Wanting Answers: Questions For Candidates

The Montclair High School Civics and Government Institute (CGI) will host a community-wide mayoral debate on Thursday, April 26 from 6:30-8:30 pm in the MHS LGI (Large Group Instruction room). The focus of the debate will be on education in Montclair and will be moderated by two high school seniors, Chris Murphy and Gabriella Peterson.

The Civics and Government Institute is a small-learning community of 10th to 12th graders within Montclair High School dedicated to the instruction of citizenship, government, and social issues.

Questions for the candidates can be emailed to cgidebate@gmail.com or submitted through Twitter @CGIdebate. The moderators will select questions from those submitted and a short portion at the end of the debate will be designated for public questioning.

Additionally, Jon Bonesteel, moderator and list-owner of the Montclair Watercooler teamed up with Cary Africk (past moderator) to pen an initial list of questions that they believe all candidates should speak to. “This is a preliminary list – a starting point,” says Bonesteel. “We’ve received our first set of answers from Selma [Avdicevic].” You can view them HERE.

Here’s the list of 16 questions. Any candidate care to take a stab at these, here, in the comments section below? Or you could email your answers to Shelley@patch.com and we'll publish them for you.

1. What do you believe are the three most pressing problems affecting the town, in order of priority?
2. What role should the town have in the development of businesses in Montclair?
3. Do you believe in "outsourcing," even if it means loss of jobs or benefits to town employees in return for reduced costs and increased services?
4. Please supply us with a copy of your resume, including education. Please point out aspects of your background that would make you a better candidate.
5. What is the last book you read? What magazines, newspapers, etc. do youregularly read? Where do you get your news from?
6. What value do you think "the blogs" have for Council members or the residents?
7. What do you think of our current municipal services, e.g. trash, snow removal, etc.
8. What do you think of our current communications efforts, i.e. the town website, broadcasting of meetings, etc.?
9. What do you think of regionalization of services such as fire, police, library, etc.?
10. What do you think of "shared" services?
11. Do you believe other Council members should be a part of the appointment process for the BOE?
12. Do you believe BOE members should be appointed or selected via popular vote/elected?
13. What do you think of using outside consultants?
14. What do you think of the current Council's doing away with the Capital Finance Committee? Do residents have a role there, or on other similar committees?
15. Do you agree with the current Leaf Blower ordinance and would you change it?
16. How would you address the low income housing issue? Do you agree with the recent Council's decision on the Wildwood property?