The problem is that, unlike in Clifton for example, officials in Montclair don't like to have to respond to anyone unless they can come to one of the physical council meetings held at night. And your chances of getting a response even then aren't terrific unless you bring a bunch of people to mob the room with the same issue.

Perhaps there needs to be a bunch of people telling the council "listen to us", and pointing out that the nineteenth century has come and gone and that tools like this exist. The council could also be reminded that a number of them, including the Mayor, ran on a platform of transparency. Tools like this serve that goal admirably, as opposed to a room with a small group of people and a TV broadcast that too few people watch.

Or, you could just try contacting the Mayor or Council through an email or call.

Your elected officials are NOT the people to report potholes or other issues to... the Township Manager is the CEO and supervises the staff. If you tell me about a pothole, I contact the manager.

Email or text message is the best.

Jerry F.

As it happens, a fair number of responses in Clifton are of the "I passed this on to ...".

Or the Manager in Montclair and/or other responsible parties could set up "watches" here too. It's not that difficult.

Unlike email or text, tools like this have the advantage - from the perspective of the citizenry - of being public and shared. Citizens can see issues discovered by others and see progress being made towards issue resolutions.

It should also be a terrific tool for the responsible township parties, in that input can be accumulated from multiple citizens. That can help further identify, or "narrow down", problems or their details. And it can show citizens how responsive our government is as well as providing at least a partial view of where our tax dollars are spent.

It would be a win for everyone.