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Montclair council candidates contrast on housing, public safety and spending at forum
Summary
At a city candidates forum in Montclair, incumbents and challengers debated homelessness programs, school‑zone safety, Measure L spending and council ethics. Candidates emphasized housing and public safety as top priorities while differing on fiscal and procedural approaches.
At a candidates forum hosted by the Montclair Community Activities Commission and the Montclair Chamber of Commerce, five candidates for city council laid out competing priorities for housing, public safety and city spending ahead of the November election.
The forum, moderated by Tim Wbor, opened with brief procedural remarks and three‑minute statements from each candidate. Former council member Raft said she would "restore dignity and honor" to the council and faulted recent changes for costing the city "thus far over $700,000," urging voters to return her to office. Incumbent Ben Lopez described public‑safety and infrastructure accomplishments, including new police officers, firefighters and 180 flashing stop signs, and asked for another term to continue visible projects. Candidate Johnson stressed housing as the paramount issue and described Montclair’s outreach program, saying in her view the city can house willing people quickly. Mendes, who cited 29 years in public works, emphasized fiscal stewardship and infrastructure maintenance.
Why it matters: Candidates’ competing plans for homelessness, school safety and the use of Measure L funds will shape near‑term public‑safety staffing and capital projects. Measure L revenue and council spending priorities were repeatedly invoked during the forum as drivers of police, streets and park investments.
On homelessness, Raft and Johnson highlighted local outreach and wraparound services; Lopez pointed to a council‑approved allocation for homeless advocacy and city purchases of houses intended to serve as wraparound service sites. On school‑zone safety candidates pointed to physical improvements: Lopez cited an adopted "Safe Routes to Schools" plan and $634,000 approved this year to improve crossings near several schools; others stressed sidewalks, striping and enforcement.
Candidates also addressed governance questions: most opposed making the council a full‑time salaried body; several favored keeping the council focused on local matters rather than taking positions on international issues unless they directly affect Montclair.
Quotable: "How much does a life cost?" Raft asked when defending the city’s investment in flashing stop signs, and Lopez said the city has delivered "visible, tangible" infrastructure improvements paid for through recent budgets.
The forum closed with brief three‑minute remarks from each candidate urging residents to vote on Nov. 5. The moderator reminded viewers the forum would air on the city’s government channel and be posted to the city’s website and social channels.
