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Sunday, December 21, 2008

The late Mayor Robinson-Briggs takes no calls




Plainfield Today got two interesting reflections on Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs' performance in the last few days that are worth sharing.

The first came in 'over the transom' and concerns Her Honor's promptness at public events.

This past Monday,
Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs was to administer the oath of office as Joe Franklin became a lieutenant in the Fire Division.

Promotions in Plainfield's uniformed services (police and fire) are celebrations by family, friends and co-workers of the honoree's achievements and draw considerable and festive crowds.

So, I am told, family, friends and co-workers began to gather about 9:15 AM for the 10:00 AM ceremony.

10:00 AM came, no
Mayor Robinson-Briggs. 10:15 AM, no Mayor.

10:32 AM, the Library and rotunda are packed with well-wishers, and the Mayor's staff sets out pastry and juice. My reporter says, 'No mention of where Her Honor was or when she may be expected...'

Finally, at 10:53 AM, the ceremonies began.

This is pretty much the way things have gone during the
Robinson-Briggs tenure.

In fact, things got so bad at one point that officials in Trenton sent a helicopter to fetch
Mayor Robinson-Briggs to a morning meeting at which her timely attendance was desired (see posts here and here).

The second is by way of Courier News columnist Jay Jefferson Cooke, and concerns Her Honor's taking telephone calls.

In a piece that appeared in Saturday's paper (see here, and archived here), Cooke, writing about those whom Central New Jersey voters have elected had this to say --
Let's face it — Central Jersey voters elected... Sharon Robinson-Briggs — who you never can get on the telephone unless she calls you to say "we need you to cover this fabulous event that I am going to be present at" — as mayor of Plainfield...
Cooke's comment echoes what others have to say.

While interviewing an elected official in the 22nd District a few months ago, this person asked me, off-topic, whether Robinson-Briggs ever took or returned phone calls. Seems their experience was the same as Cooke's: Robinson-Briggs had never once taken a call from this official since taking office.

With Robinson-Briggs gearing up for her run for a second term, Plainfield voters may well wonder whether she will clean up her act and start showing up on time for events or taking people's phone calls.

We'll just have to see.


-- Dan Damon

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Come on Dan, we all know she has to check with Jerry Green before she says anything to anyone.

Anonymous said...

I will never forget the first City Hall wide staff meeting in the Rotunda. The 10 am did not start until 11 am and her honors first words were "Oh this is too early for me" [but SHE set up the meeting !!]

Rob said...

She is so committed to the people of Plainfield and our fair city that she is stretched for time amongst all the events and city business she needs to attend to. The fact that tiny people like us can't see the big picture here is simply galling. ( I think I threw up in my mouth a little just now ) I tried Dan...I really tried to be positive.

Anonymous said...

like anonymous 2, I remember that meeting, yes, she is lazy and pompous!