Letter from Christopher Christie

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Plainfield Parking Meters

Did you know that the Plainfield parking meters use batteries? They behave the same way clocks do when the batteries are weak. They don't keep time, but you end up with a $35 dollar ticket that can cause the registered owner to lose their license to drive if it is not paid.

We could also be vulnerable to a class action suit.

I buy Halal (Islamic Kosher) food downtown Plainfield, outstanding yogurt and my favorite restaurant where you can watch your food prepared. I also like to watch African movies while they braid my hair on Somerset Street where I got a ticket soon after putting the maximum of two hours on the meter.

When I went to the police to complain, I learned I could beat the ticket by a legally requesting the maintenance records. By the way the meter by the police station was so jammed with money it couldn't be used.

Why does this matter? It discourages people from shopping downtown. Its not right. We don't get the proper revenue from the machines and we get unjust revenue and penalties from the tickets. Loss of your drivers license can limit access to healthcare as well as work.

What happened to 'truth, justice and the American way'?
Are we participants, or are we prey?

Deborah Dowe

League of Women Voters Questions

For the mayoral candidates:

1). What strategy will you advocate for economic development in the next four years?

Plainfield has valid needs and underserved markets that can create the jobs and economic vitality that fuels the broader goal of community development. Services and social interaction bring universal benefits, while residential expansion strains all resources. Incentives should go to supermarkets, hotels, banquet halls, game rooms and jazz clubs instead of more homes.

Plainfield is a medically underserved community with a substantial population of insured residents willing to invest in wellness, natural cures and programs that integrate alternative and mainstream medicine. Restoring rapid access to acute care and expanding access to chronic care and lifestyle medicine will create more jobs than the 1100 that have been lost.

2). What is your stand on tax breaks for developers?

Taxpayers deserve to know the extent of tax breaks that are currently in place, including an inventory of tax free properties that are in use or vacant and eligible for development. Programs that allow seniors to work in lieu of a modest portion of their property tax debt need to be investigated for compliance with New Jersey laws.

3). How do you intend to enforce property code ordinances, such as those banning satellite dishes visible from the street?

Residents need common standards and a commitment to equal treatment of property, citywide. Compliance with state and federal regulations requires a review of local ordinances. For instance, FCC regulations negotiated by satellite providers, give single users of residential and commercial real estate wide latitude in the placement of satellite dishes on private property. If the Plainfield ordinance was legal when passed, it may not be legal now. 

For the assembly candidates: 

1). How would you bring back acute medical care to Plainfield?

Court action to return the Muhlenberg donations, scholarships and endowments along with income from Muhlenberg’s extensive rental properties will greatly subsidize charity care and make the hospital more attractive to buyers.

Plainfield’s size and complex population are ideal to nurture demonstration projects in the fusion of medical technology, traditional, native cures and ethno-pharmacology that will impact the next decade of medicine.

Plainfield is a uniquely diverse, medically underserved community in the heart of the pharmaceutical state. We can actively seek partnerships with the Integrative Medicine community as they seek to establish fundable protocols for preventive care and wellness programs. 

Passively, we can wait till over 100 new cardiac drugs require clinical trials on diverse populations and evaluate the options this opportunity will present.

2). What sorts of shared services could lower the local property tax burden? Be specific to the towns in the 22nd District?

Shared services need to begin within Plainfield. A system needs to enable City government, the school system and PMUA to share specialized staff starting with Public Information and Communications. News and events need to be scheduled and promoted in a cooperative effort.

3). What will you do to rein in state and local taxes that are driving people out of New Jersey?

County school systems are a good start. Currently New Jersey pays a segregation tax to enable residents to live and go to school with people that are alike, more so than any other state in the nation. We must face this issue and chose efficiency over separateness, or not.

Please send your photo, bio and responses to the aforementioned questions by October 10, 2009.

League Of Women Voters Campaign Coverage

The Short Story

A number of campaign supporters have expressed concern that none of my political commentary appeared in the Courier News Plainfield League of Women Voters ad that stated my submission was too late. My computer froze and had to be replaced, requiring all information to be completely reconstructed.

Instead of the usual word limit for a general statement, candidates were given specific questions and no word limit. Questions directed to candidates for Mayor did not include the Muhlenberg issue, even though it was included in questions for Assembly Candidates. I took the time to answer them all. The League decided that 18 minutes past midnight, of the date for submission, was a vaild reason to reject my responses and advertise that my submission was too late to be included.

Consequently, I did not expect any of my information, or my image to appear in their ad. Their use of my picture and blog address occurred after I questioned and accepted their decision and verbally withdrew permission to use my information on the League website.

I prefer no coverage to partial coverage that is subject to their judgement and control.

If you want to hear me speak in a public forum. Make sure you attend the:

Plainfield Area NAACP Candidate Forum
300 Central Avenue
Whitney Allen Young Community Room
Plainfield, NJ 07060
Please Park On The New Street Side

Sunday October 25, 2009, 5:15PM

Any groups or individuals who would like to hear my vision for Plainfield should:

email me at DNV.Dowe@verizon.net, or call 908-756-7273.

Deborah Dowe

League of Women Voters' Questions

My computer froze,I reconstructed answers to questions that the league posed to the Assembly Candidates, as well as questions for mayor that did not directly address health care and the Muhlenberg issue.



The answers were emailed 18 minutes past midnight. If anyone wants to challenge my decision not tofurther participate in League Campaign Coverage. I will research copies of League campaign coverage, dating back to 1999 and break my rule against pointless negativity.




The Courier was helpful, and even provided copy from prior submissions. I did not expect that there would be a problem with information submitted eighteen minutes past midnight. I simply could have not answered the additional questions that were intended for the Assembly candidates, but the Muhlenberg question was not put before the candidates for Mayor.

I have posted the information that would have appeared in the League newspaper ad. If anyone has additional questions or would like me to adress a group, feel free to call me at 908-756-7273.

If you want to hear me speak, please attend the:

NAACP Candidate Forum

Sunday, October 25, 2009

5:15PM

Whitney Allen Young Apartments

300 Central Avenue, Community Room

(enter from the New Street side, through parking lot)

Plainfield, NJ, 07060

For the mayoral candidates:

1). What strategy will you advocate for economic development in the next four years?

Plainfield has valid needs and underserved markets that can create the jobs and economic vitality that fuel the broader goal of community development. Services and social interaction bring universal benefits, while residential expansion strains all resources. Incentives should go to supermarkets, hotels, banquet halls, game rooms and jazz clubs instead of more homes.

Plainfield is a medically underserved community with a substantial population of insured residents willing to invest in wellness, natural cures and programs that integrate alternative and mainstream medicine. Restoring rapid access to acute care and expanding access to chronic care and lifestyle medicine will create more jobs than the 1100 that have been lost.


2). What is your stand on tax breaks for developers?

Taxpayers deserve to know the extent of tax breaks that are currently in place, including an inventory of tax free properties that are in use or vacant and eligible for development. Programs that allow seniors to work in lieu of a modest portion of their property tax debt need to be investigated for compliance with New Jersey laws.

3). How do you intend to enforce property code ordinances, such as those banning satellite dishes visible from the street?

Residents need common standards and a commitment to equal treatment of property, citywide. Compliance with state and federal regulations requires a review of local ordinances. For instance, FCC regulations, negotiated by satellite providers, give single users of residential and commercial real estate wide latitude in the placement of satellite dishes on private property. If the Plainfield ordinance was legal when passed, it may not be legal now.

For the assembly candidates:

1). How would you bring back acute medical care to Plainfield?

Court action to return the Muhlenberg donations, scholarships and endowments along with income from Muhlenberg’s extensive rental properties will greatly subsidize charity care and make the hospital more attractive to buyers.

Plainfield’s size and complex population are ideal to nurture demonstration projects in the fusion of medical technology, traditional or native cures and ethno-pharmacology that will impact the next decade of medicine.

Plainfield is a uniquely diverse, medically underserved community in the heart of the pharmaceutical state. We can actively seek partnerships with the Integrative Medicine community as they seek to establish fundable protocols for preventive care and wellness programs. Passively, we can wait till over 100 new cardiac drugs require clinical trials on diverse populations and evaluate the options this opportunity will preset.

2). What sorts of shared services could lower the local property tax burden? Be specific to the towns in the 22nd District?

Shared services need to begin within Plainfield. A system needs to enable City government, the school system and PMUA to share specialized staff starting with Public Information and Communications. News and events need to be scheduled and promoted in a cooperative effort.

3). What will you do to rein in state and local taxes that are driving people out of New Jersey?

County school systems are a good start. Currently New Jersey pays a segregation tax to enable residents to live and go to school with people that are alike, to a greater degree than any other state in the nation. We must face this issue and chose efficiency over separateness, or not.

Plainfield feeling the pain of Muhlenberg Hospital

By Mark DiIonno

October 17, 2009, 7:00AM

Amanda Brown/The Star-LedgerNimrod Webb, Jr., owns Netherwood Auto Repair Center in Plainfield. His business has been affected from the shutting down of parts of Muhlenberg Hospital.

The Netherwood Auto Repair Shop is about a mile from what’s left of Muhlenberg Hospital, but owner Nimrod Webb says business is way off since the hospital closed a year ago.

"This is the worst thing that’s happened since we’ve been in business," he said.

The ‘we’ is Webb and his late father, who started the business in 1962, five years before riots did irreparable damage to Plainfield’s reputation, economy and housing market.

"That was bad, but this downturn has been absolutely drastic," he said.

On Park Avenue near the South Plainfield border, Cheryl Mazellan’s Imperial Deli has also taken a big hit.

"We did a lot of business there. All the lunches and catered platters they ordered are gone," Mazellan said.

The Imperial is in a strip mall with a pizza place and a Chinese restaurant, and there is plenty of parking at lunch. Along Park, "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs are posted in front of medical arts buildings and doctors’ offices. A pharmacy closed, and another slashed hours.

In a bad economy, no town can afford to lose 1,100 jobs. In any economy, Plainfield can afford it less. The town has struggled in the four decades since the riots, with downtown declines marked by changing demographics and competition from malls. Through it all, Muhlenberg was a source of pride. Many "Welcome to Plainfield" signs are subtitled "Home of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center."

The original historic edifice has the name carved in concrete and for Corinth pillars, and for 132 years, the hospital was a stanchion of the community, growing with the times. There were new centers for wounds, bariatric treatment and dialysis, and a 355-bed full service hospital with an operating room almost round the clock.

When Muhlenberg was closed by owner Solaris Health Systems because the company said it was unprofitable, it became another statistic in state hospital closures. About 25 have closed in New Jersey since 1990, most are in urban areas; Irvington General, St. James and Columbus in Newark, Orange Medical, Barnert in Paterson, Greenville in Jersey City, Union Hospital, to name a few.

Unlike those hospitals, Muhlenberg has no nearby medical facilities. JFK in Edison, also owned by Solaris, is closest at five miles away.

Amanda Brown/The Star-Ledger (left to right) Deborah Dowe, Karen Gielen Jim Colvin and Hope Thompson are some of the community members and former Muhlenberg Hospital staff who are upset about the closing of the hospital in Plainfield. They stand in front of one of the older sections of the hospital.

Healthcare is now the country’s most public debate. As a New Jersey election issue, it runs third behind property taxes and the economy. As a Plainfield issue, Muhlenberg is about all three. The closing effects care, business, and real estate value, the barometer of property taxes.

"I know of people who want to move out of town or are reluctant to move into town, because we no longer have a hospital," said James Colvin, the pastor of Plainfield’s United Church of Christ. "It has definitely impacted property values, and depressed many of our residents. They feel abandoned."

In Star-Ledger interviews, the three major candidates talked about recent hospital closings.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine said the state had a glut of hospital beds, and that glut is almost gone. He said certain "safety net" hospitals for low-income and uninsured people "need to be protected" and expansion of federally qualified health care centers would help fill the void.

Republican Chris Christie said "the state has a role in reforming the way we operate our health care system." He said a cooperative system of hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities would make spending more efficient.

Independent Chris Daggett said "the broad need of the community has to be taken into account," and the state should ensure health services are available when a city hospital closes. Daggett used Muhlenberg’s "satellite emergency department’’ as an example of a vulnerable community remaining served.

But emergent care only heals part of the wounds left by a hospital closing.

"This hospital was not only an economic engine, but it was also a backbone of our civic service community, and serviced the most vulnerable people we have in this country," said Deborah Dowe, who has led a coalition that continues to challenge the closing. "Every kind of group home was put in Plainfield. We have homes for addicts, alcoholics, the developmentally disabled and mentally challenged. Then they took away the hospital that serves their needs."

Dowe, Karen Gielen, a former Muhlenberg nurse, and Hope Thomas, are running as independent freeholder candidates in Union on a "Save Muhlenberg" platform. The three women and Colvin complain the federally-funded clinic for poor Plainfield residents is across town, near Green Brook and Dunellen, and little mass transit goes that way. Hospitals that are absorbing Plainfield’s births, surgeries and other patient care are also far removed from mass transit.

"Solaris wants to send everybody to JFK, but there’s no bus lines there," Dowe said. "Now, if you’re poor and don’t have a car, you have to take two or three buses to go visit a sick relative or a newborn baby in Elizabeth, or Edison."

For the sick, the only way to get to a hospital is by ambulance, medical transport or cab. The first two are very expensive for the uninsured. The last may be the lone economic upside to the Muhlenberg saga. Since the hospital closed, there are three new cab companies in town.

Language Is A Math Issue

For years, I protested new math programs that were on the list of approved options for Abbott districts. In the 90's, there was little interest in well known conflicts of interests between academics and publishers. Some new curriculums had to be replaced at great cost, after negative student impact.

While serving on the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Math and Science Coalition, I wrote a series of position papers on improvements that can be made using existing resources.

Deborah Dowe

Core Curriculum Math Glossary

Non-standard terminology is often a feature of materials marketed as designed to make math more accessible to minorities and women, groups defined as having a different learning style than white males. If some children are learning “take-away” to define subtraction, they are not prepared to demonstrate their ability on a test that uses the term “minus”. This is one of the many reasons why we need to take a creative look at classrooms where no students make AYP (Annual Yearly Progress). In the face of wholesale failure, there is a greater likelihood that systemic changes for the better can be identified.

New Jersey Core Curriculum Math Standards need to include a glossary that is linked to a mechanism for identifying non-standard terminology in educational materials that are mandated as well as educational materials that are locally selected. Publication of this glossary on the internet can involve parents and educators in the process of evaluating educational materials and making progress towards the day when all students will be taught the same terminology that is consistent with the language and definitions used in assessments.

Language is taking on a greater role in math testing through reliance on word problems in math assessments. Math ability can be disguised by limitations in language skills. The large numbers of students with English language issues should suggest a role for a test, or portion of a test, that utilizes universally recognized symbols with as few words as possible.

If the state does not have the resources to audit the content of educational programs being used, the process can be handled by an interactive website that allows parents, students, teachers and academics to report deviations in concepts and usage that can then be officially addressed. This enables people to be constructive parts of the solution while encouraging the evaluation of educational materials, instead of blind acceptance.

Deborah Dowe