Ridgewood NJ, Is the new council really planning to approve minutes from the last meeting this Wednesday. We noticed an agenda line item for July 20th meeting which says :
6. Approval of Minutes
If the new council is planning to approve the minutes from July 13th meeting on July 20th, that will be a surprising change for the village residents.
The previous administration had stopped releasing meeting minutes for almost 2 years while they went on to approve multi family housing and garage issues. They had forced residents to watch long video recordings which could take hours instead of quick text searches in the meeting minutes.
Here is a short video of how they approved 2 years worth of meeting minutes on their last day in the office.
https://www.tubechop.com/watch/8188452
Although surprising, this will be a good change for the village of Ridgewood.
Ridgewood NJ, Two (2) individuals injured during a rear end crash at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Cottage Place on Saturday evening, 07/16, refused to be transported to a hospital for medical treatment and left the scene via means other than an ambulance. Both vehicles involved, a Subaru and a Honda, were towed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. RIdgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash related fluid spill. Ridgewood PD and EMS personnel were also present at the crash.
Like most actions by the former mayor, this group was created for his personal purposes, in this case at least two: to rubber-stamp his decisions with a faux economic rationale (e.g., the largest garage drawing) and as a feeder group to provide a credential for placing people loyal to him in various positions that he intended to fill with sycophants (village manager, two council candidates). We have a highly paid CFO who should be doing all this work and making these recommendations. (We also have a well-paid planner, but he’s useless and should be replaced.) The two defeated council candidates, with unknown continuing ties to the outgoing council members who endorsed them, remain on the committee; disbanding it would remove them from an advisory position to the council without having to “fire” them individually. And by the way, the FAC was originally going to be a board, not a committee, which would have had more clout; the other boards are Planning and Zoning. When establishing this group was under discussion, then-councilman Tom Riche voted against it, stating that the requirements for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest were insufficient. He was right. In addition, giving a bunch of barely vetted residents access to confidential financial and other information that only the council should see just because they work in banking or whatever is another creepy-crawly. Just dump it.
Mid-life crises don’t always arrive in the shape of a sports car. Tom Vanderbilt’s involved untold hours in the saddle and some very expensive cycling jerseys
t was age catching up with me that got me into cycling. Or rather, it was age overtaking me, speeding ahead and leaving me in the dust.
In the spring of 2010, I found myself on a 60-mile (97km) ride from the leafy New York suburb of Pound Ridge to Manhattan, with a “super commuter” in his mid-50s, whom I was profiling for a story on how cyclists and drivers get along (or don’t) on the roads. I was a casual cyclist then, and showed up on a “hybrid” bike with flat pedals and trainers. My companion, on a road bike with clip-in pedals, tried to hide his apprehension behind a smile. “Oh, you didn’t bring any water?” he asked. I fancied myself fit, but this man, some ten years my senior, kept disappearing down the road. What I had envisioned as an easy-going romp through the countryside became a teeth-grinding fight to hang on.
One expects a midlife crisis to be rooted in the reversal of chronology – trying to act again like one’s younger self; feeling the challenge from a brash upstart at work; eyeing some fetching, vernal oblivious-to-you creature on the subway. My existential wake-up call came from the other direction: a man with a greying beard who was eligible for membership of the American Association of Retired Persons. I had come to a fork in the road: either I could project from my present self a decade of slow decay; or, in ten years’ time, I could be like that man, now.
I got into the saddle. I bought a proper road bike and set out learning how to ride it properly – how to pause at traffic lights without “unclipping”; how to ride calmly inches from someone’s wheel at 30mph; how to pedal consistently through corners. There were vast hills to climb, figuratively and otherwise. On an early outing with sensei Matt Seaton (author of “The Escape Artist”, a cycling memoir), I was forced off the bike three-quarters of the way up a popular climb just outside Manhattan. He consoled me, saying that not only would I someday easily ascend in one go, I would – by my own volition! – spend my Saturday mornings riding up and down it multiple times. As ever, age kept haunting me: at my first time trial, I finished behind a friend who was almost 70.
Our new dispatcher Gypsy. Lost owner located just hanging out waiting to be picked up.
July 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police remind you that Dog license renewals were due on June 30, 2016. Dog licensing is required by the State of New Jersey, Department of Health, Office of Animal Welfare. The owners of all dogs seven months of age or older are required to annually apply to the Village in order for a license to be issued. A 3 year license may also be issued. Proof that a licensed veterinarian has vaccinated the dog against rabies must be provided and that the duration of the immunity from that vaccination extends through the full licensing period. For more information, contact the Village of Ridgewood, Department of Health at 201-670-5500 x503
Ridgewood NJ, For many families, the summer months are an ideal time to take a break, visit with friends and
family, take vacations, and relax. But for parents of children on the autism spectrum, when school is out it can be difficult to adjust to a new routine and schedule, which can cause stress at home. It’s important to remember that there are things you can do to make things a bit easier on your family, and that no two children are the same when it comes to what works.
Because many children on the autism spectrum look forward to school days and the structure they provide, it’s critical for most families to maintain a routine that makes the child feel safe so that anxiety doesn’t take over. Here are some of the best ways to make summer break as stress-free as possible.
Don’t be tempted by the screen
Because home and school are often the two “safest” places for children on the autism spectrum– the places they feel the most comfortable in– summer break can often mean long days spent at home watching television or playing games on phones and devices. That’s okay in moderation, but it’s a good idea to try and get your child outside for scheduled playtimes when weather
permits. Trips to the park or even a day camp are wonderful ways to get your child out of their cocoon and into social, active situations.
Try to keep up the usual schedule
It’s not always easy to maintain the same routines over a break as during the school year, but integrating most of them into the day can be extremely helpful to your child. If changes will upset them, talk to them before the end of the school year about what will be different and consider making charts to help them visualize how things will go. For example, draw up a small
poster with pictures for each activity and the time it will occur: 8 a.m.– breakfast, then teeth brushing, then off to camp, home, snack, dinner, computer time, brush teeth, bed.
Think about your child’s specific needs
It can be hard to remember everything when you’re getting ready for a trip; even if you’re just going to the library for a couple of hours, there are sippy cups, soothing toys, diaper bags, and snacks to worry about. If your child has potty issues or doesn’t like using restrooms outside of the house, it’s a good idea to take them to various public places and have them “practice” using
the toilets to allow them to acclimate before you take a vacation or road trip. Libraries, children’s museums, and big chain supermarkets usually have clean facilities that are equipped with changing stations. Consider giving your child a small reward when he or she uses a public restroom successfully, but if it causes them stress and they balk at first, try not to get
discouraged. Most public bathrooms are loud and many have automatic toilets and sinks, which can cause anxiety for a child.
Rest is super important
For older kids, summer break means not getting up early in the morning, and most children love the idea of staying up late playing video games or watching television. But if you’re trying to stay on the usual schedule, staying up late will only make matters worse. Try to get your child on a good sleep routine that includes no computer or television screens for at least an hour before bed, and if they complain of trouble sleeping there are certain foods and drinks you can have them try that will have a calming effect before bedtime.
Summer break doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for your child. A little bit of good planning can go a long way! Try to stay patient and remember that they want to enjoy the summer, too.
Sean Morris is a former social worker turned stay-at- home dad. He knows what it’s like to juggle family and career. He did it for years until deciding to become a stay-at- home dad after the birth of his son. Though he loved his career in social work, he has found this additional time with his kids to be the most rewarding experience of his life. He began writing for LearnFit.orgto share his experiences and to help guide anyone struggling to find the best path for their life, career, and/or family.
Ridgewood NJ, a reader said the ,Financial Advisory Committee was created by the mayor solely as a breeding ground for future council members willing to live in his shadow and image. It didn’t work. Disband it!
The new council need a clean sweep of Village Hall and the Financial Advisory Committee which has added little to no input to Village budgeting should be eliminated.
The Financial Advisory Committee was created on April 24th 2013, resolution 14-171. The leadership of Financial Advisory Committee is there just to stamp the Village Manager’s decisions. So she can say ‘an expert panel has looked at it and they agree with my approach”. She comes from the corporate world and knows how to put everything on outside ‘consultants’.
What is the purpose of the Financial Advisory Committee? They were cheerleaders for the three council members? Populated by partisan Bergen Leeds people ,they should be neutral. So, they are not a financial advisory committee, they are nothing more than a political action committee.
The Financial Advisory Committee has been populated with political hacks and friends of the former mayor and supporters of the Village manager with their own agenda’s leaving out Village tax payers .
The Financial Advisory Committee does not even have bylaws or keep meeting minutes .Lets face it , it was beyond funny that the Chairman of FAC, was a candidate for the council election, and Weitz is not even a finance guy.
The new Council needs to be prudent but decisive in their actions. Let’s not replicate the mistakes of the past
Ridgewood NJ, According to the Bergen Record the new Village Council has decided to explore repealing Ordinance 3066 and introduce a new document that will allow the village to better retain jurisdiction over the master plan.
Now a little bit of history ,ordinance 3066 is known as “Pfund’s folly” .Approved during former Mayor David Pfund’s now a local judges time on the Village Council .
Ordinance 3066, was passed purposely in July 2007 when many residents were down the shore, previously applications to amend the Master Plan would never have even been considered. Ordinance 3066 made it easy for developers to challenge the Village Master plan and force changes init to accommodate development.
“Ordinance No. 3066, which sets forth the fees and processes involved in applying for an amendment to the master plan or development regulations, was originally passed in July 2007. The ordinance has become the subject of controversy as many believe it enabled the multiple master plan amendment applications that have dominated the agenda at Planning Board meetings.”https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-making-changes-to-controversial-ordinance-no-3066-known-by-many-as-pfunds-folly/
Ordinance No. 3066 allows these incongruous projects. No other town in New Jersey has this ordinance which was initially passed to aid the Valley Hospital development.
The ordinance has played a huge role in the litigation regarding Valley Hospital’s expansion, which many feel makes it difficult for objectors to have a say in the process.
The new Village council has decided to move forward with the process to repeal the ordinance during next week’s council meeting. As of now, the new version will be officially introduced at the Aug. 10 meeting.
Ridgewood NJ, A kitchen fire at 341 Hopper Avenue, Ridgewood was quickly knocked down by Ridgewood firefighters on Saturday afternoon, 07/16. No injuries were reported and damage to the kitchen was minimal. Ridgewood PD also responded.
Ridgewood NJ, The YWCA Bergen County offers convenient and affordable rehabilitative exercise classes for people of all ages living with physical limitations or challenges. Our experienced and caring Aquatics Specialists conduct water therapy classes in two spacious, heated pools, and you can take advantage of a free trial session to find out if a program is right for you.
Since 1985, the YWCA’s Health and Therapeutics department has continuously developed programs in conjunction with physical therapists to treat a variety of physical and medical conditions. Aquatherapy classes are designed for adults with orthopedic and/or neurological conditions. These group classes use water movement exercises to increase range of motion while strengthening muscles and improving flexibility. Arthritis Class provides gentle exercises to increase range of motion, relieve joint stress and relax muscles with instructors specifically trained to assist arthritic individuals. One-on-one instruction is available for individuals who are unable to participate in group classes.
All classes are held at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood location. This facility is handicapped accessible, and our Habernickel pool is equipped with a hydraulic lift to provide easy entrance and exit. For more information, please call (201) 444-5600, ext, 400 or visit us online at www.ywcabergencounty.org.
Ridgewood NJ, Chef and co-owner Christine Nunn has shuttered her Ridgewood restaurant after nearly two years to focus on catering full-time.
The writer of the “The Preppy Cookbook” told the Bergen Record she wanted to focus on catering and more writing. The original Picnic closed in Fair Lawn also after 2/1/2 years of operation.
Nunn said she will run her catering operation out of the kitchen of Picnic on the Square located at 26 Wilsey Square until her lease expires.
While the business is winding down we are not sure of the fate of the cooking classes held at Picnic.
Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, and Hauck went after Tom Riche publicly and aggressively and in the most disgusting meeting I have ever seen. Matt Rogers told them to manage this in closed session but they wanted to have a public flogging so they went against the recommendations of our village attorney and they were like the bullies in Lord of the Flies that night. Riche did NOTHING underhanded. Everything he did for the Village was above board and with the full knowledge of the Village Officials. They treated Riche like a criminal and it was just a taste of the things to come from the three dirtbags. They went on to do the same to Bernadette Walsh, John Ward, Heather Mailander, and others. They should have been taken out in handcuffs the three of them. Their names and their faces should never hang in village hall. They were a plague, the three of them, and their toxic germs are still scattered around town. Never mind sweeping them out the door….we need to completely sanitize everything and everyone that ever had contact with them.
Remember, these are the same 3 dirtbags who accused former Police Chief John Ward of violating a local ordinance (the BC Prosecutor’s Office cleared the Chief of any wrong doing), allowed the Village’s former labor attorney to defile the reputation of Susan Knudsen during an open public meeting, claimed that Bernie Walsh tried to fix a parking ticket (all she did was to have a conversation with the then Chief of Police about the supervision of parking enforcement agents), and called Bernie Walsh a liar in public after Ms. Walsh stated that she’d observed Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and former Mayor Paul Aronsohn shouting at then Councilwoman Susan Knudsen in a hallway at Village Hall (which did happen).
As I stated previously, every single bit of trash they talked was bullshit. The biggest bunch of dirtbags ever.
BY ALEXANDRA HOEY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD – Ridgewood’s new governing body laid the groundwork for pressing issues in their first meeting on Wednesday. Parking, budget approvals and Ridgewood Water were top items.
Parking
The council openly brainstormed different ideas to fix parking in the central business district. Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon, who kicked off the conversation, said the village should explore creating more one-way streets, which will increase on-street parking spots.
Hackensack NJ, Chairman DiGaetano’s first two events are totally sold out! The ‘New Leadership Now’ team put together a sold out beefsteak (a tradition akin to the “beef and beer”) which was attended by an overflow crowd of over 350.
After years of strife and political infighting as well as much skepticism as to party motivations ,Republicans from all over the county descended upon the Hackensack headquarters for some good food and trade political gossip . The over flow crowd provided an impressive show of force at the advent of a new era for the BCRO.
The newly elected Bergen County Republican Chairman Paul DiGaetano leadership style is not about “me or I” he always talks about “us and we”. It is a refreshing approach to politics .
Between this fundraiser and the big-ticket event with Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno event earlier this week led by BCRO Finance Chair Chuck Shotmeyer, the BCRO looks to once again be on the road to recovering its financial footing.
The GOP consensus was that a BCRO event had not been that crowded since its Golden Era of the 1980s. With six county offices up this year including the last remaining Freeholder incumbents, the Republicans are only beginning the rebuilding task.
Week 1. Rubrik is already on Facebook questioning the council decisions.
He obviously doesn’t realize that he looks like a really big crank. He must think that he is going to command legions of dissatisfied residents in his own revolt. Meanwhile the old council members have moved on. Even Don, Tim and Ron have seen the writing on the wall and have kept a low profile.
The Village is ready for this change and we spoke at the polls. Rubrik is going to be that guy who attends council meetings just to hear his own voice. I wish that he ran for office so that he could have come in last. Probably would not have amassed the necessary signatures to get on the ballot.
Not all of the “old Council members” have moved on – Gwenn was sitting in the audience at last night’s Council meeting taking copious notes during the discussion about parking. She left the meeting shortly after that discussion ended, and was seen pow wowing with Rurik Halaby in the hallway.
Mr. Halaby needs to lick his wounds and go home. We simply don’t want to hear from him any more (and never did). Addressing council members as if your approval mattered was embarrassing.
Last night Mr. Halaby accursed Mayor Knudsen of “pandering to her base,” but he never blinked an eye when his buddy Paul Aronsohn did anything possible to please his buddies – property owners in the CBD and real estate developers.
You’ve gotta feel a bit sorry for Halaby. Two major election defeats within 45 days of each other and now when he speaks at Village Council meetings, no one on the dais gives a rat’s ass about anything he says, and the only person in the audience listening to him is his wife.
