My administration spent the first day of April hosting the kick-off and ribbon cutting ceremony for
the 28th Annual Month of the Young Child Celebration, sponsored and produced by the Plainfield Public Schools Early Childhood Advisory Council. Although we should spend each and every day celebrating and supporting our children, let us all be especially mindful throughout the month of April that "Our Children Are Our Future".
Here are this week's updates:
The President - Protecting Working Americans' Pay
Policy Day on the Hill
Senator Booker - Urges Review of a 2012 DOT Study
Union County - Race 4 the Children 5K
Hub Stine Community Forum
Plainfield Education Update
Economic Development Update
Administration and Finance Update
Public Affairs and Safety Update
Department of Public Works and Urban Development
Workforce Development
Plainfield Learning Center
Plainfield Road Closure Notice
Resources
Creating One Plainfield - One Future,
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
The President's Weekly Address: Protecting Working Americans' Paychecks
Weekly Address: Protecting Working Americans' Paychecks
The President highlights the progress made protecting American consumers since he signed Wall Street reform into law five years ago, including an important new step taken by the independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this week toward preventing abuses in payday lending.
Policy Day on the Hill
I am doing my part in helping to acquire programs and
resources for the City of Plainfield by collaborating with our Federal Government. The New Jersey Urban Mayor's Association (NJUMA) organized a "Day on the Hill" event on March 18-19. I sent my Chief of Staff, John Stewart, to this event. He joined the NJ Congressional Delegation, NJ Senators, members of both the Congressional Black caucus and the Congressional Hispanic caucus, as well as members of the Congressional Leadership. This event consisted of roundtable discussions. I encourage you to keep abreast of the following initiatives of the Obama Administration:
US Department of Labor
US Department of Justice
US Department of Education
US Department of Commerce
US Department of Transportation
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
other Whitehouse Initiatives
This week, we will start with the US Department of Labor and discuss the American Apprenticeship Initiative. The Department of Labor is awarding $100 million in American Apprenticeship Grants to reward partnerships that help more workers and employers participate in apprenticeships. This competition will help more Americans access this proven path to employment and the middle class. To date, 87 % of apprentices are employed after completing or graduating from their programs with an average starting wage of over $50,000. The new American Apprenticeship Grants competition, which will be awarded this fall, will focus on partnerships between employers, labor organizations, training providers, community colleges, local and sate governments, the workforce system, non-profits and faith based organizations.
Senator Booker: Urges Review - Results of a 2012 DOT Study
As we all have experienced, the deteriorating conditions of our infrastructure including roads and bridges, and the impact large commercial trucks have on them. U.S. Sens. Cory A. Booker (D-N.J), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) with U.S. Reps. James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) recently contacted the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx, stressing the importance to review results of a 2012 DOT study on the impact of heavy commercial trucks on the nation's roads and highways.
"The deteriorating nature of our infrastructure can hardly be overstated. As the administration noted in its proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2016, '65 percent of America's roads are rated in less than good condition,'"they wrote. "DOT has taken several steps to conduct the study, and we appreciate DOT's focus on the issue...as we noted in letters to the last Congress, there appeared to be conflicts of interest in the selection of the study's contractor and the bases of its findings on flawed data and poor methodology. These issues must be addressed and corrected."
The Friends of the Union County Child Advocacy Center, a nonprofit group whose mission is to provide support for the facility at which local victims of physical and sexual child abuse receive treatment and needed services, is hosting a 5K fundraiser, Race 4 the Children:
Sunday, April 19
Elizabeth's Warinanco Park.
The 5K and a two-mile "fun walk" are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., rain or shine.
The event is being co-sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the City of Elizabeth, in memory of late Union County Prosecutor Andrew K. Ruotolo, who served from 1991 until his death in 1995.
There will be a community presentation on the school district's Hub Stine Sports Complex project. At this community forum, topics such as addressing safety and security enhancements, educational needs for the future, and replacing aging infrastructure will be discussed. Artist rendering of the proposed project will also be unveiled.
The presentation is scheduled to be held in the Plainfield High School, auditorium, 950 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015.
Schools Closed for Spring Recess Superintendent Anna Belin-Pyles announce that Plainfield Public Schools will be closed during the week of April 6 to April 10 for Spring Recess. Students will be back to class on Monday, April 13.
Revised School Calendar Announced Superintendent Anna Belin-Pyles announced that the Plainfield Board of Education (BOE) approved a resolution to modify the Plainfield Public Schools' 2014-2015 School Calendar. The revised calendar sets June 19, 2015 as the last day of school for students and June 24th as the last day for teachers. The BOE also released the calendar for the next school year (2015-2016). To review it please visit www.plainfieldnjk12.0rg.
Cedarbrook Student Places in top 20 at state level National Geographic Bee Lemachi Enweremado, a sixth grader at Cedarbrook School, placed in the top 20 out of 114 students that participated at the state level competition of the National Geographic Bee. The event was held at Rowan University on March 27th. Principal Gwnetta Joe said, "We are ecstatic about Lemachi's achievement, he is our star." National Geographic Bee participants have to be versed in weather, topographic elevations, climate, urban settings, time zones, landscapes, etc. The students in grades 4-8 also have additional skills. Lemachi was one of the top three winners in last week's Science Fair held at the High School.
Cook School's National Elementary Honor Society holds First Annual March Madness Math Fair Principal Caryn Cooper announced that the March Madness Math Fair was a success by all accounts, " Over 20 parents and their children played interactive games and had lots of fun." NEHS President Simone Harris said, "All the parents really enjoyed the games." Currently there are eight members of the NEHS and 16 others will be inducted into the NEHS in May. Eva Woolard, Chloe Anderson, and Chiamaka Patrick serve as officers. Sarah Pretty and Eva Burrows serve as co-chairs. The students have benefited tremendously from this selection and have participated in many community service activities, while maintaining high academic standing. Some will be performing in the upcoming Annie Production, participating in Jazz Band, Cheerleading, and Safety Patrol.
Four Plainfield Public School District Students have been awarded scholarships to Study Abroad this coming summer Plainfield Public School District and its Office of Bilingual Education/ESL & World Languages, under the leadership of Principal Phillip Martin Williamson, are extremely delighted to announce that four Plainfield High School students have earned Global Navigator Scholarship awards worth $22,800 from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to study in France, China, and Japan in the Summer of 2015. Thanks to the CIEE, these students will soon step into different cultures around the world. The recipients of the scholarships are as follows: Ms. Deborah Starks, Ms. Sydney Ramirez, Ms. Sierra Barros, and Mr. Johny Proano. The scholarships were possible through the diligence of Dr. Phillip Williamson, Principal of the Office of Bilingual/ESL & World Languages; Mr. Martin Senesie, World Languages Resource teacher; and Dr. Philip Nwankwo, Plainfield High School French teacher who applied, on behalf of Plainfield High School, for the Global Navigator Scholarships sponsored by CIEE. The objective of the scholarship program is to enable Plainfield High School students to study abroad. Plainfield High School was one of only 50 U.S. high schools chosen to receive Global Navigator Scholarship awards by CIEE. The Global Navigator Scholarship Program honors the Plainfield School District's commitment to developing global citizens as well as its enthusiasm for world language instruction.
Economic Development Update
Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce Award
The Gateway Regional Chamber of Commerce held their 26th Annual Mayor's Dinner on March 30, 2015. I am pleased to announce our very own, Deputy City Administrator for Economic Development, Carlos Sanchez won the Economic Development Director of the Year Award for his efforts in the City of Plainfield!
Credit Clinic Seminar
The Office of Community Development, in partnership with New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Kean University, will present a Credit Clinic Seminar, a program addressing how critical credit issues impact the achievement of important and complex personal and business financial matters . The seminar will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, April 16, 2015, at the Plainfield Public Library.
Join us and learn more about your credit profile. Space is limited. To register, please contact the Office of Community Development, Elaine S. Dunn-Brown, Director, at 908-753-3610.
Award The City of Plainfield has been awarded $594,000 in Transportation Alternatives Program funding for the North Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project. The goal of the Program is to provide federal funds for community based "non-traditional" projects designed to strengthen the cultural, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the nation's intermodal system. An extremely competitive Program, the North Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project application, submitted through the Department of Public Works and Engineering, was among the 28 (out of 146 applications) selected for funding.
We Have Inspected 99% of Every Establishment Preparing or Selling Food in the City of Plainfield (See Letter Below):
FREE WORKSHOP on MOLD
The City of Plainfield Division of Health in collaboration with the Union County Office of Health Management will present a Free Workshop on Mold.
WHEN: 10:00am to 12:00pm Saturday, April 18, 2015; WHERE: Plainfield Family Success Center,
209 Berckman Street, Plainfield, NJ
If you are still having mold issues from SUPERSTORM SANDY, we can help!
NATIONAL GUN CRIME REPORT REVEALS 28.8 PERCENT REDUCTION IN GUNFIRE IN CITIES FROM 2013 TO 2014
Nationwide, gunfire is down significantly in 2014 in contrast to 2013, according to the National Gunfire Index™ released by SST, Inc., the global leader in gunfire detection, location, alerting and analysis. The report shows the median reduction in gunfire incidents was 28.8 percent in cities across the U.S. Using the ShotSpotter gunfire detection technology consistently over the past two years, Plainfield saw a decrease with an almost 39.8% reduction in gunshot incidents.
Department of Public Works and Urban Development Update
Arbor Award The Arbor Day Foundation named the City of Plainfield a 2014 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Plainfield achieved this recognition by meeting the program's four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
Workforce Development
USPS is Hiring - Save the Date! USPS (U.S. Postal Service) Job Fair May 20, 2015 4pm-7pm Plainfield City Hall
Plainfield Learning Center
An Introduction to the SBA (Small Business Adminstration)
An Introduction to SBA
An introductory video featuring SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. Learn about SBA's programs and services.
SBA: How to Write a Business Plan
How to Write a Business Plan
This short video describes how and why to write a business plan, using SBA's free tool at www.sba.gov/business-plan.
Plainfield Road Closure Notice
Please note the roadway closure schedule for Park Avenue and Watchung Avenue:
Park Avenue - March 30 through April 19 - open Park Avenue on April 20
Watchung Avenue - April 20 through July 20 (approximately 3 months)
There will be more closures after July 20, but that will be updated at a later date
Resources
Free Diabetes Self-Management Workshop
April 10, 2015 1:30pm to 3:30pm Plainfield Public Library
Are you a Medicare patient living with diabetes or know someone who is? If so, a new program called Everyone with Diabetes Counts can help you or your loved one live a healthier life. Everyone with Diabetes Counts offers FREE diabetes education classes, taught by trained health care workers, right here in your area.
Through these free classes, you can expect to learn about:
Diabetes and its risks
The role of diet and exercise
The importance of regular doctor exams, and annual foot and eye exams
How to maintain willpower in a world of temptations
How to manage medications and much more
To register, contact Karen Hale: (732) 238-5570 ext. 2032 or [email protected]
Free Early Developmental Screenings
April 16, 2015
9am to 5pm
Plainfield Public Library
13% of children in the United States have a developmental delay and many are not identified by the time they enter kindergarten.
Join the experts from Children's Specialized Hospital for a FREE, quick developmental screening for children ages 1 to 5 years old, valuable resources for parents curious about early childhood development will be available.
For more information, or to schedule a free screening please call 908-301-5498 or visit www.childrens-specialized.org/screening. Registration is encouraged.
Spring can bring about a mix of wild weather as it's a time of transition; and depending on where you live you could be affected by: tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, floods, lightning, heat, wildfires, and even tsunamis if you live by the coast. A few precautionary steps now can help you prepare for weather changes:
Make sure your mobile phone can receive wireless emergency alerts, or sign up for e-mail or text message alerts through your state or local government.
Download this free severe weather preparedness guide to learn more about thunderstorms, related hazards and life-saving actions you can take. A plan will prepare you and your family to act in time and help you and those you care about be safe.
If you have time to do more, and want to help your neighbors, consider joining America's PrepareAthon! This campaign is designed to help you and your community prepare for area hazards through drills, discussions, and exercises.
Don't Give Up Until They Buckle Up
By Mark Rosekind, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
When she was a baby, you put her in a car seat. In a few years, you'll insist she buckle up when behind the wheel. Today, however, she's a tween; she's tired of hearing mom and dad nag her about wearing her seat belt. And you're a little tired of saying it.
But this is the fight worth having. Your tween's life is at stake.
And that's why the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have launched our "Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up" campaign.
Traffic safety data tells us that as children get older, they're less likely to buckle up. Over the past 5 years, 1,552 kids ages 8-14 were not wearing seat belts when they died in a crash, and one in four of those kids were age 14.
This campaign is urgently needed because-as many parents can attest-seat belt use often falls by the wayside during the hectic shuttling of kids to and from school and activities, when running short errands, or when parents are a bit worn down by the daily grind.
And of course, tweens will test limits. It's how they learn and grow. That's why it's so critical that they absorb the message now: the car doesn't move until everyone in the vehicle is buckled up. After a while, it won't be a fight; it will be second nature, a lifesaving lesson that they'll carry with them always.
Put this plan into action with your own tween. And please-wherever and whenever you can- share this important safety message with the people we serve: Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up.
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