From Plainfield City Hall
  Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
One Plainfield.  One Future.
 
Welcome to my weekly update!  This week I am sharing information  pertaining to the following:
  • Affordable Care Act (ACA) Deadline
  • Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) Extension
  • Cities of the 21st Century Survey
  • Education Mayor's Playbook
  • Economic Development Update
  • Public Affairs and Safety Update
  • Arts and Culture
  • Resources
It is important to note that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period ends on February 15, 2015.  My administration will be hosting a registration drive event on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, here at City Hall.  If you have not signed up for healthcare, or know someone who hasn't, be sure to read and make note of the details of the registration event which are presented below.

I am pleased to share new information, updates, as well as other useful information with you.



Creating One Plainfield - One Future,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
ACA (Affordable Care Act) Open Enrollment Closes February 15, 2015 
Important:  The health and well-being of every resident is important to me and my administration.  We need to make sure all residents have access to healthcare.  As you may know, the ACA open enrollment closes on February 15, 2015.   

We will be holding the following event in an effort to help residents register before the deadline:

ACA (Affordable Care Act) Registration Drive Event
When: Thursday, February 12th
Time: 3pm - 8:30pm
Where: Plainfield City Hall Library
   
For more information call:  (973) 500-6031
The ACA Navigator is available at the City Hall Annex: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am - 5pm

 
President Obama Announces the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) Extended to 2015

The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP), which allows qualifying homeowners the chance to refinance to today's low mortgage rates, was originally formed in 2009 as a way to help financially "strapped" homeowners regain equity.  The president recently announced the decision to extend HARP into 2015, allowing more homeowners to realize their savings potential. Thanks to these new government programs mortgage rates are now at an all time low and homeowners are acting fast by taking advantage of their opportunity to refinance.  

 
Obama Details Broader Housing Plan 
Obama Details Broader Housing Plan
 
Cities of the 21st Century: A Survey of Public Opinion
While attending the U.S Conference of Mayors in January of this year, I participated in a very interesting session entitled the Cities of the 21st Century - A Survey of Public Opinion.  The U.S Conference of Mayors commissioned Zogby Analytic to conduct a survey of 2,425 respondents nationwide to examine perceptions of their governments on the federal, state, and local levels and to offer an evaluation on performance. I am sure that you, like me, will discover these findings to be interesting.
The Education Mayor's Online Playbook
As Mayor, securing a good education for all of Plainfield's children is at the top of my list of priorities. I join other Education Mayors throughout the country by partnering with the local Board of Education and Superintendent to ensure our children perform up to their potential, and to make education a focus.   In the coming weeks, I will be highlighting the four areas of the Educational Excellence Task Force's report. 

 
Economic Development Update
Ribbon Cutting - New Plainfield Restaurant 
 On Monday, February 2, 2015, I performed a ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the Un Renacer Bakery.  This new establishment has wonderful Mexican cuisine and amazing Tres Leches cakes.  The location of  this restaurant is: 500 Watchung Avenue.      (908) 941-5560 and they deliver!  Give this new restaurant a try.  We are transforming downtown Plainfield, one business at a time.
Public Affairs and Safety Update
Accreditation Update 
In May of 2014, the Police Division entered into a consulting contract with The Rodgers Group, LLC.  Members of the Group are currently working with the Director of Public Safety and Police and the Administrative Bureau Commander to coordinate the updating of outdated Policies, Procedures, Rules and Regulations.  Depending on the size of the agency, the process of obtaining the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs Police Accreditation Standards Certificate can take  anywhere from 1 to 3 years. The Police Division is moving forward and will be prepared for its onsite assessment during the spring of 2016. 

At this time, the re-occurring cost associated with the program is $4,750 for the Power DMS annual software fee, and $2,826 for Guarding Tracking annual software fee.  These two items have been factored into the yearly police budget.  The Power DMS System is an essential part of the process.  The system enables documents to be distributed to all personnel electronically.  All personnel must electronically sign for documents so that there is unambiguous accountability and a record of  every review.  The Guardian Tracking software provides the Police Division with a centralized and standard method of documentation to track employee performance.  This allows  monitoring of incidents of good and bad performance, rewards and recognition, and evaluations or any other work related happenings.  

The Rodgers Group has also developed a 12 month in-service training program for the Police Division.  Training modules are designed specifically for Plainfield and address the mandatory training requirements set forth by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office and the NJSACOP  Accreditation Program.  The cost of this training is $22,016.  This was paid for at no cost to the City from the Special Law Enforcement Trust Fund authorized by the Union County Prosecutor's Office.  As this training is and continues to be beneficial, this is an optional yearly service that we have chosen not to renew this year.  However, the mandatory training requirements will continue to be taught internally. The Police have increased the number of in-house instructors and will take advantage of the many in-service courses held throughout the year at the Union County Police Academy. 
Arts and Culture
Westry Horne Cultural and Heritage Series
A lecture and Integenerational Dialogue:
Why Study African-American History?
William "Bill" Payne and Dr. Akil Khalfani
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2015
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Location: Washington Community School
427 Darrow Avenue, Plainfield, NJ
 For more information call: 908-868-8704

duCret School of Art - 36th Annual High School Art Show
Come and see a great art exhibit from New Jersey high school students in their junior and senior years.  Art categories include:  Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil, Pen & Ink, Printmaking, Serigraph, Mixed Media, Traditional & Digital photography and Graphic Art. [No hand crafts, sculpture or pottery] Prizes will be awarded at the reception.

Date: Friday, February 27th 
Time: 7pm - 9 pm 
Location: duCret School of Art (auditorium) 
1030 Central Ave Plainfield, NJ 07060  
(908) 757-7171


Plainfield Public Library   
As of February 16, 2015 the Library will be returning to regular hours.

Main Library Hours  

Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
Closed
 
  
Crescent Concerts
Showcase for Exceptional Young Artists
Date: Sunday, February 8, 2015
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
716 Watchung Avenue
Plainfield, NJ 07060 
Resources
Free Applications for Federal Student Aid
We take advantage of every opportunity we have to speak to our children about their interests and related careers.  Many of our children are interested in animals and wildlife and this is a perfect opportunity to share an informative video about Federal Wildlife Officers from the website www.kids.gov.    

FAFSA Overview
FAFSA Overview

Ten IRS Tips to Help You Choose a Tax Preparer

Many people pay to have their taxes prepared. You need to be careful when you pick a preparer to do your taxes. You are legally responsible for all the information on the tax return even if someone else prepares it. Here are 10 IRS tax tips to help you choose a tax preparer:

Click Here for the 10 IRS Tips to Help You Choose a Tax Preparer

 


Help Us Spread the Word
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.
Until Next Time
If you have not signed up for healthcare - make sure you attend the ACA Registration Drive Event on Feb. 12th at City Hall!  
Stay warm and have a great weekend! 

 

Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.