Cary, talk about attack ads. I keep getting mailers from For Montclair and Montclair 2012 that, summarized, say "RPM sucks". Wow, thanks! On the other hand, those from RPM seem to be more along the lines of "here's what we believe and here's what we'll do".

It really seems as if the M2012 and For Montclair slates realize their opportunity is slipping away.

Cary: I have to disagree about your comments concerning systems. First of all, as we all know, systems cannot cure a lack of leadership and accountability. The problems you describe as 'operational' all go back to the manager - are you saying the current manager is failing or are you saying that the current council is failing to effectively manage the manager?

Also, as I read various candidates CV's I see significant systems experience attached to other candidates. And an executive title is no real guarantee of systems acumen.

We need a council that is capable of demanding and getting superior results from the Township Manager and his direct reports. And if the manager cannot produce the desired results then let's create a search committee and get someone who can perform up to the standards set by the council.

"This past Saturday I was walking on Bloomfield Ave and there was trash everywhere, including the overflowing cans. That's not a financial problem. It's operational."

It's enforcement. Period. Merchants are REQUIRED to keep the area in front of their shops clean. If it's dirty, FINE them. No study needed, no degrees in "systems" required.

Yup. Just as the recent endorsements are split between far left (bluewave) Jackson and left Susswein, I'm guessing much of the progressive vote will be split that way as well, ushering in left of center Karen Turner onto the dais. My heavily scientific count-the-election-signs-you-pass-when-driving-around-town, echoes the same trend. Combined Susswein and Jackson will have more votes than Turner, but Turner will have more votes than either of them singularly. Fried only got in with the split of Mattox and Michaelson. Anyone have any extra microwave popcorn?

"Combined Susswein and Jackson"

Yet as I read their policy statements and have heard them at events, Mr. Susswein's and Ms. Turner's slates seem far more similar than either to Mr. Jackson's. In fact, I've been considering events should the vote split along those lines.

...Andrew

With all do respect to Mr. Amadeo...I've lived in Montclair for 21 years, and have never heard his name before.

"These attacks are giving us no help in making our choice. They tell us why we shouldn't vote for this or that person but are short on reasons why we should vote for the person doing the attacking."

This ignores the fact that each attack advertisement, each divisive attempt to smear another that is just as sincere about their hopes for the town we share, suggests *not* voting for the issuer of the attack. In that sense, I find attack ads quite useful. It shows a candidate and/or slate without faith in themselves or their proposed policies.

I think many people in Montclair know this. There's been an unfortunate silence on this from Mr. Jackson's slate-mates, but I was pleased to see some of those on Mr. Susswein's slate back away when he went too far (which was nothing, admittedly, compared to Mr. Jackson or the people posting for his slate here). I find their unwillingness to stand silently by encouraging.

I'd much prefer to see a campaign completely lacking in the smears. Failing that, though, one cannot say that these attacks are completely unhelpful. We simply need to see that they tell more about the speaker than anyone else.

...Andrew

At the risk of sounding stupid, does anyone know Ralph Amadeo? I never heard of him? Background?

Here is to hoping that the number of RPM slate lawn signs that are around town is not a true indicator of how the town is going to vote. If so, it will be a sad day for Montclair. A completly, unqualified country club mayor who panders and tosses out promises and pledges that she can't possibly live up to. Third ward candidate who has many enemies in town, as i have come to learn. Maybe if you live here long enough, that is bound to happen, although i have heard from an alarming number of people who have had very negative things to say about him. An at large candidate who has hidden his true political leanings in order to appeal to this vey Demoratic town. Lastly, and finally, they have buried their competition with a spate of very questionable tactics from start to finish in this campaign. here is to fair minded people who have been able to see thru the smoke screen that they have set up. Otherwise, lets see how many of the multiple promises and pledges are broken over the next 4 years.

"who panders and tosses out promises and pledges that she can't possibly live up to."

How would you know TIS? The last three councils treated township debt like a teenager with a credit card, nor would I expect Jackson or Susswein to behave any differently based on their positions. Debt service is eating up town services as is paying more for a local service than it would cost on the outside. Of course, no one knows what it would cost on the outside as no one dare even seek a price. Same with the Montclair animal shelter. Montclair loses money housing unwanted pets to avoid them going to a kill shelter. All this compassion leaves the town in a precarious financial position and getting closer and closer to the day of reckoning as surrounding towns take advantage of Montclair's willingness to provide the service to them for less than it costs. The animals will have been saved, but the town of Montclair might not be so lucky.

Andrew,
As if on cue, Tis joins us with another negative, unsubstantiated attack.
I too wish this campaign could have been run on the issues and without the smear tactics. My hope is that the vicious attacks that have taken place here will reflect appropriately on those doing the attacking.

While I will vote for Turner, I predict Jackson will win. Don't underestimate the Democratic Machine and their local get out the vote effort. It wouldn't surprise me if "street money" is being handed out as we speak.

The attacks against each other disappear on May 9th to be replaced by attacks on Trenton. This is how it works in Montclair. Everyone makes promises they don't keep and when they get into the council chambers they pursue pet projects instead. When the constituents complain about the failed campaign promises, the council says it's Trenton's fault. Then they go on their second federally sponsored trip to the Yangzhou Provence and pass safe streets and bike locker ordinances.

"Maybe if you live here long enough, that is bound to happen"

I suppose that if you DO a lot, some people may dislike you. I really don't know.

This is the sorriest campaign I have ever seen and you, Tell it Straight, do your candidate a grave disservice . I'm sure that Mr. Spiller's fellow teachers new about his track record and abilities when they elected him to head their union. Tell us about those things and maybe you’ll change some minds.

For now, I know Mr Swensons record and abilities, and that is why I will vote for him.
My second choice would be Mr. Jacobson, whose posts have been very informative.

Maybe Amadeo is the relative of somebody who is on the Montclair 2012 campaign staff. That trick was tried on the Watercooler earlier today.

Check out the NY Times on our little town election

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/nyregion/in-montclair-elections-cause-town-to-re-examine-itself.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

Well, in the end I have to say that, regardless of how the election will turn out, having a slate like RPM in town was a refreshing experience. Its really uplifting to see that we still have folks in this town who have a basic understanding of numbers.

The core metric for any new council will be the debt service ratio of the municipal budget at the end of the term.