Where Plainfield turns for news.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Anthrax at Plainfield Chase Bank?.. Mapp, Gilbert at forum tonight.. NJ Monthly: Who killed Muhlenberg?.. Burger King carjacking..

PLAINFIELD



PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice was worn out by marathon presentations the delayed the business of the BOE business meeting. Olddoc reports a gremlin (or his cat) published his musings on the presidential race prematurely but you can check them out; also comments to 'semperfi', and puts up a teaser from his (very interesting, imho) memoir of WWII. PEPtalk reports on the 'art of negotiating partnerships'. The Assemblyman posts today on -- I think -- the Obama campaign. The headline is somewhat confusing. Does he want to throw out the newly registered Democrats? Take an Excedrin and read on.

New Jersey Monthly: "Who killed Muhlenberg Hospital?"

Burger King Carjacking: "Carjacking at Park Avenue Burger King" -- Perp last seen driving toward Plainfield.
Gang Prevention: "Picture of prison food makes impression on Plainfield students"
Heating Oil: "Homeowners who waited find a deal in heating oil"
Voting Machines: "Union County clerk: 'Machines unreliable, use mail-in votes'" | PolitickerNJ | Ledger |

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

  • BUDGET CALENDAR: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 - 7:30 PM, City Hall Library | Extra budget meeting: IT [Information Technology], Public Information, and Project Alert [Dudley House].
    • Fri Oct 31 | Citizens Budget Advisory Committee sends budget recommendations to council.
    • Fri Nov 7 | City Council sends budget changes to Council finance committee.
    • Mon Nov 10 | City Council discusses budget changes and recommendations (from CBAC) with self, and requests administration comment and implementation. CBAC presentation of recommendations to City Council.
    • Wed Nov 13 | Administration responds electronically to change recommendations.
    • Mon Nov 17 | Resolution for budget changes is finalized and brought forward.
    • Mon Nov 24 | Public hearing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Today - October 22. 7 - 8:30 PM. League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. Candidates for City Council seats in the November general election will participate the forum, a League tradition dating back more than 80 years. Resident Brenda Gilbert is running a write-in campaign for the Ward 3 seat. Candidates on the ballot are: Annie McWilliams (citywide at-large), Adrian Mapp (Ward 3) and William Reid (Ward 1). All are Democrats. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room of the Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. Info: (908) 756-9682. All are welcome.

  • Today - October 22. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.
  • Tomorrow - October 23. 7 - 9 PM. Civil Unions, Marriage & Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples. Challenges facing same-sex couples mean customized estate planning is needed to ensure surviving loved ones are protected. Moderated by Christopher Bellis of Lamdba Legal, the panel will include financial advisors and an attorney. Light refreshments. Sponsored by Lambda Legal. At: Cent' Anni Restaurant, 5 Highland Place, Maplewood. Free, but reservations are required. RSVP to Matt Allen at Lambda Legal at mallen@lambdalegal.org or (212) 809-8585, x254.

  • Friday - October 24. 6:30 - 8:30PM. Chamber of Commerce Networking Event. The Chamber's monthly after-work networking event. Bring your business cards and your 30-second elevator speech and enjoy light refreshments mingling with other members and guests. You'll be surprised at the connections you make. At: Coldwell Banker Park Avenue Realtors, 1015 Park Avenue. FREE to members, $10 for guests. Those who join or renew at the event will receive a special bonus. Information: call the Chamber Office at (908) 753-2296 or email at plainfield.chamber@gmail.com.

  • Friday - October 24. 7 PM. In Concert: Jim Scott, Songs of Peace and the Environment. An acoustic guitarist acclaimed for his work with the Paul Winter Consort, proceeds of the concert will provide compact flourescent bulbs to be distributed through the church's food pantry. Sponsor and venue: First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, 724 Park Avenue. Tickets: $15/ adults, $5/12 and under. Free childcare available. Info: (732) 287-5181.

  • Saturday - October 25. 10 AM - 3 PM. Community Scrapbooking and Memory Making Event. Bring your favorite photos and learn how to tell your story. A scrapping share-and-swap table will be available. Albums and multicultural supplies will be available for purchase. Refreshments provided. Info: Recreation Division, (908) 753-3097.

  • Sunday - October 26. 3 PM. Crescent Concerts: Young Artists Showcase. Five exceptionally talented young artists under the age of 16 will appear in this eagerly awaited annual event. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, Watchung Avenue at East 7th Street. Tickets: $20, $15/senior, $5/student. Info: (908) 756-2468 or www.crescentconcerts.org/.

  • Monday - October 27. 6:30 PM. 'African Heritage in the Latin Caribbean'. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Plainfield's Cultural and Heritage Commission offers a presentation by Dr. Orlando Edreira. At the Anne Louise Davis Meeting Room, Plainfield Public Library, Park Avenue at West 8th Street. FREE.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 3 - 9 PM. FOSH Pre-Halloween Dine Out. Take a break from fixing dinner, call a few friends and put together a table. Meet new neighbors and old friends, and check out one of Plainfield's favorite dining spots -- The Queen City Diner. Brian will donate a portion of the evening's receipts to FOSH in support of its PHS Scholarships, Netherwood Station beautification and the Leland Avenue Park. Brian Schoenberger's Queen City Diner (http://www.queencitydiner.com/) is at 1324 South Avenue. Putting a group together? Give Brian a heads up at (908) 756-7900.

  • Tuesday - October 28. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - October 31. 6 PM. Community Halloween Party & Haunted House. The Recreation Division's annual family party includes a haunted house, a costume contest, prizes, snacks and lots of fun for all. A safe and fun alternative for children ages 5 - 10. Parents MUST accompany children. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). Info: (908) 753-3097.
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CENTRAL JERSEY


7th District Race: "Libertarian wants all troops brought home" -- What! You thought it was only Stender & Lance?

Newark Website: "Council awards contract to firm it rejected last week"
St. Benedict's Prep: "Olympian Cullen Jones cheered on return to alma mater"



STATE



2008 Presidential Race: "2 Polls: Obama, Lautenberg have huge leads in NJ"
2009 Governor's Race: "Morris County's Merkt throws hat in ring"

Kelly Heyboer: Jersey Bloggers on Corzine Rescue Plan: "Rescue or red ink?"
Bryant Trial: "Nine characters testify Bryant 'honorable', 'trustworthy' and 'law-abiding'"
Corruption: "Bribe gets Orange's Hackett 9 months"
Dem Slush Fund: "Top legislators trade charges over how grants were decided"
Merck: "Merck plans to cut 7,200 jobs in restructuring"
Railway Transfer Stations: "New law gives cities a say in rail waste sites"
State Salaries: "Number of employees making over $100K doubles in two years"
Workers' Comp Board Audit: "Audit finds exec charged $55K to credit cards" -- Chocolates, etc. All legit, he says.

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.

Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD



2008 Campaigns --
Guantanamo: "Pentagon drops charges against five held at Guantanamo" -- After 6½ years.
National Sentiment: "Polls: 75% say headed in wrong direction, 2/3 outright 'scared'" -- Highest since Watergate.
'Small Business' Shocker: "SBA gave $5B to companies too large to qualify" -- 'Mere' sloppiness?


OF INTEREST



Muslims & the US Military: "Enough of 'Joe the Plumber', here's to 'Kareem the Soldier'" -- From Manahawkin.

BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |