Mayor's Message:
Men's Health Month
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Dear Jazz,
Being healthy is the first step toward having a happy, productive, and fulfilling life. Good health is what facilitates you being able to run a marathon, hike a mountain trail, swim in a tropical ocean, chase after your kids, and experience the gratification of a full and balanced life. As kids maintaining good health is the responsibility of your parents. A cough, fever, or ache is treated with care and efficiency. But what happens when we reach adulthood?
Many adults neglect to make their health a priority. They get bogged down with the everyday responsibilities and push preventive health maintenance to the side. Many of us operate on the assumption that a doctor is only needed for a sporadic checkup or when our bodies present symptoms. Preventative care seems to be a foreign concept. This misconception is worse for men. Many men feel that they are invincible. Men are often the foundation of their families. A man grows with the idea that he must be strong and that seeking help is a sign of weakness.
As men it is our responsibility, not just to our family but to ourselves, to take care of our health. It’s time to let go of the misconception that by seeking help, we are making ourselves vulnerable. What we are in fact doing is ensuring that we stay in prime health so we can be there for our loved ones.
Prostate cancer is the leading cancer risk for men, even more, if you’re a man of color. Do you know what the early warning signs of Prostate cancer are? There aren’t any. It is impossible to feel the growth of a tumor pushing against other tissue, there is no pain, and no signs. You could have the disease for years and not even know it. By the time you start feeling symptoms like having trouble peeing, feeling pain or burning during urination or ejaculation, experiencing blood, loss of appetite, fatigue or nausea, it might be too late. Because you don’t experience these symptoms until the tumor has grown so much that it causes your prostate gland to swell or once cancer has spread beyond your prostate (source).
Keeping up with routine checkups could prevent you and your family from experiencing a lifetime of sorrow. Prostate cancer is preventable. A simple rectal exam can detect if your prostate is hard or irregular and blood work can identify if you have high levels of prostate-specific antigens (source). All of which is covered during your regular checkups.
Prostate cancer isn’t our only concern. It is important that we take charge of our life and educate the men of tomorrow about the importance of health. Here are some friendly tips:
1. Get informed – build-up your knowledge on common illnesses that affect our community and to the best practices to prevent them
2. Target your body and get active – I understand that at times being active might be difficult. Between work, school, your kids, and any other responsibilities you have, working out is probably the last thing on your mind. But our bodies are essentially one big muscle and like every muscle if it’s not used it gets weak. Find at least 30 mins in your day to do some aerobics, muscle training, or even stretching.
3. Eat to Thrive – Nutrition is crucial for a healthy body. Although sugar and junk food are delicious they are not healthy. The accessibility and facility by which we obtain these foods must not dictate our lives. We must focus on nutrition and fill ourselves with a variety of protein, vegetables, and fruits. I am not saying to eliminate sugar and junk food from your diet but to simply reduce them to more suitable levels because indulging in them regularly makes us susceptible to high blood pressure and cholesterol which in turn puts us at high risk for other more complicated medical issues.
4. Prioritize Sleep – sleep is important. When we sleep our body takes that time to undergo a critical repair process that helps fight illness, heal wounds, and recover from day-to-day stress. Getting at least 7 hours of sleep will transform the way you feel. Sleep deprivation cannot be overcome by another process than sleep itself, not even exercise.
5. Finally, take your health into your hands – You don’t have to wait to visit the doctor’s office to monitor your health. Buy a blood pressure and glucose meter, which are pretty inexpensive, and check your levels regularly from the comfort of your home. High blood pressure is one of the most common comorbidity in the US and is known as the silent killer because it too attacks you with no symptoms.
Today being healthy is the easiest it has ever been. The knowledge and tools we need are at our fingertips. You can even monitor your oxygen levels, check your heart rate, and take an ECG anytime you desire with the latest apple watch. Being unhealthy is a choice, not a result of our lives. Men, I beg you to make the right choice and let’s change the misconception that being proactive is a sign of weakness. Be open about how you feel and what you need. Set an example for your sons and the other young men in your life. Teach them to proactively take charge of their health. There is no shame in being concerned but if we don’t normalize the practice then nothing will change.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Mes de la Salud Masculina | |
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Querido Plainfield,
Estar saludable es el primer paso para tener una vida feliz, productiva y satisfactoria. La buena salud es lo que le facilita poder correr un maratón, caminar por un sendero de montaña, nadar en un océano tropical, perseguir a sus hijos y experimentar la gratificación de una vida plena y equilibrada. Como niños, la responsabilidad de tu salud es de tus padres. Tos, fiebre o un dolor son tratados con cuidado y eficiencia. Pero, ¿qué sucede cuando llegamos a la edad adulta?
Muchos adultos descuidan hacer de su salud una prioridad. Se atascan con las responsabilidades cotidianas y dejan de lado el mantenimiento preventivo de la salud. Muchos de nosotros operamos bajo la suposición de que un médico solo es necesario para un chequeo esporádico o cuando nuestros cuerpos presentan síntomas. La atención preventiva parece ser un concepto extraño. Este concepto erróneo es peor para los hombres. Muchos hombres sienten que son invencibles. Los hombres son a menudo la base de sus familias. Un hombre crece con la idea de que debe ser fuerte y que buscar ayuda es un signo de debilidad.
Como hombres, es nuestra responsabilidad, no solo con nuestra familia sino con nosotros mismos, cuidar de nuestra salud. Es hora de dejar de lado la idea errónea de que al buscar ayuda, nos estamos haciendo vulnerables. De hecho, lo que estamos haciendo es asegurarnos de que nos mantenemos en una salud óptima para que podamos estar allí para nuestros seres queridos.
El cáncer de próstata es el principal riesgo de cáncer para los hombres, aún más, si eres un hombre de color. ¿Sabes cuáles son las primeras señales de advertencia del cáncer de próstata? No hay ninguno. Es imposible sentir el crecimiento de un tumor empujando contra otro tejido, no hay dolor ni signos. Podrías tener la enfermedad durante años y ni siquiera saberlo. Para cuando comience a sentir síntomas como tener problemas para orinar, sentir dolor o ardor al orinar o eyacular, experimentar sangre, pérdida de apetito, fatiga o náuseas, podría ser demasiado tarde. Porque no experimenta estos síntomas hasta que el tumor ha crecido tanto que hace que su glándula prostática se hinche o una vez que el cáncer se ha diseminado más allá de su próstata (fuente).
Mantenerse al día con los chequeos de rutina podría evitar que usted y su familia experimenten una vida de tristeza. El cáncer de próstata es prevenible. Un simple examen rectal puede detectar si su próstata es dura o irregular y el análisis de sangre puede identificar si tiene altos niveles de antígenos prostáticos específicos (fuente). Todo lo cual está cubierto durante sus chequeos regulares.
El cáncer de próstata no es nuestra única preocupación. Es importante que nos hagamos cargo de nuestra vida y eduquemos a los hombres del mañana sobre la importancia de la salud. Aquí hay algunos consejos amistosos:
1. Infórmese: desarrolle su conocimiento sobre las enfermedades comunes que afectan a nuestra comunidad y las mejores prácticas para prevenirlas.
2. Apunta a tu cuerpo y mantente activo: entiendo que a veces estar activo puede ser difícil. Entre el trabajo, la escuela, sus hijos y cualquier otra responsabilidad que tenga, hacer ejercicio es probablemente lo último en su mente. Pero nuestros cuerpos son esencialmente un músculo grande y, como todo músculo, si no se usa, se debilita. Encuentre al menos 30 minutos en su día para hacer algunos aeróbicos, entrenamiento muscular o incluso estiramientos.
3. Comer para prosperar – La nutrición es crucial para un cuerpo sano. Aunque el azúcar y la comida chatarra son deliciosos, no son saludables. La accesibilidad y facilidad por la cual obtenemos estos alimentos no debe dictar nuestras vidas. Debemos centrarnos en la nutrición y llenarnos de una variedad de proteínas, verduras y frutas. No estoy diciendo que elimine el azúcar y la comida chatarra de su dieta, sino que simplemente los reduzca a niveles más adecuados porque disfrutar de ellos regularmente nos hace susceptibles a la presión arterial alta y el colesterol, lo que a su vez nos pone en alto riesgo de otros problemas médicos más complicados.
4. Priorice el sueño: el sueño es importante. Cuando dormimos, nuestro cuerpo se toma ese tiempo para someterse a un proceso de reparación crítico que ayuda a combatir enfermedades, curar heridas y recuperarse del estrés diario. Dormir al menos 7 horas transformará la forma en que te sientes. La privación del sueño no puede ser superada por otro proceso que no sea el sueño mismo, ni siquiera el ejercicio.
5. Finalmente, tome su salud en sus manos: no tiene que esperar para visitar el consultorio del médico para controlar su salud. Compre un medidor de presión arterial y glucosa, que son bastante baratos, y verifique sus niveles regularmente desde la comodidad de su hogar. La presión arterial alta es una de las comorbilidades más comunes en los Estados Unidos y se conoce como el asesino silencioso porque también lo ataca sin síntomas.
Hoy en día estar sano es lo más fácil que ha sido. El conocimiento y las herramientas que necesitamos están a nuestro alcance. Incluso puede controlar sus niveles de oxígeno, controlar su frecuencia cardíaca y realizar un ECG en cualquier momento que desee con el último Apple Watch. Ser poco saludable es una elección, no un resultado de nuestras vidas. Hombres, les ruego que tomen la decisión correcta y cambiemos la idea errónea de que ser proactivo es un signo de debilidad. Sea abierto acerca de cómo se siente y lo que necesita. Dé un ejemplo para sus hijos y los otros jóvenes en su vida. Enséñeles a hacerse cargo proactivamente de su salud. No hay vergüenza en estar preocupado, pero si no normalizamos la práctica, entonces nada cambiará.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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JUNE IS NATIONAL MEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH | |
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MURPHY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OPENING OF WAIT LIST FOR STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that its Division of Housing and Community Resources (DHCR) will be accepting pre-applications online for the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) Waiting List. Pre-applications will be accepted to enter a lottery for the statewide SRAP program in the Elderly, Family, Disabled, and Homeless categories.
Elderly applicants must serve as head of household and be 62 years of age or older. For those applying in the Family category, the head of household must be 18 years of age or an emancipated minor, with or without children. To qualify in the Disabled category, the head of household or spouse must be permanently disabled. Homeless applicants must lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
"At DCA, we have made and continue to make unprecedented investments to reduce the long-term financial impacts of this pandemic and are committed to increasing affordability, especially when it comes to one of the biggest expenses facing families - housing," said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver, who serves as DCA Commissioner. "We will be selecting 4,000 applicants for the wait list through a lottery process out of the pool of all the applications received. As vouchers are awarded, they will provide the stability that families need. That is why this State Rental Assistance Program opening is so important."
All pre-applications submitted online during the open enrollment period from Monday, July 11, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, July 22, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., will be entered into a database and a lottery system will be used to select applicants for the waiting lists. Pre- applications for SRAP assistance will be accepted from very low-income households. Applicants must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to apply or be an emancipated minor. Pre-applications successfully submitted during the open enrollment period have the same chance of being selected during the lottery. Those selected in the lottery for the wait list will then be eligible to receive SRAP vouchers as they become available.
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO APPLY. Web browsers like Google Chrome, Fire Fox or Internet Explorer 10 or higher are recommended. If an applicant is disabled and needs assistance with submitting their pre-application during the open enrollment period, they can contact DCA at 609-292-4080and select Option 9 from the menu to request a reasonable accommodation. For more information concerning the SRAP opening, people can visit: http://www.nj.gov/dca/.
At the time of selection from the waiting lists, applicants must meet the maximum household income limits of the county where they want to live and provide proof of residency. Also, Disabled and Homeless applicants must provide verification of their disability and homelessness at the time of selection from the waiting list.
Individuals selected by the lottery to be placed on the waiting list will be notified via email which may take several weeks.
The Division of Housing and Community Resources strengthens and revitalizes communities through the delivery of affordable housing, supportive services and the provision of financial and technical assistance to communities, local government and community-based organizations. For more information, visit: http://www.nj.gov/dca/
DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including energy assistance, housing vouchers, affordable housing production, fire and building safety, community planning and development, local government management and finance, and disaster recovery and mitigation.
For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/
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JOIN US - JULY 4TH PARADE, CONCERT AND FIREWORKS! | |
Union County Board of County Commissioners will host an emergency COVID-19 food distribution event on Saturday, June 25th beginning at 10:00am at Gerald B. Green Plaza located at 200 West 2nd Street in Plainfield. | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Mosquito Control Spraying Tonight, Thursday June 23rd
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Please be advised, Union County Mosquito Control will be spraying for Adult Mosquitoes tonight, Thursday, June 23, 2022, between the hours of 7:00 P.M. and 12:00 A.M. (Weather Permitting). Check below and see if your Town is on the list. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mosquito Control: 908-654-9873
Towns
- Clark – Featherbed Ln.
- Fanwood – LaGrande Ave., South Ave.
- Hillside – Harvard Ave., Cornell Pl., John St.
- Kenilworth – Dorset Dr., Water Co. Rd., Blvd (County Yard).
- Linden – Tremley Pt. area
- Plainfield – Jefferson Ave.
- Scotch Plains – Raritan Rd. (Vo-Tech), U.C.DPW yard.
- Springfield – Tree Top Dr., Oakland Ave., Waverly Ave., S. Springfield Ave. (St. James Church)
- Union-Audrey Ter., Vaux Hall Rd., Everette Cir., N. Elaine Ter., W. Chestnut St., Morris Ave. (Interlux)
- Winfield – Union County Parkway
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY
GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY:
Governor Murphy, Senate President Scutari, Assembly Speaker Coughlin, Announce Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday
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Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Will Make Essential Items for Students More Affordable
RED BANK – Governor Phil Murphy, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced that they have reached an agreement on a back-to-school sales tax holiday as a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget. The sales tax holiday will be historic for the State, building upon Governor Murphy’s promise to make New Jersey more affordable. The back-to-school sales tax holiday builds on the $2 billion ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program announced last week and other affordability measures that the Governor expects to see in the enacted budget.
“Today we take another monumental step forward on my Administration’s commitment to make New Jersey a stronger, fairer, and more affordable state for our residents,” said Governor Murphy. “A back-to-school tax holiday has been talked about for a long time, and as inflation is a central worry around many of our residents’ kitchen tables, now is the time to do it. This program will cut the cost for the most essential items needed for educational success and help make New Jersey more affordable for our students and families.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
Statement by President Joe Biden on
Supreme Court Ruling on Guns
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I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. Since 1911, the State of New York has required individuals who would like to carry a concealed weapon in public to show a need to do so for the purpose of self-defense and to acquire a license. More than a century later, the United States Supreme Court has chosen to strike down New York’s long-established authority to protect its citizens. This ruling contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all.
In the wake of the horrific attacks in Buffalo and Uvalde, as well as the daily acts of gun violence that do not make national headlines, we must do more as a society — not less — to protect our fellow Americans. I remain committed to doing everything in my power to reduce gun violence and make our communities safer. I have already taken more executive actions to reduce gun violence than any other President during their first year in office, and I will continue to do all that I can to protect Americans from gun violence.
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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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|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 | | | | |
