C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

City fires finance director.. School funding and taxes forum tonight.. Olddoc on criticism of budget volunteers: responsibility is with the Mayor..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Congratulations to BOE member Christian Estevez and his wife, Rosa, on the birth yesterday of Joseph Bienvenido! Joey, who weighed in at 8 lb. 7 oz., joins his older brothers 'CJ' (6) and Michael (2).

Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes the school funding forum tonight. Olddoc comments on Dashield's criticism of the CBAC, pointing out where the buck stops. PEPtalk continues the review of Kafele's I's for successful parental involvement. Assemblyman Green reviews the League conventnion in AC, and excerpts the press release on the Mayor's election to the League board.


City Hall: "Plainfield fires finance chief" -- "Just not the right fit" -- That's putting it mildly.

Carpooling: "Carpooling now has its rewards" -- Register yours and get a gas card for $150.
Child Support: "33 men arrested in child support crackdown"
Schools Construction: "State proposes plan to speed construction" -- Plainfield iced out?

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • Highway Alert: Route 78 and GSP lane shifts this weekend allowing construction to begin for new flyovers for expanded interchange (see details here).

  • Food Donations Needed: Consider donating to your a local religious organization's feeding program or food pantry, or give to the COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NJ: Accepts dry, refrigerated or frozen food. Distributes food to charities throughout the state. Location: 31 Evans Terminal Road, Hillside, N.J. Info: (908) 355-3663; or visit njfoodbank.org/.

  • FY2009 BUDGET: A three-year budget comparison document is online here.

  • Today - December 3. 7 PM. LWV Forum on School Funding. Plainfield's school funding formula may be changing, and you can learn what this will mean for our District and our taxpayers. Gordon McInnes spent five years as Assistant Commissioner of Education with responsibility for the Abbot Schools. He is presently a lecturer at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton. McInnes will be joined by Plainfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Steve Gallon. Sponsored by the Plainfield chapter of the League of Women Voters. At the new Emerson Community School, East 3rd Street and Emerson Avenue.

  • Today - December 3. 7 PM. Zoning Board of Adjustment. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Today - December 3. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Tomorrow - December 4. 8 PM. Planning Board. City Hall Library. Public invited.

  • Friday - December 5. 6 PM. Annual Holiday Tree Lighting. Kids and parents join in the annual holiday tree lighting festivities, topped off by a visit from Santa. Refreshments. At City Hall, 515 Watchung Avenue. (In case of inclement weather, reschedule date is December 12.) FREE.

  • Saturday - December 6. 10 AM - 1 PM. Holiday Bazaar. Crafts, gifts, jewelry, art, cards, decorations, books (some with author signings), cosmetics and services. Cake and pie raffle. Dessert items for sale -- by the piece or whole. (Orders taken for desserts to be delivered later.) Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund of the New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA) -- last year the school offered 10 scholarships. At First Park Baptist Fellowship Hall, West 7th & Central (parking in the lot on Central Avenue, entry to the Fellowship Hall is directly off the lot). New Covenant Christian Academy (NCCA) is a private school housed at First Park Baptist.

  • Saturday - December 6. Noon - 3 PM. 4th Annual Holiday Horse & Wagon Ride. Catch your ride in one of two staging areas: West Front Street (near McDonald's) and Plainwood Square Park on South Avenue. Wagon rides. Hot chocolate. Goody bags (with $5 KFC gift certificates). Drawing for 'World's Largest Christmas Stocking' at 3:30 PM at Plainwood Square (entry forms at both sites, winner must be present). Special appearances by Santa and his Elf. EVERYTHING IS FREE.

  • Monday - December 8. 6:30 PM. YWCA: Holiday Open House and Hanging of the Greens. Celebrate the new leadership, new energy and new vision for the Plainfield area's YWCA. Welcoming the return of the performing arts to the YW's historic theatre, as well as performances by the award-winning Soumas HERITAGE Gospel Choir, the YW's very own M.PoWer dancers and the cast of Annie Jr. Tricky Tray, refreshments. At the Central Jersey YWCA, East Front and Church Streets. Info: (908) 756-3500.

  • Monday - December 8. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue.

  • Monday - December 8. 8 PM. Van Wyck Brooks HD Monthly Meeting. Continuing to plan for the annual 12th Night Dinner (January 10, 2009) and an update on the Abbott Manor Nursing Home situation. Meeting at 977 Madison Avenue.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.


STATE

Chris Christie: "'Will decide about bid for governor in 4-6 weeks'"
School Biggies' Pay: "Judge backs imposing limits on school chiefs' pay"

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


NATION / WORLD

Obama & The Governors: "Stimulus haste could make waste, govs tell Obama" -- | Ledger | Politico | WashPost |
Auto Makers: "Pelosi: We won't let you go bankrupt"
Iraq: "Halliburton subcontractor confines 1,000 in windowless warehouses for months"

OF INTEREST
Obituary: "Odetta, the sound track of the Civil Rights Movement" -- An interview here (audio).

High School Reunions: "25th High School reunion ends with drug charges" -- You gotta read this one.
BOOK REVIEW LINKS: NY Times | Wash Post | Ledger | NY Rev Bks | London Rev Bks |

Posted by Dan at 9:40 AM