Month: January 2013

Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli center of the Sunshine law issue

Sunshine Law debate heats up in Ridgewood
Thursday January 31, 2013, 4:21 PM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

A discussion among Ridgewood Council members on New Jersey’s Sunshine Law intensified into a verbal brouhaha at Wednesday night’s work session.

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh’s inquiry into the number of recent meetings involving fewer than three governing officials and other members of the public sparked a heated debate with her council colleagues, particularly Ridgewood’s deputy mayor. And by the end of the argument, the councilwoman called for a “redo” of a December council meeting.

Under the state’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), a gathering of three or more council members constitutes a public meeting, subject to advertisement and adequate notice to the public.

“When we become council members, we get a packet of information that gives us a guideline to follow … it is a guideline of how we do our business and operate as a council. All of us on council want good |government,” Walsh said. “There have been some things recently … the more I mulled them over, |I wanted to have better |government.

“What’s the responsibility to each other when two of us are in a meeting?” Walsh asked regarding sessions that do not require advertisement.

The genesis of the conversation appeared to be an informal meeting in November called by Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, who sought information on the proposed Graydon Pool ADA ramp. One other council member attended that meeting, and public notice was not required.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/189260611_Sunshine_Law_debate_heats_up_in_Ridgewood.html

File Photo by Boyd Loving Sen. Bob Menendez at Ridgewood REORG

NJ Media Looks to Defend Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez

FBI raids office of Menendez donor

Wednesday, January 30, 2013    Last updated: Wednesday January 30, 2013, 11:34 PM
BY  HERB JACKSON
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT
The Record

The FBI raid of a top donor’s office forced U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday to address anonymous allegations highlighted by a conservative website that the senator slept with prostitutes at parties that donor hosted at a resort in the Dominican Republic.

“Any allegations of engaging with prostitutes are manufactured by a politically motivated right-wing blog and are false,” Menendez’s office said in a statement.

Menendez said the donor, Salomon Melgen, was a friend. A spokesman said that Menendez personally reimbursed Melgen for flights on Melgen’s private plane to the Dominican resort. And the senator’s office said no one there had been contacted by law enforcement in connection with the allegations.

The Daily Caller website had said Menendez accepted free travel in violation of Senate ethics rules.

Due to become chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, Menendez is no stranger to scandals involving campaign contributors.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/national/Backer_Sen_Menendez_is_target_of_FBI_raid_in_Florida.html

Ridgewood Students Study the Science of Sports Thanks to Grants Funded by Valley The Ridgewood Education Foundation.
January 29, 2013

Ridgewood NJ, Students at Travell Elementary School in Ridgewood recently participated in a new program called The Science of Sports, thanks to a classroom grant funded by The Valley Hospital and The Ridgewood Education Foundation.

The program gave students a chance to learn about the science behind many of the sports they play by exploring scientific concepts like friction, gravity, inertia and angular momentum.  In addition, students learned about hand-eye coordination, reaction-time and wind resistance.

The Valley Hospital has made a generous donation to the Ridgewood Education Foundation (REF) to support health and science programs in the Ridgewood Public Schools.  This is one of 5 classroom grants Valley co-funded with the REF this year.  The Ridgewood Education Foundation supports programs in the classroom and the community that enhance educational excellence in Ridgewood public Schools.

Shown here, left to right are: Kay Murphy, Travell parent and grant writer; Jennie Smith Wilson President, REF Board of Trustees; Megan Fraser Vice President, Communications & Marketing, The Valley Hospital; Margaret Leininger, Principal, Travell Elementary School; and Livia Lauro, physical education teacher, Travell Elementary School.

Ridgewoood Police: What To Do if You Lose Power

If you lose power, first check your fuse and/or circuit breaker box and main breaker if appropriate. If that is not the problem, and your neighbors also have no power, call PSE&G at 1-800-436 7734.

If your fuse or breakers are in a flooded area, do not go near them until the water recedes or is removed.

Always stay away from fallen power lines, and always assume they are energized. Notify the Ridgewood Police 201-652-3900 and PSE&G at 1-800-436-7734 if you notice wires are down in your area.

Know how to open your garage door without the electric opener.
Remember, electric well and sump pumps will not operate.
Unplug all motor-driven appliances like refrigerators and freezers and sensitive electronic equipment (like TVs, microwaves and computers) to prevent a possible electrical overload when power is restored.
Leave one light switch on to indicate when power is restored.
Have a battery-operated radio and flashlight handy.

Tips to prevent food spoilage:
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold enough for a few hours. A freezer that is half full will hold food safely for up to 24 hours and a full freezer, between 36 and 48 hours.
Throw a blanket over appliances for added insulation.
You can also extend food storage by packing refrigerated milk, dairy products, meats, fish poultry, eggs, and other foods in a cooler surrounded by ice.
Specific advice on food spoilage is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the American Red Cross

Councilwoman Hauck photo by Boyd Loving

Councilwoman Hauck and Community Center Advisory Board to Meet with Residents

Ridgewood residents are invited to join Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck for an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, share a provided light lunch, and engage in a different activity each month.

As a newly elected governing official and liaison to the Community Center, Mrs. Hauck welcomes this chance to meet and socialize with residents of the Village. It is her desire to personally become familiar with them and learn of their experiences living in the community and what their present issues are.

This new special event will take place on the first Thursday of each month: February 7th, March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, and June 6th. Each gathering will be held in the Patrick M. Mancuso Senior Lounge of the Community Center, 131 North Maple Avenue, beginning at 12:00 noon. Lunches are offered through provided donation. Entertaining activities will include brain teasers, pet therapy, memoirs and shared memories, expert technology advice and a creative baking presentation from the one and only “Cake Boss”.

Click Here for flyer: https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2013Gwennlunch.pdf

Those in need of transportation are encouraged to make arrangements with the senior bus by calling Village Hall reception at 201-670-5500, ext 200. The bus will pick up and return Village seniors to their homes. Information on taxi coupons is also available at this number.

There is no fee to attend but registration is necessary. Those interested are asked to contact the Recreation Office at The Stable, 201-670-5560, to reserve their space each month. You may also contact Gwenn Hauck directly at ghauck@ridgewoodnj.net.

Cissy Houston will be at Bookends on Thursday, January 31st @ 7:00pm
Cissy Houston , Grammy-winning soul Singer and Mother of Whitney Houston.

Cissy Houston, will sign her new book: Remembering Whitney.
Books available Jan. 29th  We Take Phone Orders if you can’t make the event!

Welcome To Bookends, Bookends is a legendary New Jersey Landmark!   We are known for our incredible author events and have hosted well over 1,000 authors in the past 15 years!

We take phone orders for signed copies,call now at 201-445-0726!

Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.

While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed.  We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.

Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ   07450   201-445-0726

It’s Jamboree! February 6 is Freebie Night

It’s that time of year again . .. .Jamboree 2013 is in full swing and enthusiastically invites you to attend the Community, Seniors and Alumni
Night on Wednesday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Ben Franklin Middle School. There will be an “at will” collection, with a suggested donation of $10 per person.

Jamboree has been around for years – 67 years, in fact – and this variety and musical revue show has one purpose: to raise needs-based scholarship money for Ridgewood High School seniors pursuing higher education.

Come out and show your support of this wonderful Ridgewood tradition – and share some laughs with cohorts at this highly entertaining evening!
The Jamboree Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) qualified charity, and all contributions are tax deductible. Please visit www.rhsjamboree.org for more information.