Late Post

I do sincerely apologize. In the midst of JG and Bo slangin' mudd, I felt the need (who am I kidding, the WANT) to throw a little myself.

I mean.. Bo is such an easy target... Bon apetite!

I was reading Jerry’s blog today, and for Bo to even comment on the votes he received in the 22nd district is one of the biggest jokes in NJ!

I happened to get a copy of the vote turnout from Plainfield, and for you number’s folks, take a look at the outputs, JG versus Bo Vastine:

Ward 1: JG 1277, Bo 168
Ward 2: JG 1577, Bo 841
Ward 3: JG 1648, Bo 419
Ward 4: JG 993, Bo 113

Total: JG: 5494 Bo: 1541

So basically, JG came out Plainfield alone on top of Bo with almost 4000 more votes (3953 to be exact). So why is he wasting his time in Plainfield? If I got my tail whipped like Bo did by JG in Plainfield, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself either I guess!

Unbelievable!

It’s OBVIOUS (JG terminology) Bo hasn’t done the math… Or maybe he has, and Bo is just a product of one of those one-room, back-wood schools from Texas. Or maybe he’s just in denial because he can’t take a real BEATING from a politician…

There are two words Bo has certainly learned within his Texas vernacular: taxes and corruption.

PS

He talked about his dad’s career, but what about his? It was my understanding that Bo was running for the Assembly and not his dad. I guess again, Bo got his relationship mixed up with the Bush’s father/son relationship.

Potpourri (Thanks Doc!)

Congratulations Dan Damon

How much more does the City have to be put through to see that we have a Board of Education that is CLUELESS. ‘Word on the street’, thanks Dan, is that the Board is being investigated and some of the members that JG supported are no longer being supported BY him.

Take that coupled with Damon's comments of late and what do you have... You have an equation that BOTH Dan and JG agree on...!! Can you say WOW!!!! This is the F-I-R-S-T time since I’ve been reading the blog that I have seen Dan and JG on the same page.

Anytime JG and Dan are on the same page, the topic at hand must be a problem! I guess neither one of them want to be blamed for this mess (and yes, it is indeed a mess!)

The City of Plainfield is paying $200,000 /yr to a superintendent who is making a total mess out of the Plainfield BOE. And two of Gallon’s buddies are being paid over $200,000/yr, and no one is ACTIVELY complaining…

Everyday someone new is nagging and offering up complaints… Stories get changed around… Fabrications…

Plainfield, you got your popcorn and soda ready?

Is Plainfield BOE going to be Chris Christie’s first stop when he starts to clean up the mess in NJ??

Jerry, all the signs are there

JG, have you not figured out your opponents Bo Vastine and Marty Marks?
I’ve been reading the blogs lately and as a man who’s from the straight community I can honestly say that neither Bo nor Marty have any respect for women. Many of the people I have encountered consider them imposters. When Mr. Goldstein stood up for the gay community they tried to embarrass him by making it seem as if all gays are sick. I believe that this behave is due to these two gentlemen being a part of the “men on the down low” group. It is a shame that neither one of them are man enough to come out of the closet. With that said JG, you are clearly dealing with a very dangerous group. Moreover, you may want to be careful of how you speak about Bo and Marty as there are probably a few down low members in the community.

Bo It's Time To Come Out of The Closet: Who Are You Really & What Do You Stand For??

Bo and Marty have become a big joke. Their whole campaign is Bush-style politics, lie, lie, lie, and the more they lie the dumber they sound. First of all JG has brought thousands and thousands of dollars in grant money in order to make sure that the Plainfield Public Library is given the same support in NJ as other libraries. But Bo and Marty have not done anything at all to help the library other than show up for a photo opp. Bo, Chris, and Marty have shown their true colors in the last month by having their own set of rules that allow them to say anything to anyone, but you can’t say anything back to them.

We’ve been waiting the whole campaign Bo, what have you done to help the 22nd District except go around and make stupid mistakes like this week when an individual made a misquote at a council meeting in regards to a statement JG made. Bo, tried to make a mockery of the Central American Festival by making it sound like the Assemblyman was lying about his involvement with the festival. Well your efforts failed.

As far as the race card is concerned and the gay community:

(1) It was not JG but Marty Marks who did not hire the Mayor from Clark, who is a very qualified Republican, because he was Italian. Now that is racism at its best, but you don’t hear them talk about that. If I’m lying then have the Mayor from Clark send a letter stating that it’s not true. He totally disrespected the man.

(2) My understanding is that when the issue of the gay community getting their rights came up, JG voted and spoke up on their behalf. But Bo’s Republican colleagues in the Assembly voted the same way Bo and Marty would have voted, not to give them their rights.

Therefore, when people in NJ are not given an opportunity to get a good education, when the gay community in NJ is not given an opportunity to have their rights, then it’s clear that you feel the same way as all of the other Republicans in NJ. Out of the 80 seats up for the Assembly this year, the Republican Party cannot find one black Republican in NJ to support as a member of the NJ State Assembly. Hello Bo, are you saying that this is not racism? You want the black community in the 22nd District to support you, but you don't support them. This sounds like a page from Bush’s book.


Ps
I am proud of the gay community when they stand up for their rights and they are not ashamed of who they are. However, when I read Bo and Marty’s literature and saw that they were ashamed to mention their affiliation with the Republican Party, it showed me that they are ashamed of whom they are. If we are going to send someone to Trenton we should want someone who can stand up for what he/she believes in. It’s clear that these two individuals have not yet figured that out.

Anonymous Has A Voice

I have been sent an email from a resident here in Plainfield that asked if I would post his/her comment as a blog entry, as he/she has left this comment on many other bloggers' pages, and has yet to see it posted. So anonymous, here you go...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What a difference a WEEK makes. Not too long ago, at this time, Assemblyman Jerry Green had just left the podium at Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott Hotel after sitting with Governor Corzine and Senators Lautenberg and Menendez. Mr. Green addressed the 300 attendees at NJ Minority Business Networking Conference about improved and enhanced opportunities for minority firms on state and federal contracts. The messagewas well received by the gathering and reinforced as it has been during the Assemblyman’s tenure in office. He has made it happen.

Say what you may about style, Jerry Green has taken calls late at night on and off weekends to help Plainfield and NJ minority business persons. He will be on the platform next week as the Governor signs the Executive Order highlighting minority business interests. He and Senator Ronald Rice are a formidable team as they make our smallvoices heard throughout the legislative chambers on business and community matters.

As for those discerning cries about the Tunnel Project, there is no greater advocate for minority workers and businesses than Assemblyman Green. His reputation as a strong advocate for increased goals for minority business participation is well documented and his calls to the highest levels of NJDOT and NJT are documented. The facts are not indispute about his impact on the largest mega project in the country. Do your homework.

As we said earlier, what a difference a WEEK makes.


Anonymous

Christie's Oversight

I wonder if this is why Dan Damon is sick today (see article below)

August 20, 2009


And Christie too? The sad reality of N.J. politics


Chris Christie came across many a wrongdoer in his years as New Jersey's U.S. attorney, including a fair number of tax cheats. In fact, he once boasted in a 2005 press release that his office had prosecuted "every variation of tax fraud and method of evasion." And we'd bet Christie heard — and scoffed at — more than a few claims of innocence and ignorance through all those years, criminals insisting that it was all a big mistake.

Now Christie is the one accused of some questionable tax affairs — failing to report on federal tax returns and financial disclosure forms a $46,000 loan he gave to a subordinate. His excuse? It was an oversight. And as for why he's different from all of those tax cheaters he caught, Christie said that in his case it really was unintentional.

Isn't that what they all say?

This is, at best, an egregious blunder on Christie's part. It would be bad enough for any citizen or candidate, but Christie's a former U.S. attorney who should certainly know better. His gubernatorial candidacy has been built primarily on his reputation as a political corruption-buster. He is being presented to the voters as the pristine candidate, the one untainted by political machinations and poised to clean up New Jersey government.

And now this?

Gov. Jon S. Corzine's campaign will have some fun with the news, and some of their criticisms are certainly justified. But they'd best be careful, because there would be an unmistakable hypocrisy to any hint of moralizing.

Christie may have chosen poorly in giving the loan to Michele Brown, an assistant prosecutor who is also a friend and neighbor of Christie's. But remember that Corzine himself faced plenty of campaign questions during his first gubernatorial run regarding a loan that he gave — and failed to properly disclose — to ex-girlfriend and former union head Carla Katz. And that relationship presented a far more troubling conflict, considering Katz represented a Communications Workers of America union local that is the largest of the state workers' unions. Corzine and Katz even exchanged e-mails during contract talks between the state and the union, a clear ethical breach that may have compromised the discussions. Corzine, however, waged a lengthy, and ultimately successful battle to keep the e-mails secret, under the dubious claim of executive privilege. If he wants to blast Christie, he might consider releasing those e-mails first.

Still, there's no way for Christie to spin this other than to concede a spectacular lapse in judgment that puts a major dent in that corruption-busting armor. And that's the best-case scenario for him, since his mistake could also have legal implications.

On the bright side for Christie, however, Corzine has more than a few ethical lapses on his resume already. And Corzine has also done a miserable job running the state the last 3 1/2 years.

But for those who believed that Christie might be genuinely different from our typical New Jersey politicians, the bloom has now fallen off that particular rose.

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http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009908200313

Should Christie Be Indicted?

It’s very odd the last two days that the blogging community has not reported on Chris Christie in terms of owning up to the fact that he made a mistake by not reporting information, the last week or so Chris Christie and his campaign are showing the public that they have not been totally honest so far in their campaign. And if any other elected official would’ve made the same mistake, they would be in front of a federal judge in handcuffs. Today in the Courier News Chris Christie admits to making a mistake on the loan but nobody in the Plainfield area mentioned this on their blog, they spent the last two days trying to embarrass Mr. Green to take away from the Christie story. For example, Bernice Paglia, who everyday not only embarrasses the city but is beginning to embarrass other people. When I say other people it was Eric Watson and Malcolm Dunn who asked the Assemblyman to set up a meeting with the people in charge of the tunnel to see whether or not the services of the PMUA could be used, but also some of the other services that could be available. So this wasn’t something that was done solely by Assemblyman Green, he was just doing his job by following through on their request.

The Assemblyman is busy trying to help different companies to participate in this project and someone like Bernice Paglia, who doesn’t have a clue, tries to embarrass him rather than talk about the fact that Christie has become an embarrassment to her, as well as Maria, Doc Potpourri, and the New Democrats (who I was told are going to do a write-in campaign for Adrian Mapp, another joke). My question now is, “are they going to ask Christie to step aside? Maybe the two Republican candidates that are running for the Assembly seats in the 22nd District can convince Mapp to run for Governor, he runs for everything else.

Also, one of Bernice’s supporters recommended that the people in Plainfield vote the Republican line. These are the same Republicans who voted against women’s rights and the gay community rights, and basically is now accusing the Assemblyman of causing the city not be able to build a middle school, when it was their Bush friends on the Plainfield Board of Education who dropped the ball, not the Assemblyman. In fact it was the Assemblyman who was able to get $17 million to rehab two elementary schools in the 2nd ward, Woodland and Cook. Again, these are the lies that Bernice and her Republican friends would like for you to believe. They are becoming a joke and a complete embarrassment to this city. I can’t believe the gay community is going to allow these Republicans to use them in the November election to gain control of Trenton. If that happens, the gay community can kiss gay marriages goodbye.

Questions to Consider, AND We Want Some Answers!

I have a few more issues Maria Pellum should add to her list of concerns. Maria should be asking about these issues:

1. Whether the candidate supports gay marriage; Yes or No?

2. Would the candidate continuously support Abbott District Funding?

3. Would the candidate support President Obama’s Healthcare Plan?

4. Would the candidate support Republican towns like Watchung in terms of low-income housing, and halfway houses like those that we have here in Plainfield? (Watchung being a town that does NOT cater to low-income/affordable housing)

5. Would the candidate support the Voucher Program for schools?

6. Would the candidate support women’s rights and their right to choose?

Part of President Obama’s plan is to bring funding in so that hospitals like Muhlenberg can re-open. With this health plan, it will not only help individuals, but will also help urban hospitals, like Muhlenberg, re-open, and prevents others from closing.

In fact Maria, the blogging community would like to see where you stand on these issues. Please, indulge us.

What Happened to Gay Pride and Identity in Plainfield?!

An excerpt from a conversation I had with a 'friend' in Sleepy Hollow. With their permission, I was able to record the conversation and post this section. Enjoy!

Some of the gay community here in Plainfield has become an utter joke in the Queen City. Gay communities statewide are laughing at the way they are letting Adrian Mapp use them. I am just happy that I do not live in Plainfield. They need to wake up and smell the Folders!

When someone asked Adrian Mapp the question, “Is Jim McGreevey involved with your campaign?” and he replied emphatically, “No way! No How! No!” I take it Mapp was caught up in one of his arrogant tirades.

Or maybe, he still listens to George Benbow, who publically has come out in being very critical of the gay community. This same Benbow, another New Democrat who Adrian depends on for political advice, is a close friend of Adrian, one of his top advisors. It’s clear as day that he is more important to Mapp than McGreevey.

I don’t see why the gay community in Plainfield can’t see through Adrian Mapp. He has no respect for you, nor does he plan to use you after the election. People keep asking the question, “What happen to Adrian and Annie’s relationship?” I think it’s time for her to speak up, because she is a good friend of McGreevey.

When Adrian embarrassed McGreevey, I personally, think she took it personally. I think Adrian is more concerned of how George Benbow feels rather than how the gay community feels.

Do You Know Who's Asking For Your Vote?

· Christian Estevez & Rosa Salinas, his wife, are New Democrat candidates for City Committee in your neighborhood.
· In 2005, Christian came to the Democratic City Committee with no
experience hoping to replace late Councilman Ray Blanco, simply because he
is Latino and Councilman Blanco was Latino.
· In 2006 Rosa Salinas was a Science Teacher with a salary of $41,304.
· In April 2007, Christian was elected to the Plainfield Board of Education which is responsible for hiring Plainfield’s School District Employees.
· In June 2007 Christian’s running mates on the Board gave Rosa a new
position and raised her salary 40 percent to $99,020!
· In June 2008, Rosa was made a vice-principal by Christian’s friends on the Board even as many other administrators lost their jobs.
· As a Board member, Christian and his New Democrat team oversaw our
failing schools with 4 superintendants and 4 high school principals in 13
Months!
· Christian has constantly criticized others for their politics while using the city’s children to support his own agenda

ON JUNE 2ND, SEND CHRISTIAN A MESSAGE

PLAINFIELD CAN NO LONGER AFFORD HIS DIVISIVE POLITICS

VOTE COLMUMN B!

...Answers Anyone?

I read Cory Storch’s blog today, and his conversation is really unbelievable. Before I get started with that however, I must express my disdain with Assemblyman Green stating he will not be answering any more questions. I like the question/answer approach of his; but since I cannot get any answers, and I am a taxpaying citizen, I want my questions answered!

So, here blogging community, help supply these answers tinkering in my head:

1) What did Dan Damon do for $65,000 a year, for eight years? (thanks JG)
A: Cory, did you ever question this salary payment?

2) How did Chris Estevez’s wife get a $30,000 raise in one year? (extreme job productivity?!)

3) How many people were put in bad mortgage situations by the Storch and Mapp families, who are deeply entrenched with real estate business in Plainfield?
In particular, commissions they received in negotiating halfway houses here in Plainfield?

Today, Rashid Burney had a picture on his blog of a house in the second ward, one of the worse kept properties in the City, and nothing has been done. Is it because the Storch regime represents this homeowner?

When I read JG bringing these issues to light, the first thing out of Storch’s mouth is “Green is attacking people.” But in reality, JG’s the only one bringing these issues to the attention of the public. The second ward needs to know that Storch has done nothing for them, except ride his bike and spread misinformation.

Cory Storch, what have you done, not only for the second ward but also for the City, other than use your seat to financially benefit the Storch family?

JG, I hope you continue to bring these issues to the attention of the City. Your blog is the only one I see consistently addressing the issues, either by providing solutions, or providing an avenue for solution oriented discussions/platforms/forums.

It is my understanding that Cory Storch and Dan Damon went to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and accused the Assemblyman of wrongdoings. Only after the issue in its entirety was fully investigated, the Assemblyman was found innocent of any wrongdoings. This is the kind of person/politician Cory Storch is; when he can’t ruin a person through the legal system, he’ll use the poison pen.

Today I received a piece of literature showing Vice President Joe Biden meeting with our Assemblyman Jerry Green. I guess meeting and discussing national issues with the Vice President is more important than thinking about a Dan Damon, Adrian Mapp, or Cory Storch.

My last question for Cory, what audiences can you or do you manufacture in discussing the issues of Plainfield, other than the likes of Dan Damon? It seems like the young man heading up the lawsuit against the PMUA has done more for the second ward than you have done, and he’s not even an elected local official being supported by taxpayer’s dollars.

The Verdict is IN!!

This afternoon, the sitting judge of Union County threw out 90 percent of the complaints that Adrian Mapp filed against the candidates who wanted to run for political office here in the City of Plainfield. Rather than allowing the citizens of Plainfield to make that decision, Mapp tried to use the courts to make that decision.

Adrian Mapp has become the biggest laughing stock in the County of Union. Not only does Plainfield come out a winner from this court decision, but so do the New Democrats. I take my hat off to the McWilliams family, and others, who now do not have to put up with Mapp’s personal agenda if they so choose. He clearly kicked the New Democrats to the curve in trying to bracket with his boss from Roselle, Mayor Garrett Smith.

Adrian Mapp has never been about the City of Plainfield, he has always been about Adrian Mapp and his personal agendas. The New Democrats in Plainfield are a dedicated group of people whose concerns are about Plainfield’s issues, and not about the promotion of Adrian Mapp’s personal agendas.

People around town are already discussing the matter of ‘when will Adrian Mapp declare Republican?’ Now that the voters in Plainfield will have an opportunity to vote for the candidate they feel will sufficiently represent and govern Plainfield for the next 4 years, I am sure that Mapp will receive less votes than any of the other candidates running. His vote turnout will certainly mirror school board member Rasheed Abdul-Haqq’s voter turnout in this past school board election: dead last.

N.S.A. #2: double-talk... Double-Talk... DOUBLE-TALK!!

I would like to respond to Dr. Steve ‘Double-Talk’ Gallon. For starters, I would like to know if Dr. Double-Talk was hired to fulfill the requirements and duties of a superintendent, or if he was hired to conduct damage control. If the answer is the latter, I wish ‘Double-Talk’ luck, that good luck; the type of luck that comes with having a bird ‘poop’ on you. Since he has now become a politician here in Plainfield, I think we, therefore, should begin to hold him responsible for some of the positions he has taken. When you call someone out saying they are putting out lies and misinformation, then you should be able to back up what you are saying.

To blatantly call the Assemblyman a liar, and I’m glad JG hasn't responded to this employee (not even a Plainfield voter), it’s pretty obvious he's blossoming into a joke. My points however are these; did our school district return $400,000 in funding to the State, yes or no? Simple as that, we do not need Dr. Double-Talk to spend anymore of our tax money in printing 4-page letters full of circular discussion. Did a student bring a gun into our school system this year ‘on his watch’, yes or no? The $3 million Assemblyman Green explained, did this happen, yes or no?

The list goes on an on, but I guess if Dr. Gallon, aka Dr. Double-Talk, wants to defend the Board, then I wish him luck. I’m hoping that the Council would ask to LOOK AT HIS CONTRACT…! This is the first time he has been in charge of a district and the Board has given him a $200,000plus contract, a Range Rover that the Board is subsidizing, four females from Florida at $100,000 a piece, a new office fully furnished, and some of his friends are dictating mum being the word regarding his Sweetheart contract.

Mr. Double-Talk, we the City of Plainfield would like you to respond to the truth in this blog. Are any of these facts false in any way? I hope you’re not a gambling man like Adrian Mapp.

Hey Adrian, Plainfield's Not For Sale!

I had an opportunity to read the PolitickerNJ blog today. I was shocked to see how Adrian Mapp is trying to distance himself from Jim McGreevey and the gay community. It’s obvious that Adrian sent a strong message to the gay community in the second ward that McGreevey and his friends have no place in his campaign. But at the same time, he wants them to continue to send him donations, like for example the thousand dollars McGreevey and his partner donated to his campaign.

I’m pretty sure that the ego the former governor has will not allow him to sit back and let Adrian Mapp embarrass him, the gay community, AND Plainfield. McGreevey and the second ward are very smart. Once Annie opted not to run, they decided to sit on the sidelines. This was certainly a smart move on their part because they like the rest of the voters of Plainfield will soon find out the true colors of Adrian Mapp. His apparent creed seems to be, "If I can’t use you, I don’t want to be bothered by or with you."

My understanding is that he met with Carol Brokaw and Eric Watson, trying to get them to join his campaign. He made it clear to both of them that either one can be the next Democratic Chairman of Plainfield. This reminds me clearly of Chicago when President Obama’s seat was ‘up-for-sale.’ I wonder how many other deals Mapp is trying to make to finagle his way into the mayoral seat. Newsflash Adrian, Plainfield’s not for sale.

He’s turned his back on the McWilliams family, McGreevey, the gay community, Carol Brokaw, and Eric Watson. Who’s next?!

New Light Shining BRIGHT

The new Obama grass-root Democrats, a coalition formed during the presidential campaign season, will be working jointly with the Plainfield Democratic Organization to continuously support and promote President Obama’s agendas. They made a good showing at the Democratic City Committee meeting this past Friday. It is reassuring that they are all registered Democrats from every ward and district in the City of Plainfield.

These were the people who knocked on doors and made phone calls for the Democratic slate headed by President Obama here in Plainfield. In this group, we have a new political voice in the city. Mayor Sharon received a large basis of support from the group. When Adrian Mapp’s name was put up for a vote, not one person stood up on his behalf. They knew first-hand that he was nowhere to be found when it came to supporting President Obama as he campaigned for the Presidency. This was the perfect opportunity of these supporters of President Obama to show Mapp how they felt about him and his politics.

There was nothing negative said about Adrian however, nor the New Democrats, at this meeting. The majority of the people in the community want to see this community come together and form a united front. It's sad when people all over the city want to promote unity but are thwarted by a handful in the community who want nothing to do with progress unless they themselves are brains and/or efforts behind the initiative. They simply do not believe in united teamwork and cannot get over the fact that people outside of their circles are just as bright and informed as they are. This is becoming more and more evident in Plainfield as it moves towards positive change. It’s nice to see however that this new coalition is still pushing for unity in this city, but reality seems to dictate that the handful of negative politicos are fully aligned with the group of 1,000 voters who chose not to vote for President Obama. But for me, I’ll take any day, the 15,000 in this city who chose to support President Obama over the 1,000 ‘haters’ (hahaha!) who chose to support platforms that would continue to move our community backwards (McCain/Palin).

Ps

I hope Mr. Green and this new group will not say anything bad about the former New Democrats who in reality were misled and misinformed. They need to lay the blame where it deserves, on the Republican Party. If I were Adrian Mapp, after seeing what went on Friday night, I would become a full-fledged Republican and run in November.

To Anonymous, 1:46PM Today

As you all know I welcome any and all comments. I publish however those I choose. Cursing will never get your post published no matter how fluid your writing style is. Also, being that it is 'campaign season' I have been receiving politically charged comments. I do not want to become a breeding group for political posts... B-U-T, this one I received at 1:46pm today was tasteful if you will.

So much so that I decided to post it as a blog:



Anonymous 1:46pm today writes...

Both the June primary and November election will b... Both the June primary and November election will be very interesting this year. Already the Republican Party in the State feels that because of the support of the New Democrat/Republicans in Plainfield, they have an opportunity to win both Assembly seats in the 22nd District. Part of their campaign is their attempt of localizing the Muhlenberg issue. They have to realize however that the health issue is a NATIONAL crisis, and the two individuals running as Republicans for the 22nd district, they are huge fans of former President George Bush and his policies.

This is going to be very interesting indeed. First, they have to get past the primary. All of the Republicans who switched to New Democrats now have to make a choice: do they stay New Democrats in order to support Mapp, or do they go back to being Republicans and support Chris Christie who is the strongest of the Republican candidates. The choice they will have to make is this: are they more concerned with trying to control the State or City Hall.

The big question that the Plainfield voters are faced with is this, are they prepared to support two Republicans who have no problem saying that the $100 million we receive as being an Abbott District is a waste? If they are elected, the $100 million Plainfield receives will be lost right off the bat. It is sad to know there will be some in the community who will vote for these two candidates even though this means drastically cutting school funding. The majority of the New Democrats’ children in the city do not attend city schools. The point the parents is missing is that whether or not their children are in the city school system, they are equally responsible in absolving the $100 million loss the city will suffer from losing it.

These are the same Republicans who have dumped on the city of Plainfield when it comes to low-income housing; their answer has always been, “Send them to Plainfield.” When it comes to the homeless, their answer has been, “Give them a voucher and send them to Plainfield.” Now they want to go back to their old ways. Wake up and smell the coffee Plainfield, there is not ONE issue that the Republicans have supported that would have been beneficial to the city of Plainfield. Wake up Plainfield, Councilman Cory Storch and Adrian Mapp are not your friends! Plainfield has come too long of a way for it to be bamboozled by Storch, Mapp, and these Republican candidates.

No Strings Attached... (N.S.A.)

It was a pleasure to see the headlining article in today’s Union edition of the Courier News. I was actually waiting to see if any of my fellow bloggers would comment on the editorial the Assemblyman wrote in yesterday’s Courier regarding the idle chatter from Mapp and the Gang. Interesting enough, no one had a word of commendation, criticism, or counsel.

…Well since no one’s making a peep I’ll just give my 2-mites: As usual, the Assemblyman’s comments are sound and precise. He makes it rather difficult to rebut his arguments, les being accurately labeled as an obtuse political mind. His clarity and concision are accurate in his acknowledgement of Adrian Mapp’s childlike political nagging, in which he tries to pass off as political astuteness. GIVE ME A BREAK! Mapp’s comments, inferences, and expressions regarding the PMUA, as well as the governance of Plainfield is as annoying as a mosquito at a family barbeque.

The press conference Assemblyman Green and Mayor Robinson-Briggs conducted yesterday was exactly what the City needed to hear. In the midst of circulating rumors and misinformation, it is appeasing to read legitimate information regarding the Muhlenberg issue; meaning the 1st-hand knowledge of what has been going on in the negotiation process of securing the diminishing medical resources the campus offers.

The reason, as stated by the Assemblyman and the Mayor, for this roadblock in negotiations is due to the handshake agreement Solaris is attempting to breach. This ardent disrespect of the Plainfield and surrounding medical communities, as well as the efforts of Assemblyman Green and Mayor Robinson-Briggs is unacceptable and extremely spineless. And for Solaris to take it a step further and lay blame on the City for its own inability to produce their end of the bargain, is asinine.

To Steve Weiss, spokesperson for Solaris: I suggest you get more clarity on speaking topics before you go public because the two non-profit organizations’ claims and grievances legally have nothing to do with Plainfield and its handshake agreement. So to imply that the non-profit’s claims directly affect the agreement reached between Solaris and Plainfield is absolutely baseless.

The council members present at the meeting from neighboring communities all agree and ardently support the stances in which the Assemblyman and the Mayor are taking in not accepting this cowardice position Solaris is standing so firmly on.

I too agree with both parties; Solaris should be held responsible and ACCOUNTABLE for the agreement they reached.

Parting Question:

Will the New Democrats throw Adrian Mapp under the bus with his ensuing bravado of political cluelessness, just as they did to Don Davis? People fail to realize that Don Davis was also a New Democrat. My fellow bloggers, get your popcorn, chips, and drinks ready for the political in-fighting that is about to erupt within the New Democrats.

Accuracy in the Solaris 'Agreement' and Splintered Efforts

I just finished reading a post on Dan Damon’s blog, and this time, I really have to be forward, frank, and painfully honest in my deductions on his criteria. Before I do, I just want to ask Dan one question: What on earth were you thinking when you wrote this blog? And, were you thinking objectively or subjectively? (My money’s on the latter)

The information provided in the letter is truthful, the letter is right there on his page. His intention however, was to shame Mayor Briggs and her Administration; an effort that COMPLETELY backfired due to one little word: T-R-U-T-H.

As Mayor Briggs announced, as Assemblyman Green announced, and as Solaris announced, there was an agreement that Solaris would supply the Plainfield Rescue Squad with an ambulance. The letter Dan Damon posted from John McGee, President and CEO of Solaris, testifies in support of Assemblyman Jerry Green’s and Mayor Sharon’s accusations that Solaris has not been seeking honest efforts and intentions in ascertaining additional ambulance services for the City of Plainfield!

Solaris even goes a step further in their letter stating that in order to honor the amendments the City has offered to Solaris, all parties involved in the lawsuit would have to drop the lawsuit. Well call me crazy but that is just like someone walking up to my mother, punching her in the face, and telling my family that in order for them to apologize to my mom, she has to first promise not to complain! (Gosh that letter Solaris wrote and Dan posted almost conjured expletives!)

Let me clear the air for Plainfield, neighboring communities, and the blogging community: the ONLY agreement in the negotiations that neither Solaris, the State, the City of Plainfield, and POP agree on is POP’s wanting a consultant from their organization to be put in charge of monitoring this ordeal for the yearly salary of $100,000. That premise is inconsistent and counterproductive to the preservation of our health and financial resources. The State is offering that service to us for the price of F-R-E-E! And for Adrian Mapp to complain and dog the City of Plainfield saying that the City needs to honor that request of POP, that just goes to show you how uninformed and disconnected he is to our Plainfield community.

With that, I would personally like to thank Mr. Dan Damon for personally, throwing Adrian Mapp, his supporters/support group, his think-tank, his cohorts, the whole nine-yards, the entire crew of New Democrats who support him, under the 18-Wheel Mac-Truck.

Again, thank you.

Plainfield's Public Safety Meeting Last Night; a brief Post Scriptum

Rashid Burney hits a HOME RUN! What he has done as Council President has brought a lot of respect to the Council. His professionalism makes them shine too. The sad thing is that he is doing it by himself, even though Councilman Reid, Councilwoman Carter, and Councilman Simmons have been very supportive. After last night, I am hoping that these three would be a little stronger in challenging the other 3 council members who refuse to move forward in a positive manner on behalf of the City.

The best thing that could have ever happened to Plainfield was when they began to televise the council meetings. I can’t wait for the City to air last night’s public safety program! You will have an opportunity to see with your own eyes the difference in the direction this City is moving RATHER THAN the emails and slanted information that is put out by the blogging community in Plainfield.

It’s too bad that the majority of the bloggers cannot give credit where credit is due. One blogger spent more time talking about the individual that lost his life recently. My sympathy goes out to the family because no one should take another person’s life, especially at that young of an age. The sad part about this issue is that whenever someone tries to offer a hand of help, Flor Gonzalez is the first one to complain about a people ‘picking’ on the Hispanic community. You cannot have it both ways.

If we are going to clean up the corners and downtown area, meaning the gang activities, the drinking, belligerence, and loitering to name a few, then we have to be able to enforce the law. Rather than being critical of the police department, it would be nice to see Ms. Gonzalez work WITH the department in chasing out that element furthering the beautification and safety of Plainfield.

'Ps.' Just a couple of months ago when people were talking about moving the day-workers from off of the corners, there were people who complained about that being ‘picking’ on Hispanics. We have YET to hear about her complain about the day-workers issue or the loiterers. It is time for her to speak up, stop using the community and police department as scapegoats, and speak out against these activities.

Racism in America: No Flatlining Anytime Soon It Seems

It took me about a day to put into words my feelings regarding the cartoon drawn in the New York Post in yesterday’s edition. There was one word that circulated in my mind as I took the cartoon in, that word was D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G.

The racial dynamics of the United States has been changing since the Civil Rights Movement, moving towards the spectrum of tolerance and respect. It still renders me numb to even have to question why the standards of tolerance and respect still need to be talked about, discussed, and brought to the table in today’s contemporary society. Racial divide, I believed, was having its gaps closed, relations mended, and waters bridged.

Yet, when I look in yesterday’s New York Post, and see a cartoon illustrating the premeditated MURDER of our United States President, depicted as a monkey, riddled with bullet holes, by uniformed police officers, my soul wants to vomit and wallow in what comes up. Rage wants to be wallowed in, broken-heartedness, shame, fear, and contempt all want their attention as well. And who can blame them? I thought, as an African American male in this the United States of America, at a time where I experienced the inauguration of the first African American President, I was under the impression that these sorts of antics would not be tolerated anymore, that these sorts of expressions would be dissuaded by responsible citizens that cherish life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But when I look at the Editor of the cartoon section of the New York Post, the cartoonist, and each and EVERY person responsible for managing that section who are paid to ensure that racism, hatred, and other damaging messages are not illustrated, I see they dropped the ball and ALLOWED such a message to come out.

How can an entity, American-borne, profess and proclaim a message of hatred, a message of intolerance, a message of murder with extreme prejudice, toward OUR President, OUR Commander-in-Chief? This same MAN was voted into the seat of the President of the United States by the largest margin of victory ever, voted in by EVERY color here represented in these United States. And if these cartoonists, and these editors, and those in charge of these cartoonists and editors, allow such a message to go forward as a representation of themselves as well as their entity, we the people; in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, protect the general welfare of ourselves and our posterity, owe it to ourselves to speak up, speak out, stand up, and ACT. Act in a way to sustain the chords of our delicate social community that have been under construction since our European brothers formed this country.

I love and respect the United States and I love every walk of life that inhabits this, OUR United States. This is why cartoons such as the one posted in yesterday’s New York Post are unacceptable, wrong, and have no business in the forums of expression in our US of A.

Letting the Chips Fall... (Where I Throw Them..)

I like the idea of the report card found on Dan Damon’s blog. It’s clear that there is, and let me be generous, roughly 500 people in the city that follow his scarcely-empty truths. With the New Democrats at one time numbering around 2,000 members, that of which Mr. Damon is a member of, I would think there would be more representation from his loyal party. This reads to me that they have lost some footing. Lost some footing, or have been on the political dance floor with two right feet (political pun intended). (Note, the 500 number is an all-inclusive number gathered from his surveys)

Since they have a hard time sharing with the public what they have done for and with the community, then maybe I need to bring to the public’s attention FACTUAL information as seen on one of the local blogger’s page. The past administration went into office as Democrats, and then converted to a Republican administration. This same administration hired Mr. Dan Damon for $65,000/yr. Mr. Damon, a concerned Plainfield citizen who is now of political maturity to acknowledge waywardness, would like to know what did you did to service our City for this yearly salary? My understanding was that his salary came from the economic development department. What then was developed economically during his tenure?

Moving right along, let us discuss a rather comedic Plainfield Councilman, Adrian O. Mapp. Councilman Mapp served two terms as a councilperson, and one term as a freeholder. I would like to hear or even READ what he accomplished in those TEN PLUS years serving Plainfield, other than the low-income facility downtown. Also, I would like to know just how he finagled his way into the CFO position in the Borough of Roselle in which he earns over $100,000/yr (his starting salary). Roselle, which has a population a little over 20,000, where the CFO in Hillsborough, with a population of roughly 40,000, starts off at $80,000. So I can see how with the extra almost $30,000 Councilman Mapp is receiving, while doing less work, how he would try to be a hero in recommending the council not accept health benefits, and want to take away cars from cabinet members. Again, the public and I, are waiting to hear, before the campaign gets started, just what Councilman Mapp has done for OUR community in his TEN YEARS of serving the community. During the campaign race this spring, I know Mr. Mapp and his New Democrats will spend even more time putting out false information, rather than talk about truthfulness that matters, like their record.

The New Democrats have spent enough time being cynical, negative, critical, petty, off-base, disconnect... Yes, the list can go on. It’s time now they talk about their record and what they have done for the City of Plainfield. I hear the funding for roads may go through Union County. If that happens, how will Councilman Adrian Mapp be able to get money for Plainfield, when the County of Union voted him out by over 25,000 votes?! Who’s going to listen to him on the county level? Plainfield, please wake up and read the legible writings on the wall. There is NOTHING Adrian Mapp can and will do for the City of Plainfield but make matters worse.

A Parting FYI: The campaign that Adrian Mapp and the New Dems are running against, Carol Brokaw and Eric Watson, has the fingerprints of New Democrats all over them…

To Preacher

Preacher, I thank you for you sincere words or TRUTH and reality! I have these few words to share regarding your powerful and TRUE commentary:

'Tis true that truth crushed to earth shall indeed rise.. blood spilled on American soil, from skins of whites, blacks, indigenous peoples, peoples from every continent and walk of life.. this blood nurtured OUR soil for centuries... hopes and dreams deferred...

NO MORE..!!! We have a man of character and ability in the seat of Commander in Chief of the United States... A federal government broken and craving for nourishment.. I am MORE THAN CONFIDENT we as ONE nation can press toward the mark of the High Calling of Christ.. to ends that will bring prosperity to hopes that seemed to have been defeated... COMPLETION of dreams sensed deferred... As a God-fearing, Jesus-loving American, I AM READY FOR THIS CHALLENGE!

The only way this will come to pass though, is if we as communities, deliver STRONG messages to our leadership that we are behind them, and that we work TOGETHER to bring about the change in which our beloved President is working to usher in.

I am READY AND WILLING to assume this mantle of challenge. One question? Who's coming with me??

Greetings Blogging Community

Good Afternoon My Fellow Bloggers,

I would like to open my first posting by expressing my excitement in committing to such a measure of media. This is the first time I have ever done anything like this, so please, bear with me until I get the hang of things.

To the Plainfield Blogging Community, you have been my inspiration to begin this blog. Each site which I have been reading for the past year and a half for the most part, has compelled me to express myself as well. My posting will be from various sources, the majority of which will be confidential because of the messages going forth. I look forward to engaging you in conversation, as well as the reciprocation.

To New Jersey, I look forward to engaging readers with my opinions, thoughts, and facts that will be presented in my postings. One word of caution would be to Click It or Ticket! LoL!

To Bloggerville: I cannot wait to get into the full swing of things, and look forward to dialogue-ing with the masses. And after delivering TRUTHS to the public that MANY may not be willing nor able to swallow, you can rest assured that justice, quintessential justice will be procured from the soapbox of TwoSmokinBarrels!

TSB
(yes, the TSB is the abbrev of TwoSmokinBarrels)