Dear Jazz,
When we hear the words "tis the season," we probably immediately think of the Christmas song, "deck the halls with boughs of holly fala lala la lala la la, tis the season to be jolly fala lala la lala la la.”
However, other things are associated with this time of year than just getting gifts and being jolly. These things come more readily to my mind when I hear the words “tis the season.”
Tis the season to spread joy and cheer. Tis the season to give with an open heart. Tis the season to volunteer to serve those in need. Tis the season to reach out and touch someone and lift their spirits, whether a stranger, a friend or a family member. Tis the season to care more about others and a little less about us. Tis this season to demonstrate kindness and thoughtfulness and find ways to be a blessing to others.
Many things make this time of year special, but a unique warmth comes only when we extend ourselves to others and give with an open and willing heart.
Even as we make plans to have Christmas dinner with family and loved ones, some have no idea where to get their next meal. As we stock up on gifts and stocking stuffers, some don't have essential items like coats to ward off the winter cold. As we plan our winter vacation getaway, some have no home to call their own and sleep on the streets daily.
While we can’t change the world overnight with our actions, if we commit to helping just one person or one family, we could have a significant impact right here in our city of Plainfield.
We may not be able to eliminate homelessness or erase hunger, but each one helping another can create a movement of giving. It is undoubtedly more blessed to give than to receive.
Plainfieldfielders have repeatedly proven that we are among the most generous, caring, and giving. So once more, "tis the season," and I beg you to show again the legendary spirit that has given rise to one of the most diverse and eclectic cities in New Jersey. The encompassing Plainfield spirit that welcomes all regardless of creed, color, gender, or ethnicity. The spirit that allows us to see each other as equals and understands that we are our brothers and sisters, keepers. The indomitable spirit that sparked a season of giving such as never seen during the COVID pandemic is who we are as a city.
Plainfield, “tis the season” - let not one among us go hungry, let none shiver from the cold, let there not be a child without a gift or a place to lay their head.
Tis the season to #LovePlainfield, #AmoPlainfield.
I ask you to join me as we recreate the meaning of “tis the season.”
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Estimado Plainfield,
Cuando escuchamos las palabras "es la temporada", probablemente pensamos de inmediato en la canción de Navidad que dice, "decoramos los pasillos con dicha y felicidad fala lala la lala la la, es la temporada para ser alegre fala lala la lala la la".
Sin embargo, otras cosas están asociadas con esta época del año además de recibir regalos y estar contento. Estas cosas me vienen a la mente más fácilmente cuando escucho las palabras “es la temporada”.
Es la temporada para difundir alegría y buenos deseos. Es la temporada para dar con el corazón abierto. Es la temporada de ofrecerse como voluntario para ayudar a los que lo necesitan. Es la temporada para acercarse a alguien y levantarle el ánimo, sin importar si es un extraño, un amigo o un miembro de la familia. Es la temporada para preocuparse más por los demás y un poco menos por nosotros. Esta es la temporada para demostrar amabilidad y consideración y encontrar la manera de ser una bendición para los demás.
Hay muchas cosas que hacen esta época del año especial, pero una calidez única se produce cuando nos extendemos a los demás y damos de corazón y humildad. Mientras algunos de nosotros hacemos planes para tener la cena de Navidad con familiares y seres queridos, hay algunos que no tienen idea de dónde conseguir su próxima comida. Mientras que nosotros abastecemos de regalos y decoraciones navideñas, algunos no tienen artículos esenciales como abrigos para protegerse del frío invernal. Mientras que planeamos nuestras vacaciones de invierno, algunos no tienen un hogar al que llamar propio y duermen en la calle todos los días.
Es verdad que no podemos cambiar el mundo de la noche a la mañana con nuestras acciones, pero si nos comprometemos a ayudar a una sola persona o familia, podríamos tener un impacto significativo aquí mismo en nuestra ciudad de Plainfield.
Es posible que no podamos eliminar la falta de vivienda o borrar el hambre, pero si cada uno de nosotros ayuda a otro podemos crear un movimiento de generosidad. Sin duda, es mejor dar que recibir.
Los habitantes de Plainfield han demostrado repetidamente que estamos entre los más generosos y preocupados por la comunidad. Así que una vez más, "es la temporada", y les ruego que vuelvan a mostrar el espíritu legendario que ha dado lugar a una de las ciudades más diversas y conciliadoras de Nueva Jersey. El espíritu envolvente de Plainfield que da la bienvenida a todos, independientemente de su credo, color, género o etnia. El espíritu que nos permite vernos como iguales y entiende que somos hermanos y hermanas. El espíritu indomable que provocó una temporada de generosidad como nunca antes se había visto durante la pandemia de COVID es lo que somos como ciudad.
Plainfield, "es la temporada"- que ninguno de nosotros pase hambre, que ninguno tiemble de frío, que no haya un niño sin un regalo o un lugar donde descansar.
Es la temporada de #LovePlainfield, #AmoPlainfield.
Los invito a que juntos hagamos realidad el significado de la frase “esta es la temporada
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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City of Plainfield Mourns the Loss
of Two Colleagues
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It has been a difficult couple of weeks for the City of Plainfield as we mourn the loss of two colleagues -Deirdre Martin and Audrey Counts.
Deirdre Martin worked at the Police Department for over 16 years and supported numerous Police and Fire Chiefs and Police Directors during her tenure. Deirdre, affectionately known as “Dee”, had an energetic smile, an infectious personality and was well-loved and respected by her peers. She was known to always lend a helping hand with a cheerful disposition and a positive attitude. Many of us who worked closely with her can attest that she was a dedicated and hardworking employee.
She was a consummate professional who served the City with pride, honor, and commitment. Her departure is an immense loss for the City of Plainfield. Deirdre’s sweet & joyful spirit will continue to live on through her family, friends, and colleagues left to cherish her beautiful and loving memory.
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Audrey Counts was a dedicated and beloved colleague of the City of Plainfield for over 35 years. She began her career in 1987 as a keyboarding clerk in the Public Affairs & Safety Department. In 1990, Audrey was promoted to Permit Clerk/Code Enforcement Officer and was later promoted to Senior Code Enforcement Officer in 1996. In 2008, she was promoted to Chief Code Enforcement Officer, and in 2016, she was promoted to the Director of the Division of Inspections, where she served until her untimely passing.
Many residents, business owners, constituents, and co-workers can attest that she was a dedicated and appreciated employee of the City of Plainfield and will undoubtedly be missed. As a lifelong resident of the City of Plainfield, she was loved and respected by many. Her spirit will continue to live on through her family, friends, and colleagues left to cherish her memory.
Deirdre and Audrey will be missed and we pray for comfort and healing for friends, families and colleagues of these two amazing individuals.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" - Matthew 5:4
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American Water Utility Pipeline Graduation | |
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On Tuesday November 29th New Jersey American Water hosted a graduation ceremony for its second cohort of Water Utility Pipeline (Water UP!) training program graduates in partnership with Apex Solutions Group. Over 11 weeks of field training and classroom-based curriculum, 13 adults, mostly from Plainfield, learned about the water utility industry, New Jersey American Water’s role, and essential business skills necessary to successfully pursue a career in the industry upon graduation.
The training took place at New Jersey American Water’s Plainfield Operations Center and other nearby facilities in the company’s Central Operating Region, and included utility mechanic, field operations, water production, water quality, OSHA 30, customer service, software and procedures, resume writing, job interview skills and other classes provided by Apex Solutions Group and New Jersey American Water. A career fair was also held the last week of the program, in an effort to pair prospective employers with graduates for job opportunities.
“New Jersey American Water is a great partner in our community, and they are investing in service and success at all levels through their Water UP! program—including empowering the next generation of water utility leaders,” said Mayor
Adrian O. Mapp. “This Water UP! graduation is the result of a commitment to growth and innovation for Plainfield, paired with hard work from the participants. I’m excited to see the success of each graduate here today and am encouraged by their focus for a stronger tomorrow.”
The Water UP! program is part of a broader workforce development initiative by New Jersey American Water that includes career education and outreach initiatives, as well as an ongoing GIS career development program between New Jersey American Water’s Engineering team and the Camden-based nonprofit career development organization Hopeworks. These workforce development initiatives provide innovative and collaborative opportunities that connect young adults in underserved communities to water utility careers.
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REMINDER:
Planning Board Meeting for
Tonight Cancelled
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Join Us Tomorrow at 6:00pm For The Annual Holiday Lights Event | |
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We’re committed to providing you with as much information as possible to help you navigate the city as you go about your business.
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Check out our City's Commercial:
"Welcome to Plainfield"
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¿ How Do You Show Love for Plainfield? | |
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Watch our 2022 Love PlainfieldCommercial!
" The Queen City is Love"
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2022 Fall Newsletter
"Where We Were. Where We Are. Where We're Going."
Click the image to read it virtually!
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Special Needs Residents Invited to "Skate with Santa" Event in
Union County
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites residents with special needs and their loved ones to enjoy Skating with Santa, a free ice skating session and holiday party at the Warinanco Sports Center, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 10. A limited number of spaces are still available for the event.
The event is free to attend but pre-registration is required. To register, visit Union County’s secure registration page at ucnj.org/opdsn-reg.
“Union County residents have been making holiday season memories at the Warinanco ice skating rink for generations. It’s a community tradition for all to enjoy, and we welcome our special needs families,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
Murphy Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Strengthen Food Security
in New Jersey
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FY2023 Budget Dedicates $85 million to New Jersey’s Six Largest Food Banks
HILLSIDE - Governor Phil Murphy today joined members of his Administration, government officials, and advocates to highlight ongoing efforts to address food insecurity on behalf of families throughout New Jersey as part of the Governor’s commitment to making life more affordable for residents. Efforts to strengthen food security include the enactment of legislation, inclusion of funding in the State budget, and the creation of a first-in-the-nation Office of the Food Security Advocate. From its outset, the Murphy Administration has secured historic increases in funding for New Jersey food banks, including an additional $65 million in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023). A total of $85 million was dedicated in the FY2023 budget to support the critical work of New Jersey’s six largest food banks.
“The holiday season is a poignant reminder of the many New Jersey families struggling to put food on the table every day,” said Governor Murphy. “As my Administration continues to pursue ways in which we can make life more affordable on behalf of New Jersey families, combating food insecurity will remain a critical part of those efforts. Alongside dedicated community and legislative partners, including food security champion Speaker Craig J. Coughlin, my Administration remains committed to working to strengthen food security to ensure that no one in our state goes hungry.”
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture oversees the distribution of funding and provides support to food banks, in addition to administering various food and nutrition programs on behalf of residents.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
The Biden-Harris Administration's Efforts to End HIV/AIDS
at Home and Abroad
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On World AIDS Day, we reflect on all those lost globally and in the U.S. from AIDS-related illnesses, honor the more than 38 million individuals living with HIV, and celebrate the remarkable gains we have made battling this disease. The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to implementing the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) announced last year and achieving the bipartisan goal of ending the HIV epidemic at home and abroad. The Administration is also releasing a new strategy to guide the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) globally. Over the past year, the Administration has taken action to:
Accelerate our Domestic HIV Efforts
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Launching the NHAS Federal Implementation Plan. In August 2022, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) released the NHAS Federal Implementation Plan, detailing more than 380 actions agencies are implementing to meet NHAS goals.
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Implementing the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) in the U.S. initiative. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated EHE in 2019 to provide a targeted infusion of funds and resources to populations and regions with the greatest need. EHE advances innovative, community-driven solutions that leverage scientific advances in HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak. It also works to address racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities. As part of EHE implementation, federal agencies have been awarded funding to support equitable access to HIV services for people with and at risk of HIV.
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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 to be resolved.
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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 | | | | |
