The Montclair Safety & Improvement Council (MSIC) was created in 2003, and has been working on quality-of-life issues ever since.  Now the founding steering committee heads plan to step down, so there will be an elected “changing of the guards” ahead.

MSIC is an all-volunteer group representing the Montclair core, which means the Village and areas south of Thornhill.  Like many Oakland neighborhood groups, they focus on crime prevention, traffic safety, beautification and emergency preparedness – but these guys do it with enthusiasm!

What’s special about this Council is the level of communications occurring among its leaders, Beat 13Z cops and first responders, village merchants, elected power-that-be, city administrators and plain ‘ole Montclarions.  The Yahoo! message board is very heavily used as well, and lights up anytime there’s something cooking out there.

We have watched how locals can share something suspicious – like a person or car that’s been casing a street or two – and how that ultimately helps.  While the subject matter is mostly about problems or potential problems, at least there’s a way for Beat 13Z folks to share quickly.

In essence, the Montclair SIC acts much like an activist watchdog group for Montclair’s core.  Chairman Nick Vigilante and Vice Chair Jill Broadhurst should be applauded for their sheer stamina and commitment alone.  And it’s now time for the next generation of leaders to step up and influence the quality-of-life around here.

If you can devote sufficient time and energy, then please throw your hat in the ring for one of the MSIC leadership positions.  Below is a copy of Chairman Nick’s email which encourages neighbors to run for the MSIC steering committee – give it some consideration.

Hello Everyone,

The Montclair Safety and Improvement Council (MSIC) will be sending out an official email to let you know all the details about the elections.

As many of you know, I and several others helped form the MSIC in 2003, with help from Council Member Jean Quan’s Office.  MSIC thanks Council Member Quan and Sue Piper for their fantastic support through the years.

The MSIC Steering Committee tries really hard to help the Montclair community, and you as the members of the Montclair community play a big part in it.  I thank all of you for the great work you do for your neighborhoods, and for Montclair.  You make Montclair a better and safer home for us all.

Myself-Chair, and Jill Broadhurst-Vice Chair, have been with MSIC since day-one.  I have decided not to seek re-election as Chair.  Jill has decided not to seek re-election as Vice Chair.  This is not due to any internal problems or controversies.  Both Jill and I will continue with MSIC, but in other capacities.  I will continue with crime prevention, and help Doug Mosher with the great work he is doing with the MONS Groups.  Jill will continue with beautification and the great work she does with that group in Montclair.

There are lots of you out there (Other MSIC Steering Commitee Officers and Reps, MONS, CORE, Watch Group Leaders, etc.) who have great potential to contribute on a broader level for Montclair.  I ask you to consider the possibility of an Officer position on the MSIC Steering Committee – Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary.  There are other Representational positions on the MSIC Steering Committee as well, which may come open.

MSIC will soon publicize a public meeting in November; one which is a regular public meeting.  At this public meeting, there will be a interesting topic of interest to all of you.  I’ll keep that a secret right now!  The MSIC Steering Committee election process will also take place at the November meeting, but that is not the reason for the meeting.  MSIC is required to hold elections every year.

An official notification will follow from MSIC, as I mentioned above.

My email is intended to give everyone an advance opportunity to explore the idea of serving on the MSIC Steering Committee, which for me has been a great learning experience and opportunity to serve you.  Thank you,

Nick Vigilante