Good Officers Must Speak Up |
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Dear Friend,
It is sad and telling that fifty-seven long years after the civil rights act was enacted, finding justice for a black person still seems so foreign and unreal that an entire nation grinds to a halt to witness this historic moment.
We do not celebrate the demise of Derek Chauvin, whose life is now irrevocably changed. We don’t revel in the inadequacies revealed in law enforcement agencies around the nation. We don’t delight at what some may deem a triumph. We feel vindicated that justice was served but, we are saddened that a moment of justice is so unexpected that it becomes an instant watershed moment. We are saddened that George Floyd had to die for the world to notice the persecution and execution of black people at the hands of bad law enforcement officers.
We are exhausted from protesting to get small victories.
The rights, liberties, and justice that theoretically should exist for all is still not a reality for black and brown people in America. How many must die before there is real change? How many lives must be ruined before it becomes too much? How much longer do minorities have to fight for equal treatment, equal rights, and equal justice? Real change is needed to address the inequities that exist in our justice system. Change is required to change the perception of black people, especially black men, as threats that need to be eradicated. Black men should not have to fear that every encounter with law enforcement could potentially be a life-ending moment.
Derek Chauvin is only one man, but his conviction is an indicator of how far we still have to go as a country. Racism is still embedded in our institutions. Black and brown men and women are still profiled and treated as less than human by some members of our law enforcement. The last thing we want to see become the norm in our country is the practice of sending our police officers to jail. That should not be the marker of change that we seek. Instead, we must look for institutional change.
We support our good Police Officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect us, but we need them to help change the culture of discrimination against minorities by their fellow officers. We need good police officers to protect minorities from being the victims of profiling and excessive use of force. We need good police officers to be part of the change that must take place. Good officers must speak up. The trust between the police and the people must be rebuilt so that catching real criminals can be the focus as it should be.
I am relieved that justice was served in the Derek Chauvin case, but I am saddened that a loss of life necessitated it. I will continue to join my voice to those who seek genuine reform. I will continue working to influence legislation that seeks to bring about meaningful change. I will continue to support our good law enforcement officers and amplify the voices of those who are sincere seekers of change.
Creating One Plainfield. One Future
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Los buenos oficiales deben hablar |
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Querido Plainfield,
Es triste y revelador que cincuenta y siete largos años después de la promulgación de la ley de derechos civiles, encontrar justicia para una persona negra todavía parece tan extraño e irreal que una nación entera se detiene para presenciar este momento histórico. No celebramos la desaparición de Derek Chauvin, cuya vida ahora ha cambiado irrevocablemente. No nos deleitamos con las deficiencias reveladas en las agencias de aplicación de la ley en todo el país. No nos deleitamos con lo que algunos pueden considerar un triunfo. Nos sentimos reivindicados de que se hizo justicia, pero nos entristece que un momento de justicia sea tan inesperado que se convierta en un momento decisivo instantáneo. Nos entristece que George Floyd tuviera que morir para que el mundo se diera cuenta de la persecución y ejecución de personas negras a manos de malos agentes del orden. Estamos agotados de protestar para conseguir pequeñas victorias.
Los derechos, libertades y justicia que teóricamente deberían existir para todos todavía no son una realidad para la gente negra y morena en Estados Unidos. ¿Cuántos deben morir antes de que haya un cambio real? ¿Cuántas vidas deben arruinarse antes de que sean demasiadas? ¿Cuánto tiempo más tienen las minorías para luchar por la igualdad de trato, la igualdad de derechos y la igualdad de justicia? Se necesita un cambio real para abordar las desigualdades que existen en nuestro sistema judicial. Se requiere un cambio para cambiar la percepción de las personas negras, especialmente los hombres negros, como amenazas que deben ser erradicadas. Los hombres negros no deberían tener que temer que cada encuentro con las fuerzas del orden podría potencialmente ser un momento de muerte.
Derek Chauvin es solo un hombre, pero su convicción es un indicador de lo lejos que todavía tenemos que llegar como país. El racismo todavía está arraigado en nuestras instituciones. Los hombres y mujeres negros y morenos todavía son perfilados y tratados como menos que humanos por algunos miembros de nuestras fuerzas del orden. Lo último que queremos que se convierta en la norma en nuestro país es la práctica de enviar a nuestros policías a la cárcel. Ese no debería ser el marcador de cambio que buscamos. En cambio, debemos buscar un cambio institucional.
Apoyamos a nuestros buenos oficiales de policía que arriesgan sus vidas todos los días para servirnos y protegernos, pero los necesitamos para ayudar a cambiar la cultura de discriminación contra las minorías por parte de sus compañeros oficiales. Necesitamos buenos agentes de policía para proteger a las minorías de ser víctimas de la elaboración de perfiles y el uso excesivo de la fuerza. Necesitamos buenos policías para ser parte del cambio que debe producirse. La confianza entre la policía y la gente debe reconstruirse para que la captura de delincuentes reales pueda ser el centro de atención como debería ser.
Me alivia que se hiciera justicia en el caso de Derek Chauvin, pero me entristece que la pérdida de vidas lo requiriera. Seguiré uniendo mi voz a la de quienes buscan una reforma genuina. Continuaré trabajando para influir en la legislación que busca generar un cambio significativo. Continuaré apoyando a nuestros buenos agentes del orden y amplificando las voces de aquellos que buscan sinceramente el cambio.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
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Join Us at the Reopening and
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Rushmore Recreational Complex - May 1
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POOLS & PARKS REOPENING REMINDER
We are pleased to announce that the City's parks and pools will reopen in the coming months. Please note that city parks will remain open from dawn until dusk.
PARKS:
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Parks open May 1, 2021 and close October 31, 2021.
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Athletic Facilities open May 1 and close November 28, 2021. Permitted use only.
POOLS:
Pools reopen Memorial Day weekend. Schedule will be posted shortly.
Listed below are new protocols to ensure the continued safety of our residents:
- Residents must register in Community pass for pool membership which will be free.
- Residents will come to Annex or off site location to take photo, required of all members.
- Youth 12 an under must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older.
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No guest passes, service for residents only.
- Residents will reserve swim time in community pass. Entry will be first come first served for unreserved time as space allows. 40 swimmers per session. 1.5 hour sessions, 3 per day. 1-2:30, 2:45pm- 4pm , 4:30 – 6pm.
- Members will swipe in and out of facility for contract tracing purposes.
- COVID 19 Ambassadors will enforce social distancing and cleaning. Lifeguards guard the pool.
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Masks must be worn in the parks.
SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM:
Beginning on Monday, June 28, 2021 the Summer Food Program Grab and GO pick up will be available between 11:30am -1:00pm, Monday- Friday at all Plainfield Public School locations.
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REMINDER - NJEDA Announced Phase 4 for Small Business Emergency Assistance Program |
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The New Jersey Economic Development Authority announced Phase 4 of their Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program. Phase 4 will provide grants to $20,000 to eligible businesses in New Jersey.
In this phase, micro businesses and sole proprietors are eligible for up to $10,000! Eligible businesses and nonprofits must have no more than 50 full time employees (FTEs) and have a physical location in New Jersey. Check to see if you’re eligible here: http://bit.ly/NJEDA_Phase4.
To apply for this program, you must first pre-register through NJEDA’s portal between April 19th at 9:00 AM - April 29th at 5:00 PM.
Step 1: If you do not have a username and password for NJEDA’s pre-registration portal from Phase 3 or if you cannot locate them, create them here: bit.ly/Phase4_Prep
Step 2: Once the pre-registration period opens, visit bit.ly/NJEDA_Phase4Pre. Pre-registration is NOT first come, first served.
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NJEDA Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will host a webinar this evening beginning at 6:00pm to answer questions related to the program.
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SAVE THE DATES
City Council Budget Deliberation Sessions
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Celebrating Earth Day 2021 |
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Earth Day is an annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
The City of Plainfield believes in good environmental stewardship and we are committed to doing our part to protect the planet.
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#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD
SPOTLIGHT
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Showing Love in Plainfield #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield |
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The Special Improvement District's (SID) Executive Director Antoinette Brevard showing love in Plainfield by showcasing local businesses like Tradiciones de mi Pueblo located at 307 Park Ave - where they serve amazing Peruvian dishes. |
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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
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Plainfield residents 18 years or older who would like to be vaccinated for COVID-19 can call the Senior Center at 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.
Effective April 19th, eligibility expanded to include all individuals age 16+ with parental consent. The Pfizer vaccine is the only one currently approved for this age group.
To register for the vaccine through the state, please click here.
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 |
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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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UNION COUNTY:
Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with Paint in the Park
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COVID-19 precautions will be observed at this event |
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Union County, NJ – In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, Union County residents of all ages are invited to participate in Paint in the Park, on Tuesday, April 27, at Mattano Park, located at 360-484 5th Avenue in Elizabeth. This event is completely free and is sponsored by The Union County Board of County Commissioners, through the Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs in the Department of Human Services.
“Paint in the Park is an enriching outdoor event that brings awareness to Autism, while giving our residents the opportunity the express themselves creatively,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
Paint in the Park encourages participants to express what Autism means to them by painting on a t-shirt. Participants will also be able to take the shirt home to wear all year long.
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Paint in the Park will begin at 5:30pm and end at 7:30pm.
Masks are required and must be worn by all participants, and social distancing guidelines must be observed.
This event is partnered by the Elizabeth Education Association, Elizabeth Parent Support Group, Elizabeth Strong, and Union County Spectrum All Stars.
For more information, please contact the Union County Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs by phone at (908) 527-4781.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Governor Murphy Highlights Garden State Guarantee Initiative to Provide Two-Year Tuition-Free at New Jersey's Four-Year Public Colleges and Universities
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TRENTON, NJ – Furthering his commitment to address college affordability for students, Governor Phil Murphy held a roundtable discussion with college students, elected officials, and university presidents to highlight the $50 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) budget proposal toward the Garden State Guarantee initiative (GSG).
“Since day one, we’ve taken meaningful steps toward addressing college affordability and attainability for students at all income levels,” said Governor Murphy. “With the Garden State Guarantee initiative, we’re making another critical investment to ensure that every student has access to an affordable, high-quality postsecondary education, which in return will create a highly skilled workforce and a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economy.”
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“The Garden State Guarantee is our commitment to ensuring New Jerseyans are well-positioned for success, particularly students of color, low-income families, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds who have traditionally not been afforded equal access to higher education,” said Dr. Brian Bridges, Secretary of Higher Education. “We owe it to our students to provide free college benefits that will improve their social mobility and our state’s overall financial health as we build long-term economic resiliency.”
The historic investment in the GSG initiative builds upon the success of the Community College Opportunity Grant (CCOG), by ensuring that eligible students can receive a tuition-free education for their first two years at any public college or university in New Jersey. Under the GSG initiative, students with an annual gross income of $65,000 or less will have the opportunity to receive tuition- and fee-free education for two years of study at one of New Jersey’s four-year public institutions. The FY2022 budget proposal allocates $45 million for the GSG initiative, which will increase direct aid to all 13 state colleges and universities through the Outcomes-Based Allocation and another $5 million will be available if additional funding is necessary for program implementation. Public institutions implementing GSG will also support eligible students by developing a sliding scale pricing structure for students above $65,000 annual gross income and create a guaranteed pricing structure for all students throughout their academic program. This initiative will be available for students starting in fall 2022. Currently, similar initiatives are offered at four of our 13 public four-year institutions: Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson University, and New Jersey City University. Three other public institutions, Stockton University, Rowan University, and Kean University, recently announced similar programs that will begin in the fall of 2021.
"One of the things that we can say about New Jersey proudly now is that it is becoming the education state of this country," said Senator Sandra Cunningham, Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee. "We are really showing the world that we are committed to an education for our residents and providing the best way to do that so that all of our people who want to get a four-year degree, they can easily do that."
"As a lead sponsor of the Community College Opportunity Grant program that is now law, I am excited and proud to promote the Garden State Guarantee," said Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. "We need to work to make a seamless program so that money is well spent, not repeated or squandered and so that it goes as far as possible to make sure everyone in our state who wants an education can graduate without ten years of debt. Our people in our state are our treasure. There is no better investment than education and training."
“The Garden State Guarantee sharply reflects key recommendations made by the Governor’s working group on college affordability, which I had the honor of co-chairing with Rowan University President Ali Houshmand,” said Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers – Newark. “Our group of higher education leaders from across the state felt strongly that to close the equity and opportunity gaps facing students from low-income households and from groups underrepresented in our colleges and universities, it is essential for New Jersey to establish affordable and predictable pricing guarantees, making the net cost of college more transparent for students and families. I can tell you first-hand that we have seen these strategies work at Rutgers-Newark with our RU-N to the TOP program, which has helped pave pathways to us from Newark schools and from the state’s county colleges. These are proven strategies for attracting and retaining New Jersey students in a post-COVID world.”
“Montclair State University applauds the Governor's bold focus on public higher education affordability, an investment that is absolutely critical to the economic and social well-being of the State,” said Susan Cole, President of Montclair State University.
“It is in that spirit that NJCU proudly endorses the educational policy outlined in Governor Murphy’s proposed Garden State Guarantee and look forward to working with the Legislature, OSHE and our peers to see this completed,” said Sue Henderson, President of the New Jersey City University. “This is a historic investment which will afford undergraduate students with adjusted gross incomes of $65,000 or less the opportunity to attend our State’s four-year public institutions tuition-free for two years. The GSG builds upon our successful multi-year investment at NJCU demonstrated through our Debt-Free Promise Program.”
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FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
President Biden Sets 2030 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Reduction Target Aimed at Creating Good-Paying Union Jobs and Securing U.S. Leadership on Clean Energy Technologies
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Building on Past U.S. Leadership, including Efforts by States, Cities, Tribes, and Territories, the New Target Aims at 50-52 Percent Reduction in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Pollution from 2005 Levels in 2030
President Biden will announce a new target for the United States to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2030 – building on progress to-date and by positioning American workers and industry to tackle the climate crisis.
The announcement – made during the Leaders Summit on Climate that President Biden is holding to challenge the world on increased ambition in combatting climate change – is part of the President’s focus on building back better in a way that will create millions of good-paying, union jobs, ensure economic competitiveness, advance environmental justice, and improve the health and security of communities across America.
On Day One, President Biden fulfilled his promise to rejoin the Paris Agreement and set a course for the United States to tackle the climate crisis at home and abroad, reaching net zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050. As part of re-entering the Paris Agreement, he also launched a whole-of-government process, organized through his National Climate Task Force, to establish this new 2030 emissions target – known as the “nationally determined contribution” or “NDC,” a formal submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Today’s announcement is the product of this government-wide assessment of how to make the most of the opportunity combatting climate change presents.
PUSHING PROGRESS, CREATING JOBS, AND ACHIEVING JUSTICE
The United States is not waiting, the costs of delay are too great, and our nation is resolved to act now. Climate change poses an existential threat, but responding to this threat offers an opportunity to support good-paying, union jobs, strengthen America’s working communities, protect public health, and advance environmental justice. Creating jobs and tackling climate change go hand in hand – empowering the U.S. to build more resilient infrastructure, expand access to clean air and drinking water, spur American technological innovations, and create good-paying, union jobs along the way.
To develop the goal, the Administration analyzed how every sector of the economy can spur innovation, unleash new opportunities, drive competitiveness, and cut pollution. The target builds on leadership from mayors, county executives, governors, tribal leaders, businesses, faith groups, cultural institutions, health care organizations, investors, and communities who have worked together tirelessly to ensure sustained progress in reducing pollution in the United States.
Building on and benefiting from that foundation, America’s 2030 target picks up the pace of emissions reductions in the United States, compared to historical levels, while supporting President Biden’s existing goals to create a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net zero emissions economy by no later than 2050. There are multiple paths to reach these goals, and the U.S. federal, state, local, and tribal governments have many tools available to work with civil society and the private sector to mobilize investment to meet these goals while supporting a strong economy.
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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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