F rom Plainfield City Hall
  Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
One Plainfield.  One Future.
It is with deep sorrow that we, the residents of Plainfield, join the rest of the country in mourning the death of nine innocent Black Americans who lost their lives to senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the nine victims, their families, Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, and the City of Charleston.  The tragedy occurred in a historic church where worshipers seek peace and reflection. Ironically, this storied church was founded by African Americans seeking freedom and justice. However, in 1822 Emanuel AME was burned to the ground after plans for a slave revolt were exposed. Some of our brightest leaders spoke from the front steps of this church as they led marches while embracing the highest ideals of our nation.  Too often, hate claims the lives of our innocent and as a society and nation, we must unite and find a way to be one human race.
  
On June 21, 2015, we will be welcoming the first day of summer and observing Father's Day.  As a society, we know the vital role fathers play in the lives of their children.  Very often fathers are our first coaches, teachers, mentors and role models who demonstrate by example the people they hope we become.   We can discuss and analyze at length education, workforce development, public safety, fiscal responsibility, and economic development, but government cannot make our children pick up a book and study, provide discipline and motivation. That's our jobs as fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts and extended family.     

The key message I want to share with Plainfielders on Father's Day is our children don't need us to be extraordinary, they need us to be ordinarily present and engaged in their lives.   The family dinners and conversations, bedtime stories, encouragement to dream, and the persistence in the face of life's challenges, no matter how large, is paramount.  

Over the span of my professional career, I have been a CPA, Certified Purchasing Agent, Councilman, Freeholder - now serving as the Mayor of Plainfield.  I can say with my heart the most important job has been as father to my two daughters, Ayisha and Shermonda, and I do this in partnership with the most amazing person in my life - my wife Amelia.

BTW, call your father this Sunday and tell him how much you appreciate him!

Happy Father's Day!


Here are this week's updates:
  • PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) Advocates Translation of Council Meetings
  • Impact on the Tax Payer: Bilingual Day Care Comparison
  • Administration and Finance Update
  • Public Affairs and Safety Update
  • Workforce Development Update
  • Division of Parks and Recreation
  • Plainfield Health Center Events
  • Plainfield YMCA Update
  • Plainfield Education Update
  • Plainfield Learning Center
  • Union County Update: Freeholder Meeting
  • State of New Jersey Update: Bill to Impact Atlantic City
  • Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: Service Academy Days
  • President Obama: Delivers a statement on the Shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina

Creating One Plainfield - One Future,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) Advocates Translation of Council Meetings

On Tuesday, June 15, 2015, Carlos Ponton representing PACHA (Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs) advocated during public comment for a Spanish translation of Plainfield City Council meetings. The Governing body later voted approval of a resolution authorizing the translations.  Mr. Ponton said, "the Spanish translation at City Council meetings would send a very strong message of inclusion."  Ponton also emphasized the importance of professionalism and suggested the translator should be from outside of the community to ensure unbiased and impartial translation and pointed to cities like Jersey City.  He also volunteered to research 19 translation services in New Jersey who have translated Council meetings and other such proceedings.
Impact on the Tax Payer: Bilingual Day Care Comparison

I pledged as Mayor to put our financial house in order. To achieve this,               I assembled top professionals such as our CFO, Director of Finance, and Finance team to identify and make recommendations that will help all Plainfield tax payers.  Important facts that you the tax payer should consider, as this will help the administration accomplish our goals relating to fiscal management are listed in the comparison chart below: 

  • Bilingual Day Care, created in 1978, has been part of Plainfield municipal operations for 37 years
  • In 1978, Hispanics made up less than 10% of the Plainfield population and represented a small percentage of the pre-school population  
  • There was an unmet need in the City to prepare the Hispanic preschoolers for elementary school and beyond
  • Today: 70% of the preschool population is Hispanic with the majority having been mainstreamed  

Bilingual Day Care has been recognized as an outstanding program.  However, that is not justification for the average price differential between Bilingual and the comparisons listed above.  With the change in community demographics, all the Plainfield early childhood programs now offer a bilingual component. The City of Plainfield cannot afford to continue to maintain Bilingual Day Care, nor is it necessary for the City to run such a program.  Therefore, it is recommended that the City of Plainfield transition the Bilingual Day Care to an agency whose core competency is the education of children.    
Plainfield Road Closure Notice 

  • Watchung Avenue - Remains closed through July 20, 2015
 
Economic Development Update
Community Development Programs
 

First Time Homebuyers Workshop
As part of the Mayor's vision to assist First Time Homebuyers in securing information for buying a home, the Department of Community Development hosted a First Time Homebuyers workshop on June 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall Library. Presenters were from ERA Queen City Realty and Jersey Mortgage Company. It was well attended, informative and
participants requested an encore. Information was shared that assisted current homeowners, investors and our potential First Time Homebuyers.
 
Administration and Finance Update

Plainfield Senior Center Upcoming Activities:

Please see list of activities below and call (908) 753-3506 for additional information:

 

MONMOUTH PARK RACETRACK
The center is traveling to Monmouth Park Racetrack on Saturday, June 20th at 11:00 a.m. to enjoy an afternoon of horse racing. If you are interested in attending you must reserve your seat.  Come and enjoy the thrill of the track!

92ND ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
Come enjoy the 92nd Annual Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m. Later, enjoy a free concert in Cedar Brook Park at 5:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Please bring your own lawn chair to relax.

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
Crime Alert - Phone Scam - Beware 
Unknown individuals have been calling residents, indicating that a family member has been kidnapped, and requesting a quantity of money to be paid in some type of prepaid credit card. This has been a problem in the past, and recently it appears that it's starting up again throughout the country.
The phone numbers are generally from out of state or immediate area. If anyone receives a call, do not panic or provide any information to these individuals. Hang up the phone, and immediately contact the Plainfield Police at 908-753-3112 or 9-1-1, and provide the officer with details.
Workforce Development
Free Job Training - Project Ready
Project Ready will be accepting applications for its free six-week job preparedness program on July 7 at 9:30 AM.  Students receive training in basic business and computer skills as well as resume writing, interviewing & job searching techniques. Project Ready is located within St. Joseph Social Service Center at 118 Division St. in Elizabeth. For more information please call (908) 353-1045 x 213 or visit www.stjosephelizabeth.org

Job Seekers - Click on Link Below for a Listing of Local Job Fairs


LinkedIn Series:
Part 2 - Creating a LinkedIn Profile

Division of Parks and Recreation is Working for our Youth and Seniors

Plainfield Senior Center: Flea Market Crawl

Click Here to Watch Informative Video 

 

Summer Camp Registration

Summer Camp applications for youth and teens are available in the Division of Parks and Recreation Office, 510 Watchung Avenue.

 

The month of June is packed full of community trips for Active Older Adults.  On June 1st, we took our first exciting trip to New Hope and Lambertville. Join us for a full month of the "Flea Market Crawl".  Treasure seekers will visit a different flea market every week while experiencing the backroads of New Jersey . Come get on the "Recreation Bus"!

 

 

  

Plainfield Health Center Events







 

Plainfield YMCA




Plainfield Education Update
Plainfield High School receives great news from the N.J. Department of Education - PHS off the Focus Schools list
Great news for Superintendent of Plainfield Public Schools, Anna Belin-Pyles, and the Plainfield High School Principal Otis Brown, who this week received notice from the State of New Jersey Department of Education stating that as of June 30, 2015, "The Plainfield High School is eligible to exit Focus status." "We are thrilled with this news," said Mr. Brown. "We have been working hard to make sure our students receive the best education possible and their efforts are being recognized." 

The letter signed by New Jersey State Commissioner of Education David C. Hespe, says that "Multiple factors informed the decision-making process, including students' standardized test outcomes, RAC team feedback, and the sustainability of many noted improvements." The Education Commissioner goes on to state, "We applaud your efforts to close the achievement gap and encourage you to continue to be vigilant in supporting all of the students in your school in order to remain on a positive improvement trajectory. On behalf of the Office of Regional Achievement Centers and the entire Department of Education, I wish you continued success in serving New Jersey's children."

Commencement ceremony for Plainfield Public Schools -Awards, Scholarship and great Reviews about our Graduates
Commencement for the Class of 2015 will take place Friday, June 19, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at Hub Stine Sports Complex, 1410 Randolph Road. Over 400 students will be graduating from Barack Obama Academy for the Advancement of Academic and Civic Development, Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies and Plainfield High School. 

Plainfield Graduates are graduating with Honors as members of the National Honor Society; many with college credits through the Rutgers Health and Sciences Program after completing and receiving CPR, AED, and First Aid, through Emergency/Clinical Care Classes at Plainfield High School. A total 26 students were enrolled in the program also called, Allied Health. Plainfield Graduates participate also in Upward Bound Programs at Rutgers University and Kean. Over twelve students will be graduating with Biliteracy Seals on their diplomas. The Seal of Biliteracy certifies that the students are competent in one or more world languages including English; moreover this Summer 2015 four of the students are traveling to Spain, France, China and Japan, the countries which languages they were learning. 

Plainfield Public School graduates also received unprecedented grants and scholarships worth over $100,000, as was presented at the Plainfield Public Schools Clearinghouse Scholarship and Senior Awards Program 2015. Our athletes were invited to sign letters of Intent with full scholarships to schools in New York and Texas. Superintendent of Plainfield Public Schools is extremely proud of the work the students have done and the success they have achieved.

Project Graduation
This year Plainfield Public Schools celebrates its 24th Annual "Project Graduation," the term used across the country to describe chemical-free and alcohol-free graduation parties. The name Project Graduation was created in the 1980s by a group of parents whose children died in alcohol-related events. This year's Project Graduation will be held at Plainfield High School following graduation. The party starts at 9:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 a.m. 

All the graduating seniors are invited to attend the free event. Students must present their school identification and have a permission slip from their parents or guardians on file for this event. A variety of activities are being planned for the all-night party, movies, dancing, games, food and swimming. 

The event is sponsored via a partnership with the Plainfield Municipal Alliance. The Graduation Committee chaired by Ms. Deborah Johnson, is committed to ensure that every graduating senior has an opportunity to celebrate their academic achievement in a safe, healthy, secure and festive environment.
Plainfield Learning Center
Beware of the Nanny Scam
If you've ever looked for a babysitter or worked as one, you're probably familiar with the dozens of ways you can connect online. From message boards to sites dedicated to connecting families with childcare providers, the options are endless. However, these popular sites can be used to take advantage of caregivers. Be on the lookout for scams and frauds on these sites.

How will I know? Currently, most caregivers are initially contacted by potential matches online. Most people using these sites are truly looking for nannies or babysitters, but some prey on innocent caregivers.
This is how a common nanny or caregiver scam happens: A person approaches you looking for a caregiver saying they do not live in the area yet, but will be moving soon. With a very convincing story, they will ask you to purchase supplies or medical equipment needed for their loved one. They will give you a check to cover the costs, but ask you to make the purchase through a third party right away.
However, after making the payment, the check and the third party turn out to be fake and the transaction takes place too fast for banks to realize what's going on. So you're out the money before the bank realizes the check is a phony.

What to do? Protect yourself. Don't get involved in an unknown transaction and don't send money to someone you've never met. Services like Western Union and MoneyGram are legitimate, but can be used illegitimately in scams like this.

If you know someone tricked by this scam report it to the company:
MoneyGram: 1-800-666-3947 (1-800-955-7777 for Spanish) or at moneygram.com

Western Union: 1-800-448-1492 (1-800-325-4045 for Spanish) or at westernunion.com

Also, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and the website where the contact occurred.

Red Cross
Keep Your Cool as Summer Heats Up
Temperatures are rising, and soon summer will be in full swing. While you fire up the barbecue and inflate the floaties, take some time now to brush up on some valuable summer safety tips

Excessive heat has caused more deaths than any other extreme weather in recent years. Do you know how to keep your family safe in a heat wave? And summer doesn't just mean heat; it also means fun splashing in the water. The best way to enjoy the water is to learn how to swim - and to know how to help someone in trouble.

Redcross.org is your summer safety resource. Check it out - then get back to enjoying the summer fun!

Plainfield Arts and Culture

Union County Update: Freeholder Meeting
Union County - Freeholder Meeting (AGENDA) June 11,2015 - Union County NJ

New Jersey State Update: Bill to Impact Atlantic City
Mazzeo on Bill Package to Bring Property Tax Relief, Economic Growth & Jobs to Atlantic City

 

In this video press release, Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo (D-Atlantic) discusses his bill package designed to bring property tax relief and stability to Atlantic City's residents and businesses.

The package of legislation is part of his continued efforts to reinvigorate the region's economy and create jobs. Earlier this year, Mazzeo sponsored legislation (A-3213) to further encourage economic development and job growth in Atlantic City.

The bills would:
- (A3981) - Create the "Casino Property Taxation Stabilization Act" to address the dire situation in Atlantic City with casino closures.

- (A3982) - Require the holder of a casino license to submit proof to the state that all agreements it's entered into with representatives of its employees for collective bargaining provide for suitable health care benefits and retirement benefits for all full-time employees. A casino that fails to comply would be subject to forfeiture of its license.

- (A-3983) - Establish an additional category of state school aid to help Atlantic City decided by the education commissioner.

- (A-3984) - Reallocate the casino investment alternative tax to Atlantic City to pay debt service on municipal bonds. 

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman: Service Academy Days 


President Obama: Delivers a Statement on the Shooting in South Carolina
President Obama delivers a statement on the Shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. June 18, 2015
Help Us Spread the Word
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Have a Great Weekend!

Volume 2 - Issue 24