Ilmar For Montclair

05/31/2024

Wonderfully warm, truly welcome, infinitely encouraging, and genuinely uplifting 'congratulatory' message from our State Senator John F. McKeon. To even find time to compose and send these is evidence of true civic leadership values. Of course, Theodore Roosevelt's words of wisdom are as brilliant, timely, and relevant as ever. This seems fitting to close out Montclair's municipal election month. Sen. McKeon, I'm beyond grateful for the sentiments and will heed your advice with care!

05/16/2024

I'm proud of running a clean, honest, grassroots, all-volunteer, community-empowered campaign. In a way, not winning this election is one of the best things that could have happened to me. The overwhelming outpouring of love, support, kindness, and encouragement, as well as the absolute avalanche of appreciation for my candidacy, is beyond comparison with any accolades that I could ever hope to receive. It will take me at least one month to respond to the countless texts, emails, and telephone messages from friends and neighbors throughout Montclair. While I remain deeply disappointed at negative campaigning and false information deployed against me and members of my slate, I am forever blessed and enriched by the many new friends I have met and made over the course of this campaign. As I reflect on the journey we've shared together since last year, I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you who has stood by my side. It's been my honor and privilege to connect with you, and engage in meaningful dialogue about our community's future. Running for office is humbling and gratifying, and I thank you a million times for believing in me. Meanwhile, I won’t be going anywhere, so let's keep in touch, and continue working for a better Montclair. "Dear George, remember no man is a failure who has friends." -It's A Wonderful Life

05/14/2024

Voted today with my very proud mom.

05/14/2024

One result of Tuesday's municipal election in Montclair is known: the dais will be wiped nearly clean come June with a least six new members.

05/13/2024

In an email communication today, in which he once again endorses candidates (even as some of them supposedly claim they don't wish to be endorsed), former Councilor Peter Yacobellis, in stating that "In ward 2, Eileen Birmingham is... a champion of the library," is making egregiously misleading claims and spreading concerningly inaccurate information about candidates.

Three years ago, when the current council voted to drastically cut Montclair Public Library's budget, Montclair's library community united to advocate for restoring and increasing funding. Leading these efforts were 2 friends groups, both of which I am a founding member of. Eileen was invited to join the Montclair Library Friends to help us in lobbying for additional funding, but she declined, saying that she did not have the time. Of course, it is always everyone's personal prerogative to refuse an invitation for any reason, but for someone to then assign that same individual the title of "library champion" is extremely disparaging and disrespectful to those many other individuals, including but certainly not limited to myself, who actually stepped up and did this work on behalf of the community by generously and selflessly contributing countless hours of advocacy efforts for one and a half years, which ultimately resulted in successful restoration of the library budget.

Meanwhile, my record of support, advocacy, fundraising, and service to Montclair Public Library is second to none and unmatched by any of the 15 candidates running, who collectively have not done as much to support MPL as I singlehandedly have.

As a longtime champion of literacy, intellectual freedom, and information access equity, I have served MPL as an employee, trustee, fundraiser, and volunteer for over 40 years, providing me with a unique and comprehensive perspective on library matters. Reporting directly to Mayor Robert Jackson as his Library Board Designee, I was elected Treasurer by my fellow trustees, chaired the Finance Committee, and prepared the library budget. I also presided over establishing the director’s performance review and evaluation process, introducing diversity and inclusivity training for staff and board members, implementing a free lunch program for youth in need, developing an ambitious and visionary facilities redesign concept, and transitioning to a virtual, online institution during Covid.

Additionally, I have twice led successful efforts to mobilize the community and reopen and revitalize Montclair Public Library’s landmark Bellevue Avenue Branch building following its closure due to previous municipal budget cuts.

Currently, I serve on the Montclair Library Friends Steering Committee, and as President of the non-profit, all-volunteer Friends Of Bellevue Avenue Library, which I co-founded to promote increased public funding for Montclair Public Library, and to raise private funds for enhancements at the Bellevue Avenue Branch building.

So, if anyone in Ward 2 is voting on the basis of a candidate's proven, actual, tangible support for Montclair Public Library, then I respectfully invite them to become further acquainted with my record of accomplishments at

Welcome to the Montclair Alliance for Good Government homepage, dedicated to promoting the best for our town. Stay informed on the upcoming Montclair Election.

05/13/2024

Meet Montclair Good Government Team, the most wonderful running mates anyone can ask for!

05/12/2024

“Montclair’s Landmark Bellevue Theatre Slated To Reopen After Renovations”
By TAPIntoMontclair
“Montclair resident Ilmar Vanderer was instrumental in raising awareness of the need for the landmark movie theatre to remain in Montclair. Vanderer is a strong community supporter who has also been instrumental in renaming Mt. Hebron School after Montclair astronaut Buzz Aldrin and raising funds to support the Montclair Public Library, among many other philanthropic feats.”

05/10/2024

The outpouring of support and encouragement on the campaign trail is amazingly overwhelming!

Christa Rapoport — with Michael Rapoport. Thanks for visiting our home Ilmar!
Ilmar Vanderer
Thanks for inviting me Christa! It was an absolute pleasure to be in your wonderful company. ❤

05/09/2024

Continuing to leverage my vast network of contacts and connections to benefit my hometown of Montclair, on a recent NYC visit I met with Estonia’s former President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (who was raised in NJ) to discuss effective cybersecurity tools and innovative digital governance models that can be adapted and applied to Montclair. I am the ONLY Council candidate talking about the urgency of updating and upgrading our township cyber defenses and digital infrastructure, which according to our Manager is "from 1986." I'll advocate for using digital administration to advance civic affairs, enhance efficiency and effectiveness of municipal government, and implement best-in-class tools to prevent cyberattacks, such as in 2023, which resulted in a $450K ransom payout.

05/08/2024

Anthony Foster thanks for your wonderful work and kind comments below! When we first met in Bob Russo's MSU class I knew instantly and instinctively that if I ever became a candidate I would want you on my side. When our team came together, there was no question in my mind about handpicking you to be our campaign manager. You're still a sophomore, but already your list of accomplishments is impressive by any standards: Chair of College Democrats at MSU, Fundraising Director of New Jersey College Democrats, and no doubt many more accolades and leadership roles yet to come. I'm so proud to call you a friend, and truly privileged to be your colleague. ❤️

"With just under two weeks until the Montclair Municipal election I want to thank the wonderful people of the Montclair Good Government Team for letting me serve as their campaign manager.
I have written a few words about each of the candidates, who I now consider my good friends, and why you should support each one of them.
2nd Ward: Ilmar Vanderer is by far the one of the kindest people I have ever met. Every conversation I have with him; I leave with a smile, every compliment he can give; he gives it. Not only is Ilmar incredibly kind but a true public servant. Ilmar has fought day and night for 5 years to reopen the Bellevue Theater -- and for free! And now with his hard work they have obtained permission to open from the township. Ilmar has far too many township accomplishments to list here, but if this is what Ilmar can do before getting into office, imagine the constituent powerhouse he will be in office.
4th Ward: Aminah for Montclair Aminah was one of the first candidates I met and I was immediately struck by her dedication to the 4th ward. Her raw and palpable passion for the 4th is intense, Montclair Mutual Aid, the schools the roads the pollution the Howe House -- the development. She may be part of the Good Government Team but we all know the 4th is top of her list. I'll excuse that though because she has shown nothing but appreciation and guidance to me since this is a bit of a learning experience!
At-Large: Carmel Loughman for Montclair is noticeably better at spelling and grammar than me. But all jokes aside Carmel has two options in life, sail off into the sweet summer sunset of retirement or serve her community. Thankfully she's chosen the latter, with 8 years serving on the planning board -- for free -- Carmel has shown her research-based dedication to Montclair. Also she's really funny.
3rd Ward: Roddy for Montclair Roddy, Roddy, Roddy, I feel to some extent I have failed you. Roddy is one of the most prepared and analytical minds I have met. If he had it his way I would have had an 100 page report on Montclair Elections 3 months ago. It gives me great confidence that when in office Roddy will demand more from the town, he wont settle for inaccurate or incomplete information, he will fight and fight and fight for people of the 3rd!
Montclair Council At-Large: Bob Russo, o Bob! Once my professor now a great mentor. Ethics beyond reproach, public service above all. Not much more to say besides that, unless you're an MSU student like me! Then I suggest you take his class!
I hope this helps you choose who to vote for, if I could cast a ballot for every one of them I would.
If you have any other questions check out www.MontclairTeam.com
or give me a ring at 609-678-8896
See you May 14th!!!
Ilmar For Montclair"

Welcome to the Montclair Alliance for Good Government homepage, dedicated to promoting the best for our town. Stay informed on the upcoming Montclair Election.

05/07/2024

"We need a politician with a heart of gold and an all-embracing spirit. That's you. We need you."
–Ernest Thomas, stage/screen/TV star & friend visiting Montclair’s Howe House at my invitation.
(Leveraging my vast network of contacts and connections to benefit my hometown of Montclair)

05/04/2024

The most powerful and meaningful endorsement I can possibly get. With ♥ from a treasured friend, it means the world to me. I am truly blessed, forever thankful, and beyond grateful. ♥