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July 2005
Update

March 2005
Update

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In this Update...
May is the time for non-partisan municipal elections; Montclair held its election in 2004, electing 7 members of the Council for four-year terms. July 1 will mark our first completed year in office and a lot has been done. It’s still important to register and vote – elections in November will determine our next Governor, State Assembly and County Freeholders.
	Property Taxes
	Appointed/Elected School Board
	The Crescent Deck
	Master Plan Reexamination Report
	Bike Montclair
	NJ Adoption Law
	Contact Me!

Appointed/Elected School Board
     During discussions about the school budget, the topic of an elected school board arose. We have had this debate a number of times and the change has been voted down. Interestingly, most appointed boards represent larger districts and more districts seem to be going from elected to appointed rather than the reverse.
     Having served on both the Board of Education and the Council, I am a strong advocate for the appointed board. I believe that I was a valuable BOE member, but given my commitments at the time and my lack of political clout or interest, I would never have served if not asked. Once appointed, I served with a diverse group of people from throughout the community; no one was politically motivated, we all were concerned with what was best for the children, and we didn’t represent a political bloc that might have been in favor at the time of school elections.
     April school board elections which include budget approvals bring out even fewer voters than municipal elections do. The additional cost of an election and the results that are based on whether more supporters or detractors show up, don’t support a good educational system. Interestingly, if a budget is defeated, it goes to the municipal body for final decision. The Board of School Estimate already plays that role in Montclair.
     I’m also concerned that town-wide school board elections don’t guarantee representation of the entire community. A responsible Mayor can do that. A responsible Board of School Estimate and Town Council can balance the educational requirements of the Board of Education with the community’s ability to pay.

The Crescent Deck
     The construction of the Crescent Deck continues on schedule. Parking is available, but we all need to consider new locations and, perhaps, walk a little further. The BID, the Parking Authority and the merchants are working to make this transition period as easy as possible. Please support our local businesses and come down to the Central Business District.
     Look for special promotional events in all of our business districts.

Master Plan Reexamination Report
     Much of the research on each component of the Planning Board’s Master Plan Reexamination Report is complete. There will be three public hearings combining the recommendations of a couple of sections each. Draft recommendations and hearing dates will be summarized in the Montclair Times and posted on the town’s web site.

Bike Montclair
     I want to thank the Bike Montclair committee and town employees for the successful Tour de Montclair on Sunday, May 15th. Last year I promised to participate this year (had to buy a reliable bike and work on my legs) and I’m pleased that I did. The experience pointed out that we have some work to do to make Montclair bike-friendly; an important component of the Master Plan Reexamination that I am working on. It also proved that one (specifically me) can do more than one might think one can, with some effort and determination.

NJ Adoption Law
     It was an honor for me to introduce the Governor, Senator Gill and Assemblywomen Weinberg at the signing of the NJ foreign adoption law – which amends New Jersey family law to specifically recognize foreign adoptions – at the Montclair Art Museum on April 29th. Even better was introducing John Lytle of Montclair who initiated and heralded this bill through the NJ legislature. John is an outstanding example of what one person, armed with facts and committed friends, can do to improve equity and justice in our communities.

Contact Me!
     I continue to hear that my Updates are useful. Please share this with your neighbors – or all past issues at j.michaelson.home.att.net. Sign up for new “subscriptions” at michaelsonj@comcast.net.
     Stay in touch. Please feel free to contact me by email at j.michaelson@att.net with any questions, suggestions or reactions to this Update or with other concerns or comments.

It’s May in Montclair. Take a break; smell the flowers; enjoy the beauty of Montclair and of your family.

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