Where Plainfield turns for news.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Olddoc: An open letter to Gov. Christie on CFO mess.. Maria lists Christie's reform measures.. Bernice: Council probes code enforcement budget.. CBAC invites residents' questions on the budget and the budget process.. Jackie has some great pix for the weekend..


PLAINFIELD TODAY:

CFO Mess:  "State threatens Plainfield"
Census:  "Plainfield boosts participation from 2000"
PHS Football:  "Cardinals over Watchung Hills"
YMCA:  "1922 YMCA Circus Performers"
-- Historic YMCA photograph. 

7th Congressional District:  "GOP incumbent Lance challenged by North Plainfield newcomer Potosnak" 
Edison:  "Firefighters sue, claiming staff cuts put residents at risk"
Policing:  "Union Twp. cops install high-tech digital cams in cars"
South Plainfield:  "Anesh choice for mayor in South Plainfield" -- Courier News endorsement.
Union County:  "Countywide election roundup"

The Auditor:  "Thaw between Christie, Chamber of Commerce"
Editorial, Ledger:  "Cap salaries, but with a compromise"
Tom Morah:  "Speaker Oliver may bend but she won't break"
Paul
Mulshine:  "Stewart-Colbert rally a good time, not much else"

Autism:  "Delicate balancing act: Dogs and autistic kids"
Corruption:  "Of 44 arrested in sting, ex-assemblyman will be first to try entrapment defense"
Obama Memorabilia:  "Surplus of Obama commemorative coins will aid NJ children's charity"
Peace Corps:  "First-ever Peace Corps recruits holding Rutgers reunion"
PSE&G:  "PSE&G threatens to leave NJ over millions in tax credits"
Shared Services:  "Is economy giving impetus to shared services in NJ?"

Real Estate:  "Unfinished renovations harm homeowners, neighbors, towns"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes the Council probes the code enforcement budget. Olddoc posts an open letter to Gov. Christie and the DCA on the CFO mess. Maria itemizes the governor's reform 'tool kit'. The Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee is requesting residents' budget questions, see CBAC. Vashon Hill of the Leadership Project of Jefferson and Cook schools blogs at A Student's Perspective, on the importance of crisis management plans. Plainfield Sports News finds Immaculata holds off Elizabeth. Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, sports her weekend pix, with some stunning plays of light, shadow and reflections.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING



  • Today - October 31. Halloween. Look for kids with their parents trick 'n treating this afternoon.
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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Bernice: Council questions video costs.. Maria points to CBAC for budget questions.. Burney on 'CFO-gate'.. McWilliams and Cable TV Committee on today's P-PAL event.. CBAC solicits budget questions.. PSN has Week 8 football rankings.. Renata, Milani and Vashon all have fresh posts..


CFO:  "Plainfield officials ordered to hire new CFO or face daily fines"
Habitat for Humanity:  "Planfield Habitat chapter names new president"
Immigrants & Police:  "Meeting brings together Prosecutor, immigrants and police"
Neighborhood House:  "New Kaboom! playground facilitated by United Way"
P-PAL:  "Plainfield director stepping into spotlight"
6th Congressional District:  "Pallone the best option in 6th District" -- Courier endorsement.

Elizabeth:  "Lesniak irritated by Christie appointment of Fajardo to education task force"
Sayreville:  "DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick & Cole sues Sayreville Dems for defamation"
St. Peter's Hospital:  "New Brunswick hospital gets negative credit outlook from S&P"
Union County:  "PSE&G to install solar panels on county utility poles"

Elections:  "AG to send staffers to troubleshoot election legal issues"
Stewart-Colbert Rally:  "Fans hope rally will boost activism"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice reports the Council questioned video costs at budget hearing. Olddoc fills the wait for a response to the state with a leaf-peeper's lesson. Maria suggests residents with budget questions send them to the CBAC. Councilor McWilliams posts info on Plainfield film producer Alrick Brown's appearance at P-PAL youth event tomorrow. Councilor Burney posts his reaction to CFO-gate.BOE member Renata Hernandez at Standing In The Gap, and daughter Milani at PEPTalk: A PPS pupil's perspective, celebrate Renata's birthday. Vashon Hill of the Leadership Project of Jefferson and Cook schools at A Student's Perspective, updates us on the project's fall activities. Plainfield Sports News reports week 8 mid-state 39 high school football rankings, plus girls' boxing tryouts in AC. Cable TV Advisory Board posts on today's Alrick Brown presentation. The Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee is requesting residents' budget questions, see CBAC.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING


  • Today - October 30. 11 AM - 2 PM. P-PAL 'Youth Exposure' Program: Filmmaker Alrick Brown. Join the P-PAL program's young people in a 'Plainfield's Promise' presentation featuring Plainfield's own Alrick Brown, filmmaker and screenwriter. Joined by performances by En Pointe Dance Studio and Wazito Freestyle Karate School. At Washington Community School, 427 Darrow Avenue (parking in Spooner Avenue lot). FREE.

  • Today - October 30. 7 PM. Boys & Girls Club Casino Night Benefit. Join supporters of all the Union County Boys & Girls Clubs for their first annual casino night. Entry gives you $200 in play money, casino games, food and an open bar. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes to win and music throughout the evening. Tickets: $100/person. At Twin Brooks Country Club, Watchung. Info: Alan Kornblum at (908) 687-7976 x4, or email akornblum@bgcuc.org.
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Friday, October 29, 2010

CFO Mess: Bernice reports decision, Olddoc excoriates DCA, Maria posts correspondence, Burney notes Mayor, Council held responsible.. Councilor McWilliams posts complete info on P-PAL program featuring local filmmaker Alrick Brown..


Cellphone Fees:  "Verizon Wireless settles with FCC over 'mystery fees'" -- Local users may be owed refunds.
Sports Authority:  "Judge orders disclosure of deals made with concert, event promoters"
Teacher Evaluations:  "Christie appoints task force to revamp NJ teacher evaluations"
Turnpike Authority:  "IRS audits $1.375B in authority 'Build America' bonds"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice reports the State orders city to hire CFO within 30 days or face fines. Olddoc thinks the state position on the CFO stinks, and picks up on Storch's roads report. Maria posts response from state on her CFO inquiry. Councilor McWilliams posts info on Plainfield film producer Alrick Brown's appearance at P-PAL youth event tomorrow. Councilor Burney notes state holds Mayor and Council responsible in CFO mess.BOE member Renata Hernandez Standing In The Gap, asks to be dropped from the CLIPS lineup -- bookmark her blog now if you haven't already.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING


  • Today - October 29. 6 PM. Division of Recreation Halloween Party. The annual kids Halloween party includes costume contest, prizes, snacks, candy and lots of fun. The event provides a safe and fun environment 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.

  • Tomorrow - October 30. 7 PM. Boys & Girls Club Casino Night Benefit. Join supporters of all the Union County Boys & Girls Clubs for their first annual casino night. Entry gives you $200 in play money, casino games, food and an open bar. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes to win and music throughout the evening. Tickets: $100/person. At Twin Brooks Country Club, Watchung. Info: Alan Kornblum at (908) 687-7976 x4, or email akornblum@bgcuc.org.
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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Bernice on LWV forum.. Storch: Update on road improvements.. Olddoc has PILOTs questions; asks what happens when Bibi is on maternity leave?.. Dr. E=MC² challenges NEA on changing education landscape.. Renata & Milani invite all to meet director/writer Alrick Brown Saturday.. CBAC posts budget hearings schedule, labor contracts..


Hudson Rail Tunnel:  "Christie buries tunnel" -- Ledger | Courier | NJSpotlight |
Schools:  "Violence in schools down, prescription drug abuse rises"
Supremes:  "Top court: Public workers with expunged records remain barred from public employment"

Spivey on Beer:  "Erding brew ends Oktoberfest on a high note"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice reports on new state strictures coloring the budget talks and the LWV forum showcased the four Council candidates. Olddoc has plenty of questions about PILOT payments, wonders what happens when city administrator is on maternity leave, more. Councilor Storch gives an update on road improvements. BOE member Renata Hernandez reports at Standing In The Gap, posts invitation to meet Plainfield film director and screenwriter Alrick Brown on Saturday, as does her daughter Milani at PEPTalk: A PPS pupil's perspective. Dr. E=MC², challenges the NEA (and the NJEA?) to acknowledge the changing educational landscape, and for the 'blame game' to stop between the various levels of Plainfield schools. The Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee is up and blogging, see CBAC where the FY2011 budget schedule is posted, along with several city employee contracts. Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, puts up the Survivor: Nicaragua 10/27 blog party post.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING


  • Today - October 28. 7 - 9 PM. City Council Budget Hearing. Citizens are invited to the Council's seven budget deliberation sessions, where the city's budget is taken up department by department. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Today - October 28. 7:00 PM. Cable TV Advisory Board. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building. Look for signs -- location will be bumped because of City Council budget hearing.

  • Tomorrow - October 29. 6 PM. Division of Recreation Halloween Party. The annual kids Halloween party includes costume contest, prizes, snacks, candy and lots of fun. The event provides a safe and fun environment 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.

  • Saturday - October 30. 7 PM. Boys & Girls Club Casino Night Benefit. Join supporters of all the Union County Boys & Girls Clubs for their first annual casino night. Entry gives you $200 in play money, casino games, food and an open bar. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes to win and music throughout the evening. Tickets: $100/person. At Twin Brooks Country Club, Watchung. Info: Alan Kornblum at (908) 687-7976 x4, or email akornblum@bgcuc.org.
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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Bernice and Olddoc on first budget hearing (fire and police).. Maria posts Pat Ballard Fox on PILOTS.. Councilor McWilliams outlines budget hearing schedule, procedures.. Renata outs anonymous blogger -- careless or calculated?.. CBAC has several of city's union contracts up on blog..


Port Authority:  "EEOC files sex, age discrimination suit against PA"
Unemployment Payments:  "NJ 30th state to replace unemployment checks"

National Politics:  "Dems game plan to hold House: Divide and conquer"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice reports on first budget deliberations (fire and police) and Council President's unhappiness with some answers given. Olddoc gives his take on the Council's first budget meeting. Maria posts former deputy city administrator Pat Fox's comment on PILOTs. Councilor McWilliams posts budget deliberations schedule, logistics and using her disappointment with last year's deliberations, guides for better structure this year. Councilor Mapp on shared services and economies of scale. Councilor Storch updates us on the State and the CFO dilemma. After a hiccup, the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee has several of the city's union contracts up at CBAC, where the FY2011 budget is being reviewed. BOE member Renata Hernandez preemptively posts her comment to blogger 'Michael' at Standing In The Gap, over disappointment at public turnout at BOE's 'state of district' presentation. Plainfield Sports News' Noel Pyne reports the Immaculata/Plainfield game.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING


  • Today - October 27. 5 PM Sharp. Community Basketball Trip: Nets vs. Pistons. Bus leaves City Hall parking lot at 5 PM and returns at 11 PM. Tickets are first come, first served with a limit of two (2) per household. $55/person includes game ticket and transportation. Info and purchases at the Division of Recreation, City Hall Annex (510 Watchung Avenue) or call (908) 73-3097.

  • Today - October 27. 7 PM. League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. Celebrating 90 years of electoral and community activism, the Plainfield chapter's candidate forum features candidates for Plainfield City Council - Ward 1: Bill Reid (D) and Sean Alfred (R) and Wards 2/3 at- large: Rebecca Williams (D) and Jim Pivnichny (R). At Emerson Community School, East 3rd Street at Emerson Avenue.

  • Today - October 27. 7 PM. Halloween Safety Plan Meeting. Director Hellwig will update block association and neighborhood groups on safety plans for Halloween. At the 2nd floor conference room, Police headquarters, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street.

  • Today - October 27. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Tomorrow - October 28. 7 - 9 PM. City Council Budget Hearing. Citizens are invited to the Council's seven budget deliberation sessions, where the city's budget is taken up department by department. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Tomorrow - October 28. 7:00 PM. Cable TV Advisory Board. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building. Look for signs -- location will be bumped because of City Council budget hearing.

  • Friday - October 29. 6 PM. Division of Recreation Halloween Party. The annual kids Halloween party includes costume contest, prizes, snacks, candy and lots of fun. The event provides a safe and fun environment 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.

  • Saturday - October 30. 7 PM. Boys & Girls Club Casino Night Benefit. Join supporters of all the Union County Boys & Girls Clubs for their first annual casino night. Entry gives you $200 in play money, casino games, food and an open bar. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes to win and music throughout the evening. Tickets: $100/person. At Twin Brooks Country Club, Watchung. Info: Alan Kornblum at (908) 687-7976 x4, or email akornblum@bgcuc.org.
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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

McWilliams fires warning shot on budget deliberations.. Storch: Update on State and CFO.. Mapp on shared services.. Maria on PILOTs.. Olddoc: Budget questions needing answers.. Bernice: Cranapple Lane?.. PSN: QCBL 10U took two this weekend..


Budget Hearing:  "Council sets public budget hearing" -- Same night, time as business meeting.
Battle of Bound Brook:  "Library receives 1777 newspaper detailing Revolutionary War battle"
Sen. Lesniak:  "Officials start petition against MVC closure"
-- Lesniak: 'A great incontinence'...?
Maplewood Murder:  "North Plainfield suspect in murder surrenders" | "Newark suspect surrenders"
Rahway:  "Joan Rivers will perform at UCPAC"
Shared Services:  "Middlesex county clerk in shared services agreement for e-filing"
South Plainfield:  "Voters will choose between council president and ex-mayor"
Union County Sheriff's Race:  "Froehlich promotes his record" | "Lijoi promotes tax reduction, efficiency"

Arbitration:  "Short of votes,
Dems postpone vote on arbitration change for police, fire" -- Ledger | PolNJ |
Bullying:   "Lawmakers want to create anti-bullying bill of rights" -- Ledger | Gannett | NJSpotlight |
Census:  "NJ census participation down from 2000"
Hudson River Tunnel:  "Christie taking more time to decide fate of tunnel"
Lead Paint Abatement:  "More NJ households eligible for lead paint removal aid"
Legislature:  "Assembly redefines 'renewable energy'"
-- Doesn't look good.
NJEA:  "Undercover video purportedly shows anti-Christie actions" -- By same creep who faked ACORN video.
OPRA:  "Court: Rutgers clinic's records subject to OPRA"

National Politics:  "Tea Party candidates losing steam?"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice is back, finding DLGS weakened, Plainfield's latest street is Cranapple Lane, and a Kinokuniya note. Olddoc applies his sharp eye to the proposed budget, with questions that need answers. Maria takes up PILOTS with links and questions, plus the NJEA video (which may yet burn the video maker). Councilor McWilliams posts budget deliberations schedule, logistics and using her disappointment with last year's deliberations, guides for better structure this year. Councilor Mapp on shared services and economies of scale. Councilor Storch updates us on the State and the CFO dilemma. After a hiccup, the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee has several of the city's union contracts up at CBAC, where the FY2011 budget is being reviewed.  Plainfield Sports News reports QCBL 10U won two this weekend. BOE member Renata Hernandez reports at Standing In The Gap, on PAAAS wearing pink for Breast Cancer awareness.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING


  • Today - October 26. 7 - 9 PM. City Council Budget Hearing. Citizens are invited to the Council's seven budget deliberation sessions, where the city's budget is taken up department by department. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • [CANCELLED] Today - October 26. 7:30 PM. Historic Preservation Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building. Next meeting November 16.

  • Tomorrow - October 27. 5 PM Sharp. Community Basketball Trip: Nets vs. Pistons. Bus leaves City Hall parking lot at 5 PM and returns at 11 PM. Tickets are first come, first served with a limit of two (2) per household. $55/person includes game ticket and transportation. Info and purchases at the Division of Recreation, City Hall Annex (510 Watchung Avenue) or call (908) 73-3097.

  • Tomorrow - October 27. 7 PM. League of Women Voters Candidate Forum. Celebrating 90 years of electoral and community activism, the Plainfield chapter's candidate forum features candidates for Plainfield City Council - Ward 1: Bill Reid (D) and Sean Alfred (R) and Wards 2/3 at- large: Rebecca Williams (D) and Jim Pivnichny (R). At Emerson Community School, East 3rd Street at Emerson Avenue.

  • Tomorrow - October 27. 7 PM. Halloween Safety Plan Meeting. Director Hellwig will update block association and neighborhood groups on safety plans for Halloween. At the 2nd floor conference room, Police headquarters, Watchung Avenue and East 4th Street.

  • Tomorrow - October 27. 7:30 PM. Plainfield Shade Tree Commission. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Thursday - October 28. 7 - 9 PM. City Council Budget Hearing. Citizens are invited to the Council's seven budget deliberation sessions, where the city's budget is taken up department by department. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building.

  • Thursday - October 28. 7:00 PM. Cable TV Advisory Board. City Hall Library. Public invited. Parking and entry at rear of building. Look for signs -- location will be bumped because of City Council budget hearing.

  • Friday - October 29. 6 PM. Division of Recreation Halloween Party. The annual kids Halloween party includes costume contest, prizes, snacks, candy and lots of fun. The event provides a safe and fun environment 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.

  • Saturday - October 30. 7 PM. Boys & Girls Club Casino Night Benefit. Join supporters of all the Union County Boys & Girls Clubs for their first annual casino night. Entry gives you $200 in play money, casino games, food and an open bar. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, prizes to win and music throughout the evening. Tickets: $100/person. At Twin Brooks Country Club, Watchung. Info: Alan Kornblum at (908) 687-7976 x4, or email akornblum@bgcuc.org.
Got an event to publicize? Click here and send me the details.

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