Mr. Dashield goes to Montclair: Week Two

Plainfield's former city administrator Marc Dashield waded into his second week as Montclair's new Town Manager as he went before the Town Council on Tuesday evening, according to a report on Baristanet (see here).

While in theory, Dashield is THE BOSS, managing the entire executive branch, a close reading of the meeting makes it seem the Town Council is DEFINITELY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

Those who recall the strict wall Dashield erected between staffers and City Council when he was in Plainfield may smile slightly at his embrace of a monthly 'conference meeting' between the Council and staff to discuss issues and air views BEFORE items come before the Council for action.

Back in December, when I wrote about Dashield's departure decision (see here), I noted that --

Montclair is a community with high expectations and perhaps even more demanding residents than Plainfield's. While Dashield may find that bracing, he may also find it liberating not to have to turn constantly to a mayor and a mayoral mentor over every jot and tittle.

As an indicator of how spot-on the comment about expectations was, consider the following -- the Baristanet post on Tuesday's Town Council agenda (see here) had SIXTY-SIX READER COMMENTS as of Wednesday evening.

Using the one-equals-ten rule, that's about 660 people looking over his shoulder.

Good luck, Marc!

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• Baristanet --
• "Marc Dashield: New Manager weighing in, week 2"
• "Montclair Council meets tonight: Big issues on agenda"
  
• Plainfield Today: "Dashield's departure leaves Robinson-Briggs' hands full"
• Website: "Montclair Township, New Jersey"
  

-- Dan Damon [follow]

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