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Hello All, I posted this earlier this month. To repeat - Whether you use the web interface or the individual message or digest version of the Watercooler, please reply directly to the original poster if your reply is for that person only. Do not reply to the full group in these instances. Here are examples of such instances: * You simply want to thank a member for their post or agree with them * You have a specific question about something a member is offering for sale or rent * You wish to engage the member/poster on the topic in a personal manner that you don't want another 4000+ people to see How do you reply directly to the member/poster? On the Web interface, you will see a "Private" button on the lower right side of the reply box. On messages delivered via email (individual or digest) you may choose to reply to sender. You'll see that link under each email message. Thanks much, Jon for the BDs

For a long time, many of us who live and work in Montclair have been sharing ideas about town affairs over the back fence. It is sometimes difficult to learn about what the larger community is thinking. Meetings of the Council, the Planning Board, Zoning Board and other bodies are often at night and difficult for many of us to attend on a regular basis. The Montclair Times -- our only local newspaper -- tries to keep citizens informed and room for letters to the editor, but space is limited and often we are left hungry for more information. Our local volunteer cable station broadcasts some town meetings, but there is a long lag time between the dates the meetings are held and when they appear on the air and -- although the volunteer effort is greatly appreciated -- the sound quality makes it difficult to hear the proceedings and the programs never seem to appear at a time when many of us tend to turn on the TV. As a result, there is an information gap as far as local issues are concerned. Enter the Watercooler. Here interested folks can discuss their interests and concerns as much (or as little) as they like. You can even just sit by and listen ... although it is much more fun to participate. All viewpoints can be shared on a timely basis. Watercooler is a fully moderated list, which means that inappropriate language, personal or damaging comments, or other kinds of destructive material will not be posted to the list. Yes, it's me who will filter this material, so you are going to have to trust me on this.... I will do my best. If you have a problem with anything, let me know immediately. I will take steps to try to correct it. Finally, membership in this list is governed by the Terms of Service posted on the eGroups site -- our host. Please make sure that you read it. You will locate it through the eGroups homepage, http://www.eGroups.com I expect opinions on this list will range across a wide spectrum, reflecting Montclair's essential nature as a diverse community. Most of all, I hope that this will serve to bring us together in a positive way. So, enjoy yourself, respect your neighbors, and bring your ideas to the Montclair Watercooler. I look forward to your participation. Mary Krugman Moderator

Hi, just trying this out - I still don't think I'm registered - if you get this I am - just vote tomorrow - Tues. adriana otoole

The charter members of the Watercooler have signed on successfully, so here are your collegues: Kevin Allen (klad) Jessica DeKoninck (JESSICAdeK) Adriana O'Toole (AOT) Louise Dunford Brodnitz (wesegil) Round Hill Associates (roundhillassoc) Mary Krugman (MDK10) I hope you will each take the time to introduce yourself to everyone. I will start it off...although you all know me, this list is archived, so others can catch up later. Mary Krugman - I am a historic preservation consultant in Montclair and also maintain a website that markets historic properties. I am also the elusive Round Hill Associates, the name of another part of my business having to do with photography, fine arts, and digital imaging. I am active in a number of national and international organizations related to preservation, as well as the Montclair Historical Society. I served as Chair of the Montclair Historic Preservation Commisson during its early (tumultuous) period,which is how I got to know many wonderful (and some very difficult)people around town. That's how I got to know all of you! I also moderate two listservs in addition to Watercooler - one for members of the preservation industry, and one for a planning committee for a national group I serve with -- both are pretty far- flung, so this website has been really great for us. This whole idea of the Watercooler has been percolating in my brain for some time now, but this weekend I decided that its time had come. Kevin (who supports Beyond Montclair) sent an email to members of his "klad joke listserv" asking for folks to vote for BM, and why not to vote for Advance Montclair, the group I support. I replied to it -- and to all the other members of his list. We jousted back and forth a couple of times, subjecting all of Kevin's friends to what was a really interesting (well, for me anyway) and frank discussion on the election. Finally, we decided to save Kevin's friends from our blathering, and it ended. However, I gotta say... it was one of the few times in my entire political experience in Montclair that I have ever participated in a quasi-public discussion as frank as that. It was really refreshing. I think it would be really valuable if we could all do that more often. Now I love Kevin and Kathy. I enjoy their company very much. Kevin and I have worked together on some projects with the Historical Society. However -- and this may be an understatement here -- we don't always agree. The fact that he was one of the first to respond to my invitation is a sure sign that disagreeing with someone is not fatal to a friendship (well, I hope it is a sign of that, Kevin...). So, in an effort to save Kevin's friends from further abuse, and yet enjoy a really good verbal tussle, Watercooler was launched. Adriana and Jessica may not be able to spend much time online until after the election, when they will have a more relaxed schedule as they prepare to assume office on July 1. But I look forward to more folks joining over the next several weeks, which should make the discussion pretty interesting. If you have friends who live and/or work in town who you think might be interested in joining this group, please invite them. Or let me know and I can invite them (I have the computer generated version). Our URL, if they want to check us out: http://www.eGroups.com/groups/MtcWatercooler So, who's next? Mary

Many of us on this list know each other, some know just a few. The critical issue, to me, is that I would like to encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote in tomorrow's election. Municipal elections have poor turn out and it is on this level that we can most readily affect our government. Each of us can contact our councilor or Mayor and have impact on the issues. That first impact is first felt in the voting booth. Many of us on this list are active in the community. And we will disagree. What is wonderful about our system is that we can disagree and then meet at Tierneys, The Office or Cafe Eclectic and have a good time around our common ground. Whoever wins tomorrow, they know that they will have my support, and Mary's and Joyce's as we all confront the issues that are important to us. Decisions in local elections are difficult, we know the candidates as our neighbors and friends. And it should be clear (I think I can speak for mary here) that we do not view any candidate in a bad way, they are all dedicated volunteers who have contributed countless hours to the greater good. I personally thank every candidate for their work, past, present and future. Please vote tomorrow, everyone should have received a sample ballot, if you do not know where your polling place is located, call the township clerk's office at 509.4900 I should have attached a .WAV file of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" -- Kevin Allen Principal Designer Kevin Lee Allen Design, Incorporated klad@... http://klad.com 973.744.6352.v 201.280.3841.c

rmiscia@... (R. Miscia) has joined the list. Welcome! Mary

tjreidy1@... (Terry Reidy)just joined the list, too.

Here are the unofficial tallies from the Town Hall reports phoned in: Mayor: Bob Russo (Adv Mtc) - 2923 William Farlie (MB2K) - 2600 At Large: Albertus Jenkins (Adv Mtc) - 2831 Theresa Aurora O'Connell (Adv Mtc) - 2662 Joyce Michaelson (MB2K) - 2626 Florence Denning (MB2K) - 2556 1st Ward: Gerry Tobin (Adv Mtc) - 880 Rob Bianco (MB2K) - 865 2nd Ward: Edward Remsen (MB2K) - 795 Jessica DeKoninck (Adv Mtc) - 766 3rd Ward: Don Zief (MB2K) - 539 Adriana O'Toole (Adv Mtc) - 457 4th Ward: Charles Smith (Adv Mtc) - 556 Sandra Land (Ind.) - 534 (Sorry, do not have figures for the other independent candidates at this time, but Smith has been declared the winner)

I was chatting with Mark Porter, editor of the Montclair Times, who said that there was some person who had come across a plaque in Glenfield Park commemorating the gift of the park by a large estate owner. He wanted to know more about it. I didn't have a clue. Apparently, the land was part of his estate, and he wanted to donate for public use as a park. As I recall, this is a county park. My questions: who was this person? When and why (no really, why) did he donate it? Who put up the plaque? And what has become of his legacy? There are all sorts of other strange remnants of our history around. Some we pass by without really noticing. For instance, there is a metal "garage" -- very near the Glen Ridge border on the north side of Bloomfield Avenue -- old and kind of rusty. I didn't realize, until I read an advertisement about it in a 1911 Montclair Times, that these were early structures that resemble our modern garden sheds -- Home Depot types. They were just the right size to house a Model T (even though they didn't come out until a few years later). They were inexpensive, quasi-temporary structures for a particular purpose -- i.e., cars. The manufacturer was a company in Glen Ridge. There were other companies who advertised these, too. One in Newark, I think. I had seen one near Oak Place and Label Street. A friend has come across more of these funny structures around town. Anyway, I thought that some of you would have come across other curious artifacts -- lampposts, plaques, clocks, or some funny other thing that must have a story. They make going around town so interesting. Mary

Signing on for the first time was difficult enough, both literally, figuring out how to use my ID, and because I'm in the process of self redefinition. How do we engage the community on broad issues? How do we build community? And, if we don't build community, does anything else matter?

So, Adriana... did you make it to the Mom's March last week? How did it go? Mary

<<A SHUTTLE FOR EVERY STATION? - NJT BUYS JITNEYS, BUT OPERATING COSTS A BARRIER - Last Monday, NJ Transit announced the list of communities that will receive 20 commuter shuttle buses next Spring under the agency's "Community Shuttle Program" (see box). The 20-person, $70,000 jitney buses will ease congestion around rail stations and reduce parking overflow by providing frequent curb-to-station service to resident commuters. In off-hours, municipalities intend to use the new buses to serve senior citizens or as added intra- city mass transit. The program is paid for from a $3.5 million ear-mark secured by Representative William Pascrell of Paterson in 1998. Congressman Pascrell was motivated by the success of the Maplewood pilot jitney service, spearheaded by the Campaign in 1996, which now serves 12% of the town's rail passengers every weekday morning. 45% Maplewood jitney riders previously drove to the station. Thirty-three towns and counties applied for the shuttle money, but many more were daunted by the roughly $25,000 a year cost of operating the service that, under the current program, each municipality must pay in full. But a little-noticed item in the draft 2001-2003 North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority Transportation Improvement Program may help. NJTransit has set aside $1 million of federal air pollution reduction money to fund "operating expense for the community shuttle program." NJT should publicize the existence of this money during the second round of grants later this year, so that municipalities unable to cover the full operating costs of a jitney program can still participate. TOWNS THAT WILL RECEIVE NEW NJ TRANSIT-PURCHASED STATION SHUTTLE BUSES Clifton Edison Glen Ridge Hackensack (2) Maplewood Marlboro Metuchen New Brunswick North Plainfield Old Bridge Orange Rahway Redbank Rutherford Secaucus South Orange (2) * * * From the Tri-State Transportation Campaign - MTR#270 Contributing: Charles Komanoff, Lisa Shreibman Editors: Jon Orcutt, Kristen Fountain Executive Director: Janine Bauer Tri-State Transportation Campaign 240 West 35th Street #801, New York, NY 10001 tel. (212) 268-7474 fax (212) 268-7333 tstc@... www.tstc.org>>

Doris Schapira just joined the Watercooler. Welcome, Doris!Feel free to jump right in ... Can you tell us about topics that particularly interest you? Mary Krugman

I served as a Challenger in the last municipal election. It was the first time ever. It was a great experience -- one I recommend to anyone interested in the political process in America. The first thing that struck me was that our elections -- local, state, and national -- are tallied by incredibly low-tech methods. No electronic sign-in, no cell phones to Voter Registration headquarters, no digital anything. Voters show up, they say their name and their address, they look them up in a book or on a list, then they sign their name. Yes, their signatures have to bear a reasonable resemblance to their signature from the one they registered with (sometimes 20 years+ ago...) but other than that there seems little but trust to say that this or that voter is really who they say they are. In our fluid society, there are many voters who have moved from the residence they had at the last election. Those folks wander around (at least in Hillside school, where there are 4 voting districts) looking for the right spot to vote. Sometimes, the records didn't make it in time. They vote as "provisionals," and have to manually fill out a ballot. Sometimes folks are frustrated because they can't find the right polling place. But for those who have been coming to the same place for years, it is a great experience. The people from the Election Commission, many of whom have done this job for years (some are children of past election officials, some long dead) are dedicated individuals who think of what they do is a great trust. The election process -- where the People make their choices for who will govern them -- is sacred to them. Well, at least in Montclair, I think. When the polls close, the machines (which I do not think have changed in design in 50 years....) are sealed with a little metal tape and the officials crank out the sheet that has all the numbers on it. Standing around the machines are representatives from both slates (or parties) and, in a national election, there are people who have been enlisted by the national news services -- AP, UPI -- who are ready to run to the nearest phone and call in the results to a central 800 number. As I sat there, greeting my neighbors and seeing many faces that I have never seen before (some who live only a few houses away), I was filled with a sense of community. Nope, we didn't support the same people, nor did we necessarily agree on ANYTHING. But here we were, trusting in this low-tech, manual process that would determine who would guide our destiny for the next four years. Amazing. I loved it. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see what and who your town is really made of. Mary K

With Memorial Day weekend, summer is about to come to Myrtle-Clinton Corners. The Mountain Laurel and Spirea are in full bloom and, with all the rain we've had, flowers are everywhere. The progressive dinner that began with just a few houses in our neighborhood almost ten years ago has now grown, each year including several more houses along the street and more occasions. It was originally held in February, when winter seems endless and spring hopelessly far away. Now, our gatherings seem to continue throughout the year -- one family has a Christmas party, another one has one at Hallowe'en, another July 4th. It's amazing how easily new neighbors join in -- as if they have lived here forever. This afternoon marked the first neighborhood gathering of the season, which was being held at the home of one of our most recent additions. My neighborhood has seen some great changes over the past year. One of our neighbors -- a young man in his 40s -- passed away just recently, leaving a wife and three children about the same age as my sons. We already have several new families and, by September, we will have three more. Several of my longtime and dearly-loved neighbors are moving away. I walk to the party along the old stone sidewalk, past iron fences and hitching posts and cobblestones that have been in the same place for 100 years, and turn down a small walk to the back yard. Children are everywhere -- playing, giggling, crying, running. Among them are two brand-new babies, still in the snurffling stage. I get to hold one -- I am always amazed at how tiny they are. The grown-ups circulate, carrying around their plastic cups of beer or wine and balancing very full paper plates. They chat happily about kids and school and life ... How is your son doing? What are your plans for the summer? Shall we plan a farewell picnic for late August? I was so sorry to hear about your mother. Come on, join the bocci game...! The new widow is not among the partygoers. My son just graduated from high school yesterday. I sit among the other mothers with a vague feeling of relief and ... well, accomplishment, I guess. A child who I thought would never make it to age three has survived to his almost-nineteenth birthday and, in fact, has distinguished himself among his peers. Finally the light begins to fade, the bocci game ends, and the charcoal fire dies out. Dishes are cleared away, napkins gathered up. We all say our good-byes and start for home. As I turn the corner onto Myrtle Ave., I think about the many other feet that had walked on these old stones. They belonged to folks who lived, grieved, and had new babies, too. They planted flowers, worried about taxes, and had kids who skinned their knees, cried, laughed, struggled, and eventually graduated from high school. Just like mine. And I bet they would have enjoyed the party, too. Just like I did. How interesting it is to live in a neighborhood that extends itself so easily across time as well as space. Mary

I opened today's paper expecting to see somehing about the primary on Tuesday. After all, the municipal election had low voter turnout. Some unhappiness had been expressed about that in the newspaper. My own sense, in part, re voter turnout is that the paper's lackluster coverage of the event, failure to focus on issues, interview candidates or raise any interest whatsoever in the subject apart from the mayoral mudslining did much to contriute to voter apathy. OK. There is another chance for the Times to redeem itself. Tuesday after all is the primary. It is a presidential election year. On the Republican side, at least, there are two presidential candidates on the ballot. Then, both parties have hotly contested Senate races to fill the seat being vacated by Frank Lautenberg. Additionally, there are congressional races as well as elections for county sheriff and clerk. What do the Senate candidates think about national issues of particular significance to Montclair, say, for example, gun control or public education? There is no way to tell by reading the Montclair Times. In fact, except for the ads, the election goes virtually unnoticed. I'm a political junkie so I know something about all of the candidates. Upon request, I'm even willing to share this information. I also believe in the importance of the democratic process and the ability of each of us to make a difference. I'm also a Democrat. Although I believe strongly that non-partisan government works well at the local level; because it encourages focus on local issues which, generally, transcend party lines. And I have voted for Republicans twice in my life. Once when I voted for Millicent Fenwick. I'm sure that doesn't surprise anyone, and once when I voted for whomever the candidate was, and I don't even remember his name I'm embarrassed to say, who ran against Tom D'Alessio for County Executive. And I'm supporting Jon Corzine for Senate, and I'm supporting him, not just because I think he can win in November, I do, but, because I agree with his position on most issues and I believe, as he does, that problems are solvable if there is a will to solve them. I don't think it's necessarily good or bad that someone with lots of money runs for office. It's unusual, frankly, that someone with lots of money is interested in opportunities for other people. Jon has made it his business throughout the campaign to seek outcommunity leaders, like me, and find out what they think and incorporate that in his platform. So, I will do the job of the Montclair Times, issue my editorial and urge everyone to vote on Tuesday. We are so privileged in America. We are able to choose how we are governed and by whom. Tell your friends and neighbors. Thanks.

Ms. Hivish: I understand that you are the publisher of the Montclair Times. I would like to invite you and Mark Porter, editor of the paper, to join this discussion group that touches local public issues, town history, personal observations, and other topics related to life in Montclair. Recently a discussion came up about the Montclair Times, which I thought might interest both you and Mark. Current listmembers include Jessica DeKoninck (outgoing Councilor for the 2nd Ward), Terry Reidy (Town Manager), Kevin Allen (former Chamber of Commerce President), Adriana O'Toole (realtor, former candidate for town council, and former president of just about everything in town!), Louise Dunford Brodnitz (architect and member of the Historic Preservation Commission), and several other residents of Montclair.We would welcome the participation of the Montclair Times! As moderator, I posted the introduction to the list when it first was established. There is an online archive of the first month of postings, which you can find at http://www.eGroups.com under "MtcWatercooler." If you have trouble finding us, please contact me and I will be happy to help you. Unfortunately, I do not have Mark Porter's email address. Perhaps you could either forward this to him or send me his address? Mary Krugman ____________________________________ Mary Delaney Krugman Associates, Inc. Historic Preservation Consultants 36 Park Street Montclair, NJ 07042 (973) 746-2810 (973) 746-2599 (fax) --------------- forwarded message ------------ Subj: [MtcWatercooler] Why the Watercooler? Date: 5/7/2000 11:23:08 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: MDK10@... (Mary Krugman) Reply-to: <A href="mailto:MtcWatercooler@...">MtcWatercooler@egroups .com</A> To: MtcWatercooler@... For a long time, many of us who live and work in Montclair have been sharing ideas about town affairs over the back fence. It is sometimes difficult to learn about what the larger community is thinking. Meetings of the Council, the Planning Board, Zoning Board and other bodies are often at night and difficult for many of us to attend on a regular basis. The Montclair Times -- our only local newspaper -- tries to keep citizens informed and room for letters to the editor, but space is limited and often we are left hungry for more information. Our local volunteer cable station broadcasts some town meetings, but there is a long lag time between the dates the meetings are held and when they appear on the air and -- although the volunteer effort is greatly appreciated -- the sound quality makes it difficult to hear the proceedings and the programs never seem to appear at a time when many of us tend to turn on the TV. As a result, there is an information gap as far as local issues are concerned. Enter the Watercooler. Here interested folks can discuss their interests and concerns as much (or as little) as they like. You can even just sit by and listen ... although it is much more fun to participate. All viewpoints can be shared on a timely basis. Watercooler is a fully moderated list, which means that inappropriate language, personal or damaging comments, or other kinds of destructive material will not be posted to the list. Yes, it's me who will filter this material, so you are going to have to trust me on this.... I will do my best. If you have a problem with anything, let me know immediately. I will take steps to try to correct it. Finally, membership in this list is governed by the Terms of Service posted on the eGroups site -- our host. Please make sure that you read it. You will locate it through the eGroups homepage, http://www.eGroups.com I expect opinions on this list will range across a wide spectrum, reflecting Montclair's essential nature as a diverse community. Most of all, I hope that this will serve to bring us together in a positive way. So, enjoy yourself, respect your neighbors, and bring your ideas to the Montclair Watercooler. I look forward to your participation. Mary Krugman Moderator ###

As we wait to see whether or not the Montclair Times, either officially or unofficially, is interested in joining the conversation (and, is it possible to tell the number of people who read the postings without otherwise participating?), I think it would be valuable to expand the dialogue. Mary sent out many initial invitations. Those of us who responded first tend to be a group who, regardless of point of view, are eager to voice opinions. What about getting other folks on board?

A new member has joined the group: <thekurse@...> Welcome. Please tell those around the Watercooler about yourself! The Moderator

Hi, folks.... we're increasing in size by leaps and bounds. New members today: jmosier sweattc Chree hivish ES3062 Welcome to you all. Feel free to check the archives for past discussions and/or jump right in! Got a hot topic that has been on your mind? Mary