Ira Karasick

The township's Affirmative Action office began an investigation of the township manager in May.

The complaint contends that the township manager retaliated against Padmaja Rao after she says she blew the whistle on him and other senior and elected officials on a number of fronts.

They say they're still not satisfied Montclair clearly lays out how it will investigate incidents involving race and identity.

Joanmarie Kalter says it's time to focus on more tangible issues of racial justice and equity, like affordable housing and the achievement gap.

For weeks, officials stayed silent, even after an investigation was completed. Members of the Montclair African American Clergy Association say they wanted transparency.

The process will replace Ira Karasick, who left the post the same day he apologized for a racially insensitive remark.

Also: Council had report on Ira Karasick calling an official "three-fifths of a human" for weeks before he resigned, and some say it should have acted faster.

Hundreds of native trees are being planted at the preserve.

The resignation also comes on the heels of the township losing its lengthy legal fight over a rent control ordinance.

The Montclair Township Council hired an outside attorney to investigate, but the NAACP says it's still waiting on that report.