Marijuana and Social Justice |
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Dear Friend,
On Tuesday, May 11, we’ll host a town hall meeting to invite input from our residents on how Plainfield should participate in the marijuana industry. Many municipalities across New Jersey have already opted into participation in one way or another.
Some may view the legalization of marijuana as a great thing and a long time coming; others may disagree and view it as harmful. Regardless of your opinion, there is an even more significant issue that should be considered.
Over the years, many have been incarcerated for the recreational use of marijuana. Many families fell apart as a result of stringent laws that punished harshly for minor infractions. Individuals have served 10-15 years behind bars because of these laws. There must be a social justice component as we move to legitimize the business of marijuana.
In a move in the right direction as of February 15, 2021, the following marijuana offenses are eligible for this immediate expungement:
· fourth-degree possession with intent to distribute marijuana (less than one ounce of marijuana)
· fourth-degree distribution of marijuana within 1000 feet of a school (less than one ounce of marijuana)
· fourth-degree distribution of marijuana within 500 feet of a public park or housing (less than one ounce of marijuana)
· fourth-degree simple possession of marijuana (more than 50 grams of marijuana)
· possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana or hashish (disorderly persons)
· use or being under the influence of marijuana or hashish (disorderly persons)
· or failure to make lawful disposition of marijuana or hashish (disorderly persons)
· possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons)
I urge those who’ve been incarcerated for any of these offences to file for an expungement immediately. We cannot replace the years lost, but we can remove the barriers placed in the way by a flawed system.
When families are separated, it creates fractures in our society. It is no secret that black families were the overwhelming majority that suffered from the failed war on drugs.
Black Americans were four times more likely to be arrested for marijuana charges than their white peers. In fact, black Americans make up nearly 30 percent of all drug-related arrests, despite accounting for only 12.5 percent of all substance users.
Black Americans are nearly six times more likely to be incarcerated for drug-related offenses than their white counterparts, despite equal substance usage rates. Almost 80 percent of people serving time for a federal drug offense are black or Latino. In state prisons, people of color make up 60 percent of those serving time for drug charges. ( Source) In the federal system, the average black defendant convicted of a drug offense will serve nearly the same amount of time (58.7 months) as a white defendant would for a violent crime (61.7 months).
It is easy to see how the war on drugs fractured black families and their culture irreparably. There is no quick and easy fix for this grave injustice, but we have made a start in New Jersey with expungements and must continue to look at social reparations.
As a municipal leader, I will join with other voices to continue pushing for legislation that addresses this issue in a fair, just, and equitable way so that families within our community can begin to heal and move forward.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future
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Marijuana y justicia social |
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Querido Plainfield,
El Martes 11 de Mayo organizaremos una reunión en el ayuntamiento para invitar a nuestros residentes a que aporten sus opiniones sobre cómo Plainfield debería participar en la industria de la marijuana. Muchos municipios de Nueva Jersey ya han optado por participar de una manera u otra.
Algunos pueden ver la legalización de la marijuana como algo grandioso y que tardará mucho en llegar; otros pueden estar en desacuerdo y verlo como dañino. Independientemente de su opinión, hay un tema aún más importante que debe considerarse.
A lo largo de los años, muchos han sido encarcelados por el uso recreativo de la marijuana. Muchas familias se derrumbaron como resultado de leyes estrictas que castigaban duramente las infracciones menores. Las personas han cumplido entre 10 y 15 años tras las rejas debido a estas leyes. Debe haber un componente de justicia social a medida que avanzamos para legitimar el negocio de la marijuana.
En un movimiento en la dirección correcta a partir del 15 de Febrero de 2021, los siguientes delitos relacionados con la marijuana son elegibles para esta eliminación inmediata:
• Posesión en cuarto grado con la intención de distribuir marijuana (menos de una onza de marijuana)
• Distribución de marijuana en cuarto grado dentro de los 1000 pies de una escuela (menos de una onza de marijuana)
• Distribución de marijuana en cuarto grado a menos de 500 pies de un parque público o vivienda (menos de una onza de marijuana)
• Posesión simple de marijuana en cuarto grado (más de 50 gramos de marijuana)
• Posesión de menos de 50 gramos de marijuana o hachís (personas desordenadas)
• Usar o estar bajo la influencia de marijuana o hachís (personas desordenadas)
• No disponer legalmente de marijuana o hachís (personas desordenadas)
• Posesión de parafernalia de drogas de marijuana (personas desordenadas)
Insto a aquellos que han sido encarcelados por cualquiera de estos delitos a que soliciten una eliminación de antecedentes de inmediato. No podemos reemplazar los años perdidos, pero podemos eliminar las barreras que se interponen en su camino por un sistema defectuoso.
Cuando las familias se separan, se crean fracturas en nuestra sociedad. No es ningún secreto que las familias negras fueron la abrumadora mayoría que sufrió la guerra fallida contra las drogas.
Los afroamericanos tenían cuatro veces más probabilidades de ser arrestados por cargos de marijuana que sus compañeros blancos. De hecho, los estadounidenses negros representan casi el 30 por ciento de todos los arrestos relacionados con las drogas, a pesar de que representan solo el 12.5 por ciento de todos los usuarios de sustancias.
Los afroamericanos tienen casi seis veces más probabilidades de ser encarcelados por delitos relacionados con las drogas que sus contrpartes blancos, a pesar de que las tasas de consumo de sustancias son iguales.
Casi el 80 por ciento de las personas que cumplen condena por un delito federal de drogas son negras o latinas. En las cárceles estatales, las personas de color representan el 60 por ciento de los que cumplen condena por cargos de drogas. (Source)
En el sistema federal, el promedio de acusados negro condenado por un delito de drogas cumplirá casi la misma cantidad de tiempo (58.7 meses) que un acusado blanco por un delito violento (61.7 meses).
Es fácil ver cómo la guerra contra las drogas fracturó irremediablemente a las familias negras y su cultura. No existe una solución rápida y fácil para esta grave injusticia, pero hemos comenzado en Nueva Jersey con la eliminación de antecedentes penales y debemos continuar buscando reparaciones sociales.
Como líder municipal, me uniré a otras voces para seguir presionando por una legislación que aborde este problema de una manera justa y equitativa para que las familias dentro de nuestra comunidad puedan comenzar a sanar y avanzar.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
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Join Us For a Special Town Hall Meeting | Marijuana Legislation on Tuesday, May 11 |
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We invite you to join Mayor Adrian O. Mapp on Tuesday, May 11th at 6:00pm for a candid discussion about marijuana legislation and the potential impact on the City of Plainfield. Several departments will also provide updates.
Click Here to view on the Zoom platform. Passcode is 329394.
We welcome your input by completing a survey either by using the below link or QR code.
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The City of Plainfield and Kean University Host a Small Business Roundtable to Celebrate Small Business Week |
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Join Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Kean University President Dr. Lamont Repollett, NJEDA Chief Community Development Officer Tai Cooper and Rising Tide Capital Executive Director Gillian Sarjeant-Allen for a Small Business Week Roundtable tomorrow, May 7th, LIVE on the City's Facebook page beginning at 4:00pm.
They will be joined by local business owners:
Mario Camino - Aarkad Real Estate Development
Sneh Kadakia - Drop In (shared workspace)
Scott Sussman - Drop In
Andrea Alarcon & Guest - PNC Bank
John Barclay - Downtown Landlord
Yenibel Morales - Rose Cigar
Arturo Marroquin - Bread Basket and Family Buffet Restaurants
Julia Porter - Amaker & Porterfield (Bus Company)
Peter Cooper - Coop’s Clean Car
Antoinette Brevard - Executive Director, Plainfield SID
Jennifer Sophia - Landmark Development
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, the City Council and Administration Wish You a
Happy Mother's Day
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"A Mother's Love"
A Mother’s love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,
It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may,
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away,
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
— Helen Steiner Rice
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Groundbreaking Event at 803 South Ave |
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On Tuesday, May 4th the City of Plainfield and 803 South Urban Renewal LLC broke ground on a new market rate, residential project at 803 South Avenue. Mayor Adrian O. Mapp was joined by Council VP Barry Goode, Councilwoman Stacey Welch, Councilwoman Ashley Davis and Councilman Charles McRae and members of the administration.
Valerie Jackson Director of Economic Development spoke about the excitement surrounding the transformation of South Avenue, North Avenue and downtown Plainfield. She indicated that there is much more to come in the next three to four years.
Mayor Mapp thanked members of the administration and city council for their collaboration, team effort and spirit of cooperation. He spoke of the economic revitalization within the city and his intentional and focused efforts to transform Plainfield since taking office in 2014.
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SAVE THE DATE | City Council Meeting |
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SAVE THE DATE for July 4th Fireworks |
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Celebrating the Independence of this great nation is about family, friends, barbecues, parades and fireworks. As COVID restrictions begin to loosen we are still focused on keeping our residents safe and will only offer a fireworks display this year.
- Tickets can be reserved beginning on Monday, June 28th.
- Limit of one (1) ticket per car/household
- Cars may enter the park between 8:00pm and 9:15pm
- Fireworks begin at 9:30pm
- Rain Date – Sunday, July 11, 2021
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#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD
SPOTLIGHT
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Showing Love in Plainfield #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield |
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#LovePlainfield is a movement to instill pride in our City while we showcase the culture, art, commerce, spirit, and natural beauty of Plainfield and the people who live here.
Here a friendly smile, beautiful architecture, old world neighborhoods, world class music and eclectic dining are never more than a few steps away. We believe that community is something to be cherished.
We believe that this is an amazing place to live, work, and play. It’s time to show that we’re a lot more than just an urban melting pot. It’s time to showcase our diversity, embrace our differences, celebrate our uniqueness, beautify and clean our spaces, and unify to cherish this place we call home.
Keep posting your photos and videos about why you LOVE Plainfield and use the hashtags.
Our next event will focus on landscaping and beautifying space. Stay tuned!
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp is leading the #LovePlainfield initiative and is encouraging Plainfield residents to get involved and show their love for the Queen City. |
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#LovePlainfield Reporting and Nominations |
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REPORTING AND NOMINATING
We’re pleased to share that REPORT IT is a proud sponsor of #LovePlainfield
We have added a new Category called Love Plainfield to the App. You can send in your pictures and report when you catch people in the act of showing love to someone or to our city.
You see someone pick up litter on the street and throw it into a trashcan. Snap a pic – send a report and nominate them for a Love Plainfield award. If you see someone lending a helping hand to an elderly person – snap a pic and send a report.
There are a million ways to show and spread love around our city and now the Report It app will help us capture it because our LovePlainfield Ambassadors can’t be everywhere.
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The situation with the Coronavirus changes rapidly and we want to ensure that you are aware of all resources available to you. Please click the below buttons for updates about COVID-19 on a local and state level. |
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Important COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information | NEW UPDATE |
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UPDATE - A Pfizer Vaccine clinic will take place on Saturday, May 15th at the Plainfield High School from 9:00am - 1:00pm. Residents 16 years or older who would like to be vaccinated can call the Senior Center at 908- 753-3506 between the hours of 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. You must provide the following information to be registered - name, address, date of birth, phone number and email address.
The Moderna vaccine option is still available to residents 18 years or older who would like to be vaccinated. Registration is available at the Senior Center by calling 908- 753-3506 between the hours of 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Vaccinations are administered on Wednesdays from 2:00pm – 7:00pm at the Plainfield High School.
All Union County residents can follow this link, https://ucnjvaccine.org/, to schedule a vaccination appointment. ID showing proof of age required.
Hackensack Meridian Health is offering the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible New Jersey residents, students and workers. Anyone 16 & older who lives, works or studies in New Jersey is eligible. Appointments are available at 11 sites throughout New Jersey.
Use the below link to register:
You can also pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine with the State of NJ at https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/vaccine. As additional information becomes available, we will keep you updated.
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Front Street Pharmacy located at 204 East Front, Plainfield - 908.222.7100 offers PCR nasal tests. Below are dates and times for your convenience.
Monday - Friday - 10:00am - 1:00pm or while supplies last
No testing on Wednesday
Saturday - 10:00am - 1:00pm or while supplies last
Closed on Sunday
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Front Street Pharmacy ubicada en 204 East Front, Plainfield - 908.222.7100. Ofrece pruebas nasales de PCR. A continuación se muestran las fechas y horas para su conveniencia.
Lunes - Viernes - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm o hasta agotar existencias
No hay pruebas el miercoles
Sábado - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm o hasta agotar existencias
Cerrado los domingos
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Available Resources for our Seniors |
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Available Emergency Food Resources
Saturday, May 8
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Skip the Trip to City Hall
Do Business Online!
Omita el Viaje al Ayuntamiento
Hacer Negocios en línea
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Today is National Day of Prayer |
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This year's National Day of Prayer theme is: ”Lord pour out Your LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY.” Praying and proclaiming a promise of God in the theme verse, 2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Be Blessed Today!
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UNION COUNTY:
Register to Vote by Tuesday, May 18 to Participate in the 2021 Primary Election
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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds Union County residents who are not registered to vote that they have until Tuesday, May 18 to register in time to vote in the upcoming Primary Election on Tuesday, June 5.
“We encourage all eligible residents to participate in every election, and the 2021 Primary Election is especially important because voters who are registered in the Democratic and Republican parties will choose their nominees for governor in the General Election in November,” said Ms. Rajoppi.
To register, a voter must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years old by
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Election Day, and they must be a resident of New Jersey and Union County for at least 30 days.
Under a new state law enacted last year, persons currently on parole or probation are eligible to vote. However, persons currently serving a sentence due to a felony conviction are not eligible.
Eligible residents can download a registration application by visiting the County Clerk’s elections website at unioncountyvotes.com.
Residents who wish to receive an application by mail can use the online form at unioncountyvotes.com, or call the County Clerk’s elections division at 908-527-4996.
The County Clerk’s free Union County Votes app also provides voter registration links and information in a mobile format.
In addition, a new statewide online voter registration system was introduced by the New Jersey Division of Elections last year. Eligible residents who wish to register to vote online can visit the Division of Elections online at voter.svrs.nj.gov/register.
For more information about all County Clerk programs and services, visit online at ucnj.org/county-clerk or call 908-527-4787.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Governor Murphy Announces New Jersey Department of Education Grants to Create Computer Science Learning Hubs Throughout State
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TRENTON, NJ – Building on his Computer Science for All initiative, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that three universities will receive grants from the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) to create computer science learning hubs throughout the state.
The Expanding Access to Computer Science: Professional Learning Grants will help Fairleigh Dickinson University, Kean University, and Rutgers University in New Brunswick create hubs that will provide high-quality professional learning for educators and resources for school districts to increase computer science opportunities for students. The grants—
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which are funded through the Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Act—will also help the three universities build partnerships with stakeholders to promote the growth of computer science education.
“New Jersey is committed to ensuring our students have access to a high-quality education in computer science that will open up doors for them in the future,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The learning hubs will provide opportunities for educators to be on the forefront of computer science education, and to share that knowledge to students in the classroom. These efforts will contribute to the academic growth of our students and the economic growth of our State.”
“It’s our vision that New Jersey schools will help prepare students for success in this knowledge-based economy,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “This initiative will help toward the goal of providing equitable access to high-quality computer science education.”
The DOE estimates that the learning hubs will lead to approximately 3,000 students receiving equitable high-quality computer science education during the grant period, which runs until August 31, 2022.
The grants support the vision in Governor Murphy’s Computer Science State Plan, which details the State’s approach to supporting and expanding equitable access to high-quality computer science education for all K-12 students.
“We applaud Governor Murphy for his commitment to providing a larger and more diverse set of students access to computer science courses, which are fundamental for 21st century careers,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP Program. “New Jersey’s new teacher training hubs will help make such courses available in every New Jersey school.”
"Preparing and supporting teachers is essential to expanding access computer science education," said Hadi Partovi, Founder and CEO of Code.org. "Congratulations to New Jersey for taking this important step to provide more students in the state the opportunity to learn and explore computer science.”
“In order to effectively implement Governor Murphy's Computer Science Action plan we need to make sure that we provide support and professional development for thousands of K-12 teachers throughout New Jersey,” said Daryl Detrick, co-Director of the CS4NJ Coalition. “The development of the Computer Science Teaching Hubs is a huge step in the right direction. The CS4NJ Coalition looks forward to continuing to work with the Governor's office and DOE to ensure all students in NJ have access to high quality and equitable computer science education that opens doors of opportunity.”
The grant awards include:
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FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
White House Releases Fact Sheets to Highlight Nationwide Need and Impact of the American Families Plan
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Today, the White House released fact sheets that highlight the need for and impact of the investments proposed by President Biden in the American Families Plan in states and territories across the country. The American Families Plan is a once-in-a-generation investment in the foundations of middle-class prosperity: education, health care, and child care.
The fact sheets highlight how many families would benefit from free community college and universal pre-K, the high costs of child care, the number of workers who lack access to paid family leave, and the thousands of dollars families and workers would save in tax cuts and credits.
Individual fact sheets for each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other territories are linked below.
These fact sheets are the latest in a series from the White House highlighting the benefits of the American Families Plan for communities, in addition to a series of fact sheets on the American Jobs Plan. Fact sheets on how the American Families Plan advances racial equity and supports rural America have been released in recent weeks.
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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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