ARTS AND COMMERCE

Whether you are browsing through art galleries on Church Street, or shopping in one of the hundreds of boutiques in Montclair, you know there is something for everyone.

Montclair has its own renowned art museum, two theaters that show movies and films, and live theater that competes on every level with those in the city. Live theaters include Luna Stage, the Wellmont (where top notch musical groups appear), Montclair State University’s Kasser Theater, Montclair State University’s theatre in Life Hall, and the Studio Playhouse.

If you have children, there are numerous parks free of charge where your kids can climb and run. There are shops where the children can paint their own dishes, or sting up a new bracelet or necklace.
For local produce, there is a Farmer’s Market in the Spring, Fall and Summer near the Walnut St. train station.

For more information check out our Arts section, Recessionista section, or our Montclair Eats section.

MONTCLAIR PARKS

See the Attractions section

SPORTS

See the Sports section

BUSES AND  TRAINS

See the Commuter Information section

HOUSING

See the Classified section

KNOW YOUR GOVERNMENT

And if you live here, it is helpful to know who your elected officials are, and how your township operates.

The local government consists of a six-member township council and a mayor. Although the mayor has no executive powers, he does preside over all of the council meetings and has an important role as a leader – with a vote – in the proceedings. The mayor also is responsible for appointing the members of the board of education and the trustees of the public library.

Currently, the members of the Montclair Township Council are Mayor Jerry Fried, Deputy Mayor Roger S. Terry, Councilor at large Kathyrn Weller, 1st Ward Councilor Rich Murnick, 2cd Ward Councilor Cary Africk, 3rd Ward Councilor Nick Lewis, and 4th Ward Councilor Renee Baskervile.

As per county, state and federal representation, the township has two districts – t he 8th Congressional district in the north and the 10th Congressional district in the south. Montclair is part of the state’s 34the Legislative district. Currently, Bill Pascrell Jr, (D, Paterson) represents the 8th Congressional District. In the 10th Congressional District, Donald M. Payne (D, Newark) is the representative.

For the state, Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken) serve in the Senate.
The 34th district, for the 2008 – 2009 legislative session, is represented in the State Senate by Nia Gill (D, Montclair), in the assembly by Thomas P. Giblin (D, Montclair) and also Sheila Oliver (D, East Orange).

Montclair is a part of Essex County, an area encompassing 22 municipalities and approximately 800,000 residents.
The county executive, along with the Board of Chosen Freeholders, administer all county business. Currently, the Essex County Executive is Joseph DiVincenzo, Jr. The Board of Freeholders includes Freeholder President Bonnie Watson (at large), Freeholder Vice President Ralph Caputo (District 5), Johnny Jones (at large), Donald Payne Jr. (at large), Patricia Sebold (at large),Samuel Gonzalez (District 1), D. Bilal Beasley (District 2), Carol Y. Clark (District 3) and Linda Lordi Cavanaugh (District 4). It is interesting to note that all of the freeholders are democrats.