November 29
...serving up your daily dish.
Now that the Crescent Parking Deck is up, and parking is free in downtown Montclair through Dec. 31, what are we going to bitch about?
November 29, 2005 in The Daily Chat | Permalink
How about the fact that the Town put up temporary permit parking on a number of streets during the construction phase for the new deck. Residents on those blocks were promised that permit parking would be removed once the new deck opened. Well it's been open for about 10 days and no sign of those permit only signs coming down. No one I talk to is really surprised about that.
Posted by: TooManyCarsinMontclair | Nov 29, 2005 3:00:21 PM
How can it be that there is no B&B in this area? Doesn't someone want to buy a beautiful big house and make a little money renting rooms? Does anyone know of an alternative to the Holiday Inn on 46 or the Residence Inn in West Orange?
Posted by: elaine | Nov 29, 2005 3:16:51 PM
In 1976 the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty. Today, the 1,000th person was executed. I am conflicted.
As a Catholic and regular attendee of Mass (I know that is considered a sign of weakness in the Liberal world), I am intellectually against the death penalty. I don't believe we have the moral authority to take a life.
But on the emotional level when I apply the Dershowitz principle I am an advocate: If one of my sister's was raped and murdered I don't think I could just forgive the perp and not want to see and eye for an eye revenge.
Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 29, 2005 3:19:48 PM
I don't think a B&B would be successful in this area. Who would come to Baristaville and spend the night just for fun? There's not that much original to do here.
Posted by: Dana | Nov 29, 2005 3:21:25 PM
Why not advertize a B & B special and a trip to the city to see a show or dinner?
I think if you are not from the area and are planning a NYC trip, it might be a great alternative to staying "in the city"
Posted by: girl | Nov 29, 2005 3:27:24 PM
What about the Marlboro Inn? They tried to have mystery nights and other special events to draw people in but there wasn't a lot of interest and they sold the property.
Posted by: hrhppg | Nov 29, 2005 3:32:55 PM
maybe too far away, but there is (or at least was) a b&b in Chatham called, I think, the Red Parrot.
Posted by: talliewoo | Nov 29, 2005 3:51:48 PM
[quote: "But on the emotional level when I apply the Dershowitz principle I am an advocate: If one of my sisters was raped and murdered I don't think I could just forgive the perp and not want to see and eye for an eye revenge." end quote]
I think it's natural to want revenge, but life in prison might qualify as revenge too... perpetrator has to live with him/herself in crappy circumstances and without a light at the end of the tunnel. Alternately, they "convert" while in prison and actually bring some good to the world. And if the perpetrator turns out not to be the perpetrator, you can't give them that time in jail back, but at least you can let them go. But I've never had to be in that situation, and maybe I'd feel differently if I did. Just seems sad to add more violence and despair to a world that already has so much.
Posted by: frenchgirl | Nov 29, 2005 3:58:36 PM
How about increasing tax rateables in town by attracting some commercial development (look what Teaneck built).
It would provide job opportunities locally and reduce or stabilize the local property tax rate.
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 29, 2005 4:10:00 PM
[quote: "But on the emotional level when I apply the Dershowitz principle I am an advocate: If one of my sisters was raped and murdered I don't think I could just forgive the perp and not want to see and eye for an eye revenge." end quote]
Very understandable. However, the legal and moral basis for the death penalty in this country has always been as a concept of deterrence not retribution. Most people gravely misunderstand this distinction.
The Death Penalty as a deterrent is a complete fallacy also, obviously.
When I think about it with these clear distinctions I line up with those who clearly state it should not be practiced in a civil society.
Posted by: drob | Nov 29, 2005 4:10:24 PM
Can I bitch about NJ Transit trains in Baristavile that only run on "commuter hours?" Heck, the trains from South Orange run on off-peak and weekend schedules. Why can't I take a train from Bloomfield into Hoboken on the weekend instead of having to take another convoluted route? Harumph.
Posted by: Krys | Nov 29, 2005 4:44:17 PM
Let's not forget the friend customer service on DeCamp Buses!
Posted by: Franklin | Nov 29, 2005 5:05:50 PM
How about panhandlers in Bloomfield Center? I've been working here 5 years, but suddenly in the last 3 months, it seems I get hit up for spare change as much as 3 times in a single day!
Posted by: eric | Nov 29, 2005 5:09:12 PM
One of my complaints is how school is cancelled or delayed when there is something like 1/2 inch of snow on the ground. Come on! It causes so much disruption to schedules and is rarely warranted. I realize that buses have to pick up all those kids and teachers must get to school on time, etc., but with some planning that can actually happen on time, even with some snow. So ok, I'm from Chicago so used to the white stuff, but it still drives me nuts every winter.
Posted by: clc | Nov 29, 2005 5:15:30 PM
Hey guys...down at the Tiki Bar at the Jersey Shore there is a man in the men's room who's job is to give us paper towels...and he expects a tip. Is that a necessary service?
Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 29, 2005 5:20:43 PM
Yeah, that there's no weekend train sucks.
It's why I'm moving next month to Downtown Jersey City. The area I'm moving to is beautiful and full of brownstones...yet, the path runs 24/7 and I can be at work in 10 minutes. Can't beat that!
My main bitch about Montclair is lack of nightlife... I'm sick of my social life revolving around dining/food.
Posted by: Butch | Nov 29, 2005 5:27:19 PM
Ice- a perfect case to sit and ponder-
the State of NJ vs Thomas Tarentino:
Trantino brutally murdered two Lodi, New Jersey police officers in 1963. Their names were Peter Voto and Gary Tedesco.
He didn’t just murder them. He and his partner first disarmed the two officers and then had them strip down to their underwear (there is other speclation on what happened after that). The two lawmen were then then taunted and pistol-whipped presumably for some sick thrill. However, torturing the officers was not enough for these two sadistic animals.
After toying with their victims, these monsters murdered the two unarmed policemen who both left behind families and a massive wake of anguish. They were both shot, execution style, in the head.
Initially sentenced to death, Trantino’s life was spared when the United States Supreme Court overturned the death penalty in 1972. He was paroled in 2001.
A few new and noteworthy Joseph Smith -Allen Cameron-and our handsome Scott Peterson (who by the way sits in jail receiving love letters).
By the time the appeal process actually sees the case through the sector of society who lived through the outrage has moved on-all except the families who are tragically imprisoned in the void of non-resolution.
I say perhaps no DEATH, however no right to parol, no contact with family, no communication with outside society, no books. You do the crime and sit in your cell for life your only movement or exercise is to and from the cafeteria. Your lawyers can appeal -JUST in Case your Innocent.
OR IS THAT SO UNFAIR?
Posted by: cstarling | Nov 29, 2005 5:27:39 PM
What to whine about? The freaking parking ticket I got today, of course. Bitch must be having a hard time making her quota these days with all the new free parking. OK, I was parked at a yellow curb zone for a couple of minutes while making a delivery, so technically it was a fair cop, but jeez, I had my flashers going. I thought there was a little give & take in these situations. I guess I got the "take" part.
I just thought that was pretty darn mean-spirited, particularly in this alleged holiday season. Doesn't exactly make me want to patronize Montclair merchants now.
Posted by: crank | Nov 29, 2005 5:32:49 PM
Thanks for the thoughtful responses to my death penalty post. I hope none of us ever has to face that kind of situation.
Posted by: The Iceman | Nov 29, 2005 5:34:16 PM
"I had my flashers going. I thought there was a little give & take in these situations. I guess I got the "take" part."
I was told that by a cop - that if you simply put on your flashers you won't be ticketd (she was at the time writing me a ticket for parking at the yellow curb for a few min. -sans flashers)
Posted by: clc | Nov 29, 2005 5:48:29 PM
I noticed no small tribute to the NY
officer fatally shot in the heart yesterday.
Dillon Stewart, 35, died despite wearing a bulletproof vest. One round entered his left armpit, missing the protective plating "by no more than a quarter of an inch," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.
Stewart, who was married with two children, "showed remarkable tenacity and courage in pursuing his assailant," Kelly said.
He was the first officer to die in the line of duty this year in NYC.
My heart goes out to Dillion's family.
And my thanks to all the uniforms out there who take a chance everyday in order to protect us.
Posted by: cstarling | Nov 29, 2005 5:52:03 PM
