“Trump” Roasts Montclair. Plus: A Local Lead Problem and a Church Street Tax Break

This week, we sit down with comedian and Trump impersonator J-L. Cauvin — who also happens to be a full-time eviction prevention attorney and once ran for Congress in this district — to talk about his viral impression, why he never left the law, and what it was like campaigning against Anna Lilia Mejia. Plus: a Church Street development finally gets a tax-break green light, Montclair's water lines show a stark lead divide by ward, and we remember 9/11 and Gloria Steinem.

In this episode:

Tomorrow marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 — Farnoosh and Mike share where they were that day, plus details on the Essex Remembers ceremony at Eagle Rock Reservation (8 a.m.)Remembering Gloria Steinem, who passed away last week at 93 — including Farnoosh's near-encounter with her on an Amtrak trainThe viral story of a Dallas-to-Newark flight diverted to Baltimore after a passenger was duct-taped to his seat; he's since lost his job and faces assault chargesJ.L. Cauvin — the Bloomfield-based comedian behind one of the internet's most popular Trump impersonations — on how his impression started in 2014, his day job as an eviction prevention attorney in the Bronx, and his 2025 run for Congress in the seat now held by Anna Lilia MejiaA commercial real estate update: the Township Council voted 5–1 to transfer a 30-year PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement for the long-stalled 59–65 Church Street development to new owner Dobco Group, with a facade deadline of October 31New reporting shows a stark ward-by-ward divide in lead service lines — about 10% in the third ward and 9.5% in the fourth, versus 5–7% in wards one and twoA public meeting is set for September 30 on a potential Montclair shuttle bus systemThe Montclair Public Library wants resident input on how to spend its $36.7 million state award for the South Fullerton and Bellevue Avenue branch renovationsThe townwide yard sale is set for September 20 — permits requiredMounties football notches its first win of the season, 18-8 over Bloomfield, under new head coach Manj Singh

Resources & Links

Matt Kadosh's reporting on the Church Street PILOT transfer — Montclair Local [https://montclairlocal.news/2026/08/montclair-advances-tax-break-transfer-for-long-stalled-church-street-project/]Corey McDonald's reporting on lead service lines by ward — Montclair Local NJ's 2021 lead service line replacement law Deputy Mayor Susan Shin Anderson's shuttle bus committee Instagram post — InstagramMontclair Public Library capital surveyTownwide yard sale sign-up & permit info [add link]Edward Kenzick's recap of the Mounties' first win — Montclair Local J.L. Cauvin on Instagram/YouTube Essex Remembers 9/11 ceremony details — Essex CountyQuestions or tips? hello@montclairpod.com

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