Community Advisory Group; Defeating Misinformation / Ps

After months of negotiating with the State and Solaris, Mayor Robinson-Briggs and I have been able to work with Council President Rashid Burney, in putting together an advisory committee to deal with issues that are facing Plainfield and the neighboring communities regarding Muhlenberg Hospital.

Unfortunately, there are people in the community that are clueless when it comes to this advisory board, yet blast on their blogs personal attacks, lies, and misinformation. I will not feed into that sort of behavior, and will respond only by saying that all parties involved in the restoration of Muhlenberg agree in principle with moving forward with what is best for the Muhlenberg campus as well as Plainfield and its neighboring communities.

When people are left out in the cold and clueless regarding issues, they resort to putting out negative comments and fabrications. At the appropriate time, the Mayor and Council will share what we have been able to accomplish regarding the construction of an advisory board, and that Plainfield and the neighboring communities get the healthcare they deserve.

I want to share with you a list of the people who have been identified by the Mayor, Council, Solaris, and the State as to who will serve on this committee. I advise anyone who has any concerns to reach out for the Mayor, Council President, or anyone on the taskforce so that they can give you correct answers:

Community Advisory Group (CAG)

1) Assemblyman Jerry Green
2) Sharon Robinson-Briggs, Mayor
3) Marc Dashield, City Administrator
4) Rashid Burney, Council President
5) Marc Collicchio, Municipal Health Officer
6) Jenny Purnell, Plainfield Rescue Squad
7) B.J. Fleming, Captain – Plainfield Fire Division (alt. Firefighter Sheldon Green)
8) Troy Edwards, Sgt. – Plainfield Police Division (alt. P.O. William Tyler)
9) Colleen Mahr, Mayor (Fanwood)
10) Carmen Salvarrietta, Community Activist
11) Dottie Gutenkauf, Community Activist
12) Jay Jimenez, St. Peters University Hospital
13) Lynn Kearny, Rahway Hospital
14) Dennis McGill, MD, Somerset Regional Medical Center

Ps

I have spoken to the Governor and State Commissioner on numerous occasions regarding Muhlenberg. The Commissioner agreed, when I brought it to her attention, in reference to other hospitals being able to keep their license active, that Muhlenberg was not given the opportunity to do so. She put it in writing however, that Muhlenberg will not have to go through the same process if we find a buyer. No hospital that has closed in the past has been a recipient of the types of commitments we have received from the State and Solaris.

Unfortunately, we have a blogger in the City of Plainfield who has not been on the side of the people of Plainfield, but has been in constant league with Solaris. His job has been to try to embarrass me as well as pump out false information. It is clear that this person is bitter from the recent primary election. To that, I say the voters of the 22nd District have spoken. The time is now for this individual to get a life.