C L I P S

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Budget gaffe on everyone's lips.. Benbow in court on sex charge.. Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee profiled..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice covers the proposal to fix the budget error and has a great 'quote of the week'. Maria calls attention to Swain's new paint job -- what do you think? Olddoc offers his take on both Council and budget issues. Councilor Storch, planning a multi-part series on the budget, weighs in today on Dudley House, Plainfield's drug rehab program. Councilor Burney takes up the $1.66M shortfall and eyeballs who is responsible. PEPtalk summons all to the BOE tonight at Jefferson School, where they can have their say. The Assemblyman and the School District have not been heard from in a while. What's up with that?

Budget Advisory Committee: "Citizens' committee helps Council prepare budget"
Benbow Sex Case: "A Pastor's day in court"

Got a tip? Question? Click here to send PT an email.


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • BUDGET CALENDAR:
    • Mon Oct 20 | Fire Division and $1.66M error.
    • Thu Oct 23 | 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 heaing on FY2009 Budget.
    • Mon Dec 1 | FY2009 Budget adoption..

  • Wednesday - 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.

  • Wednesday - October 22. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Thursday - 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/.

  • 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.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


CENTRAL JERSEY

Stender/Lance Race: "Ledger Endorsement: Lance for 7th CD"

School Bus Crash: "Elizabeth preschoolers bus crashes on 78 off-ramp"
Elizabeth: "Dozens rounded up in drug raids"
Hunterdon County: "Buffalo attacks visitor to farm" -- As in 'buffalo nickel'.
Newark: "Street Warriors mentoring group want Obama to address urban issues"
Redevelopment: "Union Twp. to meet with property owners about redevelopment"
Somerset County: "Freeholder candidates debate taxes, ethics"


STATE

Presidential Race: "Poll: Obama has double-digit lead in New Jersey"

NJ Economy --
 Affordable Housing --
 Wayne Bryant Trial: "Bryant defense: Everybody did it"
Corruption: "Ex-Orange mayor Hackett to be sentenced today"
Corzine: "Corzine remains a pillar of charity" -- Gave away millions last year.
Energy: "Exelon makes bid for Princeton-based NRG Energy" -- Unlike PSE&G, NRG is not NJ regulated.
Rutgers: "Stadium naming rights for sale" -- Gannett | Record |

Sheneman's Cartoon is here.
Margulies' Cartoon is here.


NATION / WORLD

2008 Campaigns --
 Financial Markets: "3 agencies vie for oversight of swaps" -- Credit Default Swaps, the $55 TRILLION shoe you don't want to see drop.
Market Meltdown Fallout: "Renewable energy faces sudden headwinds" -- Poor metaphor? Headwinds actually drive wind turbines.
Supreme Court: "Court to hear case on immigrants' use of fake IDs"


OF INTEREST

Veterans: "Expanded GI Bill won't help all who sacrificed" -- Another shameful chapter in the treatment of vets.
Energy Efficiency: "NJ couple brings energy savings home"

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

Posted by Dan at 10:29 AM