How My Council Opponent and I Differ

PMUA Rates

 

At last nights NAACP forum, John Campbell Jr stated that he has no problem with the PMUA rates.  But there is a problem:  many people, including seniors that Mr Campbell claims to sympathize with, can't afford the rates.  

 

I have held a consistent position on PMUA rates.  They must be lowered significantly.  Not just for homeowners but for businesses.  Our combined sewer and solid waste disposal rates are higher than almost anywhere.  That is a disincentive to businesses to locate in Plainfield. 

 

There are a number of ways that PMUA rates can be lowered:

1. give residents the option of once a week pick-up
2. arrange for the PMUA bill to be included in property taxes so the expense is tax deductible
3. keep marketing PMUA services to other towns.  This option works best in combination with the two above.  Otherwise the PMUA rates are not competitive, unless rates offered for out of towners are lower than for our residents.

I have strongly advocated for replacement of PMUA commissioners with ones who understand they are responsible to the ratepayers, not politicians motivated by patronage appointments and million dollar retirement payments.  Now we have new people in place.  Lets not settle for the small rate reductions recently made.

 

Mr Campbell is a nice young man who aspires to a future in politics.  But he needs to do more research on the issues affecting his would be constituents.  We cannot afford City Council members who like the PMUA rates where they are today. 

South Avenue Development

How My Council Opponent and I Differ

I am a strong advocate for the proposed apartment complex on South Avenue.  Here's why:

1. Adding more than 200 apartments will invigorate the businesses along South Avenue.  Many are struggling for lack of customers.  These apartments are designed for middle income residents and particularly young people and recent retirees.  People with money to spend.
2.  This project will help stimulate the creation of new businesses along South Avenue.  A complex this size, added to Netherwood Pointe (recently opened and fully occupied) and the renovation across from the Netherwood train station, brings a total of 300 new apartments to the area.  More residents means more customers for new businesses. 
3. This is what 2nd Ward residents want.  Community input from our vision study, done in conjunction with NJIT, clearly pointed to development around our train stations.  The study specifically called for the apartment complex now proposed.
4. Towns along the Raritan Valley railroad are creating apartments.  Look at Cranford especially and also Fanwood, Somerville, Dunellen and Garwood.  Now that Plainfield is becoming more business friendly, developers and investors are ready to go to work here.
5. This development, called the Gateway development, is being proposed by a reputable firm that has done good work in Maplewood and South Orange.  I have seen these apartments.  They are nice and have nice amenities.  Plainfield's Planning Board (of which I am a member) made sure that the Gateway will have these amenities.

My opponent in the 2nd Ward City Council election, John Campbell, has stated his opposition to the Gateway complex.  He doesn't understand development.  Here is what he is saying:

1. Gateway wont rent up because we haven't created a climate for this type of residential occupancy.  He is wrong.  The proximity of two train stations is a draw.  Look at Netherwood Pointe.  It rented up quickly and fully.  And it doesn't have the amenities that Gateway will have.
2. A 30 year payment in lieu of taxes is bad deal for the city. He is wrong again.  Comparing the tax payments for Gateway to what the city will get from the current property owners, Plainfield will actually gain $5 million over the 30 year period.
3. The school system will be hurt by the influx of more school aged children.  Campbell is wrong again.  These are one and two bedroom apartments.  Netherwood Pointe is not hurting the school system.  This type of apartment is going up all over New Jersey in urban areas, near train stations.  There is no sign of significant school enrollment increases.

My opponent is opposing a project that brings a real opportunity to Plainfield.  We can talk all day about wanting Starbucks but ideas without financial backing have led us to nowhere.  We have a developer who wants to make an investment in a $50 million project in our city.  An investment significant enough to stimulate more businesses along South Ave, to bring more customers to the existing businesses, to create jobs and add vitality to one of Plainfield's neighborhoods.  An investment that will attract young people to move to Plainfield.  It's ironic that young Mr Campbell is opposing young people moving to South Ave.

Best Practices in Public Safety

Plainfield is engaged in two initiatives that will address community concerns about police use of force and accountability.  These initiatives, Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and body cams, are welcomed by our Police Division because they increase officer safety as well as the safety of our residents.

Lets take CIT first.  This is an evidence based practice that started in Memphis, has spread across the nation and has taken root in Union County.  Plainfield police join officers from other municipalities alongside mental health practitioners and advocates in a week long, 40 hour training program.  Police and mental health stakeholders teach each other what they do so the can better collaborate to handle mental health crises.  Officers completing the course are certified  and become the "go to" people in their departments to respond to mental health crises. The lead agencies are the Prosecutors Office, Linden PD, Trinitas Medical Center and Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services (where I work).  Results are less use of force by police and less police and citizen injuries and deaths resulting from response to crisis calls.  More people dealing with a mental illness are referred for treatment instead of going into the criminal justice system.  Of course, violent offenders have to accept the legal consequences of their actions.  Plainfield sends officers to CIT, which is held at the Police Academy in Scotch Plains three or four times a year.

Body cams are a newer initiative and were well covered by Bernice Paglia's blog.  It is a positive reflection on the Plainfield police that we are participating in the pilot for body cams in Union County.  Credit goes to Mayor Adrian Mapp, Police Director Carl Riley and Union County Prosecutor Grace Park for their leadership.

Crime is down in Plainfield but we are not resting on our laurels. 

We need to retain our Planning Division staff

I was against moving this to the agenda for an October 13 vote.  The administration has not adequately justified outsourcing the Planning office.  My questions have not been answered, namely:

• why weren't the bids immediately sent to the Council upon opening on October 1? - so we could see them for ourselves prior to the agenda fixing meeting.  After all, this initiative has generated many questions and concerns, not just from me, but from Plainfield residents and particularly land use board members.
• what would the staffing schedule and staffing positions be, including qualifications and experience of outsourced planners?  What would  the response time be for residents and developers needing their services?
• would the outsourced planners provide services for our brownfields projects, our Shade Tree Commission, our Historic Preservation Commission?

The administrations argument for outsourcing is the cost savings.  But I believe that will only be true if we drastically cut services.  The administration officials responding to this concern are giving assurances to the contrary, but not with a credible explanation. We cant take chances, hoping they are right.

I support Mayor Mapp wholeheartedly.  He has been good for Plainfield.  With his administration, we have become more business friendly and that is important for creating jobs and increasing tax revenues.  But there are better ways to make Plainfield business friendly than outsourcing Planning.  An example - the Planning Board, with the support of the Planning Division, is currently working on revisions to the Zoning Ordinance.  These changes would make it easier for businesses, developers and our residents to do what they need to do with their properties - with less need for governmental approvals.  Our Zoning Ordinance has to reflect Plainfield needs.  We are not Elizabeth or Westfield.  Bringing in outsiders to work on the Zoning Ordinance in a city of 50,000, poised for development, is a bad idea.

If we eliminate the knowledge that exists in the Planning office, it will take 10 or more years to replace it.  I am not referring to knowledge of the law but of facts on the ground.  Plainfield is unique and benefits tremendously from the knowledgeable professionals we have in place.

This is one of those times I disagree with my Mayor.  I promised I would give his administrators the opportunity to make their case.  They have not been convincing.  Adrian Mapp does not have a supportive City Council and I feel strongly about my obligation to support him in any way I can - for the benefit of the city.  But this outsourcing initiative is not the way to benefit the city.

I urge Mayor Mapp and my Council colleagues to take the lay-off plan off the agenda and retain the Planning Division staff.   

Traffic Safety update

Four way stops signs have been installed at the following locations:

• Hillside Ave and Prospect Ave
• Hillside Ave and Evergreen Ave.

The police department have determined that making these intersections 4 way stops is justified after reviewing traffic accident history.

I have requested that Putnam Ave also be considered.

Our Public Works department has arranged with Union County to resurface parts of Woodland Ave between  East 7th St and Evergreen Ave.  The road has already been milled and paving will take place beginning Monday, September 28, weather permitting.  Thanks to city hall for a low cost solution to Woodland Ave road conditions.

We will need to depend on different strategies in addition to the repaving program.  The way we have been going, with the complete repaving of $3 or $ million worth of roads each year, we will never bring Plainfield up to the standard we want.  Roads deteriorate faster than we can repave them.  Road maintenance and repair is needed, along with our repaving program.  Thank you Public Works and Union County for the Woodland repairs - instead of waiting another 3 to 5 years for repaving!

South Ave Gateway project

Plainfielders are asking if there are any legitimate reasons for the City Council to not approve the Gateway project.   The answer is no.  Here are the reasons given by my colleagues and why they don't add up:

1. "We were not adequately informed"
We have been talking about this for more than a year.  Reports to Council have been made by Carlos Sanchez.  I've made reports to Council as Planning Board representative and have personally offered to go over the project with several of my colleagues.  The developer presented to the Plainwood Square merchants and Councilwoman Taylor and I were at the meeting.  Planning Board meetings are advertised and open to the public. This project has been on their agenda numerous times.  Could the administration have given more information more often?  Yes they could have.  Could any Council member have asked for this project to be on the agenda for discussion at any meeting.  Yes we could have.  Council members have a responsibility to seek information to their questions.  If a new Council member begins a term in the middle of a major project, it is his/her responsibility to come up to speed and not hold up the project.

2. "The 30 year payment in lieu of taxes is too long".
This is a highly technical matter and needs guidance from experts.  The Council has a right to ask these experts questions to inform their vote.  But for a Council member to propose changes without expert advice makes no sense.  To a Council member who makes such a statement:  what do you base it on and who are your experts?  Did you seek out your advice as part of the Council as a whole?  If so, I wasn't included.

3. "We are bringing yuppies to town" 
So what.  We are bringing a whole lot more property taxes to town.  To pay for the rising costs of police and fire services, to offset all the tax appeals that are lowering our tax base.  A few hundred new residents of any description aren't going to change the demographics of Plainfield.  And if they did, is that a problem?  I welcome to Plainfield yuppies of all ethnic and racial backgrounds.

4.  "What about our public schools"
The apartments are designed for single people and couples, not families with children. 

There is always a reason not to change.  Even if every other town along the Raritan Valley line is changing.  We can continue to lose tax ratables but what will the Council say to residents who want adequate police services when we can't afford them.  Or to seniors who own homes who can't afford Plainfield's tax increases.

Here is what I think about this project.  The developer, the city administration and the planning board have worked hard to design a quality project.  It can be an asset to the neighborhood and a benefit to the whole city.  If we blow this opportunity, it will be so much harder and take so much longer to do successful projects on East 2nd Street, downtown and on the west end.  Developers will continue to take their projects and investors to other towns.

This is a crucial moment for Plainfield and its City Council.  A turning point, no matter what we decide.

Yard Waste Enforcement

For many years, Plainfielders have disregarded the state regulations on putting yard waste on the street for pick-up.  Bundles of branches, piles of leaves and brush were sitting on city streets for weeks and even months, creating unsightly and unhealthy conditions.  This problem was particularly acute in the years before Adrian Mapp became mayor because city pick-ups only occurred in the spring and fall.  Now they occur more frequently, throughout the year.  But the problem has not gone away. 

It is helpful to understand what is behind the state regulation - that yard waste must be put on the street right before scheduled pick-ups, not days or weeks ahead of time.  New Jersey wants to prevent yard waste, particularly leaves, from washing into storm sewers.  This debris eventually flows into streams and rivers, silting up and clogging the natural flow of water as it seeks the bays and ocean.

You can do your part to beautify our city and protect our environment.  If you see neighbors putting out their yard waste, don't assume the pick-up is the next day.  Check the city website for the pick-up schedule  (not the PMUA schedule).  Or put the city mailer with the schedule on your refrigerator for quick reference.  If you have a lawn service, tell them to follow the rules.  Some day the state will fine municipalities for non-compliance and Plainfield will have to fine property owners for early put-outs.  It will be a fine for the property owner, not the lawn service.