Montclair, New Jersey

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Montclair is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 38,977.

Montclair was first formed as a Township on April 15, 1868, from portions of Bloomfield Township.[3] After a referendum held on February 21, 1894, Montclair was reincorporated as a Town, effective February 24, 1894.[4] In the late 1970s, after protesting for years at the inequities built into the formulas, Montclair joined several other communities to qualify for a pool of federal aid allocated only to Townships, that allowed townships to receive as much as double the revenue-sharing aid per capita received by the four other types of New Jersey municipalities — Borough, City, Town or Village.[5][6]

 
 Geography

Montclair is located at 40°49′20″N, 74°12′43″W (40.822249, -74.211989)GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 16.3 km˛ (6.3 mi˛).

Montclair is bordered by Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Clifton, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, East Orange, Orange, West Orange, and Verona. 

 Government

Local government

Montclair is governed under the Faulkner Act's Council-Manager form of municipal government.

The Faulkner Act provides for several forms of government. In 1980, the Township voted to adopt the “council-manager” plan. In the council-manager plan there is only one directly elected power center: the council. The manager, while chief executive and administrative officer of the municipality, is appointed by the council and can be suspended and removed by a majority vote of the council. The manager’s function is to carry out the will of the council.

The council members in the council-manager plan serve a four-year term. In Montclair, council members serve concurrent terms and all terms expire at the same time (except for vacancies). The power and function of the council in the council-manager plan is short and to the point: All powers of the municipality and the determination of all matters of policy shall be vested in the municipal council, except as otherwise provided by this act, or by general law. The council-manager plan is a legislative supremacy, and thus the setting of policy is the responsibility of the council alone.

The Mayor under the Council-Manager Plan is a member of the council. The Mayor presides over the council and, as a member, and has a voice and vote in its proceedings. Aside from the power to appoint the trustees of the public library, and the members of the board of education in council-manager communities which have appointed boards, the mayor in the council-manager plan has no executive powers and is simply first among equals on the council.[9]

Members of the Montclair Township Council are:[10]

 Federal, state and county representation

Montclair is split between the Eighth and Tenth Congressional Districts and is part of New Jersey's 34th Legislative District.[11]

New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Passaic County and northern sections of Essex County, is represented by Bill Pascrell Jr. (D, Paterson). New Jersey's Tenth Congressional District, covering portions of Essex County, Hudson County, and Union County, is represented by Donald M. Payne (D, Newark). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 34th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by Nia Gill (D) and in the Assembly by Thomas P. Giblin (D, Montclair) and Sheila Y. Oliver (D, East Orange). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Essex County's County Executive is Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. The executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders administer all county business. Essex County's Freeholders are Freeholder President Blonnie R. Watson, Freeholder Vice President Ralph R. Caputo, Freeholders-At-Large Johnny Jones, Donald M. Payne, Jr., and Patricia Sebold, Freeholder District 1 Samuel Gonzalez, Freeholder District 2 D. Bilal Beasley, Freeholder District 3 Carol Y. Clark, Freeholder District 4 Linda Lordi Cavanaugh and Freeholder District 5 Ralph R. Caputo.

 Politics

On the national level, Montclair leans strongly toward the Democratic Party. In 2004, Democrat John Kerry received 79% of the vote here, defeating Republican George W. Bush, who received around 20%.

Character

Skyline of New York City from Montclair at the start of the Watchung Mountains
Skyline of New York City from Montclair at the start of the Watchung Mountains

Montclair is located on the First Mountain of the Watchung Mountains. Most of the town is on the eastward-side of this ridge. Thus, many locations provide excellent views of the surrounding area and the New York City skyline, which is about 12 miles away. In the 19th century, George Inness, the Hudson River School painter, lived in town.

Montclair is noted for its historic architecture. It is home to six historic districts listed on the New Jersey and/or National Registers of Historic Places., some 92 individually listed landmarks, and two locally designated commercial districts. Works by significant architects include designs by Van Vleck and Goldsmith, Charles Follen McKim, McKim, Mead, and White, Henry Hudson Holly, Charles A. Platt, Alexander Jackson Davis, Dudley Van Antwerp, Effingham R. North, and Frances Nelson, among others.

 Education

The Montclair Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district are seven elementary schools (K-5, except as noted) — Bradford, Edgemont, Hillside (3-5), Nishuane (K-2), Northeast, Rand and Watchung — Three middle schools for grades 6-8 — Glenfield, Mount Hebron and Renaissance — and Montclair High School for grades 9-12.

Montclair is home to Montclair State University.

Montclair is also home to a host of private and parochial schools, including: Montclair Kimberley Academy, Lacordaire Academy, Immaculate Conception High School (Montclair), St. Cassian's School, Virginia Harkness Sawtelle Learning, Maria Montessori Early Learning, Montclair Cooperative School, Trinity Academy, and Deron School II.

 Sports

 Sister cities

Montclair is twinned with the following cities:

[edit] Notable residents

Some noted current and former residents include:

Points of interest

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Census data for Montclair township, United States Census Bureau. Accessed August 12, 2007.
  2. ^ USGS GNIS: Township of Montclair, Geographic Names Information System, accessed October 23, 2007.
  3. ^ History of Montclair, Montclair Township. Accessed August 5, 2007. "When Bloomfield authorities declined to authorize a bond issue to underwrite another railroad, Montclair residents were successful in securing from the State legislature a charter for a separate township. Thus in 1868, the Township of Montclair was created."
  4. ^ "The Story of New Jersey's Civil Boundaries: 1606-1968", John P. Snyder, Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, New Jersey; 1969. p. 129.
  5. ^ "Opponent of Distribution Formula For Federal Aid Steps Up Attack; As South Orange Moves to Become Township, Montclair Aide Calls for Equitable Sharing", The New York Times August 29, 1977. p. 59.
  6. ^ History of Montclair, accessed January 1, 2007.
  7. ^ Jersey Resident Population by Municipality: 1930 - 1990, Workforce New Jersey Public Information Network. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  8. ^ Where They Weekend: Montclair, NJ, Gawker.com, March 11, 2007. Accessed July 3, 2007.
  9. ^ Montclair's Form of Government, Montclair Township. Accessed June 27, 2006.
  10. ^ Montclair Township Government, Montclair Township. Accessed March 14, 2007.
  11. ^ 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, New Jersey League of Women Voters, p. 60. Accessed August 30, 2006.
  12. ^ Sister City Exchange With Barnet, England, accessed September 12, 2006.
  13. ^ Nicaragua Sister City projects
  14. ^ "Governor Taps Brad Abelow As Chief Of Staff", Governor of New Jersey press release dated August 7, 2007. Accessed August 7, 2007. "Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced that effective September 1, 2007 State Treasurer Bradley Abelow will serve as his new chief of staff.... Abelow earned an M.B.A. from the Yale University School of Management and a B.A. from Northwestern University. He and his family live in Montclair."
  15. ^ Reflections on a Lifetime of Achievement, accessed December 21, 2006. "Buzz Aldrin has led an exciting and fascinating life. This timeline covers the highlights of his distinguished career, beginning with his early life in Montclair, New Jersey."
  16. ^ Brubaker, Paul. "Journalism from both sides now: Newsweek’s Jonathan Alter speaks on making news and touching history", The Montclair Times, June 16, 2005. Accessed June 6, 2007. "I prepared sedulously for the interview, Alter remembered, sitting in the living room of his Upper Mountain Avenue home, taking a break from a book he is writing on President Franklin D. Roosevelt."
  17. ^ Jim Axelrod: CBS Chief White House Correspondent, CBS News. Accessed August 12, 2007.
  18. ^ Life of Yogi, accessed December 21, 2006. "A resident of Montclair, NJ for over 40 years, Yogi Berra remains an inspiration to different generations."
  19. ^ Namecheck, The Huffington Post, July 27, 2006. Accessed June 6, 2007. "Boehlert, who recently published "Lapdogs: How The Press Rolled Over for Bush," will be based out of his home in Montclair, NJ and will start by the end of the summer."
  20. ^ Random House Author Spotlight: Bill Bradley, accessed December 21, 2006. "Mr. Bradley is the author of Life on the Run, The Fair Tax, and Time Present, Time Past. He is married and has one daughter and lives in Montclair, New Jersey."
  21. ^ ‘I am not Ms. Perfect. I am Ms. Normal’: Cosmetics guru Bobbi Brown honored for exemplary parenting, The Montclair Times, May 10, 2006. "Beauty innovator Bobbi Brown of Montclair stood out for her “what you see is what you get” natural style and classic, down-to-earth flair at the 28th Annual Outstanding Mother Awards luncheon held Thursday, May 4, at the Pierre Hotel in New York City."
  22. ^ Joyce words: As he prepares to move on from The Daily Show, the host of the upcoming Colbert Report gets his Ulysses on, Time Out New York by David Cote, June 9, 2005. "Alternating goofy with grave, Colbert chatted by cell from his home in Montclair, New Jersey."
  23. ^ a b c d The State of Jazz: Meet 40 More Jersey Greats, The Star-Ledger, September 28, 2004.
  24. ^ MSU Professor Featured in Showtime Special on Baseball Great and Civil Rights Pioneer Larry Doby, Montclair State University press release dated January 26, 2007, accessed April 23, 2007. "Doby lived in Montclair for many years before his death in 2003 and received an honorary degree from Montclair State University in 1987."
  25. ^ Nash, Margo. "Olympia Dukakis and Memories of Montclair", The New York Times, August 10, 2003, accessed April 23, 2007. "Profile of and interview with actress and theater director Olympia Dukakis, who comments on her career, her years in Montclair, NJ..."
  26. ^ Smith, Dinitia. "Christopher Durang Explores the Afterlife, Including His Own", The New York Times, November 26, 2005. Accessed June 6, 2007. "For Mr. Durang, there is always the memory of the silent pain that permeated his childhood home in Montclair, N.J."
  27. ^ Beckerman, Jim. "It's ugly, but Frankie Faison enjoys life on 'The Wire'", The Record (Bergen County), January 28, 2007, accessed April 23, 2007. "The veteran actor, who's in his 50s and has been a Montclair resident for 19 years, was already a familiar face in movies..."
  28. ^ "What Do You Think?", Time (magazine), February 26, 1940, accessed April 23, 2007. "Citizens of Montclair, N. J. had a mighty pretty letter in their mail last week. The letter, from Mayor William E. Speers and Director of Revenue and Finance Bayard H. Faulkner, said that the town treasury had a surplus of half a million dollars."
  29. ^ Cooper, Darren. "The Commissioner Next Door: Don Garber Leaves Montclair Every Day To Run Major League Soccer", The Montclair Times, September 25, 2002. Acecssed July 3, 2007. "It is this puzzle that MLS Commissioner Don Garber grapples with every day. A Montclair resident for the past 10 years, Garber looks at his town, the place where he and his wife Betsy chose to raise his two kids, and sees endless possibilities for soccer."
  30. ^ Krebs, Albin. " STERLING HAYDEN DEAD AT 70; AN ACTOR, WRITER AND SAILOR", The New York Times, May 24, 1986. Accessed October 17, 2007. "Mr. Hayden was named Sterling Relyea Walter when he was born in Montclair, N.J., on March 26, 1916."
  31. ^ Assembly Member Sean T. Kean, Project Vote Smart. Accessed August 9, 2007.
  32. ^ Prepare to be dazzled by the Amazing Kreskin, Dallas Morning News, March 22, 2007. " Born in Montclair, N.J., Kreskin was fully fascinated with magic by the age of five."
  33. ^ Howard J. Krongard, Inspector General, United States Department of State. Accessed September 20, 2007.
  34. ^ Stanley Cup Journal, accessed April 7, 2007. "Scott enjoyed a day with the Stanley Cup on Monday. Although not his official twenty-four hour visit, which will likely involve a visit to Cranbrook, British Columbia later this summer, Scott and his wife hosted a neighbourhood party in their Montclair, New Jersey backyard."
  35. ^ Associated Press. "`Kumar' Actor Has College Teaching Gig", The Washington Post, March 26, 2007. Accessed October 9, 2007. "The university said Penn, a native of Montclair, N.J., received a bachelor's degree in sociology with a specialization in theater, film and television from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is pursuing a graduate certificate in international security at Stanford University."
  36. ^ Christina Ricci, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 7, 1993. "Hometown: Born in Santa Monica; moved to Montclair, N.J. as a child"
  37. ^ "Anwar: Out!", The Montclair Times, April 28, 2005."A member of the MHS Class of 1997 and a township resident for five years, Robinson’s run from one of hundreds of thousands of contestants to the last seven finalists ended Wednesday, April 20, after he received the fewest votes among the remaining contestants."
  38. ^ Famous people from New Jersey, State of New Jersey. Accessed July 3, 2007.
  39. ^ Pearce, Jeremy. "Leo Sternbach, 97, Valium Creator, Dies", The New York Times, October 1, 2005. Accessed October 17, 2007. "The couple lived in Upper Montclair, N.J., until last year, when they moved to Chapel Hill."
  40. ^ Inventor of Valium and National Inventors Hall of Fame, Roche, September 30, 2005. Accessed October 17, 2007. "A devoted family man, Sternbach lived with his wife, Herta, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, from 1943 to 2003..."
  41. ^ Strahan home improvement a labor of love, NFL Insider, October 3, 2002.
  42. ^ Pace, Eric. "Michelle Thomas, 30, Actress On TV Soap Opera and Sitcoms", The New York Times, December 28, 1998. Accessed October 30, 2007. "She was born in Boston, Mass., grew up in Montclair, N.J., and graduated from West Essex High School in North Caldwell, N.J."
  43. ^ Dallas Townsend, 76, CBS Radio News Anchor, The New York Times, June 2, 1995. "Dallas S. Townsend Jr., who wrote and anchored the morning CBS radio news roundup for 25 years, died yesterday at Montclair Community Hospital in New Jersey. A former resident of Montclair, he was 76 and lived in Sarasota, Fla., after retiring in 1985."
  44. ^ Edward Waterman Townsend biography, United States Congress. Accessed July 31, 2007.
  45. ^ David Tyree player profile, National Football League Players Association. Accessed July 24, 2007. "Hometown: Montclair, NJ... Attended Montclair (N.J.) High…Blue Chip Illustrated All-America…Super Prep, Tom Lemming and Prep Star All Regional selection."
  46. ^ Artist Description for Joe Walsh, accessed December 4, 2006.
  47. ^ La Gorce, Tammy. "Sure, I Rock, but I Need Health Care", The New York Times, May 24, 2006. Accessed October 24, 2007. "To get it, Ms. Owen Youngs, 24, who shares an apartment in Montclair with a roommate, drives an hour northwest every weekday to Shanachie Records in Newton."
  48. ^ MSU's state-of-the-art theater celebrated at MSU's annual dinner, Montclair State University, press release dated May 9, 2002. ""Also attending the third annual dinner was Kim Zimmer, a Montclair resident who appears as “Reva Shane” in the long-running soap opera, “Guiding Light.”"
  49. ^ Klein, Alvin. "Too Hot for 'Antigone,' so They Compromised", The New York Times. July 27, 1997. Accessed June 6, 2007. "Olympia Dukakis returns to New Jersey more than once a year. She lives here, with her husband, Louis Zorich."

 External links