Bernice: Charter Study Commission's launch.. Olddoc on Monday's Council meeting.. Maria on Police Division staffing levels; Domestic violence..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Charter Study Commission's choices outlined"

Manslaughter:  "Former Plainfield cop guilty in crash that killed two"
James Ventantonio:  "Ventantonio joins Union County-based law firm" -- Formerly Plainfield's City Solicitor.
Police Blotter:  "Plainfield police blotter" -- See pages 3,4.
NJ Transit:  "Smartphone app will give real-time routes to bus riders"

Campaign Funds:  "Insurance exec gets 5 years for funneling $100K to Menendez campaign"
East Orange:  "Attorney indicted on charges he stole $600K from clients"
Edison:  "Police turmoil continues as deputy chief files 4 complaints against chief"
Newark:  "Judge: Booker did not have authority to cast vote on vacant council seat" -- Ledger | PolNJ |
North Plainfield:  "Airplane fuel delivered to local gas stations"
Rahway:  "2012 tax appeals cost city half-million dollars"
Westfield:  "Voters approve bond for school roofs" -- Taking artificial turf out helped pass question.

2013 Governor's Race --

• Booker:  "Newark mayor to decide on governor's bid"
• Buono:  "Middlesex Dems rally around Buono candidacy"

Hurricane Sandy --

• FEMA:  "Business owners complain FEMA isn't helping much"
• NJT:  "Questions persist over NJT decision to leave rail cars exposed to flooding"

Pay-to-Play:  "AG indicts former Birdsall official on conspiracy charge" -- A Robinson-Briggs vendor.
Cancer:  "Study shows caffeine lowers mortality rate for some cancers"
FedEx:  "Internal email shows FedEx systematically overcharged business, government clients"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice on launch of Charter Study Commission. Olddoc on Monday's Council meeting. Maria on Plainfield Police staffing levels; domestic violene.

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Olddoc on lack of CFO, purchasing agent, overlooked grants.. Bernice: Annie McWilliams lauded; Tree stumps to be removed.. Maria invites all to keep Dottie Gutenkauf in their thoughts.. Rebecca spotlights Eartha Kitt..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "PMUA Board, Charter Study Commission meetings tonight"

Joe Gutenkauf:  "Plainfield civic leader, civil rights champion dies at 87"
Obituary:  "Josef C. Gutenkauf"
PAHS:  "Best Friends 'Anignal Angels' program benefits Plainfield animal shelter"

Dunellen:  "Pro wrestling stars at KofC this Saturday"
Edison:  "Police Chief: Internal affairs investigation was FBI cooperation"
NJ Symphony:  "NJSO hires Brooklyn Phil's Dare as new CEO"
NJ Transit:  "Executive vows mistake that led to flooded trains won't happen again"
Springfield:  "Recount requested in tight township election"

2013 Governor's Race:  "Buono set to announce candidacy"
Board of Ed Races:  "Shift in school election dates leads to massive spending drop"
Gay Marriage:  "Lawmaker introduces bill asking voters to decide gay marriage rights"
Supreme Court --

• Nominees:  "BPU head, military veteran Christie's latest court nominees"
• Lesniak Reaction:  "Lesniak: Independent judgment will be key to candidates' success"

Utilities:  "Residents demand post-Sandy changes in first public meeting"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes stump removal planned as cleanup continues; Annie McWilliams lauded for service. Olddoc cites ongoing fiscal issues: lack of CFO, purchasing agent, overlooked grants. Maria on Joe Gutenkauf's passing asks thoughts for Dottie. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights Eartha Kitt.

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Olddoc and Bernice on Joe Gutenkauf's passing.. Maria on 'Love Letters' project.. Jackie's The Amazing Race season finale blog party.. Rebecca on South Pacific's Juanita Hall..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Obituary: Josef (Joe) Gutenkauf"

Cell Towers:  "Bridgewater introduces ordinance to regulate cell towers, placement"
Edison:  "Police reveal astonishing record of misconduct"
Fanwood:  "Landmark building survives in Fanwood"
Gay Marriage:  "Two justices key to gay marriage showdown"
Hoboken:  "Mayor appeals to judge to get candidate for vacant seat installed" -- Plainfield not alone in Keystone Kops antics over filling Council vacancy.

2013 Governor's Race:  "On Face The Nation, Booker says he's still considering run" -- Ledger | PolNJ |

NOTE: Some Sunday news and opinion items are posted late by the Ledger to its site; these will appear in Monday's CLIPS.

• The Auditor:  "Buono's been very busy...getting ready for a run? more..."
• John Farmer:  "GOP's politics unraveling before our eyes"
• Tom Moran:  "Welcoming Wal-Mart, warts and all"
• Paul Mulshine:  "Who's holding down the fort? Certainly not FEMA"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice and Olddoc post Joe Gutenkauf's obituary. Maria on 'The World Needs More Love Letters' project. At Jackie's TV Blog, the Amazing Race season finale blog party. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights South Pacific's Juanita Hall.

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Olddoc: Monday's Council agenda; Happy Hannukah.. Bernice: Police accreditation no cure for internal strife?; Happy Chanukah.. Maria on daylaborers and day workers.. PSN: ELizabeth over Piscataway.. Jackie's week in review plus sly pic of Vincent the cat..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Blank-Fest concert today for homeless displaced by Sandy"

Swain Galleries:  "'Christmas Miniatures' exhibit runs through December"

Edison:  "Police force plagued by infighting, lawsuits"
George Street Playhouse:  "Review: The Best of Enemies"
Hillside:  "Revolving door of CFOs causing headaches for town"
Perth Amboy:  "Heated mayoral battle also about Dem committee seats"
Westfield:  "Schools to try bond referendum again, this time without artificial turf"

2013 Governor's Race:  "Wisniewski will not seek Dem nomination"
FEMA:  "FEMA to close 9 NJ disaster centers"
Foreclosures:  "Upshot of the foreclosure backlog"
Sandy Recovery:  "NJ turns to 'Master of Disaster' for Sandy recovery"

Product Recalls:  "Dream On Me recalls children's products"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice : Police accreditation no cure for internal strife? Happy Chanukah to all.  Olddoc on Monday's agenda, plus Hannukah wishes. Maria on daylaborers and day workers. At Plainfield Sports News, Elizabeth holds off Piscataway. At Jackie's TV Blog, the week in review features a sly pic of Vincent the cat.

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Olddoc: SID surveillance cams, and more.. Bernice finds storm cleanup grant turns up.. Maria: Call Jerry to voice your opinion on mayoral candidates.. Rebecca spotlights singer Bessie Smith..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "New Dems holiday breakfast today looks at 2013 races"
• "SID's annual Horse & Wagon ride today"

Sex Assaults:  "Plainfield man convicted of assault of Aberdeen girl, 13"
Vehicular Homicide:  "Retired Plainfield cop denied being drunk in accident that killed two"
Storm Recovery:  "NJ residents can get grants up to $10K for repairs to storm-damaged homes"

Bridgewater:  "Man sentenced to 7.5 years for writing $100K bad check to friend" -- Courier | Ledger |
UMDNJ:  "Female professors settle sex-discrimination suit for $4.65M"

2013 Governor's Race:  " Booker: Christie is 'vulnerable'"
Gov. Christie:  "Guv signs bill barring handover of social media passwords to employers"
Sandy Recovery:  "White House to ask for $60B in recovery aid for NJ, NY"
Schools:  "Christie initiative to address shortage of math, science teachers"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice finds a storm cleanup grant turns up on Council agenda. Olddoc on SID surveillance cams, Mack indictment, Pearl Harbor Day thoughts and more. Maria urges readers call Asm Green on their choice for mayor -- Mapp or Briggs; more. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights singer Bessie Smith.

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Bernice: Did Sandy foil CFO search?; Lesson of Mack indictment.. Maria: News from SID magazine; Cranford considers charter study.. Olddoc: Financial questions in storm relief.. PSN on Hoop Group Showcase.. Rebecca spotlights dancer Bob Curtis..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "New Dems holiday breakfast Saturday looks at 2013 races"
• "SID's annual Horse & Wagon ride Saturday"

Charter Study:  "Cranford mulls referendum for a charter study"
Foreclosures:  "Lesniak bill would turn abandoned homes into affordable housing"
Medical Marijuana:  "NJ's first climic finally opens, welcoming 20 patients"
Police Accreditation:  "Union County Police invite public comment as part of accreditation"
Sandy Aftermath:  "Pallone calls out FEMA for altering housing plans in NJ"
Trenton:  "Mayor Mack indicted" | "Officials react to Mack's indictment"

Gov. Christie --

• Health Exchanges:  "Chrisie vetoes Obamacare health exchange" -- Ledger | NJSpotlight |
• Sandy Aftermath:  "Christie meets with Obama, lawmakers" -- Courier | Ledger |
• On Obama:  "On Daily Show, Christie defends stance on Obama"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice asks if Sandy foiled the CFO search; ponders lesson of Mack indictment. Olddoc on financial questions in storm relief.. Maria finds news in SID's quartlrly magazine; notes Cranford considers charter study. At Plainfield Sports News, details on next week's Hoop Group Showcase in West Orange. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights dancer Bob Curtis.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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Bernice: PMUA and Charter Study Commission meetings conflict.. Olddoc: Financial questions on storm cleanup.. Maria: What if residents, businesses met to exchange concerns?.. PSN: Cardinals open pre-season against Marist HS.. Jackie: Survivor: Philippines blog party.. Rebecca spotlights Ella Fitzgerald..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Fashion advice in hand, Dan marches on"

Armed Robbery:  "Plainfield trio pleads guilty to armed robberies"
Disaster Loans --

• Union County:  "County businesses can get low interest loans for disaster recovery"
• SBA:  "US Small Business Administration approves $42M in disaster loans"

Sen. Lesniak:  "Senator's 'Never Again' bill aims to prevent long-term power outages"
Newark:  "Heated Booker, council battle has been building for months"
Trenton:  "FBI turns attention in Mack case to carpeting contracts"
Union County Jail:  "Gun suspect dies in apparent suicide at county jail"
Union County Prosecutor:  "CountyWatchers finds 'Generatorgate' cover-up worse than the crime"
Watchung:  "Watchung man found shot to death in minivan" -- In Irvington. Hmmm...
Westfield:  "Board o Ed tries again to bond roof replacements for school buildings"

ELEC:  "Current, former Essex County freeholders face finance reporting complaints"
Medical Marijuana:  "State's first facility opens today in Montclair"
Metal Thieves:  "Legislation aims to help police catch metal thieves"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes PMUA and Charter Study Commission meetings conflict. Olddoc spots some financial questions in storm relief. Maria wonders about a sharing of concerns between residents and downtown business owners; IDs for homeless. At Plainfield Sports News, the Cardinals open the pre-season with a scrimmage against Bayonne's Marist HS. At Jackie's TV Blog, the Survivor: Philippines blog party continues. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights Ellia Fitzgerald.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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Olddoc on discrepancy over FEMA funding of city cleanup; police accreditation.. Bernice spots Mayor's re-election HQ in walkaround.. Maria on Board of Ed communications.. Rebecca spotlights Jessica Tandy..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Getting rid of your storm debris"
• "News from the Plainfield Dem City Committee"

Assault:  "Plainfield man charged with biting copy in ambulance brawl"
Arrests:  "Routine traffic stop yields arrests for drugs, weapons, outstanding warrant"
JFK:  "Construction continues on $30M emergency pavilion"
Letter, Courier:  "Taxing the rich will solve nothing" -- Yes, the writer actually lives in Plainfield.

Hospitals:  "Court approves opening of HUMC at Pascack Valley" -- Ledger | NJSpotlight |
North Plainfield:  "Firefighters distribute winter coats as part of national program"
Sandy Aftermath:  "PSE&G estimates costs up to $300M"
Utilities:  "Redundancy, tree trimming, key to keeping power on" -- From NJSpotlight.

Homeless Vet:  "Homeless man chooses streets over shelter" -- Story gets more complicated.

RECENT POSTS: Bernice does a walk-around with pix, including Mayor's new re-election HQ. Olddoc looks into police accreditation more closely, and the discrepancy over whether or not FEMA is covering city cleanup costs. Maria on Board of Ed's needs for interpretive skills. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights Jessica Tandy.

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Bernice notes several money questions from Council; It's-a-Wrap reopens.. Olddoc on Council briefly, more later.. Maria on police accreditation, Charter Study process.. Rebecca spotlights Frida Kahlo, proposes getting rid of Michelle Bachman..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Give Dan your fashion advice"
• "Shooting near Tower West?"

Counterfeit Goods:  "Plainfield police seize counterfeit designer clothing"
Cop Bitten:  "Plainfield man accused of biting Paramus cop"

Newark:  "Sharpe James criticizes Booker's push to fill vacant Council seat"
North Plainfield:  "Woman broadsides car, sending three to hospital"
South Plainfield:  "Homeless vet in viral photo is from South Plainfield" -- Courier | Ledger |

Minimum Wage:  "Dems pass minimum wage hike, but Christie may veto" -- Courier | Ledger |
Schools:  "Education chief won't lower number of school days in wake of Sandy"
Utilities:  "Smart grid, meters, no magic bullet for damage done by major storms" -- From NJSpotlight.

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes several money questions from Monday's Council meeting; It's-a-Wrap reopens. Olddoc posts briefly on the Council meeting; more to come later. Maria points to online stories of North Plainfield's police accreditation; plus document on Charter Study Commission. Rebecca, at Bathrobe Blogger, spotlights Frida Kahlo and at People Who Need to Go Sit Down Somewhere proposes getting rid of Michelle Bachman..

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Bernice on tonight's Council agenda.. Olddoc: Things Council has not followed up on.. Maria: Just-for-fun Pollo.. Rebecca on World AIDS Day.. PSN rounds up boxing news.. Jackie's The Amazing Race blog party continues..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Mapp revs mayoral campaign; Green ekes out Council appointment"
• "Plainfield teachers score on Dr. Oz show Tuesday"  -- Fox 5, 4:00 PM.

Wardlaw-Hartridge:  "W-H students participate in national 'Girls On The Run'"
Police Blotter:  "Courier Blotter 12/3/12" -- See page 3; caught an illegal dumper...from Yonkers?!

Assisted Suicide:  "Poll: NJ voters support doctor-assisted suicide"
Cory Booker:  "Booker takes Food Stamp challenge: Will live on $4 a day"
Irvington:  "Police chief accused of misconduct through Internal Affairs unit"
Rutgers:  "Five RU professors named fellows"
Union Catholic HS:  "Two seniors named NJ Rising Scholars"
Warren Twp.:  "Pharmacist charged in multi-million dollar internet pharmacy fraud scheme"
Weather Forecasting:  "Storm-spotting satellites expected to fail, leaving yearlong data gap"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice on tonight's Council agenda; plus roses, calendulas still in bloom. Olddoc spots several items Council has never followed up on; plus for-profit colleges. Maria posts just-for-fun video 'Pollo'. Councilor Williams, at And My Point Is. on World AIDS Day. At Plainfield Sports News, a roundup of boxing news. At Jackie's TV Blog, the Amazing Race blog party continues.

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Olddoc on Council agenda.. Bernice on FUSP Craft Fair, Charter Study, PMUA rates.. Maria: Police Division seeks certification.. Rebecca on World AIDS Day.. Jackie's weekly review plus pux..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Staging Sandy's debris"

Foster Kids:  "Plainfield woman says fostering kids is a blessing"

Flemington:  "Landmark Union Hotel poised for renaissance"
Newark:  "Newark Library covers up controversial art" -- Piece by artist Kara Walker.
Paper Mill Playhouse:  "Outwitting the Nazis" -- Revival of Sound of Music.
Hurricane Sandy --

• Cleanup:  "Cleanup continues for crews the clear downed trees"
• Victims:  "Remembering NJ's 40 victims of Sandy" | "40 of our own"

NOTE: Some Sunday news and opinion items are posted late by the Ledger to its site; these will appear in Monday's CLIPS.

• The Auditor:  "Tea Party short on funds; Smith loses chairmanship duel; more"
• Tom Moran:  "Christie riding high and mighty in polls"
• Paul Mulshine:  "Who's on your W list?"
• John Farmer:  "Headstrong toward the cliff"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice on the FUSP Craft Fair; answers to Charter Study questions; deciphering PMUA rates. Olddoc on Mondy's Council agenda. Maria on illegal dumping; Police Division seeks certification. Councilor Williams, at And My Point Is. notes World AIDS Day. At Jackie's TV Blog, the week in review, plus pictures.

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Bernice and Olddoc on PMUA rate hearing (and changes).. Maria notes FUSP Craft Fair today; African Diaspora Film Festival.. PSN covers Louisville-Rutgers match..

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PLAINFIELD TODAY:

• "Adios Concast, Bienvenidos Verizon FiOS"

Union County:  "Prosecutors investigating whether employees took generators for personal use"
No-Bid Contracts:  "US Attorney: No-bid contracts remain key temptation to corruption in NJ"
Sandy Cleanup:  "Union County awarded nearly $1M to hire workers for cleanup"

Pay-to-Play:  "Former Birdsall exec pleads guilty to pay-to-play violations" -- Ledger | Times | -- Hmmm. Plainfield contracts?
Power Grid:  "Sen. Lesniak wants hurricane-proof power grid"

RECENT POSTS: Bernice notes PMUA rate hearing is announced. Olddoc also notes PMUA rate hearing (and changes) plus more in a potpourri. Maria notes FUSP Craft Fair today and African Diaspora Film Festival. At Plainfield Sports News, Louisville stuns Rutgers.

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WHAT'S HAPPENING

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