DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

As the referendum nears to determine whether our town’s Board of Education becomes elected, the local League of Women Voters has come out in favor of keeping the BOE appointed. Odd?

Sincerely,

Ann Tydemocratic

Yes, an odd stance for a group with “Voters” in its name. Comparable to if Northeast School were in southwest Montclair or Veggie Heaven served deviled eggs or Lululemon employees never ate citrus fruit or —

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

Okay, okay, we get the point. So, should the local League of Women Voters change its name?

Sincerely,

Rhea Branding

I’m thinking “League of Usually Wanting You to Vote But Not for Montclair BOE Candidates Because That’s Supposedly Icky.”

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

The local LWV did offer some good reasons for backing an appointed board, but resonating more was Councilor-at-Large Peter Yacobellis’ statement in favor of an elected BOE. Comment?

Sincerely,

Working the Ref(erendum)

Montclair’s appointed boards of recent years have often been problematic, so the elected format of most other BOEs in the state is worth a try. If that doesn’t work, then we can pick BOE members via Ouija boards.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

But isn’t there a risk that too much money would back some election-seeking BOE candidates?

Sincerely,

Donation Nation

Risk? Another board game!

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

Meanwhile, on October 8, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Montclair State University, where there was a roundtable discussion on federal funding of childcare. Among the participants?

Sincerely,

Not a Normal Day Near Normal

Dr. Renee Baskerville, who has ably served Montclair as past 4th Ward councilwoman and in many other ways. Incidentally, the 4th Ward is a short flight for MSU’s Rocky the Red Hawk as he amasses frequent mascot miles.


DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

Did that big bird meet Kamala Harris at MSU?

Sincerely,

Beak-er of the House

Don’t know. Also don’t know if “Wind Beneath My Wings” is on Rocky’s music playlist.


DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,

If MSU emulated the don’t-vote-for-BOE “logic” of the local League of Women Voters, what would it do?

Sincerely,

Contradiction Fiction

It would encourage students not to learn, and be renamed Montclair State Youskipclassity.

 

 

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 Baristanet.