Third Ward Councilor Sean Spiller today formally kicked off his campaign for Mayor of Montclair.

His full statement is here:

“Montclair is more than a place. It’s an ideal. Our beautiful community is a beacon of progress, justice and equality.

“That’s why my wife Lauren and I chose Montclair to call our home and raise our growing family, and why today, I am proud to announce my candidacy for Mayor.

“Preserving the Montclair ideal is a collective effort. During my term on council, we’ve worked to protect and enhance the things that make Montclair so special. We’ve made critical investments in infrastructure and parks, stood up for our progressive values, all while significantly reducing our municipal debt.

“I have always believed that progress begins on the local level — that local government can do much to improve the lives of many. Communities throughout the state look to Montclair as an example of what government can do when we follow through on our progressive values.

“I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together. Hand – in – hand, we stood up for working families and finally made paid sick leave in Montclair a reality. We did our part for our climate by passing a ban on single use plastic bags. We invested in our future by increasing funding for our library and Pre-K. And, together we sent a message to Washington DC that everyone has a place in Montclair, including our undocumented neighbors.

“We’ve made great strides, but there’s still much to be done.

Over the course of the next few months, I look forward to meeting with residents, exchanging ideas and sharing my vision for how we can continue to preserve the things that make Montclair special. By working together, I’m confident we can create a bright future for the town we all love.”