C L I P S

Where Plainfield turns for news.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Mayor's bodyguard charged with theft.. Finance Director abruptly fired.. Money, McGreevey & Matos?.. LWV forum on school finances tomorrow..

PLAINFIELD


PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Be sure to check out fellow Plainfield bloggers: Bernice notes the firing of Doug Peck, Director of Finance & Administration, and a critique of the citizens budget committee by Marc Dashield. (Those wishing to see the CBAC budget report can view/print/download it here.) Olddoc shares cat wisdom with Bernice. PPS News posts Dr. Gallon's December community letter (note he will be at tomorrow's LWV forum, see calendar below). The Assemblyman posts press releases on the creation of the mortgage mediation plan and the passing of Middlesex County Freeholder Director David Crabiel. Councilor-elect Mapp thanks Muhlenberg for 130 years of service. Councilor Burney gets burned with the taxes on a holiday flight.


Mayor's Bodyguard: "Officer charged with PBA theft"
Annual Tree Lighting: "Mayor presides at tree lighting this Friday"
McGreevey: "Suit alleges Kushner diverted monies, including $300K to McGreevey partner" -- How long until Matos alleges the money is secretly for McGreevey?
Drug Sentence: "Appeals court upholds Plainfield man's sentence"

'Homeowner Help': "Corzine signs bill to hep homeowners" -- You gotta read the fine print.
Woodbridge, Bridgewater Malls: "Mall owner gets loan extension"

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


WHAT'S HAPPENING
  • 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.

  • Tomorrow - 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.

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

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

  • Thursday - 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.


CENTRAL JERSEY

Trenton: "City prepares to lay off 69, demote 27 in budget crunch"


STATE

Acting U.S. Attorney: "Marra will replace Christie until Obama appointment" -- Effective midnight yesterday.
Affordable Housing: "Lesniak sees fine tuning after mayor backlash, economy troubles"
Auto Insurance: "GEICO to get say in rate-setting case" --

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


NATION / WORLD

Obama Transition --
 Automaker Bailout: "Car makers return to Congress today" -- Driving down from Detroit in a hybrid caravan?
Corruption: "Birmingham mayor said to trade deals for cash, clothes" -- Sort of like NJ, with a Southern accent.
'Lame Duck' Rules: "Bush broadens medical refusal rules far beyond abortion"
Congressman Rangel: "Rangel takes on the New York Times"


OF INTEREST
Mortgages: "Mortgage delinquencies set to nearly double in 2009"

Books: Toni Morrison, "Original Sins"

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

Posted by Dan at 9:32 AM