Hope and Optimism on the 4th of July |
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Dear Friend,
Across the nation, there are plans to celebrate the 4th of July with barbecues, fireworks, food, music, and most importantly, family and friends. There is a renewed sense of hope that we will return to normalcy as more and more people take the vaccine and restrictions are cautiously lifted.
This is a stark contrast to last year at this time. Below is an excerpt from my editorial of July 2020:
“We are facing what will probably be the strangest 4th of July Holiday that any of us has experienced in our lifetime. There are no parades, no community gatherings, no concerts, and for many, none, or greatly diminished family Barbecues.
Aside from the virus, we have witnessed an awakening of our country to the grave injustices meted out to black people in the United States of America. The slow, excruciating, public execution of George Floyd served to ignite an outcry too loud, too passionate, and too heart-wrenching to ignore. We have taken to the streets, risking the virus's infection knowing that there exists a far more dangerous virus that needs to be eradicated. We have protested in our streets, across our cities, from State to State, and our cries were echoed across the waves in countries far away by people who felt our anguish and outrage. This fight is far from over, but it has started meaningful dialog across what seemed like insurmountable divides.”
So this 4th of July 2021 is extraordinary because of the “new” independence we'll celebrate. Growing freedom from restrictions placed on us by the virus and increasing action to address civil rights injustices. We were tested but not broken. We lost loved ones, but even as we grieved, we found support by uniting. We were tired, but we found the strength to stand. We faced uncertainty, but we radiated hope. We were laid low, but still, we rose again and again. When things were at their worst, we were at our best.
This holiday we reap the rewards of our vigilance and resilience. While we still have to exercise caution, we are in a very different place than last year. We will be together to celebrate, not as fully as we've done in the past, but still with gratitude in our hearts that we can share this moment. It is a pivotal milestone on our way back to total normalcy.
Let’s focus on the important things this holiday and remain positive. Remember the good, the strong, the courageous ones who stood at the front line of this battle so that we could gain some independence from the virus. Reflect on the meaning of this holiday as we gratefully and cautiously celebrate our freedom, our country, our history, and our future.
Please be careful and stay well. May God bless every Plainfield resident and the United States of America. Have a safe and happy 4th of July Holiday.
Creating One Plainfield, One Future
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Esperanza y Optimismo El 4 de Julio |
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Querido Friend,
En todo el país, hay planes para celebrar el 4 de Julio con barbacoas, fuegos artificiales, comida, música y lo más importante, familiares y amigos. Hay una renovada sensación de esperanza de que volveremos a la normalidad a medida de que más y más personas se ponen la vacuna y se levanten las restricciones con cautela.
Esto es un gran contraste con el año pasado en este momento. A continuación se muestra un extracto de mi editorial de Julio del 2020:
"Nos enfrentamos a lo que probablemente será el 4 de Julio más extraño que cualquiera de nosotros ha vivido en toda su vida. No hay desfiles, ni reuniones comunitarias, no habrá conciertos, y para muchos, no habrá barbacoas familiares o serán muy disminuidas.
Aparte del virus, hemos sido testigos de un despertar de nuestro país a las graves injusticias cometidas contra las personas negras en los Estados Unidos de América. La lenta, insoportable y pública ejecución de George Floyd sirvió para encender una protesta demasiado fuerte, demasiado apasionada y demasiado desgarradora para ignorar. Hemos tomado las calles, arriesgando a la infección del virus sabiendo que existe un virus mucho más peligroso que necesita ser erradicado. Hemos protestado en nuestras calles, a través de nuestras ciudades, de Estado a Estado, y nuestros gritos se han repetido a través de las olas en países lejanos por personas que sintieron nuestra angustia e indignación. Esta lucha está lejos de terminar, pero ha iniciado un diálogo significativo a través de lo que parecían divisiones insuperables".
Así que este 4 de Julio del 2021 es extraordinario por la "nueva" independencia que celebraremos. Creciendo libertad de las restricciones impuestas por el virus y incrementando acciones para abordar las injusticias de los derechos civiles. Nos probaron pero no nos quebraron. Perdimos seres queridos, pero incluso mientras lloramos, encontramos apoyo uniéndonos. Estábamos cansados, pero encontramos la fuerza para estar de pie. Nos enfrentamos a la incertidumbre, pero irradiamos esperanza. Estábamos por debajo, pero aún así, nos levantamos una y otra vez. Cuando las cosas estaban en su peor momento, estábamos en nuestro mejor momento.
Este 4 de Julio estamos cosechamos los frutos de nuestra vigilancia y resiliencia. Aunque todavía tenemos que ser precavidos, nos encontramos en un lugar muy diferente al del año pasado. Estaremos juntos para celebrar, no tan plenamente como lo hemos hecho en el pasado, pero aún con gratitud en nuestros corazones de que podemos compartir este momento. Es un hito fundamental en nuestro camino de vuelta a la normalidad total.
Centrémonos en las cosas importantes de esta fiesta patria y sigamos siendo positivos. Recuerden a los buenos, a los fuertes, a los valientes que estuvieron en la primera línea de esta batalla para que pudiéramos obtener cierta independencia del virus. Reflexione sobre el significado de esta fiesta patria mientras celebramos con gratitud y cautela nuestra libertad, nuestro país, nuestra historia y nuestro futuro.
Por favor, tenga cuidado y manténgase bien. Que Dios bendiga a todos los residentes de Plainfield y a los Estados Unidos de América. Tenga una segura y felices del 4 de julio.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
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City of Plainfield Stands With 4th Ward Councilwoman Stacey Welch
in her Time of Grief
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Plainfield Stands with 4th Ward Councilwoman
Stacey Welch in her time of Grief
It is with a heavy heart that the city of Plainfield announces the death of Midshipman Michael Myles James, son of Fourth Ward Councilwoman and owner of Livay Sweet Shop, Stacey Welch. On June 23, 2021, Michael who was only 22 years of age, was found unresponsive while on leave from the U.S. Naval Academy. The cause of death is still unknown but, according to the U.S. Naval Academy’s news center, foul play is not suspected.
Michael, born here in Plainfield, New Jersey, was an outstanding and vibrant person who loved his country and aspired to serve as a U.S Sailor for the Navy. Before his death, Michael attended the Naval Academy, where he majored in English, played football in his plebe year, and was a member of the 9th (later 19th) Company set to graduate with the class of 2022.
All who knew Michael regarded him as a great friend, a kind soul, and a class clown with such an infectious smile and personality that it could brighten up anyone’s day. According to Midshipman 1st class Yenuel Ortiz Rodriguez, “Myles was your brother, someone who always had your back and made sure that you knew it. He would remind you to celebrate every aspect of life and to look good while you did it.”
“We are incredibly saddened by the unexpected passing of Michael Myles James,” said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, “It is always a tragedy when Plainfield loses a member of its community, but even more so when it’s the life of someone who had so much to offer. For a brief period of time, we were granted the opportunity to watch a member of our community flourish into a respectable young man. We will celebrate all the lives that he touched and the kindness and warmth he inspired in others. His time with us was a blessing and caused a ripple that will continue to touch others even in his absence. Our hearts are broken as the City of Plainfield and its administration extends deepest sympathy and stands beside Fourth Ward Councilwoman Stacey Welch in her time of grief.”
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Plainfield Fireworks Display | July 4th |
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Join us on the evening of July 4th for our annual fireworks display. All are welcome and there will be music provided for an hour before the start of the fireworks. Bring your friends and family to cap off a day filled with great food, laughter and love!
Fireworks will begin at 9:30pm and residents can arrive at 8:00pm to secure their spots. Don't forget to bring your chairs and/or blankets to enjoy the display in comfort.
We look forward to seeing you!
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CITY OF PLAINFIELD AWARDED GRANT TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABILITY GOALS |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2021
Contact: Jazz Clayton Hunt
908-226-2507
City of Plainfield Awarded Grant to Advance Sustainability Goals
Plainfield, NJ – The City of Plainfield was awarded a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey capacity-building grant funded by the PSEG Foundation. Four $20,000 grants, eight $10,000 grants and twenty $2,000 grants were distributed to municipalities in fourteen New Jersey counties.
The grant awards will fund a range of projects including green infrastructure implementation, stormwater management and floodplain restoration; green business certification programs, buy-local campaigns, farmers markets and sustainable take-out container campaigns; community and pollinator gardens; energy efficiency upgrades and studies; educational campaigns focused on a variety of sustainability issues such as water conservation, food waste, recycling, and single-use plastics; general green team support and more.
“The City of Plainfield is excited to receive the Sustainable Jersey grant to foster a community garden that will provide healthy food options and give our residents the opportunity to practice their farming and gardening skills. PSEG continues to be an important partner to Plainfield and this grant will provide supplies, plants, seedlings, potted soil and much more. We appreciate the opportunity it affords." said Mayor Adrian O. Mapp.
“Congratulations to the municipalities that received grant funding today. I continue to be amazed by what is possible when elected officials, municipal staff, green teams and community members work together to create vibrant and sustainable communities,” said Randall Solomon, executive director for Sustainable Jersey. “These grants will build capacity as municipalities move sustainability programs forward.”
The PSEG Foundation has contributed $2.5 million dollars in funding to the Sustainable Jersey grants program for municipalities and schools. “The PSEG Foundation is committed to helping build sustainable communities by empowering and investing in the people, environment and infrastructure of the communities we serve,” said Calvin Ledford, PSEG director of Corporate Social Responsibility and president of the PSEG Foundation. “Supporting Sustainable Jersey and local municipalities, schools and school districts puts resources where they’re needed to positively impact the environment and local communities, having a lasting impact on neighborhoods throughout New Jersey.”
Proposals were evaluated by an independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee. The Sustainable Jersey grants are intended to help municipalities make progress toward a sustainable future in general, and specifically toward Sustainable Jersey certification.
ABOUT SUSTAINABLE JERSEY
Sustainable Jersey is a non-profit that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. Currently, 81 percent or 458 of New Jersey’s 565 municipalities are participating in the municipal certification program and 373 school districts and 1024 schools are participating in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification program.
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CITY OF PLAINFIELD | VACCINE LOTTERY
BEGINS TODAY, JULY 1ST
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The Plainfield Vaccine Lottery Begins TODAY, July 1st.
Get vaccinated through the City of Plainfield, Union County, or The Neighborhood Health Center with any approved vaccine and have a chance to win $5,000.
- Participants must be 18 years or older and proof of Plainfield residency is required.
- Entry tickets will be available at the vaccine location.
- Four (4) winners will be drawn monthly.
- Mayor Adrian O. Mapp will select the lucky winners on the second Friday of each month.
- Please note - the lottery is for residents who have NOT yet been vaccinated.
Thank you for doing your part to keeping our community safe.
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𝐋𝐚 𝐋𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢́𝐚 𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐬 𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐚 𝐇𝐎𝐘, 𝟏 𝐝𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐨
Vacúnese a través de la Ciudad de Plainfield, el Condado de Union o el Centro de Salud del Vecindario con cualquier vacuna aprobada y tenga la oportunidad de ganar $5,000. Participantes deben tener 18 años o más y se requiere prueba de residencia en Plainfield.
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CITY OF PLAINFIELD | NOW ACCEPTING ONLINE PAYMENTS |
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GREAT NEWS! The City of Plainfield is now accepting online credit card and eCheck payments for the following divisions and departments:
Clerk's Office
Inspections Division
Health Division
Health Division - Animal Licenses
Tax Collection Office
Please refer any questions or concerns to communications@plainfieldnj.gov.
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#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD
SPOTLIGHT
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Last week we highlighted the winners of the Love Plainfield Landscaping Competition. Today we will highlight the full garden and overall winner Cathy Cole-Diouf. Congratulations again Cathy!
#LovePlainfieldNJ #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
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Cathy Cole-Diouf - Full Garden Winner/Overall Winner |
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When we moved to Plainfield 17 years ago, we were happy to have several mature trees in our yard. Since then, my sons, Alsan and Omar, and my husband, Babacar, have helped me plant and prune some 30 new trees and shrubs in our moderate-sized yard, including apple, dogwood, wild cherry, holly, and oak leaf hydrangea. I also created garden beds all around the front and back, as well as a vegetable garden and grape arbor.
The garden beds are planted according to their sun and moisture content. There’s a shady section with ferns, wild ginger, wood poppies, Solomon seal and wood asters. A sunny dry part is a summer garden of rudbeckias, lilies, towering trumpet vines and asters. And one side is strictly native plants such as Florida sweetshrub, hazelnut, phlox and perennial sunflowers. Our garden provides food and habitat for animals and us. Something is blooming all the time.
We never use any pesticides and we make compost which is mostly used in the vegetable garden. The only power tool we use is the electric mower.
Several bird feeders and two bird baths, one on the ground, bring a wide variety of birds year round. Our wood pile and shrubbery is home to bunnies and other small creatures. Many of our plants feed butterflies and caterpillars. Our garden is a place for relaxation, beauty, nature, as well as good exercise.
I have irises which are descended from my grandmother’s, phlox and lilies from my mother, sage from my sister, and other lovely things from friends. I’m happy to share my plants, too.
My love of gardening came from following my mother around in her garden, and playing and helping in my grandmother’s lovely West Virginia yard, and observing and sometimes watering my step-mother’s large organic garden in Pennsylvania throughout childhood. Two favorite sources of information on native plants are the Toadshade Wildflower Farm in Frenchtown, and “Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants” from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Being recognized by the Love Plainfield Garden Competition is humbling because there are many fabulous gardens in Plainfield, in many different styles, and I am honored to be a part of it all, and yet aware that my garden is never “done”. I encourage all my neighbors to plant another tree or a few more shrubs, for the enjoyment of all.
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UNION COUNTY: Union County's Special Needs Night at Wheeler Spray Park Kicks Off on July 7th
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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners is pleased to invite children age 12 and under, accompanied by an adult, to attend the new “Special Needs Night at Wheeler Spray Park” series, every Wednesday evening in the month of July from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Special Needs Night at Wheeler Park series has been organized through the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Union County Department of Human Services.
“The Special Needs Night series provides an opportunity for children and their care givers to connect and have fun,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “It provides a safe space for families with special needs, and it supports our goal of providing inclusive, welcoming environments for all County residents.”
The series kicks off on Wednesday, July 7 at Wheeler Spray Park, located at 234 West Stimpson Avenue in Linden.
The event is free but pre-registration is required online for each child through the Union County events registration page. To register, visit secure.rec1.com/NJ/union-county-nj/catalog and scroll to “Recreation Programs for People with Special Needs.”
“The Union County Commissioners are excited to bring this wonderful event back and create a series for families with special needs,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados. “We continue to strive for inclusivity throughout our County programming and we are proud to support the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in presenting recreational programs that are accessible to all residents.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to spend the evening in Union County’s 11,000-square-foot water playground, Wheeler Spray Park, packed with over 30 attractions including a waterfall, pirate ship, water sprinklers, slides, sprayers, and even a giant water serpent.
The next three events in the Special Needs Night at Wheeler Spray Park series are:
July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
July 21 at 6:30 p.m.
July 28 at 6:30 p.m.
For information on all programs and services of the Union County Department of Human Services visit ucnj.org/dhs.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Appropriating $20 Million to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund
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TRENTON, NJ – Governor Murphy signed legislation (S1255/ A1925) which creates a $20 million transfer to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund in the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA). The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund provides capital financing to create supportive housing and community residences for individuals living with special needs.
“The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund has been depleted, despite it’s critical role in supporting housing projects for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Murphy. “This legislation will provide much needed funding, which will be used to provide affordable housing for those with special needs. With this bill now being law, the Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency can immediately begin developing plans for this crucial housing need.”
Primary sponsors for S1255 are Senators Troy Singleton and Nellie Pou, and Assemblymembers Benjie E. Wimberly, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Cleopatra G. Tucker.
“Since joining the Legislature, I have worked tirelessly to improve access to housing for every resident of New Jersey,” said Senator Troy Singleton. “This includes working to provide funding for special needs housing, which can be especially challenging to find. With this new law, it is my hope that the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund will continue its important work of developing and constructing residences for individuals with special needs.”
“The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund is about funding the construction of housing for one of our most vulnerable populations, individuals with special needs who require supportive housing in safe, humane residences,” said Senator Nellie Pou. “After the original funding was depleted, it was important we moved quickly, yet methodically, to ensure we could find a dedicated source of funding for the continual construction of this housing.”
“The Special Needs Housing Trust Fund has long-supported communities in providing adequate housing options for residents with special needs,” said Assemblymembers Benjie Wimberly, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Cleopatra Tucker, in a joint statement. “Housing accommodations can be a challenge for residents with disabilities, whether it is providing special ramps or appliances they require to perform simple daily tasks. With the signing of this legislation, we ensure the trust fund is able to continue its work for years to come with a dedicated funding source.”
S1255 creates a transfer of $20 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which has recently seen a significant increase due to the high volume of real estate sales, to the Special Needs Housing Trust Fund. The funding will be used to provide support for housing projects that benefit those living with special needs.
“There is an imperative to develop more good, quality affordable housing for people with disabilities – housing that meets the needs and preferences of New Jersey’s large and diverse disability community,” said Paul S. Aronsohn, State Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families. “This legislation recognizes that imperative and addresses it in a meaningful way.”
"It is particularly fitting that June marks the 22nd anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling affirming the rights of people with disabilities to live in the community that the Governor signed this bill today,” said Diane Riley, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey. “This law puts funding aside that will create opportunities to build more homes in every community for the thousands of people who struggle with barriers but can thrive with the supports they need.”
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FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
United States to Announce Commitments to the Generation Equality Forum
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Today, the United States joined global partners – including governments, civil society, and the private sector – in making commitments to the Generation Equality Forum, reasserting U.S. leadership on gender equity and equality on
the world stage.
The Generation Equality Forum (GEF), convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of France and Mexico, marks the anniversary of the United Nation’s Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing over 25 years ago, where the world recognized that “women’s rights are human rights” and adopted an ambitious Platform for Action to achieve equality and opportunity for women around the world. While tremendous progress has been made since the Beijing Conference, serious gaps remain, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Generation Equality Forum offers an opportunity to make bold, measurable commitments to build back better and accelerate progress towards the Beijing Platform and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The U.S. commitments reflect the Biden-Harris Administration’s domestic and global priorities, including policy and resource commitments to:
- Prevent and respond to all forms of gender-based violence;
- Strengthen women’s economic security; and
- Protect and advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Our participation in the Generation Equality Forum is an important part of broader U.S. efforts to advance gender equity and equality, including in areas beyond the scope of commitments announced today, such as climate, science and technology, leadership and democracy, and education. This includes efforts underway to support the
Build Back Better World Partnership to meet the tremendous infrastructure needs of low- and middle-income countries, particularly across the areas of gender equity and equality, climate, health and health security, and information and communications technology. Finally, as part of Generation Equality, we have also signed on to the Compact on Women, Peace, and Security and Humanitarian Action and will continue our robust implementation of the U.S. Women, Peace, and Security Act, which strengthens our efforts to prevent, mitigate, and resolve conflict by improving the participation of women in peace and security processes.
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Issue or Concern ? Report it |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint.
You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.
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As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000
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Please have family and friends sign up to receive these important weekly updates. They can sign up by calling 908.753.3015 or emailing communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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One Plainfield. One Future |
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