Negativity Divides...Positiveness Unites

Recently, CNN Correspondent Poppy Harlow did a feature story on foreclosures in Plainfield. She connected foreclosures with crime in the city. This is absolutely absurd!  The story was aired on national TV and made Plainfield appear to be a war zone that houses criminals. The negative publicity did more harm than good.  

I received several phone calls from individuals locally and across the country questioning what is going wrong with Plainfield. A short answer was given in one word … leadership. The irresponsibility of our leader to allow such a thing is incredible. I, like others, was appalled with the mayor labeling Plainfield as “the bank owns my town.” Where is the defense of the city you represent?

Due to the economic downturn, foreclosures are a given, but not because of crime. People are faced with foreclosure due to unfortunate circumstances that create a hardship; whether it is a loss of income, medical reasons, fraudulent loans or personal financial mismanagement. The country itself is plagued with foreclosures. But we must offer people HOPE…a sense of pride, a sense of belonging.

There are many questions about the story that remain unanswered. The residents have a right to know how it all came into play. First, what is the overall benefit to Plainfield for the CNN visit? Who invited Poppy Harlow to Plainfield? Where did she get her data from? Who chose the area to be videotaped? Were the residents she interviewed pre-selected or randomly selected? Is this part of our new economic development strategy? How do you justify the statement, “50% of the city’s workers have been cut since February.” Why was a restaurant located in Scotch Plains included in the story? Hopefully, we can get the answers to these pertinent questions. Only time will tell!

In the meantime, Plainfield residents, stay strong!  There are many positive aspects to this city that really need to be featured, unlike the debacle we just witnessed. Let’s unite, develop and implement creative ways of how to make a difference for the betterment of Plainfield.

Best Regards,

Dee Dameron

STILL SPEAKING MY MIND!

We Lost the Battle...But Not the War

Congratulations to my running mate Cory Storch and to Vera Greaves on your victories.

To my family, friends, supporters, and voters, mere words cannot express the sentiments of my heart for all of the support given to me during this political process. My mother and father taught me biblical principles at an early age of which to live by. I continue to practice these principles today. 

I am proud to have run an honest and ethical campaign. I could not have done this without your ongoing support. Heartfelt thanks to my dear mother for your love and words of encouragement. To my deceased father, I know you would be proud of my accomplishment.

To all of the volunteers for canvassing the neighborhoods and making phone calls on my behalf, I say thank you. To my Campaign Manager, Dr. Inez Durham, for keeping me on schedule during this time, a special thank you.

To Adrian Mapp, Annie McWilliams, Rebecca Williams and Cory Storch for your endorsement and belief in my ability to serve and make a difference, a bona-fide thank you.  

To all of the Democratic City Candidates, thank you for taking a chance and running for the betterment of  Plainfield.  Congratulations to all who were victorious, and my abiding respect and heartfelt thanks to those who came in a few votes short. A special thank you to Frank and Liz D'Aversa for the extra added push you made on my behalf.

This experience for me, a newcomer, was incredible and I am in it to win it next time. The battle for change is ongoing and I pledge to keep fighting all the way to victory because I have God and you, the people, on my side. 

Let's move ahead, troops.  Forward, march!  Love to you all!!!!

Yours truly,

Dee

June 7th--Decision Day--Let the People Speak!

Over the past few days we all have been inundated with despicable sleaze in a desperate attempt to distract us from the real issues which are PUBLIC SAFETY, TAXES, YOUTH,  SENIORS, JOBS, PMUA, and ROADS.

Today is our opportunity to send a clear message that we will not tolerate incompetence, cronyism, and the same old status quo.  Today is a day of renewal and freshness.  Today is the day we can begin to heal.  Today is your day, Plainfield.  Get out the vote for...

Honest, Ethical, Leadership for Plainfield (H.E.L.P)

VOTE

COLUMN C

Your vote will make the difference…make it count!!!!

And yes, its okay to vote for someone who lives with “mommy.”  Our seniors deserve to be treated with decency and respect. Let’s show them how much we care and vote to remove the behemoth political machine.  Let’s make it happen!!!!

Yours truly,

Dee

Mr. Green, Do Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures?

After prayerful consideration and the support of family and friends, I made a conscientious decision to run for Councilwoman-At-Large for the First and Fourth Wards.  At the Plainfield Democratic City Committee meeting this past April, I had the privilege of announcing my candidacy.  I did so with great honor and pride because I am willing to serve others.

In my comments, I stated “I am a bona-fide Democrat who served on President Obama, Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs, Assemblyman Jerry Green, Councilor Rashid Burney and Congressman Frank Pallone campaigns by making phone calls, canvassing neighborhoods, passing out literature, picking up the final votes after polls closed, word of mouth, etc. to help get out the vote for Democrats.  Also to my credit, I worked untiringly with the seniors at Plainfield Senior Center to address their issues and concerns, attended 95% of the council meetings over the last two years, and served on the Citizens Advisory Budget Committee (CBAC) last year.

Amid a great crowd of witnesses, you agreed that I had supported you whenever the need arose…I was there.  I did so because I am a servant who believes in serving others.  You, Mr. Green, were taken aback by the announcement of my candidacy and said, “this is my love, this is my love, this is my love. Had I known, had I known…. She didn’t come to me.  All the other candidates came to me but she didn’t come to me.”

I didn’t realize that if an individual wanted to run for office in the City of Plainfield it would be necessary for the candidate to visit you.  Blame this on my lack of knowledge about the politics of Plainfield. 

At the meeting, you further stated that “I only have one enemy in Trenton and that is Governor Christie but let us love each other.” Upon receiving your literature today, I learned that you called me a “Christie Republican.”  I find this to be very offensive and deplorable from a man whom I had great respect and high regard for.  What happened to the love, Mr. Green?  Why all of sudden am I being labeled as a Republican who is aligned with your number one enemy? Will you stop at nothing to win an election?

I realize that politics can be dirty but to attack my person, my integrity, and my honor is reprehensible and shameful, even for someone like you.  Where is your fairness to me…a person who worked hard to help you achieve your goals?  If you are going to attack me, then do so on the issues at hand. You were given many opportunities over and over to run for election.  Are you better than me because you have money and power?

I am not the lion because I do have courage, I am not the scarecrow because I do have a brain, and I am not the tin man because I do have a heart. I am confident in who I am because the Spirit within me also guides me.  My goal is to H.E.L.P.  The New Democrats will provide Honest, Ethical, Leadership for Plainfield, HELP which my fellow Plainfielders deserve.

Many of our residents have asked me, "Dee, how do you remain so poised amid these personal attacks by this man?" My answer is always the same:

"I'm a lady."

Yours truly,

Dee