conductletgo

1Mayor'sStateoftheCityAddress2017Tonight,Ifeelhumbledandgrateful.
Iwanttothankeveryoneforcoming,andIwanttoextendspecialthankstothosewhoareheretonightbecauseyougenuinelylovePlainfield.
Theloveforthiscityisauniquethingthattakesholdofyouanddoesn'tletgo.
IspeakfromexperiencebecauseIalsolovethiscityfromthebottomofmyheart,andwhileithasnotalwaysbeenaneasything;--I'mprettysurewhenIfirsttookofficeatthebeginningof2014Ihadalotfewergrayhairs--Ithasalwaysbeenrewarding.
ThoseofyouwhojoinmeinthisloveandpassionforourQueenCityunderstandthatlovingthiscitymeansaction;sometimesitmeanstakingonthedifficulttasksandassumingresponsibility.
Itismucheasiertostandonthesidelinesandbeacriticbuttheroadlesstraveledistheonethatcallsforcommitment,steadfastnessandyes,sometimessacrifices.
Thosewhoareinthetrencheseveryday,volunteering,mentoring,leadingaremakingtherequiredsacrifice.
Theresidentswhohaveassumedresponsibilityandwhoarenotwaitingpassivelyforapositiveoutcomebuthavecommittedtomakingithappenarethedrivingforcebehindthechangethat'soccurring.
Ilookaroundandseetheminthisroom,IknowwhoyouareandIwanttosaythatPlainfieldthanksyouforyourpassion,andIthankyouforyourcommitmenttoourcity.
MembersoftheCityCouncil,CabinetMembers,HonoredGuests,fellowPlainfielders,andfriendsofPlainfield,Iampleasedtosharewithyouthe2017StateoftheCityAddress.
IwanttowelcomeandacknowledgepublicofficialsfromtheStateandCountythatareheretonight,(Namethemifanypresent)membersoftheclergy,membersofmyadministration,communitystakeholdersandmostimportantly,theresidentsofthisgreatcity.
WehavenewlyelectedCouncilmemberswhobegantheirfour-yeartermonJanuaryfirst.
CongratulationstoCouncilmemberCharlesMcRaewhowaselectedtoserveasCouncilmanfor2the3rdWard.
CongratulationstoRebeccaWilliamswhowaselectedasCouncilwoman-at-largeandalsoasCouncilPresident.
CongratulationstoCouncilmanBarryGoodewhowaselectedasChairmanoftheCommitteeoftheWholeandtoJoyletteMills-Ransome,appointedtoserveasCouncilwomanatLargeforthe2ndand3rdWards.
IextendmyregardstootherCouncilmembers,CouncilmanCoryStorchwhoservesinthe2ndWard,CouncilwomanBridgetRiverswhoservesinthefourthWardandCouncilwomanDianeToliverwhoservesinthefirstward.
IamgratefulfortheworkthattheCouncildoesbyinteractingwithourcommunityonadailybasis.
IcouldnotfunctioneffectivelyastheMayorwithouttheirpartnership,andIlookforwardtoanotheryearofworkingtogether,alwaysforthegreatergoodofPlainfield.
IwouldliketothanktheSeniorCitizensCenterforhostingustonight.
ThisisagroupIliketospendtimewithbecausetheybuiltthiscity,ourseniorshavepouredtheirblood,sweat,andtearsintoPlainfieldandwhentheyspeak,theyspeakfromapositionofexperience,concern,andlove….
andIliketolisten.
Somepeoplesaybehindeverygreatmanisagreatwoman,IliketosaybesidebecausenothingIachievewouldmeananythingwithouttheloveandsupportofmybeautifulwifeAmeliaandourtwochildrenAyishaandShermona.
IthankthemforunderstandingandsupportingthedreamtomakeourhomePlainfieldabetterplace.
*****TonightIwanttotellyouastory…itcouldbegin"onceuponatime.
"It'sastoryaboutaCity,asmallyetvibrantcity,populationapproximately51,000,hometo10historicdistricts,boastingahistorycolorfulandrichinculture,hometoadiversecollectionofpeoplefromallacrosstheglobe,aQueenCity.
Threeyearsagotheeconomyinthiscitywasinaslump.
Unemploymentwasatanall-timehigh;crimewasontheriseandinvestorshadnoconfidenceinthecity'sabilitytocreateareturnontheirinvestments.
Thepeopleweretiredofsettling,theywantedtoseesomethingtransformative,andwevowedtoworktogethertomakethattransformationhappen.
Thiswaswhatthecitydemanded.
Todaythatcity…ourcity,hasmadethatdramatictransformationandIwillsharethehighlightsofthatchangewithyoutonight;andourvisionaswelookaheadtotheendof2017andbeyond.
Plainfield,IstatewithoutreservationthatthestateofourcityisSTRONG,3ItisSTRONGERthanithasbeenindecades!
Plainfieldhasmovedforwardinleapsandboundssince2014whenIstoodbeforeyouandpromisedtolistentoyouandtacklethetoughproblemswithyou.
Iheardyourvoicesloudandclearthen,andIstillhearthemtoday.
Justbecausewearestrongdoesnotmeanwestopworking,itdoesn'tmeanthereisnoroomforimprovement.
Wearealwaysseekingnewwaystodoitbetter,toflyhigherandwerecognizethatthereismoreworktobedone.
Tonightwecometogethertodiscussachievements,butwe'realsoheretowork.
OurCity'sfuturehasalwaysbeen,andalwayswillbedeterminedbyindividualscomingtogethertocreateopportunitiesandbuildourcommunity.
*****PUBLICSAFETYWhenItookofficein2014,PublicSafetywasoneofmytoppriorities,anditremainssotoday.
Duetoaseriesofcorrectiveactionsandnewinitiatives;crimehasbeenfallingsteadilyinPlainfield.
Between2014whenItookofficeand2016,crimeinPlainfielddecreasedby26%.
Violentcrimeisdownby30%,andnon-violentcrimeisdownby26%.
IfImaydrawyourattentiontothescreen,youwillseethestats.
(Slide1)Lookingatthefigures,weseenonviolentcrimeisclearlydownby26%(Slide2)andoverallcrimeisdownby25%withareductionof16%happeningbetween2015and2016.
(Slide3)ThepointisthatourlawenforcementofficersareoutonthestreetsofPlainfieldworkinghardtokeepthecitysafeandtheyarebattlingcrimeusingsometraditionalandsomenewandinnovativemethods.
But,Let'sbecandidforaminute.
Crimeisonlyasymptomofaproblem.
Itisnottheproblemitself.
Ifwethrowmorepoliceattheproblemeventually,wewillreducecrime,butwewillnotstopit.
Wecanarrestamillioncriminalsandtakethemoffthestreet,butitwillnotfixtheproblemorgetatitsrootIfwewanttostopcrime,wemustofferalternativestocrime;wemustfightcrimebeforeitcanfindfertileground.
4OnetoolIbelieveisimportantinthefightagainstcrimeiseducation.
That'swhyIwillsharemyvisionforsomethingcalledPlainfieldPromisebeforethenightisthrough.
That'swhyIwanttheCityandtheBoardofEducationtoworkinclosecollaborationtocomeupwithoutoftheboxideastocapturetheimaginationandheartsofouryoungpeople.
That'swhywehavehostedtwolargejobfairs,oneofwhichresultedinthehiringof100full-timeemployeesattheUSPostalservice.
Westilldon'thavefiguresfromthelastone,butIcantellyouthatunemploymenthasfallenfromahighofalmost14%in2013,toalowof5.
4%asoflastNovember2016.
(SlideNumber4)That'sasignificantnumberintheanti-crimetoolbox.
That'swhyweareinvestinginexpandingourrecreationalfacilitiesandtheprogramsofferedthroughourRecreationDivision.
That'swhyweareactivelyseekingpartnershipwithpublicandprivateentitiesbeyondthebordersofPlainfieldtobringnewideasandfreshperspectiveshere.
That'swhyweareleveragingthestrengthandresourcesofStateandFederalofficestofindnewsolutions.
TheAdministrationcannotdoitalone,butwewanttodoourpart.
Inthepastyearcomplaintsagainstpoliceofficershavefallenbymorethan50%withtheimplementationofbodyworncameras.
Therelationshipbetweenlocalpoliceandourcommunityhasneverbeenstronger.
Division-widecommunitypolicinghasfosteredlastingrelationships;fromblockpartiestomentorshipprogramswiththeyouth,tosimplywalkingtheneighborhoodsandsayinghellotoourresidents…ourlawenforcementteamhasbeeninvolvedandengagedonadailybasis.
Therehasbeengreateraccountabilitydemandedofsupervisorsandofficers,andthiseffecthasbeenfeltthroughouttheforceandthecity.
In2016,11newPoliceOfficersjoinedtheforce,andthe911PhoneSystemUpgradewascompleted.
AswastheRadioSystemUpgrade13NewComputersandGPSwereinstalledinPatrolCars,andtheCityWideCameraSystemwasexpandedfrom8to38.
Additionally,wewereabletoGainRemoteCameraAccesstoVariousPrivateandPublicentitiesFour-WayStopswereinstalledatselectIntersectionsaroundthecitytoaddresscomplaintsaboutspeedingwithincertainresidentialneighborhoods.
Andwehavesteppeduptrafficenforcementallacrossthecity.
5We'veinstallednewschedulingsoftwareandanewtelephonesystemthatfacilitatesfasterandmoreefficientcommunicationwiththepublic,andfasterresponsetimeto911calls.
ContinuingtobeefupPublicSafetytheFireDepartmenthadsomesignificantadditionsin2016.
AnewRescueSquadTruckwasplacedinserviceincreasingoperationalefficiencyanddecreasingmaintenancecostanddowntime.
Additionally,anewCommandvehicleandaNew90-footaerialtruckwaspurchasedandisoperational.
NewStandardOperatingProcedureshavebeeninstitutedtoimproveperformanceandproficiencythroughouttheDivision.
Thenewsoftwarewasimplementedtoimprovepersonnelaccountability,annualdatatrackingandimprovetheconfigurationofallofficeforms.
AsIsaidwetakepublicsafetyveryseriouslyandin2017,we'resendingamessagetothosethatintendtobreakthelaw.
IfyouenterPlainfield,we'regoingtobewatching.
*****ECONOMICDEVELOPMENTTransformationisnotaboutbeingPerfect;it'sabouteffort.
Andwhenyoubringthatefforteverysingledaythat'swheretransformationhappens,that'showchangeoccurs…Oneofthegreatestchallengeswefacedin2014wasstimulatingeconomicgrowthandattractingdeveloperstoPlainfield.
Weknewthatanytransformativechangehadtoincludearedevelopmentcomponentandweembarkedonacampaigntopromotethecityandhighlightthegreatopportunitiesthatexistedforpotentialinvestorsanddevelopers.
Wetookahardlookattheassistanceprovidedtodevelopersastheymovedprojectsthroughthecitysystemandstreamlinedthatprocesstomakeiteasier.
Thewordonthestreetatthattimewas"Plainfieldisadifficultplacetoconductbusiness.
"Threeyearslater,thatisnolongerthecase,Plainfieldhasdevelopedareputationasacitythatwelcomesseriousbusinesspartners,andmanyinvestorshaveshowntheirfaithinthecitybybackingimportantdevelopmentprojects.
ThefuturethatweenvisionedforPlainfieldin2014iswhatwearelivingtoday.
Tonight,IamproudtosaythatPlainfieldcurrentlyhasover60potentialprojectsinvariousstageswhichrepresentanover$230-million-dollarinvestmentintheCity.
6Thecompletionoftheseproposedprojectsrepresentover1,200newresidentialstateoftheartapartmentsandover350,000squarefeetofnewretail,commercialspaceWhilewe'vebeeneagerforgrowth,werecognizedthatnoteveryproposedprojectwasgoingtoberightforus.
Wewereveryparticularaboutthetypeofdevelopmentwewantedtoattractandthespacesthatwouldhousethosedevelopmentprojects.
Wekeptattheforefrontofourselectionprocesstheimpactonthequalityoflifeofourresidents.
DownonSouthAvenue,wehavetheSouthAvenueGatewayProjectbyJMFProperties.
It'sa$50-million-dollarnewdevelopmentof212luxuryresidentialapartmentsinthe1300blockofSouthAve.
Andit'sexpectedtocompletein2018.
TheMuseatGrantAvenueStationisa$30-million-dollarinvestmentprojectbyTDPartnersandJGPetrucci.
WeputthewordouttodevelopersthatPlainfieldwasopenandreadytodobusiness.
Weshowedhowseriouswewereaboutthatwhenwewereabletobringthisprojecttofruitioninunderayear.
They'veturneda5-acrebrownfieldssiteintoavibrantnewstateoftheartfacilityforanexistingPlainfieldbusiness(ABCSupplies)whocurrentlyemploys12Plainfieldresidents,withplanstohiremoreinthecomingyear.
Phasetwoofthisprojectconsistsof90residentialunitswithtopqualityamenitiesAtthecornerofWestFrontStreetandClintonAve.
WeopenedaStateoftheartDunkinDonutsfacility.
Thisapproximately$3.
5-million-dollarinvestmentcreatedovertennewjobopportunitiesforresidentsoftheCity.
Businessisthriving,andithasbecomepartoftherenaissanceofPlainfield.
WhenItookoffice,ImadeacommitmenttoworkhardtobringredevelopmenttothenowclosedMuhlenbergsite.
Wepromisedthatanyredevelopmentwouldhaveamajorhealthcarecomponent.
IreachedouttotheCEOofJFKHealthSystemsbuiltarelationshipandwasabletomakeithappen.
I'mhappytoreportthatanagreementbetweenthepotentialdeveloperandJFKhasbeenrecentlysigned.
Wewillcontinuetoworkin2017toensurethatthesiteisdevelopedintoastateoftheartfacilitywithaconcentrationinhealthcare.
WehaveKenyonHousewhereJFKrenovatedthefirstfloortohouseasatelliteemergencydepartment.
Theyofferout-patientmedicalservices,diagnosticservices,andhospitalcommunityoutreachprograms.
ThisnewEmergencyRoomisactivelyservingthecommunity.
7IcouldgoonandonnamingeachprojectandsharingdetailsbutI'mhappytosaytherearefartoomanytodothatandtherewereotherinitiativeswhichimpactedoureconomicstrategyandgrowthandI'dliketospendsometimesharingafewofthosewithyou.
EverysingledecisionmadeinCityHall,everynewinitiativehasatitscoretheimpactonthequalityoflifeofourresidents.
It'snotalwayseasytofindsolutionsthatwillpleaseeveryone,andit'sneverpossibletopleaseallthepeopleallthetime,butwekeptparticularguidelinesinmindasweforgedaheadwithourtransformationefforts.
OneofthemandatesgiventoourEconomicDevelopmentteamwastofindopportunitiesthatwouldincreaseratables,createjobsandimproveretailtrafficflowtosupportthesmallbusinesscommunitywhileattractingothermajorretailers.
WevigorouslypursuedaOneSeatRideoptionintoNewYorkCity,recognizingthatthiswouldbeatremendousboosttoourresidentswhocommutedailyandtoourredevelopmentefforts.
WeweresuccessfulingettingNJTransittoapproveaPilotOneSeatprogramwhichwecontinuedtomarketin2016andwillchampionuntilitismadeapermanentpartoftheirschedule.
WereceivedadesignationfromtheNJDepartmentofTransportationofTransitOrientedDevelopment–Downtown.
TheOneSeatRidesupportsthisdesignationandisacriticalcomponenttooursuccessaswemoveaheadwithdevelopmentaroundourtransportationhubs.
Wewantedtransformationacrossallsectorsofthecityandpartofthatwasmakingourbusinesscommunitycompetitiveandabletoexpandtheircustomerbase.
InMarch2014wepartneredwithonlinegiantGoogletoGetPlainfieldBusinessesOnline.
Thegoalwastogetourlocalbusinessesonlineandharnessingthepoweroftheinternettopromotetheirbusiness.
Iampleasedtosaythattodateover35ofourlocalbusinesseshaveutilizedthisprogramandnowhaveapresenceontheweb.
OurUrbanEnterpriseZoneProgramhasbeeninstrumentalinbreathingnewlifeintomanyofourdowntownbusinesses,andwecontinuetoworkcloselywiththestatetoincreasethenumberofbusinessesthatbenefitfromthisprogram.
WewillcontinuetocollaboratewiththeStateofNJtoreinstatethisviableprogramforourbusinessesasourdesignationexpiredrecently.
In2016wecontinuedtoofferresourcestothebusinesscommunitybyprovidingovertenseminarsdealingwithvarioustopicssuchasforeclosure,credit,businessplan,businesslendingandquickbooks8Duetoalltheseredevelopmentefforts,IamhappytoreportthathomevaluesintheCityofPlainfieldincreasedby8.
01%!
!
LastyearItoldyouabouttheCityofPlainfieldLoanFundanditspartnershipwiththeRegionalBusinessAssistanceCorporation(RBAC)IampleasedtosaythatpartnershipisstillstrongandhastodateservicedfourloanstoPlainfieldbusinesseswithmoreinthepipeline.
Offeringloansofbetween$25000to$250000thisloanprogramhasbeeninstrumentalinsavingatleastonePlainfieldbusinessfromclosingitsdoors.
TonightasIspeakofpartnershipsIwanttorecognizetwopersonsseatedintheaudience.
HectorAcosta,whoistheSeniorVicePresidentofThe504CompanyandNathaliaGiraldowhoisaVicePresident.
IamverypleasedtosharethattheCityofPlainfieldandthe504Companyhaveenteredintoapartnershiptocreatea504PlainfieldLoanFundProgram.
Theprogramwillprovidebusinessfinancialassistancetobusinessesseekingtoacquirefixedassetswhileretainingworkingcapitaltosupportgrowthandjobscreation.
The504Companyhasmadeacommitmenttoallocate$10milliondollarsoftheirloanfundsstrictlytoservicebusinessesinPlainfieldandthoselookingtoexpandorrelocatetotheCity.
Theloanswillrangefrom$25,000to$5MillionDollarswithvariableandflexibletermsrangingfrom5-20yearswithfixedinterestratesrangingfrom6%-8%.
Thankyou,bothforbeinghereandexpressingyourfaithinthefutureofPlainfield.
Weareconcernedabouteveryaspectofourresident'swell-beingandwecontinuetoseekpartnershipstoassistnotonlythebusinesscommunitybutallofourresidentsfacingpotentialforeclosuresintheirhomes.
OnesuchpartnerprogramisStabilizingUrbanNeighborhoods(SUN)ledbyBostonCommunityCapital.
Theyhavebeenactiveinourcityhelpingtosaveresidentswhofindthemselvesintheforeclosureprocess.
Plainfield,theevidenceiseverywhere,weareinthemiddleofarenaissanceunlikeanyexperiencedinthepastfewdecades,andIamexcited.
Thisgrowthanddevelopmentisgoodforeverysingleresidentandbusinessownerhere.
Homeownerswillseepropertyvaluescontinuetorise;businesseswillgenerateevenmorerevenue,jobshavebeen,andwillcontinuetobecreatedandgoodquality,convenient,affordablehousingwillbeapartofourlandscape.
Thetransformationwe'retalkingaboutherewillchangelivesforgenerationstofollow.
WearebuildingaPlainfieldlegacyourchildrencanbeproudof…oneprojectatatime.
****9ADMINISTRATIONANDFINANCEPeoplealwayssayifyouwanttounderstandanentityfollowthemoney.
ThecityofPlainfieldisnotinthemoneymakingbusiness,butweareinthebusinessofensuringthatourtaxpayersaregettingthebestservicesforthetaxestheypay.
WehadtomakesometoughdecisionswhenIassumedofficeatthebeginningof2014.
Iftherewastobetransformationandchangeithad,tobeginwithhowthingswerebeingmanaged.
Sowehadtomakesomechanges,andnotallwerepopular,butallwerenecessary.
Wehadtostartwithin,sowithaneyetostringentfiscalmanagement,weworkedtoreduceovertimehoursandstreamlinecityoperations.
Excellentcustomerserviceisthebackboneofanyefficientorganization,sowetackledthatheadonandCompletedtheinstallationofaCustomerRelationshipManagementsystemtointegrateCityofficesintheInspections,Construction,HealthandRecreationDivisions.
TheremainingDivisionswillbeimplementedin2017WetookhardmeasuresinourAdministrationandFinancedepartment,andoneofourprimaryobjectiveswastodecreasethenumberofauditfindingsandbuildtrustinthecityasareputableinstitution;onethatcouldbetrustedbyourresidents,byfinancialinstitutionsandpotentialinvestors.
(slidenumber5)BetweenJanuary1st,2014andDecember31st,2016wereducedauditfindingsby75%andin2016receivedaMoody'sinvestmentgraderatingof1,whichreflectsstrongfundamentalcreditqualitywithexcellentliquidity.
(Slidenumber6)In2016weachievedanunprecedentedtaxcollectionrateof97.
08%andgeneratedasurplusof$5.
6.
Milliondollars.
Additionally,wewereabletogenerateover$4milliondollarsingrantrevenuesin2016.
AsImentionedearliersinceJanuary1,2014,toDecember31,2016,propertyvaluesinourcityhaveincreasedbyanoutstanding8.
01%.
.
.
Everysingleactionthatwetookwasmotivatedbythemandateoftransformation;transformationtoaprudentgovernment,transformationtosoundspending,transformationtosuperiorserviceforourresidentsandweknewitwouldnotcomeeasily.
Animportantpartofthattransformationwasintroducing21st-centurytechnology,bringingcityservicesonlineandmakinginformationreadilyavailabletoallresidentsandstakeholders.
10Residentsspokeoftheneedforauser-friendly,informativeandinteractivewebsite,welistenedandbroughtatrulydynamicwebsiteonlinein2015.
Weinstalledanew911andradiosystemforincreasedresponsivenessandvigilanceinourpolicedepartment,andweimplementedacity-widetelephonesystemupgradeWetookahardlookateverysingleDepartment'stechnologyandsystematicallyappliedchangeswhichwouldmakethemmoreefficientand21stcenturycompliant.
Thedatanetworkwhichwasoldandinefficientwasreplacedbyanetworkinfrastructureeighttimesfasterthanthepreviousone,andweimplementedanewpayrollsystemwhichhassuperiorcapabilitiesfortrackingtimeandhours.
Oneofourmostimportantinitiativesin2016wastheimplementationofaplatformtosupporttherolloutandissuanceofMunicipalID's.
WelaunchedtheMunicipalIDprograminOctoberof2016,andmanyresidentswhowerenotabletogetanIDanywhereelsehavebeenissuedwiththeseID'swhichtheycannowuseforemployment,rentingahome,interactionswithpoliceandotherinstances.
Ibelieveinbasichumandignityandafairdayspayforanhonestday'swork,thisiswhyin2016Iadvocatedfor,andwiththesupportofthecouncilwassuccessfulinraisingtheminimumwageinPlainfieldto$15perhour.
WealsopassedtheEarnedSickTimeOrdinancewhichentitleseveryworkerinourcitytopaidsickleave,accruingatarateofonehourforevery30hoursworked.
2016wastheyearforprogressivelegislationhereinPlainfield,andweareproudtobeleadersinadvocatingforfundamentalrights.
Whilewearenotsetuptobeacharitableorganization-Theadministrationhasbeenfundingprogramstoactivelyandtangiblybeinvolvedinprovidingreliefandsolutionstoourresidents.
(slidenumber7)Overthesummerof2016,theCityemployed180youthand20adultsandprovidedservicestoover4600families.
IFyouturnyourattentiontotheslide,youwillseethebreakdownofservices.
WebelievethatstrongpartnershipshelpustofindinnovativesolutionsatlittleornocosttoourresidentsandI'mpleasedtosharethatincollaborationwithUnitedWayofGreaterUnionCounty,theresidentsofPlainfieldarebenefittingfromtwonewinitiatives.
11HealthyPlainfield,BuildingaCultureofHealth–PlainfieldisnowamemberoftheNewJerseyHealthInitiative,anationalprogramoftheRobertWoodJohnsonFoundation.
WeareoneoftheseveralcommunitiesinNewJerseyfundedbyRobertWoodJohnsonTheprimarygoalistoovercomebarriersandbuildontheassetswithinacommunitythatcontributestoimprovedhealthoutcomesHealthoutcomesexpandbeyondphysicalhealthtoincludeemotionalandmentalwell-being.
LifelongPlainfield-fundedbytheGrottaFoundationforSeniorCare,ishelpingustoidentifywayswecanimproveandmakePlainfieldamoreage-friendlycommunitythatsupportsourseniorstoageinplace.
TheDefinitionofAge-Friendlyisaplacethatmakesiteasyforolderpeopletostayconnectedtopeoplethatareimportanttothem.
Andithelpspeoplestayhealthyandactiveevenattheoldestagesandprovidesappropriatesupporttothosewhocannolongerlookafterthemselves.
Itenablespeopleofallagestoparticipateincommunityactivitiesandtreatseveryonewithrespect,regardlessoftheirage.
IFyouhaven'talreadydoneso,pleasegotothecity'swebsiteandtakethehealthsurveypostedthere.
ThesurveyprovidesinformationtosupporttheinitiativeslaidoutintheHealthyPlainfieldgrant.
******DPWAresidentcameuptomerecentlyandsaid"I'vebeenlivinghereforover27yearsandinallthattimethisisthefirsttimemystreethaseverbeenre-paved.
Thankyou.
"Soyes,welistenedwhenyoutoldusin2014thatsmooth,pothole-freestreetswereimportant,andwesetoutonamassiverepavingeffort.
In2016wepaved16streetsandoneparkinglot.
Alwayswithaneyetothebottomlineandfindingthemostcost-effectivewaytodoagreatjobweutilizedsomecreativemethodsin2016tominimizeouroperationalcostswhilemeetingtheneedsofourresidents.
OnesuchcreativemethodwasthepurchaseofaPotholeDoctor.
12Usingonlyasingleoperatorthepotholedoctortechnologymakesrepairstoroadwayswhicharethenreadyforimmediateuse!
Therepairslastlongerthanthecoldpatchmethodutilizedinthepast.
Thereisalsoareductioninlaborcost.
AnotherwayofminimizingcostswasutilizingoursharedservicesagreementwiththeUnionCountyRoadDivision.
OurPublicWorksstaffusedCountyemployeesandCountyequipmenttoassistwiththecompletionofseverallargespotmillingandrepavingprojects;thiseliminatedtheneedforexpensiverentalcharges.
WeharnessedthecollectivebuyingpoweroftheMorrisCountyCo-op,andinthefallseveralstreetsweremilledandresurfacedrepresentingatremendouscostsavingsbenefittoourtaxpayers.
Anothertransformationthattookplacein2016wasthatlightingwaseitherfixedorinstalledinmanypreviouslydarkspaces.
ThiswasaninitiativecalledtheMayor'sLightUptheCityProgram:Over300streetlightswerereportedandsubsequentlyservicedbyPublicService.
Poorlylitstreetsreceivedneworupgradedlightingfixtures.
*****RECREATION2016wasayearoffuninourRecreationDivision.
ThroughitsannualSpecialEventSeries,theDivisionofferednumerousfreeeventsforourresidentstoenjoy.
Youcanseejustsomeofthemlistedonthescreen(slidenumber7and8)TheRecreationDivisionofferedover80programsforourcommunityin2016TheParkswerescheduledfor130hoursofprivateandcommunityprograms.
YouthandAdultsportsleaguesaccountedfor1,392hoursoffielduse.
118youthreceivedfreeswimlessonsgivenatouroutdoorfacilities.
Our3poolswereopenforacombinedtotalof82hours545youthparticipatedinWaterSafetyPresentations.
137communitybasedsummercampsandDaycareCentersregularlyscheduledvisitstothepools.
23newlifeguardsweretrained,10lifeguardsrecertified.
AllprogramsarepartoftheCityofPlainfieldAquaticSchool,PathwaystoCareersinRecreation.
In2016weaddedwhatturnedouttobetwoverypopularprogramstheMayor'sYouthFootballCupgameandPlainfieldPlaysTennis.
TheMadisonAvenueParkbathroominstallationwascompleted,andfamilieswillhaveaccesstobarrier-freebathroomsatthisheavilyusedplayground.
In2016wepartneredwithevenmoreCommunitybasedorganizationstobringmoreprogramsandincreasedpartnershipsby100%over2015.
Theprogramsofferedaretoomanytolistbutyoucanseethemontheslides.
(Slides9&10)*******LOOKINGAHEADTheReverendDr.
MartinLutherKingJr.
oncesaid:"Ifyoucan'tflythenrunifyoucan'trunthenwalkifyoucan'twalkthencrawl,butwhateveryoudoyouhavetokeepmovingforward.
"Plainfield,we'vecomealongwayinjustthreeyears,sometimesitfeltlikewewerecrawling,butweneverstoppedmovingforward.
Thereismuchmoretodo,andwe'reheretowork,andkeepthemomentumgoingWemayhavewalkedbefore,butin2017,we'regoingtofly.
TheadministrationwillbeembarkingonafeasibilityandimplementationstudythatwillmaximizetheuseoftheHannahAtkinsCenterasaplaceforrecreational,educationalandentrepreneurialtraining.
Wewillalsobeintroducingahealthyfoodsinitiative.
Webelievethatthecentercanbetransformedintoacompellingcommunityspacewithupdatedrecreationalandcommunityrevitalizingfeaturesthatwillserveasoneofthekeyhubsforprovidingcommunity-centricservicestoourresidents.
Therepositioningofthissitewillserveavitalroleinthecontinuedrevitalizationofthewestendareaspecifically,andPlainfieldatlarge.
Wewillbeginthisprocessbyinitiallyaddressingthecurrentpropertyatthatlocationsothatwecanstartprovidingtargetededucationalandjobtrainingservicesatthecurrentfacilitywhilewemasterplananddevelopanewfacilitiesprogramforthissite.
14We'regoingtocompletethebuildingoftheMadisonAvenueSkateParkandgetourkidsoffthestreetsandintosafesurroundingswhilethey'reskating.
Balanceisnecessary.
Facilitatinghealthy,activebodiesandcreatinguptodatecommunalspaceisimportant.
Sowe'llfinishTheRushmorePlaygroundConcessionStandBuilding,theSeidlerFieldReconstructionandtheWalkingTrailforMiltCampbell2017willseeforty-four(44)housingunitsservicedforsafehomeleadremediationthroughtheLeadPoisingRemediationPilotGrantthroughapartnershipwithPROCEEDInc.
We'llprovideadministrativesupportforaDCAgrantfor$398,000whichwillfacilitatetherehabilitationofTheDudleyHousetoprovideHousingforVeteransWe'regoingtocreateaVacantandAbandonedPropertyPortalthatwillallowresidents,andconcernedcitizenstheabilitytonotifytheofficeofpotentiallyabandonedproperties,andwe'regoingtoincreaseinspectionofvacantandabandonedpropertiestomorestringentlyenforcepropertymaintenancecodesNon-profitcommunity-basedorganizationswillbedevelopedandofferedsupportwithtechnicalassistanceingrantwriting,marketing,corporatestructureandbestpracticesKeepingourcitybeautifulisapriority,sowe'regoingtoestablishaHighImpactLandlordInitiativethatworkswiththecity'slargestlandlordswiththemostviolationstoimprovetheirpropertiesWe'lldeveloptheOutsideArtInitiative,whichprovidesanavenueforartisticexpressionthroughallwardsofthecity,whichincludesmurals,underpasses,walls,andbusinesses.
We'llturndrabexteriorsintocheerfulexpressionsofPlainfieldcreativity.
And–we'regoingtolightupeverystreetinPlainfieldasweexpandtheLightUptheCityprogram.
In2017we'rebringingStateoftheArt-21stcenturyITtrainingtoPlainfieldthroughapartnershipwithNationalActionNetworkTechWorld.
TheNANTechTrainingModelisacommunity-basedLearningCenterthatbridgestheDigitalDividebyprovidingtechnologyrich,afterschoolacademicenrichmentopportunitiesforPlainfield'sK-12studentsincludingITliteracy,andITindustryrelatedtrainingforPlainfieldjobseekersandfamilies.
It'sgoingtobeanexcitingyearinPlainfield,butwe'renotdoneyet…We'regoingtoencourageriderstocontinuetotakeadvantageofthecurrentpilotoneseatrideprogram,andwe'regoingtokeeppushingforapermanentoneseatrideintoNewYork.
15We'regoingtoseekreliableredevelopmentpartnersandpromotetheoneseatrideasanincentivetoinvest.
We'regoingtofocusonfindingsolutionsandnotapplyingband-aids.
ThismeanssecuringfundingforeducationinitiativeslikethePlainfieldPromiseandmovingaheadwithitbeforetheendof2017.
We'regoingtomaintainataxcollectionrateofatleast97%anddeliverabudgettothecouncilbytheMarchof2017duedate.
Weintendtogeneratemorethan$1MillionDollarsinnewgrantsbyDecember31,2017.
We'regoingtoeliminatethepreviousyear'sauditfindingsandfinance$5millionforroadwayimprovementsbySeptember15,2017.
Inotherwords,we'regoingtocontinuethistransformationthathaditsbeginningthreeyearsago.
*****PLAINFIELDPROMISEANDCONCLUSIONAwisemanoncesaid,"whileordinarypoliticiansplanforthenextelection,genuinestatesmenplanforthenextgeneration.
"InclosingIhaveauniqueinitiativethatIwanttosharewithyou,it'scalledthePlainfieldPromise.
It'sverynearanddeartomyheartandtonightI'lltellyouwhy…Butfirst,ifyou'llpermitmeI'dliketosharealittlebitofmypersonalstorytogiveyouabetterunderstandingofmypassion.
Asmostofyoualreadyknow,Iwasn'tbornhere.
AlthoughafterhavinglivedhereforalmostfortyyearsthisiswhereI'vespentmostofmylife,anditismyhome,inmymindandmyheart.
ButIwasborninBarbadosandspentmostofmychildhoodthere…Lifewasnotalwayseasygrowingup;itwasveryhard.
Iwasraisedinahouseholdwithoutafather,butluckilyIwasblessedwithalovinggrandmotherwhoraisedmewithseveralsiblingsandcousins.
ShedidthatwhilemymothermigratedtotheU.
S.
andworkedwithfamiliesonLongIslandtosavemoneytosupportherkids.
Wewereverypoor,andweknewit,anditwassometimesdifficulttomakeendsmeet.
Therewasverylittlemoneyforbasicthingslikeshoes,uniforms,booksandtheotheressentialsneededforschoolgoingkids.
16ManydaysIwouldtraveltoschoolhungryandwithouttheprospectoflunchandLetmetellyou,itishardtofocusonlearningwhenyouarehungry.
Ihadtorelyonthegenerosityofmyschoolfriendswhoattimessparedmeapieceofasandwich.
ButeverysingledayIgotup,mygrandmotherinsistedthatIgotoschool,andIwastaughtevenaswestruggledthatthekeytomakingabetterlifeisthrougheducation.
IlistenedtoherthroughtheyearsofhardshipandheldfiercelytothegoalofeducatingmyselfandensuringthatmychildrenwouldnothavetoendurewhatIdid.
AftermigratingtoAmerica,IpledgedtomyselfthatIwouldtakeadvantageofeveryopportunitythatcamemywaytobuildabetterlifeformyselfandmyfamily.
Igotmycollegestartataninstitutionthat,tothisday,isverynearanddeartomyheart,UnionCountyCollege.
EventhoughIwaslivingintheU.
S.
,fundingacollegeeducationwasexpensive.
IworkedmywayfromUnionCountyCollegetoRutgersUniversity,fromRutgerstoFairleighDickinson;butalwaysIkeptattheforefrontofmymindthateducationwastheanswerandIpersevereddespitethechallengespresentedbymysituation.
But,that'soneofthethingsthat'sgreataboutAmerica,thereareresourcesandoptionsavailableifyouwantitbadlyenough…ItwasduringthistimethatIcametotheknowledgeofayearningwithinmyselftohelpthosearoundme.
ThosewhomaybegrowingupfacingsimilarcircumstancestothoseinwhichIwasraised.
Mycommunity,mycityandthegenerationcomingafter…thiswasmycalltopublicservice.
Aperson'szipcode,hisorherstationinlifeshouldnotdictatethedestinationtowhichoneembarks.
Isharedthisstorytosaythataloveofeducationisdeeplyrootedinme.
Iknowwhatitmeanstostruggle,andmystorycouldhavehadaverydifferentending,wereitnotformybeliefinthepowerofeducationtotransform.
AndIwanttounleashthatpowerhereinPlainfield.
Iwanttoseeouryouthhungrytolearnandeagertoachieve.
Iwanttoseeeducationreachoutandgrabthemawayfromthestreetsandsay:"thisoneismine;youdon'tgettohavehim.
""Thisoneisspecial;shebelongstome.
"IbelievethatifeverysinglepersonhadthebenefitofagoodeducationtherewouldbeninetypercentlesscrimeintheworldandIwanttodomyparttomakethathappen.
Studieshaveshownthatchildrenwhoareexposedtofinancialliteracyatanearlyagegrowuptopracticesoundmoneymanagementlateronandaremorelikelytobesolidachievers.
17Withthisinmind,PlainfieldPromisehasasoneofitsgoalstoestablishabankaccountwithanamountofmoney(uptofivehundreddollars),foreverysinglechildstartingschoolintheCityofPlainfield.
Youhavetosowtheseedstodayifyouwanttoreaptherewardstomorrow,andthisisaboutchangingoutcomesforgenerations.
TheothercomponentofPlainfieldPromisethrowsoutachallengetoeveryhighschoolstudentinPlainfield.
Ifyoucompletehighschoolandqualifytogotocollegebutcannotaffordtodoso,wewillpayforyoutoattendUnionCountyCollege.
Andifthere'sachildwho'smoreinterestedinlearningatradethangoingtoatraditionalcollege,we'llalsoprovideassistanceforthemtopursuetheirdreams.
PlainfieldPromisewillprovidefundingtoassistouryoungpeoplewhohaveworkedhardanddeservetheopportunitytoexploretheirfullpotential;thisisthefutureofPlainfield;thisishowwebegintotransformthelandscapeofopportunityandre-createourcity.
Educationexpandsthemind;educationfightshatred,educationprovidesopportunities,educationopensdoors.
Itelevatesandpavesthewayforchangethataffectsgenerationaftergeneration.
PlainfieldPromisewillbefundedfromseveralsources,thedetailsofwhichwewillshareassoonasthelogisticsareworkedoutandtheprogramisreadytolaunch.
EarliertonightIspokeaboutmyloveforthiscity.
Thiscommunityismypassion.
Icaredeeplyforeveryresidentthatisjobless;foreveryveteranthatishomeless,foreveryimmigrantthatfeelspowerless.
Icareforthepersonwhosebiggestconcernmightbethepotholeinfrontoftheirhouseandfortheoneworryingabouttheholeinthefamilybudget.
Forthatchildwhofeelstheyhavenoanswersbuttheoneonthestreet,FromTerrillRoadtoJeffersonAvenueandeverywhereinbetween…Icaredeeply.
Workingalongsidethoseofyouwholovethiscity,asIdo,IwanttochangePlainfieldforthebetter,notjusttoday,notjusttomorrowbutforgenerationstocome.
ItcontinuestobeanhonortoserveasyourMayor.
Thoughthereremainchallenges,wehaveworkedhardthispastyearandthetwoyearsprecedingit,andweknowthatthereisfurthertogoandmuchyettodo.
WehavemadedramaticchangesthatwillbenefitPlainfieldintheyearsahead.
Andwecanbeproudofthis.
Weareleavingalegacyforwhichourchildrenwillbethankful.
18Ithasbeenapleasuretoseeplanscometofruition,developmenttakingroot,andlifecomingbackintothepreviouslyabandonedspaces.
IcouldnotbemoreexcitedaboutPlainfield'sfuture,andIamthrilledtobeheretotakethisjourneywithyou.
Sowe'regoingtocontinuedownthepathoftransformationbecausewe'renotdoneyet.
We'regoingtokeeppushingbecausewehavefurthertogoWe'regoingtodigdeeper,andwe'regoingtoflyhigherwe'llraisethequalityoflifeforeveryPlainfieldresidentWe'regoingtoblazethebrandofPlainfieldacrosstheStateofNewJersey,weareacitytowatch,andwewillnotbedeniedourRenaissanceUnitingasweBuild…OnePlainfield,OneFuture…MayGodblesseverypersonheretonight,BlesstheCityofPlainfieldandBlesstheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Thankyouandgoodnight!