Borough administrator Terrance Wall used a system called Robocall to call 8,500 North Arlington residents to ask them to keep an eye out for the mayor’s missing cat. Robocall is supposed to be used to remind registered voters of upcoming elections. Every one of North Arlington’s registered voters knew within hours that Max the Coon cat was MIA.

Wall said it only cost $10. But that’s not the point. No one seems to care that the mayor used a system available only to a privileged few to get the word out about his lost cat. Are the residents of North Arlington now going to receive calls asking for help locating every lost pet in town? It seems only fair that if Mayor Massa could use this system, the rest of us should be able to use it when we lose our pet.

Ironically, on the same day Max went missing the South Bergenite sent out an e-mail blast warning North Arlington residents that an armed robber was on the loose. He apparently made away with undetermined amount of cash after claiming to have a gun at the Commerce Bank on Ridge Road. No one received a phone call about an armed robber on the loose and it was not picked up by the national news media. I guess because the media was too busy chasing down Max.

Losing a pet is a devastating thing. But the mayor should have done what the rest of us do when we lose a pet, place posters around town and call the shelters.

By the way, we are happy to report Max was found safe and sound. Unaware of the commotion he caused, it seems Max never left the house and apparently just found a spot under the stairs to cozy up for the night.