It's a Hodge-Podge kind of Day!

Wow…talking about writer’s block; it really is an awkward condition. I’ve been rather busy with my Girl’s Mentoring group; creating and coordinating fundraisers, brochures and a strategic plan for future growth. You must check out the blog when you get a chance (http://tiaras2crowns.blogspot.com/) Yes, I write another blog – which explains the lack of regular postings here.

I’m in such a strange place right now. I am very much at peace with my world and all that it encompasses despite not knowing if or when I’ll have to move, how our city will revitalized its economic base, how we will markedly improve the quality of educational offerings in our city, who’s on first… etcetera.

If you ask me, and if you are reading this – then you did – only I had to read your mind; any way Plainfield needs to start working on our problems in tandem. We need an overall PROJECT PLAN for the city that covers economic stimulus (not just growth but SOLVENCY), educational rigor, community service, pride, mentoring and goodwill towards men. We need a visual representation of where we are and where we are trying to get. Most importantly we need to see the "CRITICAL PATHS" for getting us there!

A lot of the conversations I read and hear posit wrong versus right…truth versus non-truth… friend vs. foe. As long as we keep trying to pinpoint “who” is to blame as oppose to “what” is to blame -- we will lose opportunities and “time” to actually come together and work on fixing /repairing/ implementing the necessary changes.

The views of Plainfield’s issues are very disjointed which is extremely unfortunate given they are intricately and irrevocably connected. Take for example education and our property. The assessed value of our educational system (or the perception thereof) has direct correlation to the assessed value of our property (or the perception thereof). So the fact that people who own homes and either don’t have children or choose to send their children outside of the PPSD should in no way be seen as a pass for getting involved in reinvigorating our educational system.

Example two: our economic base – down town Plainfield. As a resident of this city you can ill afford NOT to patronize these stores. If you don’t then who will? And if you don't how can the tax revenues be generated to help subisidize the cost of things we need in our city. If the vendor offerings do not meet the needs of the citizenry than said citizenry should get involved on one of the city’s economic development committees to ensure we create attractive options for potential buyers. Where are our Economic Commerce Brochures, Programs, the BillBoards, the TV Ads and Inducements?

Example three: our local businesses should be linked into our schools creating summer job opportunities as well as yearlong learning and training opportunities for students to expose them to various trades, businesses and entrepreneurial experiences.

These relationships are reciprocal!

Come on you guys – we are too smart to keep traveling down the same old stupid avenues!