| Author | Message | ||
     Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 305 Registered: 9-2003  |
I was just reading the town's official site, and I'm embarrassed to say that I'm just now learning how this works. Got a question: if our representatives on the council are all "at large," does that mean there is no representation by neighborhood? I realize this is a small town, and I'm trying to understand how best to bring a question forward. I'm more used to a structure where each district or neighborhood has a specific representative. Is it possible to know where each member lives (not address, but neighborhood and such). Thanks. Any advice/answers gratefully received... | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 924 Registered: 6-2002 |
Towns of this size usually do not have Council members elected by district. The Districts would be rather small. Also, despite recent history, traditionally it is not that easy to find people who want to serve on the TC, so it helps to be able to draw from the whole Town. As to the current members: Fred lives on Hickory Drive, just above Ridgewood in what is known as the Jefferson School District, or the Wyoming area or "The Hill" Ian lives in College Hill, so named because the streets are named Yale, Harvard, etc. David lives in what I consider the Center of Town, on, I believe, Oakland, between Prospect and Valley, as I recall. Ken lives in Hillcrest, which is an area bordered by Boyden, Parker and Irvington Aves. I don't know where Kathy lives. But a few years ago one time four of the five members all lived in the same neighborhood | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 306 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, anon. I hear you on the size issue. Seems good that several neighborhoods are represented. I got thinking about it because of the issues related to Boyden/Parker and the bus traffic, along with wondering who to ask about a particular concern. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 248 Registered: 3-2003 |
Cynicalgirl: about 23,00 residents about 13,000 voters 22 voting districts 5 committee members elected for 3 year terms. Any of the 5 members should be responsive period. Suggest Ken and Kathy might be very interested in issues re Boyden and Parker. Kathy lives in the shadow of Underhill field. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 250 Registered: 3-2003 |
CG: Postscript You might be interested in Ken and Kathy's early experience in Maplewood and with the committee, when they were concerned about issues impacting their immediate neighborhood. They are separate issues and happened several years apart. First, the oldest with Ken. His neighborhood had speeding cars coming down his street and there was also some concern with theft. He and his neighbors worked with the Republican Committee to install the gates on Hillcrest. A proactive idea which benefitted that section of town. (One result from that issue was the recognition that Ken was a citizen who cared, he was appointed by the Republican committee to be on the Board of Adjustment). Kathy's issue was different and it involved a day school which created parking issues in the immediate neighborhood. Her neighborhood formed a coalition of sorts which worked with the committee to arrive at a solution. By the way, both issues were discussed long and hard in public session before the Committee. Both issues involved a lot of work and getting to know the influencers and decisionmakers. I wanted to add that it's important to know that the people you may go to, have dealt with their own community issues well before they became elected officials. Good luck | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 308 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thank you for all this good information, Reflective. This is exactly the kind of background I was looking for, on how folks have brought issues and questions forward. Sounds silly, but I really wasn't sure -- other than to write all of the members. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4351 Registered: 5-2001 |
You can also speak at TC meetings. There are usually two "open mike" periods at the meetings, although talking to some of the members beforehand would probably be advantageous. A few years ago I advocated that we elect TC members by ward or district. It went over like a lead balloon. While I agree with Anon, getting qualified people to run can be an issue, this system would result in a more balanced TC, since each neighborhood would be represented. Heck, Vic would probably still be Mayor if this approach was taken. When I was advocating this approach, it was from the other side of the spectrum from Vic, Jerry, etal I have to admit in the interests of full disclosure.  | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 311 Registered: 9-2003 |
It does make it easier to know who is to speak "for you" when that model is in force. For me, in the past, it also made it easier to approach a town service area with a question. My old rep was able to cut through some red tape on some bulk refuse issues, and he lived in my neighborhood so he felt pretty accountable. And I was a Democrat and he a Republican -- not that I think party designations mean diddly squat on very local issues. I live in District 5, and was just wondering which member would be most aware of/sensitive to any concerns. | ||
| ajc Citizen Username: Ajc Post Number: 2318 Registered: 9-2001 |
Cynicalgirl, “I got thinking about it because of the issues related to Boyden/Parker and the bus traffic, along with wondering who to ask about a particular concern.” If you really want straight answers to your concerns, I think you’re barking up the wrong tree. Anon, BobK, and Reflective have not answered your question, nor have they asked what your concern was regarding the bus issue. In regard to your issues related to Boyden/Parker and the bus traffic, Anon made a racial comment on another thread that he/she refuses to explain. The fact that others on this Board have not demanded an answer is unbelievable. Ask me the question, I’ll give you a direct answer, you can count on it. BTW, if you’re wondering which member would be most aware of/sensitive to any concerns you have, I’d have to say the Mayor is the designated leader of the group, and is the one I would speak to first. However, all township committee members will listen, and likely respond to you when called upon. FWIW, that was a hat Vic wore better than anyone has who served in that office for a long time. I believe Fred will follow in his footsteps. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 2365 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynicalgirl: This town is sufficiently small in geographic area that a petitiion brought by of one group of citizens is very likely to have a direct impact on all of us. Therefore, it is appropriate that all members of the Township Committee be elected at large so that they can (at least in theory) serve all our needs without being beholden to georgraphic-based vested interests. Purely local issues are best discussed within the frame work of your neighborhood association (if you have one) or with your district leader (if you can determine who that person is - some are much more visible and responsive than others). It also helps to brain storm with your neighbors so that you will have a clearer idea of the scope of the problem, the way it impacts on you and your neighbors and, if possible, one or more suggestions as to how to "fix" or "moderate" the problem. Speaking with our township committee members is easy. They all take their role on the township committee seriously, they are all highly approachable in a variety of different ways, and they will all listen to your concerns. It sometimes helps to speak with one or more of them before presenting an issue to the Township Committee so that you can get a sense of the type of information that will be helpful in making your case. A presentation which is limited to "those buses make too much noise, tie up traffic and leave my house and yard dirty" is not apt to be as effective as "an average of 1,000 buses a week have passed by my house on Boyden Avenue for the two years I have lived there. My neighbors and I have explored the situation and we have determined that by using the following route (insert route here) the buses could arrive at the NJT Transit garage within a reasonable period of time but without disturbing residents on residential streets. We are therefore requesting that the appropriate township official meet with a representative of NJT to express these concerns and try to reach an agreement regarding a new route for dead-heading buses or some other solution which will make the situation better." | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 313 Registered: 9-2003 |
Actually, it wasn't so much the bus issue that I was thinking of as wondering whether there was representation, by neighborhood, on issues like these. My newcomer thought was that if there was representation specifically from each neighborhood, that that person would likely carry the flag on issues of particular concern to a particular neighborhood. This is not to say that I don't care about the bus issue! Just got me wondering about how local government works when citizens in a particular area have a concern. Thanks to all for information. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 314 Registered: 9-2003 |
BTW, I live in 5 -- from a recycling point of view! | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 315 Registered: 9-2003 |
Joan, I hear you on the slight geography. Seems like, for all that, there's considerable population density and diversity of opinion/need. May vary by neighborhood, or family structure, economics, or newness. I am intrigued by your remark on "district leaders." What are they? Is that an unofficial role? I'm eager to find out what may exist for my area. Especially with the Winter, I do not see my neighbors much -- more likely to see some at the PTA. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4352 Registered: 5-2001 |
Each election district and they are not the same as the recycling districts has elections for district leader for both the Republican and Democratic party during the primary elections in the late spring/early summer. The district leaders sit on their respective Township party committees and vote on leadership posts in the party and also endorse candidates in the nest primary. Usually this is about as exciting as watching paint dry. However, two years ago there was a major split in the Democratic Party and the insurrgent group associated with now Mayor Profetta ran a slate of candidates who were able to elect a majority to the committee and take control from the incumbents, usually associated with former mayors DeLuca and Ryan. Most of us, unless active in party politics, don't know who our district leaders are. Art, why are you assuming that the cynical one is talking about the buss problem on Boyden? | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 925 Registered: 6-2002 |
I will let Cynicalgirl decide whether BobK, Reflective and I have answered her question. BUT, Art has now attacked me twice for "making a racial remark". It is beyond me how my comment could have been taken that way, It had nothing to do with race. Some people were suggesting that the "Boyden Avenue Two" were criminals. Art was making them out to be martyrs to some great cause and suggesting hyperbolically that buses on Boyden Avenue was "an injustice" and discrimination against a minority by a a majority. I said that these ladies were presumed innocent under the law but that they were not "Rosa Parks". I used her as an example of a person getting arrested over an issue of great significance and true injustice. I could have said "Ghandi" or "Thoreou" or "The Berrigan Brothers". Some might say that comparing noisy bus traffic to racial discrimination trivializes the latter and is, therefore, rascist. But I know Art to not be a rascist, so I guess he just completely misunderstood me. He also appears to have completely misunderstood this thread which was one citizen's request for specific information about the working of the Municipal Government. Sorry, I really get pissed when someone calls me a rascist. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 2367 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bobk is right about the role of our district leaders. However, often these people also have an active role in township government as Township Committee members or as members of major policy setting/influencing committees and boards in town. They also may have close political ties to county and/or state political leaders, which can be helpful when a little regional muscle is needed to get something accomplished. Check the attic. A listing of of Democratic district leaders (one male and one female for each of the election districts) was posted in soapbox not too long ago. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 316 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, Joan. I will now go looking in the attic! I didn't realize there was such a role... | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 10618 Registered: 10-2001  |
Dearest Anon, It's pretty clear from your posts that you are a racist. I agree with Art. ---> Brought to you by Sbenois Engineering LLC <- Hey, it also wouldn’t look good coming out of a motel with your wife’s best friend saying you were just planning a surprise birthday party for her husband...- Arturo November '03 | ||
| Dave Ross Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 6150 Registered: 4-1998  |
Sbenois' first suspension. | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 253 Registered: 3-2003 |
See you in a week?, Shebenois. |
