Mayor's Message:
Celebrating Women's History Month
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Dear Jazz,
As we welcome Women's History Month, I want to take a moment to honor the women of our beautiful Queen City for their contribution to our community. The celebration of women's role in American history began with President Jimmy Carter when he issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week. In later years, thanks to President Carter and subsequent presidents who supported the celebration of women, Congress passed the Public Law 100-9 designating March as Women's History Month in 1987 (source).
Traditionally, we take this opportunity to recognize great women like Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and carried out 13 rescue missions saving approximately 70 enslaved people, or Rosa Parks, who fought against racial segregation, for their contribution to shaping the world we enjoy today. No celebration for women would be complete without mentioning our hometown heroes. Anna Booker, who joined her husband Charles to fight against segregation in schools, or Marion Johnson who tipped history's scales by being instrumental in America's quest to put the first man on the moon. It is no secret that women have been underestimated, undervalued, and underappreciated for years when in truth, we would not be where we are without women. I can confidently say that I wouldn't be the person I am today were it not for the women in my life, my grandmother, mother, lovely wife Amelia, and if I hadn't had the opportunity to be the father of two outstanding women, Shermona and Ayisha.
Today, I'd like to spotlight the women still shaping history. Recently at Bridgewater Commons Mall, Z'Kye Husain, a black 14-year old eighth-grader, was racially profiled by two white law enforcement officers who responded to the fight between an older fair-skinned teen and himself. But what many may not know is the story of Bridgewater-Raritan sophomore Tanaya Durant, who led a march from Bridgewater Police Department to Bridgewater Commons and back in response to this blatant display of racial profiling. Tanaya felt hurt by the actions of her local law enforcement and believed it was critical to speak up for what she perceived as injustice. "The fact that only people of my skin color got hurt, thrown on the floor, but the other one got to sit down, I didn't like that," said Tanaya Durant,16, "I wanted to make everybody feel like we matter too. All lives can't matter until Black Lives Matter" (source).
I am genuinely impressed by the strength and dedication Tanaya showed, not many would do what she did, and many chose not to; many of her peers and even adults in the area chose not to show up to support the march. Some speculated that they might have been afraid of ridicule or bullying. But that serves to highlight even more the bravery of her actions. It doesn't take an overwhelming effort to make a difference, and even the simplest acts can start a ripple that becomes a wave that ushers in change.
During this month, I will continue to look for the women among us who are taking action to change their world in some way. My administration and I promise to do whatever is within our power to help. If there's a cause you feel strongly about, let's talk about it, and we'll try to bring it to fruition.
Remember, it only takes one spark to get a fire going. We are forever grateful to the women in our lives who have chosen to be sparks that cause our lights to shine so brightly.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Celebrando el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer | |
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Querido Plainfield,
Al dar la bienvenida al Mes de la Historia de la Mujer, quiero tomarme un momento para honrar a las mujeres de nuestra hermosa Ciudad Reina por su contribución a nuestra comunidad. La celebración del papel de la mujer en la historia de los Estados Unidos comenzó con el Presidente Jimmy Carter cuando emitió la primera Proclamación Presidencial declarando la semana del 8 de Marzo de 1980 como la Semana Nacional de la Historia de la Mujer. En años posteriores, gracias a Presidente Carter y presidentes posteriores que apoyaron la celebración de las mujeres, el Congreso aprobó la Ley Pública 100-9 que designó marzo como el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer en 1987 (fuente).
Tradicionalmente, aprovechamos esta oportunidad para reconocer a grandes mujeres como Harriet Tubman, que escapó de la esclavitud y llevó a cabo 13 misiones de rescate salvando a aproximadamente 70 personas esclavizadas, o Rosa Parks, que luchó contra la segregación racial, por su contribución a la configuración del mundo que disfrutamos hoy. Ninguna celebración para las mujeres estaría completa sin mencionar a nuestros héroes de la ciudad natal. Anna Booker, quien se unió a su esposo Charles para luchar contra la segregación en las escuelas, o Marion Johnson, quien inclinó la balanza de la historia al ser instrumental en la búsqueda de Estados Unidos para poner al primer hombre en la luna. No es ningún secreto que las mujeres han sido subestimadas, no valoradas y despreciadas durante años cuando, en verdad, no estaríamos donde estamos sin las mujeres. Puedo decir con confianza que no sería la persona que soy hoy si no fuera por las mujeres en mi vida, mi abuela, mi madre, mi encantadora esposa Amelia, y si no hubiera tenido la oportunidad de ser el padre de dos mujeres sobresalientes, Shermona y Ayisha.
Hoy, me gustaría mencionar a las mujeres que todavía dan forma a la historia. Recientemente en el mall de Bridgewater Commons, Z'Kye Husain, un estudiante negro del octavo grado de solo 14 años, fue perfilado racialmente por dos agentes de la ley blancos que respondieron a la pelea entre un adolescente mayor de piel clara y él mismo. Pero lo que muchos no saben es la historia de la estudiante de segundo año de Bridgewater-Raritan, Tanaya Durant, quien encabezó una marcha desde el Departamento de Policía de Bridgewater hasta el mall de Bridgewater Commons y viceversa en respuesta a esta descarada exhibición de perfiles raciales. Tanaya se sintió herida por las acciones de su policía local y creía que era fundamental hablar por lo que percibía como injusticia. "El hecho de que solo las personas de mi color de piel fueron lastimados, tirados al suelo, pero la otra persona se pudo sentar, no me gustó ", dijo Tanaya Durant, de 16 años, "Quería hacer que todos sintieran que nosotros también importamos. Todas las vidas no pueden importar hasta que las vidas negras también importen" (fuente).
Estoy genuinamente impresionado por la fuerza y la dedicación que mostró Tanaya, no muchos harían lo que ella hizo, y muchos optaron por no hacerlo; muchos de sus compañeros e incluso adultos de la zona optaron por no presentarse para apoyar la marcha. Algunos especularon que podrían haber tenido miedo al ridículo o la intimidación. Pero eso sirve para resaltar aún más la valentía de sus acciones. No se necesita un esfuerzo abrumador para marcar la diferencia, e incluso los actos más simples pueden iniciar una onda que se convierte en una ola que marca el comienzo del cambio.
Durante este mes, continuaré buscando a las mujeres entre nosotros que están tomando medidas para cambiar su mundo de alguna manera. Mi administración y yo prometemos hacer lo que esté a nuestro alcance para ayudar. Si hay una causa por la que sientes una fuerte passion, hablemos de ella, y trataremos de llevarla a buen término.
Recuerde, solo se necesita una chispa para encender un incendio. Estamos eternamente agradecidos a las mujeres en nuestras vidas que han elegido ser chispas.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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PLAINFIELD, NJ: A DIVERSE CITY WITH HISTORIC HOUSING
Kathleen Lynn | NY Times for 03.02.2022
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The city’s ornate Victorian homes are more affordable than those in surrounding areas. But that’s only one of the reasons that people move here.
Like many older cities, Plainfield, N.J., went through difficult times in the second half of the 20th century, including a deadly riot in 1967, known as the Plainfield Rebellion. But the Union County city weathered those storms and is now better known for the handsome Victorian and Tudor-style homes built during its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when Wall Street bankers and other affluent New Yorkers followed the train line out to exurbia. Those vintage homes have long been more affordable than similar properties in nearby suburbs.
That’s how Krisja Lorenson and Keith Salvata were able to buy an 1890s Victorian that has been featured twice in national publications (first in Scientific American, soon after it was built, and then in the Old House Journal in 2015, after previous owners restored it). In late 2020, the couple, who had been living in New York City, paid $830,000 for the 6,400-square-foot home, which has three turrets, soaring stained-glass windows and a wraparound porch.
“For the cost we paid for this insane house, there was nothing comparable you could get in any other town in commutable distance of New York,” said Mr. Salvata, 42, a chief financial officer at a wealth management firm.
“Having an old house feels very special — to be stewards of this house and keep it going for another generation,” said Ms. Lorenson, 38, a technical designer in the garment industry.
Plainfield residents say they like the multicultural atmosphere in this city of about 50,000, which is 46 percent Latino, 42 percent Black and 9 percent white, according to census data, and includes a large gay community.
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NOTABLE WOMEN OF PLAINFIELD | |
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Joanne Hollis was a life-long resident of Plainfield. She lived in the West End Gardens for over 30 years. A devoted Plainfield activist, Joanne worked as Plainfield Housing Commissioner and served as Councilwoman for the Fourth Ward. Hollis was appointed in 1995 and again in 2010 to serve two five-year terms as resident commissioner for the Housing Authority of Plainfield. She also served as president of the Elm-West Resident Association for 22 years. On October 24, 2015, West End Gardens was rededicated as the “Joanne Hollis Gardens” in her honor.
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LOCAL NEWS: READ ACROSS AMERICA | |
Yesterday, March 2, 2022, the City of Plainfield held its annual Read Across America. Members of Plainfield's administration volunteered to read their favorite children's book to the kids of our community. This year due to COVID safety concerns the event was virtual and streamed live to the City of Plainfield Facebook page.
If you missed yesterday's event or would like to see it again, click on the image above and enjoy!
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In addition, a big thank you to Councilwoman Terri Briggs-Jones for taking the time to read to the young students of Clinton Elementary School yesterday at their Read Across America Event. We appreciate the dedication of Councilwoman Briggs-Jones and we're sure the children did as well.
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AVAILABLE TUITION AND GRANT PROGRAMS | |
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Scarlet Guarantee:
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
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The Scarlet Guarantee
is a signature Rutgers–New Brunswick program. Launching for Fall 2022, the program will provide financial support for first- and second-year undergraduate students. Full-time New Jersey residents who have completed their FAFSA or NJAFAA will now have all four years of their tuition and mandatory fees covered depending on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for as long as these programs last.
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Scarlet Guarantee es un programa exclusivo de Rutgers-New Brunswick. Lanzado para el otoño de 2022, el programa proporcionará apoyo financiero para estudiantes universitarios de primer y segundo año. Residentes de Nueva Jersey que iran de tiempo completo que hayan completado su FAFSA o NJAFAA ahora tendrán los cuatro años de su matrícula y tarifas obligatorias cubiertas dependiendo del Ingreso Bruto Ajustado (AGI) durante el tiempo que duren estos programas.
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Deadline:
Accept Rutgers Admission Offer
by May 1, 2022
Requirements:
Work Towards FIRST Bachelors Degree
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Plainfield Warming Centers | Centros de Calor de Plainfield | | | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Virtual Presentation on Women in Health Care
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Union County, NJ – In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is pleased to present a free lecture on Zoom titled, Caring Cures: The importance of women’s nursing work from the flu pandemic through COVID, on Tuesday, March 29 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The presentation is free of charge. To register in advance for the Zoom link, visit https://ucnj.org/whm.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a history-making challenge for women on the front lines of health care. We hope this presentation raises awareness about the importance of care givers in times of crisis, in honor of the 2022 Women’s History Month theme of hope and healing,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Application Period Now Open For Low Income Water Assistance Program
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TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced that the application period for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is now open. The program will provide financial assistance to low-income households to reduce the balances they have on their residential water and wastewater bills.
“Governor Murphy and I urge people who are behind on their water and sewer bills to apply to the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program today to avoid having your services disconnected,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. “We understand that times continue to be difficult for many families and we want to help as many people as possible meet basic needs such as water and sewer services.”
The LIHWAP program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will provide benefits directly to water and wastewater companies, on behalf of residential customers. The assistance can be used, in order of priority, to:
- restore services where services have been terminated and pay reconnection fees and other charges accrued due to a disconnection;
- avoid service disruption for those residential customers who are in danger of disconnection (i.e., received shut off notices or have past due balances) and to help them afford bill payment going forward; and
- support those household customers who are current in their bills but might be in danger of falling behind in the near future.
Priority will also be given to families with elderly or disabled household members and/or with children under the age of five, no matter which category they fall into.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
United Nations General Assembly Vote Condemning Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine
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MARCH 02, 2022 • STATEMENTS AND RELEASES
Today, for the first time in 40 years, the United Nations Security Council convened an Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly under the Uniting for Peace mechanism in response to Russia’s unprovoked, unjustified, and unconscionable war on Ukraine. This extraordinary move by the United Nations demonstrates the extent of global outrage at Russia’s horrific assault on a sovereign neighbor and showcased unprecedented global unity.
An overwhelming majority of nations around the world condemn Putin’s war. An overwhelming majority of nations recognize that Putin is not only attacking Ukraine, he is attacking the very foundations of global peace and security—and everything the United Nations stands for. And an overwhelming majority of the world recognizes that if we do not stand up to Putin’s Russia, it will only inflict further chaos and aggression on the world. Russia stood isolated, with the support of only four brutal, authoritarian states.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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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 department will work towards resolving the matter.
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Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.]
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
