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Mayor's Message:
Condolences Are No Longer Enough
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Dear Jazz,
Blood-stained desks askew on red-streaked floors, children-sized caskets lined up in a row, churches and supermarkets, the platform for violent crime scenes, and fun-filled evenings turn into death-filled nightmares. These images and experiences were not ripped from a movie; they do not manifest a filmmaker’s imagination. They are all too real and are becoming everyday occurrences in our country. Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results.” If that’s the case, then there is no doubt that we are all insane. On March 27, 2023, a mass school shooting left six (6) innocents dead at an elementary school in Nashville. This marked the 128th mass shooting of the year, meaning there have been more mass shootings in 2023 than days.
Every time we witness the atrocity and terror of a mass shooting, we go through the same cycle. The news media begins its constant coverage, a hashtag fills our social media, there are interviews with survivors and family members, we learn the names of the latest victims, we point fingers in every direction, we hear the grieving cries of distraught family members, we call out for change, and then we wait. We wait for nothing. We wait until there’s another one, then do it all over again. And what’s even more troubling is that we are stuck in this constant, disturbing routine and have become numb to it.
“It’s just one.” “It’s just three.” “It’s just six.” Perhaps it’s a coping mechanism, or maybe we’ve become de-sensitized; Our hearts and minds are incapable of understanding the magnitude of 648 mass shootings (shooting incidents with four or more killed) in 2022, so it has to minimize the damage. “At least it wasn’t as bad as _____.”
But when children are slaughtered in their classrooms, and teachers accept the reality that their job description now includes having to put their lives on the line, when bullet-filled bodies lay stilled in places of worship, when blood stains grocery store aisles and movie theatre seats and our response is “at least it wasn’t that many.” How do we expect to stop this insanity?
It may be only one new horror to think about for the day until we’ve moved on to the next. But for the parents who will never touch their child again, who will spend every holiday staring at the empty chair at the dining table, who will listen to the sounds of children walking home from school and wonder why it had to be theirs that will never come home, who spend every waking moment thinking about the terror their child felt in the last moments of their lives, it’s a nightmare that will never end as long as they live. It does not matter to them that their child is the only one or one of the few. And the same can be said for the loved ones of every victim of gun violence.
The parents in Uvalde celebrated their child's academic success and, less than 12 hours later, had to come to terms with the fact that they would never see their child smile again. Parkland students eagerly awaited Valentine’s Day celebrations and instead ended their day walking past their dead classmates. The parishioners in Charleston wanted a day to celebrate God, and nine (9) were murdered by the man they invited to pray with them. In El Paso, families filled a Walmart for back-to-school shopping, and twenty-three (23) never walked out alive. The list goes on and on.
I am tired of grieving. I am tired of mourning. I am tired of pretending thoughts, prayers, and condolences are enough. Sandy Hook, Columbine, Nashville - we all know the horrors, and we can’t wait for that list to grow before we do something different… before we halt this insanity. Now is the time to support a ban on assault rifles. Now is the time to demand more robust background and mental health checks. Now is the time to protect our children and our country. Now is the time to fight back because do not doubt that we are at war; we are waging war against domestic terrorism and madness itself. We must no longer be a country complicit in the murders of our children and fellow citizens.
So, what can we do?
You can support incredible organizations that are working harder than some of our legislators to enact real change. Change the Ref was established by the parents of Joaquin Oliver, a victim of the horrifying Parkland Shooting that occurred on February 14th, 2018, in which 17 lives were lost. Change the Ref gives the children of today – those most impacted by our failure to respond to this crisis – the tools they need to be empowered to improve our country through education, conversation, art, and activism. Sandy Hook Promise is a national nonprofit founded and led by several family members who lost their loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting on December 14th, 2012, that claimed twenty-eight (28) lives. This organization empowers youth to “know the signs and unite all people who value the protection of children.” Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement working toward increased public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. They work towards educating and encouraging a culture of responsible gun ownership.
Aside from supporting organizations like these, you can reach out to your congressional representative and let them know you support gun reform for the safety of your community. Lastly, make sure to vote to create change in memory of those no longer able to, those that had the power ripped from them, and those they left behind to grieve.
The loss experienced by gun violence is felt everywhere. Someone was robbed of a beloved friend, a treasured family member, and a valued community member. When children are the victims, we are deprived of future lawmakers who can prevent this from happening, future doctors who can heal those harmed, and others who could have changed our world for the better—people who deserve the opportunity to live a whole life. We must do EVERYTHING we can to prevent this from happening again.
The victims of the Nashville Shootings are:
Evelyn Dieckhaus (9) - spent her last moments trying to save the lives of her classmates.
Hallie Scruggs (9) - was known for her love for life and always having a smile on her face.
William Kinney (9) - made friends everywhere he went and was known to be extremely kind.
Katherine Koonce (60) - the head of the school, lost her life trying to protect her students and faculty.
Mike Hill (61) - was a beloved custodian at the school and a proud father of seven (7) children.
Cynthia Peak (61) - was a substitute teacher and active community member.
Say their names and allow the grief of their families, their stories, and their courage to inspire and motivate us to work for the change we want to see.
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Mensaje Del Alcalde:
Las Condolencias Ya No Son Suficientes
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Queridx Jazz,
Escritorios manchados de sangre torcidos en pisos con rayas rojas, ataúdes de tamaño infantil alineados en fila, iglesias y supermercados, las plataformas para escenas de crímenes violentos, y noches llenas de diversión se convierten en pesadillas llenas de muerte. Estas imágenes y experiencias no fueron arrancadas de una película; No manifiestan la imaginación de un cineasta. Todos son demasiado reales y se están convirtiendo en hechos cotidianos en nuestro país. Albert Einstein dijo una vez que la definición de locura es "hacer lo mismo una y otra y otra vez y esperar resultados diferentes". Si ese es el caso, entonces no hay duda de que todos estamos locos. El 27 de marzo de 2023, un tiroteo masivo en una escuela dejó seis (6) inocentes muertos en una escuela primaria en Nashville. Esto marcó el tiroteo masivo número 128 del año, lo que significa que ha habido más tiroteos masivos en 2023 que días
Cada vez que somos testigos de la atrocidad y el terror de un tiroteo masivo, pasamos por el mismo ciclo. Los medios de comunicación comienzan su cobertura constante, un hashtag llena nuestras redes sociales, hay entrevistas con sobrevivientes y familiares, aprendemos los nombres de las últimas víctimas, señalamos con el dedo en todas direcciones, escuchamos los gritos de duelo de familiares angustiados, clamamos por un cambio y luego esperamos. Nos esperamos para nada. Esperamos hasta que haya otro, luego lo hacemos todo de nuevo. Y lo que es aún más preocupante es que estamos atrapados en esta rutina constante e inquietante y nos hemos vuelto insensibles a ella.
"Es solo uno". "Son solo tres". "Son solo seis". Tal vez sea un mecanismo de afrontamiento, o tal vez nos hayamos vuelto insensibles; Nuestros corazones y mentes son incapaces de entender la magnitud de 648 tiroteos masivos (incidentes de disparos con cuatro o más muertos) en 2022, por lo que tiene que minimizar el daño. "Al menos no fue tan malo como _____".
Pero cuando los niños son asesinados en sus aulas, y los maestros aceptan la realidad de que la descripción de su trabajo ahora incluye tener que arriesgar sus vidas, cuando los cuerpos llenos de balas yacían quietos en nuestras iglesias, cuando sangre mancha los pasillos de las tiendas de supermercados y los asientos de los cines y nuestra respuesta es "al menos no fueron tantos". ¿Cómo esperamos detener esta locura?
Puede ser solo un nuevo horror en el que pensar por el día hasta que hayamos pasado al siguiente. Pero para los padres que nunca volverán a tocar a su hijo, que pasarán todas los feriados mirando la silla vacía en la mesa del comedor, que escucharán los sonidos de los niños que caminan a casa desde la escuela y se preguntarán por qué tuvo que ser suyo el que nunca volverá a casa, que pasan cada momento despierto pensando en el terror que su hijo sintió en los últimos momentos de sus vidas, es una pesadilla que nunca terminará mientras vivan. No les importa que su hijo sea el único o uno de los pocos. Y lo mismo puede decirse de los seres queridos de cada víctima de la violencia armada.
Los padres de Uvalde celebraron el éxito académico de su hijo y, menos de 12 horas después, tuvieron que aceptar el hecho de que nunca volverían a ver a su hijo sonreír. Los estudiantes de Parkland esperaban ansiosamente las celebraciones del Día de San Valentín y, en cambio, terminaron su día caminando junto a sus compañeros de clase muertos. Los feligreses de Charleston querían un día para celebrar a Dios, y nueve (9) fueron asesinados por el hombre al que invitaron a orar con ellos. En El Paso, las familias llenaron un Walmart para ir de compras para la escuela, y veintitrés (23) nunca salieron con vida. La lista sigue y sigue.
Estoy cansado de llorar. Estoy cansado de fingir que los pensamientos, las oraciones y las condolencias son suficientes. Sandy Hook, Columbine, Nashville: todos conocemos los horrores, y no podemos esperar a que esa lista crezca antes de hacer algo diferente... antes de detener esta locura. Ahora es el momento de apoyar la prohibición de los rifles de asalto. Ahora es el momento de exigir controles de antecedentes y salud mental más sólidos. Ahora es el momento de proteger a nuestros niños y a nuestro país. Ahora es el momento de contraatacar porque no duden de que estamos en guerra; Estamos librando una guerra contra el terrorismo doméstico y la locura misma. No debemos seguir siendo cómplices de los asesinatos de nuestros hijos y conciudadanos.
Entonces, ¿qué podemos hacer?
Puede apoyar a organizaciones increíbles que están trabajando más duro que algunos de nuestros legisladores para promulgar un cambio real. Change the Ref fue establecido por los padres de Joaquín Oliver, víctima del horrible tiroteo de Parkland que ocurrió el 14 de febrero de 2018, en el que se perdieron 17 vidas. Change the Ref da a los niños de hoy, los más afectados por nuestra falta de respuesta a esta crisis, las herramientas que necesitan para mejorar nuestro país a través de la educación, la conversación, el arte y el activismo. Sandy Hook Promise es una organización nacional sin fines de lucro fundada y dirigida por varios miembros de la familia que perdieron a sus seres queridos en el tiroteo de la Escuela Primaria Sandy Hook el 14 de diciembre de 2012, que cobró veintiocho (28) vidas. Esta organización empodera a los jóvenes para "conocer las señales y unir a todas las personas que valoran la protección de los niños". Moms Demand Action es un movimiento de base que trabaja para aumentar las medidas de seguridad pública que protegen a las personas de la violencia armada. Trabajan para educar y fomentar una cultura de posesión responsable de armas.
Además de apoyar a organizaciones como estas, puede comunicarse con su representante en el Congreso y hacerles saber que apoya la reforma de armas por la seguridad de su comunidad. Por último, asegúrese de votar para crear un cambio en la memoria de aquellos que ya no pueden, aquellos a quienes les arrebataron el poder y aquellos que dejaron atrás para llorar.
La pérdida experimentada por la violencia armada se siente en todas partes. Alguien fue robado de un amigo querido, un miembro de la familia preciado y un valioso miembro de la comunidad. Cuando los niños son las víctimas, nos vemos privados de futuros legisladores que puedan evitar que esto suceda, futuros médicos que puedan curar a los perjudicados y otros que podrían haber cambiado nuestro mundo para mejor, personas que merecen la oportunidad de vivir toda una vida. Debemos hacer TODO lo posible para evitar que esto vuelva a suceder.
Las víctimas de los tiroteos de Nashville son:
Evelyn Dieckhaus (9) - pasó sus últimos momentos tratando de salvar las vidas de sus compañeros de clase.
Hallie Scruggs (9) - era conocida por su amor por la vida y siempre tenía una sonrisa en su rostro.
William Kinney (9) - hizo amigos dondequiera que iba y era conocido por ser extremadamente amable.
Katherine Koonce (60) - la directora de la escuela, perdió la vida tratando de proteger a sus estudiantes y profesores.
Mike Hill (61) - era un querido custodio en la escuela y un orgulloso padre de siete (7) hijos.
Cynthia Peak (61) - fue maestra sustituta y miembro activo de la comunidad.
Diga sus nombres y permita que el dolor de sus familias, sus historias y su coraje nos inspiren y motiven a trabajar por el cambio que queremos ver.
#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield
Creating One Plainfield. One Future.
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Recap: Safe Routes to School
Public Information Center Meeting
Wednesday, March 29th
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On March 29th at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, following a brief presentation, the public had the opportunity to review exhibits of the proposed project by the Transportation Alternatives Program to create safe routes to school at five different intersections in Plainfield. Representatives were available to answer questions and discuss any concerns. The Safe Routes to School program promotes walking to and from school through infrastructure improvements, education, and more!
The intersections included in the project are:
- West Front Street and Grant Avenue
- West Front Street and Park Avenue
- West Ninth Street and Arlington Avenue
- Watchung Avenue and Carnegie Avenue
- Woodland Avenue and Central Street
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RECAP: Women's History Month
"Challenges Women of Color Face Finding Suitable Partners"
Friday, March 24th
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On Friday, March 24th, at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, the city of Plainfield and the Love Plainfield team hosted a panel discussion on "Challenges Women of Color Face Finding Suitable Partners" to continue the celebration of Women’s History Month. What was slated to be an hour-long discussion turned into a two-hour-long community conversation as the panelists responded to questions and the audience shared personal experiences.
The conversation touched on various subjects, such as how Black women are viewed in society and the incarceration and mental health of Black men. During the event, we promised to share mental health resources for the Black community, which can be found here: Mental Health Resources for the Black Community | (adaa.org).
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Council President Charles McRae, Councilman Steve Hockaday, Councilman Robert Graham, and other city officials attended. The City of Plainfield sends a special thank you to our panelists for their candor and insight and our moderator for skillfully leading and inciting a lively and illuminating conversation.
MODERATOR:
Shennell McCloud, Chief Executive Officer of Project Ready, and Be Ready
PANELISTS:
Jeanine Gill, MPH - Janssen Research & Development Local Trial Manager, Oncology
Leandra Fuentes, Marketing Specialist & Relationship Vlogger
Jessica Herrera, Partnership & Grant Manager
Brandon Lomax, Realtor & Army Soldier
Lamar Washington, Manager of Community Engagement & Public Affairs
Corey Harris, Manager of Community Engagement & Advocacy
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Do You Know What's Happening in your City?
Click the Image below and take a look at Plainfield's Latest City Events, Community Resources, and so much more!
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Check out our City's Commercial:
"Welcome to Plainfield"
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Watch our 2022 Love Plainfield Commercial!
" The Queen City is Love"
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A MESSAGE FROM
UNION COUNTY:
Union County to Recognize Autism Acceptance Month in April
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Human Services, and the Office for Persons with Disabilities are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a series of events in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month during the month of April.
Union County regularly hosts inclusive programs for children and adults with autism, through the Office for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs in the Department of Human Services. The schedule for Autism Acceptance Month includes five special events:
- Wear Blue Day on Friday, March 31, 2023, where Union County invites residents and employees to wear blue in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month.
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Autism Acceptance Celebration on Saturday, April 1st from 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Mattano Park, located at 360-484 5th Avenue in Elizabeth. This free outdoor event is co-sponsored with the Elizabeth Board of Education of the City of Elizabeth as well as other partners (pre-registration required at ucnj.org/opdsn-reg or call 908-527-4781 for more information. There will be a rain date of April 22nd at the same time and location....
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
Governor Murphy and Treasurer Muoio Announce More Than 800,000 New Jerseyans to Receive ANCHOR Rebate Today
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Direct deposits starting to go out now, paper checks to be mailed soon.
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio announced that the first batch of ANCHOR Property Tax Relief rebate payments will be on their way to New Jerseyans who elected their rebate via direct deposit today.
More than 800,000 New Jersey taxpayers will receive a direct deposit of their ANCHOR rebate payment today. Following the issuance of the direct deposit payments, paper checks will begin to be mailed during the first week of April, in batches of mailings.
“At a time when families are facing increasing pressure on their wallets, it’s a good feeling to know we are following through on our promise to make New Jersey more affordable,” said Governor Murphy. “This is real relief getting sent to more of our hardworking taxpayers than ever before, proof that a future we are determined to make more affordable and full of opportunity is possible.
“When the Governor and the Legislature created the ANCHOR program, we knew it would be a game changer for residents all over the State,” said Treasurer Muoio. “I’m so pleased that money is going back into the pockets of more New Jerseyans than ever before.”
The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) property tax relief program updates and expands upon the former Homestead Benefit property tax relief program by extending eligibility to renters for the first time in a generation, as well as increasing the income threshold for eligible homeowners. Established in the Fiscal Year 2023 State budget, Governor Murphy has proposed continuing the full $2 billion in funding for Fiscal Year 2024 in the upcoming budget.
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE:
President Biden Announces New Resources to Support Women Small Businesses Owners, Continued Commitment to Supporting America’s Entrepreneurs
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As a Result of The President’s Investments In America, a Record 10.5 Million New Small Businesses Applications Filed in 2021 and 2022
During the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) second annual Women’s Business Summit, President Biden will announce new resources to support women small business owners, and he will reaffirm the Biden-Harris Administration’s continued commitment to supporting all of America’s small businesses. The President will announce that SBA will expand the Women Business Centers network, bringing the total to 160 centers across the country that assist women entrepreneurs through training, mentoring, business development, and financing opportunities.
Small businesses are the engines of our economy. That’s why from his first day in office, the President has taken action to assist our nation’s small businesses as they recover from the economic impact of the pandemic and continue to grow. As a result of these actions, a record 10.5 million applications to start new businesses have been filed in the last two years– each one representing the hope and entrepreneurial spirit of America’s small business owners, and the faith and confidence they have in America’s future.
During Women’s History Month, we celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of women and women-owned and operated businesses:
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department to be resolved.
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Call us at: 908.753.3015 or
E:communications@plainfieldnj.gov
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future. | | | | |
