Dear Friend,
Happy Indigenous People's Day!
¡Feliz Dia de la Raza!
On Monday, October 11, 2021, much of the nation will take a holiday to commemorate what is known as Columbus Day. Most of us now have a better understanding of the factual history and Columbus' legacy of violence, oppression, and genocide.
The fact that Columbus Day is still a national holiday is an indication that there is still much work to be done to repair the wrong meted upon indigenous people of this land.
We have come a long way. Instead of celebrating the bloody legacy of Columbus, who never actually set foot in North America, let's unite in solidarity to celebrate the fantastic multicultural community that is Plainfield. Let's acknowledge the great strides we have made and will continue to make as a unified Nation.
By all measuring standards, I cannot move forward without celebrating indigenous people, African descents, Caribbean descents, West Indian descents, and other Brown peoples who have shown true resilience and persevered against all odds. Let us acknowledge our ancestors' relentless fight for human rights, socio-economic independence, and equity while preserving cultural native beliefs and preserving the arts and culture, which we enjoy today.
October 12, 1492, marked a defining moment in our world history; Columbus's discovery of the "Americas" led to the captivity, sale, and enslavement of Native Indians, followed by the enslavement of Africans. Although slavery has ended, we still wrestle against racial discrimination, social inequalities, and oppressive policies created to disfavor minorities.
2020 served as a pivotal moment in our history. All over the United States, Black Lives Matter activists and allies stood together to bring social and political justice to George Floyd and others impacted by police brutality. Part of this movement's purpose is to shake politicians, lobbyists, and other law-making members into an awareness of this chronic inequity and take measures to increase transparency in law enforcement and incise racist practices such as profiling. Those who continuously exploit their power and use force and brutality to intimidate Black and brown people deserve to pay for their crimes.
In other instances, women, children, and men walk hundreds of thousands of miles from Central to Northern America, searching for asylum. However, many of these families are often separated from each other and held in concentration camps. Today, at least eleven (11) states have prohibited women from having reproductive power over their bodies, the latest being Texas. We must not remain quiet during times of crisis and injustice. Let us vow to never surrender to these unfair treatments and human rights abuses that take away from our natural human freedom.
As a Black man, I cannot end without sharing my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for our community. Because of you, my parents, my family, and the continued efforts of social activists, I can serve as your Mayor today. The remarkable journey for equal justice has led to the presidential election of Barack Obama, the first African American person to serve as President, and elected Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female Vice president of Native Indian and Caribbean descent.
Acts of barbarism shouldn’t be revered they should be reviled. It’s time to end the celebration of Columbus Day as a national holiday. Today, I pledge to honor and promote the importance of celebrating Native Indian, Black, and Brown history. Let us celebrate our ancestors' incredible resilience, their unbelievable ability to survive, and breakthrough mental and physical chains. They found the courage and motivation to break free although confronted with the hardships and suffering of living while chained. When faced with adversity, people of color have stood against injustice, and through continuous action, we have progressed into this moment in time. We must continue to pass the torch that lights the path and redouble our efforts to live equal. Fight for human rights and protect and serve all peoples regardless of their race, cultural, and religious beliefs.
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main" - John Donne
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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el Día de Cristóbal Colón? |
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Querido Friend,
Happy Indigenous People's Day!
¡Feliz Dia de la Raza!
El lunes, 11 de octubre de 2021, gran parte de la nación se tomará un feriado para conmemorar lo que se conoce como el Día de Cristóbal Colón. La mayoría de nosotros ahora tenemos una mejor comprensión de la historia fáctica y el legado de violencia, opresión y genocidio de Colón. El hecho de que el Día de Cristóbal Colón siga siendo un día festivo nacional es una indicación de que todavía hay mucho trabajo por hacer para reparar el mal que se encuentra en los pueblos indígenas de esta tierra.
Hemos recorrido un largo camino. En lugar de celebrar el sangriento legado de Colón, que en realidad nunca puso un pie en América del Norte, unámonos en solidaridad para celebrar la fantástica comunidad multicultural que es Plainfield. Reconozcamos los grandes avances que hemos hecho y seguiremos haciendo como una Nación unificada.
Según todos los estándares de medición, no puedo avanzar sin celebrar a los pueblos indígenas, los afrodescendientes, los descendientes caribeños, los descendientes de las Indias Occidentales y otros pueblos marrones que han demostrado una verdadera resiliencia y han perseverado contra viento y marea. Reconozcamos la lucha implacable de nuestros antepasados por los derechos humanos, la independencia socioeconómica y la equidad, preservando al mismo tiempo las creencias culturales nativas y preservando las artes y la cultura, que disfrutamos hoy.
El 12 de octubre de 1492 marcó un momento decisivo en nuestra historia mundial; El descubrimiento de Colón de las "Américas" llevó al cautiverio, la venta y la esclavitud de los indios nativos, seguido de la esclavitud de los africanos. Aunque la esclavitud ha terminado, todavía luchamos contra la discriminación racial, las desigualdades sociales y las políticas opresivas creadas para el desfavorecimiento de las minorías.
2020 sirvió como un momento crucial en nuestra historia. En todo Los Estados Unidos, activistas y aliados de Vidas Negras Importan se unieron para llevar justicia social y política a George Floyd y a otras personas afectadas por la brutalidad policial. Parte del propósito de este movimiento es sacudir a los políticos, cabilderos y otros miembros de la legislación para que tomen conciencia de esta inequidad crónica y tomar medidas para aumentar la transparencia en la aplicación de la ley y parar prácticas racistas como la perfilada de perfiles. Aquellos que explotan continuamente su poder y usan la fuerza y la brutalidad para intimidar a las personas negras y morenas merecen pagar por sus crímenes.
En otros casos, mujeres, niños y hombres caminan cientos de miles de millas desde América Central hasta América del Norte, en busca de asilo. Sin embargo, muchas de estas familias a menudo son separadas entre sí y retenidas en campos de concentración. Hoy en día, al menos once (11) estados han prohibido a las mujeres tener poder reproductivo sobre sus cuerpos, el más reciente siendo Texas. No debemos quedarnos callados en tiempos de crisis y injusticia. Prometámonos a nunca rendirnos a estos tratos injustos y abusos de los derechos humanos que nos quitan nuestra libertad humana natural.
Como hombre negro, no puedo terminar sin compartir mi profundo sentido de gratitud y aprecio por nuestra comunidad. Gracias a ustedes, mis padres, mi familia y los continuos esfuerzos de los activistas sociales, puedo servir como su Alcalde hoy. El notable viaje por la justicia igualitaria ha llevado a la elección presidencial de Barack Obama, la primera persona afroamericana en servir como Presidente, y a la vicepresidenta electa Kamala Harris, la primera vicepresidenta de ascendencia indígena nativa y caribeña.
Los actos de barbarismo no deben ser venerados, deben ser vilipendiados. Es hora de poner fin a la celebración del Día de Colón como fiesta nacional. Hoy, me comprometo a honrar y promover la importancia de celebrar la historia de los indios nativos, negros y marrones. Celebremos la increíble resiliencia de nuestros antepasados, su increíble capacidad para sobrevivir y las cadenas mentales y físicas innovadoras. Encontraron el coraje y la motivación para liberarse aunque se enfrentaron a las dificultades y el sufrimiento de vivir encadenados. Cuando nos enfrentamos a la adversidad, las personas de color se han enfrentado a la injusticia, y a través de la acción continua, hemos progresado en este momento en el tiempo. Debemos seguir pasando la antorcha que ilumina el camino y redoblar nuestros esfuerzos para vivir iguales. Luchar por los derechos humanos y proteger y servir a todos los pueblos, independientemente de su raza, creencias culturales y religiosas.
"Ningún hombre es una isla, entera de sí misma; cada hombre es un pedazo del continente, una parte del principal" - John Donne
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.
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Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day |
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Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October, and is an official city and state holiday in various localities.
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Indigenous In Plain Sight |
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Indigenous In Plain Sight | Gregg Deal | TEDxBoulder |
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RECAP | Fire Prevention Fair 2021 |
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On Saturday Oct 2 The Plainfield Fire Department held their Annual Fire Prevention Fair at Library Park.
Many families from our City and surrounding neighborhoods came to enjoy a day filled with laughter, food and snacks , #LovePlainfield giveaways, pumpkin picking, and many more attractions.
The event’s purpose is to educate and inform residents of the importance of taking proactive fire prevention measures.
Fire Prevention Quick Facts:
* During winter, heating equipment remains the leading cause of fires nation wide
* Year to date, Plainfield’s fire department has put out 167 fires
* Check fire alarms on a monthly basis, change battery as needed per detector
* Every room in your home should include a fire/smoke detector (living room, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, garage, etc..)
* It’s important to have a plan in case a fire does occur.
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HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS |
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SAVE THE DATE | UPCOMING EVENTS
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UPDATE | Utilities Resources
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For more information on qualifying equipment, eligibility and how to apply, please visit one of the websites below:
PSE&G Residential Electric and Gas Customers Click Here
PSE&G Commercial & Industrial Customers Click Here
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The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities ("NJBPU" or “Board”) is the state agency with authority to oversee the regulated utilities, which provide critical services such as natural gas, electricity, water, telecommunications, and cable television. The law requires the Board to ensure safe, adequate, and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey.
The below links provide assistance for utilities.
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CITY OF PLAINFIELD | Vaccine Lottery
Drawing Reminder and Vaccine Clinic Locations
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The next lottery drawing will be held tomorrow October 8th at the Hispanic Heritage Celebration at City Hall beginning at 5:00pm for those residents vaccinated in September. You could be a winner!
Congratulations to our previous winners for July: Jorge China, Guadalupe Aguilar, Melina Coleman, Katherine Costro
August Winners: Celestino Garcia, Ventura Perez Hernandez, Sergio Monvou, and Mari Livia Finzo.
We are urging residents to get vaccinated as we work together to fight the effects of the Delta Variant. There is so much misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine and its side effects and efficacy. Speak with your health care provider to address any concerns.
Get vaccinated through the City of Plainfield, Union County, the Neighborhood Health Center, or any other approved Plainfield location for your chance to win $5,000. Plainfield residents must be 18 years or older to qualify, and proof of residency must be shown at the time of vaccination. Four winners, two who received their first dose and two who obtained their second dose, will be chosen each month.
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We are committed to keeping our residents and community safe. Please be aware that
there is a vaccine clinic every Wednesday through October 27th conveniently located in front of City Hall - 515 Watchung Avenue. There are also additional locations throughout the City.
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Construction Jobs Partnership Program & Other Employment Opportunities |
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The City of Plainfield is proud to announce its Construction Jobs Partnership Program. As more development projects launch we want to ensure that residents take advantage of the opportunities they create.
The Queen City is on the move. If you are a resident interested in working on a construction site, please fill out the Information Form Below and submit it to Plainfieldjobs@plainfieldnj.gov .
Click the below image for application.
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CLICK HERE for Employment Opportunities with the City of Plainfield. |
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#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD
SPOTLIGHT
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Welcome to the City of Plainfield!
#LovePlainfieldNJ #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
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UNION COUNTY: Vote-By-Mail Ballots Now Available at the Union County Clerk's Offices in Elizabeth and Westfield |
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Union County, NJ – Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi reminds voters who wish to use a Vote-by-Mail ballot that they can apply for one in person at the County Clerk’s offices in Westfield and Elizabeth. They can also fill out their ballot during the same visit and cast it in a secure drop-off box at the office, or take it with them to fill out later.
“We encourage voters to come to our offices and use our convenient ‘one-stop’ service, which enables voters to go through all the Vote-by-Mail steps in one visit,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “As a reminder, Vote-by-Mail ballots can also be returned by mail or deposited in any of the official, secure drop boxes in Union County, including one located at the entrance of our Westfield office.”
The County Clerk’s office in Westfield is located at the Colleen Frasier Building in the Union County Complex, at 300 North Avenue East. Regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The County Clerk’s office in Elizabeth is located in the Union County Courthouse, at 2 Broad Street. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
$10.2 Million in CARES Act Funding to be Allocated to NJRA Small Business Lease - Emergency Assistance Grant Program
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TRENTON, NJ – Governor Phil Murphy announced that an additional $10.2 million in support has been allocated to the Small Business Lease Emergency Assistance Grant Program (SBL-EAGP).
The additional funding will be used to provide grants up to $10,000 to businesses currently in the pipeline for the program. The program will continue to assist small business owners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which also assists landlords, many of whom are also small businesses.
“Small businesses have always been the backbone of New Jersey’s economy, and they were also the hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Governor Murphy. “Keeping those businesses afloat amid the turmoil of COVID-19 continues to be a focus of my administration and this money, along with hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to other programs, will go a long way toward helping them keep their doors open.”
“As Chair of the NJRA, I am pleased that the Authority can continue their efforts in support of helping small business recover from the negative effects of the COVID 19 pandemic,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver.
The SBL-EAGP, managed by the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA) and paid for with federal CARES Act funding, supports small businesses located in the NJRA’s 68 eligible municipalities that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. This new allocation of funding will support those businesses that did not receive funding in Round 2 of this initiative. The program will be targeted to businesses with 5,000 square feet of leased space or less, and is requiring standard debarment and legal qualifications from applying businesses.
“This funding will allow the NJRA to work through our existing pipeline of existing applicants to provide grant funding to small businesses located in our eligible communities, who continue to feel the effects of the COVID 10 pandemic,” said Leslie A. Anderson, President and CEO of the NJRA.
To date, the administration has allocated nearly $700 million for COVID-19 relief programs, in the process helping tens of thousands of businesses remain open.
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FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
WHITE HOUSE REPORT | Vaccination Requirements Are Helping Vaccinate More People, Protect Americans from COVID-19 and Strengthen the Economy
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President Biden has been clear that vaccinations are the best tool in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Since January, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken aggressive actions to make vaccinations free and convenient, executed a robust campaign to educate Americans about the importance of getting vaccinated, and deployed hundreds of millions of dollars in resources for states, localities, Tribes, and community organizations to encourage vaccinations.
These efforts have led to tremendous success. At the start of the year, only 34% of adult Americans were eager to get vaccinated. Today, 78% of adults have at least their first shot. Overall, more than 185 million Americans are fully vaccinated—up from just 2 million when the President took office. The unprecedented pace of the President’s vaccination campaign saved over 100,000 lives and prevented 450,000 hospitalizations.
This is significant progress, but after months of education and incentives, additional actions needed to be taken in order to reach the tens of millions of people who remained unvaccinated. The strain on our hospital systems, our economy, and the risk to our children was too great not to use every tool available. To that end, last month, the President laid out a six-part plan to accelerate our path out of the pandemic. Central to that plan is getting remaining Americans vaccinated, and to do so, the President announced vaccination requirements that in total will cover approximately 100 million people.
As this report demonstrates, it is clear that vaccination requirements result in millions more people getting vaccinated. Without vaccination requirements, we face endless months of chaos in our hospitals, further detrimental impacts on our economy, and anxiety in our schools. With them, we will accelerate our path out of the pandemic.
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Issue or Concern ? Report it |
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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, 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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As we navigate these uncertain times please know that everyone at City Hall is working to ensure that you are safe, secure and healthy. If you need anything addition please contact us at 908.753.3000
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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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