Mayor's Message:
Remembering September 11, 2001
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Dear Jazz,
Time waits for no one. Each new day brings new experiences; over time, we find that our minds replace dated memories with new ones. Yet, the tragedy that occurred in this nation on September 11th, 2001, can never be forgotten. As the twenty-first (21st) anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon gets closer, let’s take a moment to remember what we lost on that terrible day.
September 11th, 2001, started as your typical late summer day; adults headed to work, children were dropped at school, and life in the United States resembled another ordinary day. No one had an inkling of the evil that would soon be unleashed. At exactly 8:46 am, Hijacker Mohammed Atta crashed American Airlines Flight 11 with 92 people on board into the 93-99th floor of the World Trade Center North Tower. Upon impact, everyone on Flight 11 and hundreds inside the building were killed. It only took seconds for first responders to take action. The sight of the World Trade Center on fire with the remnants of a plane jutting out from it was unforgettable and visible for miles away. NYPD, FDNY, and Port Authority Police Department immediately began mass evacuation of both towers. Then at 9:03 am, hijackers of United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the 75-85th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, killing the 65 passengers on the flight and hundreds of people who were attempting to evacuate the building. Shortly after, at 9:37 am, American Airlines Flight 77, containing 64 innocent passengers, crashed into the Pentagon (source).
Memories of the despair that permeated the air on that September morning remain fresh on everyone’s mind. Every news channel, radio station, and media outlet was flooded with coverage of the ongoing tragedy and replays of the moments when the planes hit their targets. As a parent and husband, my first thought was to find my family and ensure they were safe. New York is a short drive away, a mere moment in a plane, and this was a moment when you wanted to hold your loved ones close and shield them from the horror and evil that had been unleashed. Once I was sure my family was safe, a different emotion took root. I couldn’t believe a terrorist attack of this magnitude had occurred, and the implications were mind-blowing. For years we’d seen war play out in foreign lands, and we’d never had to deal with the loss of innocent lives on American soil. This was a stark reminder that we were not untouchable and needed to be even more vigilant. It was a moment that reminded us that freedom is not free, and we must stand in absolute solidarity against terrorism abroad and here at home.
Many good people were lost on September 11th, 2001, but that date isn’t just a reminder of the lives lost; it’s also symbolic of the bravery and self-sacrifice exhibited by the first responders who, without hesitation, rushed to render assistance. They fearlessly faced the horrific scenes before them, and before it was all over, some would give the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. Undoubtedly, there would have been more deaths if it weren’t for their selfless acts. We will forever remember every first responder who died with honor for the people they swore to protect. We will forever remember every family member who still lives with grief over their loss. And we will forever celebrate their accomplishments because every soul they saved helped to shape the nation as we recovered. While our country is not perfect, we have learned many lessons from that day; we’ve evolved and grown and are stronger than we were twenty-one (21) years ago.
I invite you to join the City of Plainfield on Sunday, September 11th, for our annual 9.11 Service of Reflection. Come out to Black Lives Matter Plaza (515 Watchung Ave.), in front of City Hall, at 8:30 am and stand with me as we pay tribute to those lost on that tragic day.
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | |
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp
City of Plainfield
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Recordando el 11 de septiembre del 2001 | |
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Querido Plainfield,
El tiempo no espera a nadie. Cada nuevo día trae nuevas experiencias; con el tiempo, descubrimos que nuestra mente reemplaza los recuerdos antiguos por otros nuevos. Sin embargo, la tragedia que ocurrió en esta nación el 11 de septiembre de 2001, nunca podrá olvidarse. A medida que se acerca el vigésimo primer (21) aniversario del ataque a las Torres Gemelas (World Trade Center) y al Pentágono, tomemos un momento para recordar lo que perdimos en ese terrible día.
El 11 de septiembre de 2001 comenzó como un típico día de finales de verano; los adultos se dirigían al trabajo, los niños se quedaban en la escuela y la vida en los Estados Unidos parecía un día cualquiera. Nadie tenía ni idea del mal que pronto se desataría. Exactamente a las 8:46 am, el secuestrador Mohammed Atta estrelló el Vuelo 11 de American Airlines con 92 personas a bordo en el piso 93-99 de la Torre Norte de las Torres Gemelas (World Trade Center). Tras el impacto, todos en el Vuelo 11 y cientos dentro del edificio murieron. Sólo tomó unos segundos para que los primeros en responder tomarán medidas. La vista de las Torres Gemelas (World Trade Center) en llamas con los restos de un avión sobresaliendo fue inolvidable y visible a kilómetros de distancia. NYPD, FDNY y el Departamento de Policía de la Autoridad Portuaria comenzaron de inmediato la evacuación masiva de ambas torres. Luego, a las 9:03 am, los secuestradores del vuelo 175 de United Airlines se estrellaron contra el piso 75-85 de la Torre Sur del World Trade Center, matando a los 65 pasajeros del vuelo y a cientos de personas que intentaban evacuar el edificio. Poco después, a las 9:37 am, el vuelo 77 de American Airlines, con 64 pasajeros inocentes, se estrelló contra el Pentágono (fuente).
Los recuerdos de la desesperación que impregnaba el aire en esa mañana de septiembre siguen frescos en la mente de todos. Todos los canales de noticias, estaciones de radio y medios de comunicación se vieron inundados con cobertura de la tragedia en curso y repeticiones de los momentos en que los aviones alcanzaron sus objetivos. Como padre y esposo, mi primer pensamiento fue encontrar a mi familia y asegurarme de que estuvieran a salvo. Nueva York está a poca distancia en automóvil, un mero momento en un avión, y este fue un momento en el que querrías abrazar a tus seres queridos y protegerlos del horror y el mal que se había desatado. Una vez que estuve seguro de que mi familia estaba a salvo, una emoción diferente echó raíces. No podía creer que hubiera ocurrido un ataque terrorista de esta magnitud, y las implicaciones eran alucinantes. Durante años habíamos visto cómo se desarrollaba la guerra en tierras extranjeras y nunca habíamos tenido que lidiar con la pérdida de vidas inocentes en suelo estadounidense. Este fue un claro recordatorio de que no éramos intocables y necesitábamos estar aún más atentos. Fue un momento que nos recordó que la libertad no es gratuita y que debemos permanecer en absoluta solidaridad contra el terrorismo en el extranjero y aquí en casa.
Muchas buenas personas se perdieron el 11 de septiembre de 2001, pero esa fecha no es solo un recordatorio de las vidas perdidas; también es un símbolo de la valentía y el sacrificio personal exhibido por los socorristas que, sin dudarlo, se apresuraron a brindar asistencia. Se enfrentaron sin miedo a las horribles escenas que tenían ante ellos, y antes de que todo terminara, algunos darían el último sacrificio de sus vidas. Sin duda, habría habido más muertes si no fuera por sus actos desinteresados. Siempre recordaremos a cada socorrista que murió con honor por las personas que juraron proteger. Siempre recordaremos a cada miembro de la familia que todavía vive con dolor por su pérdida. Y siempre celebraremos sus logros porque cada alma que salvaron ayudó a dar forma a la nación mientras nos recuperábamos. Si bien nuestro país no es perfecto, hemos aprendido muchas lecciones de ese día; hemos evolucionado y crecido y somos más fuertes que hace veintiún (21) años.
Los invito a unirse a la Ciudad de Plainfield el domingo 11 de septiembre para nuestro Servicio de Reflexión anual 9.11. Venga a Black Lives Matter Plaza (515 Watchung Ave.), frente al Ayuntamiento (City Hall), a las 8:30 a. m. y quédese conmigo mientras rendimos homenaje a los que perdieron la vida en ese trágico día.
Creando Un Plainfield. Un Futuro
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Alcalde Adrian O. Mapp
Ciudad de Plainfield
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Join us for the 9.11 Service of Reflection | |
Mayor Adrian O. Mapp Presents Defibrillators to the Plainfield Public Library | |
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Emphasizing the importance of having emergency resources available at the library because it's a public gathering place for our residents and community, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp presented two (2) defibrillators to the Plainfield Public Library on behalf of the City. "We need to be prepared should an emergency arise," responded the Mayor when asked why the city had chosen to donate the equipment.
Assistant Director Claudia Flores accepted the donations on behalf of the library and expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation.
Mayor Mapp also offered the services of the City's Public Safety Units - the Police and Fire departments - to assist with training library staff to use the devices. Safety must always come first as we practice the mantra of One Plainfield. One Future.
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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for HOPES Child Development Center | |
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On Wednesday, September 7th, HOPES Child Development Center, in partnership with the City of Plainfield, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Education Manager Lara DeSoto officiated the program, and Business Administrator Abby Levenson gave remarks on behalf of Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City. BA Levenson spoke about the advantages early childhood development offers not only the children but families and the community.
The mission of HOPES Community Action Partnership, Incorporated (HOPES CAP, Inc.) is to provide community services that respond to the social, educational, and training needs of individuals in an effort to overcome barriers and fight the causes of poverty. The staff embraces the three (3) Ps - Purpose, Passion, and Partnership.
This allows them to approach everything they do with passion for supporting the children and families in our community in order to promote positive outcomes for them.
The facility can accommodate 80 children - 48 Infants & toddlers and 32 preschool-aged children. There are six (6) EHS Infant/Toddler classrooms and 2 PK classrooms.
Applications are still being accepted for potential students and also teachers.
This is a great addition to the Queen City and will provide a valuable resource for the community.
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REMINDER - Hurricane IDA Recovery Registration Survey
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New Jersey residents are encouraged to participate in the Hurricane Ida Survey, which is currently required if you want to apply for future Ida recovery programs.
The State of New Jersey has been awarded $228 million in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist with the recovery from Hurricane Ida. The funds will create housing recovery and mitigation programs to help individuals and communities.
To access these federal recovery funds, the State must develop an Action Plan for how it will use these funds and submit it to HUD for approval. Developing the Action Plan and recovery programs will take several months to complete.
CLICK HERE to read full article.
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Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Events | |
September Council Meeting | |
Love Plainfield Initiative | |
¿ How Do You Show Love For Plainfield? | |
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A MESSAGE FROM UNION COUNTY:
Union County to Observe POW/MIA Remembrance Day on September 16
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents and visitors to attend the commemoration of POW/MIA Remembrance Day on the steps of the historic Union County Courthouse at 2 Broad Street in Elizabeth on Friday, September 16. The ceremony will start promptly at 11:00 a.m.
“We are proud to honor those men and women who were prisoners of war, and those who are still listed as missing in action,” said Union County Commissioner Chair Rebecca L. Williams. “The Board of County Commissioners will continue to remember the sacrifices made by those in our armed forces as well as their families.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY:
New Jersey Students Enter First School Year With K-12 Climate Change Education
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New Jersey Officially Becomes the First State in the Nation to Integrate Climate Change Education Across its K-12 Standards
TRENTON – In June of 2020 First Lady Tammy Murphy announced that the New Jersey State Board of Education adopted her initiative to make New Jersey the first state in the nation to incorporate climate change education across its K-12 academic standards. And today, as thousands of New Jersey students enter a new school year, the incorporation of climate change education for K-12 schools begins. This first of its kind curriculum will prepare and propel New Jersey students to the top of the ranks for the thousands of green economy jobs that will be made available in the future.
“New Jersey has the number one public education system in the nation, and our teachers and school administrators are well equipped to prepare our future climate change leaders to take on the climate crisis,” said Governor Murphy. “Our children are our future, and the lessons New Jersey students will learn with this new curriculum will bring us one step closer to building our green economy and reaching and sustaining 100 percent clean energy in New Jersey by 2050.”
“Today marks the first day of the highly anticipated climate change education curriculum in our K-12 school systems, and I cannot be more thrilled about the future for our students and for our state,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “New Jersey will be on the forefront of the climate movement, and these new standards will give our children the tools necessary to combat the effects of climate change. We are building the world’s next generation of climate literate leaders, including policymakers, historians, teachers, and more, who will discover new ways to address the climate crisis.”
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A MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE:
Biden-Harris Administration Launches New Climate Portal to Help Communities Navigate Climate Change Impacts
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Interactive Mapping Features Will Provide Communities with Location-Based Information on Extreme Heat, Drought, Wildfires, and Other Climate Impacts
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is launching a website that, for the first time, provides a live dashboard to help communities see extreme weather and other hazards from climate change they are facing, while also providing maps projecting how each community could be impacted in the future. The new Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation portal will help state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments and leaders better track real-time impacts and access federal resources for long-term planning.
Americans are feeling the intensifying impacts of the climate crisis—from extreme heat across the country, including the dangerous “heat dome” gripping California this week; record-breaking floods across the South and Midwest; Western drought straining the water supplies that millions depend on; and more wildfires threatening communities. Last year, the 20 largest climate-related disasters alone took hundreds of lives, caused untold hardships, and racked up more than $150 billion in damages.
In addition to providing more detailed, location-specific data about climate threats, the new portal also brings together multiple federal information sources and funding opportunities to help communities better prepare for and respond to climate impacts—including historic resilience funding from the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for states and communities around the country. Together with the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden-Harris Administration is providing historic levels of support to expand resilience programs, protect U.S. communities, economies, and infrastructure from the worsening impacts of climate change, and improve the nation’s climate mapping and data capabilities.
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HELP US TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY!
DOWNLOAD THE REPORT- IT APP
Available in IOS and Android Mobile Phones
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Exercise your civic duty-- be the eyes and ears of our City! Your reports can greatly increase the quality of life in our Plainfield community. Let's work together to keep our city safe- If you see it, say it with ReportIt. | |
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Use the app, or text
reportit to 63975
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Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and the City of Plainfield are committed to making it as easy as possible to report concerns in our city. To that end, we've partnered with REPORT IT, which is now live in Plainfield and ready to be used as an important supplemental reporting tool.
Report it makes community reporting easier than ever! Residents and visitors can download the app by scanning the barcode above or by going to your phone's app store. Your reports will be submitted to the appropriate City department to be resolved.
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|THE CITY OF PLAINFIELD NJ|
515 WATCHUNG AVENUE | 908-753-3310| MONDAY-FRIDAY | 9 A.M.- 5 P.M.|
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Creating One Plainfield. One Future | | | | |
