At 4 a.m. today, the Real Progress Montclair campaign distributed a press release on how mayoral candidate Karen Turner would shatter the town's "glass ceiling" if elected today by becoming its first-ever directly elected woman mayor, something Montclair has not had in 144 years.
The release is titled "Karen Turner Looks To Make History As Montclair's First Elected Woman Mayor In 144 Years."
The press release said that, while the prospect of being a female political pioneer is exciting to Turner, and inspiring to her two daughters, Turner remains firmly focused on the possibility of leading Montclair forward on an ambitious agenda that includes delivering more efficient and cost-effective services, strengthening schools and libraries, and stabilizing Montclair’s finances.
“If I have the tremendous honor to serve as Montclair’s first directly elected woman mayor, I will work hard to restore confidence in local government, make education and libraries a top priority, and rally the entire community behind specific steps to get Montclair back on a financially sustainable path,” said Turner.
But Mary Mochary was mayor of Montclair from 1980 to 1984.
In 1980, Montclair changed its form of government 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 garnered the most votes, leading to her selection as mayor from 1980 to 1984.
Several readers have emailed Montclair Patch, citing Mochary's election as mayor in 1980.
And David Grill, campaign manager for mayoral candidate Harvey Susswein, said he finds Real Progress Montclair's press release "offensive."
He said his translation of the press release is this: "I might be dangerous and I might be unqualified, but vote for me because I’m a woman."
Grill goes on to say "so African-Americans should vote for Jackson because he’s black? Jews for Susswein? It's 2012 and we’re playing the gender card? This is offensive."
Late Tuesday morning, Real Progress Montclair distributed another press relesae, reiterating that Turner would be the first popularly elected woman mayor in Montclair's history.
"The truth is that mayors have only been elected directly by the people since 1988," said Larry Kopp, campaign chairman. "Montclair has a proud tradition as a progressive and forward-thinking community—it's time for the people to directly elect a woman to lead Montclair."
Kopp noted that Mochary was elected as councilwoman-at-large at a critical time in Montclair's history.
"Our Charter Commission had just recommended changing to a new form of government and so it was important that the Township have a strong leader during the transition," he said. "Following the 1980 election, Mochary was selected by her peers to fulfill that role and lead the Township."
Kopp said that, once again, Montclair is at a crossroads.
"In the last 12 years, our taxes have doubled and our debt has tripled," said Kopp. "This has led the incumbents and the status quo to take the easy way out by cutting library funding and nearly eliminating pre-k scholarships. We cannot continue relying on higher debt and higher taxes to balance the budget because its destroying the very programs and institutions that people of low and moderate incomes need most."
In a New York Times article on life in Montclair published in May 1982, Mochary is mentioned.
The town's "present mayor is Mary Mochary, who, in a largely ceremonial post, issues proclamations about 'how fortunate we are to reside in a community where we are surrounded by beauty, with the freedom and means to enjoy it to its fullest.' She also adds zest to Montclair's penchant for controversy by making proclamations about the township's 10 schools while sending her children to its private prep school," the article said.
Ironically, Turner also has been criticized for talking about the town's excellent school system while sending her two daughters to Montclair Kimberley Academy.
Meanwhile, Turner said that—since women make up 50 percent of the town's population and two of RPM's four candidates are women—there is no doubt that the slate is committed to leveraging women's voices and votes into greater visibility and representation in Montclair's municipal government.
The RPM slate includes Turner as well as LeeAnn Carlson, Chris Swenson, and Peter Zorich.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.
Ed Peters
9:35 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Never let the facts get in the way of a good lede, right? Patchers
Jennifer Prost
9:42 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
By saying she would be the first (elected) mayor, Turner is playing fast and loose with the facts. And to be proud her slate has two women (and thereby representing the town) is just sad, when you consider a large percentage of the town is African American, yet she has no Af-Am candidates on her slate. So yeah, representing the ladies, but...... --Jennifer (A PTA MOM not supporting Turner)
sydney
9:56 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Oh.. so there are no African American women in Montclair, right Jennifer? Women=women
althea
10:04 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Oh here we go with the race thing again... I don't look at my friends by the color of their skin and I guarantee you they don't look at the color of my skin. Are you voting for Jackson because of his skin color or Susswein because of his? Sounds like it from your post Jennifer.
Right of Center
9:42 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
A mayor appointed by the council is no more "elected" than are supreme court justices "voted on" by the senate.
People placed into office by an election are elected. Council votes are not elections.
Here's to hoping Turner is the first woman elected mayor of Montclair.
Jennifer Prost
10:12 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sydney: My guess is white women and black women MAY have some different issues (SOME, not ALL) but to claim you'll represent the town better because you have two women on your slate, and no Af-Am...It's kinda like saying the PTA moms support you when we don't ALL support ANYONE. And frankly, I'm ok with a person of ANY color or gender leading the town as long as they listen to all of us. And don't just cut taxes and services.
sydney
11:05 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Actually, Jennifer I don't think that white and african americans have different issues in this town. that is a divisive attitude. Families of different incomes may have different issues. However, neighbors are neighbors and in this town I think we all have the same issues. Mothers are mothers, black or white. Don't they have the same nees for their children?
And yes, I think that claim that RPM better understands the issues and needs of this town because of the presence of women on thier slate is absolutely TRUE.
Louis Fontana
10:23 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
An entirely unnecessary press release.
Turner would shatter a "glass ceiling" no more than Jackson, who would be the town's first directly-elected African-American mayor.
Thankfully, this all ends today.
chris
10:36 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I don't know how anyone can vote for Jackson - he's a real estate developer. Can you say CONFLICT of interest? Plus all they talk about is investing in the town -- we have done enough investing, it's time to get our finances in order! If Jackson is elected the spending spree and possible corruption will continue, no doubt. Karen Turner is what we need -- I just hope the people of Montclair are smart enough to see through all this BS and vote her in!!!
Stuart Weissman
11:11 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
I'm just glad David Grill isn't running for mayor.
David Grill
6:59 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Not as glad as I am that David Grill isn't running for mayor.
Regards,
David Grill
Louis Fontana
11:28 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Carter, like Jackson and like Mochary, was not directly elected as Mayor.
Karen Turner would be, or will be (if you prefer), the first directly-elected female mayor.
Likewise, if Jackson wins, he would be the first directly-elected African-American mayor.
That's the point.
Stuck in the Middle
12:08 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The more quotes I hear from the Jackson campaign, their advisers and their supporters, the more I am convinced that they are all completely evil.
steve jones
12:20 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Why is every other thing out of her mouth sort of close to being accurrate but not really? And when someone points it out they are atttacked. Seems like Sarah Palin in that regard.
CMFAS55
12:44 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
It seems that the Jackson group is desperately clinging to something. Maybe it was because Jackson was beaten in his first mayoral election when the opponent went on the attack and he swore never again. Maybe it's public workers afraid of losing their jobs to privatization. Maybe it's the democratic party in the area wanting to shore up support by putting their guys in place.
The slate and supporters have no real ammo so they use rumors and distortions of facts to make points.They also use fear alot which I guess they hope will rally the 4th ward to vote and support the mayor who looks like they want him to look (this is from several Jackson supporters posts over the last month or so).
When I went to a debate and heard Robert Jackson, I liked him and respected his resume and desire to serve. But in seeing how the supporters of this slate are behaving I don't want to see him win. We have had the inmates run the asylum for the last four years with this dopey council, all we need is 4 years of governance from a group that lobs slanderous grenades against opponents constantly with no facts to back them up. Their flyer was a blatant distortion of the trust and their supporters are accusing RPM and FM candiates of negative things constantly without any supporting proof. It's gross to see how this slate and their supporters have behaved through this.
Whats it all about
5:58 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
"'Swenson a lair'' You left out.....vindictive, petty, hurtful, power monger, and those are his good qualities
mark haefeli
9:10 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Hey Belletones...at least I do not hide behind the skirt of anonymity...! How about introducing yourself to me the next time we see each other.., and we will discuss pathetic...!
Freedom of speech and political action are two mainframes of democracy..Liies....? Did Mr. Swenson not lie through omission about the school his daughter attends while pontificating about the tremendous school systems of Montclair...? Where were the details on the former mayoral candidates work experience? Did you read the Montclair Times... ? Did she not go to Southern Vernont... Very fine institutionno an sure...But did Jackson not go to Princeton and then receice a Harvard MBA... Where are the mistruths...?
Now come out of the closet little one so we can talk face to face about your choice of the word "pathetic" and stop hiding...BTW...who won? Really hope to see you soon!
Louis Fontana
9:18 am on Wednesday, May 9, 2012
And so it continues.
The ink is not even dry on Robert Jackson's (and the other victors') certificates of election, and the sniping here persists.
Who was that (not so great) American who asked, "Can't we all get along?"