Montclair 2012 Sweeps Election With Robert Jackson Declared Mayor
The only exception was a win by Bill Hurlock in the first ward
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Following a contentious and hard-fought race, Robert Jackson was declared the mayor of Montclair just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday night, garnering nearly half the total of 8,024 votes cast in the nonpartisan local election.
Jackson, who led the Montclair 2012 slate, received 3,842 votes compared with 2,508 for Karen Turner, of the Real Progress Montclair slate, and 1,676 for Harvey Susswein, of the For Montclair slate.
It was nearly a clean sweep for Montclair 2012, with Robin Schlager, Sean Spiller, Bob Russo, and Rich McMahon all racking up wins. The only exception was in the first ward, where newcomer Bill Hurlock beat Councilor Rich Murnick, who was running for re-election on the Montclair 2012 slate.
Surrounded by throngs of noisy supporters at Egan's, Jackson said that the win was "extremely gratifying" and the result of a clear campaign message.
"People understand that we have to have new streams of revenue in this town," said Jackson, who had hammered away at the theme of drawing more development to town during his campaign.
Jackson declared the dawn of both "a new Montclair and a new future" for the town and then joked that he first had to get some sleep the next few days before doing anything.
Jackson was mayor of Montclair in 1987 and 1988, and previously served as an at-large councilor. He's a graduate of Montclair Kimberley Academy, a trustee of the Montclair Public Library, and is the founder and managing member of Lorterdan Properties, LLC, a diversified real estate development company.
In the first ward, Hurlock of the For Montclair slate won with 1,195 votes, beating out Murnick's 924 votes.
"Incumbents don't win in Montclair," said a charismatic Murnick, who perhaps was too associated by wary voters with the outgoing council.
In the second ward, Schlager won over Walter Springer and Selma Avdicevic. In the third ward, Spiller beat out Chris Swenson and Jeff Jacobson.
Springer said Tuesday night that, when he started his campaign, he had expected to hear good things from people related to their hopes for the town.
"What I didn't expect was how contentious the race became but I guess that's the way it's played by certain people," he said.
The two successful at-large candidates were McMahon and former mayor Russo. They beat out LeeAnn Carlson, Peter Zorich, Patricia Hurt, Kathryn Weller-Demming, and Tim Barr.
Fourth Ward Councilor Renee Baskerville ran unopposed, but still picked up 888 votes.
To see all the results, go here.
Russo said he hoped that the town's residents could put aside their differences now that the election is over.
"I've never seen a race with such complexity," he said, noting that tonight's results respresent a tremendous win for Montclair's progressive forces.
Tuesday's vote will bring in some familiar faces—Jackson, Schlager, and Russo all have held office before—while ushering out incumbents Murnick and Deputy Mayor Weller-Demming, who had been running for an at-large position.
Earlier on Tuesday night, Mayor Jerry Fried was particularly prescient when he predicted that Jackson would win with 40 percent of the vote, and that Turner and Susswein would get 35 percent and 25 percent of the vote, respectively.
"I don't think Susswein's campaign was that effective," said Fried. "It's just that the mechanics weren't good."
He noted that, when it came to Turner, he hadn't met a single person planning to vote for her.
Fried and other town officials, as well as some candidates, began gathering at the township council chambers just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday to await results. Also on hand were Real Progress Montclair campaign manager Ilmar Vanderer, Fifth District Freeholder Brendan Gill, Councilor Nick Lewis, businessman Martin Schwartz, developer Dick Grabowsky, Councilor Renee Baskerville, and Township Attorney Ira Karasick.
Vanderer said that he had sensed a "promising positiveness" in the air earlier in the day, leading him to hope for a Real Progress Montclair win.
Officials originally predicted that turnout would total about 7,500 to 8,000 out of 27,000 registered voters and, in the end, more than 8,000 people cast ballots.
Four years ago, some 7,149 people voted out of 25,000 registered voters, representing a turnout of nearly 30 percent. Fried won the role of mayor with 2,849 votes.
Following a day filled with more promises, more accusations, and another avalanche of press releases, many Montclair residents said they're relieved to finally reach the finish line of the weeks-long election season.
Pollworkers across town reported heavy turnouts and—if today's article in the New York Times was any indication—there was widespread attention being paid in all corners of Montclair to the election results even by those residents who didn't vote.
Fried noted that a good turnout would translate into about 8,000 votes, which is exactly what happened.
Over the weekend, longtime resident Michael O'Leary said he was voting for Turner and her Real Progress Montclair slate because—for him—everything boils down to taxes.
"If people can't afford to live here then none of the other issues really matters," he said, adding that he believes Real Progress Montclair is the slate best equipped to get the town's finances in order.
But other residents questioned around town said they favored mayoral candidate Harvey Susswein and his For Montclair slate simply because Susswein seemed to keep himself above the fray of negative campaigning.
"I like the fact that you didn't hear a lot of negative stuff from this guy but you heard a lot about his experience," one voter said.
And one man, Tom Shields, said he was voting for mayoral candidate Robert Jackson, who is leading the Montclair 2012 slate, because he believes Jackson has the experience—and the background in real estate development—that's needed to get Montclair on solid economic footing.
The different slates had made different plans to celebrate—or drown their sorrows—at various establishments around town tonight.
The Real Progress Montclair slate gathered at Tierney's, accompanied by Zorich's mother, actress Olympia Dukakis. The For Montclair slate collected at the Station restaurant in Upper Montclair. And Montclair 2012 candidates chowed down on wings and burgers at Egan's.
Meanwhile, here's what happened earlier on this very frenetic election day, in case you missed something.
—Real Progress Montclair continued to operate a well-oiled PR machine, sending out a flood of press releases including a notice emailed just before 3 p.m. filled with promises to impose a moratorium on non-essential debt and provide online access for easy-to-read budgets if elected.
—After Baristanet reported that mayoral candidate Jackson and his Montclair 2012 slate were using paid workers from Newark to distribute campaign materials, Larry Kopp, campaign manager for the Real Progress Montclair slate, told Montclair Patch that "the political Essex County machine has landed in Montclair. They have workers from Newark on the streets of Montclair doing campaign work." Kopp said that the Montclair 2012 slate also has posted campaign signs—illegally—on school property.
—A voter reported feeling intimidated at Mount Hebron Middle School this morning by election challengers hired by Hurlock and also the Real Progress Montclair slate.
—Third ward candidate Swenson said that today's New York Times article misstated the facts; but the New York Times reporter said she got it right.
—Save Our Schools Montclair released a Voters' Guide.
For those who haven't read it, the New York Times article focuses mostly on Turner.
The article cites a recent debate at which Turner was asked about scholarships that allow poor children to attend the Montclair Community Pre-K set up by the town 14 years ago.
The article says Turner praised it as the Rolls-Royce of programs but that she also wondered whether the town's money might have been better spent buying "20 families a Chevy."
The article goes on to say:
In this push for frugality is the national debate writ small: the town spent lavishly for years, going into debt to pay for things like shade trees and a $45 million LEED-certified school, and now residents are facing the bill.
Montclair is not the only place finding itself with a tax revolt as a result. But it ranks among the most unlikely.
“The most liberal town in America has a Tea Party faction,” marveled Cary Chevat, a local political activist.
Meanwhile, in election news from Monday, a dinnertime call to Montclair voters urged residents to make history by casting a vote for Turner so that she might become the first woman elected mayor in the town's history.
But residents emailed Montclair Patch to point out that Montclair had a woman mayor from 1980 to 1984 by the name of Mary Mochary. In 1980, Montclair switched from a five-member commission to a seven-member council. Mochary ran for the council and—out of 28 candidates in the nonpartisan municipal election—she received the most votes, leading to her selection as mayor.
In addition, the Montclair 2012 slate led by Jackson emailed out a press release on Monday that included an audio tape of Turner’s remarks at a Sept. 30, 2010 council meeting in which she questioned the need for the Montclair Public Library, arts programs and funding for shade trees. Listen to the audio here.
“The audio tape of Karen Turner in her own words should answer questions as to whether the Township Council Meeting minutes were taken out of context for use in the mailer,” a Montclair 2012 spokesperson said.
For her part, Turner and her Real Progress Montclair slate released a video interview (attached to this article) in which the candidate expresses her unequivocal support for libraries as well as other programs and institutions valued by the people of Montclair.
"I completely support the library," Turner said. "With the Junior League, I actually helped build a library at the Link School in Newark, so for people to say that I would not support a library is flabbergasting; its completely the opposite of what I'm about."
Turner's video was prepared over the weekend in anticipation of false representations of her service with Concerned Citizens of Montclair (CCM) and on the Township-apppointed Operating Budget Advisory Committee, (OBAC).
According to the RPM press release, Turner was nominated to OBAC by 4th Ward Councilor Renee Baskerville—one of the strongest library advocates on the current council.
"In the course of our discussions about town finances, our Committee discussed every aspect of the budget," Turner said. "At no time have I ever thought that we should close any libraries. In fact, it has been my belief from the beginning, that the size and scope of our library is of so much value that we should aggressively seek agreements with our neighbors to share our library and leverage regional consolidation fees."
Finally, the For Montclair slate remained fairly quiet. However, a supporter of the slate, Pegi Adam, expressed her disgust at the way certain campaigns had been run.
"I guess I'm naïve and expect local politics to be grassroots campaigns. But, I think it's really too bad that our community and community spirit is being exploited by two slates that are in the race to get elected at any cost (and according to published numbers, their costs are running pretty high). It's pretty obvious that this town council election is about everything BUT local community issues, because only Harvey Susswein's For Montclair slate has put any actual plans on their websites. No wonder people are confused. I've volunteered for town council campaigns as far back as Jim Bishop, in the 70s/early 80s, and I never heard of any campaign advisor being paid (although I have been told that Ted Mattox paid Henry deKoninck, but don't know that for a fact). Is this stuff the future of Montclair? If so, then let's not hold ourselves up as a model of community integrity. And, yes, I'm a supporter of Harvey Susswein and For Montclair."
Check Montclair Patch on Wednesday for more on Tuesday's election results and what they mean for the future of Montclair.
Tell it Straight
7:05 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Wake up Montclair!! Turner advocates our children using the magnet school schools [elementary age kids] use the Nj Transit system to get to school, while her kids are driven to Montclair Academy each morning. Read the Times article tomorrow morning before you go out and vote for this country club sarah palin [see below] will be in Ny times tomorrow on line right now
She supports the magnet system that has integrated Montclair’s schools, but wonders if students could use New Jersey Transit rather than school buses.
Susie
7:40 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
@Tell it Straight, I think you have been very detrimental to the Jackson slate, for being so strongly against Turner, it is obvious that you are part of his campaign. You should have let Jackson's platform speak for itself instead of all your bad talk about Turner. Hence, he would never get my vote for all your postings on this site. Sorry, Turner et al is the ONLY way to go!!
MC
8:16 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Tell it Straight: some context for your remark re NJT and school transportation. Last year the BoE Working Group on Transportation was asked to look at all options related to the schools' transportation costs. It should be noted that to ensure the diversity of each school the Board decided to stay with the current busing system/plan after reviewing options researched and presented (not advocated but researched at the request of the Board). One of the options was to see if any $ would be saved if middle school and MHS students (not elementary students) received NJT vouchers for public transportation -- much the same way the NYC school kids get reduced fair Metrocards. In a town with 5 train stations and a few NJT bus routes, this is not a completely outlandish consideration to explore. Cost savings were not found when comparing voucher costs to busing costs, so that option was discounted. Turner may have been commenting on the fact-based process the BoE went through to make that decision. I'm not sure. And just as an fyi -- I believe MHS kids who live both at the far north and south ends of town have been known to jump on the NJT bus to travel across town, and there are currently a few kids who have a "Period 0" music class at Glenfield (before the start regular bus route time) and they successfully take the train on their own from either the MSU or Montclair Heights station to the Bay St Station & walk across Bloomfield Ave to get to Glenfield by 7 am. Best wishes.
sydney
2:08 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I grew up in Montclair on the "hill" and my parents have a RPM lawn sign on their yard. I took the NJ Transit bus to high school every single day. My mother was busy taking care of my younger brother and felt that NJ Transit was a fine option. I got reduced fare through Montclair High School and rode the bus to and from school every single day.
Although Real Progress Montclair has NEVER suggested NJT as an substitute for bussing middle school and high school students... I promise you that it is a fine idea to consider!
Or are the big promonents of diversity in Montclair scared of letting thier children ride the bus with *GHASP* poor people from *GHASP* other towns in Essex County?
Meg Beattie Patrick
7:22 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Vote LINE A Tues May 8th - Robert Jackson for Mayor and the Montclair 2012 slate! Save the ARTS, the LIBRARY and the TREES - Here's Karen Turner saying these things can be cut and don't matter:
http://www.montclair2012.com/karen_turner_in_her_own_words_on_the_library_the_arts_and_trees?recruiter_id=27325
althea
7:56 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Meg - you are really a piece of work, please go back to playing guitar and give it a rest. No one cares what you have to say anymore, you have long over stayed your welcome.
montclairgurl
9:53 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I had actually considered voting for Jackson until the sleaze started. It's beyond obvious that there are paid shills spewing nonsense against Turner. Maybe some are even unaware they could be paid. At least we know that Dead Zone and OMG won't be here on Wednesday.
glhs279
7:36 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Thank you Meg and Montclair 2012 for the call reminding me why, in her own words, I should vote for Karen Turner!
Meg Beattie Patrick
7:53 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
So it's okay with you, glhs279, that your candidate Turner waffles and says she would close the Library and then denies saying it? Karen Turner talks out of both sides of her mouth on this and other issues throughout the entire campaign. She cannot be trusted. Don't fall for it.
Terry Gorman
7:58 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Anybody that actually listens to the audio and ignores your spin knows that she didn't say she would close the library.
Oh Jackson with his out of town contributors and past record as mayor can be trusted to do what needs to be done for our town? Give us a break, Meg.
glhs279
9:42 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Meg, I am glad that there is a candidate that is willing to ask the question, and hopefully many other questions, that have been sacrosanct in this town for too long.
Terry Gorman
7:38 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Meg,
So that's your "smoking gun"? You provide a 30 second portion of a presentation to the council asking various questions about the library, including raising money through a shared services agreement with other towns. Aren't shared services a focal point of your slates platform? She questions whether we need to plant more trees or can't we get by with the trees that the town already has while deciding between "need to have and nice to have". Oh the horror! Surely this woman is the devil.
That's seriously what you've got?
Vote for a slate that will explore all options and question everything. No sacred cows, not beholden to any union or any out of town donors. Vote RPM! Vote for Selma in Ward 2.
Meg Beattie Patrick
8:00 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Turner is a dishonest person who changes what she's on the record as having said. Don't fall for someone who cannot be trusted. In the video Turner is pro-closing the Library, yet in this article she's quoted saying she would never close the Library. That's a smoking gun, Gorman. Like, the hundredth on a long list of smoking guns she's fired up throughout her arrogant & pretentious campaign.
sydney
2:14 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Meg- News Flash. Karen Turner is one of the most honest and good people I have ever had the pleasure to meet.
althea
7:59 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Hey Meg, what do you have to say about Jackson and his lovely lawsuit. You are worried about Karen Turner? I'm worried about having a Mayor that rips other people off...
Tell it Straight
8:00 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Susie, do you have school age kids? Hope she sticks them on a Nj transit Bus to get them to school next year!
Susie
8:16 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
@ Tell it Straight..you make me laugh, you are so angry. FYI, I do and you know what, they have a good walk now and sometimes jump on the 28 to make their commute quicker so IF that were to happen, it wouldn't make a difference in my house
OMG Montclair
8:23 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Susie,
really, you would put a 1st grader alone on a public bus and hope for the best? wow
MC
8:39 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Putting a 1st grader on the bus is NOT what anyone in Montclair has considered. Please see post above on what the transportation working group researched and concluded when looking at this for middle and high school kids. Come on folks. Whomever you are supporting. Get the facts. Understand the context. To do otherwiseis just lazy and an abdication of our responsibilities as citizens.
Terry Gorman
8:51 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
MC,
Spend any time on here and you will learn that OMG, Tell it Straight, Dead Zone, etc, don't really care about facts or even what you have to say. They prefer to make outlandish, unsubstantiated claims about Ms. Turner and then insult any of the posters that don't agree with them. It is what they have been doing for a couple of months now. Today has been particuarly outrageous. They are pulling out all the stops.
OMG Montclair
9:55 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Here is Turner's quote from the NY Times about using NJ Transit
She supports the magnet system that has integrated Montclair’s schools, but wonders if students could use New Jersey Transit rather than school buses.
Prof. Roy Bittan
9:37 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I've been monitoring these sites for the last few days and have grown incredibly tired with the outlandish attacks on the integrity of Karen Turner. Based on some earlier posts I have done a little digging and look what I have found. I have a link about a lawsuit that Robert Jackson is involved in regarding his company Lorterdan Properties. Jackson is being sued and is suing in turn the Jehovahs Witnesses, in this case called The Watchtower Bible and Track Society of New York.
I believe this information merits a read. Jackson has been promoting the idea that his commercial real estate skills ideally position him to help Montclair grow if he gets elected.
How could that be the case if one of his biggest deals has gone south and could drive him into bankruptcy.
In addition it appears Jackson was unable to manage $11 million dollars that was entrusted to him in the real estate deal with the Jehovah Witnesses. When the Jevovah's came for their money the money was gone. How can he be expected to manage our town's finances if he can't manage his own.
Also if this lawsuit goes as expected Jackson will be driven out of business. How can we elect a mayor whose company is about to be or could be bankrupt. Does this mean he would get a job from the Essex County political machine? The rumor is that the county will take care of him no matter what. Very Scary. Please see for yourself.
Mara Novak
9:57 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Gosh Roy, shouldn't you be on your way to Spain by now?
Danielle
11:36 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Your comment is very misleading. The Jehovahs Witnesses behaved very badly here as your own linked describes. The tone of your comment is quite bazaar & clearly a cheapshot. You decide to return an attack on Turners integrity with an attack on Jacksons? They both seem like decent people to me.
Prof. Roy Bittan
9:37 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Continued
http://www.freeminds.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3120:the-strange-saga-of-lorterdan-properties-at-ramapo-v-watchtower-of-new-york&catid=33:business&Itemid=348
Danielle
11:34 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Your comment is very misleading. The Jehovahs Witnesses behaved very badly here as your own linked describes. The tone of your comment is quite bazaar & clearly a cheapshot.
Adam
9:47 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
A developer in the hole for $11 million dollars versus a CPA to lead our over leveraged town? I know who I'm voting for tomorrow.
HCKid
8:03 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
test
HCKid
8:03 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
First turner is a former CPA. Also your note is misleading and your link to the court case indicates that it was Mr. Jackson's firm that initiated the lawsuit and that the JW has filed a counter-suit. The article you link to also shows that it was most likely the JW that acted in bad faith and that Jacksons firm would prevail.
OMG Montclair
9:53 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
your source is freeminds, I guess your lexisnexis was tied up, or you would have found out the suit was settled in Jackson favor. I would give you the link, but you have to be real lawyer to use the site
But hey, at least you know where to go when you want to escape the RPM Cult
montclairgurl
10:08 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
You have to be a real lawyer? My best friend is an attorney. I'll have him check tonight.
althea
10:01 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
OMG - now THAT is funny! You must surely know a lawyer who could get the info posted. You know that lawsuit has not been settled and so do all of us.
Adam
10:06 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I read to the bottom of the JW piece & found a link to the legal case documents. Check it out.
little e
10:12 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Thank goodness the election is over tomorrow
Shelley Emling
10:15 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I feel the same way little e!
frank rubacky
10:29 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Shelley,
The Montclair Distinguish Service Award to a Civilian in a Thankless, No-Win Situation goes to....you!
Robin Hoffman
10:29 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I third that opinion. But read this article in full before you vote:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/nyregion/in-montclair-elections-cause-town-to-re-examine-itself.html?ref=nyregion
little e
12:12 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thank you, Robin. That is the final piece I will read before going to vote tomorrow. Undecided no more!
Shelley Emling
10:35 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Frank.. you are very sweet.. I have to say.. I've never worked so hard in my life or been pulled in so many different directions! And I have 3 very demanding kids!
Kevin
10:21 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Yes, great job Shelley
Right of Center
10:31 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thanks Shelley and Patch. Your coverage has been intensive and fair. it's a real community service.
Adam
6:21 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Robert Jackson swindled the Jehovah Witnesses out of $11 million dollars and is bullying his way through this campaign with paid operatives. He will drive this town into further debt & build high rises in every corner possible. Montclair needs some long overdue fiscal sanity.
HCKid
8:07 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Adam - I call bullshit and unsubstantiated drivel from a HACK.
mandy
7:10 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I'm proudly voting Susswein, and ever so glad to put this disgusting election behind us.
At least two slates have clearly put people out there to bash anyone who questions them- the town should be ashamed. Now, maybe tomorrow, we can all act like educated adults.
Robin Hoffman
7:17 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Agreed, Mandy!
Normal
8:06 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Break the slate - choose your candidate!
H.J. Shorter, MD
8:49 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Montclair is great. Let us keep it that way. So do not vote to change it!
H.J.Shorter, MD
Renter who can't afford Mtclr taxes
9:53 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I have to agree with ROC-Patch has been great with covering this one. And to all the TROLLS-when all is said and done tonight, & whomever wins-please let it go. Montclair needs to move forward, and work toward fixing the current mess that we are in. We ARE ALL NEIGHBORS-some of the backing and forthing here by OMG, Tell it to me Straight, Dead Zone etc-has just been vicious. Remember that book from about 20 yers ago, "Everything I Needed to Know I learned in Kindergarten"? I suggest that you all head over to the library (either one depending on your zip code-& you know darn well that Kate Turner will not be closing them if she succeeds today, so please don't go there) or Watchung Booksellers and get your self copies, tout suite!
Woof
10:17 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
not sure if you all realize this but don't vote for Harvey and Tim Barr they don't want to continue the support for the Animal shelter and in a conversation with both of them last summer it came up that Tim Barr does not care for animals. Can we really have 4 years of that?
Stuck in the Middle
12:25 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
...also, whatever you do don't vote for Robin. She's a witch. I know because she turned me into a newt.
Shelley Emling
11:38 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
That's one job I would never want!
Stuck in the Middle
12:22 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Gosh, mark. I hope Jackson cut you a big check this morning. I know that you are a specialist in "viral marketing", and apparently it is a rather nasty virus that you are spreading. We are all completely turned off by the negative campaign run by Jackson, and facilitated by the knuckle dragging PR hacks (present company included) that Jackson hired with all of the mystery donations from outside of Montclair. Are you on Jackson's payroll? Where is his money coming from? Who will he OWE if he is elected?
mark haefeli
7:36 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
If any of my comments were offensive, uninformed, or misleading, i do apologize. Congratulations again to all who involved themselves in the process, especially those who ran for office. It was comforting to see so many candidates and supporters navigating along the high road on their race to the finish line ! Such political perfection was admirable. Such truth and fair play was inspiring. My comments...? Please, at least i can say, sorry !
Stuart Weissman
12:35 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Mark, you are simply a hypocrite.
mark haefeli at 9:36 am on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 writes:
It is often said that if you keep it simple, you will live in the solution and not the problem. This problem seems real simple to solve.
The BOA is appointed by Mayor and Council, as it should be in a town like Montclair where voter turn out is pathetic at best. However, we need a fresh new crop of township leaders. Citizens who really do have senior management experience in the financial sectors of the New York metro area. There are financial titans who live
live here and need to step up to the plate before it is too late.
From RPMs website:
In her professional career, Karen was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and practiced at KPMG, LLP in New York City in both the Audit and International Tax departments. She gained valuable experience in finance, policies and system controls and researching relevant codes and regulations put forth by the SEC, AICPA and IRS. Her client roster required her to be knowledgeable of a wide variety of industries including auto, retail, real estate developers, importers, engineering and industrial manufacturers.
Martin Golan
1:14 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Harvey Susswein's background is at least as impressive as Karen Turner's (who somehow missed that there already was a woman mayor, not that that's any kind of qualification by itself) and he hasn't hired paid consultants and engaged in ridicule and innuendo. Only in Montclair could a race for mayor become nearly as dirty as a presidential election!
Stuart Weissman
1:56 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Harvey fabricated a big, dirty lie which sunk the Elect the Board campaign. This unethical action performed as a member of the team to maintain an appointed school board provides a much closer example of how he might act when serving the people of Montclair on this council. His experience founding a global company or serving in our armed forces apparently didn't teach Harvey any morals. At least not in this case.
Right of Center
4:56 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Is it really necessary to accuse someone of not having "any morals" over a statement about a school board election?
Reimer Mellin
2:26 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
On a more lighter note: The yard signs from RPM and ForMontclair happen to be the ideal material to build R/C air planes (see MAKE magazine #30), which I am planning to do with my son.
If you allow me to upcycle your yard signs, please send me a brief note and your address to rmellin at mac dot com and I will pick your yard signs day after tomorrow. Now, depending on the response volume I can not promise to collect all, but I will promise to do my best.
Or see http://brooklynaerodrome.com/ if you want build one on your own
steve jones
4:56 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
"In my experience, only third-rate intelligence is sent to Legislatures to make laws, because the first-rate article will not leave important private interests go unwatched to go and serve the public."
Mark Twain
ride164
8:59 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Like I said before...carpetbaggers......unaware that we had a woman mayor in the 80's...can't they just move back to brooklynn and let us common folk be......
Dan
9:24 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Once again, a truly pathetic showing by the voters today. 6k votes counted thus far, I guess 75% of the taxpayers can shut their mouths for the next 4 years.
Tell it Straight
11:01 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
In true RPM fashion, not one of them showed up at Egan's to congratulate the Jackson slate. They ran a class warfare campaign and the good people of Montclair saw thru it, and spoke. Terry Gorman and Andrew, i will miss you. You were both so completly obtuse. Turner, Swenson and company, good bye and farewell. Y RPM......RIP
OMG Montclair
12:40 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Peter Zorich to his credit did show up and congratulated the winners as did Harvey Susswien and Weller
Terry Gorman
8:03 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tell it Straight,
It is no surprise to me that you show the same level of class in victory as you showed in all of your posts while waging your battle. That is none.
To Robert Jackson and the Montclair 2012 slate; Congratulations on your victory. I sincerely hope that you spend the next four years proving me wrong and are able to get this town on the right track by implementing your platform. Good Luck.
A. Gideon
9:20 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
"To Robert Jackson and the Montclair 2012 slate; Congratulations on your victory. I sincerely hope that you spend the next four years proving me wrong and are able to get this town on the right track by implementing your platform. Good Luck."
Very well stated, and I share the sentiment.
I'll also continue to be doing what I can to help the town. I'll be posting in these social media forums, of course, but you'll also continue to see me at Hillside and Nishuane PTA and BOE meetings.
I hope the real people that started participating here because of the election also "stay". Once the hired slate proxies disappear - and they always do - these blogs are not a bad way to stay connected and informed. But also remember that there are plenty of "real world" ways to get involved: groups working for the township or the schools or the libraries.
...Andrew
Peter Zorich
2:31 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Telling it not straight.
I went and congratulated all the winners.
Crafty Spiker
11:02 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
It is a sad time when there is no point in being right. And so it goes.
Robert Cohen
11:05 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Well... here we go again, another group of officials who are unable to say no. It's as if everyone in this town lives in a bubble. Witness the Park St. project which went ahead despite every indication that it was a total waste of money. Bankruptcy is not far off... mark my words.
Melissa
11:15 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Dan, I couldn't agree more--a seemingly intelligent and engaged town, yet far less than half went to the polls. Disheartening, to say the least. I am embarrassed for residents who whine and complain but remain shockingly uninvolved.
Shelley Emling
11:17 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thanks for your earlier comment Right of Center...
Shelley Emling
11:38 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I agree Melissa..
Stuck in the Middle
1:01 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
"Incumbents don't win in Montclair," said Murnick.
Well, not after they screw the pooch, like this last council.
Ron Mullen
7:55 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
As Montclair's inability to deal with our debt has turned it into the "Little Greece" of New Jersey. The winner should have the courage to create a Strong Austerity program by aggressively cutting taxes and programs for at least two years.
David Delmonico
8:26 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Yet another nail in the coffin for Montclair. Call when you're up for auction. Montclair is a wonderful example of why we need Conservatives in power. You have piled up debt on debt with no clear way to pay for your extravagant and selfish spending.
Has anyone examined the INCREDIBLE waste that exists in Montclair's sacred school system? Someone should use it as the topic of their next documentary film for next years Montclair Film Festival...if there is a second edition.
steve jones
7:28 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Oh please. Good to know that our massive federal debt didn't increase under Conservative republican leadership.
David Grill
8:40 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Shelley,
Really nice job covering a complex and sometimes crazy election. And.....TGIW.
Shelley Emling
8:44 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Thanks David.. it was a crazy election.. thx for all your hard work.
Robin Hoffman
9:50 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Get some rest, Shelley. You kicked butt and seemed to be everywhere. Patch got a mention from Brendan Gill last night on Channel 34, along with Montclair Times and Baristanet, citing how much coverage there was around this election.
professorishor
9:45 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Ridicule and innuendo should subside now that votes are in. If we'd like bigger turnouts, move town elections to November and end the fake "non-partisan" slate-making. Voters are used to voting in November; they pay attention then; off-cycle elections always have low turnouts; best for civic democracy is high voter involvement, which means moving elections in tune with historic habits, that is, we vote in November. Also, the so-called "non-partisan" combos that weirdly emerge at the last minute undermine the legitimacy of town elections. Only slates can get elected and incumbents are poison, so the wisdom goes. But most candidates are indeed on slates and are not incumbents, yet non appear as who they are, for the parties they belong ti. Everyone is a make-believe non-partisan candidate while everyone has a real political affiliation that remains hidden, insider knowledge. The more civic life depends on "insider knowledge" and "insider membership" the less it appeals to the vast majority who are "outsiders," who are not part of the insider circle that runs this town. We deserve grown-up democracy in town instead of these juvenile ploys of insiders pretending to be non-partisan. Let Republican, Conservative, and Democratic Pary advocates run openly, and let independents run their own alternative campaigns as genuine independents. Then, most Mtc voters will have something real to vote for, and will come out to vote in large numbers if allowed to do so in November.
Selma Avdicevic
11:21 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
The voters have spoken. Congratulations to all the winners. I wish them all the best.
Thanks everyone who supported me. I know you are disappointed. I am too. Please continue your involvement in the community. Volunteer, come to the Council/BOE/commissions/boards meetings, be heard. The work continues.
steve jones
7:26 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Please stay involved. I heard many people comment on how impressed they were with your views. You may not have had the face value recognition or connections in the community of some others and I'm sure that didn't help. We need more smart well-intentioned people like you involved in our town.
Selma Avdicevic
8:43 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thank you, Steve. It takes a lot more than loosing an election to throw me off the scent :)
Shelley Emling
2:50 pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Thanks Peter and Selma..
Peter Zorich
6:51 am on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Congratulations to Robert Jackson and the rest of the Montclair 2012 slate. They a have tough job ahead and I will certainly be rooting for them.