The Incumbents: Montclair Town Council Will See Big Turnover In 2024

MONTCLAIR, NJ — It’s not a year for incumbents in Montclair.

When the list of candidates for the 2024 municipal election finally came together, it included a large field of 15 people who are competing for a mayoral seat and spots on the township council. Read More: Montclair Election Update: See List Of Mayor, Council Candidates

But the list is also notable for who is missing: six of seven current members of the dais.

Montclair’s election will take place on Tuesday, May 14. In total, seven seats will be up for grabs: mayor, two at-large council members, and a council member in each of the four wards. See the election timeline, ward maps and other important information here.

Robert Russo, who is trying to recapture his councilor-at-large seat, is the only incumbent running for re-election this year. See Related: Russo Seeks Another Term On Montclair Town Council

The town’s current mayor – Sean Spiller – recently announced that he won't be running for a second term.

Spiller didn’t cite a reason why he isn’t hitting the campaign trail again, but said he was “honored” to have led Montclair as mayor and previously as a council member. Read More: Montclair Mayor 'Prepares To Pass Baton' (Election 2024)

Aside from Russo, none of the current council members filed petitions to run for office again this year: Roger Terry (at-large), William Hurlock (1st Ward), Robin Schlager (2nd Ward), Lori Price Abrams (3rd Ward), and David Cummings (4th Ward).

Candidates do not declare party affiliations in a non-partisan municipal election.

Patch reached out to each incumbent via email, seeking comment about why they aren’t running again – and what it might say about the current state of politics in Montclair (or the difficult job of serving as an elected official). We will update this article with any additional replies we receive.

LORI PRICE ABRAMS: ‘BALANCING PERSONAL COMMITMENTS’

Price Abrams cited a desire to balance personal commitments with public service in a statement issued prior to the Feb. 29 filing deadline.

“Serving as a member of Montclair Township Council is a responsibility to which I have given my time and energy, bringing thoughtful deliberation of opportunities and problem solving on behalf of my constituents and Montclair as a whole,” Price Abrams said.

“My tenure of service has also enhanced my deep appreciation for the many individuals and constituencies passionately striving to bring shape to our collective values in Montclair,” she continued. “At this time, however, in balancing the personal commitments of my life with that of public service, I have chosen a re-set and will not pursue a second term as a township councilor in May.”

Price Abrams said she plans to stay involved in local community issues, and to build on her accomplishments as a council member, which includes supporting Montclair’s rent control ordinance, its accessory dwelling unit ordinance, a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, and the Lackawanna Redevelopment plan.

“These results helped to fulfill my campaign commitments toward greater affordability and environmental stewardship for our residents to which I will remain committed through the end of my tenure and beyond,” Price Abrams added.

DAVID CUMMINGS: ‘I WANTED TO FINISH WHAT I STARTED’

Cummings told Patch that his decision not to run for re-election was based on his professional career.

“I started a new job in February of 2022, and even considered stepping down then,” Cummings said. “However, I wanted to finish what I started.”

“I realized that based on my schedule, which literally requires me to work every Saturday and Sunday from September to mid-April, on top of having to go in to the office during the week, I didn’t have the time and bandwidth to serve the residents of the 4th Ward, and Montclair, in the manner required,” he continued.

“I made this decision several months ago,” Cummings said. “As someone who group in Montclair, it’s been a privilege to represent the township, and specifically the 4th Ward. I am so grateful to those residents who entrusted me with the awesome responsibility.”

When asked for his opinion about why only one incumbent is running this year, Cummings gave the following reply:

“I don’t think anyone is surprised Bob Russo is running again. Bob has been talking about how the last four elections were his ‘last election’ – I say that kiddingly. I cannot speak to why most of the members of the council are not running. You would have to ask them directly. I can understand why the mayor would not run. He’s been the subject of a lot scrutiny, and it has played out so publicly, I can understand why he may not want to put his family through much more. You can judge all of us because we are public officials. But I also know how tough it can be on spouses and children.”

ROGER TERRY: ‘GOOD TO HAVE SOME FRESH BLOOD’

Last year, a familiar face rejoined the Montclair Town Council as an at-large member – Roger Terry – who was appointed to fill former councilman Peter Yacobellis’ unexpired term in October 2023. See Related: Montclair Council Chooses Terry To Fill Empty Seat After Fiery Meeting

Yacobellis was elected to an at-large seat in 2020. He resigned from the council – and ended a mayoral bid – citing the stress of serving as an elected official as one of the key factors behind his decision. Read More: Yacobellis Ends Montclair Mayoral Bid, Says 'Happiness' Was Key Factor

Terry, who previously served on the council and worked with the police department for more than three decades, told Patch that he wants to get a chance to spend more time with his family, travel and generally enjoy life.

“I’m getting up the ladder a little bit,” he said. “I have grown grandchildren – and I do like my sports.”

“I want to make the rounds a little bit while I still can,” Terry said. “And that was a decision even my family thought would be the best for me.”

Terry added that he’s hoping a new generation of Montclair residents will rise to pick up the torch of local government.

“For me, I believe at this point in my life, it's time to pass the baton to help some younger people become involved,” Terry said. “We have a wealth of talented young professionals in our community – some of them I'm working with right now.”

“This is my home, the only home I've ever known,” he added. “And I will be out there to help and assist anybody that needs it.”

• See Related: Roger Terry Joins Montclair Council: 'Let's Agree To Disagree'

When asked to reflect on why the council is seeing such a large turnover this year, Terry credited his peers with sticking with a hard job as long as they did.

“Nobody takes this job or runs to fail,” he said.

“It takes teamwork to work together in this form of government,” Terry added. “That's one thing that, you know, may be lacking a little bit – and maybe it had to do with COVID and some other issues.”

Terry recalled there was another large turnover on the council in 2008, which shows that – every now and then – these anomalies do happen. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing, he says.

The at-large council member pointed to a renewed national discussion about term limits for politicians, which he says is as relevant in Montclair as it is in Washington D.C.

“It’s good every once in a while to have some fresh blood,” he told Patch. “That’s my feeling, anyway.”

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