DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
The first Board of Education candidates’ forum was February 17, more forums are scheduled for February 27 and 28, and the election is March 8. What does that say about me as a person?
Sincerely,
Forum Fulcrum
You mentioned four dates, so you have a busy dating schedule.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Vote Montclair, the force behind the referendum to switch our town’s BOE from appointed to elected, endorsed two of the nine candidates for the two currently available slots. Thoughts?
Sincerely,
Pair of Persons Picked
VM deserves much praise for the welcome BOE change, but I’d prefer the nine candidates be backed by individuals rather than organizations. That’s also the preference of The Organization of Individuals Who Oppose Organizations.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Yes, candidates not endorsed by an organization are perceived as more independent than candidates endorsed by an organization even if the candidates endorsed by an organization ARE independent.
Sincerely,
Run-On-Sentence Guy
I challenge you to say that five times fast.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
That, that, that, that, that. So which two candidates do you, as an individual, prefer among the nine?
Sincerely,
Nine Voices, Two Choices
I read the detailed Q&As posted on the Montclair PTA Council website for each candidate, and will vote for whoever recommends the most soothing eye drops.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
A better answer, please?
Sincerely,
Be Your Best Self
All nine candidates seem impressive in various ways, but my choices are Yvonne Bouknight and Holly Shaw — neither of whom I’ve ever conversed with or met. And, yes, I’m an individual, not an organization, though I’ve been called an LLC: Lackluster Columnist.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Of course, one never knows exactly how someone will do as a BOE member until we see how they vote, how much they listen to the front-line wisdom of teachers, etc., right?
Sincerely,
Future Stock
Right. And then we can decide whether or not to reelect those members later this decade — which is shaping up as one of the top three decades of the 21st century.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Um…there have only been three decades so far. Meanwhile, rent-control negotiations between tenant representatives and Montclair Property Owners Association representatives haven’t gone well. Reaction?
Sincerely,
Talk in the Town
Maybe the issue needs to go to a referendum. The MPOA is really getting on my nerves, and it doesn’t help that tranquilizers are purchased rather than rented.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Is the MPOA continuing to get on your nerves because that litigious landlord group is trying to significantly weaken what was already a pretty modest rent-control measure?
Sincerely,
Owner-ous Approach
Yup. And the well-funded MPOA, after blocking the 2020 measure from taking effect, has threatened further legal action such as possibly going to court if the Township Council extends Montclair’s COVID-time rent freeze. Very BBB-ish.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Better Business Bureau?
Sincerely,
To BBB or Not to BBB
No, if there’s even more litigation, BBB means Big Buncha Bothersomeness.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
In other news, councilors Peter Yacobellis and Robin Schlager are seeking improvements of the badly designed Watchung Plaza, which can be unsafe for drivers and pedestrians. Good idea?
Sincerely,
Bolero Near Valero
Certainly long overdue. WP is quite busy, and would be even busier if the gas station there didn’t lose many potential customers by charging such high prices. Heck, I live near WP, and haven’t filled up at that station since 1799.
DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
What? That’s the year George Washington died!
Sincerely,
First in WAR (Wins Above Replacement)
I don’t think the shock of those gas prices killed him, but you never know.
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.