After reading the blog comments today, I was shocked to read that people took my honesty as being negative. Some people asked why I had not mentioned Don Davis, yet in still, the same people never responded to what Christie is doing to the citizens of Plainfield. I’m curious if they are more concerned with embarrassing me or not hurting Gov. Christie’s feelings. Everything I said was the truth, in fact, in their blogs they stated that Steve Gallon hired Inez Durham when he first became Superintendent. The Doc mentioned that I was praising myself in my literature; I was just speaking about the impact that this year’s budget was going to have on Plainfield.
Rebecca, you have spent the last five years being critical of me because I supported the Mayor, now when I bring the people who you have supported to the public’s attention, I am being negative. I just have two questions for you (1) Did you or did you not support Christian Estevez for this year’s Board of Education election? (2) Did Inez Durham, your campaign manager, get a job when Steve Gallon became the Superintendent? You are a teacher and I still have yet to hear you being critical of Gov. Christie and how he is treating the teachers. Moreover, he is taking money away from our seniors, as well as other areas, within the City of Plainfield. All you want to do is fight with me; let’s save this for another day.
On another note, I’ve worked with the Hispanic community and the Mayor to put together a coalition. And I find it very embarrassing for Bernice to make a claim that the Mayor put someone on the committee that does not reside in Plainfield; this is not true. Nevertheless, this is business as usual with Bernice; she is being negative and misleading the public with her inaccurate information that she is posting on her blog. Mrs. Salavarrieta is not a member of the committee. The Mayor just asked her if she would be involved due to her experience in dealing with similar issues. Mr. Ortega agreed that she would be a great asset. Bernice, it is time that you get your information correct. Let’s learn how to be a part of the solution and stop feeding the problem. This initiative did not start yesterday. Some members of this committee, as well as, people from the community have been working for a while in addressing issues that face the Hispanic community in Plainfield.
Ps
Rebecca, you mentioned Cory. The only reason why he supports you is because he is afraid of you, I wonder why?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
EMS Vehicle
I had the pleasure of meeting with the Director of the Office of Legislative Services for the New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services to discuss some healthcare issues. While there were a few topics that were covered, the most urgent was the Muhlenberg/Solaris issue.
I asked the Director where we stood on Solaris providing an EMS vehicle to the City of Plainfield. Apparently, there was a miscommunication between Solaris, the State of NJ, and the City of Plainfield. It was my understanding that, as part of the CN terms in closing Muhlenberg, Solaris would provide the City of Plainfield with an EMS vehicle. Solaris is now saying that the EMS vehicle was promised to be provided if, and only if, a settlement agreement was reached with the City of Plainfield. Since there was no settlement, Solaris has allegedly removed that promise from the table. I told Solaris that this was unacceptable and that further investigation would be done on this issue. As a result, I recommended the following:
- The Commissioner’s office should review this entire process from the beginning.
- The City of Plainfield, Solaris, and the Commissioner’s office should meet to discuss how this matter can be rectified in a timely manner.
In moving forward, we need to begin discussing the future of the Muhlenberg campus so we are no longer caught off guard with anything.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Protect Our Public Libraries
Yesterday I had the opportunity to host a hearing to discuss avenues of solution regarding the governance, operation and participation of residents within homeowner’s associations, a hearing that was the bi-product of testimony heard during our February bi-partisan state hearing.
The hearing was very successful wherein both the association management as well as residents voiced their concerns and opinions regarding their establishments.
Before the meeting however, as I was walking through the State House Annex, I heard a large crowd outside assembling and protesting. Since they piqued my interest I decided to walk outside to see library associations, librarians, those who frequent libraries, and those sympathetic to the cause, outside protesting Governor Christie’s proposed budget cuts to public libraries as well as Assembly Bill 2555.
This is an issue that is dear to me because for one, Plainfield Public Library is an apple of the community’s eye. When I walked outside and witnessed the protesters rallying against Christie’s proposed cuts to public libraries as well as Assembly Bill 2555, I made sure to get some fact sheets and wanted to share them with my Legislative District.
Below are some facts presented by the New Jersey Library Association:
Updated: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Budget Reductions to Library Programs Announced by Governor Chris Christie
State Funding For Library Programs FY07-FY11For more information on the FY State Budget and its impact on libraries.
In his budget address on March 16, 2010 Governor Christie announced a 74% cut in library funding from FY10 to FY11
This cut:
ELIMINATES Internet access and electronic journals in hundreds of libraries
ELIMINATES the delivery of materials from other libraries to you - more than 3 million items were delivered in 2009
ELIMINATES 50% of State Aid to public librariesLoss of these programs will put more pressure on local property taxes. The $10.4 million in library programs cut from the Governor's budget represents little more than $1 per person in state funds.
Although I was privy to these proposed cuts, the rally yesterday showed me the drastic effects these cuts will have on the library community within the entire state of New Jersey.
I have met with Mayor Robinson-Briggs to discuss some of these concerns locally, as to the impact these cuts will have on the Plainfield Public Library, and we are going to follow up with a meeting that I have suggested with the City Library Board to discuss what the City of Plainfield can do to help the library.
In visiting the library within the last 30 days, one issue I felt we could deal with right away was the appearance around the library. The mayor agreed and then scheduled for the Public Works Department to clean up the area, which to my understanding, has been done this week.
If anyone has any ideas or information that I can use when I sit down with the members of local and Statewide library communities, please reach out for Jeffrey Williams in my District Office, (908) 561-5757.
The hearing was very successful wherein both the association management as well as residents voiced their concerns and opinions regarding their establishments.
Before the meeting however, as I was walking through the State House Annex, I heard a large crowd outside assembling and protesting. Since they piqued my interest I decided to walk outside to see library associations, librarians, those who frequent libraries, and those sympathetic to the cause, outside protesting Governor Christie’s proposed budget cuts to public libraries as well as Assembly Bill 2555.
This is an issue that is dear to me because for one, Plainfield Public Library is an apple of the community’s eye. When I walked outside and witnessed the protesters rallying against Christie’s proposed cuts to public libraries as well as Assembly Bill 2555, I made sure to get some fact sheets and wanted to share them with my Legislative District.
Below are some facts presented by the New Jersey Library Association:
Updated: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Budget Reductions to Library Programs Announced by Governor Chris Christie
State Funding For Library Programs FY07-FY11For more information on the FY State Budget and its impact on libraries.
In his budget address on March 16, 2010 Governor Christie announced a 74% cut in library funding from FY10 to FY11
This cut:
ELIMINATES Internet access and electronic journals in hundreds of libraries
ELIMINATES the delivery of materials from other libraries to you - more than 3 million items were delivered in 2009
ELIMINATES 50% of State Aid to public librariesLoss of these programs will put more pressure on local property taxes. The $10.4 million in library programs cut from the Governor's budget represents little more than $1 per person in state funds.
Although I was privy to these proposed cuts, the rally yesterday showed me the drastic effects these cuts will have on the library community within the entire state of New Jersey.
I have met with Mayor Robinson-Briggs to discuss some of these concerns locally, as to the impact these cuts will have on the Plainfield Public Library, and we are going to follow up with a meeting that I have suggested with the City Library Board to discuss what the City of Plainfield can do to help the library.
In visiting the library within the last 30 days, one issue I felt we could deal with right away was the appearance around the library. The mayor agreed and then scheduled for the Public Works Department to clean up the area, which to my understanding, has been done this week.
If anyone has any ideas or information that I can use when I sit down with the members of local and Statewide library communities, please reach out for Jeffrey Williams in my District Office, (908) 561-5757.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mayors' Advisory per NJ League of Municipalities
Dear Mayors,
Assemblyman Jerry Green, Chairman of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee, has scheduled a hearing to listen to testimony from residents and invited guests on issues surrounding the governance and operation of homeowners associations.
The hearing is scheduled to meet 2p.m., Thursday, May 6, Committee Room 16, Fourth floor, State House Annex, Trenton.
Complaints about homeowner associations was one of the top concerns heard by Assembly leadership during the February 2 bipartisan public hearing, which was held to gather ideas from residents on how to improve New Jersey.
"The number and variety of complaints and concerns that have been made by or about homeowners associations merits an in-depth discussion," said Chairman Green. "It may be that the associations need legislative help to fulfill their function. It may be that they just do not work. Whatever the case, it is my hope that this hearing will be the first step toward everyone working cooperatively to devise a viable solution to these significant housing concerns."
If you would like to testify or submit testimony, please contact Committee aide Mr. Owen Fletcher at (609) 292-7065.
Very truly yours,
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
Assemblyman Jerry Green, Chairman of the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee, has scheduled a hearing to listen to testimony from residents and invited guests on issues surrounding the governance and operation of homeowners associations.
The hearing is scheduled to meet 2p.m., Thursday, May 6, Committee Room 16, Fourth floor, State House Annex, Trenton.
Complaints about homeowner associations was one of the top concerns heard by Assembly leadership during the February 2 bipartisan public hearing, which was held to gather ideas from residents on how to improve New Jersey.
"The number and variety of complaints and concerns that have been made by or about homeowners associations merits an in-depth discussion," said Chairman Green. "It may be that the associations need legislative help to fulfill their function. It may be that they just do not work. Whatever the case, it is my hope that this hearing will be the first step toward everyone working cooperatively to devise a viable solution to these significant housing concerns."
If you would like to testify or submit testimony, please contact Committee aide Mr. Owen Fletcher at (609) 292-7065.
Very truly yours,
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
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