Dems Pick Three for Mapp's Council Seat

Democratic City Committee gathers at the YWCA
In one voice, 50 members of the Democratic City Committee approved three nominees Friday to succeed Mayor-elect Adrian Mapp in the Third Ward City Council seat.

They are former Third Ward Councilman Don Davis, veteran Democratic campaigner and community activist Roni Taylor and retired principal Gloria Taylor, widow of the late Mayor Richard L. Taylor. Their names will be presented to the City Council at a special meeting Monday for a vote to select one as appointee to serve until the Nov. 4, 2014 general election. The seat for the balance of the term to Dec. 31, 2016 will be on the November ballot along with the First Ward and the Second & Third Ward at-large seats.

Each candidate addressed the committee before the vote.

Davis stressed his prior service as a councilman and mentioned as an accomplishment a shared services agreement with the Plainfield Board of Education.

"That was done on a handshake," he said, adding that with resources currently strained, "That's what we have to do now."

Davis pledged loyalty to the city and its residents, saying, "I will always be here and never let you down."

Roni Taylor described her community and campaign efforts, noting many people have seen her putting up signs at election time. Based on her political involvement through many campaigns, she said, " I know what needs to be done and how to get it done."

Gloria Taylor spoke at length about her past experience as a city committee member and at the side of her husband throughout his political career. She said she was disturbed by "what seems to be the power-play mentality" among officials who may have lost sight of what public service means. She praised Mapp, saying, "I believe he wants to take us back to the place where we want to be."

Alluding to her late husband's maxim that a mayor must be able to "count those votes" on the council to get measures passed, she said, "I have no agendas" and would listen to the citizenry.

Before the vote to adopt the slate of three, Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Green said anyone with objections could change it if they had 26 votes. The committee approved the names unanimously.

Green called on the mayor-elect to speak.

Mapp described plans for his "People's Inaugural" on Jan. 1, which will include ceremonies at City Hall and then a move to Plainfield High School for a feast. The procession will be accompanied by a bagpiper and music at the feast will include a Latino band, jazz, rhythm and blues and steel pan.

Later in the meeting, committee member James Spear objected to seeing the three names on a blog before the meeting and asked how the names were released. Green said the candidates were the only ones who showed interest and quipped, "You have a blogger who knows things before I do," referring to Dan Damon.

Green then launched into a speech about his many obligations as both Union County and Plainfield committee chair in addition to representing District 22 in the state Assembly, and said he was not going to be a "'referee," as he has to deal with 500 mayors.

Spear persisted, asking why Green called out the committee when the names had already been published.

Green said again Spear could have run for the slate if he could "count to 26" and finished by opining, "In this city the grapevine is stronger than the newspapers."

--Bernice

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