DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Today’s featured letters are…
Sincerely,
Al Phabet
…”S” and “C”! As in a Spring Column about a Senior Center, Sparring Council, Suspected Chicanery, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Cats, minus the Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Cats.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
That long word has many more than Seven Consonants. Anyway, the Township Council introduced a measure at its April 10 meeting to FINALLY open a Senior Center in Montclair after years of requests by older citizens and others. Welcome news?
Sincerely,
Etta James Sang ‘At Last’
Very! Several area towns have such a center, so why not us? Heck, about a quarter of Montclair’s population is more than 55 years old, and virtually every other resident is more than 55 minutes old.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
In addition to the seniors who urged the creation of a center for many years, who else got lots of credit at the April 10 meeting for making this finally happen?
Sincerely,
Extra Credit
Interim township manager Michael Lapolla, who received numerous Stated Congratulations. But it’s unclear if any of those congrats were from Montclair’s Stephen Colbert.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
More “S” and “C” words! Where will the center be situated?
Sincerely,
A Site for Sure Ayes
In a great location: the Mills Building at 60 South Fullerton, next to the library and near downtown. Not that far from Le French Dad, which will be renamed Le French Grandad.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Will not. But are there Sobering Concerns associated with this senior facility 700 miles north of…South Carolina?
Sincerely,
Charles Tunn
Yes, such as whether the center will cost Montclair more than it seems, whether there will be enough parking, and whether Mills was named after actress Hayley Mills — who starred in “The Parent Trap” but not “The Grandparent App.”
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Any other Sobering Concerns associated with this senior facility 2,800 miles east of…San Clemente?
Sincerely,
Cal A. Fornia
Why was the facility not on the pre-meeting agenda for April 10? Was that a Spiteful Contrivance to keep absent Council mavericks Robert Russo and David Cummings from also voting for the center? A 5-0 tally could’ve been 7-0, or even 10-0 if the three Marx Brothers had attended.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Clearly a senior trio given that Chico, Harpo, and Groucho were born between 1887 and 1890. Other reasons for Skepticism Components?
Sincerely,
You Bet Your Strife
One wonders if the Senior Center is partly a Super Crafty effort to make Lapolla look good and thus possibly increase the odds of him keeping the manager job when a new Council is sworn in this summer despite the troublesome machinations that surrounded his hiring and his being recently added to CFO Padmaja Rao’s lawsuit in (I think) Superior Court.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Sir, Continue…
Sincerely,
Shaken Not Sirred
With Mills Building owner the Placek Family Foundation involved with the Senior Center deal, one also wonders if that’s a way for Lackawanna Plaza developer David Placek to try to increase good will even as the current oversized nature of his project would make its Site Crowded.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
But, all in all, are you happy about a Senior Center?
Sincerely,
Pleased Pleased Me
Absolutely! As is Methuselah, age 969, who has collected Social Security for 904 of those years. He even remembers the Social Security Building that used to be in downtown Montclair!
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Anyway, on to a Sparring Council and Suspected Chicanery. At last week’s April 10 meeting, councilor Robin Schlager alleged that she felt threatened by councilor Robert Russo during a heated 2022 discussion and that councilor David Cummings had used crude language relating to her in a 2023 email thread. Start Commenting…
Sincerely,
Writing About Infighting
Discussing this is awkward, because I try to avoid minimizing or “mansplaining” what a woman says. But things seemed to have been potentially orchestrated this month given that the two incidents brought up by Schlager happened a while ago, apologies were made long before April 10, and former councilor Peter Yacobellis also criticized Russo in an April 5 email — meaning two possible “political hit jobs” soon before a May 14 election in which Russo is the only incumbent running. Serious Chutzpah?
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
And isn’t it ironic that Schlager didn’t strongly/publicly defend the women who accused township manager Timothy Stafford of creating a hostile workplace?
Sincerely,
Hostile Is Not a Hostel
Schlager also didn’t strongly/publicly call for Stafford’s ouster before he was belatedly fired due to public pressure. So…Selective Criticism of male behavior.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Are you still supporting Russo for another term as councilor-at-large?
Sincerely,
N. Dorsement
I am. (And, in last week’s column, I endorsed women for four of the other six Council seats.) Russo has fought hard for important issues against a problematic 2020-24 Council majority that was apparently out for some payback this month after years of being the recipient of (and ignoring) Russo’s legitimate populist criticism. Sheryl Crow could sing about that in a movie directed by Sofia Coppola.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
I’d like to conclude by expressing gratitude that this column didn’t mention Satanic Cantaloupes. Anything to add?
Sincerely,
New Jersey Devil Fruit
It’s time for Montclair parents and their kids to sign up for…Summer Camp!
Dave Astor, author, is the MontClairVoyant. His opinions about politics and local events are strictly his own and do not represent or reflect the views of Montclair Local.
80 or so Council meetings down, 3 Council meetings to go.
The Council has still to introduce and approve the annual budget, finalize and approve the Lackawanna Plaza Redevelopment Plan and the Climate Action Plan. Hear still another Vision Zero TF Update and move or punt on the Aubrey Group’s Essex Park feasibility study for a new Clary Anderson Arena. Most importantly they must leave sufficient time for a retrospective of their accomplishments along with getting in their parting shots.
The Aubrey Group’s study findings interest me the most right now in light of the all the missteps with the Aubrey Lewis Athletic Complex. I look forward to reading their environmental study recommendations. This site has the same Historic Fill containment issue as found in the Township’s adjacent lot across Chestnut Street. While the Township is not bound by local land use board review, it is subject to NJDEP regulations and review. Hopefully, this Council will have “gone to school” on the BoE’s missteps.
Yes, Frank, not much time left for the 2020-24 council to do whatever, for better or for worse. Thank you for outlining some of what’s on its “agenda.” I’d personally like to see the Lackawanna Plaza re-vote delayed until after the new council is sworn in, but don’t expect that to happen.
My environmental study also is likely not to happen either. Want to join my St Jude Society?
Frank, if Paul McCartney (“Hey Jude”) and Thomas Hardy (“Jude the Obscure”) are associated with the St. Jude Society, I’m in.
You are too obscure for me. Dave, it looks like it is mostly just you and me posting today. The cat has everyone’s tongue. Or maybe it is a login issue.
Frank, nice reprise of the word “obscure.” 🙂
It should have been better, but I forgot to insert Two of Us for emphasis after Just You & Me. It would have made you smile.
Hey Frank – are you saying you guys were missing me? Aw! Now, don’t you dare to deny it lest you will hurt my feelings! 😉 I can’t speak for the others, but I had no login issues and cat didn’t get my tongue – I was at a birthday party! I love you two but parties comes first. Yup, I’m shallow that way! 😁
As far as substance, I do not foresee this Council doing anything worthwhile. Unless, of course, whatever they do to curry favor with Mr. Placek happens to be also worthwhile. Not holding my breath.
That said, Frank mentioned Clary Anderson in one of his comments. Well, we all know that arena is a dump which still stands upright only because it doesn’t know whether to collapse to the left or to the right. Of course, it’s too late for this Council to do anything about it. However, there’s this one issue that they could easily address. In 2019, a law was passed that made it illegal for businesses in New Jersey to refuse cash as payment for goods and services. It’s been several years that the Clary operator has been refusing to accept cash for public skate sessions and for skate rentals. Seems illegal to me, but perhaps I’m wrong – I’m not a lawyer. Can we have someone legally-versed to weigh in on this? Or maybe Frank can look into it? Frank, just make sure to verify your info before posting so you won’t set Pat on a fact-checking mission!
Frank, “Two of Us”? Yes, there are metaphorically “two United States” in this politically polarized time. 🙂
Thank you for the comment, discipulus! Parties always come first. 🙂
I’m hoping the new Council will not be TOO deferential to David Placek, but I share your worry about that. He appears to often mean well (I think), but spreading some of his substantial money around town and exerting his influence with Montclair leadership in other ways can at times skew things against the ultimate public interest. Virtually all developers want to increase their profits, with some taking a “pleasanter” approach than others.
Interesting, seriocomic thoughts about the scruffy Clary Anderson! In better shape, I guess, than the Roman Colosseum — which I assume accepted cash.
Dave, they were just Beatles song titles. No metaphors, no deep meaning.
@ discipulus
How do you know YOU were being missed? The world does not revolve around you, you know! Right Dave & Frank? 😉😋
Also, watch out with criticizing ice arena operator or else Flipside will come after you! If I remember correctly, he is an avid skater and he loves, loves, loves Clary.
@ Dave
I enjoyed your finding a second meaning in ” two of us”, as in “two of US. A friend of mine recently reflected on the continued extreme polarization of the country. She said: we should rename USA to DSA – Divided States of America.
Interestingly, I can’t help but notice stronger and stronger polarization of the town, at least among those folks who are following local government. I guess it’s because we have two slates. It is of note that most candidates running independently seem to have picked their ‘side’. I’m curious what others think of it all.
Peter Yacobellis seems to be resurfacing. Word on the street is that he is trying to become relevant in Montclair again by influencing our election. Perhaps it’s true, but why would he want to do that? I thought he moved on and closed this chapter.
“…just Beatles song titles”? Thanks for the explanation, Frank. Many a Council meeting is “A Day in the Strife,” albeit in the evening.
Thank you, e. dellisanti, for the funny and serious comment!
The Divided States of America is clever and accurate.
I agree about the level of polarization in Montclair. Other examples/offshoots of that: those okay with giving developers almost everything they want vs. those not okay with that, those okay with pay-to-play-ish/crony-ish government vs. those not okay with that, etc.
Peter Yacobellis, via his recent emails, is certainly trying to influence who will be in Montclair’s next government. (Wrongly, given that he’s now not living here.) Although he apparently felt some burnout that caused him to leave the Council and Montclair, part of him seems to miss the local power, influence, and renown he had.
Frank seems devitalized today. C’mon, Frank, go get some coffee and tell us what exactly is rotting here and what can be done. I know, I know – we have to vote. But even that is tricky as so little is known about many of the candidates.
discipulus,
Big picture please. What the of facility do we want it to be and what operating model do we want to follow. The pricing model is a relic from The Great Depression. The rental rate for an hour of ice time at 8:00AM on a weekday in April is the same rate as 10:00am on a Saturday in December.
Clary Anderson Arena (CAA) should generate at current rates $1.4MM at an 80% overall utilization. The Township receives $115,000 a season – $50K in cash and almost $5K in credits we pass along to the BoE and its MHS hockey program ($60K) and discounted rates to the Verona/Glen Ridge program. The $50K is used against CAA’s PSE&G bills.
This valuable and highly desired asset is a big loss leader for the Parks & Recreation Department.
‘What the of facility…’ s/b “What type of facility…”
$5K s/b $65K
Frank and Discipulus,
I have many thoughts on Clary and its mismanagement but no time to expand upon it at the moment. I’ll start by quick fact check:
Frank, you say: “Rental rate for an hour of ice time at 8:00AM on a weekday in April is the same rate as 10:00am on a Saturday in December.” You are correct that there is no variation in per-session fee, but there’s also hardly any variation in timeslots offered.
Here’s the schedule listed the Arena website:
April 2024 Public Session Dates and Times:
Tuesday 4/23 1:00pm-2:30pm
Wednesday 4/24 12:00pm-1:30pm
Thursday 4/25 1:00pm-2:30pm
Saturday 4/27 3:40-5:00pm
Monday 4/29 1:00pm-2:30pm
Tuesday 4/30 1:00pm-2:30pm
So this is what is left for the public in the month of April. As you can see, Frank, the only “prime” time the operator makes available to the public is the measly 1 hour and 20 minutes on Saturday. Nothing on Sunday. On weekdays, he offers strictly timeslots that are useless for most working adults and school-age kids.
Thanks for nothing, Mr. Operator. And a word to Sean Spiller: You put the interest of your cronies over the interest of taxpayers of this Town. Ice arena operator is just another one on the long list. Thank God this abuse is finally coming to an end.
Pat,
I wait until you have the time to expand on the topic. FYI, by Council ordinance, all times are Prime Time except for 10pm-12am every night. As you know, the Council has different ideas on the how much time the general public should get.
Speaking to the appreciation of the public’s time, have the candidates addressed the return of remote public comment at their meetings?
Frank,
Big picture? Not sure if I have the courage to venture there as I’m not an expert. But I will say a few words since you asked. However, even if my thinking is flawed – partially or fatally – I expect you to respond politely or at all.
I believe the last study that was conducted deemed the Arena to be in state beyond repair. If a major rehab were to be attempted anyway, it seems like the Township wouldn’t have the financial wherewithal to do so as the cost goes in millions.
Hypothetically – could the Township reach out to the County and see if they have any interest in stepping in? I thought of it because I was recently invited to an event at Wally Choice Center and I was blown away! It’s a gorgeous facility! Of course, so is the Cody Arena (owned and managed by the County). Perhaps I’m missing something and it’s a stupid idea. But maybe not. Worth considering?
Also, to return to the actual topic of the column, some have floated the idea of knocking down the ice rink and building a new one along with a modest rec center that would also serve as a senior center. Sounds like two birds with one stone to me but then, again, I’m not sure if the Township should be borrowing millions right now for a project which, while interesting and worthwhile, is less burning than say, fixing the police building or fire station 3.
discipulus,
Not stupid or flawed idea. Again, it depends on what we kind of facility we want it to be and will pay for. Currently it serves a bunch of non-resident groups and programs. It would squarely be in the County’s wheelhouse, aligning with its key mission of providing park & recreational facilities.
Many might not know the Township, during the Jackson administration, was unwilling to maintain all of Mountainside Park, donated its Western portion (above Upper Mountain) to the County.
That has had no unfavorable noticeable impact to date.
Yes, it is a question of prioritizing costs and can we settle for just a basic replacement or do we need all the bells and whistles. Is there enough demand for ice time to utilize it more or should it/can it become a seasonal multi-use (e.g. paddle ball courts in warm weather or a ‘summer camp-like’ venue for kids). Will the operating costs of this specialized facility be fiscally justifiable or will it continue as a big loss-leader? Lot of questions and lot’s of room for spitballing over do we really need most.
I find it hilarious that Clary Anderson has turned into such a political football. With all the nonsense that goes on in town a rink that has a history of being built when Montclair was much more of a community than it is now has become a villain. Could the town get a better deal? Maybe. When the town ran the rink it was a disaster. Could the town use the money it gives to Glen Ridge to help with the rink? Could the town use the sweetheart deals it gives to developers to help with the rink? Taxpayers are spending 8 million dollars on a baseball field that will be used for a handful of kids for 3 months a year. No problem there. I will admit that I am biased because myself and my kids have a long history at Clary but I am not alone with thinking that the rink is one of the best things about the town. I don’t know the operator but I do know that though the place shoddy it is always clean and the ice has never been better. For politicians to use Clary as an issue to deflect from all the problems and waste in this town is childish.
“I don’t know the operator but I do know that though the place shoddy it is always clean and the ice has never been better.”
Ice never better? Shoddy aside. Amenities aside. What exactly is the justification for spending many, many millions ($8MM & up) and what makes it a top priority?
Frank,
We know you hate the rink. Did one of the Sanford brothers check you a little too hard when you were a peewee? Get over it.
8 million for a toxic ball field that is used by a select few for a couple months a year. Good value there. Give the rink to the BOE and they will dump 20 million into and all will be fine.
Did you mean to say the Danforth brothers? Cleary, their checks didn’t affect my long-term memory. They were more shooters.
I didn’t grow up in Montclair but played against them in HS and skated at Clary in the roofless days. If memory serves me the Danforths were after the Marks brothers who were the stars when I was in HS.
Anyway, as the eternal optimist I have faith that someone will save the old barn. Mikie Sherrill just gave a million bucks to a very red Morris county town to renovate an old empty town building into a community center. I am sure she is spreading some federal pork around her district in anticipation for a run for higher office. How about a little for Montclair? My hope is that she is our next governor. Look what Codey did in a few months for South Mountain Arena! Clary could be an ice palace! I am sure Mr Anderson would mind losing his name on the place if it meant keeping the place going. Picture it, The Mikie Sherrill Ice Palace! A hockey rink named after a woman! Now that would help burnish Montclair’s reputation. She wouldn’t even have to win a Gold Medal and have a haircut named after like Dorothy Hamill of Greenwich Ct did to get the rink naming honor.
Chatham Twp or Chatham Boro? It makes a difference.
Neither town but who knows? You buy votes where you need them. She has Montclair in her back pocket so no need to grease any wheels here. Let’s hope once she gets access to the Senate or State coffers, where the real money is, she remembers us.
I absolutely love Flipside’s idea! And I’m sure he is right that Mr. Anderson would prefer that the Arena be transformed into a beautiful facility and bear a different name than if it collapsed wearing his. In other words, if the Town can’t pull it off (or doing so is not fiscally wise), let’s reach out to other entities. As Frank said earlier, we there were no adverse effects from the County stepping in with some of our parks.
I enjoy ice skating even though I’m a total amateur. I can’t use Clary because it’s hardly ever available to the public during prime hours. I know other folks who would love it if Clary (under whatever name) offered late-afternoon evening skate times to the residents. Friday evening/afternoon, for instance, would be fantastic. There used to be open skate session on Sundays but I don’t see it anymore.
Also, I could have sworn open skate sessions used to be 2 hours. Now they are between 1.5h and 1h 20 min. And even those are sometimes cut short.
It’s like watching paint dry. Instead of commemorating the former, first MHS hockey coach and renaming every generation, maybe we just skip ahead to selling naming rights. Maybe Joe’s Ice Tea Arena? I crack myself up. Truly I do.