Cary Africk Will Not Seek Re-Election In May
Africk said there are many excellent candidates running for town council
The political landscape in Montclair continues to shift with 2nd Ward Councilor Cary Africk announcing Monday afternoon that he will not seek re-election in May.
Earlier this month, he had been one of the first candidates to throw his hat in the ring.
"After considerable thought, I have decided not to run for re-election on the Montclair Town Council," Africk said in an emailed statement. "Prior to serving on the council, I was involved in many local and regional volunteer efforts.
"I intend to continue this work, staying active within this great community," he said. "A special thank you to the people of Montclair for giving me the privilege to serve them on the council for the last four years.
"I have learned much, built stronger networks, and have gained greater appreciation for the demands of public service," he said. "Montclair has fantastic resources and wonderful people. There are many excellent candidates who are running for township council. I have great faith in our mutual future!"
Already at least 26 people have expressed an intention to run in May's nonpartisan election.
Elected in 2008, Africk has been one of the more active and vocal of all council members, often coming to blows with Township Manager Marc Dashield, Mayor Jerry Fried, and Deputy Mayor Kathryn Weller-Demming over matters related to the budget and spending.
Recently, he disagreed with other council members over the role the Capital Finance Committee should take, with Africk arguing that the committee should have a larger and more influential role.
Bitpusher
1:48 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
A sad day for Montclair.
Thanks for all of your hard work.
Jinx
2:19 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
agree! thanks Cary. i appreciate your thoughtful and principled approach - you will be missed.
Stuart Weissman
2:33 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Pray for Montclair.
Louis Fontana
2:47 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Had egos and everything else been checked at the door, there could have been a dream slate: Jackson for mayor, Turner and Africk at large, Murnick, Kavesh and Swenson in the wards. Alas, that ship has sailed.
Thank you, Cary, for your service.
Crafty Spiker
5:45 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
This news leaves me very conflicted. Cary certainly meant well. Actually getting anything accomplished with the existing council and manager was, unfortunately, another matter.
I do hope that after the slates and candidates are firm that Cary will provide his thoughts and perhaps an endorsement.
But mostly thank you for providing a hint of sanity and class.
Butterfly
10:43 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
Sad news for Montclair.
A. Gideon
10:55 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
I'm disappointed too, but can anyone blame him? I can only imagine the level of frustration he's experienced working with the current council. One would hope that it would be better next cycle, but I can see Cary not wanting to depend upon that.
It'll be interesting to see what he tries next.
As other have written: Thanks, Cary, for the work over the past few years.
...Andrew
Stuart Weissman
12:52 pm on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Andrew. I was thinking the same thing. Looking at the slates and hearing Fried compare the words fiscal responsibility to nuclear holocaust, I really don't fault Cary. It's very likely that the next town council (just like the two prior) will be made up of people who too feel that ten percent municipal tax increases while not exploring privatization of services are the way to govern. Meanwhile, the debt service just gets larger and larger and larger. The property taxes in Montclair are now officially higher than the property taxes in Glen Ridge, a town that has virtually no commercial rateables whatsoever. Glen Ridge has comparably no debt. And people wondered why I moved there. I suppose it's my fiscal conservatism that made me do it.