Board member Crystal Williams, who was elected last year, introduced a motion to issue a letter of nonrenewal to León before Jan. 31 “in order to reassess his contract” and “give the public the opportunity to voice their concerns.

...

Following Williams’ motion, board member Flohisha Johnson, who was part of the board that approved León’s initial contract in 2018, defended the contract renewal and process.

“I stand behind my superintendent because you know why? I elected him into this office and we appointed him as a board, as a whole, and we don’t have a problem with him,” said Johnson, who was first elected to the board in 2017.

She also read a state law that does not require boards of education to provide public notice or hearings for new contracts, including contracts that replace expired contracts...

People need to remember these names when the election comes around

I've met so many kind people and had so many great conversations and experiences recently its honestly restored my faith in the inherent goodness of most. I like to think people around here are like me: maybe a bit rough around the edges but with good hearts.

And don't get me started on the aesthetics. A lot has changed over the past few years but if you wanna see what old New York looked and felt like then come here before they tear it down and replace it with a mixed use microwave-lookin wood framed "thing". NYC has been mostly sanitized and is just a big theme park/photo-op. Movie studios are filming in Newark for a reason, it wears the grit and dirt and scars that every American city has openly.

I mention both because while people can be put off by initial appearances of the city and the people that call it home, you'll find that it's really a special place with special people. A lot of people who haven't lived or even set foot here for decades or ever have this interesting nostalgia for Old Newark, especially in the Jewish and Italian communities. Just wish I could tell those folks looking at old pictures from the '20s and '40s and telling stories about their family's shop that a lot of it is still here, waiting for people with the will and means to breathe new life back into it.

Numbered streets vary drastically. Had a friend grow up on N 12th St just off Bloomfield in a historic 2 floor colonial with a working fireplace, original details, etc. Classic suburban family in a classic Northeast suburb. 4 blocks south, past Park Ave the vibe changes as you get closer to the freeway. Same situation as you head west towards East Orange and get closer to the Essex County Parkway.

tl;dr Numbered streets on the north side of town are very block-by-block. Stay away from the highways and East Orange and you'll be fine. Numbered streets on the south-side are a no-go.