Cary, Thank you so much for continuing to post and inform us. I've just added several comments on the article you link to regarding the ALF. You seem to be the only one who engages with residents in this forum. Will you please tell me, as a former council member, what would be the most effective way a citizen /resident can voice their concerns about this? Is a letter to Planning Board and Town Council members the way to go? How does one help stop this project which makes no sense to so many for a list of reasons? Thank you!

D-Zone, yes, thank you. That is quite the list. Here's what I don't understand, and Cary, if you or anyone else can please enlighten me. I was sold /told before moving here that Montclair is a "progressive, diverse, interesting, thoughtful, community" that values education, the environment, it's history, architecture, the arts, etc. I've met a wonderful bunch of people from all over town who are committed, hard working, tax paying citizens who contribute to the local community in various ways, each as one is able. For example, I clean up the street when I see trash that has fallen (or was dumped) in front of my home in the curb. I call that pride of ownership and community, that if I see garbage on my street, even if it isn't mine, I pick it up. I know many others who do good in town and care and have big hearts. However, there is a terrible disconnect here. There is poverty here, crime, an attitude of each one for himself. I live in the 4th ward. I have mostly wonderful neighbors. People care. People have busy lives. We pay a lot of money in taxes for services which are mediocre at best. There is a list, but not to just complain, please tell me how do we make our voices heard. The Town is supposed to serve it's citizens. Some of these decisions are completely mind boggling on so many levels. Many of them don't address the ACTUAL NEEDS of many residents and are approved in spite of protests by residents. How do we change this? Thanks.

Folks, I want to commend you of the above comments and questions. Our citizens do need to become involved in the TC and other committee decisions. There have been so many poor ones made and now we all will pay for it in the long run.I have come to believe that our TC, in the past because I don't know the current one via their decisions, has been focused on themselves. Their actions are poor at best and the assisted living facility is a prime example. OK they are gone but we have to live with those idiotic decisions. So.........how about we now start to challenge those decisions, speak up on items we don't like, force the TC to start making decisions for the citizens??!!!!

I also forgot to say thanks to Cary because at least he engages us with facts and background. I have come to appreciate how he thinks, maybe not all the time but each of us don't like everything all the time. Thanks!

john clue: Thanks. And a big, Yes! How do we go about challenging the decisions made by prior TC where possible. It may be a "done deal" but the fact is, many "done deals" can be reversed or changed. But, I fear a single voice won't be enough. I fear that as d-Zone posted above, residents did voice their opposition but were ignored time and again. As a new resident, who doesn't know the entire history, I'm a newbie in that way. I see what I see and experience. I love facts and information and reason and a dialogue that moves things forward as is happening on these posts today. I appreciate not feeling like a lone person screaming in the wind. So, those of you who have been here longer, aside from attending meetings which I simply can't do at this time because of the age of my child and our family life, what other options are there? And if these things went forward, even with other residents attending and opposing, and still they had no effect, what does that mean about changing things going forward? How we do organize to be a larger, louder force? It's so frustrating to watch this happen and feel helpless. (may I add here: the water facility being proposed to Nishaune park being another project that should be seriously looked at, and most likely stopped based on what I've read so far). I vote. I pay taxes. I care. What do we do? "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." --M. Mead

I would imagine that we need to find an effective way to create change and at least have our voices heard. Being at the meetings and engaging the TC on items is a good start however if I could reach out to Cary on this and ask for suggestions on how we as citizens can be more effective and how we get real action on items or is the TC just interested in not reacting to our concerns? We are not developers but we do vote!!!

Yes, john clue, and I am hoping Cary responds here to all the above when he has a chance. It's been very interesting and I learned so much today. Thank you.

The idea of putting this "ALF" in the middle of downtown is HORRIFYING. My husband and I are actually considering a move out of Montclair because we're so concerned with the direction of this town and the short term decisions that are being made to put band aids on current challenges. Who wants a downtown packed full of ambulances, service trucks, residents who won't be spending money in the local businesses and less parking where a parking shortage already exists. My husband and I are New York City transplants and young professionals with children in the school system. We are the profile of people that Montclair needs to keep attracting to move here in order to maintain the energy and vibrance of this town. Putting an old age home in the middle of a downtown that already needs a boost if the WRONG ANSWER. This will lead to driving people like us to more stable and better functioning towns. I believe that the reason why this hasn't been protested is because no one knows about it. I have mentioned it to several friends and no one has heard about it. And they were livid.

D-Zone: I'm speechless. That does not bode well.
ann miller: similar situation to yours. very like minded and agree with you on everything. Only been here two years and ever since, been baffled. That pay parking lot at Church St. was/is often the only avail parking whenever I've needed to go to that area. I suggest an indoor kids play space (w/parking), any kind of educational building, ie MSU, job training center, or a beautiful park with outside band shell or performance space, artists work/loft space. Crime seems to be rising and I can count so many incidents in our neighborhood alone. Generally falling apart (roads, sidewalks, etc). I wonder if we're in the town of the Emperor's New Clothes. So many quality of life issues, and seemingly little vision to repair with thoughtful, long term solutions. I feel a bit duped by what we were sold. Still trying though, for now. Bottom line, folks are busy living and we pay so much in taxes, and it would be nice if the town did their job with competence and with regard to its residents and there is an expectation of services, and less crime, etc. Based on what we were told, anyway. Thanks for posting. I've often wondered if I'm alone in how I feel and what I've experienced since moving here. So disappointing but I do want to keep trying. Have met wonderful people. I so want to believe that the town residents will be heard. Learned a lot today. Thanks to all.

to thewayitis, There isn't a magic formula to get involved in Montclair. Just go ahead and reach out. the Planning Board page on the Township website. http://www.montclairnjusa.org/index.php?view=category&id=256%3Aplanning-board&option=com_content&Itemid=611 All Planning Board members are listed and the Montclair Township's professional Planner (Janice Tally) phone/email included. Call and introduce yourself to her/staff. Request previous meeting minutes. Contact your council person (Ward and At Large) and the mayor via their emails (also on the website). If you can't make an evening meeting, make calls and collect information during the day. Letters to the editor in the Montclair Times. Calls and emails to the Montclair Times reporters letting them know what you don't understand or what info would help you stay better informed. Watch the Town Council meetings on Channel 34.
Ann Miller, I ABSOLUTELY agree w you, but how can anyone who is tax-paying homeowner profess w/straight face not to know about this? It has been covered extensively in our community's newspaper (make your own judgements on quality of coverage), also avail online, Patch, Baristanet. Multiple ltrs to the ed. Has been part of Planning Board agendas for months and months. Was discussed in candidate meetings and debates during the recent election. With the commute and kids, etc, it's truly hard to keep up, but it's also true Democracy operates best w citizens who work to stay informed

I posted this on other thread also: Question for folks posting and also to Shelly: Do you think it's a good idea to print and mail these threads on the ALF and send to the TC and Planning Board? Also, Shelly, it seems several people have voiced concerns, repeatedly, in person at meetings, and via email, and they haven't received replies. Can do you a do a follow up story and ask TC and or Planning Board why they don't reply to residents? In addition to the many questions that seem to be swirling about the kind of ALF, as well, no matter what kind of ALF, the inappropriateness of this location for any ALF because of all the above? And also can we get an answer to the great questions posed and raised by Rhoda and Roscoe and others here? I'll be happy to print and mail this thread along with a letter to TC and Planning Board as soon as I can, but that might not be until next week. Would everyone here be able to also mail letters or send emails next week? Maybe if they get a bunch of folks speaking up it will help? I'm concerned that plenty of residents seem to oppose and have voiced their opinions over time since this plan was first proposed, but seem to be met with silence and a lack of response from TC. As Crafty Spiker says: "Perhaps someone can figure out how to get the current council's attention - I can't." Thanks!

I think it is very welcoming and hospitable of our community to re-build South Park Street for our assisted living residence. They will now have a beautful area to congregate and watch the world go by. It will also be nice for the attendees who watch after these kind folks and help them along the downtown pedestrian mall in their walkers and wheel chairs. They two can sit with their charge and pass the day away in the fresh air and since the facility will have an in-house cafeteria, restaurant owners are sure to enjoy the landslide business from these nice folks. If i am not mistaken, there is no out door facilitation in the assisted living complex plans and why would there be? Our tax dollars took care of that. Way to go!
Now, this soon to be heavily populated plaza, will be filled with people who are sure to drive the economy by their mere presence. Nice job, once again Montclair. What a joke.