Historic Plainfield Dear Plainfield, The story of Plainfield is one that is steeped in a rich historical legacy. From momentous battles, and groundbreaking legal decisions that sparked national action on school segregation to birthing a musical movement which would become known as P-funk. Plainfield has been many things, but boring is not one of them. With ten (10) designated Historic Districts the architecture and grace of our stock of historic homes and buildings in Plainfield bear testimony to a time when Plainfield was the toast of New Jersey and earned its nickname "The Queen City". A time when people came from far and wide to shop in the bustling shopping district and watch a movie at one of the four theaters downtown. Our history gave rise to sites such as the Drake House Museum which was the headquarters of George Washington during the battle of Short Hills and the Friends Meetinghouse which was built in the 18th century. But Plainfield has raised more than just majestic homes and historic sites; we have nurtured history makers; people who have left an indelible mark on the face of history: There are athletes such as Milt Campbell who in 1956 became a gold medalist in the Olympic Decathlon. He was the first African American to earn this title. There's Joe Black, the first African American pitcher to win a World Series game and Jeff Torborg, former MLB player, coach and manager, and Vic Washington, NFL player. George Clinton was working in a Plainfield barber shop when he formed the Parliaments and started the Funkadelic movement which would later be simply called P-Funk. The group went on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame. On March 2, 1965, Plainfield resident Charles Booker became the plaintiff in a case that would lead to the desegregation of schools in Plainfield, the State of New Jersey and all across America. Booker vs. The Plainfield Board of Education sought to address the disparity in the level of education in "all-Negro schools" versus that in "all White schools." The petition sought to level the quality of education across all races by integrating the schools. On June 28, 1965, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ruled in favor of Mr. Booker, and this led directly to the de-segregation of Plainfield schools. The United States of America put their first man on the moon on July 20, 1969 and they could not have done so without the help of Plainfield's very own "Hidden Figure," Marion Johnson. Marion Johnson worked for Beoing as an Associate Engineer and tested the trajectory that the rockets attached to the aircraft would take. In her own words "we were right 20 times out of 20" Plainfield is no stranger to national politics, born in Plainfield was Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor appointed to oversee prosecutions in the Watergate break-in and related criminal activity during the Nixon administration. Plainfield, though small has been writing its page in our nation's history book and we're not done yet, we are resurging as a city, evolving and recreating ourselves to meet the needs of a generation that is eco-conscious, transit mobile and values the convenience of urban villages. We have a vibrant, talented community of youth and they are rising to claim their spot in history. I have recently mentioned these outstanding achievers, but they are worth mentioning again. There is Waldy Arias, a senior at Plainfield High School, who was recently recognized for his success in signing of a National Letter of Intent to attend Campbell University of North Carolina to play NCAA Division I baseball. We have soulful songbird, Alexis Morrast, a 16-year-old Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies student, who has had the honor of singing with the Jersey Jazz Society at its 45th Anniversary Celebration. Alexis also performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem and won. And there is Malcolm Fields, a local high school student who is a world class fencer ranked 13th in the nation and 3rd in New Jersey. Malcolm will be competing on the international stage in Germany in December. The Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS) was one of only 3500 High schools who won a bronze ranking and a place in the US News and World Report annual ranking of US high schools in 2016. It was the only one of the three high schools to be ranked. Plainfield is a place filled with fascinating history and interesting historical edifices and people but I am thrilled to be living here in a time when we are able to create historical firsts of our own. I am excited by the story we are making; the of renaissance, of tenacity and triumph. I am proud to see our young people fulfilling their potential and recognizing that there is no limit to how high they can fly. My hope is that when the history of Plainfield is written about our time, today, right now it will reflect moments that changed lives for the better. Creating One Plainfield, One Future... Mayor Adrian O. Mapp City of Plainfield

Happening This evening! Be sure the bring the little ones to get a picture with Santa and receive a toy! You also don't want to miss our first ever Community Choir!

BEWARE OF PSEG SCAM CALLS! The Plainfield Police Division would like to advise city business owners and residents to be alert to calls from PSE&G requesting payment ASAP regarding overdue or delinquent payments, this may be a SCAM. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY. Hang up and immediately and contact PSE&G to confirm if your account is up to date or not. As always, please contact the Plainfield Police Division at 908-753-3360 to report any scams or suspicious activity.

There is still time to get a Quality, Affordable Healthcare Plan Because of the Affordable Care Act, New Jerseyans can enroll in quality, affordable health plans in the health insurance marketplace at HealthCare.gov. All plans offered on HealthCare.gov must cover a comprehensive set of benefits, and most people who enroll will be eligible for financial assistance to make coverage even more affordable. Despite what you may have heard, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, and HealthCare.gov is open for business and ready for you to shop, compare, and enroll in a plan that meets your needs and budget. If you sign up for a plan on HealthCare.gov, you are guaranteed coverage through the end of 2018, as long as you continue paying your premiums. Get ready to take action: this year's open enrollment period for 2018 coverage will begin on November 1, 2017, and end on December 15, 2017. This page addresses some frequently asked questions about enrolling in coverage on HealthCare.gov. Local, in-person assistance may also be available. In addition, you may call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week, except for Thanksgiving. New Jerseyans can also visit http://www.covernj.org/resources.html to find local enrollment assistance. https://www.healthcare.gov

KERRY IS HIRING!!! Kerry is recruiting for 60 new positions from now to June 2018 You can apply online at https://www.kerry.com/careers Search for jobs in North America, then under location click US-NJ-Clark. The site will be continually updated as the positions are finalized. https://www.kerry.com/careers

RABIES AWARENESS & PREVENTION - BE AWARE! What is rabies? Rabies is a disease that is caused by a virus. It affects the brain and spinal cord and can cause death if left untreated. Rabies in people is very rare in the United States, but rabies in animals - especially wildlife - is common in most parts of the country including Maine. An animal with rabies is called a “rabid” animal. How is rabies spread? The rabies virus lives in the saliva, brain and spinal cord (neural tissue) of infected animals. It is spread when a rabid animal bites or scratches a person or animal, or if a rabid animal’s saliva or neural tissue comes in contact with a person or animal’s mouth, nose or eyes, or enters a cut in the skin. Rabies is not spread by petting or touching dried saliva, blood, urine, or feces of a rabid animal. What animals can carry rabies? The most commonly infected animals are skunks, raccoons, bats, and foxes. Rabies can infect any animal that has hair, but is very rare among small rodents like squirrels, rats, mice, and chipmunks. Bat exposures are often difficult to detect, especially in the cases of a sleeping person awakening to a bat in the room or an adult witnessing a bat in a room with a previously unattended child, mentally disabled person, or intoxicated person. What is a rabies exposure? A rabies exposure happens when the saliva or neural tissue of a rabid animal comes in contact with a person or animal through a bite or scratch, cut in the skin, or gets into the eyes, nose, or mouth. How can I prevent exposure to rabies? Generally, you can avoid contact with wild animals. Also, make sure your dog or cat is up-to-date on rabies vaccination.

Happening this Friday!!! Don't miss it - its going to be Spectacular! Plainfield's First Ever COMMUNITY CHOIR and Toys for all the Boys and Girls!

Sign up now for our FREE Computer Workshop. Learn how to take your computer skills to the next level and prepare for the digital jobs of the 21st century!

TURKEYS ALL AROUND... On Monday November 20, 2017 - Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and members of the administration spread some holiday cheer by sharing turkeys with our senior citizens. Turkeys were given out at the Towers West senior building, 1272 Park Avenue, The Senior Center, Richmond Towers and Covenant Manor. There were appreciative hugs and smiles all around as an air of thankfulness, holiday spirit and togetherness enveloped all who were present. There is truly a special joy in sharing!

A Season of Giving Dear Plainfield, Thanksgiving is just behind us which means that we are officially in the midst of our holiday season. Most people look forward to this time of year as it brings families and friends together; it reminds us of the things that are important, and it lights the spark of giving in our hearts. Taking care of those who need a helping hand is something we should embrace all year round, but during the holidays we want to ensure that no family goes without, that every child has a toy to enjoy, that there is food on every table and a warm place to offer comfort. Outreach to those in our community who are in need is a pivotal part of my administration's mandate. This is why we partner with generous organizations to distribute book bags throughout the year. It's why we provide turkeys for those who need to have something extra on the table. It's why we have a coat drive to collect and distribute jackets to those who need additional warmth; It's what drives our annual toy drive as we strive to ensure that all the little ones among us receive something to make the holidays brighter. Our ultimate goal is to ensure self-sufficiency for every resident of our city, but we recognize some need practical help from time to time. It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and we can each be the spark which ignites our community and starts a fire of giving. This holiday season lets spread some joy, let's share the blessings and let's give love abundantly in our beautiful city of Plainfield and beyond. Creating One Plainfield, One Future... Mayor Adrian O. Mapp City of Plainfield

A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE Dear Plainfield, Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our many blessings and to express gratitude for them. Our resurgent community has much to be thankful for this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our blessings and express my appreciation. While I am proud of the renaissance that is underway in our community, there is one thing that truly makes us special: our people. Our economic revival is only possible because of the hard work and commitment of our residents. From the dedicated women and men in my administration, to the tireless small business owners, to the uncompromising members of our neighborhood associations and community organizations, Plainfield is thriving because you have demanded more. Like you, I saw the potential in our city and knew what was possible if we worked together. This is why I launched Plainfield Vision 2025, the first comprehensive city-wide and community-driven strategic planning initiative, so that we can build on our successes and chart an even brighter future together. Thanks to your input, we will have a strategic plan that ensures a more prosperous and equitable Plainfield. I am grateful to all who participated in this important effort. I am particularly proud that some of our youth took part in defining the Plainfield that they will inherit. I am also grateful for our youth who continue to exceed expectations. This year was a landmark year for so many of our youth. Last week, Waldy Arias, a senior at Plainfield High School, was commemorated by high school administrators and coaches in recognition of his recent signing of a National Letter of Intent to attend Campbell University of North Carolina to play NCAA Division I baseball. In October, Alexis Morrast, a 16 year old Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies student, had the distinction of singing with the Jersey Jazz Society at its 45th Anniversary Celebration. Alexis also performed at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem. Malcolm Fields, an 18 year old high school student, is a world class fencer who is ranked 13th in the nation and 3rd in New Jersey. Malcolm will compete in Germany in December. These are just a few of our talented Plainfield youth who embody our diversity and excellence. My administration will continue to support our youth by investing in their education and expanding recreational opportunities as we did with the development of the Madison Avenue Skate Park and the rehabilitation of Seidler Field. This is truly an exciting time for the City of Plainfield, and we have so much for which to be proud. Our people are our strength, and I could not be more grateful to you, the diverse and resilient citizens, for fighting for more. Let us all take a moment as we approach this Thanksgiving holiday to count our many blessings and to show gratitude to each other for the stronger and more vibrant Plainfield that we are building together. Creating One Plainfield, One Future... Mayor Adrian O. Mapp City of Plainfield

Come have Coffee With a Cop on Saturday, November 18th