Unity Montclair: Know It, It, Love It, Work It

Ted Mattox has proven his progressive credentials, his accomplishments on behalf of the taxpayers and his ability to fight the entrenched status quo. Jerry Fried's mentor and running mate, Jerry Tobin, has a proven record of voting for nobid contracts, leading the coverup of the underinsured problems at the Upper Montclair Train station and 8 years of voting for every tax and fee increase. Jerry Fried has no record of municipal experience, but his choice of Councilor Tobin is very revealing.

soccermom, the continuous shilling for ted is becoming tedious and probably doing him more harm than good at this point.

Ted Mattox has proven his negative credentials, his lack of accomplishments on behalf of the taxpayers and his ability to fight with his fellow town council members.

What he has shown is his ability to SUE SUE SUE, to vote NO NO NO on everything he possibly can, to vote YES for the destruction of the Marlboro Inn(A YES vote for DEVELOPERS everywhere), and NO for the updating of the Sunshine Laws.

TED is against transparency and for developers.

As anyone who has been a regular reader of this blog and the watercooler knows, Cary Affrick has been fighting for open government for years. He attends all of the council meetings and BOE meetings and asks pointed questions. He makes phone calls. He files OPRA requests. He actually READS the ordinances. He served on the Joint Capital Budget Committee that our current manager abolished. Don't believe me, go to the watercooler and look through the archives yourself. He was an independent voice for reform long before election time. We need him on the council regardless of who else is on there, period. There is no one else running who has shown the both the dedication to improving this town as well as the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to do it. No one.

Mr.Reynolds seems to be an intelligent guy, and probably would make a good council person,but I never heard of him doing or saying anything before this election. It would be a shame if the reform vote were to be split in the second ward.

Well, Tobin aside, I'm going to be there to help out tomorrow night.

I think principles are more important than experience, especially if the current mayor and council are considered to know how to do the job.

The record shows that Councilors Tobin, Schlager, Freier, Lang and Michaelson are fighting to uphold their right to give nobid contracts to MEDC and spend thousands of dollars of taxpayer money filing counterclaims. Now they are concealing the legal fee information and fighting OPRA requests. Is that the Unity slate definition of "progressive" and "transparency" ?

Bitpusher brings up a very valid point about the value of prior community service when evaluating your choices of candidates. Although all of the Thrive candidates seem to be intelligent, I can't recall of a single one of them, except Mr. Mattox, of doing or saying anything prior to this election. Certainly the footwork and community dedication of the Unity candidates should count for something in your decision making.

There is no slate running right now that hasn't got a single person on it who is currently on council, so instead of pulling for a particular slate based on what they DON'T have, I'm pulling for Unity based on what they DO have (Jerry Fried and Cary Africk, just to name two).

I'm also a big fan of Dr. Renee Baskerville, too, based on what I've heard from her so far, though I can't vote for her as that's not my ward.

don't vote for slates but vote for persons.

Can't one vote for someone in each ward? I don't think you have to vote for someone who is just in your ward.

As well as, I believe, you don't have to vote for an entire slate..kinda like a menu from the Golden River - one from col. B, and one from col. A.

Any feedback if this is true?

For mayor, i'm writing in the name of whoever wins the derby tomorrow..who's in?

Ballot rules state that you can only vote for your specific ward. As far as mayor and at-large candidates, you can mix and match from slate to slate -- or for slateless candidates as well. So, if you really like a candidate running in a ward you don't live in and want to vote for him or her, tough luck. Or instead, why not campaign for that person? Or if you're really desparate, I guess you could move--but that would probably be impractical because the voter registration deadline has already passed.that is, unless you had a time machine.

"Is that the Unity slate definition of "progressive" and "transparency" ?"

The Unity slate didn't file any lawsuits Teddy did. And his friend and supporter Herron was right there with him.

File an OPRA request and remember that Ted Mattox voted against updating the Sunshine Laws.

A vote for Ted is a vote against transparency in government.

If Ted Mattox votes NO for everything, what is he for?

Why is he voting NO on paying the township's usual bills? Does he want the township sued by collection agencies?

It makes no sense!

The suit seems like a good one. If a combined legislative and executive unit of government (pretty much what the mayor+council amount to) refuses to do what it's supposed to do, you must invoke the judiciary to set things right. Wayfinding and no-bid contracts needed stopping.

I say we vote for anybody but michaelson or mattox. they are way too negative as are their mouthpieces. you never hear them discuss a specific issue. you never read of them researching anything. they just send their shills (initials d.g. mean anything) to say this, that and the other thing. i say the unity slate is the way to go and if people hate tobin because he is part of the status quo then vote for everyone on that slate except for him.

Vote walleroo!

The mouthpiece(s) for Unity have been pretty insufferable on this site as well. Besides, I'm not voting based on what a few "mouthpieces" are posting here and on the watercooler. I need to see someone in office that may actually do something about the rapidly increasing tax rate, and fast.

Oh, and no more of the current town manager.

I think that the last four years shows the problem with electing a unified slate. We need independent councilers, with thier own visions who are capable of thinking for themselves. We don't need people who will vote a certain way because Joyce or Ted or Jerry think that it is a good idea. We certainly don't need someone who will vote against a proposal because Joyce or Ted or Jerry (or all of the Jerries) think that it is a good idea. Based on what I saw at the NAACP and LWV forums, I think that Tom Paine's suggestion is a pretty good combination.
I also like Roger Terry. Like Fried and Africk, he was running for office before he joined a slate, and he also has been deeply involved in the community for many years. I'm still trying to make my mind up on the at large.
Jerry Freier had a great deal of knowledge on how to improve and co-ordinate bus service and shuttle service, but I digress. More on this later.

I think that the last four years shows the problem with electing a unified slate. We need independent councilers, with thier own visions who are capable of thinking for themselves. We don't need people who will vote a certain way because Joyce or Ted or Jerry think that it is a good idea. We certainly don't need someone who will vote against a proposal because Joyce or Ted or Jerry (or all of the Jerries) think that it is a good idea. Based on what I saw at the NAACP and LWV forums, I think that Tom Paine's suggestion is a pretty good combination.
I also like Roger Terry. Like Fried and Africk, he was running for office before he joined a slate, and he also has been deeply involved in the community for many years. I'm still trying to make my mind up on the at large.
Jerry Freier had a great deal of knowledge on how to improve and co-ordinate bus service and shuttle service, but I digress. More on this later.

My fellow citizens who want CHANGE,

The incumbents (PARTNERSHIP slate, THE ESTABLISHMENT) have the edge in a multi-slate election. If that's what you want, that's likely to be what you get.

I can't imagine more of the same. More of the nonsense that I've witnessed the last two councils.

Probably the only way to get a CHANGE result is for the UNITY (a fine group) and THRIVE (another fine group) slates to merge. That's not likely to happen. Like always, everyone thinks they will win.

Or

We could create our own merged slate. I've received tons of agreement on this idea. Here's the CHANGE slate that could get the result many of us want (not set in stone):

FOR A SURE CHANGE:
Mayor-Jerry Fried (Unity)
At-Large-Starr Daniels (Thrive)
At-Large-Kathryn Weller (Unity)
First Ward- Roger Plawker (Thrive)
Second Ward-Cary Africk (Unity)
Third Ward-Nick Lewis (Unity)
Fourth Ward-Dr. Renee Baskerville (Independent)

They don't want us to do this. They don't think we can do this. Together we can do this.
thomas
For suggestions: pamphleteer76@gmail.com

"THOSE WHO FORGET THE LESSONS OF HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT THEM."

MAY 13, 2004 (Phil Read, The Star-Ledger)

Most voters in Montclair elected to stay home
Only one-third cast nonpartisan ballots

Ed Remsen won Montclair's mayoral race with only 33.2 percent of the vote, reflecting a splintered four-way contest.
But Remsen, the 2nd Ward councilman-turned-mayor-elect, isn't worried about any perception that he might lack a mandate.
"Considering how crowded the field was, we had a lot of separation," Remsen said yesterday. "My numbers were strong enough. I had roughly a 700-vote margin over my nearest competitor.
"It was more of a spread than last time," he said, referring to Robert Russo's 2000 victory over then- Mayor William Farlie by just 319 votes.
What's more, Remsen was the only candidate to amass a full seven-member slate, and five of his six running mates rode his coattails.
Still, a turnout of 29.9 percent was nothing to cheer about, even if it was better than the 24 percent turnout in the last mayor's race four years ago.
Looked at another way, 70.1 percent of the 21,946 registered voters - in a supposedly politically conscious town - didn't vote.
"I think we all continue to be frustrated nationally and locally that people just don't get involved in the political process," said Remsen, noting he was disappointed with the turnout in a town "so opinionated, so involved" as Montclair.
In the meantime, Remsen said yesterday, he has reached out to Sandra Lang, the only candidate outside his "Leadership Montclair" slate to win a seat.
He'll be extending a hand to others, too, in advance of his July 1 swearing-in.
"I have to just make sure we reach out to everybody, get everybody involved," he said. "I can't dwell on who came and who didn't come (to the polls)."
Turnout ranged from a low of 25 percent in the 3rd Ward to a high of 33.2 percent in the 1st Ward on the town's northern border. There, Gerald Tobin easily won re-election to his council seat.
Victory was a long time coming for Lang, who had narrowly lost before, only to achieve the biggest percentage win in Tuesday's election, capturing 76.1 percent of the ballots cast for 4th Ward councilor.
On Tuesday, Lang was outside the Glenfield Middle School at midday, wearing a red T-shirt with the words "One Montclair, Vote Line B."
"I've been working hard," she said. "Even though you may have name recognition, it doesn't mean you don't have to work."
By day's end, she emerged as the only non-Leadership Montclair candidate to win a seat.
Joyce Michaelson, the at-large councilwoman seeking re-election, was actually the candidate with the greatest vote total, getting 3,236 votes, followed by running mate Ted Mattox, with 2,608. Their percentages stood at 28.6 percent for Michaelson, 23 percent for Mattox.
Yesterday, Michaelson was elated.
"I'm really thrilled with the team," she said. "It shows that if you do a good job here, if you care about what's going on . . . you can win an election."
The opposition, meanwhile, said it will continue to be heard.
"We are not going to disappear," said Margaret Reed Mukerjee, who came in second in the mayoral race and whose grassroots Effective Government slate was critical of the incumbents. "This community must be based on involvement as it never has been before."
As for Mayor Robert Russo, he said his progressive base of support was split by Mukerjee in the north of town, and One Montclair's Albertus Jenkins, a deputy mayor and county freeholder, in the south.
"I could have survived a two-way race," said Russo, making note of Remsen's victory with just 33 percent of the vote.
"Maybe we need runoffs," he said.
Coincidentally, Election Day was councilor-at-large candidate Kathryn Weller's 26th birthday, making her the youngest candidate.
Yet, she received 18 percent of the vote in a five-way race for two councilor-at-large seats.

Montclair voters can vote for 4 candidates on May 13:
Mayor
At-Large (2)
Ward Councilor (only your ward council candidates displayed in voting booth)

Rather than using Baristanet, Mtc.Watercooler, and reports from others, go to candidate forums and hear/see the candidates and slates for yourself. By now, there have been at least four forums open to the public, along with private meet and greets.
Vote with your mind, your heart, or whatever. Just vote on May 13.
Take the time to get up to speed yourself. Why would you
take the opinions of people writing on a blog as the
gospel truth?

You may pick and choose as you wish, going from slate to slate until you find a good fit.

I wonder when we're going to spin into a new thread regarding the Presidential election. Will you vote for someone because they have good hair, wear nice clothes, or are fat or thin? Yikes!

The invitation is adorable!

...not that I think that she created this invitation, but...

Karen Neilson Frier is an excellent contemporary artist. The last time that I saw her work, she was doing large atmospheric pieces - slabs of natural resins incasing layers of color and fabric, like elements petrified in amber or floating in seawater.

please forgive me....I had'nt had enough espresso yet....I ment to write... Karen Neilson FRIED!!!!! (not Frier)

Dear paine, you almost had me convinced, and you would have succeeded had you blathered on for another 10,000 words.

My message is succinct:

Vote wallerooski.

Dear Walleroo,

Sorry for the long post. I received the Phil Read article from someone interested in the CHANGE slate movement (keep the helpful information coming: pamphleteer76@gmail.com).

They thought I could use the support of a professional journalist's article that points out the edge an ESTABLISHMENT slate has over CHANGE slates in a multi-slate election.

I would have posted a link to the story but you must know the difficulty of finding anything on nj.com.

Maybe Phil Reads words can convince you to support the consolidated CHANGE ticket?

Mayor-Jerry Fried (Unity)
At-Large-Starr Daniels (Thrive)
At-Large-Kathryn Weller (Unity)
First Ward- Roger Plawker (Thrive)
Second Ward-Cary Africk (Unity)
Third Ward-Nick Lewis (Unity)
Fourth Ward-Dr. Renee Baskerville (Independent)

"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

thomas

uh, is there a slate simply committed to reducing municipal and BOE spending?

well, I'm sure thay will all say they are committed to those goals...it's a matter of who you believe. So, which one do you believe?

Neither Michaelson nor Fried impress me as agents of change, in the sense of halting the ridiculous rate of spending increases of late. Mattox may rhyme with buttocks, but the status quo he ain't.

Mattox is not an agent of change, he is an agent of spending money.

So far he's spent over 3 times what the other slates have spent on the election.

His very slogan says it "Your Voice?Your Money?Our Future"

Yes, he sees his future tied up in YOUR money. Spending your money.

Here's a quote from the Barista "Ted Mattox is spending money like a house afire to become Montclair's next mayor".

Yeah, but they also reported it was mostly his own money. Don't fool yourselves, Michaelson will outspend everyone. Fried, I have no idea.

For me, it's Mattox - experienced, not status quo. Hopefully, will settle into the role. Castor - presented herself well at the forum, some good ideas about transparency. Terry - only person I saw going door-to-door. Commonsense guy. Reynolds- mature, good private sector credentials.

Ted has surrounded himself with attorneys. Take a look at his slate:

SUMANA RANGACHAR - attorney

ROGER PLAWKER - attorney

MARK REYNOLDS - attorney

JOANNA D. BRICK - attorney

STARR DANIELS - construction professional

makes one wonder doesn't it!

Mr Reynolds may have "mature, good private sector credentials" but he ain't no Cary Affrick. But then who is?

Go back through the Watercooler and the Baristanet archives. Cary started going to all of the town council meetings and all of the BOE meetings long before the election season started. He has been reading the budgets reading the ordinances filing OPRA requests and asking the tough questions. He always takes the time to find out what the facts are before forming an opinion. Don't believe me, check for yourself.

It would be a terrible shame if the reform minded people in the second ward split their vote.

Bit, you seem to be a big Africk proponent....do you know him well?

He was a neighbor of mine several years ago, but I haven't seen him much over the interveining years. I have been very impressed by his postings on the Watercooler. Instead of inuendo and personal attacks, he checked out the facts. Like I have been saying all along, don't believe me, just check out his postings over the last few years.

I see he's posted, thanks. I'm more interested in hearing from someone who knows him well.

Following up on the comment about who is spending what...I checked out the forms the star Ledger reported on.

Turns out Michaelson has brought in BIG bucks in donations, about $14,000 plus another $7,000 of Michaelson's own money. They spent about $17,600, but the interesting thing is there are no expenditures for a campaign office, including furniture, phones, etc. They do have such an office, don't they? There are also no expenditures for any type office supplies, i.e. pens, paper, ink, etc. Also, no expenditures for a campaign manager, but perhaps it is being done for free.

Most expenditures are for newspaper ads, bulk mailings, and printing at alphagraphics.

Fried's campaign is showing basically no info as they declared they would spend less than $9,700, though that could change and they'd have to start filing. They also, per the thread, have an office and those aren't cheap, as are the ads they've been running in the Montclair Times.

Mattox is spending mostly his own money with some from contributors (but no where near Micahelson). Most of his expenditures have been for his campaign office and setting it up as well as supplies from Staples and advertising.

Saying he has spent 3x what the other slates have spent is not true. Especially if you take into account the fact that Michaleson is not showing many expenses that Mattox is showing, but that they both must have (i.e. campaign office). Also, I think you may see some expenses from Fried soon based on his having an office and advertising in the Times.

It's also not true to say Mattox is spending "your" money. He seems to be spending mostly his own money. I'm not sure why the Times went with the quote they did...obviously they did not take the time to actually look at the expenditure forms.

What does it all mean? Beats me, just thought it be interesting to see if the post above was true. it doesn't really seem to be.

What about Mattox's full page ads in the Montclair times. Week after week. Was there a listing for that?

yes, Mattox had $1668 to the Montclair Times, Michaelson had $4000.

Sorry, Mattox had $2250, Michaelson had $4000.

Things I know: Montclair is in a mess. That means a vote for J. Michaelson et al is out of the question. (Not to mention I think she is very, very rude and unpleasant.)
Ted Mattox: hmmmm. Every revolution needs a Sam Adams....someone to stir up stuff but not necessarily the person to run things after all is said and done.. .Sorry Ted... You are a bit too off the handle for me. I want someone in there who is not a drama queen/king....someone who will worry about the.....O well. Let me quote the song.
"It's the little things........That PISS ME OFF!"
The issues are well known. I won't be redundant here. I will say this: For the most part.....the Unity Slate seems to be the only way to go. I know Tobin is a retread. But Cary Africk having the whatever to sit through the number of BOE and City Council meetings he has sat through means he deserves all our votes......That's my two cents.

With so many things going around town this weekend, it was almost impossible NOT to run into a candidate practically anywhere you went. I did meet many candidates--some actually for the first time. And I guess I did learn a few things. First of all--if you are running for mayor, the rule pretty much is you have to wear a blazer, no matter how casual the event--or how warm the weather (I don't know what Joyce Michaelson wore, because I never did run into her this weekend). If there was one revealing moment I took away from the whole weekend, it was when I overheard a woman tell her friend about how one of the candidates she kind of knew from school pickup never, ever even made eye contact with any of the other parents--or nannies, or other siblings, for that matter. That is, until he announced his candidacy for town council, and then he magically began to start shaking hands and saying hello to anyone who might possibly be a registered voter. Made me realize just how much I hated politics. To make matters sorse, now, with a week or so to go, most everyone I know or have talked with has no idea who to vote for. It seems like we are starting from scratch. Yikes.

Michaelson will win and I will be forced to attend council meetings in a barrel.