Bernice: HPC on solar panels, more.. Olddoc: BOE policy, procedures.. Maria on BOE meeting.. Piv grades Wenson-Maier..
PLAINFIELD TODAY:
Firefighters Toy Drive: "Annual party and toy drive Thursday"
Free Parking: "Plainfield offers free parking for holidays"
Schools: "Official in credentialing issue also denied Florida certificate"
Plainfield observers (click on name to go to post): Bernice notes the Historic Preservation Commission discussed the new solar panels, a budget hearing is set for tonight and laid out personnel challenges facing Mayor Robinson-Briggs. Olddoc posts a long comment by someone close to BOE policy matters, interspersed with his observations and questions. Maria reports on Tuesday's BOE meeting. Piv grades Wenson-Maier's 2009 performance, characterized as 'Jennifer in Wonderland'. Jerry posts letters from the DOT on grants for Plainfield's Green Brook Park trail and Rahway's streetscape improvements (post comments on Jerry's blog here). Bo on the 22nd notes Christie's choice of Paula Dow as AG. 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. Plainfield Sports News notes Sky Blue football club's open tryout.
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.
Red-light Cams: "Newark switches on red-light cams"
Union County Freeholders: "Holiday tips on Freeholder shenanigans" -- From CountyWatchers.
Christie: "Christie's ax aimed at taxes -- state and local" -- Exclusive Asbury Park Press interview.
Bullying: "Panel targets bullying by giving more power to educators" -- Report is here (PDF).
Comcast: "Comcast launches online video service"
Pension Payment Deferrals: "Christie opposes pension deferrals"
Pension Abuse: "IG: Attorney got salary, pension for work not performed" -- Ledger | PolNJ |
| 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
- DQ Drive for Daybreak Kids: Dairy Queen's Donna Albanese is spearheading a drive for 200 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 before 5 PM, Tuesday, December 15. Donna reports the #1 request from kids is for bikes. Bike donations may be dropped off at her house (8 Pitching Way, Scotch Plains, leave in drive if no one home), where her husband will make necessary repairs and deliver them. 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/.
- Sacred Heart Home School Association 'Giving Tree'. The Association has committed to help four families for the holidays. Brian Schoenberger of Queen City Diner hosted a benefit on December 7. Those who were unable to attend may still send a check (make it payable to the Sacred Heart Home School Association, and put 'Giving Tree' in the memo section). Send to: The Giving Tree, c/o Greg Rhein, 115 Muglia Place, South Plainfield, NJ 07080.
- Today through Friday - December 18. 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.
- Today through Friday - December 18. 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.
- Tomorrow - December 17. 7 PM - 2 AM (Showtime 11 PM). Plainfield Fire Division Annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive. A must-do annual event, gathering toys for distribution to social service agencies AND having fun enjoying one of the holiday's great parties. At Los Faraones club, 111 East Front Street. Admission FREE with an unwrapped toy of $10 minimum value.
- 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
- Today - December 16. 7 - 10 PM. City Council: Budget Session. The Council will work on amendments to the proposed FY2010 budget, received from the Administration after the state's budget deadline. On tap: The Plainfield Public Library, Municipal Clerk, Corporation Counsel, Inspections and Recreation. At the Council Chambers/Municipal Court, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public welcome.
- Tomorrow - December 17. 7 - 10 PM. City Council: Capital Budget Session. The Council will consider the Capital Projects budget. At the Council Chambers/Municipal Court, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street. Public welcome.
- (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 will be held 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.
- 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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