Bernice: Council thoughts on 2010 capital budget.. Olddoc finds bright spot: Dottie G's poetry.. Maria: Union's grievances include teacher safety..
PLAINFIELD TODAY:
- "Robinson-Briggs nominated for 'Most Laid Back Public Official of 2009'"
- "Time running out on opportunities to brighten local families' holidays" -- Gift-giving opportunities.
Girls Basketball: "PHS' Chanel Johnson named to top 50 NJ players for 09-10"
Insurance Fraud: "Plainfield woman gets 5 years probation in fraud"
Jewelry Heist: "Jewelry store owner turns tables on robber" -- Ch 7 has video from store's security cams.
Letter, Courier: "One BOE member got vote right" -- Resident Thomas Hammond thanks Wilma Campbell, and Jay Jefferson Cooke.
Pension Payment Deferrals: "Don't opt for another round" -- Editorial, Courier.
Union County Budget: "County officials recommend salary freeze"
Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice reports the Council's thoughts on 2010's Capital budget. Olddoc muses on several messes: Schools, Administration and PMUA, but finds a bright spot in the poetry of Dottie G. Maria posts teachers union's grievances -- including staff and student safety. Piv grades Wenson-Maier's 2009 performance, characterized as 'Jennifer in Wonderland'. Councilor Burney lists three areas for budget focus. Councilor Mapp lists point-by-point steps to cut the budget. Councilor Storch outlines what some other towns are doing about budget dilemmas. CBAC (budget advisory committee) looks for your questions and/or comments -- citizens are chiming in, check it out and add your voice.
Also, three personal blogs by Plainfielders, each with a point of view: Rebecca Williams' Confessions of a Bathrobe Blogger, Renata Hernandez' PEPTalk: Revisited, and Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On.
Bridgewater: "Army private wounded in Ft. Hood shootings is haunted"
Pru Center: "Nets or no Nets, Newark needs arena to pay" -- Joan Whitlow.
Somerville: "BOE hiring firm to investigate board member"
South Plainfield: "Arrest made in Labor Day throat-slashing"
Christie Transition --
- Transition: "Christie's team readies for change"
- Menendez on Christie: "Says Christie transportation remarks show 'lack of understanding'"
- Ferreiro Sentencing: "Federal judge delays sentencing" -- US Supremes may rule on law used to convict.
- Jersey City: "Councilman Mariano Vega indicted in massive probe"
- Hudson County: "Judge rules against Freeholders in pay-to-play lawsuit"
S-CHIP: "NJ awarded $4.2M for enrolling children" -- Look for a press release from a local blogger?
State Police --
- Review: "AG will review state police stop of NYC students on Turnpike"
- Students: "Students pulled over by troopers consider suing"
| BERNICE'S PLAINTALKER | MARIA'S BLOG | DOC'S POTPOURRI | PIV FOR PLAINFIELD |
| PLAINFIELD SPORTS NEWS| PLAINFIELD TREES | COUNCILOR MAPP | COUNCILOR McWILLIAMS |
| COUNCILOR STORCH | COUNCILOR BURNEY | JERRY GREEN'S PAGE | BO ON THE 22nd |
| PLAINFIELD SPORTS NEWS| PLAINFIELD TREES | COUNCILOR MAPP | COUNCILOR McWILLIAMS |
| COUNCILOR STORCH | COUNCILOR BURNEY | JERRY GREEN'S PAGE | BO ON THE 22nd |
HOLIDAY OPPORTUNITIES: GIVING & GETTING
- (OPPORTUNITY EXTENDED) DQ Drive for Daybreak Kids: Dairy Queen's Donna Albanese is spearheading a drive for 329 children of incarcerated parents. For its holiday party, Plainfield's Daybreak Community Center needs new or gently used toys, sports gear, clothing, shoes, books and bikes. Items may be dropped off at the Dairy Queen (1367 South Avenue) before 3 PM, Sunday, December 20. Donna reports the #1 request from kids is for bikes. Bike donations may be dropped off at her house no later than Sunday (8 Pitching Way, Scotch Plains, leave in drive if no one home), where her husband will make necessary repairs and deliver them. Those wishing to bake for the party should call Donna for dropoff information (the party for the kids is Monday, December 21, at Rose of Sharon Church, 825 West 7th Street, 6 - 9 PM). Info: (908) 755-5994.
- Food Donations Needed: Consider donating to your 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/.
- Ends Today. Holiday Toy Drive by Sleepy Hollow Realtors. Once again, Joe Burris, John Nash and the Sleepy Hollow Realtors team are collecting toys for area charities. Bring your donation of a new, unwrapped toy for a boy or girl BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, to Sleepy Hollow Realtors, 1304 South Avenue. Info: (908) 822-0550.
- Ends Today. Holiday Toy Drive by King's Temple. The church seeks new, unwrapped toys to distribute to Plainfield children at the holidays. Donations may be dropped off at Harvest Radio, 120 West 7th Street, Ste 202, Monday thru Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM. Info: Toya Kirkwood, (908) 757-6700 or (908) 753-5825. The toys will be distributed at the 7th Annual Candle Lighting service on Saturday at 7 PM at the church, 1020 West 7th Street. A light dinner follows the service. More info here.
- Today through Thursday - December 24. Together AsOne Adopt-a-Family Holiday Celebration. This network of Black Entrepreneurs Who Care has adopted two families from Plainfield Action Services, for whom they are gathering gifts to make a very special Christmas. Gifts or donations via PayPal are needed. For full details, check AsOne's website here. Info: (908) 755-8220 or email staff@asoneonline.com.
- Today thru Sunday - Dec 20. All Day. BORDERS Gift Wrap Benefiting Plainfield Area Humane Society. Shop at Borders in Watchung Square Mall and have your book or other item gift-wrapped by volunteers from PAHS. Proceeds benefit the Rock Avenue facility.
- Saturday - December 19. 7 PM. New Dems Holiday Potluck and Canned Food Drive. Mix and mingle with new friends and old and celebrate the winter holiday season! Bring a dish to share and one or two nonperishable food items for donation to Plainfield's local feeding programs. Food, fun, music -- maybe even carolling. At the home of Adrian and Amelia Mapp, 535 West 8th Street.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
- (NOTE DOUBLE MEETING) Monday - December 21. 7:30 and 8 PM. City Council Agenda Session and Public Hearing on FY2010 Budget. The agenda session will set the January 1, 2010, reorganization meeting. Public may speak at end of the agenda session meeting. At 8 PM, the Council will conduct a Public Hearing on the FY2010 introduced budget, at which the public may speak. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. (Parking and entry at rear of building.)
- Tuesday - December 22 - (Final day for ticket purchase). NJ Nets Basketball Trip (Saturday - January 2). The Plainfield Youth Basketball Program hosts its annual Nets trip. See LeBron and Shaq and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Last day to purchase tickets: December 22. Bus departs PHS Kenyon Avenue lot at 11:30 AM sharp (game time: 1 PM). Tickets: $25/person, includes bus and ticket to game. Info: Lenny Cathcart, (908) 305-0668.
- Thursday - December 24. Starting at Dusk and through the evening. Netherwood Heights Luminary Display. Residents of Netherwood Heights offer their annual luminaries display for the delight of the community. Glowing from candles within, the luminaries will grace homes and sidewalks on Berkeley Avenue, Ravine Road, Dixie Lane and Denmark Road. Start tour from East 7th and Belvidere or Leland and Berkeley. For more information, go to netherwoodheights.com/.
- Thursday - December 24. 6:30 PM. Community Candlelight Peace Vigil. Peace activists and supporters from Plainfield and surrounding communities will gather for a witness to peace, with candles, signs and carols. On West 7th Street in front of the United Church of Christ, Congregational. West 7th Street and Madison Avenue (parking in Madison Avenue lot and on the street).
- Thursday - December 24. 7 PM. A Service of Lessons and Carols. At United Church of Christ, Congregational. West 7th Street and Madison Avenue (parking in Madison Avenue lot and on the street).
- Saturday - December 26. 1 - 5 PM. Community Kwanzaa Celebration. This celebration of family, community and culture will feature drumming, storytelling, poetry, an Afrikan market place and a Kwanzaa lighting ceremony. Includes a 'Karamu' catered Afrikan American Feast. Sponsored by Mayor Robinson-Briggs and the Division of Recreation. Info: (908) 753-3097. FREE.
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