Love is an Organic Vaccine

Dear Friend,

Tomorrow we'll meet at Gavett Place to kick off our second Citywide Food Festival.

We'll feature local food trucks, great music and enjoy an all-around great time. I hope to see everyone patronizing our local restaurants, sampling our multi-ethnic cuisine, and showing love to our Plainfield businesses during the upcoming week.

Since gradually re-emerging from the COVID lockdown, we've had a series of events to bring the community together. After being isolated for so long, we knew that everyone needed to feel a sense of community and unity once more. That's why we had the "Friday on the Plaza" right in front of City Hall, where we enjoyed activities like Double Dutch, while we enjoyed light refreshments, music, and each other's company. That's why we went all out for National Night Out, which saw a record number of residents come out to join the festivities. From the car and bike show to hotdogs and face painting to the vocal stylings of Valerie Adams and the Dimension Band, Plainfield, you came out to have fun, and we did!

The following Saturday, we kicked off our Music in the Plaza series downtown at the corner of Front Street and Park Avenue with David Cedeno and his Orchestra. They played for you, our residents, for two full hours as you did your downtown shopping.

The following concerts in the plaza will be on August 21 and 28. I hope you'll take a break from your Saturday chores and stop by for a musical respite.

It doesn't stop there; on Thursday, August 19, we can enjoy Music in the Park at Milt Campbell Field and the House Music Festival at Cedarbrook Park on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

Plainfield, I believe that love can heal many wounds, and right now, as we recover from COVID, we need love and community more than ever. That's why you'll see the #LovePlainfield mantra on trash cans across town, on our flagpole banners, our T-shirts, and soon even on our DPW vehicles. Love is contagious, and as we continue to show love to each other, our businesses, and our city, it will spread and become a natural movement. Let's spread love as quickly as COVID spread through our city. Love is the organic vaccine for hate and discord.

Plainfield Pride and love must be more than just a hashtag; we must make it a verb, an action, a conscious, deliberate, thoughtful continuous way of life. Love starts at home, and it begins with you and me. Despite our challenges, we have a beautiful city here, and we are the best ambassadors. Share with your friends all the things you enjoy about Plainfield. Invite them to come over and join us during the Food Festival. Gather a large group of friends and try one or all our eateries. There is no better time than now as we support each other and move gradually back to normalcy. There is no better time to embrace your community and #LovePlainfield.

Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

Amor es una Vacuna Orgánica

Querido Friend,

Mañana nos reuniremos en Gavett Place para dar inicio a nuestro segundo Festival Gastronómico. Contaremos con camiones de comida locales, buena música y disfrutaremos de un gran momento. Espero ver a todos patrocinando a nuestros restaurantes locales, probando nuestra cocina multiétnica y mostrando amor a nuestros negocios de Plainfield durante la próxima semana.

Desde que gradualmente resurgiremos del confinamiento por COVID, hemos tenido una serie de eventos para unir a la comunidad. Después de estar aislados durante tanto tiempo, sabíamos que todos necesitaban sentir un sentido de comunidad y unidad una vez más. Es por eso que tuvimos el "Viernes en la Plaza" justo al frente de la municipalidad, donde disfrutamos de actividades como Double Dutch, mientras disfrutamos de refrigerios ligeros, música y la compañía de los demás. Es por eso que fuimos con todo en nuestra festividad del Día Nacional de Salida, que vio un número récord de residentes que salieron a unirse a las festividades. Desde el espectáculo de autos y bicicletas hasta los perritos calientes y la pintura facial hasta los estilos vocales de Valerie Adams y la Dimensión Band. Plainfield, ¡saliste a divertirte, y lo hicimos! El sábado siguiente, iniciamos nuestra serie de Música en la Plaza en el centro de la ciudad, en la esquina de Front Street y Park Avenue con David Cedeño y su orquestra. Ellos jugaron para usted, nuestros residentes, para dos horas completas mientras ustedes hacían sus compras.

Los siguientes conciertos en la plaza serán en el 21 y 28 de Agosto.

No se detiene ahí; el jueves 19 de agosto podremos disfrutar de nuestro evento Música en el Parqué en Milt Campbell Field y del Festival de Música de Casa en el Parqué de Cedarbrook el sábado 18 de septiembre del 2021.

Plainfield, creo que el amor puede sanar muchas heridas, y en este momento, a medida que nos recuperamos del COVID, necesitamos amor y comunidad más que nunca. Es por eso que veras el mantra #AmoPlainfield en los botes de basura en toda la ciudad, en nuestras pancartas, en nuestras camisetas y pronto incluso en nuestros vehículos de DPW. El amor es contagioso, y a medida que continuamos mostrándonos amor unos a otros, a nuestros negocios y a nuestra ciudad, se extenderá y se convertirá en un movimiento natural. Vamos a distribuir el amor tan rápido como el COVID se propague por nuestra ciudad. El amor es la vacuna orgánica para el odio y la discordia.

El orgullo y el amor de Plainfield deben ser algo más que un hashtag; debemos convertirlo en un verbo, una acción, una forma de vida continua consciente, deliberada y reflexiva. El amor comienza en casa, y comienza contigo y conmigo. A pesar de nuestros desafíos, tenemos una hermosa ciudad aquí, y somos los mejores embajadores. Comparte con tus amigos todas las cosas que disfrutas de Plainfield. Invítelos a venir y unirse a nosotros durante el Festival gastronómico. Reúna a un gran grupo de amigos y pruebe uno o todos nuestros restaurantes. No hay mejor momento que ahora, ya que nos apoyamos mutuamente y volvemos gradualmente a la normalidad. No hay mejor momento para abrazar a su comunidad y #AmoPlainfield.

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

CITY OF PLAINFIELD | VACCINE LOTTERY

FIRST DRAWING IS TOMORROW

The first vaccine lottery drawing will be held tomorrow, August 13, 2021 at the Neighborhood Health Center at 1:30pm.

If you were vaccinated in the month of July you can join us to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

The Vaccine Lottery was created to incentivize unvaccinated residents to do so. As we begin to get back to normal we are aware of the "delta variant" which is more transmissible and causes more severe symptoms than the original strain of COVID-19.

SOURCE

If you are not vaccinated it is easy to receive the vaccine and keep yourself and your family protected. Address any concerns with your health care provider.

You can be vaccinated through the City of Plainfield, Union County, or the Neighborhood Health Center with any approved vaccine and have a chance to win $5,000.

- Participants must be 18 years or older and proof of Plainfield residency is required.

- Entry tickets will be available at the vaccine location.

- Four (4) winners will be drawn monthly beginning in August.

- Mayor Adrian O. Mapp will select the lucky winners on the second Friday of each month.

- Please note - the lottery is for residents who have NOT yet been vaccinated.

Continue to stay safe.

Vacúnese a través de la Ciudad de Plainfield, el Condado de Union o el Centro de Salud del Vecindario con cualquier vacuna aprobada y tenga la oportunidad de ganar $5,000. Participantes deben tener 18 años o más y se requiere prueba de residencia en Plainfield.

CLICK HERE for more information

PLAINFIELD FOOD FESTIVAL | KICKS -OFF

TOMORROW AUGUST 13th

The City of Plainfield is pleased to announce its 2021 Food Festival from August 13-22. The kick-off event will feature food trucks, music and an evening of community. We invite you to join us and experience the Taste of Plainfield!

Please remember to use hashtags #DeliciousPlainfield and #PlainfieldFoodFest. Don't forget to include #LovePlainfieldNJ #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield.

Haga clic aquí para ver la versión en español

Participating Food Trucks

Available Pilot Grant Programs | Due Date

August 31, 2021

There are currently two (2) Grant Programs available through the City of Plainfield.

The City of Plainfield Social Services Offers A Grant Program for Non-Profit Organizations

The purpose of the City's nonprofit pilot grant program is to strengthen the City's coordination with nonprofit partners and to ensure opportunities for local funds be leveraged most effectively for services that assist vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and families in meeting critical needs for safety, health, security, and independence.

The City of Plainfield prioritizes investment in high-quality social services that provide documented and positive outcomes for City residents. Areas of Need Organizations interested in applying to receive funds from the City of Plainfield must provide a program or service impacting one or more of the Areas of Need established by Mayor Adrian O. Mapp in consultation with the Department of Health & Social Services.

The Four Areas of Need are:

 Prevention and Self-Sufficiency: Services focused on assisting individuals and families in becoming and/or remaining independent and stable and providing tools, skills, strategies, and resources to individuals and families.

 Crisis Intervention and Diversion: Services provided to individuals and families in crisis help overcome immediate problems and reduce or prevent the need for more restrictive and expensive higher-level services.

 Long-term Support: Services that focus on assisting individuals with continued long-term support needed to remain healthy, safe, and independent in the community.

 Improved Quality of Social Services: Services and opportunities provided to individuals, organizations, and communities that enhance the quality, accessibility, accountability, and coordination of services offered by community organizations.

CLICK HERE for application and additional information

The City of Plainfield Offers A Rental

Assistance Grant Program

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) program provides emergency rental assistance grants to income-eligible households economically impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic through job loss, furlough, or reduction in hours or pay, residing in eligible areas of Plainfield, New Jersey.

Emergency Assistance grant is a rental and/or utility payment made on behalf of an income-eligible household for a maximum of 4 months to maintain utility service and reduce rental payment delinquency in arrears due to the economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) ELIGIBILITY for Housing Assistance Eligible Households must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Renters are residing in single-family or multi-unit located in the eligible area of Plainfield, NJ.

2. Annual household income does not exceed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established "Moderate-Income" limits. Household income eligibility is based on the following two (2) factors:

a. The total number of persons residing in the household; and

b. The total amount of the annual household income.

3. They are economically impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic period beginning March 27, 2020, to the present.

4. Current residential lease agreement. If this is not available, the landlord's general ledger identifying tenant transactions may be considered to verify tenancy.

5. The household does not receive any other forms of rental subsidies.

6. Completed W-9 form and an N.J. Business Registration Certificate (if applicable) from bona fide landlord/property management agent or company.

7. A signed Program Participation-Payment Acceptance form from a bona fide landlord/property management agent or company.

8. Confirmed current rental balance.

CLICK HERE for application and additional information

The deadline to return both applications is Tuesday, August 31 at 4:00 pm.

Two New Energy Efficiency Programs Available to PSEG Customers as

of July 1, 2021

On July 1, 2021, PSEG two new energy efficiency programs became available to customers:

· The Appliance and Lighting Discount Program

· The Residential Heating and Cooling Midstream Rebate Program

Each program is designed to encourage customers to purchase energy-efficient products/equipment to help them save energy and money.

Customers can find more information at https://homeenergy.pseg.com, or may contact the third party customer service number at 1-855-846-2895.

REMINDER: Grace Period for Third Quarter Tax Bills Extended to August 31st

Attention Property Owners:

Please be advised that the tax bills are in the mail.

This bill is the final bill for 2021 3^rd and 4^thquarters and an estimate for the 2022 1^st and 2^nd quarters.
Due to the late release of the bills the 3^rd quarter grace period has been extended to August 31, 2021.
If it is paid after August 31 interest will accrue from August 1^st in accordance with State Statute.

The other due dates are as follows:

4^th Quarter due November 1^st and you have until November 10^th to pay without interest.
1^st Quarter due February 1^st and you have until February 10^th to pay without interest.
2^nd Quarter due May 1^st and you have until May 10^th to pay without interest.
If the 10^th falls on a weekend or holiday the due date will be the next business day.
You can now print a Tax Bill from the City web site Plainfieldnj.gov
You can also pay with a credit card on the website. There is a 2% convenience fee for this service.
You can also pay with an ACH transfer from your checking account to the City's account on our website and that remains a free service.

CLICK HERE for online payments.

#LOVEPLAINFIELD | #AMOPLAINFIELD

SPOTLIGHT

Look What's New!!!! Love Plainfield Street Pole Banners will be installed throughout the City. A reminder of the Love Shared here in the Queen City.

#LovePlainfieldNJ #LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

UNION COUNTY REMINDER: Union County Rental Assistance Portal for Tenants in Union County Impacted by COVID-19

Pandemic is Now Open

Tenants can apply for assistance starting Aug 2; landlords must also register

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners informs residents that the Tenant Portal for the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) opened for registration today, August 2. The ERAP will provide financial relief for Union County residents unable to meet their rental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the new Emergency Rental Assistance Program, eligible tenants can receive up to 12 months of assistance for unpaid back rent and utility bills.

Both landlords and tenants are required to register for this program in order to expedite the grant process. The application portal for tenants opened today, and tenants can register at ucnj.org/rental-assistance. The registration portal for landlords opened on Monday, July 26, and can be accessed by visiting: ucnj.org/rental-assistance.

The funds will be awarded to landlords and utility providers on behalf of tenants who are eligible for the grant.

“With the Tenant Portal opening today, we encourage renters within Union County experiencing difficulty paying their rent and utilities to register for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program as soon as possible” said Commissioner Board Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “Communication between landlords and tenants regarding ERAP relief is key to ensuring applications can be reviewed without delay.”

The landlord and the tenant portals will both remain open throughout the application phase of the program. The portals include guidance on assembling the information and documents necessary to apply for funding.

To qualify for Union County Emergency Rental Assistance funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Union County resident primarily responsible for paying rent;
Make less than 80% of the average median income of Union County (e.g., less than $78,500 for a family of four);
Experienced a loss of income since March 13, 2020 related to the Covid-19 pandemic;
Provide required supporting documentation (copies of identification, tax returns, lease or other proof of income/residence may be acceptable, etc.).

Once the application is submitted, applicants will be notified of the funding decision. If approved, the funds will be provided to the landlord or utility provider on their behalf.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program is funded through the Federal CARES Act for COVID-19 emergency relief. Additional CARES Act programs created by the Commissioner Board include child care assistance for low-income families and respite assistance for those caring for children with special needs and disabilities, and as well as grants for libraries, schools, restaurants and other small businesses, and non-profit organizations.

SOURCE

FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:

Governor Murphy Announces Indoor Masks Requirement for Beginning of 2021-2022 School Year

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – Joined by educators, medical professionals, parents, and school administrators, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that all students, educators, staff, and visitors will be required to wear face masks indoors for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. The Governor signed Executive Order (EO) 251, which will mandate masking in the indoor premises of all public, private, and parochial preschool, elementary, and secondary school buildings, with limited exceptions. The EO is effective on Monday, August 9, 2021.

In recent weeks, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American Academy of Pediatrics have called for students to wear masks due to the increasing prevalence of the Delta COVID-19 variant, the ineligibility of those under 12 for vaccination, and a rise in pediatric COVID-19 cases.

“We understand that students learn best in a classroom setting and remain committed to having our schools open for full-time, in-person instruction this fall,” said Governor Murphy. “While this announcement gives us no pleasure, I know that by taking this precaution we can keep our schools open while also keeping our children safe. We will continue to closely monitor the science and data and will lift this mandate when we can do so safely. I urge those who are eligible for vaccination but have yet to be vaccinated to act and help move our state in the right direction.”

While masks will be broadly required in school buildings for the coming school year, exceptions will remain unchanged from the 2020-2021 school year, and include:

When doing so would inhibit the individual’s health, such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors;
When the individual has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance;
When a student’s documented medical condition or disability, as reflected in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, precludes use of a face covering;
When the individual is under two (2) years of age;
When an individual is engaged in an activity that cannot be performed while wearing a mask, such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument that would be obstructed by the face covering;
When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anerobic activity;
When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals; or
When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task.

“Given the Delta variant’s high transmissibility and the fact that the COIVD-19 vaccine is not yet available for children under 12, we must use all the prevention strategies we have to protect children in classrooms this fall,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Children should wear masks, physically distance, wash their hands frequently, stay home when they’re sick, get tested when they have symptoms and get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.”

“Throughout the pandemic, our goal has always been the safe return to in-person learning, where children thrive academically and socially,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “Today’s announcement achieves that goal – while also following the direction from our state’s and nation’s health specialists to ensure the safety of educators and students along with their families.”

“Here in New Jersey we have seen a concerning rise in viral spread,” said Dr. Jeanne Craft, President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “A hopeful spring has become a worrisome summer. The conditions have changed, the risk is higher, especially for children. We need to move forward with an abundance of caution. We have come so far, but we need to continue to rely on scientific evidence and expert advice to keep children, teachers, school staff and communities as safe as possible.”

“Today, as school leaders, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief as school districts can now put the increasingly divisive debate about masking in schools in the rearview mirror,” said Dr. Janet Fike, Superintendent of Schools at the Morris-Union Jointure Commission and President of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. “Thank you, Governor Murphy and countless medical and health professionals, for recognizing that medical science must govern the masking debate.”

"The New Jersey State School Nurses Association (NJSSNA) supports universal masking in schools,” said Donna Pleus, President of the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. “We must implement the safest public health mitigation strategies that have proven protective for our New Jersey school children and staff."

“We cannot waver in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of students and staff as the pandemic is surging,” said Marie Blistan, President of the New Jersey Education Association. “Above all, we remain committed to providing our students with the best possible educational experience this year. They deserve it and we are determined to make sure they have it.”

“This guidance is in line with the recommendations of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, Executive Director of the New Jersey Schools Boards Association. “Against the backdrop of the rapid spread of the Delta variant, masks will play an important role in making possible what should be our top priority: safely returning children and staff to the classroom.”

"New Jersey PTA supports following the latest and most up to date guidance from the CDC and acknowledges Governor Murphy’s difficult decision," said Candy Fredericks, President of the New Jersey Parent Teacher Association (PTA). It is the goal of New Jersey PTA to ensure that each and every student in New Jersey is able to have a safe, happy, and equitable learning environment as we begin school in September and way past the pandemic."

“This necessary, incremental step, aligned with guidance already provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the American Academy of Pediatrics will help ensure our East Brunswick School community’s safety during periods of spiked variant transmissibility and until vaccinations are available to all our students,” said Dr. Victor Valeski, Superintendent of East Brunswick Public Schools.

Copy of Executive Order #251

SOURCE

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:

Remarks by President Biden on the Build

Back Better Agenda

Last week, we had good news on job growth: 943,000 jobs created in July — the seventh-largest month of job creation in U.S. history — making the administration the first ever to add 4 million jobs in the first six months in office.

And then, in the past 24 hours, we’ve seen the Senate advance two key pieces of my economic agenda: the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the budget resolution that is the framework for my Build Back Better plan.

Today, I’m pleased to share more good news with the American people: The latest report on consumer prices show that the expected easing we thought was going to come has increased that we’ve seen a good monthly report.

The monthly core consumer price index is down by nearly two thirds from its pace over the past three months.

And when you take out the goods directly impacted by the pandemic, like cars and airplane tickets and the monthly core consumer price index is less than two tenths of 1 percent.

So, here’s where we stand: Jobs are up, and monthly price increases have come down. Economic growth is up to the fastest in 40 years, and unemployment is coming down.

So, I argued the Biden economic plan is working. And historic investments are on the way as well.

This isn’t accidental. It is the result of our strategy to get shots in arms, grow the economy from the bottom up and the middle out. And it’s the result of the American Rescue Plan and everything else that we’ve done. And it’s a result of the grit and determination and really hard work of the American people.

But even with all this progress, a lot of families are still feeling the pinch. Family budgets remain tight, and paychecks don’t go as far as they need to. That has been a reality in the millions of households all across America for too long.

That’s why I want to talk today about what we’re going to do to try to ease the burden on families right now and what we need to do to help them succeed over the longer term.

First, for millions of families, help is on the way right now, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. On Friday, about 40 million families will receive their second monthly payment

as part of our tax cut for families with children: $300 for each child under the age of 6, and $250 for every child 6 through the age of 17. That’s money for diapers, food, rent, school supplies, fees and equipment for a child to join sports teams and dance class. Most of all, as my dad used to say, it just gives a parent a little bit of breathing room.

The money is a game changer. And so, I would argue, for some, it’s literally a lifesaver.

Economists also tell us that those kinds of tax cuts boost test scores, college attendance, and lifetime earnings for children — a win-win.

And that’s why I’m glad that, early this morning, Congress took an important step to make sure that this tax cut for families with children does not expire next year.

So let’s keep this tax cut going and not raise taxes on middle-class families.

The second point I’d like to make is: We’re talking about taking action that alleviates global supply chain challenges that keep prices higher than they should be.

For example, we’re tracking congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — the largest ports in United States — where increased shipping traffic, and the challenges of operating safely in a pandemic are creating disruptions. Those disruptions impact everything from how much our food costs to when deliveries arrive.

So, my administration is bringing together the port operators, shipping lines, the labor unions, trucking companies, railroads, and others to speed up the port’s operations.

Right now, the major independent forecasters agree as well — that these bottlenecks and price spikes will reduce as our economy continues to heal.

CLICK HERE to read full details

Issue or Concern ? Report it

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.

Click here for information to download the app.

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

Help us Spread the Word

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

One Plainfield. One Future

Volume 8 - Issue 32

‌