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Labor Day has arrived and with it comes the unofficial end of summer and the back-to -school routine.

Edison-in-a-quiet-moment

there is no substitute for hard work, Thomas Edison

Labor Day has arrived and with it comes the unofficial end of summer and the back-to -school routine.

A Labor Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan

For those who enjoy summer, you have my sympathy on its imminent demise; for those who enjoy the brisk fall weather and football games, I share your anticipation. For the children who are going back to school, all I can say is that I am sure your parents are thrilled that you will be continuing your education.

But before we close the book on Summer 2013, I want to pay to honor to the real meaning of Labor Day – which is to recognize the struggle of workers who built this nation by the sweat of their brow, their brawn, their creativity and dedication.

I want to honor those who have fought for workplace fairness and the legacy they have left for us. We owe a special debt to the men and women of the union movement, who, for decades, struggled to improve workplace safety, fought for honest wages, and the benefits that we all take for granted.

Worker activists in the U.S. began fighting for worker rights and recognition of labor’s value to our nation in the late 1800’s. In 1887 New Jersey became one of the first states to officially recognize a holiday celebrating labor’s contributions. In the middle of the next decade Congress created the first national Labor Day.

Whether you are a card carrying member of a union, or a government or corporate employee — the contribution you are making to your company or organization, and most importantly, to your family, deserves recognition.

Through the last century and into this one, American men and women have led the world in worker productivity and inventiveness. When called upon, as they were in World War II, American workers responded to our nation’s needs.

Today American workers are making quality products that are second to none, and they are leading the way in information age technology products and services.

America’s greatness and its future are found in the men and women who roll up their sleeves every day and do their work with pride and dedication.

Please, enjoy your Labor Day holiday, spend it with family and friends, and recognize the work you do that allows you to live independent lives, contributes to your community, our economy and the future of America.

Esurance

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The History and Symbolism of Labor Day

Father-Labor-Day

The History and Symbolism of Labor Day

Observed on the first Monday in September, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, parades and athletic events. ( https://www.history.com/topics/labor-day )

The History of Labor Day

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”

But Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

https://www.dol.gov/laborday/history.htm

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10 recipes for the perfect Labor Day barbecue

spicy_ribs_theridgewoodblog.net_

10 recipes for the perfect Labor Day barbecue
Published August 29, 2013
FoxNews.com

While summer may be coming to a close, the end of grilling season is still a long way away. This Labor Day, take advantage of the fact that the old Weber isn’t covered with snow or plastered with rotting leaves. Think about it. You’ve only got a few more weeks before summer is over and the neighbors think you’re crazy for firing up the grill in a blizzard.

To aid in your Labor Day celebration, we’ve come up with a list of recipes that pay tribute to summer and welcome the fall. From barbecued turkey wings to a fall berry cocktail, we’ve compiled all the makings of an epic Labor Day feast. So turn on the grill, loosen that belt and let the Labor Day party begin.

https://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/08/29/10-recipes-for-perfect-labor-day-barbecue/

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Labor Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan

url

Labor Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan
September 3,2012
Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan

As we celebrate Labor Day this Monday we are given the opportunity to honor the American worker.  It is their efforts that provide us the goods and services we use to make our own lives better.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. Five years later New Jersey along with five other states became the first in the nation to recognize a Labor Day holiday.

America was built by people who embraced the virtue of hard work.  Through the past two centuries men and women toiled in factories, built roads, bridges and dams. They built homes and skyscrapers; cars and trucks, bulldozers and airplanes.  They made America an industrial giant and their labor created the great American middle class.

Other men and women have chosen work in public service. Whether it is the police officer, firefighter or EMT, protecting our lives with theirs, a laborer cleaning a park or an office worker helping residents find the services they need: they perform the functions that keep our communities safe, clean and orderly.

America is indeed a nation of workers and all work, however humble contributes to our community and should be honored.

John D Rockefeller once said:  “I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.”

In these tough economic times, many of our friends and neighbors are without work or are working for less.  Hopefully, by this time next year, America’s economic recovery will gain momentum and all those who are able to work will be rewarded with the dignity of a job.

I promise to re-double my administration’s efforts to reduce the burden on Bergen County taxpayers. We will continue to stretch every dollar so that you may keep more of what you have earned and better enjoy the rewards of your labor.

I wish everyone a happy and restful Labor Day Weekend.

 

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Labor Day and Young Americans

Ridgewood Blog ICON theridgewoodblog.net

Labor Day and Young Americans

Statement by Paul T. Conway, President of Generation Opportunity

Washington, DC – (9/3/12) – Generation Opportunity President Paul T. Conway, former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Department of Labor, has issued the following statement:

“Labor Day is a day set aside specifically to honor the achievements of the American worker. But on this Labor Day, as Americans traditionally celebrate with family and friends, the sad reality is that millions of young Americans will not return to a full-time job tomorrow.

“Through no fault of their own, over twelve percent of young Americans are unemployed and have been denied the opportunity to contribute their talents and to achieve success.

“Due to failed leadership and failed policies over the last three and a half years, their lives and dreams have been delayed. It is no surprise that young adults, union and non-union alike, have little enthusiasm for leaders who defend the status quo while offering no ideas for more economic opportunity.

“Young Americans deserve more from their leaders and want solutions that place a higher value on the growth of businesses and opportunity as opposed to government.”

For Generation Opportunity, the polling company, inc./WomanTrend conducted a nationwide online survey of 1,003 American adults ages 18-29 between July 27 and July 31, 2012. This study has a ±3.1% margin of error at a 95% confidence interval, and sampling quotas were used to ensure the survey was representative of the larger 18-29 year old nationwide population with regard to race, region, and gender.

76% of Millennials plan to vote in the election for President this year.

Only 38% believe that today’s political leaders reflect the interests of young Americans.

89% of young people ages 18-29 say the current state of the economy is impacting their day-to-day lives (accepted multiples responses) (randomized):

51% reduced their entertainment budget;
43% reduced their grocery/food budget;
43% cut back on gifts for friends and family;
40% skipped a vacation;
38% drive less;
36% take active steps to reduce home energy costs;
32% tried to find an additional job;
27% sold personal items or property (cars, electronic appliances, or other possessions);
26% changed their living situation (moved in with family, taken extra roommates, downgraded apartment or home);
17% skipped a wedding, family reunion, or other significant social event;
1% other;
8% none of the above (accepted only this response);
3% do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

84% of young people ages 18-29 had planned to but now might delay or not make at all a major life change or move forward on a major purchase due to the current state of the economy (accepted multiples responses) (randomized):

38% – Buy their own place;
32% – Go back to school/getting more education or training;
31% – Start a family;
27% – Change jobs/cities;
26% – Pay off student loans or other debt;
25% – Save for retirement;
23% – Get married;
12% – None of the above (accepted only this response);
4% – Do not know/cannot judge (accepted only this response).

76% believe that the lack of job opportunities is shrinking the American middle class.

64% of young people ages 18-29 believe the availability of more quality, full-time jobs upon graduation is more important than lower student loan interest rates.

Last month, Generation Opportunity released the non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) unemployment data for Millennials for July 2012:

The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds specifically for July 2012 is 12.7 percent (NSA).

The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans for July 2012 is 22.3 percent (NSA); the youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics for July 2012 is 14.0 percent (NSA); and the youth unemployment rate for 18–29 year old women for July 2012 is 12.6 percent (NSA).

The declining labor participation rate has created an additional 1.715 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.

If the labor force participation rate were factored into the 18-29 youth unemployment calculation, the actual 18-29-unemployment rate would rise to 16.7 percent (NSA).

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Labor Day: Union Money in Elections

bigrat theridgewoodblog.net

File Photo by Boyd Loving

Labor Day Union Money in Elections
Amy Payne
September 3, 2012 at 8:59 am

This election year, millions of Americans will donate to the political candidates and initiatives of their choice at the local, state, and federal levels. But for unionized workers, union dues come out of their paychecks and go to political causes—and they aren’t consulted on where that money will go.

In July, The Wall Street Journal’s Tom McGinty and Brody Mullins published an eye-opening report that “Organized labor spends about four times as much on politics and lobbying as generally thought.”

They broke down the unions’ political spending from 2005 to 2011: $1.1 billion “supporting federal candidates through their political-action committees, which are funded with voluntary contributions, and lobbying Washington, which is a cost borne by the unions’ own coffers.”

But that was only the beginning. Add to that another $3.3 billion for political activity from “polling fees, to money spent persuading union members to vote a certain way, to bratwursts to feed Wisconsin workers protesting at the state capitol last year.” Who pays for this? The workers, McGinty and Mullins report: “Much of this kind of spending comes not from members’ contributions to a PAC but directly from unions’ dues-funded coffers.”

Despite findings that 60 percent of union members object to their dues being spent on political causes, this practice continues. Why?

In the 27 states without right-to-work laws, many unions are able to put clauses in their contracts that allow them to fire workers who do not pay union dues. If a worker wants to work for a unionized firm, he or she is forced to join the union and pay the dues, which can run from several hundred to several thousand dollars a year.

In a new paper, Heritage’s James Sherk gives an example of this rule at work: “The United Auto Workers (UAW), which organized General Motors’ Michigan factories in 1937, is a case in point. Michigan does not have a right-to-work law, so union-represented workers must pay the union’s dues or get fired.”

Notice the year there—1937. The workers coming on the job in 2012 are bound by a vote taken by their ancestors, essentially. “General Motors’ current employees never had the chance to vote for or against the UAW. UAW representation was a non-negotiable condition of their employment.”

Sherk argues that these rules make no sense for today’s workers. Just 7 percent of private-sector union members voted for the union that represents them, and the vast majority of government unions organized at least 30 years ago. The workers inherit the representation of yesteryear, which negotiates their terms of pay, promotion, layoff, and retirement.

Once organized, unions remain indefinitely. Naturally, that gives union leaders little reason to be accountable to their members in any way—they’re not going to have to stand for re-election.

To give unionized workers the freedom they deserve, Sherk says, this system should end.

Congress and state legislatures should at the least require government and private-sector unions to stand for re-election. Re-election votes every two to four years would allow employees to regularly assess their union’s performance as their representative.…

An even better reform would be to give workers representative choice—allowing individual employees to choose who represents them, irrespective of who other employees select. This would remove the union’s monopoly over the workplace, allowing employees to negotiate contracts tailored to their needs.

Workers should have the freedom to choose whether they want union representation or not. And if they do want to join a union, they should be able to choose which union they join. This freedom would give them more say over paying union dues in the first place, and how those dues are used. It would also give them the opportunity to negotiate merit-based raises, which unions do not allow.

America’s unionized workers deserve the same freedoms as non-unionized workers—in an election year and every year.

https://tinyurl.com/cgnpbu4

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The History of Labor Day

flagpole theridgewoodblog.net

The History of Labor Day
by the US Dept.Of Labor

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those “who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”
But Peter McGuire’s place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation
Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.

https://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

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Sports authority will take lead on tourism, marketing for N.J.

Met_life_stadium_theridgewoodblog
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, The New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority will become the state’s lead tourism and marketing agency, as it absorbs the Division of Travel and Tourism and the Motion Picture & Television Commission, under a plan unveiled today.  (Burd, NJBIZ)

Continue reading Sports authority will take lead on tourism, marketing for N.J.

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U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE IAN LINKER ISSUES LABOR DAY STATEMENT PRAISING THE AMERICAN WORKER AND RIGHT-TO-WORK STATES

>U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE IAN LINKER ISSUES LABOR DAY STATEMENT PRAISING THE AMERICAN WORKER AND RIGHT-TO-WORK STATES

(Ridgewood, NJ): On Labor Day, conservative Republican U.S. Senate candidate from New Jersey Ian Linker issued the following statement:

We should celebrate all American workers this Labor Day, like every Labor Day, and remember the millions of Americans that are out of work this year. We should also recognize and praise the 22 right-to-work states that exercised their right under the Taft-Hartley Act and preserve for their individual workers the freedom to decide whether or not to join a union and the freedom to decide whether or not to pay union dues – the essence of American freedom. These states preserve workplace freedoms for American workers that unions and their political allies would gladly deprive from their workers. As freedom loving Americans, we should celebrate freedom for all of our workers and our people and oppose any group that organizes in opposition to our founding principles.

linker theridgewoodblog

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Village History : 1828 The Naming of Godwinville ie… Ridgewood

Abraham-Godwin_theridgewoodblog

Village History : 1828 The Naming of Godwinville ie… Ridgewood 


The Naming of Godwinville (In 1828) (Ridgewood, NJ)
Reprinted from Short Sketches on Passaic County History, 1935
by Edward Graf

The ceremony of naming this village, in Bergen County about four miles north of Paterson, was performed in the following manner. On the morning of January first, 1828, the persons particularly interested in the cotton industries, established at that time in the neighborhood, proceeded from Paterson with a number of friends to that place where they met a number of its inhabitants assembled on the same occasion, who had prepared a splendid Liberty pole. This pole was borne to the corner of the road, near the store of David Lydacker by the unanimous assistance of the company present. After being decorated by an elegant Gilded Liberty Cap, presented by General Abraham Godwin, at the signal given by a discharge from a six-pounder, it was raised amidst the cheers of the surrounding multitude. The flag of the United States, also presented as above, was then hoisted to the top of the pole under a discharge of canon and cheering of the assembled citizens. After this they formed and marched to the new cotton factory of Messrs, Munn and Whitehead, where an excellent collation was provided by the proprietors of the respective cotton establishments in the vicinity, of which the whole party partook, and fared most sumptuously.
Abraham Van Rypen, one of the oldest inhabitants then addressed his neighbors in the following words:

Friends and fellow citizens – as one of the oldest residents of this neighborhood, I take the liberty on this occasion of welcoming among us the gentlemen who have availed themselves of our water powers and established manufacturies, destined, I trust and at no very far distant day, to make them rich and happy – give employment to the industrious and clothe and feed the needy. Already do we see and feel the good effects of their genius and enterprise. Out property has risen in value, our recently vacant houses have become tenanted, and many new ones erected and erecting, giving to what was, as it were yesterday a wilderness, the appearance of a thriving village. Permit me therefore to give it a name whereby it may be perpetuated and handed down to posterity.

In commemoration of one of the few that now remain of that worthy band, who breasted the storm of war in defense of our liberties and independence, and which enable us at this day to sit down under our own vine and fig tree, and to enjoy uninterruptedly such happy festivity as we have on the present occasion the pleasure of partaking and to testify our respect for the Revolutionary Patriot whose company we now have the pleasure to enjoy; I propose to you for this place the name of Godwinville.

The above was received with unabounded applause and General Godwin being present made the following brief reply:

Fellow citizens, with sentiments of unfeigned gratitude, I rise to tender to you my sincere acknowledgement for the flattering compliments you have paid me, and the honor conferred in selecting my name, in preference to any other, wherewith to perpetuate your village. My sincere wish is, that it may be a rising prosperous and happy one and that its general characteristic may be that of industry and honesty, and genuine republican principles and by pursuing strictly the last three qualifications, I have no doubt of your obtaining the former ones; and that it may be the case with each and all of you, permit me to reiterate my ardent solicitude.
This reply was also received with marked approbation. The company then again formed procession and returned to the Pole and after appending to the same in handsomely painted letters the newly acquired name of the village, it being about sunset, the flag was lowered until another discharge of cannon and the company retired to their respective places of abode, apparently well pleased with the proceedings of the day.

https://www.lambertcastle.org/speaking.html

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>My thoughts on the GOP primary or You can fool some of the people some of the time and in NJ you can fool all of the people all of the time …..

>Local Ridgewood residents Todd Caliguire (with another Ridgewood resident John Ginty) and David Russo battle it out in GOP primary for a seat being vacated by state Sen. Henry McNamara. The Caliguire team has the backing of Bergen County’s Republican Party; O’Toole’s (Russo) team has the backing of the Republican Party in Essex and Passaic. Bad blood exists in Republican circles between the two on many issues.

I got some very funny fliers in the mail this week by some of the candidates claiming to have “cut Taxes” and that they were “Reganites”. Yea right and if any of you believe that I have that a blog to sell you for $10 million dollars.

One question I have for these candidates, while our taxes have skyrocketed, yet our public services have declined dismally, our schools have failed, our infrastructure has crumbled and our deficits have soured. , what the Hell have you been doing the last 20 years?” Some how I don’t think its cutting taxes?

In case you missed it let me inform you ,” NO ONE I REPEAT NO ONE HAS CUT TAXES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY EVER” and by the way on a personal note stop with the Ronald Reagan comparisons it is extremely insulting , “You couldn’t hold a candle to Ronald Reagan on your very very best day!”

This blogger will no longer support any Republican that is closer in philosophy to a Trotsky-ite than a Reagan-ite. As this blogger sees it the problem with this state is that we have devolved into a one party state with two sides of the same pro-tax, pro big government, pro meddle in our personnel lives, pro pay for play coin. Sorry but socialism fails every time it’s tried.

My suggestion to all Republican candidates, NOW HEAR THIS START ACTING LIKE REPUBLICANS FOR A CHANGE AND YOU MIGHT JUST WIN SOMETHING FOR ONCE ,SURPRISE US !

Now if you don’t know what ACTING LIKE A REPUBLICAN means ,it means ,I will spell out some basics for you : if you support any policy that has the government interfering with my personal life ,if you believe the government should be doing things for people that that don’t need and don’t ask for ,if you think that Trenton can do anything better for you than you can do yourself ,if you have some kind of fantasy that NJ is not going down the drain ,if you think increasing the size and scope of government is the answer to anything ,and if you support or supported Jim Mac Creepy in any way shape or form for any reason YOU ARE NOT A REPUBLICAN ! You might be a nice guy but YOU ARE NOT A REPUBLICAN.

I invite you to respond and I will publish your response with out edit……..

PJ

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>what do you think?

>The Ridgewood Blog invites all readers to comment on the pro’s and con’s of BOE budget :

“Well, which is it that you object to, the accounting standards or the teachers’ union? Look, I agree that the union is out of control, I don’t know how to fix that, I’ll be the first to admit. But the fact is, voting down the budget or cutting OTHER things from the budget A) doesn’t solve the problem of the teachers taking too large a chunk, and B) harms my kids as services or opportunities are taken away. I feel like the only way to ensure my kids keep getting the truly quality education that they get in Ridgewood (and if you don’t believe me, just go live somewhere else like California and see what your money does or doesn’t get you), the only thing I can do is hold on to what they’ve got… I’m just being honest here. You can see the budget yourself…exactly which line item would you suggest they reduce, if they can’t reduce the teachers’ salaries and benefits? Make a suggestion…let’s hear it. I’m not hiding behind the kids, I’m trying to save their education as best I can. What are you doing to HELP? “

“And one more thing…you keep complaining about taxes going up like it’s something unique to Ridgewood. From 2000-2006, Ridgewood’s level of tax increase ranked 448th lowest out of 568 communities in New Jersey. That doesn’t exactly place us in the forefront of rampant tax increases. I’m not using the “everybody’s doing it” excuse, just giving you a little perspective…the cost of education and its illogical tie to property taxes is a statewide problem. Be honest, you don’t really care about the education budget or how much is spent on our kids. You only care because of what it does to your own property taxes. If the costs were buried in some statewide budget like in many other states, you’d be content to let the school board use its judgment to do what they felt was right. That bothers me. Fix the real problem, the whacky funding formula for NJ schools. “

“wait a minute… you can’t compare percent increase to the dollar increase. An increase of $10 million in five years is not the same as a 15% increase in other districts.

As per the quality of education… I doubt the it has increased by $20M to the quality of education I received 10 years ago in the RPS.

Salaries going up is one thing… and my friends are teachers and I support quality education… but.. . The increase is not just for salaries and what are the kids gaining from this?

Building maintenance should be part of the regular budget. New books should be part of the regular budget, and IT improvements should be included in the regular budget, not a supplement to the annual tax increase…

What new programs were created as a result of the tax increase?

Why do I have to volunteer for the BOE when I can voice my opinion as a resident and make a bigger impact?

Why compare Ridgewood to California when we can compare it to 5 years ago? Is the budget increase merely sustaining performance levels or are we seeing a difference. I would rather pay more to see a significant difference if it could be justified as opposed to merely the status quo of raising taxes. Why do Ridgewood residents pay Ridgewood taxes and still send their kids to private schools?

Honestly the biggest change in RPS education that I have noticed is a lack of interest of parents to hold their kids accountable. I am not saying that you are one of them, but kids these days are spoiled rotten and parents blame the schools before disciplining their kids. When was the last time you heard of parents checking their kids homework, or their class notes, etc. Maybe you are a good parent, but I grew up with kids in this town that were not as motivated as I was because their parents were always on vacation.

MAYBE WE SHOULD BE HOLDING THE PARENTS MORE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF OUR SCHOOLS AND NOT JUST THROW MONEY AT THE PROBLEM. “

“Let’s not confuse the issues. Parenting skills may be a problem, but the discussion here is on the school budget. Here’s what’s worrying me. In his book, “The World is Flat,” Tom Friedman makes the argument that the US is woefully behind in training the next generation of science and technology experts, inventors and scientists. That means everything from doctors, engineers, astronauts, mathemeticians, comptuer scientists, accountants, etc. Who IS training for these positions? Pretty much every country that can, but especially, China, Korea and India. So what does Ridgewood propose to help turn this trend around? Believe it or not “a rich, humanities-based education.” Is this the right way to go? Did anybody on the BoE ask this question? No. The televised budget discussion was a touchy-feely session where all in attendance looked relieved that they couldn’t come up with a penetrating important question–or, didn’t have to answer one.Who is going to inherit the high-tech legacies and companies built by Jobs, Wozniak, Watson and Grove? Apparently, not us Ridgewoodians.We’re digging our own graves. One budget cycle at a time.”

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>GeesePeace 2007 Leadership Series

>GeesePeace 2007 Leadership Series

www.geesepeace.org

Co Hosted by Ridgewood Dept of Recreation and Public Works and League of Woman Voters – January 24th from Noon to 3pm in Court Room, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Ave. Pre-registration required – call 201/670-5560. Participants will understand why Canada geese are a growing problem in communities; how communities, schools, and private property owners can coordinate efforts to improve effectiveness and efficiency and reduce costs, and how to start a program. GeesePeace is a non profit organization dedicated to building better communities through inovative, effective and humane solutions to wildlife conflicts.

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