Dear Friend,
In 2016, 100 million eligible voters decided not to vote. According to turnout estimates from the U.S. Elections Project, roughly 43 percent of eligible voters didn't bother filling out a ballot. To look at it another way, the people who could have voted but chose not to vastly outnumbered those who cast a vote for Clinton, Trump, or a third-party candidate.
We now have an opportunity to vote again, and there has never been a time in recent history when voting has been more critical. The past four years have demonstrated quite clearly the impact that our votes have. At this moment, we must decide what kind of country we want to be, and the ballots will make that determination.
The COVID-19 virus has tested our nation. Crippling the economy, impacting jobs, closing schools, driving people into lockdown, and bringing local businesses to their knees.
We've never experienced a crisis such as this in our lifetime. At this dire moment, when we need a national strategy and leadership, State and local governments find themselves pushed by necessity to chart these untested waters with little or no guidance.
States and municipalities who have exercised good governance and taken precautions are still impacted by those that didn't. A national consensus could have prevented this and potentially halted the virus in its tracks.
Civil unrest has swept the country like we have not seen since the protests of over sixty years ago. Self-preservation and frustration with the lack of equality has given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. Rather than speaking with a voice of unification and dousing the flames of unrest with negotiation and solutions, the voice coming out of Washington has stirred the pot of hatred, widened the divide, and made enemies of neighbors.
In this 2020 election, we must vote for equality, vote for unity, vote for solutions, vote for leadership, and vote for change. Let me be clear that I am not telling anyone who to vote for, but I am imploring you to exercise your constitutional right and vote so that your views will be reflected in the leaders chosen.
We must vote wisely from the position of President down to our Board of Education candidates. Every branch of government must work with other units; they do not operate in silos. It's crucial to select representatives who most closely represent the values that we have. A President cannot work effectively without support from congress. Congress does not exist without your vote.
Here in Plainfield, we are voting to elect City Council candidates and Board of Education representatives. This is a chance for you to tangibly make a difference where you live by influencing educational outcomes in the City of Plainfield. Do not allow your voice and your vote to be stifled and wasted.
Some forces would do anything to prevent your vote from being counted, do not allow them to win. Fill that ballot out and mail or drop it into a voting box near you. There is one located at Plainfield City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue. Please remember to turn the ballot over and weigh in on the questions posted. Let's make our voices count in the 2020 elections.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Querido Plainfield,
En 2016, 100 millones de votantes elegibles decidieron no votar. Según las estimaciones de participación del Proyecto de Elecciones de EE. UU., aproximadamente el 43 por ciento de los votantes elegibles no se molestaron en llenar una boleta. Para verlo de otra manera, las personas que podrían haber votado pero decidieron no superar en número a las que votaron por Clinton, Trump o un candidato de un tercer partido.
Ahora tenemos la oportunidad de votar nuevamente, y nunca ha habido un momento en la historia reciente en el que la votación haya sido más crítica. Los últimos cuatro años han demostrado con bastante claridad el impacto que tienen nuestros votos. En este momento, debemos decidir qué tipo de país queremos ser, y los votos tomarán esa determinación.
El virus COVID-19 ha puesto a prueba a nuestra nación. Paralizar la economía, impactar empleos, cerrar escuelas, llevar a la gente al encierro y poner de rodillas a las empresas locales.
Nunca hemos experimentado una crisis como esta en nuestra vida. En este terrible momento, cuando necesitamos una estrategia y un liderazgo nacional, los gobiernos estatales y locales se ven empujados por la necesidad a trazar estas aguas no probadas con poca o ninguna orientación. Los estados y municipios que han ejercido un buen gobierno y tomado precauciones aún se ven afectados por aquellos que no lo hicieron. Un consenso nacional podría haber evitado esto y potencialmente detener el virus en su camino.
Los disturbios civiles se han apoderado del país como no lo habíamos visto desde las protestas de hace más de sesenta años. La autopreservación y la frustración por la falta de igualdad ha dado lugar al movimiento Black Lives Matter. En lugar de hablar con una voz de unificación y apagar las llamas del malestar con negociaciones y soluciones, la voz que sale de Washington ha agitado la olla del odio, ha ampliado la brecha y se ha convertido en enemigos de los vecinos.
En esta elección de 2020, debemos votar por la igualdad, votar por la unidad, votar por las soluciones, votar por el liderazgo y votar por el cambio. Permítanme aclarar que no le estoy diciendo a nadie por quién votar, pero le estoy implorando que ejerza su derecho constitucional y vote para que sus puntos de vista se reflejen en los líderes elegidos.
Debemos votar sabiamente desde el puesto de presidente hasta nuestros candidatos a la Junta de Educación. Cada rama del gobierno debe trabajar con otras unidades; no operan en silos. Es crucial seleccionar representantes que representen más fielmente los valores que tenemos. Un presidente no puede trabajar eficazmente sin el apoyo del Congreso. El Congreso no existe sin su voto.
Aquí en Plainfield, estamos votando para elegir candidatos al Concejo Municipal y representantes de la Junta de Educación. Esta es una oportunidad para que usted haga una diferencia tangible en el lugar donde vive al influir en los resultados educativos en la ciudad de Plainfield. No permitan que su voz y su voto sean ahogados y desperdiciados. Algunas fuerzas harían cualquier cosa para evitar que su voto sea contado, y no les permita ganar. Llene esa boleta y envíela por correo o colóquela en una casilla de votación cerca de usted. Hay uno ubicado en Plainfield City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue. Recuerde entregar la boleta y opinar sobre las preguntas publicadas. Hagamos que nuestras voces cuenten en las elecciones de 2020.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
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Your Voice. Your Vote. Matters |
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VOTING UPDATE - Plainfield residents should have received their General Election ballots which began mailing on Wednesday, September 23rd. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
Remember, this election is VOTE BY MAIL. The below videos provides instructions on completing and mailing your ballot.
If you are concerned about mailing your ballot the below link will provide locations of the 22 secure ballot boxes throughout Union County. Please note - Plainfield has a secure ballot box located at City Hall - 515 Watchung Ave Parking Lot.
Check out and sign-up for the Track My Ballot tool to track the progress and find the status of your ballot.
For more information on the 2020 General Election, including options for early voting, visit unioncountyvotes.com.
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Haga clic aqui para ver la versión en español (Click here for Spanish version)
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IT'S OFFICIAL
P.A.U. Studios is Open for Business
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P.A.U. Studios located at 1102 East 2nd Street officially opened its doors yesterday. The studio was founded by John J. Noel Jr. and offers affordable portrait packages for families, groups and individuals along with a full range of photography and videography services for private, special and corporate events.
As a lifelong resident of Plainfield, the opening of P.A.U. studios fulfills Mr. Noel's dream of owning a business in his hometown while offering New Jersey and the tri-state area access to the fresh perspective and artistry of black photographers and videographers.
Congratulations and well done John Noel Jr.!
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Congratulations to Plainfield's Own
LiVay Sweet Shop
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LiVay Sweet Shop, located on Watchung Avenue in Plainfield, is the week 1 winner of the Close to Home with Lennox Initiative. Read on below.
A Personal Passion
In 2009, in the midst of the recession, Stacey had a hard time finding a job. Out of work, but never losing her strong will and drive, she decided to pursue her dream of making sweets. “I was always the one to bake a cake, cookies or brownies to share with family and friends,” says Stacey. She turned her passion into a business by starting out small. As a wife and stay-at-home mother of two children, she was asked by a family friend to make some chocolate party favors for an event. After that, the orders started rolling in…
Community Outreach
It was Stacey's involvement in her neighborhood that caught our eye for the Small Business Spotlight. She has a strong dedication to her community and consistently goes above and beyond for the people who live there. “In the fall, she does a collection of school supplies for those in need,” said Maureen, who nominated Stacey and her business. “And once it gets cold, she does a warm clothes drive.”
On top of the school supply and clothing drives, LiVay Sweet Shop organizes neighborhood cleanups and food pantry donations, as well as providing cupcakes for frontline workers, sanitary products for the homeless and school uniforms for kids. It’s their selfless outreach that make them a stand-out business in our eyes!
Congratulations to Stacey on this well deserved recognition!
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SAVE THE DATE:
City Council Meeting
on November 9, 2020
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Haga clic aquí para ver la versión en español (Click here for Spanish version)
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Three More Fun and Creative Ways to
Celebrate Halloween 2020
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While we may not be able to celebrate Halloween this year in the traditional way with trunk or treat pop-ups and trick or treating through out our neighborhoods, we can still celebrate with our friends and families. We just have to get a little creative.
1. Create Glow in the Dark Decorations
When preparing for a great Halloween glow-in-the-dark egg hunt, gathering the right supplies will make the night a Spook-tacular and fun event. Here is a supply list that will help make your egg hunt out of this world:
2. Witches Hat Ring Toss
This is a fun way to enlist yours kids to help build/set-up this activity.
3. Make Spooky Treats
Halloween is about family and community. We encourage you to share your photos and videos with us.
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UPDATE : COVID-19 Housing
Assistance Program
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Haga clic aquí para ver la versión en español (Click here for Spanish version)
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Free Upcoming Flu Clinics Available to
Plainfield Residents
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Senior Freeze Program Reminder |
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The Senior Freeze is best described as a Property Tax Reimbursement for eligible seniors and disabled persons. The amount of the tax reimbursement will be the difference between the amount of property taxes that were due and paid by the applicant for 2018 and the amount that was due and paid in 2019.
A tent is set up in the parking lot area of the City Hall with a representative from the tax office to answer all of your Senior Freeze questions. This program has been active all summer, and will continue to run every Tuesday and Thursday until October 29 in the parking lot area of the Plainfield City Hall, weather permitting. Please bring your federal tax return from 2018 and 2019 if you need help filling out your blue book. We want to make it as easy as possible for all Plainfield seniors to receive their tax reimbursement, so be sure to visit us from 10AM-2PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays before time runs out!
For more information on the Senior Freeze program and to find out of you’re eligible, please click here
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Plainfield is a Report It Community
"See Something Say Something"
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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 your 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 below or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate city department, and the city will work to resolve the issue or complaint.
You have the power to be the eyes and ears of our city! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in Plainfield. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with Report It.
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City Hall - COVID-19 - Modified Schedule |
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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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The situation with the Coronavirus changes rapidly and we want to ensure that you are aware of all resources available to you. Please click on the below button for a COVID-19 resource Guide |
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Union County's Emergency Food
Distribution Event Tomorrow
Saturday, October 17th
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Emergency Food Providers & Resources|
Proveedores de emergencia y recursos
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - an annual campaign that aims to educate the public on the importance of early screening, testing and treatment for breast cancer. Activities include raising research funds to help identify the cause, uncover potential prevention strategies, and improve diagnosis, in addition to offering support to people impacted by the disease.
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UNION COUNTY: Union County Clerk Provides Saturday Hours for Election Assistance |
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UNION COUNTY, NJ - Union County voters who need in-person assistance with matters pertaining to the 2020 General Election can visit the County Clerk’s offices in Elizabeth and Westfield during regular weekday business hours. In addition, both offices are open on selected Saturdays prior to Election Day, November 3.
Office visitors must follow all COVID-19 prevention rules, including masks and social distance.
“The additional Saturday hours will help ensure that Union County voters can access the information they need in order to participate in this important election cycle,” said Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi. “My staff is also available by phone and email to assist voters with any questions or concerns they may have.”
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The County Clerk’s Annex Office at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17 and on the following two Saturdays, October 24 and 31.
The Main Office at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31.
For more information on the 2020 General Election visit the County Clerk’s election website, unioncountyvotes.com, or contact the Elections Division at 908-527-4996 or ucvote@ucnj.org.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order Extending Utility Shutoff Moratorium Through March 15, 2021
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Announces $15 Million with Legislative Leadership from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to Reduce Utility Arrearages for Low Income Households |
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TRENTON, NJ - - Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 190, extending a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least March 15, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be charging late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. The Order also requires that all residential services that were disconnected after social distancing measures went into effect on March 16 be reconnected. The Governor and legislative leadership further announced that $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be allocated to assisting low income households in paying off utility arrearages.
“New Jerseyans are hurting and many of our fellow state residents, who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic need help,” said Governor Murphy. “Extending the utility moratorium is the right thing to do as so many in our state struggle to pay their bills during one of the most devastating economic crises in the history of our country. As we enter the winter months it becomes even more imperative that we work with our state’s utilities keep the lights on and families warm.”
“Thank you to the Governor and to the utilities for taking an important step today to protect New Jersey residents who are facing dire financial circumstances and are unable to pay their utility bills,” said Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Now, nobody will fear losing service during the winter months. Please know as well that assistance and deferred payment programs are available to prevent bills from piling up over time. Help is here for those who need it.”
In addition to extending the Internet disconnection moratorium to November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are prohibited from disconnecting Internet service in households that have one or more school-age children that may be using such service for educational purposes. Also, if a household experiences a change of circumstances where school age children will be using their home Internet service for school, the cable and telecommunications company will be required to reconnect that Internet service.
After November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are required to enroll customers with an already existing account in an interest free payment plan of at least 12 equal monthly installments, including the balance already due, prior to disconnecting the customer’s service.
Although the moratorium is being extended, utility customers are still encouraged to set up payment plans with their utilities so they can begin paying their bills, if they are able, over a period of time. Utility customers are also urged to apply for the assistance programs that are available at both the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs, and from their utilities.
Additionally, the Governor partnered with legislative leadership to set aside $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund so that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) can reduce utility arrearages. DCA will use a portion of the funds to address arrearages among low income households who are current Universal Service Fund (USF) participants. USF serves low-income families (Income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) who need assistance with electric and natural gas bills.
“Protecting the most vulnerable households in our state during this pandemic is a priority,” continued Governor Murphy. “I am proud to announce that in partnering with Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin, as well as legislative leadership, we have allocated $15 million in CRF funding to reduce utility arrearages for low income households in New Jersey.”
“We insisted that this funding be included in the budget because we won’t allow for utility shut offs that would deny New Jersey residents vital electric, heat, and water services,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “A sudden loss of power and utilities would create disruptive and even dangerous conditions for families, individuals and small businesses who are enduring more than enough financial hardship caused by the pandemic. The economic consequences of the Covid crisis is having a severe impact on their ability to afford utility bills. The extended moratorium is especially important for families with children who need power supplies to participate in remote learning at home. Utilities are a necessity that should not be lost to those in need.”
“Throughout the budget process, one of our major priorities was to provide money to help families who have been hit hard by the pandemic and fallen behind on their utility payments,” said Senate President Pro Tempore M. Teresa Ruiz. “We were able to include $15 million to reduce what is owed and help individuals around the state become current on their gas, electric and water bills. By extending the shut off moratorium and funding forgiveness programs we can offer a comprehensive approach to ensure residents are not left in the dark, as they work towards greater financial stability.”
“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, too many of our neighbors are struggling with the negative financial impact caused by the coronavirus,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Helping those in need pay their utility bills doesn’t just keep the lights on, it will mean many residents will not have to choose between paying their gas and electric bills or putting a nutritious meal on the table. I thank the Governor and Senate President for their partnership in this initiative.”
For a copy of Executive Order No. 190, please click here.
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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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