Mayor's Message:
A Mother's Love is Forever
| |
|
Dear Jazz,
Most of us have the warmth of a mother, grandmother, or mother figure's love as our earliest memories. It is a memory that we draw on when things get rough. It reminds us of the unconditional love that at least one person in this world has for us, and it stands as an example of true love forever.
As we get older, it is far too easy to take that love for granted, to forget about the time when we needed her for everything. We sometimes forget about the sacrifices she made or the guidance she provided as our first moral barometer.
As this Mother's Day approaches, I'd like to remind you to reflect on these things and imagine where your life could be if you'd not had that person in your life. How different might your outcomes have been?
Around the world, regardless of culture or creed, mothers get up every day and do the same thing; simply put, they love their children.
I marvel daily at my mother's pure love for my siblings and me. She worked tirelessly for other people, long, hard hours away from family and friends because she was determined to create a path to success for those she loved most. I thank God that she is still around so I can return a measure of her love and so she can see that her sacrifice was not in vain.
I also thank God for the woman who has stood at my side every day for over 40 years. My wife Amelia is the epitome of unconditional love, reflected as she raised our two daughters. She is a fierce protector, a spiritual warrior, a role model, and a nurturer.
I now have the privilege to see my daughter assume her role as a mother, and I am proud to say that she is doing a fantastic job. I see my mother's love and her mother reflected in her parenting, and it gives me indescribable joy to see our grandchildren respond to that love and flourish.
I consider myself thrice blessed to have these strong, beautiful mothers in my life, and it continues to be my honor and pleasure to make them feel special.
This Sunday, the world has set aside a day to tell mothers that they are loved and appreciated. While it is nearly impossible to compensate a mother for all that she has done and continues to do, it is a start to acknowledge their selfless giving. She is on call 24 hours; she never gets a sick day; she is a nurse, a chauffeur, and a cook. She works weekends and holidays; she's a teacher's aide, an encyclopedia, a therapist, and a financial analyst; the list is endless.
Plainfield, I hope you'll join me and take a moment to thank the women in your life who love you in that particular way mothers do. Biological moms, adoptive moms, and foster moms; single moms, grandmothers, godmothers; aunts and mentors, and the fathers who are both mom and dad – whoever you think of when you think of Mother's Day.
Giving flowers and chocolates is always a good idea. Showering love never goes out of style, and as the past two years have shown us, nothing can compare to the touch of another human being. However, I hope that on this Mother's Day, we can commit to doing a little more than that: Our deeds should match our words, and we should give mothers the respect they deserve, give all women the equality they deserve and give all parents the support they need in their most important roles.
That includes paid maternity, paternity leave, sick leave, accommodations for pregnant workers, good health care, affordable child care, flexibility at work, equal pay, and a decent minimum wage. We ask our mothers to do more than their fair share of everything. Making sure they're treated fairly is the least we can do.
As a son, husband, father, and grandfather, I will continue to revere and cherish the beautiful mothers in my life. As your Mayor, I will continue to do everything I can to enact and support legislation that supports the rights of our mothers, not just on Mother's Day but every single day of the year.
To all our Plainfield Mothers, I hope you have a FANTASTIC Mother's Day!
| | |
Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
|
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
| |
El amor de una madre es para siempre | |
|
Querido Plainfield,
La mayoría de nosotros tenemos la calidez del amor de una madre, una abuela o una figura materna como nuestros primeros recuerdos. Es un recuerdo al que recurrimos cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles. Nos recuerda el amor incondicional que al menos una persona en este mundo tiene por nosotros, y se erige como un ejemplo de amor verdadero para siempre.
A medida que envejecemos, es demasiado fácil dar por sentado ese amor, olvidar el momento en que la necesitábamos para todo. A veces nos olvidamos de los sacrificios que hizo o de la guía que brindó como nuestro primer barómetro moral. A medida que se acerca este Día de las Madres, me gustaría recordarle que reflexione sobre estas cosas e imagine dónde podría estar su vida si no hubiera tenido a esa persona en su vida. ¿Cuán diferentes podrían haber sido sus resultados?
En todo el mundo, sin importar la cultura o el credo, las madres se levantan todos los días y hacen lo mismo; en pocas palabras, aman a sus hijos.
Diariamente me maravillo del amor puro de mi madre por mis hermanos y por mí. Decidida a crear un camino hacia el éxito para aquellos a quienes más amaba, ella trabajó incansablemente para otras personas, largas y duras horas lejos de su familia y amigos. Doy gracias a Dios que ella todavía está aquí para poder devolverle una medida de su amor y para que ella pueda ver que su sacrificio no fue en vano.
También doy gracias a Dios por la mujer que ha estado a mi lado todos los días durante más de 40 años. Mi esposa Amelia es el epítome del amor incondicional, reflejado mientras criaba a nuestras dos hijas. Es una feroz protectora, una guerrera espiritual, un modelo a seguir y una protectora. Ahora tengo el privilegio de ver a mi hija asumir su papel de madre y me enorgullece decir que está haciendo un trabajo fantástico. Veo el amor de mi madre y su madre reflejada en su crianza, y me da una alegría indescriptible ver a nuestros nietos responder a ese amor y florecer.
Me considero tres veces bendecido por tener estas madres hermosas y fuertes en mi vida, y sigue siendo un honor y un placer hacerlas sentir especiales.
Este domingo, el mundo ha apartado un día para decirle a las madres que son amadas y apreciadas. Si bien es casi imposible compensar a una madre por todo lo que ha hecho y continúa haciendo, es un comienzo para reconocer su generosidad desinteresada. Ella está de guardia las 24 horas; nunca se enferma; es enfermera, chofer y cocinera. Trabaja fines de semana y festivos; es ayudante de maestra, enciclopedia, terapeuta y analista financiera; la lista es interminable.
Plainfield, espero que te unas a mí y te tomes un momento para agradecer a las mujeres en tu vida que te aman de esa manera particular que hacen las madres. Madres biológicas, madres adoptivas y madres de crianza; madres solteras, abuelas, madrinas; tías y mentores, y los padres que son a la vez mamá y papá, en quien sea que pienses cuando piensas en el Día de la Madre.
Regalar flores y chocolates siempre es una buena idea. Regar amor nunca pasa de moda y, como nos han demostrado los últimos dos años, nada se puede comparar con el toque de otro ser humano. Sin embargo, espero que en este Día de la Madre podamos comprometernos a hacer un poco más que eso: nuestros actos deben coincidir con nuestras palabras, y debemos brindar a las madres el respeto que merecen, dar a todas las mujeres la igualdad que merecen y dar a todos los padres la apoyo que necesitan en sus funciones más importantes.
Eso incluye maternidad remunerada, licencia de paternidad, licencia por enfermedad, alojamiento para trabajadoras embarazadas, buena atención médica, cuidado infantil asequible, flexibilidad en el trabajo, igualdad de remuneración y un salario mínimo decente. Pedimos a nuestras madres que hagan más de lo que les corresponde en todo. Asegurarnos de que reciban un trato justo es lo mínimo que podemos hacer.
Como hijo, esposo, padre y abuelo, continuaré reverenciando y apreciando a las hermosas madres en mi vida. Como su Alcalde, continuaré haciendo todo lo posible para promulgar y apoyar leyes que respalden los derechos de nuestras madres, no solo en el Día de la Madre, sino todos los días del año.
¡A todas nuestras Madres de Plainfield, espero que tengan un Día de la Madre FANTÁSTICO!
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
|  | |
|
Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
| |
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, the City Council and City Administration Wish You a Happy Mother's Day | |
|
SAVE THE DATE - 2022 STATE OF THE CITY
| |
|
RESCHEDULED - FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL IS NOW
FRIDAY, MAY 13TH
| |
IMPORTANT UPDATE - EVENTS POSTPONED | |
|
PLEASE NOTE | The Trailer Marker Dedication for the late Mayor Albert T. McWilliams and the citywide Clean the Queen event have been postponed due to the impending weather forecast for this weekend.
New dates and times will be communicated as soon as they are available. We look forward to seeing you.
| |
NATIONAL NEWS - ROE v. WADE | |
|
On Monday, May 2, 2022, a draft opinion written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was
leaked to the public. The opinion suggested that the Supreme Court may overturn the landmark
decision of Roe v. Wade. Nearly 50 years after it was argued in the courts in 1973, the
conservative members of the Supreme Court now want to overturn the right for women to
choose.
Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), ruled that the Constitution of the United States protects a
pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government
restriction. (SOURCE)
This leaked opinion sent shock waves through the Nation and led to debates about its potential
impact. Many participated in outraged protests outside the Supreme Court building.
Judges Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett voted with
Alito to strike down Roe during closed-door discussions after oral arguments and have not
changed their positions. Justice Alito wrote that Roe was egregiously wrong from the start;
and its reasoning exceptionally weak. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue
of abortion to the people's elected representatives, Alito wrote, according to Politico.
Planned Parenthood tweeted, "Let's be clear: This is a draft opinion. It's outrageous, it's unprecedented, but it is not final. Abortion is your right — and it is STILL LEGAL. (SOURCE)
With the current division and upheaval within our political system, returning these decisions to
elected officials will only divide our Nation. Additionally, women who have to make this
decision will be further victimized and shamed. If this decision passes at the vote, poor people
and people of color will be most heavily impacted as they do not have the financial resources to
travel to other states for the procedure. They already face significant hardships related to
healthcare and other resources. (SOURCE)
It's clear that this attempt to reverse a five-decade-old ruling is being led by the ultraconservative members of the Supreme Court, and it flies in the face of our democracy. There are no circumstances under which anyone should make a life or death decision for another person unless they are impaired and unable to do so themselves. This is essentially a death sentence for many women with "at-risk" pregnancies who could die during pregnancy or childbirth. For women abused and traumatized by rape and sexual torture, you essentially condemn them to a life sentence of pain and psychological stress.
The issue here is not choosing one life over another but removing the individuals' ability to choose. A choice protected by our constitution for the last five decades.
Is this the only decision that will be affected, or will LGBTQ rights, interracial marriages, and other choices that should be personal now be on the chopping block?
As the now-famous quote referring to the tragedy of the holocaust says:
"First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me."
We must not accept this egregious precedent but fight as one united people. You don't have to be a woman to know that this is wrong. We must not be silent and allow our rights to be overturned because it could just be the beginning.
| |
|
BLACK HOMEOWNERSHIP MATTERS REPORT
By NJ Institute for Social Justice
| |
LOCAL NEWS: Plainfield Boards & Commissions Special Joint Meeting
| |
|
On Saturday, May 7th from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. the City of Plainfield’s Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Historic Preservation Commission will hold a special joint meeting at the Plainfield Senior Citizens Center located at 400 E Front Street to review the city’s economic development initiatives. No action will be taken.
This meeting is open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Masks and social distancing will be required and observed.
| |
|
Ban on Plastic Bags and and Foam Service Products -
Effective Yesterday May 4, 2022
| |
|
The New Law, P.L. 2020, c.117, becomes effective on May 4, 2022. The law bans the provision or sale of all single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, single-use paper carryout bags in groceries equal to or larger than 2500 sq. ft. and limits plastic straw distribution to by-customer-request-only as of November 4, 2021.
This is a statewide ban that applies to all retail, grocery stores, and food service businesses, from restaurants, delis, coffee shops to food trucks and cafeterias.
| |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
|
A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Residents Invited to Join the Union Team for the
2022 AIDS Walk in Central Park
| |
|
The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents to join the Union County team for the 2022 AIDS Walk New York in Central Park on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
The Union County team is organized through the Office of LGBTQ Affairs and the Union County LGBTQ+ Ad Hoc Committee. To join the team and participate in the walk, residents can register at ny.aidswalk.net/UnionCountyNJ.
“We are very proud to join the 2022 AIDS Walk in New York and show our support for Hyacinth and other groups that provide social and health services to those impacted by AIDS, including members of our own Union County community,” said Commissioner Board Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
| |
|
A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Enabling State Certification of Businesses as LGBTQ+-Owned
| |
|
LAMBERTVILLE – Governor Phil Murphy visited Union Coffee in Lambertville, an LGBTQ+-owned coffee shop, to sign Executive Order No. 295 instructing the New Jersey Department of the Treasury to establish a State-backed certification program for LGBTQ+-owned business enterprises. Certification, which will be free of charge, would expand access to public and private contracting opportunities and enable businesses to proudly identify as LGBTQ+-owned in their advertising.
Today’s executive order reflects the Governor’s ongoing support for the LGBTQ+ community and affirms that LGBTQ+ businesses are welcome and encouraged to grow and thrive in New Jersey.
“Enabling the certification of businesses as LGBTQ+-owned will encourage the success of these enterprises by enhancing their visibility, providing them with an extra layer of authenticity in their business ventures, and demonstrating that they are welcome and vital participants in our economy,” said Governor Murphy. “I am honored to support the endeavors of entrepreneurs from a historically underrepresented community through the creation of this certification program. New Jersey will always value the contributions of our LGBTQ+ community.”
| | |
A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
A Proclamation on National Day of Prayer, 2022
| |
|
Throughout our history, prayer has been an anchor for countless Americans searching for strength and wisdom in times of struggle and sharing hope and gratitude in seasons of joy. In public reflections on life’s many blessings and in quiet moments during life’s most difficult trials, Americans of nearly every background and faith have turned to prayer for comfort and inspiration. Prayer is a sacred right protected by free speech and religious liberty enshrined in our Constitution, and it continues to lift our spirits as we navigate the challenges of our time.
On this day, we recognize the healing power of prayer, especially as we recover from the trauma and loss of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Today we find ourselves in a moment of renewal — of lives saved, of new jobs created, and of new hope for rebuilding America. Today is also a moment of reflection when we are called to address some of the greatest challenges humanity has ever faced — saving our planet from the existential threat of climate change; responding to attacks on democracy at home and abroad; and living up to our Nation’s promise of liberty, justice, and equality for all.
| |
HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
| |
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. | |
|
Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
| |  |
| |
|
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 to be resolved.
| |
Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter | |
|
Sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay informed on the latest projects, and events around our Queen City!
Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
| |
|
|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
| |
Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
