DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
A major court case has begun in Newark, and defendant Montclair and its legal representation are looking pretty pathetic so far. Agree?

Sincerely,
Not a High Bar

Agree. For one thing, trying to keep some proceedings secret reeks of Guilt and Desperation, even though that’s not the name of the law firm representing the township.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
That firm is Riker Danzig, no relation to fictional character William T. (for Torts) Riker of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Anyway, can you first explain the court case to me like I’m a two year old?

Sincerely,
Sweeney Toddler

My youngest reader! Let’s start with CFO Padmaja Rao suing the township manager for creating a hostile workplace for women. The manager was fired, though the Township Council was so slow to oust him it would’ve been renamed the Turtle Council if every turtle at Turtle Back Zoo hadn’t objected.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
I’m shell-shocked. And didn’t Ms. Rao also sue the township of Montclair, accusing officials of retaliation against her for trying to stop improprieties?

Sincerely,
Whistle(blower) While You Work

Those improprieties included councilors getting state health insurance when not eligible for that, and firefighters retiring with allegedly too few pension credits. Reminds me of the time I slept in a French pension that didn’t accept credit cards.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Your European hotel history is irrelevant. Re the attempt to keep some court proceedings secret, there are questions about whether all seven Township Council members were consulted on that disturbing legal strategy. Were they?

Sincerely,
Behind the Music

Don’t know for sure, but if The Clash redid “The Magnificent Seven,” that song would become “Some of the Seven Are Not Doing a Magnificent Job.”

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Let’s cut to the chase here. Are some of Montclair’s current and recent officials (elected or appointed) not super-competent? Yes. Are some of them corrupt? Not necessarily in the money sense, but perhaps guilty of cronyism and protecting bad actors?

Sincerely,
Tiring and Uninspiring

Well…um…uh…I’ll let you answer that corruption question. But some performers with Montclair ties — such as Frankie Faison and Christina Ricci — are great actors, not bad actors.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
Montclair ties go well with suits, not lawsuits. To repeat, the mayor and some of the other councilors have not distinguished themselves in office. What are their chances of being elected if they choose to run again in 2024?

Sincerely,
Not Choice Choices

I would suggest they choose to NOT run for Montclair office next year, and to NOT try for a higher office in any other year. (I’m talking about some of the Council, not all.) The election prospects for Montclair candidates in 2024 BC? That ship has sailed.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
To conclude this column on a more positive note, how about a mention of the ceremony this evening, June 1, for 16 family-nominated Montclair educators deservedly receiving Judy Weston Awards for their teaching excellence?

Sincerely,
How the Best Was Won

Also positive: the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation parade and festival this Saturday, June 3; the main Montclair Pride event next Saturday, June 10; and the judge presiding over Ms. Rao’s lawsuit being very aware of the multiple miscues or malevolence of much of Montclair’s municipal management — and not just for alliteration reasons.

DEAR MONTCLAIRVOYANT,
You have one other positive statement in mind, do you not?

Sincerely,
Upbeat on High Street

Yes! Ms. Rao deserves the admiration of all for having the courage to try to get Montclair officials to do the right thing(s), and to sue when she was treated shabbily. Acting ethically? What a concept!

 

 

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.