Weller-Demming Doesn't Mince Words As She Talks Politics At Campaign Meet-And-Greet

Deputy Mayor Kathryn Weller-Demming, who is seeking an at-large council seat in the May 8 municipal election, didn't mince words at the meet-and-greet she hosted at on Sunday afternoon.

She also didn't hesitate to say that she'd cast her vote for former Mayor Robert Jackson, who is heading up the Montclair 2012 slate that includes former Mayor Bob Russo, Rich McMahon, Robin Schlager, Sean Spiller, and current Councilor Rich Murnick.

"I know Bob has been tested and he has the experience that's needed," she said.

When asked about Jackson's inclusion of her fellow councilor, Murnick, on his slate, Weller-Demming said, "well, everyone can be forgiven for one lapse in judgement."

Weller-Demming said that of all the candidates she's most terrified Karen Turner, who's heading up the Real Progress Montclair slate, will be elected.

Once next door neighbors, Weller-Demming pointed out that Turner's children attend private schools and are not in the public school system.

"The mayor appoints school board members so we need a mayor with kids in the public school system," she said.

And Weller-Demming noted that, although she appreciates Harvey Susswein's many years of volunteer service to the town, she's been surprised by his lack of knowledge when it comes to shared service agreements with neighboring communities.

Susswein heads up the third and final slate running for office that's known as For Montclair.

"But no doubt I could work with any of the candidates," Weller-Demming said, noting that she has a very good relationship with Councilor Renee Baskerville, who is running unopposed for re-election in the 4th ward.

With her campaign manager, Mayor Jerry Fried, looking on, Weller-Demming said that what most people don't know is just how much the current township council has accomplished over the last four years.

For example, Weller-Demming said the South Park Street redevelopment project, scheduled to begin on Monday, will boost economic development for years to come.

"Relieving the burden on taxpayers isn't going to happen without an increase in urban development," she said.

She noted that the South Park Street redesign will be one of those kinds of projects "that will really matter in 20 years."

What the candidate's most proud of, though, is how the council "was able to accelerate our repayment of debt so that we could take advantage of low interest rates. This wasn't easy to do and it's the thing I'm most proud of. A lot of people aren't even aware of all that we have done."

Weller-Demming said that one of her biggest disappointments has been the performance of the Capital Finance Committee.

"It was supposed to meet regularly and publicly and that didn't happen," she said.

At the Sunday afternoon event, attended not only by Fried but also by Councilor Nick Lewis and Assemblyman Thomas Giblin—and a packed room full of supporters—pizza and other snacks were served and an art table was set up in the corner for children, including Weller-Demming's own 3-year-old daughter Gwen.

Weller-Demming noted that she'd grown up in Montclair's public schools, having attended, , and and that she's volunteered for organizations such as for many years.

Indeed, her slogan is "Paying It Forward," a message that adorned the campaign t-shirts she made herself and distributed on Sunday.

Selling for $10, she's donating $5 from each sale to Toni's Kitchen.

Weller-Demming said people can buy t-shirts and contact her via her new Facebook page.

When asked why she decided to run for re-election, Weller-Demming said that her continued dedication to the community is due to the exceptional experiences she had growing up in Montclair.

According to her campaign material, "Looking back, she sees that she is standing on the shoulders of so many giants of the community who invested in her her, and she is blessed to be paying that investment forward."

Check out Montclair Patch later on Sunday for more campaign information.