Shakespeare Returns! The Tragedy of Macbeth with Denzel and Frances - Join Us on Saturday, Nov. 19!

Hey, there, fellow Shakespeare lovers! The Union County Board of County Commissioners in partnership with the City of Plainfield, is sponsoring a FREE screening of The Tragedy of Macbeth, a spectacular film adaptation of one of Shakespeare's most enduring tragedies, starring Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. The screening will take place next Saturday, November 19 at 7:00 pm at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (PPAC), located at 724 Park Avenue in Plainfield. Light refreshments will be served! I hope to see you there! 

I am very excited to be hosting this haunting and powerful adaptation of Macbeth, one of my favorite Shakespearean works, and one that I teach nearly every semester. The performances by Washington and McDormand serve as a "master class" of brilliant acting by two of our most highly-regarded actors. Shot in crisp black and white, it is especially stunning to see the film at PPAC, with oversized screen and state-of-the-art sound system. 

Please note that the film is rated R and is for mature audiences only. 

Spooky Stories of Plainfield! Join Us Next Sunday, Oct. 30!

 

Do you like Halloween? Do you like stories of ghosts, goblins, witches, and zombies? Well, we've got a treat for you! Next Sunday, October 30, from 2:00-4:00 pm, you are invited to join us for Spooky Stories of Plainfield, a fun-filled afternoon in celebration of Halloween at the Plainfield Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue).

As part of Halloween Weekend in Plainfield (Oct. 29-31), I am hosting an afternoon reading of original short stories--tales of ghosts, goblins, witches, and zombies--with Plainfield as a spooky backdrop--"The Castle Basement," Miss RayeRaye," "The Magical Dollhouse," and more. All the stories, written by Plainfield authors, are appropriate from children from ages 7-12. Costumes are welcome! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of spooky music, creepy refreshments, and lots of CANDY! 

All are welcome to this event, which is free and open to the public!

OPEN MIC! Banned Books Event This Friday at Plainfield Performing Arts Center

FACT: I read banned books, and if you read at all, the odds are you have read a banned book, too! 

In celebration of Banned Books Week, I am hosting an OPEN MIC session this Friday, Sept. 23 at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center (724 Park Avenue) in partnership with the City of Plainfield. Doors open at 7:00 pm, with music and refreshments. Join us as we read passages from our collection of widely and consistently banned books (authors such as Toni Morrison, Mark Twain, and Plainfield's own George Johnson, author of the best-selling All Boys Aren't Blue), or bring your own banned book and read a selection.

The evening is dedicated to the free exchange of ideas--join us as we fight back against censorship!

Doors open at 7:00 pm, with music and refreshments--the Open Mic session begins at 7:30 PM.  

 For more on Bannerd Books Week, the American Library Association's annual event, go to bannedbooksweek.org

LET'S CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO READ! 

Plainfield Plays Tennis: Fun at the Field - Adult Tennis Players and Friends!

 Join the Plainfield Division of Parks and Recreation for "Fun on the Field - Adult Tennis Players and Friends!" This month-long event is part of the Plainfield Plays Tennis program being offered at Milt Campbell Field (1322 E. 3rd Street) on four consecutive Thursdays in August: Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18, and Aug. 25. The program runs from 5:30 - 8:30 PM. 

You don't have to be a pro to have fun! In addition to tennis and pickleball, the evening invites those who play board and table games to come out and enjoy the activities. Dance to the music of Plainfield's own DJ George Moore, and enjoy hot dogs and cold drinks as you relax, refresh, and recreate! 

The registration fee is only $25. Register at: register.communitypass.net/plainfield

Come out and have some fun! 

Best,

Rebecca

National Night Out 2022 - Police - Community Partnerships!

Photos courtesy County of Union, New Jersey

On Tuesday, August 2, Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski and I attended the
Plainfield celebration of National Night Out, presented in partnership between the Plainfield Police Department and the Division of Parks and Recreation. For this year's National Night Out event, the City of Plainfield kicked off its Street Smart Campaign, an initiative of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), which focuses on transportation safety for all modes of transport.

Hundreds of residents of all ages came out to enjoy the festivities, with hot dogs, popcorn, and frozen treats, a bouncy house, touch-a-truck, fire safety demonstrations, a car and bike show, and numerous information tables, including the Union County Proesecutor's Office, the Plainfield Advisory Commission on Hispanic Affairs, Moms Demand Action, Iris House, Plainfield Action Services, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the Health Department, and more.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp welcomed the huge crowd, clearly reveling the opportunity for residents to showcase Plainfield Pride, Unity, and Love in celebration of the positive relations between law enforcement and the community. Mayor Mapp also presented community service awards to four residents in our city, whose activism, community engagement, and love for our city has resulted in a stronger Plainfield. Fittingly, Plainfield Police Director James Abney served as Host of Ceremonies for the formal program, which focuses on strengthening relationships between police officers and the communities they serve. In his remarks, Director Abney spoke about the revitalization of the Community Policing Unit and the expansion of the Queen City Mentoring Academy, which will now include a winter session. As he stated, "I am excited about the future of Plainfield, and the Police Department's bond with the community will play a pivotal rolw in its renaissance." Director Abney then presented a special award to the Plainfield Police Department.

Commissioner Kowalski, who serves as a Delegate in the NJTPA, and also as its secretary, noted that Union County has received $4 million in grants for improvements to Front Street and Seventh Street in Plainfield through the Local Safety Program, which includes traffic and pedestrian signal upgrades and the installation of high visibility crosswalks. In addition, she announced the creation of a new Regional Active Transportation Plan this year, which will help plan safety improvements across the 13 counties represented by the NJTPA to protect pedestrians and bikers.

Commissioner Kowalski then introduced NJTPA Acting Executive Director David Behrend and Deputy Director Lisa Lee of the E-Z Ride Bike and Pedestrian Safety Program to deliver remarks about the work being done by both entities to help municipalities and counties improve safety, and of the specific work they have been doing in Plainfield over the past year.

After the remarks and awards presentations, the music returned and the fun continued, along with the formation of Plainfield's "longest line dance." It was a fantastic evening! I am looking forward to next year!

All best,

Rebecca

Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the State of the City, 2022

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp delivers the 2022 Plainfield State of the City Address.

 

Last week, I attended Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp’s 2022 State of the City Address. Seeing the progress made in our city since last year, I reflected on the remarks I offered last year (2021) as he strove for, and won, an unprecedented third consecutive term as mayor. That election, I feel, helped to determine Plainfield’s future for the next four years.

I believe that under Mayor Mapp’s strong, capable, and responsible leadership as Plainfield’s chief executive, we will continue to grow by leaps and bounds. And that is important—critical—in these unparalleled times. The extraordinary economic development that we have seen in the past eight years of Adrian’s leadership clearly demonstrates why a third term at the helm was earned. Cities depend on growth to survive and to sustain themselves. This is why the majority of Plainfield voters supported the mayor—our leader—with another full term to continue to fulfill the vision he created for our city.

Adrian Mapp responded to the call for professional municipal governance and has delivered on his campaign pledges. The reputation of our city has greatly improved, and our economic development outlook has never been stronger, even as the nation emerges from the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We see growth in all 4 wards, with new businesses opening and other businesses expanding and creating new jobs and increasing the commercial tax base of our city. We have seen new housing, sprouting up—most recently the amazing housing developments: the Muse at Grant Avenue, the new Elmwood Square, and other fine residences across Plainfield. Meanwhile, the city has maintained its high bond rating, which is a testament to the financial expertise of Mayor Mapp’s administration.

Mayor Mapp's commitment to public safety has resulted in continuing strong drop in violent crime—Plainfield has become a safer city, and the result is that new residents are coming in—wanting to be a part of our renaissance. In addition to upgrades of our parks all around the city, I am truly excited by the new Rushmore Recreation Complex—Adrian knows that part of the quality of life includes how we use our recreation and leisure time, and this complex, along with the skate park, the Milt Campbell walking trail, new basketball and tennis courts, illustrate his commitment to our holistic health as a community.

Mayor Adrian O. Mapp has presented a clear vision for continuing the progress, and he has lived up to the words, “One Plainfield, One Future.”

Best,

Rebecca

On Tuesday, June 7th, Vote for Union County's Democratic Team!

With my running mates, Commissioner Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski, and County Surrogate Candidate Christopher Hudak.

 I am running for re-election as a member of the Union County Board of County Commissioners along with my colleagues, Commissioners Sergio Granados and Bette Jane Kowalski, along with Christopher Hudak for County Surrogate. We are committed to public service, and we know that it is important to have a strong body to represent and serve all 21 municipalities within our county. 

As Chair of the Union County Board this year, it is an incomparable honor to lead the county as we (I hope!) move away from the closures caused by the pandemic. As Chair this year as I am proud to be a part of a Board that has passed a county budget with a 0% tax increase for the third consecutive year, that has invested $1.5 million in infrastructure grants to all 21 municipalities, that has maintained a triple-A bond rating through responsible budgeting, that provided food distribution programs throughout Union County to address food insecurity, and that is saving $103 million over the next five years by closing the Union County Jail and sharing services. At the same time, we are maintaining the high quality of services Union County residents have come to expect. 

I believe that you should vote for the team that has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all who live within Union County's borders. Along with my colleagues, I attend as many events in our municipalities as I am able to and, as a result, have gotten to know many outstanding residents, who share a variety of concerns and ideas with me. Throughout my time on the board, I have striven to remain open and accessible to all constituents across the county, and you can (and do!) always reach me. I follow up on your concerns, and I reach back to you to ensure that you are satisfied with the result. I have always been a “grassroots” public servant, and being on the Board of County Commissioners doesn't change that—I remain mindful of the needs of all our residents as we advance our progressive agenda on your behalf.

We have focused on improving our infrastructure (especially our roads, parks, and drainage), enhancing our open spaces and activities for the increased enjoyment of our residents during their leisure time, building on Workforce Development opportunities to bring more jobs to the county, and finding additional ways to increase efficiencies. We are opening a new, inclusive park within Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield--Temike Park--with the first meditation labyrinth in Union County, even as we continue to enhance and upgrade all of our park facilities. 

It is my distinct pleasure to be on the ballot with individuals such as Commissioner Sergio Granados, Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, and County Surrogate Candidate Christopher Hudak (currently serving as the Board's Vice Chair). All are ethical, effective, dependable, and dedicated public servants with exemplary public service records. I am proud to be a part of the Union County Democratic Committee team and I hope that on Tuesday, June 7th, vote to re-elect all the Democrats in COLUMN A to keep moving Union County forward.

Best,

Rebecca