The call to serve is there, why is it that there are no more volunteers?

For the past few weeks I have been reading from different venues a call to serve as volunteers for the many city Boards, Commissions, and Advisory Committees. Today Bernice reminds readers that the Cable Televisions Advisory Board is still looking for volunteers. The opportunities are there, but where is the crowd looking to volunteer their talents and time?

One of the things that I have learned on my four years here in Plainfield is that there is a lot of discontent, but there seems to be a shortage of people willing to help out bring change to the city. I have been told that there is no sense in trying to help while Jerry Green and his group is in power. I also have been told that Jerry Green's group won't call on anyone who is not a supporter of his and his proteges. But, should the city's political war and games really be a deterrent for those of us who want to see our city improve? I hope and wish that those who are ready and willing to give their time and talents to the city ignore politics and see the value of helping improve our city. There are so many ways where a diversity of talents is direly needed, and this diversity is what at the end will help our city succeed.

Here is some unsolicited advice for those who are thinking about applying for a seat on any of our volunteer city groups:

Go to a couple of meetings to see how the Board, or Commission, or Advisory Board, work. Observe how the people you could end up teaming up with interact with each other. If it is a position that makes decisions that affect people, how do they treat those applying for a permit or approval? Will you be comfortable with their way of dealing with the public? Find out ahead of time the length of monthly sessions and what is expected of members. Are there Bylaws that govern the particular group you want to volunteer with? Are there required classes you will need to take in order to stay on that position?

Those are some of the questions that come to mind and that for many of us who are new at volunteering on civic groups the answers come after the fact.

Plainfield definitively needs volunteers, hopefully the desire to serve the city will be greater than the mistrust the city's political world awakens in many of us.

MP

I O U the parade's pictures, instead please accept these ones

July 4th was definitively a good day, just not for pictures. Forgot the camera's memory card, got late to the parade, and that was that for the promised pictures.

But today, camera, and memory card, on hand we took a trip to the city to visit the recently opened High Line. The park, along with the Meat Market area, has become such a hot spot. The new park is certainly going to make the area much more desirable than it already is. Here are some pictures, if you have a chance, take a trip to visit this amazing work of art, because it really is a piece of art what was accomplished with the old train tracks.

Here are some pictures that hopefully will encourage you to visit and support the High Line project.

A random image at one of the buildings of the area

One of the entrances to the High Line which is located 30 feet above ground

Benches such as this one can be seen all along the High Line

Native Grasses and Coral Bells along and in between the old tracks

More grasses with brick and glass as a background

TV? Not needed when you have this screen and scenery

Exiting the park

What you can do with your lunch's wrapper when you had a really good day!
Unknown Artist

MP

Have a Happy 4th of July!

Enjoy the festivities whatever you do and wherever you are.

This year following a family tradition of attending surrounding towns' parades we will be attending the North Plainfield Parade, I will post pictures later today.

Have a Happy 4th and remember to thank those ones who made this celebration possible.

MP

A Morning Walk South of My Neighborhood

Today, and following my Doctor's advice, I took my daily walk, but honestly, not being much of a leisure walker I am often challenged by a -where do I go today?- so today I headed South of my neighborhood and what a pleasant surprise! The time was around 11 AM.

The building right across my home has, for the first time since we moved here, flowers and potted hanging plants! It makes the entrance of the building so welcoming!



Right on the other side of the entrance, a vegetable garden that is full of tomatoes, corn, and something else that I am not sure if it was green collards.



Someone apparently took too seriously the phrase a "garden's bed", in this case, of no flowers.



Hanging upside down vegetables too far fetched? Not here!



A nice way to say "Welcome Home"!



I walked for over an hour throughout the neighborhood and amazingly I didn't see more than 2-3 people on the street, maybe a couple of cars, and the occasional landscaper, which made me wonder: How do others keep themselves healthy around here? I will be walking at different times just to get a feeling of what are the times that bring most people out. If anything, I'll be getting some nice photos of our neighborhoods for the Annual Photography Contest sponsored by the Plainfield Public Library!

MP

Blooming Plainfield?

Westfield has entered a national contest called "America in Bloom", the Star-Ledger reports HERE, and you can read about "America in Bloom" HERE. Could we one day here in Plainfield aspire to enter this contest? I hope so. Visit Westfield's own "Westfield in Bloom" for some, hopefully, ideas and encouragement to help start our own "Plainfield in Bloom" movement.

For those of you who have ample space for gardening but hardly feel the inclination for it, why not share your space with those who love to garden but don't have the space for it? There is such a program and you can read all about it HERE.

And to end this post, if anyone is interested in helping me out with the beautification of the North Avenue Train Station, please contact me at pellum9@aol.com. I will start working on it this month and I am looking forward to partner with more community groups and merchants of the area. Click HERE for a schedule and information. Thanks!

MP