In a surprise announcement Thursday at the Cedar Brook Block Association meeting, Councilwoman Rebecca Williams introduced Charles McRae as her running mate in the June primary.
Williams, who is seeking re-election to the Second & Third Ward at-large seat, and Councilwoman Gloria Taylor, an appointee running for the unexpired balance of the Third Ward term, both addressed an audience of about 100 residents. Taylor, widow of the late Mayor Richard L. Taylor, spoke first, recalling changes in the community over the years.
"I remember the Plainfield after the riots, when we had to build the city," she said, referring to a major shift after 1967 from a predominately white population to one dominated by African-Americans.
Recalling the difficulties, she said, "I still believe in Plainfield."
Taylor now holds the seat vacated by former Third Ward Councilman Adrian O. Mapp after he won the November mayoral election.
""Although we differ, I want him to be a good mayor," Taylor said. "I think we need to re-brand Plainfield," she added, saying she got the term from the city of Newark.
After many years as an educator in Paterson, Taylor said she saw "a lot of division" in Plainfield" when she returned. She said people should be able to work together, "but something happened."
Among other comments, she deplored the recent closing of Suburban Jewelers, a city business since 1961.
"Something is happening in Plainfield," she said, pledging to work with economic director Carlos Sanchez.
She also noted many firefighters and police officers tell her they would not be where they are without the help of her late husband.
"They will not take your children to jail, they will take them to your house," she said.
Taylor spoke against residency requirement waivers for city officials, alluding to "carpetbaggers."
Saying as a retiree she should be "sitting back," she said she brings "skills and ability and commitment" to her service on the council.
"I am old school - I believe in Plainfield," she said.
Williams said she has been on the council for three years and said she hoped her constituents felt they had received service. Running for re-election, she said, "I too am focused on Plainfield, just as you are."
The city budget has been kept stable, she said.
"I knock on doors, I meet you," she added.
"The reason we are here tonight is to discuss Muhlenberg. Six hundred apartments is not what the community wants. We will not stand for it. We need quality medical services," she said.
She then introduced McRae, who is vice president of the block association, as her running mate.
Talking about his longtime residency in the Third Ward, McRae said, "My neighbors and I get along well."
Regarding the city, he said, "We need to live in the future."
He named cleaning up the community, economic development and working to repurpose the hospital as a medical facility as goals while audience members murmured agreement.
"We need to support our mayor," he said. "The mayor of your city is your salesman."
He urged people to listen and not have their minds made up, saying people don't want to talk to each other. But he said he and his neighbors talk.
"I'm not trying to tell you, I'm trying to sell you," he said. "It is all about who is going to bring you good government, ethical government."
Obviously well-known to the crowd, he got another round of applause.
Candidates must file for the June primary by 4 p.m. on March 31. Williams passed out petitions Thursday and asked Third Ward and Second Ward residents to sign.
Besides the four-year Second & Third Ward at-large seat and the unexpired Third Ward term, the First Ward seat occupied by Councilman William Reid is also up this year. The primary is June 3 and the general election is Nov. 4.
--Bernice
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