Montclair Cop To Seek Council Seat?

I think that is fantastic. Roger Terry will do a great job in that position. He knows the community and the way it should be run. I think it is a great choice to run with Joyce Michaelson as well. I hope they win.

And how do YOU think the town should be run?

Obviously better than it is currently. Do you approve of the current conditions?

This all sounds oddly familiar...

No, I don't approve the way it's currently being run. But ....Since Joyce, and Robin, her current running mate are ALREADY running the town, do you assume that having Roger Terry on board will automatically change what they do? Does Joyce wake up one morning and say "Gee, I've been doing it all wrong. Think I'll change!"

I DO believe Roger will help make that difference. And Joyce and Robin DO NOT currently run the town. They serve on a board together. Check the voting records at the town meetings. If one person votes for something, certain other people automatically vote against it, whether it is beneficial for the town or not. THESE are the things that I believe Roger will do his best to guard against.

Your solution????

Check the voting records at the town meetings.

Real,

You do not want to go there. But if you do, check the Marlboro Inn votes.

Roger is terrific and a treasure for the community!!!

But he's just ONE vote. The Council needs FOUR to make a difference.

Jeepers, he wants to serve the townfolk badly enough to resign from the force? I hope he's near retirement age.

Why doesn't Trpr Truth run? I'd vote for him any day. (It's a bird, it's a plane...)

Thats the point I'm trying to make. Most of them only vote one way or another to vote for or against others. I think he has the ability to keep the nonsense to a minimum.
Hopefully we find out.

I almost forgot! Trpr Truth!! Are you there? What do you think?

You've got my vote!!

How in the world is he going to keep the nonsense to a minimum? Do you think he's going to "police" the council? Is he going to send them to sit in the corner if they misbehave?

So, the next time that Michaelson doesn't like what a constituent is saying, she doesn't have to walk out while they are talking. She can just have Roger blow them away.

Oops you're over the time limit, oh it'll never happen again.

" THESE are the things that I believe Roger will do his best to guard against.

Your solution????

Posted by realistic | March 12, 2008 4:47 PM "

I thought that Roger was going to run for Town Council. Is he really running for Town Guard?

"I think he has the ability to keep the nonsense to a minimum.

Hopefully we find out.

Posted by realistic | March 12, 2008 4:55 PM "

Will he arrest them? Threaten them with his weapon? Slap them in cuffs?

What's his experience with the BOE? How many Town Council meetings has he gone to?

Does he have a platform? Will he carry his weapon to Council meetings?

Does he know what OPRA and OPMA are?

"I DO believe Roger will help make that difference. And Joyce and Robin DO NOT currently run the town. They serve on a board together. Check the voting records at the town meetings. If one person votes for something, certain other people automatically vote against it, whether it is beneficial for the town or not. THESE are the things that I believe Roger will do his best to guard against."

Funny post. Joyce and Robin (who works for Joyce on the MFEE)control 2 of the 4 votes needed to pass any new ordinances. And considering, as Crum mentioned, they always seem to vote together and with the majority, the way the town is running is directly connected to them.

Oh and wait and see if anything comes out that may show Roger is not the great public servant you make him out to be.

Make that two revelations on Roger including his motive for running with Joyce.

So, Ms. Michaelson controls Ms. Schlager's vote. That's interesting! Is schlager running again and on the Michaelson ticket?

I heard that what's his name, Olympia's kid is running in the 2nd ward. What slate is he on?

"Make that two revelations on Roger including his motive for running with Joyce.

Posted by Jon Doh | March 12, 2008 6:04 PM "

We all know that he will have to resign from the MPD and will need another job. Does Joyce have another job for him? If she does, where could it be?

Any speculation?

Yes to question #1. Michaelson's to question #2.

MFEE? or barring that, I'm sure she has enuf juice at the BOE.

Don't they have a principal that needs replacing?

Maybe he'll be the BOE construction czar, I's sure he knows as much about construction as he does about being a Town Council member.

Has he ever beein seen at a Town Council Meeting?

Deputy Police Chief must be a decent paying job. Leaving that for a town council job would result in a big paycheck decrease, unless there is something else waiting or being promised.

Haha! Thanks guys! I suppose not being a town resident would pose a problem for me running, besides I do enjoy my job and I'd hate to give it up.

Having the honor of working with D/C Terry though, I would have to say he would make an excellent choice. From my years in working with him, he has always been level headed, fair and stood up for what he believed in. He has a lot of respect from the residents and as Deputy Chief has always gone out of his way for them, even fielding phone calls at home from residents about police matters.

Can one man make that much of a difference, maybe, maybe not, but I certainly feel he is more than qualified for the post and I wish him the best of luck.

For more than thirty years Roger Terry has been a champion of working class families and youths, fighting crime in our neighborhoods and volunteering in youth development activities. I never saw him as arrogant, self-serving, elitist, or dumb enough to be used like this! It's also not clear how the good work he has done is relevant to being a legislator and policymaker. Of course, that is exactly what a certain type of mayor would want - a bunch of people who would have to defer to her arrogance.

Sounds like a rumor, or someone testing the political waters - to say that a he, or any self-respecting, sane, working person would run on that ticket. Odd. Also reminds me of when Bob Russo got Michael Strahan to consider running -the reason was obvious to every black person in town, except Strahan! Roger Terry knows people who could have, or should have, given him better, more experienced political advice. Pity. A hard earned legacy will be exploited and made a mockery.

Very interesting Nana. And what do you figure Joyce could offer him to quit the position of Dep. Police Chf. and be the African American her ticket needs?

BTW, I don't think it is a rumor or testing the waters. Terry has been sticking his toe in for a while now and talking to various slates. This seems to be a done deal, though we'll know for sure in about 8 days.

I would like to believe that Obama's effort to bring change is what's causing new faces to enter the arena of elected service. Hope this is the case. Not sure based on what i have read thus far. I would also like to read the candidate's profile to learn more about them. I had enough of getting duped. This should be an interesting municipal race.

We summoned Trpr Truth! Too bad about living out of town.

If Nana and Tpr Truth think Roger Terry is okay, that's good enough for me to give him a go.

SAY IT ISN'T SO Roger, say it isn't so, that Michaelson has promise to help you land that new position as chief of security for the BOE. We hold such high hopes for you Roger. Say it isn't so. Don't let yourself be bought.

Isn't there something illegal in all of this?

How can someone guarantee that an applicant be given a certain job at the BOE?

Isn't there an interviewing and HR process?

Oops, I forgot that this is Montclair home of the "pay me the most" Town Manager, the "I'll just puke" mayor, and the "I'll just walk while my constituent has the floor" deputy mayor.

I guess nothing changes!

Sometimes I'm still amazed at how fast rumors get started here. Any idea that D/C Terry has been offered another job for running is pure speculation at this point and founded only by the fact that someone can't understand why he would quit a well paying job to run.

I can't say that I am privy to his personal motivations, but I know that he has enough time in law enforcement that he can retire at 70 % pay. So maybe, just maybe he is planning to retire anyway and has an interest in the town that he has lived in all his life?

We will see just where he surfaces as a new employee. It is not pure speculation. I am privy to his personal motivations, and I know that the deal has already in the making. Too bad. But then the spuer was given the same kind of deal when he was hired. He was hired by our Personnel Director, James Pateson, who at the same time was doing private constltant work in River Vale while Alvarez was Super there. Alvarez hired Paterson, in Feb 2003, and 4 months later, Paterson hires Alvarez at Montclair's Super to return the favor. (see River Vale BOE) BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RIVER VALE BOARD OF EDUCATION that the Board engages the services of the firm of R-Pat, Solutions, L.L.C. to provide professional negotiation services at a rate of $90.00 per hour.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a brief notice of this action shall be printed once in The Record, stating its nature, duration, service and amount, and that the resolution and contract are on file in the office of the Board of Education in the following form:

Notice of Award of Professional Negotiations Contract

At its Regular Session Meeting of February 25, 2003, the Board of Education authorized the awarding of a contract to R-Pat Solutions, L.L.C. located in Roselle Park, NJ, to provide professional negotiation services to the district for the 2002/2003 school year. The contractual amount shall be $90.00 per hour. This resolution and contract is on file and available for public inspection at the Board of Education?s offices located at 613 Westwood Ave., River Vale, New Jersey. you can't make this stuff up.

Tpr. Truth,

why assume that it's a rumor? Since you know him, why don't you ask and report back here.

I do think that it's illegal to by-pass the hr process and promise someone a position

I only assumed it was speculation because it came up after someone questioned why he would give up his post as Deputy Chief. Like I said, I don't know either way for sure. I'd like to think not but if you have information I don't that would support the allegations, then so be it.

I work for the Deputy Chief, it's not my place to ask him anything, but yes, I agree promising someone a position under these circumstances would be wrong. I'd like to think this isn't the case.

Privy to any other on the job incidents voters should know about?

YES

I can think of nothing bad to say about him. Has has always been a great guy and a solid leader during the time I have known him and again I wish him the best. I had hoped he would remain here and become Chief.

Nice words, but you didn't answer the question.

Belletones,
I don't really understand why you cannot control yourself from picturing a police officer from "blowing someone away" or serving as a "guard". Turn the TV channel.
I am stating it the way I see the situation, from my own personal experiences in dealing with Roger.
It is obvious that you have never had the pleasure of dealing with him. If you had, you would not have posted the way you did.
It seems that your issue is with Joyce, of which I can respect your opinion. The rest of your speculation, in reference to Roger, seems to be just that.

Ahhh. Jon Doh, we meet again.

I have NO info regarding Roger's reason for doing this. I am in shock. When the rumors of his candidacy began, I was pleased. It didn't occur to me that he would do this, anymore than it occurred to me that governors of NJ and NY were, well, whatever...

Would someone show Roger a Ch34 tape of the Council meeting that Joyce Michaelson chaired the night that the Mtclr Police Dept held their community fair at Edgemont Park? If Rog views that tape and still does what he is doing, well...It's a free country. Plus, why shouldn't Montclair have our very own public officials who turn out to be someone we only thought we knew?!

Nana, care to share the date of that meeting? I may have been at that meeting, but I'd love to see if I can get a hold of the tape.

C'mon guys, tell us what happened at the fair!

Dear Nana, for the benefit of all us nincompoops, please tells us what happened the night the Mtc Police held their fair at Edgemont. We all love a good story.

I do not remember the date of that council meeting. I remember that the date of that council meeting was the same evening, summer 2007, that the Montclair Police had a community fair at Edgement Park. Chairperson Michaelson commented, several times, that she wanted to adjourn in time to attend the police fair in the park. It was a scheduled meeting, the Council had just tabled the controversial "dog management ordinance" that was scheduled for a reading, and several homeowners from Frog Hollow pleaded for exceptions because their property tax appeals had not been filed on the deadline.

The weather that day and night was extremely - dangerously - hot and humid.

So, who would you have him run with; Mattox, Tobin?

BTW, the problem we feel with our municipal council and administration is NOT with the Council-Manager form of of municipal governance. At the time of the conversion, it was clear that a growing municipality in the 20th century needed professional management. Fourth Ward Councilperson Bobby Reilly and other leaders at the time made sure there was thorough public education and open discourse before the transition.

I think the problem now, in reverse order, is (1) the administration's failure to vigorousuly enforce quality of life laws - so we feel we are getting less for our property taxes; (2) the reluctance of management to hold directs accountable, without exception, and (3) the arrogance and loss of service perspective which pervades a municipal workforce that was already challenged by fatigue and loss of customer orientation.

First and foremost, it is the weakened leadership and lack of vision by a mayor and council who had an good start, but allowed themselves to be distracted from proactive policymaking into reactionary bickering and paralytic lawsuits.

Who are you Nana and why aren't YOU running things? Your intelligence and insight are outstanding!

I know of at least one candidate running for election who would welcome your help!

Curm

Which one Curm?

First, Corrections: Please substitute the following phrase in my previous post: "the problems now, in reverse order, are (1) the administration's failure to vigorously enforce quality of life laws, making us feel that we are getting less for our property taxes; (2) the reluctance of management to hold directors accountable, without exception...etc."

Second. I was not clear. I am not saying anything happened at the police fair or that I have any reason to believe Roger Terry has some unethical deal in the works to explain this unseemly alliance he has made. I mentioned the police fair only to identify the date of the council meeting, in a hope that someone will show Roger Terry the tape, and he can see if he wants to be identified with that way of treating citizens.

Ya'll think he is doing this for a job? What's wrong with the job he has now?

Oh! That meeting! Wasn't that the one where Joyce Michaelson got up and walked out in the middle of a resident -- Marianne Appel -- speaking -- ? Marianne was quite eloquent and was expressing her concerns when the Deputy Mayor got up, turned her back on Marianne and walked out with Marianne mid-sentence.

Well, Nana, as Trooper Ttruth mentioned, he can retire at 70% of salary from the PD and then take a nice gig at the BOE for a good chunk of change (reportedly ~$120k). Why wouldn't he jump at that.

I remember that meeting also. I think Joyce and Ed may have adjourned the meeting mid sentence and walked out if I remember correctly.

More importantly, how do you feel about Cummings stabbing the anointed one in the back down in your neck of the woods?

Joyce was chairing the meeting I was referencing. because Ed Remsen was not at the meeting. Joyce did not walk out on anyone. She just seemed condescending and at several points, arrogant and dismissive, for no clear reason, toward residents who were being polite and making very reasonable points! Sounds like it is not the only time she has demonstrated that attitude. Odd, for someone who seeks a position whose purpose is to represent the people.

Anointed candidates? What has that really gotten us for the last three terms? 4th Ward voters, of any race, are entitled to question candidates and vote our choices as taxpayers and residents. Is a black organization suddently acting like the KKK, trying to prohibit people from freely participating in elections?