F rom Plainfield City Hall
  Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
One Plainfield.  One Future.
  
This week in Women's History Month we celebrate the life of Donna Vose (1934 - 2014) for her countless professional and public service contributions to the City of Plainfield. Ms. Vose was a dedicated Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse at Muhlenberg Hospital
and the Union County Psychiatric Clinic. She served on numerous boards including the Plainfield Planning Board, Muhlenberg Hospital Board and Plainfield Health Center Board. A Republican who practiced bi-partisanship, she was elected to a four year term as the 2nd
Ward City Councilwoman, serving in 1992 as Chairperson, Committee of the Whole.
By the time of her arrival in Plainfield from the state of Florida, she had established a reputation as an activist in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Ms. Vose marched in demonstrations against segregation in the public schools. She used photographs of Florida's "colored" elementary school's decrepit facilities to expose the inequality of the prevailing "separate-but-equal" rule of law.
 
 My weekly updates:
  • President Obama and the Student Aid Bill of Rights
  • Plainfield Road Closure Notice
  • Plainfield Education Update
  • Administration and Finance Update
  • Economic Development Update
  • Public Affairs and Safety Update
  • Workforce Development
  • Arts and Culture
  • Resources

Creating One Plainfield - One Future,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
President Obama: Student Aid Bill of Rights  
Weekly Address: A Student Aid Bill of Rights
Weekly Address: A Student Aid Bill of Rights

 

President Obama announced a proposal for a new student aid bill of rights.  The objective of the plan is to make the process of managing and repaying student loans easier for borrowers. The president's plan will implement a new complaint forum for student borrowers, a user-friendly website to monitor student loans, and stricter laws for debt collectors.  For more details regarding the new student bill of rights, watch the informative video featuring President Obama as he presents this proposed new bill to the students of Georgia Tech University.

  

 
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
 
Plainfield Education Update
PAAARC Testing for 9-11 graders at Plainfield Public Schools District
 
1.   PAAARC testing will be conducted at Plainfield High School, Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies (PAAS) and the Barack Obama Academy of Academic and Civic Development (BOAACD) next week from March 23 to March 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  

PAAARC - the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College & Careers -  according to the PAARC description,  "is a group of states working together to develop a set of assessments that measure whether students are on track to be successful in college and their careers. These high quality, computer-based K-12 assessments in Mathematics and English Language Arts/Literacy give teachers, schools, students, and parents better information about whether students are on track in their learning and for success after high school, and tools to help teachers customize learning to meet student needs".

Testing in Plainfield for students began this year under Plan A & B Schedule.  Students in Plan A in grades 6 to 8th concluded their testing this week. Next week as part of Plan B for the Plainfield School District, students in 9-11th grades will be participating.  Students who miss the testing will have make-up days during the week of April 27 to May 1.

District Science Fair - March 26
 
2.  Superintendent Ana Belin-Pyles extends an invitation to all parents, students and neighbors to attend The District Science Fair scheduled for March 26, 2015, at Plainfield High School, 950 Park Avenue, from 5:30pm-7:30pm.  "This is the second year we are hosting this event and the level of science fair projects and enthusiasm has truly been remarkable", said Dr. Jean Gordon, Supervisor of Science and Instructional Technology.

 

 
Administration and Finance Update
Homestead Benefit Credits 
The State of New Jersey recently sent the City of Plainfield  $1,240,086.94 in Homestead credits for 2,553 eligible property owners. The Tax Collectors Office is in the process of sending out homestead benefit adjusted tax bills that reflect account credits for the second quarter of 2015.  The Homestead credits were supposed  to be given in 2014, but were delayed until this year.
 
If you have any questions, you can reach the Tax Collector :
e-mail: [email protected] 
Phone: (908)753-3214

 Plainfield Health Officer  - American Diabetes Association Alert Day
American Diabetes Association Alert Day is Tuesday, March 24 th The American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a "wake-up call" to learn about the risk of type 2 diabetes. On Tuesday, March 24 th, please take one minute to click the link below  and take the Diabetes Risk Test. Begin a path toward a healthier yo u!   
 
Click Here for Diabetes Risk Test

Free Diabetes Self-Management Workshops
The national Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC) project and NJ Department of Health & Human Services "Take Control of Your Health" Program, will be offering some Free Diabetes Self-Management Workshops in Plainfield that aim to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes in the City of Plainfield.
 
The Diabetes Self-Management Program was created by the Stanford School of Medicine and it is designed for adults age 55 and older. Participants of the free self-management workshops will receive a complimentary book and learn about diabetes and its risks, the role of diet and exercise, how to deal with pain and fatigue, managing  medications, maintaining willpower and much more.

The first set of workshops are scheduled at the Plainfield Senior Center each Wednesday from April 1 to May 6, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Seniors only can register by calling Colin Baptiste at (908) 753-3506.

The second set of workshops are scheduled at the Plainfield Public Library each Friday from April 10 to May 15, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

To register, contact Karen Hale at (72) 238-5570 ext: 2032 or [email protected]

Economic Development Update

The Office of Community Development, in partnership with New Jersey Small Business Development Center at Kean University, will present a Credit Clinic Seminar, this program addresses 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.

 

 Click Here for More Information 

Public Affairs and Safety Update

We continue to work together in finding ways to penetrate the community and foster relationships with our residents. The Department of Public Affairs and Safety will host a Police Chaplain Basic Training Program on April 23-24, 2015 at the Plainfield Police Division.  This program is intended to prepare First Responder Chaplains for their specialized work within the community, which includes supporting grieving families facing tragedy and other challenging situations.  If you are a member of Clergy and have a desire to partner with the police community in supporting those in crisis, please email Director Carl N. Riley  as soon as possible for more information: [email protected] .       

Workforce Development
International Cruise & Excursions

TUESDAY - 03/24/2015
11:00AM - 2:00PM

Location:
550 Jersey Avenue

New Brunswick ,  NJ   08901
Middlesex

County:  Middlesex

What to Bring:  2 copies of your resume 2 valid forms of ID *come dressed "business casual"

Event Details:  ICE will be recruiting at the Middlesex County One Stop Career Center for the following position: Event Marketing Representative - NJ0978577 **FOR MORE INFO LOG IN TO WWW.JOBS4JERSEY.COM AND ENTER THE JOB ORDER NUMBER FOUND NEXT TO TITLE

Directions to Event:  USE MAPQUEST
Via  Mapquest

Additional Information:  This will be the only employer at this event!

Sponsored By:  Middlesex County Workforce Development/BRC

Contact Information:
Event Contact:  Latoya Perry
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone:  (732) 418-3347  
 

Devereux NJ Job Fair

TUESDAY - 03/24/2015
12pm - 3pm

Location:
Sussex County One Stop
7 Hampton House Road
Newton ,  NJ   07860
Sussex

County:  Sussex

What to Bring:  Please bring your resume and non-provisional driver's license.

Event Details:  Devereux NJ, the largest behavioral healthcare organization in the nation, is hosting an interview day for open direct support professional roles in group homes for the developmentally disabled. A qualified candidate will be 21 years or older, possess a valid non-provisional driver's license, and have a minimum of a HS diploma/GED. Experience working with the developmentally disabled population, as a CNA/ Home Health Aide, or personal or volunteer experience with this population is preferred, but not required. Qualified candidates will receive on the spot interviews with hiring managers.

Directions to Event:  Please follow MapQuest directions
Via  Mapquest

Additional Information:  Can't Attend??? Please apply online at jobs.devereux.org.

Sponsored By:  Devereux NJ

Contact Information:
Event Contact:  Sara Ralph
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone:  (732) 786-5573
Website:  www.devereux.org
 

Woodbridge Job Fair
WEDNESDAY - 03/25/2015
10 AM - 1 PM

Location:
Woodbridge Community Center
600 Main Street
Woodbridge ,  NJ   07095
Middlesex

County:  Middlesex

What to Bring:  Multiple copies of your resume to hand out. Information needed to fill out a job application such as your Social Security number, reference information, employment history, etc. Paper and pen. There will be many industries and job opportunities at this job fair. It is free and you do no have to be a resident of Middlesex County to attend. Please see our website for further information with more details. Check the site again after March 18 for a link to a list of employers and actual job openings.

Event Details:  Come prepared to interview directly with employers on the spot. Dress professionally and bring plenty of clean, neat copies of your resume to hand out and any information you need to fill out a job application and a paper and pen to write down any information or contacts you may want to keep. The job fair is open from 10 AM to 1 PM, but we suggest arriving well before closing time.

Directions to Event:  The Community Center is located at 600 Main Street in Woodbridge. Go to Mapquest.com and enter the above adress or follow this link.

There is ample parking at the venue and signs will direct you to the correct location for the job fair.
Via  Mapquest

Additional Information:  SPONSORED BY: Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders N. J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development Woodbridge Township Middlesex County Office of Workforce Development Middlesex County Workforce Investment Board

Sponsored By:  Middlesex Freeholders & Workforce Development & WIB, Woodbridge Twp. NJ DOLWD

Contact Information:
Event Contact:  Melinda Walton
E-mail:  [email protected]
Phone:  (732) 745-3970 

Arts and Culture
Plainfield Easter Egg Hunt 

March 28, 2015
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Cedarbrook Park (Cricket Field near Shakespeare Garden)

Click Here for More Information 

  

The Plainfield Symphony  

The Plainfield Symphony's 95th Season opens with the presentation of

  "Bernstein on Broadway" at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28th, 2015, featuring special guest Jamie Bernstein, conductor Charles Prince, Grammy Nominee Alexander Silber and Will Reynolds. The program includes symphonic dances and vocal selections from Westside Story, On the Town, Wonderful Town, and Candide.

  

  

Frontiers International Westry Horne Cultural and Heritage Series Schedule 

The purpose of this series is to educate and provide space for intergenerational dialogues on topics of African American history and culture.

 

Click Here for Complete Schedule
 

NEW CHILDREN'S LIBRARY HOURS
The Children's Library
will now open at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday.
Resources
United Way Internet Essentials
In partnership with Comcast and Union County College, United Way of Greater Union County is proud and excited to announce the launch of Internet Essentials Computer Classes in Plainfield. With the help of our partners, we will successfully increase computer literacy among our residents.    

Classes are free to all Plainfield residents and will consist of (10) 3 hour hands-on workshops focused on the following:
 
*      Introduction to Computers
*      Introduction to the Internet
*      Keeping Children Safe on the Internet
*      Essential Email Skills
*      Basic MS Word Skills
 
We invite you to share the attached flyer with anyone interested in learning more about computers.  To register, please have individuals contact call 908-353-7171 x137 or 100 or email  [email protected]

Click Here for More Information
 
National Archives - Transcription Challenge
Help create history by transcribing some of the many documents from our National Archives. Check out the information below on how you can get involved!From the National Archives:Help us reach our goal of transcribing #1000pages this week! Your contributions improve search results and increases accessibility to our digitized, historical records. Our Transcription Missions include paper of the Continental Congress, love letters, photographs related to the National Forests, alcohol-related records, Al Capone documents, and more!http://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/transcribe/

Help create history by transcribing some of the many documents from our National Archives. Check out the information below on how you can get involved!

From the National Archives: 

Help us reach our goal of transcribing #1000 pages this week!

Your contributions improve search results and increases accessibility to our digitized, historical records. Our Transcription Missions include paper of the Continental Congress, love letters, photographs related to the National Forests, alcohol-related records, Al Capone documents, and more!

http://www.archives.gov/citizen-archivist/transcribe/ 

 

AARP Tax Preparation

AARP tax counselors will provide local members with free tax counseling services from Monday, February 2nd to Wednesday, April 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appointments are required. Please Call 908-753-3506 to make your appointment.

Bring the following to your appointment:
* 2013 federal and state income tax return if you filed
* 2014 federal and state income tax  booklet
* 1099 SSA and/or 1099 Forms
* W-2 Forms per employer
* 1098 Form if you own a mortgage
* Social Security card for all dependents
* ID for anyone ages 18 and over.
* All child care and dependent care provider info, including employer's name, SS # or EIN #.
* Your 2014 Tax Receipt
* All rent receipts or total annual rent paid if you are a tenant.

If you're interested in having a PTR done, please have your proof of taxes paid completed by the City Hall Tax Office prior to making an appointment.

U.S. Population with Irish Ancestry

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 11.1 percent of the U.S. population claims Irish ancestry. Find more stats about the Irish in America: http://go.usa.gov/3CXjm

Happy St. Patrick's Day on March 16, 2015! 11.1 percent of the U.S. population claims Irish ancestry. Find more stats about the Irish in America: http://go.usa.gov/3CXjm 

  


Creative Writing Contest
  


Help Us Spread the Word
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Have a Great Weekend!

Volume 2 - Issue 12