Plainfield mayor coasts to win over pair of rivals

Plainfield Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs won a second term in office yesterday, beating her Republican challenger Jim Pivnichny and independent candidate Deborah Dowe by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.

The Democratic Party has held a tight grip on the Queen City for many years, so Robinson-Briggs' victory didn't come as a surprise to many observers when she won with 4,906 votes, compared with 2,103 for Pivnichny and 391 for Dowe.

"We've got some great plans for the people of Plainfield, and I'm so happy that the people here trusted us to work on them," Robinson-Briggs said last night in a phone interview from her campaign headquarters on Watchung Avenue. "I'm having a great time celebrating, but it's back to work tomorrow."

During the campaign season, Robinson-Briggs recited her accomplishments over the last four years, pointing to a drop in crime and the newly constructed senior center and veterans' hall, expected to open this month.

Police records show overall crime in Plainfield dropped by 5 percent from 2007 to last year, but nonviolent crimes such as burglaries rose by more than 12 percent. The number of homicides dropped from 15 in 2008 to two so far this year.

Robinson-Briggs also explained her administration plans to install cameras around the city to serve as a crime deterrent. She touted the redevelopment projects on North Avenue and Gavett Place, where mixed-use structures are being built, and the administration's beautification efforts that include road repair and filling potholes throughout the city.

"She has done so much for this city," said Janie Moyd, a Plainfield resident exiting the polling station across from city hall last evening. "She is very involved in programs for youth in Plainfield. I have children in the schools here, and I've seen they are changed for the better because of Sharon."

Dowe, the independent candidate, campaigned the most on the single issue of the closure of Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center last year. The hospital's parent company, Solaris, pulled out after citing continuing financial losses that totaled $16.5 million in 2007.

"Despite not winning the election, we won in terms of making this an issue that is taken seriously," Dowe said last night. "Now the question is if we can take the greater concern and interest and turn it into health care."

But Pivnichny, a retired scientist and pharmaceutical executive, argued the mayor's shortcomings on improving the local economy have left residents out to dry. He also repeatedly criticized her for a secretive government and having paid staff members that are unnecessary, referring to Robinson-Brigg's confidential aide and an entertainment chairperson.

Pivnichny acknowledged he was facing a tough battle as a Republican candidate due to the city's heavy Democratic presence and Robinson-Brigg's $198,000 campaign war chest.

"Obviously I had hoped to do better, but we showed the administration that there are a lot of people in Plainfield who are unhappy with what they're doing," Pivnichny said. "But I intend to remain active as a watchdog on city government and get involved in more service projects."

Tracee M. Herbaugh is a reporter for the New Jersey Local News Service. She may be reached at therbaugh@njlns.com or (908) 243-6214.