Officers will work with the youth to foster a positive working relationship between the youth and the police. This highly successful program is enjoyed by both the youth and the participating Plainfield Police Officers!
|
|
|
5 Work Hacks to Help Prepare You For An Interview
Interviewing is a skill which can be acquired as a result of thorough preparation and practice. The amount of time you allocate for getting ready can make the difference between landing a job and going back to the drawing board. However, the key to success is not dependent on doing more. It's about doing less by using your time efficiently and in the most productive way possible. These five time-saving apps will help thoroughly prepare you for a job interview:
1.
Wordzen
Ensure every email is polished and professional with Wordzen, an executive assistant for your Gmail account. By pressing the "smart send" button after writing a preliminary draft, Wordzen editors will transform shorthand notes into professional emails. This service can also ensure perfect English and tone, sentence structure, and word choice. The whole process takes less than ten minutes and is completely free.
2.
Charlie
Compiling well-rounded profiles of HR professionals can take hours. Make a lasting impression at any job interview with Charlie. This hack will comb through hundreds of sources and send you a one-page email briefing of recruiters and the companies they represent. Charlie's algorithm automatically sifts through social data and highlights company news, key competitors and more.
3.
MyTopTweet
Believe it or not, Twitter can help you get a job! With MyTopTweet, easily uncover a company's culture, values, and accomplishments. Once you feed the company's name into the search engine, this app will list their top ten performing tweets. The app also digs up archived material you wouldn't find on the company's website, LinkedIn or other social media platform. Getting insider knowledge about a company is like striking gold in the job application process, making you an outstanding candidate.
4.
Pramp
Practice makes perfect. With Pramp, you can practice technical interviews for free. Customize live video sessions by focusing on specific weaknesses or areas of ambiguity. The site will provide interview questions (and answers) that you and a matched peer will go through together. After the 30-minute conversation is complete, you will provide and receive contructive feedback.
5.
Job Interview Question-Answer
This interactive Android app created by CareerConfidential will help you gain the confidence you need to ace your next interview. With Job Interview Question-Answer, users can practice tough interview questions in mock interviews. There is also a recording option that allows you to play back and determine whether the answers you provided are as strong as possible. Then, watch career professional and coach Peggy McKee answer each question and break down what an interviewer is actually looking for in your responses.
Ro, Herrine. "5 Work Hacks to Help Prepare You For An Interview." 5 Work Hacks to Help Prepare You For An Interview. Web. 8 July 2015. <http://info.theladders.com/career-advice/5-work-hacks-to-prepare-you-for-an-interview>.
Recruitment Event with Toys R Us
WEDNESDAY - 07/08/2015 10:00am - 11:00am Location: Somerville One Stop - Conference Room "B" 75 Veterans Memorial Drive East Somerville , NJ 08876
What to Bring: Resume
Event Details: RECRUITMENT EVENT WITH: Toys R Us Of Flanders (Morris County) Toys "R" Us is the leading kids store for all toys, video games, dolls, action figures, learning games, building blocks and more. C'mon, Let's Play! Hiring for: Warehouse Team Members NJ1013182 on www.jobs4jersey.com. Part-time seasonal positions(now thru January) starting at $12.25/hour, all shifts available - Handles the unloading of all cartons, store returns, palletizes cartons for store shipments, and loads trailers to maximize cube, sorts cartons, which includes feeding and manual breakdown - Maintain safe work practices - A receiver/breakdown/loader must learn and perform all essential functions with minimal direct supervision within 3 weeks after employment. Ability to read and understand English - Basic Math skills - Ability to bend, walk, lift and move cartons up to 50 lbs. - Ability to operator Material Handling Equipment such as Pallet End Rider, Stand Up Forklift/Reach/Order Picker, Sit Down Forklift - Warehouse environment with hot and cold temperatures throughout the year. |
Sponsored By:
Dept of Labor
Event Contact:
Amanda Modale
E-mail:
[email protected]
Job Seekers - Click on Link Below for a Listing of Local Job Fairs
|
|
|
Department of Public Works and Urban Development Update
|
Green Acres Project Grant
A Green Acres Matching Project Grant in the amount of $1,100,000.00 was received from the Department of Environmental Protection and the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) for Multi-Park Improvements. The funding will be utilized for improvements at Seidler Field, Rushmore Playground and portions of the Green Brook Multi-Use Trail. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp has made improving our parks a priority as demonstrated by his many efforts at expanding the recreational opportunities in the City of Plainfield. We will provide progress updates as this project gets underway.
2015 Infrastructure and Municipal Aid Grant
A grant was received in the amount of $115,000.00 from the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders 2015 Infrastructure and Municipal Aid Grant Program. The funds will be used for the expansion of the City's East Second Street Revitalization Project which is already underway. Stay tuned for updates.
|
|
|
Division of Parks and Recreation is Working for our Youth and Seniors
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plainfield Education Update
|
Plainfield Public School Teachers' Contract Approved
The Plainfield Board of Education unanimously approved the teachers' contract during a special meeting held on July 7. The agreement was the result of collective bargaining negotiations between the Plainfield Board of Education and the Plainfield Education Association (PEA) covering the period of July 2012 to June 30, 2016. This is a welcome outcome for everyone involved as expressed by members on both sides following the BOE vote on Tuesday.
City of Plainfield Fourth of July Parade Celebration
Plainfield Public Schools participated in the City of Plainfield's Fourth of July Parade Celebration. Representing our students and staff were members of the Board of Education, the Superintendent of Schools, the Plainfield High School Band, the Plainfield Cheerleaders and Color Guard, the Plainfield Public Schools Robotics Team and members of Early Childhood Education Programs and Services.
- To view photographs from the City of Plainfield Fourth of July Parade visit here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plainfield-Public-Schools/99774832658
Welcome to Plainfield High School Principal Willie Worley
Superintendent of Schools offers a warm welcome to Mr. Willie Worley, named principal of Plainfield High School. Later in the month, the Plainfield Public Schools District will welcome new teachers and educational personnel who will be working in the 2015-16 school year.
Plainfield Public Schools Website Provides Information to All
Parents and students would refer to the district's website for any additional information regarding reading lists and uniform as well as school policies for the coming school year. Please visit: www.plainfieldk12nj.org<http://www.plainfieldk12nj.org/> or follow us on Facebook at Plainfield Public Schools or Twitter @Plainfield_BOE
|
|
|
Plainfield Learning Center
|
Ready to Buy a Home?
Use this checklist of questions to ask yourself to decide if you're financially prepared for the responsibility of homeownership.
Click Here for Checklist
Social Media Series
Twitter Tutorial (2015)
How to use Twitter! In this video I'll show you how to use Twitter to build authentic relationships. From content to influencer outreach, I'll explain the simple tactics that make a big difference.
|
Instagram Tutorial
Instagram is a social network that is entirely based around photography. If you enjoy shooting photos or viewing photos shot by others, this is the class for you.
|
|
|
|
Plainfield Arts and Culture
|
Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" kicks off tour at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on July 12
Excerpt from Article:
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders will present Shakespeare in the Park featuring The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Next Stage Ensemble performing "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare and directed by Illana Stein. Admission is free at each of the six performances.
"Shakespeare's works have survived the test of time and remain undeniably some of the most significant words ever written," said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed S. Jalloh. "This summer's tour of "Romeo and Juliet" in our parks provides an opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the most beloved playwright who ever lived."
News, Suburban. "Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' Kicks off Tour at Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield on July 12." NJ.com, 22 June 2015. Web. 24 June 2015. <http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2015/06/shakespeares_romeo_and_juliet.html>.
|
|
|
Homeland Security Training
|
|
|
Union County Update:
Union County Sheriff's K9 Unit Receives Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks
|
|
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union) |
Article:
Union County Sheriff Joseph Cryan thanks Florence Duggan of Westfield for the donation of pet oxygen masks to the K9 Search and Rescue Unit from the Sussex Hills Kennel Club. The officers from the K9 unit are (from left) Officer Ryan Wilson, Sgt. Brian Howarth with K9 Devante, Officer Timothy O'Grady, Detective Anthony Gialanella and Officer Bryan Frew.
The K-9 Search and Rescue Unit's assignments include searching buildings, locating missing persons, detecting narcotics, detecting explosives/explosive devices and specialized patrol functions. The services of this unit are requested by law enforcement agencies throughout Union County, and sometimes beyond the county limits. They also respond to calls which include providing assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Drug Enforcement Agency, New Jersey State Police, U.S. Customs, U.S. Postal Police and the U.S. Secret Service.
"Union County Sheriff's K9 Unit Receives Donation of Pet Oxygen Masks." County of Union New Jersey. 7 July 2015. Web. 8 July 2015. <http://ucnj.org/press-releases/public-info/2015/07/07/union-county-sheriffs-k9-unit-receives-donation-of-pet-oxygen-masks/>.
|
|
|
New Jersey State Update: NJ Department of Children and Families: Never Leave Children Unattended in a Car
|
|
Department of Children and Families Partners with New Jersey Business Groups to Bring Awareness About Dangers of Leaving Children Unattended in a Car
|
|
|
|
Senator Cory Booker: Calls for Stronger Educational Accountability, Greater Access to Quality Schools
|
As the Senate debates the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) spoke on the Senate floor today to underscore the need for Congress to reauthorize ESEA in a way that moves us away from the broken No Child Left Behind era, and strengthens the accountability provisions of the legislation to ensure that every student in our country has access to a high-quality public education.
We cannot succeed as a nation in an increasingly global, competitive environment if we leave genius on the sidelines. Our educational determination to help those children is not simply about them, it's about us. It's about whether we will get the full bounty of the strength and potential of our nation or if we will cast many aside into those dark places into that other America. We cannot now be damned by the self-defeating state of low expectations for ourselves and all of our children. Kids who languish in this other America because of a lack of compassion and support and investment, they cannot now be seen to have less accountability for their success. I know as we debate this bill there will be resistance to the idea that those failing most, those stuck in dropout factories, those in another America don't deserve levels of accountability, but I know that if we focus on those children to keep them at the center of our thought as it was done by president Johnson when this bill originated in idea, I know that we could be the America we want to be, a nation that when our children put their hands on their hearts and say those words , liberty and justice for all, that they are real indeed for all children.
7 July 2015. Web. 8 July 2015. <http://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=271>.
|
|
President Obama: This is What Change Look Likes
|
Obama - This is What Change Looks Like
|
|
|
Please have family and friends sign up to receive these important weekly updates. They can sign up by calling (908) 753-3310 and providing their email address.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|