Plainfield Democratic Headquarters Office

Next week volunteers are invited to the Plainfield Democratic Headquarters on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:00pm.

At this Initial meeting we will discuss scheduling for the office and our representatives for the Obama people, Charles Eke and Rasheed Burney will give us updates on their trip to Denver from the Democratic National Convention.

Out of this meeting we will be planning the Official opening of the Headquarters. My goal is to work with the Obama people, the Lautenberg and Frank Pallone staff on the Federal level our County Freeholder candidates and our local candidates. I will not be drawn into any negative campaigning that would hurt my ability to get all of the votes out for this Democratic line. I feel that this is not the time to get involved in any local petty politics which would potentially side track one of the most critical elections in our country’s history.

Update on Muhlenberg Hospital

This past week I decided not to attend the Democratic National Convention and instead stay in the 22nd District to deal with some important issues that I felt was important to the taxpayers of my District.

There is a lot of false information being circulated that does not help with my ability to work with the City, potential buyers and the POP Organization. These individuals are more concerned with being critical of the Mayor and Council than bringing solutions to the problems. Some of the issues we have discussed this week, Transportation; there is no transportation on weekends. The schedule is included in today’s blog and unfortunately has no telephone number to call for assistance. We all agree this has to be improved. Also, there was a comment this week in reference to new developers having to start from scratch with the application process. Unfortunately, some people have a problem printing the truth because in prior meetings we had with the Commissioner of Health this issue would be handled differently and the developers would not have to start from scratch.

The issue concerning the Medical Enterprise Zone in the City of Plainfield was never brought to my attention. I checked with other Legislators in Central Jersey and also the Department of Health and the last thing they were aware of was the half-million dollars that Plainfield lost in grant money due to no one from the past administration communicating with the folks in Trenton. I would like to get that information on the Medical Enterprise Zone so I can follow-up and share this with the public.

I am the same Legislator who responded to the request from Muhlenberg and the Snider family when they needed 4 million dollars to build the nursing school. I and Linda Stender stepped up to make it happen. On the average over the last 8 years I have been able to acquire 2 – 4 million dollars in grants per year. My question to any local or County Freeholders from Plainfield. What have you done?

The Mayor, Commissioner and I are meeting next week to discuss issues that have been brought to my attention by the people in the community and POP Organization. I am hoping in the future that we can talk about the present and future because talking about the past does not serve the City.


New Transportation Services Available to Former Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center Patients

JFK/Muhlenberg Campus Shuttle
Beginning August 14th, 2008, Solaris Health Systems will operate a shuttle service to and from the main entrance at the Muhlenberg Campus to the main entrance at JFK Medical Center from Noon to 8:30 pm daily. The shuttle will depart the Muhlenberg campus on the hour and will depart the JFK campus on the half hour. Appointments are not necessary. This service is free of charge to patients and visitors. Daily schedule is as follows:

Departing Muhlenberg
12:00pm - 1:00pm - 2:00pm - 3:00pm - 4:00pm - 5:00pm - 6:00pm - 7 :00pm - 8:00pm

Arrival at JFK
12:20pm - 1:20pm - 2:20pm - 3:20pm - 4:20pm - 5:20pm - 6:20pm - 7:20pm - 8:20pm

Departing JFK
12:30pm - 1:30pm - 2:30pm - 3:30pm - 4:30pm - 5:30pm - 6:30pm - 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Arrival at Muhlenberg
12:50pm - 1:50pm - 2:50pm - 3:50pm - 4:50pm - 5:50pm - 6:50pm - 7:50pm - 8:50pm


Medical Taxi Service

Beginning August 14, 2008, the Tri-County Red Cross will provide free* Medical Taxi service to JFK Medical Center patients for hospital based services that are no longer available on the Muhlenberg Campus. This service will be provided to patients living in Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center’s primary and secondary service area so they can access non-emergent services at JFK Medical Center. This transportation service will be available at no-cost to our patients and may be scheduled at the time appointments are made for services at JFK. The transportation is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 6 am to 5 pm and is provided door-to-door. Patients in wheelchairs can be accommodated. Patients in need of this service should request it when they call to schedule an appointment at the hospital.

*fees for missed appointments may apply

Taxi Vouchers to and from Trinitas hospital
Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth has assumed responsibility Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center’s inpatient mental health programs and acute care services to obstetrics patients of the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation’s Plainfield area patients. Solaris Health System has engaged Taxi & Limo One to provide taxi vouchers for 24 hour taxi service to and from Trinitas hospital for these patients. Vouchers are available at the Neighborhood Health Services Corporation – Plainfield, Trinitas Hospital, and the SED at the Muhlenberg Campus. Patients will require pre-approval and an authorization code number from clinical staff at any of these locations prior to calling Taxi & Limo One for a taxi.