Mapp thanks city union leaders for meeting to discuss concessions.. Bernice: PMUA 'shared services' hike proposed.. Maria advises a reader on filing an OPRA request.. Olddoc on government finances.. Renata highlights Spivey response on Abdul-Haqq story.. Dr. E=MC² posts on 'Education 101'..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "A New Year's Resolution for Council, Administration"
  
• "Hidden Plainfield: December 5 home ID"

City Clerk:  "Plainfield bids adieu to Laddie Wyatt, longtime clerk"
NJT Parking Lots:  "NJT moving forward in privatizing lots"
Tax Lien Sales:  "Tax lien sales can ruin homeowners, benefit investors, towns"

Asbury Park:  "Cops, firefighters show some skin in support of local arts"
East Newark:  "Towns that shouldn't exist: Borough of East Newark"
Newark --

• Fire Department:  "Retirements taken to avoid layoffs may force closing of fire stations"
• Schools:  "Schools take step toward ending more than decade of state control"

Christie 'Reforms' --

• Analysis:  "Four key reform issues tied to NJ property tax cap"
• Tax Cap:  "Christie, Dem lawmakers remain deadlocked on latest tax reforms"

Debt:  "Mounting debts by states stoke fears of crisis"
Education Commissioner:  "Christie to name new commissioner by year's end" -- Reviews candidate short list.
NJN:  "Bleak budget outlook for public broadcasters"
Property Taxes:  "NJ homeowners caught in crossfire of state's broken tax system"
Transportation:  "NJ's troubled transportation outlook" -- From NJ Spotlight.
Turnpike Authority:  "Turnpike Authority to sell $$1.5B in 'Build America' bonds"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice passes along an alert from DumpPMUA on proposed 'shared services' increase, a note on filling Council vacancies, and bargain shopping in Westfield. Olddoc is spurred to thought about government finances by a NYTimes article, and gives Mack some time in the limelight. Maria advises a reader exactly how to OPRA documents in the matter of the Council's 'special counsel' selection, and asks what the District's parental involvement policies look like. Councilor Mapp thanks the city's union leaders for meeting with the Finance Committee. BOE member Renata Hernandez reports at Standing In The Gap on Mark Spivey's response regarding quoting her in the Abdul-Haqq story. Dr. E=MC² has a new post, Education 101, about respecting the student (I am puzzled that it is dated 11/29, as I check this blog daily and have not seen this post until today; go figure!). Jackie Schnoop's The (TV) Show Must Go On, the TAR December 5 episode blog party post is up..

| BERNICE: PLAINTALKER | MARIA'S BLOG | DOC'S POTPOURRI | PIV FOR PLAINFIELD |
| COUNCILOR McWILLIAMS | COUNCILOR MAPP | COUNCILOR STORCH |
| COUNCILOR BURNEY | JERRY GREEN'S PAGE | PLAINFIELD TOMORROW | BO ON THE 22nd |
  NAT: DUMBED DOWN AMERICA | REBECCA: BATHROBE BLOGGER | RENATA: STANDING IN THE GAP
| PLAINFIELD SPORTS NEWS | JACKIE: THE (TV) SHOW MUST GO ON | DOTTIE G SEZ |
| VASHON: A STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE | MILANI: PEPTalk | DR. E=MC² | SCHOOL NEWS |
| CABLE TV ADVISORY BOARD | CITIZEN'S BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE |

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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• HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTUNITIES --
  
  • CHILDREN'S BOOKS: The Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority is collecting new or gently used children's books. The books will given out at a holiday party hosted by Daybreak Community Development Corporation. Your gift will make a child's holiday a little brighter -- and help support the PMUA's mission to recycle. Books may be left in the lobby of the PMUA offices at 127 Roosevelt Avenue (corner of East 2nd Street) between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday until December 17th. For more info, see here.
    
    
  • WINTER COATS: New or clean, gently used winter coats for children, teens and young adults are needed. You might check with your dry cleaner to see if they have unclaimed coats they are disposing of. Articles may be dropped off at the Dairy Queen, 1367 South Avenue Sundays before 1:00 PM through Friday, December 17th. For more info, see here.
  
  
• Friday - December 10. 7:30 PM. 15th Annual Drake House Tree Lighting. Over the years, the annual tree lighting has become one of the Drake House's prime outreach events, drawing in a large number of families from the neighborhood. This year will feature caroling, a surprise visit by Santa with a gift for every child, and refreshments. There will be drawings for raffle winners and the special Gingerbread House which will be awarded to a lucky family. There will be three theme-decorated trees in the museum's period rooms as well as in the Ballroom. At the Drake House, 602 West Front Street (at the foot of Plainfield Avenue). Info: (908) 755-5831 or visit the website at www.drakehousemuseum.org/.
  
  
• Saturday - December 11. 10 AM - 3 PM. Gifted: A Holiday Bazaar. Featuring holiday crafts, small gifts, jewelry and homemade baked goods. Sponsored by the New  Covenant Christian Academy (proceeds will benefit the Academy). At First-Park Baptist Church Hall, Central Avenue at West 7th Street. Entry off the parking lot on Central Avenue.
  
  
• Saturday - December 11. Noon - 3 PM. 6th Annual Horse and Wagon Rides. Bring the kids out for this ever-popular holiday event, sponsored by Plainfield merchants. Two staging areas: Downtown, West Front near McDonald's, and South Avenue, at Plainwood Square Park. Goody bags for all riders, compliments of the merchants. Santa will be available for photo opportunities with the kids (bring your own camera): Downtown, Noon to 1:15 PM, and South Avenue, 1:45 to 3:00 PM. Drawing for a giant toy-filled  Christmas Stocking at 3:30 PM at Plainwood Square Park (entry forms will be available at both staging locations). Sponsored by the Pllainfield SID. FREE.
  
  
• Sunday - December 12. 3:30 PM. Go Change The World: A Holiday Celebration in Dance, Song and Theatre. Shiloh Baptist Church Liturgical Dance Ministries presents an unforgettable Christmas celebration, with a guest appearance by Work of Art Dance Theatre. At Shiloh Baptist Church, 515 West 4th Street. Reservations are strongly suggested. Call Sharon (732) 247-6201, Cynthia (609) 529-3778 or the church office at (908) 754-3353. No charge, but a free will offering will be taken.
  
  
• Sunday - December 12. 5:30 PM. Concert: Yuletide By Candlelight. The Crescent Singers present their annual gift of holiday music of all ages to the community. At Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, East 7th Street and Watchung Avenue. (Parking in church lot, on street, or in Swain Galleries lot). FREE.
  
  
• Monday - December 13. 7:30 PM. City Council Agenda Session. Public may speak at end of meeting. City Hall Library. 515 Watchung Avenue. Parking and entry at rear of building.

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