From
Plainfield City Hall
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
Bitterness Only Consumes The Vessel That Contains It


On June 17, 1966 , Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a famous black boxer, and an acquaintance of his were wrongly convicted of shooting three people to death.  Carter maintained his claims of innocence and became his own jailhouse lawyer.
 
After serving nineteen years, Carter was finally released. As a free man, Carter reflected on how he has responded to injustice in his life: "If I have learned nothing else in my life, I've learned that bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it.  And for me to permit bitterness to control or to infect my life in any way whatsoever would be to allow those who imprisoned me to take even more than the 22 years they've already taken.  Now that would make me an accomplice to their crime."  ( James S. Hirsch ,  Hurricane: The Miraculous Journey of Rubin Carter   (Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000), p. 310)
 
Many would agree that Rubin Carter had a right to be bitter, he had 19 reasons to hold on to hate, but he was able to transcend that bitterness and embrace a profound truth, and it was this action that truly set him free.
Sadly, there are many among us, that choose to be bitter over far less, they are unable to let go and rise above disappointment and changes in their life. This bitterness is allowed to guide their actions, and they end up doing vindictive and petty things to feed the malice inside themselves.
When you embrace bitterness, you allow yourself to be consumed from inside out. You are in a prison of your making, and it begins to affect your life, your relationships; it determines your outlook on the whole world, and it is a slippery slope into despair.
 
As an elected official I consider it my responsibility to lead by example, to embrace the positive and let go of negative thoughts or actions which could affect the people of this great city that I represent. Sadly, there are too many cases of elected representatives behaving badly, disappointing their constituents, calling their state of mind into question. We are here to serve the people, and when personal agendas become the main priority then we begin to lose our way.
 
There are moments which define a person's character, moments when a course of action is decided on that speaks to who you are, and will determine your future course. We must choose not to embrace darkness; we must pursue positive action, let go of bitterness, learn from our past and use it to build a legacy of decency and dignity. After all is said and done we only have one life and we can choose to live it in darkness or the light.
 
What does your defining moment say about you? 
 

Creating One Plainfield, One Future...
 


Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield

La amargura sólo consume el recipiente que lo contiene

 
Estimado Plainfield,
 
El 17 de junio, 1966 , Rubin "Huracán" Carter, un famoso boxeador negro, y un conocido suyo fueron condenadas injustamente de disparar y matar a tres personas.  Carter mantuvo su inocencia y se convirtió en su propio abogado defensor.
 
Después de cumplir diecinueve años en la cárcel, Carter fue finalmente liberado.  Como un hombre libre, Carter reflexionó sobre cómo respondió a la injusticia en su vida: "Si no he aprendido nada más en mi vida, he aprendido que la amargura sólo consume el recipiente que lo contiene.  Y permitir que la amargura controle o infecte mi vida sería permitir que los que me encarcelaron para tomar aún más que los 22 años que ya han tomado.  Y eso me haría cómplice de su crimen ."  ( James S. Hirsch ,  Huracán: El viaje milagroso de Rubin Carter   (Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000), p. 310)
 
Muchos estarían de acuerdo en que Rubin Carter tenía derecho a ser amargo, pero fue capaz de trascender esa amargura y abrazar una verdad profunda, y fue esta acción lo que verdaderamente lo liberó.
Lamentablemente, hay muchos entre nosotros que optan por ser amargo sobre mucho menos, son incapaces de dejar ir y elevarse por encima de la decepción y los cambios en su vida. Esta amargura está permitida para guiar sus acciones, y terminan haciendo cosas vengativas y mezquinas para alimentar a su malicia.
Cuando abrazas la amargura, te dejas consumir de ella.  Usted está en una prisión de su fabricación, y comienza a afectar tu vida y tus relaciones; determina tu perspectiva en todo el mundo, y puede llevar a la desesperación.
 
Como su alcalde lo considero mi responsabilidad de liderar con el ejemplo, para abrazar lo positivo y dejar ir los pensamientos o acciones negativas que podría afectar a la gente de esta gran ciudad que represento. Estamos aquí para servir a la gente, y cuando las agendas personales se convierten en la principal prioridad, entonces empezamos a perder nuestro camino.
 
Hay momentos que definen el carácter de una persona, momentos en que una decisión o curso de acción habla a quien eres, y determinará su curso futuro.  Debemos elegir no abrazar la oscuridad; debemos emprender acciones positivas, deja ir la amargura, aprender de nuestro pasado y usarlo para construir un legado de decencia y dignidad. Después de todo sólo tenemos una vida y podemos elegir vivirla en la oscuridad o en la luz.
 
¿Qué dice tu momento decisivo sobre ti?


Creando Un Plainfield, Un Futuro 

 

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield

 
Economic Development - The "Fig Tree Market" Needs Employees!! 
  
"The Fig Tree Market" at 1220 South Ave, Plainfield, NJ will be opening their doors to the public within the next 30 days.  They are seeking employees for the positions posted below both full-time and part-time.  Any potential candidates for any of the positions are encouraged to stop by the store at 1220 South Ave and filled out an application.  Interviews can potentially be scheduled on the spot with Mr. David Oh, Manager.  
 
 
Jobs list
 
1.  Deli department
2.  Butcher/meat department
3.  Fish department
4. Grocery stock clerk
5.  Produce stock clerk
6.  Cashiers
 
The Fig Market is an equal opportunity employer. 

__________________________


 
Public Affairs and Safety - Tech Support Scams


______________________

 
Plainfield Fire Division - Parade and Safety Fair
 



 
Senior Citizens Center 

 The Plainfield Senior Citizens Center is pleased to announce that we are the recipients of  a brand new 2016  Extended Mini Bus that seats 16 passengers.
This award is from the  NJ Transit's 5310 program, under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of New Jersey.
 
With this bus we will be able  to plan wonderful excursions for our  Plainfield Senior Center members .  
 
Come join us and take a ride!!!

 
  ________________________

The Plainfield Senior Citizens Service Center is an active and energetic Center that has something to offer all active Seniors! You will be surrounded by welcoming Seniors and a friendly staff who are delighted to have new members at the Center

If you would like to take part in any our numerous programs, the criteria is for you to be a Plainfield resident age 55 years and older.
 
The senior center is open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., Thursday nights till 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m. 
 
For further information concerning the center's programs, please stop by or
call the center at 908-753-3506 to speak to the Center's Director Sharron Brown.


 
Prevent Elder Abuse


 

Division of Parks and Recreation 

Recreation Programs
The Division of Parks and Recreations continues to provide many programs for our youth, our families and active seniors.

  

 

 
 

 
Plainfield Public Library Events


 


Mayor's Wellness Campaign - Free flu Clinics - Free Lead Screening



 

 
Plainfield Health Services - Free Pregnancy Testing

 

 

 



 
Plainfield Action Services  
 
Plainfield High School - Trip to Museum of African American History

 

 


 
Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program




Nominations for the Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program are currently being accepted.  
 
This program is a nomination-based award and only one student per school may be nominated by their principal or guidance counselor. The Comcast Leaders and Achievers® Scholarship Program, funded through the Comcast Foundation, recognizes high school seniors from Comcast communities for their commitment to community service, academics, and demonstrated leadership.  To acknowledge these accomplishments, recipients of the award will receive a one-time grant of $1,000. 
 
Comcast is a media and technology company, and the owner of Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. While we are a global corporation, we will always be a local company. We strive to strengthen local neighborhoods and communities because we recognize that being an active part of these communities is an integral part of our success, and our company culture is enriched by this diverse environment.  We also seek strong connections with these communities because our employees live, work, and raise their families everywhere that we provide service. Comcast is committed to diversity - in our employment practices, our purchasing decisions, our programming and our community investment.  Last year, more than 1,000 scholarships were awarded to diverse students.
 
Scholarship Requirements:
 
  • Full-time high school senior currently enrolled at a high school within a Comcast Community.
  • Student grade point average of 2.8 or higher.  
  • Student demonstrates leadership abilities in school activities or through work experiences.
  • Student shows a strong commitment to and involvement in community service.
  • Student plans to attend an accredited, nonprofit college, university, or vocational/technical school in the United States.
  • Student will need to verify nomination by entering the Comcast School Code (CSC), provided by the principal or guidance counselor. 
  • Student will need to complete and approve the terms and conditions set forth in the media release included as part of the scholarship acceptance form.  If the nominee is not over the age of eighteen, the parent/guardian must complete and approve the terms and conditions set forth in the media release included as part of the scholarship acceptance form.
 
All scholarship materials must be received from the nominated student by November 30th, 2017 in order to be considered.  To determine program eligibility and to request nomination access, please contact International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc. at Comcast@applyists.com  or at (855) 670-4787.
 

 
Community Development 

________________________

  • Are you or someone you know experiencing a hardship right now? Looking for housing, free legal counseling, help with bills, foreclosure or facing possible homelessness, there is help available:GET HELP PAYING THE BILLS 
  • Last year homeownership had plunged to a 50 year low, there are signs indicating that homeownership is on the rise again. MORE INFO HERE 
  • Are you 62 years old or older and thinking about getting a reverse mortgage now and delaying your social security benefits? The higher costs associated with that reverse mortgage may be cause to think again. READ MORE HERE
  • Are you a tenant living in a property that is in foreclosure and wondering if and when you will have to move? Here is a useful toolkit for you FIND IT HERE
________________________
  ___________________________




________________________

  • CFPB Takes Action to Shut Down Credit Repair Company for Charging Illegal Fees and Misleading Consumers  - Company Banned From Offering Credit Repair Services and Required to Pay $150,000 Penalty - READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
__________________________

______________________________________
Union County College Can Help You With Your Career

Unemployed? Is it time to develop new skills? Employed but seeking growth & training opportunities? Maybe you're a business owner  seeking training opportunities for your present employees. Union County College's Talent Development Center is looking for you!
___________________________


 
Plainfield Learning Center  -   How do the poor see life? Uneducated, not stupid | Rajen Makhijani |



In this talk, drawing from his experiences and arguments on elitism, meritocracy and luck; Rajen Makhijani explores how the social class a person is in influences their opinions of themselves and perception of life. He compares how their choices and through the lens of social class it is often misperceived as being 'stupid', they being 'uneducated'. 

Mr Rajen Makhijani is a Coach, Consultant, Screenwriter & Social Activist - He describes himself as a 'soul-in-search', and a student of life. His clients were from diverse economic backgrounds, from fortune 500 companies to Non Governmental Organisation. A Sir Dorab Tata Scholar, Citibank Leadership Awardee and winner of 'Wings of Excellence Award' by the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland.
YMCA








 

 
Workforce Development -  

Job Seekers - Click on Link Below for a Listing of Local Job Fairs
Division of Health  - Low Cost Spay / Neuter


 
Plainfield Symphony  


 
Community Information and Resources





     _______________________


 
__________________________

 
Union County: In times of need we need to work together and support one another

That's why we ask for anyone interested to participate in this Disaster Relief Supply Drive that will g o towards helping those affected areas with a big emphasis on Puerto Rico due to the lack of electricity and resources being provided.



 
Senator Cory Booker: Sen. Cory Booker on Chris Hayes: "This is a time when we should have leaders pulling us together" - Comments on athletes taking a knee


 
LIKE AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
If you  haven't  already done so please remember to LIKE our official Facebook page so you don't miss out on this great interactive time with Mayor Mapp as well as on daily updates from City Hall.





 
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) 226-2507  or emailing communications@plainfieldnj.gov 
ONE PLAINFIELD, ONE FUTURE

Volume 4 - Issue 39