The Cost of Illegal Dumping

Dear Community Member,

As the Mayor of our vibrant community, I find myself in a position of both privilege and responsibility. It's a role that allows me to witness firsthand the remarkable efforts of our citizens who strive daily to maintain the beauty and health of our environment. However, it's also a position that confronts me with the challenges we face together—few more disheartening than the issue of illegal dumping. This reckless act is not only a blight on our landscape but also a significant financial and environmental burden that, unfortunately, falls on the shoulders of our responsible citizens. It's a tax of negligence imposed by the uncaring and irresponsible upon those who hold our community and its future in high regard.

Illegal dumping, in its crudest form, is the improper disposal of waste. From construction debris scattered in our green spaces to household garbage dumped by the roadside, these actions reflect a disregard for the law, our community values, and the planet. The costs to address this issue are not insubstantial. They strain our city's finances, diverting resources from other vital community projects. Every dollar spent cleaning up after these acts is a dollar not spent on enhancing public parks or improving public services. This financial burden on taxpayers is an unfair penalty on those who diligently sort their recycling, properly dispose of their waste, and take pride in their community.

The environmental toll is equally troubling. Illegal dumping can lead to contamination of our soil and waterways, harming wildlife and disrupting ecosystems. It undermines our collective efforts to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainability. For a community committed to environmental stewardship, this is an unacceptable betrayal of our principles and goals. It negates the hard work of countless individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving our environment for future generations.

This situation demands a collective response. Stopping illegal dumping is not solely the responsibility of law enforcement or city officials; it's a duty shared by all of us. It requires vigilance, education, and a commitment to action. Reporting incidents of illegal dumping, participating in community clean-up efforts, and educating our peers about the importance of proper waste disposal are steps each of us can take to combat this issue. By fostering a culture of responsibility and respect for the environment, we can deter these acts and hold offenders accountable.

As Mayor, I am committed to leading this charge, but I cannot do it alone. It requires the involvement of every resident, business, and organization within our community. Together, we can confront this challenge head-on, not only removing the physical blight from our landscape but also the financial and environmental strain it imposes. Let's stand united in our efforts to protect our community, ensuring it remains a beautiful, healthy place for all who call it home. Our collective future and the legacy we leave for our children depend on the actions we take today, and I am confident that, together, we can overcome the tax of negligence imposed by illegal dumping. Let’s commit to united action to stop this scourge and #LovePlainfield. 

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield



Creating One Plainfield. One Future.

Sincerely,

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp

City of Plainfield

El Costo de Tirar Basura Ilegalmente

Querido(a) Community Member,



Como alcalde de nuestra vibrante comunidad, me encuentro en una posición tanto de privilegio como de responsabilidad. Es un papel que me permite ser testigo de primera mano de los notables esfuerzos de nuestros ciudadanos que se esfuerzan diariamente por mantener la belleza y la salud de nuestro medio ambiente. Sin embargo, también es una posición que me enfrenta a los desafíos que enfrentamos juntos, pocos más desalentadores que la cuestión del vertido ilegal. Este acto imprudente no sólo es una plaga para nuestro paisaje, sino también una importante carga financiera y ambiental que, lamentablemente, recae sobre nuestros ciudadanos responsables. Es un impuesto de negligencia impuesto por los indiferentes e irresponsables a quienes tienen en alta estima a nuestra comunidad y su futuro.

El vertido ilegal, en su forma más cruda, es la eliminación inadecuada de residuos. Desde escombros de construcción esparcidos en nuestros espacios verdes hasta basura doméstica arrojada al borde de la carretera, estas acciones reflejan un desprecio por la ley, los valores de nuestra comunidad y el planeta. Los costos para abordar esta cuestión no son insignificantes. Ponen presión sobre las finanzas de nuestra ciudad, desviando recursos de otros proyectos comunitarios vitales. Cada dólar gastado en la limpieza después de estos actos es un dólar que no se gasta en mejorar los parques públicos o los servicios públicos. Esta carga financiera para los contribuyentes es una penalización injusta para quienes clasifican diligentemente su reciclaje, eliminan adecuadamente sus desechos y se enorgullecen de su comunidad.

El costo ambiental es igualmente preocupante. Los vertidos ilegales pueden provocar la contaminación de nuestro suelo y vías fluviales, dañando la vida silvestre y alterando los ecosistemas. Socava nuestros esfuerzos colectivos para combatir el cambio climático, proteger la biodiversidad y promover la sostenibilidad. Para una comunidad comprometida con la gestión ambiental, esto es una traición inaceptable a nuestros principios y objetivos. Niega el arduo trabajo de innumerables personas y organizaciones dedicadas a preservar nuestro medio ambiente para las generaciones futuras.

Esta situación exige una respuesta colectiva. Detener los vertidos ilegales no es responsabilidad exclusiva de las autoridades policiales o de los funcionarios municipales; es un deber compartido por todos nosotros. Requiere vigilancia, educación y compromiso de acción. Informar incidentes de vertidos ilegales, participar en esfuerzos de limpieza comunitarios y educar a nuestros pares sobre la importancia de la eliminación adecuada de desechos son pasos que cada uno de nosotros puede tomar para combatir este problema. Al fomentar una cultura de responsabilidad y respeto por el medio ambiente, podemos disuadir estos actos y responsabilizar a los infractores.

Como alcalde, estoy comprometido a liderar esta tarea, pero no puedo hacerlo solo. Requiere la participación de todos los residentes, empresas y organizaciones dentro de nuestra comunidad. Juntos podemos enfrentar este desafío de frente, eliminando no sólo la plaga física de nuestro paisaje sino también la tensión financiera y ambiental que impone. Mantengámonos unidos en nuestros esfuerzos por proteger nuestra comunidad, asegurando que siga siendo un lugar hermoso y saludable para todos los que lo llaman hogar. Nuestro futuro colectivo y el legado que dejemos a nuestros hijos dependen de las acciones que tomemos hoy, y confío en que, juntos, podremos superar el impuesto de la negligencia que imponen los vertidos ilegales. Comprometámonos a actuar unidos para detener este flagelo y #LovePlainfield.

#LovePlainfield #AmoPlainfield

Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro.

Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp

Ciudad de Plainfield

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant Celebrates Grand Opening in Plainfield, NJ

Plainfield, NJ - March 14, 2024 - Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant, the renowned franchise celebrated for its authentic Jamaican flavors, proudly announced the grand opening of its newest location at 1335 South Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07062. With franchisee Lorna Brissett-Romans at the helm, this marks the third restaurant in her repertoire, bringing the vibrant tastes of Jamaica to the Plainfield community.

Setting itself apart as the first Golden Krust in the Northeast to feature a drive-through, this Plainfield location adds a new level of convenience to savoring the rich flavors of Jamaica. Now, patrons can enjoy Jamaican cuisine on-the-go, adding an exciting dimension to the Golden Krust experience.

The grand opening festivities celebrated culture, community, and culinary excellence. Attendees were treated to the stirring melodies of both the American and Jamaican national anthems, symbolizing the fusion of cultures that Golden Krust represents. Mayor Mapp welcomed the new establishment with a warm speech, emphasizing the importance of supporting small businesses, especially those owned by members of black and brown communities. He remarked, “People who own small businesses don't necessarily have the capital that others do, and it is important that we support small businesses everywhere but especially black and brown small businesses.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony began an exciting culinary journey for Plainfield residents. With music filling the air and free samples of Golden Krust’s signature dishes tantalizing taste buds, attendees were introduced to a world of flavor.

Golden Krust offers an array of Jamaican plates that capture the essence of the Caribbean including braised oxtails over rice and peas to succulent jerk chicken, curried goat, and mouthwatering BBQ,

In addition to savory delights, Golden Krust is proud to serve up beloved Jamaican treats such as festivals, Easter buns, fried dumplings, and much more. Each dish is carefully crafted, using authentic recipes and premium ingredients to ensure an unparalleled dining experience.

Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant in Plainfield is not just a place to eat; it's a culinary destination where guests can immerse themselves in the flavors and traditions of Jamaica. With its commitment to quality, authenticity, and innovation, Golden Krust looks forward to becoming an integral part of the Plainfield community, serving up delicious Caribbean fare for years to come.

For more information about Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant - Plainfield, visit www.goldenkrust.com/PlainfieldNJ or follow them on social media @goldenkrust.

Girl Scouts Flourish in Plainfield as City Council Recognizes Organization's Contributions

Plainfield, NJ - March 11, 2024 - The spirit of Girl Scouts is thriving in Plainfield, as the city council acknowledged Girl Scouts Week in honor of the organization's 112th anniversary. This recognition underscores the vital role that Girl Scouts play in shaping the lives of young girls and empowering them to become leaders in their communities.

During the council meeting, Natasha Hemmings, the CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of NJ, took the opportunity to express gratitude to Assemblywoman Linda Carter, who serves on the board of directors for Girl Scouts Heart of NJ. Hemmings highlighted Carter's dedication and commitment to the organization's mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character.

In addition to celebrating the rich history of Girl Scouts, the meeting also marked the beginning of the highly anticipated Girl Scout cookies season. From now until April 7th, residents of Plainfield and beyond can indulge in their favorite Girl Scout cookies while supporting the organization's programs and initiatives.

As Girl Scouts continue to grow and thrive in Plainfield, the city council's recognition serves as a testament to the invaluable contributions of the organization to the community. Through leadership development, community service, and the iconic tradition of selling cookies, Girl Scouts are making a positive impact on the lives of girls and the communities they serve.

to Join, Volunteer, or Donate visit: gscsnj.org

March 7, 2024

The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the American Job Center, invite all healthcare professionals seeking new career opportunities to the Healthcare Job Fair on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Warinanco Sports Center.

“We are not just offering jobs, we are creating pathways for individuals to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of our communities,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “This event not only provides a platform for healthcare professionals to explore career opportunities, but also reflects our commitment to encouraging growth and innovation within the healthcare industry.”

The Healthcare Job Fair is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th, 2024, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Warinanco Sports Center, located at 1 Park Drive in Roselle. The fair will feature a range of roles, including job opportunities for Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Certified Medical Assistants, Certified Medication Aides, Certified Nursing Assistants, and Emergency Medical Technicians. Representatives from the following companies will be present:

• Horizon Healthcare Staffing
• NYC Administration for Children’s Services
• Atlantic Health Systems
• Atlantic Private Care Services
• Confident Care Group
• Instacare Home Health Solutions
• Propel America
• Curalta Foot + Ankle
• Community Access Unlimited
• Hudson Milestones
• CareFinders
• Jefferson Park Ministries
• 
  

In a commitment to making the recruitment process effective and accessible, the event will provide on-the-spot interviews. Applicants are asked to bring a copy of their resume, as they will have the chance to participate directly with representatives from each organization in person.

“Given the staggering 1.8 million job openings in the healthcare industry each year, it’s crucial to link skilled professionals with job opportunities,” said Commissioner Sergio Granados, Liaison to the Workforce Development Board.

“The Healthcare Job Fair serves as a bridge between employers and our local workforce. By addressing the healthcare sector’s needs, we strengthen our industry, grow job opportunities, and make our community stronger.”

Registration is required on www.ucnj.org/dhs/job-fairs/. For employers who wish to participate in the Healthcare Job Fair, please call Carolina Marin at (908) 527-4373 or email ajcbusinessteam@ucnj.org.

March 13, 2024

Washington, D.C. - Today, in support of President Biden’s Unity Agenda efforts to beat the overdose crisis, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose. The Challenge is a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across all sectors to save lives by committing to increase training on and access to lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medications.

An overdose can happen anywhere, to anyone. That’s why President Biden has worked to strengthen not only the whole-of-government response, but also the whole-of-society response to this public health and public safety crisis. Since day one, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic action to address the overdose crisis, including investing over $100 billion to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and expand access to treatment. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved naloxone—a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication—for non-prescription, over-the-counter use for the first time ever.

Today, we’re calling on organizations and businesses—big and small, public and private—across the country to help ensure all communities are ready to use this life-saving tool to reduce opioid deaths. As the drug supply has gotten more dangerous and lethal, we’re asking allies to join us because we all must do our part to keep communities safe.

To help more Americans save lives, the Biden-Harris Administration is encouraging leaders to commit to take simple measures that work, including training employees on opioid overdose reversal medications, keeping the medications in first aid kits, and distributing the medications to employees and customers so they might save a life at home, work, or in their communities.

Organizations may make a commitment here and share a story of how their efforts saved a life here. Several organizations and businesses are already stepping up across industries by taking the following actions and making the following commitments:

Air Travel

• Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced in February that naloxone is available in Automated External Defibrillator (AED) cabinets at pre-security and post-security locations at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. There are 196 AED cabinets with naloxone at O’Hare and 32 at Midway. CDA has trained approximately 390 aviation security officers and airport-based Chicago Police Department officers on naloxone, and plans to offer training to more airport personnel in coming months.
• Seventeen US-based airlines are voluntarily equipping their aircraft with opioid overdose reversal medications. For example, Southwest Airlines has naloxone in emergency medical kits aboard 65% of aircraft, with intentions to stock 100% by end-of-year, and has already saved a life. American Airlines has naloxone aboard every plane. The company trains flight attendants on the medications, where to access them, and how to administer doses guided by on-call physicians.

Entertainment

• Insomniac Events, experience-creators behind large music festivals and live events, commits to ensuring naloxone access at all of their festivals and events nationwide in partnership with End Overdose, which provides voluntary overdose education to attendees. Together, they trained more than 100,000 festival attendees on overdose response and provided over 1.8 million with overdose resources.

Hospitality

• Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association (OHLA) partners with state and local agencies and health departments to provide naloxone to Ohio’s hotels. Currently, 20% of hotels have naloxone onsite; OHLA’s goal is 100% adoption. OHLA also produced a naloxone training video for hotel professionals to respond to overdose, resulting in lives saved.

Labor Worksites

• The Alliance for Naloxone Safety in the Workplace, a collaboration of 23 construction organizations nationally, is committed to providing overdose prevention education and training to construction workers. They recently released a free toolkit containing free training, organizational policy templates, comprehensive FAQs, and more.
• Fishing Partnership Support Services, a nonprofit that works to improve the lives and livelihoods of commercial fishermen and their families, employs Community Health Workers to offer overdose training to fishermen and coastal community members in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. As a result, over 2,000 people in the East Coast fishing community carry naloxone. 
• Massachusetts Building Trades Unions and the Building Trades Employers Association partner to distribute naloxone to contractors at construction sites. They have distributed at least 600 doses to date.
• Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) represent over 10,000 union contractors, providing employment for hundreds of thousands of skilled trade workers in the United States. These organizations, in collaboration with union partners, trained thousands of workers on substance use disorder and overdose prevention, and distributed a limited quantity of naloxone. MCAA, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC endorse having naloxone at all construction sites and urge employers to make the lifesaving medication available to their workforce.
• Meredith Management and John Moriarty & Associates partnered with the Police Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative to become Recovery Friendly Worksites, which offers onsite overdose reversal kits and training on overdose prevention to building trades employees. Just weeks after launching, a person’s life was saved at work. Now, over 1,000 tradespersons in Boston are trained to respond to an overdose and can access free naloxone. 
• Ryan Companies, a national commercial real estate services provider, commits to distribute naloxone and provide overdose response training to its nearly 2,000 employees, as well as place naloxone in each first aid kit at over 300 construction sites and offices, in partnership with SAFE Project, a national nonprofit that has trained 10,000 people nationwide.

Schools & Other Places of Learning

• American Library Association and the Public Library Association provide resources to public libraries to address the overdose crisis, including support for training library staff, distributing naloxone and overdose aid kits to the public, and hosting public education programs. For example, Michigan’s Lyon Township Public Library partners with Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities and South Lyon Community Coalition to provide naloxone and overdose education and training to staff and the public.
• Arlington Public Schools’ (APS) is increasing awareness of and access to naloxone. APS trained over 2,000 staff members, most of whom now carry the medication daily, and installed naloxone boxes on every floor at all middle and high schools. APS policy now permits students, grades 9 to 12, to carry naloxone at school with parent or guardian consent; 422 high schoolers have such consent.
• Houston Independent School District (HISD) serves 185,000 students across 274 schools. HISDPolice trains officers on naloxone, which they carry to treat any student, employee, or community member who may be experiencing overdose.
• Los Angeles Unified School District, America’s second largest school district, has naloxone at all K-12 schools, early education centers, and adult education centers. School site and health care staff are trained on naloxone. Recently, District policy allows all students to carry naloxone at school. Since January 2023, the District has used naloxone approximately 50 times to save lives.
• The University of Texas at Austin (UT) leads an opioid overdose prevention program that has equipped residence hall staff, campus police, and campus libraries with naloxone and overdose response training. Naloxone is also available for free and anonymously to UT Austin’s entire community. As of March 2024, UT Austin has trained 3,412 students, staff, and faculty on overdose response and distributed 2,280 naloxone doses.

State & Local Transit Systems

• Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), New Jersey Transit Police Department, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train and equip officers and safety staff with naloxone so they can help people on trains and at stations. MBTA is working to make naloxone available at all Red Line Heavy Rail Stations. Collectively, these transit systems have administered over 2,000 doses of naloxone to save lives.

Expanding access to opioid overdose reversal medications is a key part of the National Drug Control Strategy, and the Biden-Harris Administration has made historic investments and taken historic action over the past three years to deliver on this priority. This includes:

• Making naloxone available over-the-counter. For the first time ever, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, for non-prescription, over-the-counter purchase at grocery stores and pharmacies across the country. In addition, the FDA is making it easier for harm reduction organizations to obtain naloxone directly from manufacturers and distributors to increase the public’s access to this lifesaving medicine.
• Delivering support to states and Tribes. The Biden-Harris Administration has invested historic amounts of funding in the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program to make opioid overdose reversal medications available at no cost to residents of states and Tribes. Using SOR funds, states and Tribes have purchased nearly 10 million opioid overdose reversal medication kits and helped to reverse more than 600,000 overdoses. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is supporting states and Tribes with technical assistance, policy academies, and convenings to ensure SOR funds are used to help saturate hard-hit communities with opioid overdose reversal medications.
• Increasing awareness of opioid overdose reversal medications. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), in partnership with the Ad Council, launched a social media campaign, Real Deal on Fentanyl, to reach young people with critical messaging about the dangers of fentanyl and the life-saving effect of opioid overdose reversal medications. Its Spanish-language companion site, La Realidad sobre el Fentanilo, launched in March 2024.
• Increasing education on opioid overdose reversal medications. Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration marked two years of advancements in the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Overdose Prevention Strategy by releasing the updated Overdose Prevention and Response Toolkit. The toolkit provides updated guidance on preventing overdoses and responding to opioid- or stimulant-involved overdoses, and offers population-specific guidance to people who use drugs, people who take prescription opioids, first responders, healthcare practitioners, and other audiences. This builds on many bold actions that HHS has taken to beat the overdose crisis, including updated federal regulations for opioid treatment programs to expand access to treatment for the first time in two decades, and the announcement that HHS grant funds may now be used to purchase xylazine test strips, where permitted by law.
• Investing in harm reduction services. Evidence-based harm reduction services, including the distribution of opioid overdose reversal medications, save lives. In President Biden’s FY2024 budget request, he calls for an additional $100 million for harm reduction services—funding that will help distribute more opioid overdose reversal medications.
• Increasing access to life-saving medications in federal facilities. HHS and the General Services Administration (GSA) issued new guidance that encourages all federal facilities to include life-saving opioid overdose reversal medications in their safety stations for use during overdose emergencies.

• Strengthening a whole-of-society response:

• HHS and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) called on public health departments and health care systems to work with housing providers, community development organizations, and other housing agencies to help expand access to opioid overdose reversal medications in the communities they serve. Housing providers play a critical role in ensuring that all public spaces have life-saving medications available and that more people are prepared to use the medications during emergencies.

• The White House and the U.S. Department of Education called on schools, colleges, and universities to have opioid overdose reversal medications on-site and ensure that students and employees are prepared to use these medications to save a life on or near their campuses.

In addition to expanding access to lifesaving overdose reversal medication, the Biden-Harris Administration has also invested more funding and broken more barriers to treatment than any previous administration. The Biden-Harris Administration has not only taken historic policy actions, but also invested historic amounts of funding to help make these policy changes a reality. President Biden is investing $83 billion in treatment, which is 42% more than was made under the previous Administration.

Saving lives is the North Star of the National Drug Control Strategy, and this effort requires more than just federal resources. We must come together. In memory of those we have lost and to protect those at risk of overdose, the Administration is refocusing the Nation’s attention on the devastation caused by illicit fentanyl, reaffirming our collective commitment to beating this crisis and doubling down on efforts to empower all Americans to save lives.

Join us at whitehouse.gov/SaveLivesFromOverdose.

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Volume 11 - Issue 11