Cheer Your Town: Cast A Vote For Montclair

Following a path of incredible perseverance, residents helped Montclair become one of only 10 towns to win the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company's "Bring Back The 4th Contest" last year. Indeed, the town was presented with a check for $10,000 at a ceremony in early July, marked by great praise for Montclair's community spirit, allowing the town's July 4th fireworks celebration to go forward despite budget cuts.

Now there's a new contest to rally around. A "Cheer Your Town" contest sponsored by Reader's Digest allows people to vote for their community with an eye towards winning a cash prize.

So far, Montclair only has 50 "cheers" ranking it at number 1,121 out of nearly 10,000 towns.

When asked what Montclair needed money for, one resident wrote on the website that: "a beautiful town, with the history of a railroad suburb and a vital community. We need a good trolley sysetem to reduce the parking problems that exist. We have seven little neighborhood shopping areas and sidewalks and trees—but a more efficient means of getting around for students and seniors. Our houses go from $175,000 to $2.5 million=diverse in every way—and a good commute to NYC by bus or train. Our taxes are high, but our services are great and people get accustomed to parks, libraries and social, civic and other activities—plus famous Iris Gardens and an excellent little art museum, and several historic houses."

The top "cheered" town so far is Rancho Cordova, California with 371,520 cheers. The top "cheered" town in New Jersey is Collingswood with 4,140 cheers.

A total of 10 Municipal Prizes will be awarded in the form of a donation to the towns with the most cheers plus promotional support through coverage in Reader's Digest outlets that include the 30 million-readership-strong flagship magazine, website, and iPad application.

The first place prize is $40,000; the second place prize is $25,000; the four runner-up prizes are $10,000; and the four category-based runner-up prizes are $10,000.

Entries must be received by May 30, 2011.

For more information and to "cheer" Montclair, go here.