Slushiegate, Hackensack's Bailout & The NJ-11 Political Pileup

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This week on the Montclair Pod, Mike and Farnoosh are back to tackle the snowy aftermath and a whirlwind of local news. From the high stakes of the NJ-11 Special Primary—where a crowded field of 12 candidates is vying for your vote—to the sugar-fueled controversy of "Slushiegate" in our school cafeterias, we’re covering the stories that have the town talking. Grab your coffee (or a Walking Taco) and settle in for a jam-packed episode on everything happening in Montclair right now.

The Special Election Breakdown

First up, we get serious about the upcoming Special Primary Election. Terrence McDonald of the New Jersey Monitor returns to help us navigate the incredibly crowded field of 11 Democrats and 1 Republican vying for the NJ-11 congressional seat. We discuss why this seat matters, who is actually running, and what to expect on Thursday.

Slushiegate & "Walking Tacos"

Is "Slushiegate" the distraction we didn't know we needed? Mike and Farnoosh dig into the latest school cafeteria controversy—from slushies in the lunch line to the "Walking Taco" phenomenon. We break down the new Sodexo menu and the parents' reactions to the sugar rush.

Local Beat: Budgets, Buses & Bans

We check in on the school budget (spoiler: we aren't the only ones with a deficit). We compare notes with Perth Amboy and the breaking news out of Hackensack, where the school district revealed a shocking $17 million deficit. Specifically, we discuss the major development that the town is stepping in with $6.5 million in emergency funds to help stop immediate layoffs—a move that has sparked conversation about how municipalities support their schools.

We also touch on the latest Board of Education friction points: the debate over the upcoming school calendar and the controversy surrounding the new volunteer ban. Plus, we cover the final days of the Montclair Transit Survey.

One Big Thing: Milestones & Preschools

We wrap up with a shoutout to Cousin Honey, who is celebrating her 97th birthday (sparking a debate on legal names!). Plus, we share critical dates for parents looking into Montclair's upcoming preschool information sessions.

Run of Show

• 00:00 - Snow days and basement leaks.
• 03:10 - The NJ-11 Primary: A field of 11 candidates (and 1 Republican).
• 05:00 - School Updates: Calendar debates and the volunteer ban.
• 13:00 - Slushy Gate: The new Sodexo menu, sugar rushes, and "Walking Tacos."
• 22:00 - Guest: Terrence McDonald on why this seat matters and who is actually running.
• 40:40 - News: Transit Survey deadline & The Perth Amboy deficit comparison.
• 46:18 - One Big Thing: Cousin Honey’s 97th Birthday & Preschool Info Sessions.

Links & Resources

• Election Day: The Special Primary is Thursday, Feb 5th.
• ROUTE Questionnaire: Read the NJ-11 Candidate Responses
• Montclair Transit Survey: Fill Out the Survey
• Montclair Public Library's Preschool Fair is Saturday, Jan 31st.
• Guest: Follow Terrence McDonald at the New Jersey Monitor.
• Support the Show: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts!
• Newsletter: Subscribe at montclairpod.com.

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