There’s some monkey business going on at Turtleback Zoo.
Go check out the newest exhibit (opened this week) the Tam-Ring Gibbons’ Reserve, featuring gibbon apes (an endangered species), reeve’s muntjac and white naped cranes from Southeast Asia. Described as a visually unique exhibit – like stepping into the forests of Southeast Asia – visitors interact with the animals up close.
Saturday, September 26 there are two neighborhood parties in Montclair:
Family fun at Crane Park Festival over by Lackawanna Plaza. Go say hi to BaristaKids and get sandy. What else: music from Parents Who Rock, food from The Wood Pit, Joey Thai, Gencarelli’s and The Flour Patch. Pet portraits from Phil Cantor Photography and demonstrations from Montclair Chess Club, Glen Ridge Tae Kwon-do and. ABCC Capoeira. Shopping at Bobbi Brown Studio and a magic show from Unbelieva-bills. This event always rocks.

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In Baristaville, some folks believe geese have rights too, even if it means picking green poop out of the soles of their shoes, and stopping your car in the middle of the road. Essex GeesePeace is calling for volunteers. The organizational meeting is tomorrow morning:

Planning Meeting: Saturday, September 26th 9:30am
Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, N. J. 973-228-8776
The meeting will be chaired by Tara Casella, Director of the Essex County Environmental Center. GeesePeace offers a humane, effective, low-cost method of handling the issues created by the population of Canada geese in our area.

Yesterday, Montclair activist Pegi Adam was pulling out her hair in desperation. She told Baristanet about 50% of the signatures she collected on her petition to get the elected vs. appointed BOE issue on the November ballot were rejected by Linda Wanat, the town clerk. Most of the names were not listed in a county database of registered voters, some signatures could not be matched. She picked up the list disqualified names, determined to call each person, and hit the Farmer’s Market again.
An hour ago, Adam cried victory. Adam sent out this e-blast:

Sept 25 update: the BOE petition has reached its quota of 911 certified signatures!!. Yeah!! this means the question is on the Nov 3 ballot. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who stepped up to the plate and made this happen. Support for the effort was overwhelmingly generous, unexpected and wonderful.
That we actually did it seems like a miracle, accomplished by people who not necessarily agreed with us but who believe in the democratic process enough to pick up petitions and go for those signatures. The petitioners committee is very grateful.
And I must also extend thanks to the town clerk’s office for diligence in checking those signatures against the electronic database supplied by the state.

Baristanet called the town clerk for confirmation, we are awaiting her response.
UPDATE 2:40 PM – Evelyn Ostella, Deputy Clerk has confirmed that all names have been certified and the question will be on November’s ballot.
Meanwhile, here’s still an unresolved problem for registered voters whose names aren’t coming up in the database or whose status is incorrect. Adam is working on it…

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Wednesday’s announcement about Watchung Principal Marcus Rhaney’s sudden leave of absence sent shock waves through Montclair school district. This morning, Baristanet received a “letter to the editor” from a Watchung parent who’s “concerned about how the school district has (mis)handled the Marcus Rhaney situation.” He’s written an open letter to Superintendent Frank Alvarez:
25 September 2009
Dear Mr. Alvarez,
My son attends Watchung Elementary and my daughter spent five years there. Our family loves the school, and although I barely known Marcus Rhaney, it’s my view that you’ve mishandled the situation with him.
The proper way to deal with whatever happened would have been simply to announce a leave of absence for personal reasons. To announce publicly that he is on personal leave because a complaint has been filed against him goes too far. As you say yourself in your Sept. 23 letter, “this is a confidential personnel matter.”
Further, your wording implies, unfortunately, that Mr. Rhaney’s dismissal is a done deal. You write that Watchung is in a “transition period.” A letter from the PTA uses similar language, and yet another letter – from the acting principal – asks that parents “join me in making this a smooth transition.”
Remember, a presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a fundamental right in our society. To call Mr. Rhaney out as openly as you have – before you’ve even completed an investigation – is not just morally wrong but also legally questionable. It makes me wonder how much this will end up costing out school district in legal fees, and I hope you will be held accountable.
I’d add also that your management of this incident has unnecessarily disrupted the Watchung environment. Again, a simple “Mr. Rhaney is on personal leave,” would’ve sufficed.
Finally, I’m seeking to have this published as an open letter, as teachers, the PTA, administrators and other leaders seem not to be aware of some of the issues raised here.
Sincerely,
Karl Cates

The case of Mattox v. Montclair is closed, but it’s not over. The acrimony continued this week with email blasts copying the media on the back and forth between former councilman Ted Mattox, Montclair Township Attorney Alan G. Trembulak, and the law firm of Genova, Burns &Vernoia. Following a court order, the town is to provide Mattox with copies of all invoices for legal services incurred by the Township in connection with the Mattox v. Montclair litigation. The numbers are out: Town Manager Joe Hartnett told Baristanet that the town paid out $173, 840.57 during the three year legal battle. His full statement is after the jump; these are Hartnett’s closing remarks:

“It is truly unfortunate that Montclair taxpayers were required to bear the expense of litigating this matter for three years because Mr. Mattox chose the highly unusual action of suing the Township rather than resolving his personal conflicts and disagreements with his colleagues on the Council,” Hartnett stated, “especially since the courts consistently determined throughout this case that all Township officials acted in good faith and with the public’s interest in mind in awarding these contracts.”

It’s clear from the email exchanges that Mattox took offense when Trembulak notified him to come pick up the documents at the clerk’s office and pay the OPRA fee (which the lawyers subsequently recommend waiving). This morning, Mattox told Baristanet he still has not received the documents. Mattox sent this statement:

Taxpayers were suckered into bearing the expense of litigating this matter for three years because Mr. Mattox chose to uphold the law (which by law he was required to do). Current and former Mayors and Council members have chosen to violate the law.

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How do you ward off evil? In the Middle East, they swear by the evil eye. A jewel of a store just opened in Montclair, where you can load up on protective evil-eye talismans, as well as tons of beautiful exotic art, jewelry, and home goods. Art & Culture Designs celebrates its grand opening, today, Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 9 p.m. welcoming customers with complimentary Turkish coffee and mouth-watering crunchy baklava.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Chock-full of eye candy, the turkish delights you’ll find at this new Bloomfield Avenue boutique are the non-caloric kind. Fran Liscio and I wandered in this week and met the hospitable newcomer on the block, Dean Qudah. Dean brought his store to Montclair from the Hudson River town of Piermont after sizing up the action in Baristaville.

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Today–Friday–from 1pm to 4 pm, and again tomorrow, Saturday, from 10 am to 2 pm, you can enjoy the glorious flowers of autumn at a Garden Club of Montclair Standard Flower Show. In addition to a spectacular array of horticultural specimens, you can enjoy the unique floral design creations of garden club members. The event, at the United Way Building at 60 South Fullerton Avenue, is free and open to the public. All are invited, and it is so worth it.

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In addition to the spate of graffiti vandalism, here’s the rest of the Montclair police blotter:
On Sunday, 9/20, there was a report of suspicious activity in the area of Union Street and Wilde Place. A 13 year old Montclair female was walking at approximately 3 p.m. when she was approached by an unknown male in a vehicle. The male motioned to the girl and offered her a ride, saying “I’ll drive you.” The juvenile refused and walked to a friend’s house. The suspect was described as a white or possibly Hispanic male with an unknown accent, aged late 30s to early 40s, olive complexioned with short or no hair, and wearing a dark colored shirt. The vehicle is described as a four door black car with tinted windows and a white or silver stripe around the tires. Anyone with related information is asked to contact Detective James Milano at 973-509-4716.
Yesterday, (9/23) at approximately 3:15 a.m., police responded to South Willow Street on a report of a motor vehicle theft in progress. A witness called and said he observed two black males in his neighbor’s white Volkswagen Passat. The caller stated that the males were seen running from the scene towards Bloomfield Avenue. Shortly thereafter, one of the suspects was seen running through rear yards on Gates Avenue. After a short search, the two suspects were located hiding behind a garbage dumpster in the rear of an Elm Street address with a screwdriver in their possession. The suspects, 17 and 14 year old Orange residents, were positively identified by the witness and placed under arrest. Both were charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools and turned over to their parents.
Shots Fired, Self Inflicted…

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The Garden State Wine Growers Association holds its first annual SipTember Wine Festival, from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday (9/26-9/27) at Brookdale Park. Sample more than 250 locally produced wines from more than 25 New Jersey wineries; the festival features award-winning wines, live band performances throughout both days, gourmet food vendors, crafters and kids’ activities.
Admission is $25 a person; five dollars from each admission will be donated to the Essex County Parks Foundation of the Essex County Department of Parks, a key sponsor of the festival.