Montclair, New Jersey React to News of Bin Laden's Death

The news of Osama bin Laden's death spread and sunk in rapidly across New Jersey and Montclair on Monday, sparking widespread exultation that one of the United States' most elusive foes was dead, and dead as a result of U.S. action.

"I lost a dear friend on 9/11," said Montclair School Board President Shelly Lombard. "This doesn't bring any of the victims back but you feel like at least some justice has been done."

The following are Montclair residents, or those with familial ties in Montclair, who died in 9/11: Michael Collins, 38, of Upper Montclair; Caleb Arron Dack, 39, of Montclair; Emeric J. Harvey, 56, of Upper Montclair; Howard L. Kestenbaum, 56, of Upper Montclair; Robert M. Murach, 45, of Montclair; David Lee Pruim, 53, of Upper Montclair; Robert Reuben; Scott M. Johnson; and Michael Stewart.

These Glen Ridge residents died in the 9/11 attacks: Craig D. Montano, 38; John A. Candela, 42; and Robert Joseph Coll, 35.

Montclair Councilor Rich Murnick said that Sunday was a great and significant day for everyone in Montclair and in the United States.

This sends "a strong message to the rest of the world that justice has been served," he said.

Cheryl Desmarais of Millburn, whose husband Mark Charette died in the World Trade Center, said the incident was a long time coming.

"You know I'm not sure what the right word is. 'Happy' is a funny word to use. But this is the man responsible for my husband's death," she said. "This needed to be done. They needed to capture him or kill him and I'm glad they have. I think it's a huge blow to terrorism.

"Closure is the word everyone uses. But it's a hard word to use when my husband, the father of my children is gone. He's gone every day. That doesn't change," she added. "But it was an open piece—this person out there was eluding us. I don't know if you ever get closure with something like this, but it does bring closure to that piece of it. "

After being awakened and feeling disoriented, Desmarais turned on the news to see if what she had just heard was true and went downstairs to talk with her 18-year-old daughter who was still awake.

"On the news I saw the mother of someone who was killed who said she was so glad this will be the first anniversary where we won't hear a released tape from bin Laden, and that is so true," she said.

Verona Township Manager Joseph Martin, who served his country in the Vietnam War, said despite bin Laden's death, there is a lot of work ahead of us.

"I think the jubilation is understood, but somewhat premature. Bin Laden is a small paragraph in a much larger story of the War on Terrorism," Martin said.

Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin commended the U.S military and the intelligence community “for staying vigilant on the trail of this animal for the past decade and taking the proper steps to eliminate him."

"This major accomplishment sends the message that the United Sates of America will not rest until the mission is completed," Mullin said.

In an extraordinary address, President Obama interrupted almost every U.S. TV channel to announce the news on Sunday night.

While he did not provide details, he said that the U.S. has been tracking bin Laden for months and finally located him in a residence in Pakistan. After a firefight, the president said, bin Laden was killed, with no loss of U.S. lives.

Three Bloomfield residents were killed in the 9/11 attacks: Cesar A. Alviar, 60; Catherine A. Nardella, 40; and Daniel Rossetti, 32.

"Of course (it's hard)," said Emma Alviar, 87, sister of Cesar Alviar, when reached at her Bloomfield home early Monday morning.

Gov. Chris Christie issued a statement early Monday morning regarding news bin Laden had been killed.

"There is hardly a life that has gone untouched in New Jersey by the horrifying assault on American soil that took place on September 11th and today, after years of waiting, justice has finally been delivered," he said. "While our fight against terrorism continues, Osama bin Laden's reign of terror has come to an end, sending a clear signal that even in the face of immeasurable horror, democracy and freedom continue to prevail."

The office of Sen. Robert Menendez issued a statement, praising U.S. efforts in bringing the 9/11 mastermind to justice.

"Although Osama Bin Laden’s demise will not end terrorist threats, his death is a significant blow to the leadership of the al-Qaeda organization and sends the message that the U.S. will find, destroy and dismantle al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations that seek to threaten the United States and its citizens at home or abroad," he said early Monday.

Sen. Frank Lautenberg also issued a statement, saying, "People across the civilized world will have great satisfaction and relief with news of the death of Osama bin Laden, one of the worst killers in the history of man."

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