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>Sick of the cold weather? Call Michael in Florida

>saltzman
Voted the “Most Innovative Real Estate Company” by Inman News, Keller Williams® Realty takes a different approach, one that is built on personal touches, a professional approach and positive results. Michael Saltzman utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to meet your expectations. However, more importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.

Michael Saltzman 954-829-1524

michaelsaltzman@bellsouth.net

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>the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (whatever that is)?

>I live on a corner. I do not have any obstruction that blocks the view of the corner. Nor have I received a summons. However, I would strongly oppose the legal right of ANYONE to make changes to MY property, without my consent. If it is a matter of trimming an overgrown bush, that is one thing. But, more permanent structures, such as walls or fences, that have existed for years is another. Can anyone provide the wording of ordinance that exists covering this issue? Also, I would like to know names of the the members of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (whatever that is). Where can they be found? It is probably the same people who stand up at EVERY Village Council meeting and turn the municipal government process into something akin to a 4-hour root canal procedure (sit through one and see what I mean). How many of these summonses have been issued, anyway? There can’t be more than 4 or 5 properties in town, where this is a valid concern. Yet, we have the Police Dept and Village Engineering Division surveying the entire town about this. How many man-hours (read tax-payer dollars) have been spent on this? Give me a freakin’ break!!! If the traffic aound my property is any indication, I suggest that any accidents contributing to the “sudden alarm” over this issue have more to do with careless drivers that obstructed intersections.

The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee propably has good intentions. But, they seem to taking an Orwellian approach that I oppose in principle. Young children from around the neigborhood play in our yard. Why doesn’t the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee spend their time focusing on the biggest safety hazard in Ridgewood…bad, careless and reckless drivers. Countless teenagers, soccer moms and POLICEMEN talk on their cell phones as they drive obvliviously through town every day. Stop signs are non-existent as they roll right through them. Is there any street in town with a speed limit over 25MPH? Drivers routinely fly down some streets at speeds in excess of 40MPH. How about enforcing our existing traffic laws?? Why don’t we all start focusing on the REAL issues in this town and stop meddling, based on the interests of a few? Get a grip Ridgewood!!!

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>Village Manager James M. Ten Hoeve in the Hospital

>The Ridgewood Blog has learned that the Village Manager James M. Ten Hoeve is in the hospital. I know that from time to time he has been the center of attention of comments and articles on this Blog but I want to take to opportunity to wish him well .

PJ

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>Village Council Proposes Creation of New Village Department via Ordinance

>3041 – Establish Department of Planning – Establishes the Department of
Planning in the Village, and designates the Village Planner as the Director
of the Department. The Department of Planning shall review and process
Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment applications; attend evening
meetings of these boards; conduct the examination of the Master Plan;
provide professional planning advice to the Village Council, the Village
Manager and all related departments; provide review, support and expertise
on other issues as required by the Director and/or the Village Manager. The
compensation of the Village Planner shall be under a retainer agreement as
approved by the Village Council.

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>Special Meeting of Planning Board – Valley Hospital Expansion Plans

>SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE/AGENDA – Monday, January 22, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.

Presentation by The Valley Hospital – future needs and request for possible
zoning amendments to the “H – Hospital” Zone.

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>Do you own Property Located on a Corner?

>Intersection Safety Campaign Supported by Citizens Safety Advisory Committee. The Village’s Citizens Safety Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the Police Department and the Engineering Division, has completed a Village-wide review of physical and/or visual obstructions at properties that abut street intersections through out the Village. The purpose of this effort is to identify areas where conditions could cause hazards to both pedestrians and motorists. Our goal is a safer community for all.

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>Dont forget to Inspect fire extinguishers

>Inspect fire extinguishers at least once a month (more often in severe environments).
Fire extinguisher maintenance is important for everyone’s safety.


You must ensure that:
• The extinguisher is not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects that could interfere with access in an emergency.
• The pressure is at the recommended level. On extinguishers equipped with a gauge (such as that shown on the right), the needle should be in the green zone – not too high and not too low.
• The nozzle or other parts are not hindered in any way.
• The pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact.
• There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and/or other signs of abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk etc. that may have deposited on the extinguisher.
Some manufacturers recommend shaking your dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing.
Fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (a process called hydrostatic testing) after a number of years to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. Consult your owner’s manual, extinguisher label or the manufacturer to see when yours may need such testing.
If the extinguisher is damaged or needs recharging, replace it immediately!

IMPORTANT: Recharge all extinguishers immediately after use regardless of how much they were used.
What is the difference between a fire extinguisher inspection and fire extinguisher maintenance?
INSPECTION
An inspection is a “quick check” to give reasonable assurance that a fire extinguisher is available, fully charged and operable. The value of an inspection lies in the frequency, regularity, and thoroughness with which it is conducted. The frequency will vary from hourly to monthly, based on the needs of the situation. Inspections should always be conducted when extinguishers are initially placed in service and thereafter at approximately 30-day intervals.
MAINTENANCE
Fire extinguishers should be maintained at regular intervals (at least once a year), or when specifically indicated by an inspection. Maintenance is a “thorough check” of the extinguisher. It is intended to give maximum assurance that an extinguisher will operate effectively and safely. It includes a thorough examination and any necessary repair, recharging or replacement. It will normally reveal the need for hydrostatic testing of an extinguisher.

https://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/careandmaintenance.html

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>Martin Luther King, Jr Day

>Martin Luther King, Jr., Biography
1929—1968, American clergyman and civil rights leader

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., graduated from Morehouse College (B.A., 1948), Crozer Theological Seminary (B.D., 1951), and Boston University (Ph.D., 1955). The son of the pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, King was ordained in 1947 and became (1954) minister of a Baptist church in Montgomery, Ala. He led the black boycott (1955-56) of segregated city bus lines and in 1956 gained a major victory and prestige as a civil-rights leader when Montgomery buses began to operate on a desegregated basis.

King organized the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which gave him a base to pursue further civil-rights activities, first in the South and later nationwide. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance led to his arrest on numerous occasions in the 1950s and 60s. His campaigns had mixed success, but the protest he led in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963 brought him worldwide attention. He spearheaded the Aug., 1963, March on Washington, which brought together more than 200,000 people. In 1964 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

King’s leadership in the civil-rights movement was challenged in the mid-1960s as others grew more militant. His interests, however, widened from civil rights to include criticism of the Vietnam War and a deeper concern over poverty. His plans for a Poor People’s March to Washington were interrupted (1968) for a trip to Memphis, Tenn., in support of striking sanitation workers. On Apr. 4, 1968, he was shot and killed as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel (since 1991 a civil-rights museum).

James Earl Ray, a career criminal, pleaded guilty to the murder and was convicted, but he soon recanted, claiming he was duped into his plea. Ray’s conviction was subsequently upheld, but he eventually received support from members of King’s family, who believed King to have been the victim of a conspiracy. Ray died in prison in 1998. In a jury trial in Memphis in 1999 the King family won a wrongful-death judgment against Loyd Jowers, who claimed (1993) that he had arranged the killing for a Mafia figure. Many experts, however, were unconvinced by the verdict, and in 2000, after an 18-month investigation, the Justice Dept. discredited Jowers and concluded that there was no evidence of an assassination plot.

King wrote Stride toward Freedom (1958), Why We Can’t Wait (1964), and Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? (1967). His birthday is a national holiday, celebrated on the third Monday in January. King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, has carried on various aspects of his work. She also wrote My Life with Martin Luther King (1989).

See biographies by K. L. Smith and I. G. Zepp, Jr. (1974), S. Oates (1982), and M. Frady (2001); C. S. King, My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr. (1969); D. J. Garrow, Bearing the Cross (1986); T. Branch, Parting the Waters (1988) and Pillar of Fire (1997); M. E. Dyson, I May Not Get There with You (2000).

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition Copyright ©2003, Columbia University Press. Licensed from Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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>Harlem Wizards vs Ridgewood All-Stars

>Tickets are available for the annual Harlem Wizards vs. Ridgewood All-Stars basketball game at RHS gymnasium on January 19, 2007, at 7 PM. This event sells out early.Ridgewood teachers get the chance to lace ‘em up and play against one of the most famous basketball show teams in the world. The Harlem Wizards offer a rare combination of individual athleticism, teamwork, entertainment and community involvement. Featuring some top basketball talent, the Harlem Wizards’ exciting brand of “Trick Hoopz and Alley Oops” is so engaging that after five decades they are still packing gymnasiums all across the globe. Tickets for this Ridgewood Schools fundraiser, which benefits Federated Home and School Association, are by pre-sale ONLY! Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students. Maximum 6 tickets per family. See attached order form.

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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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>NEW BOE ATHLETIC POLICY

>IMG 0359
The Board passed a revised policy on interscholastic athletics at RHS. In the new version, the expression that a “no-cut policy is desirable” was eliminated. Instead, the new policy refers to a suggested range for participation in each sport that is contained in administrative procedures. The range of athletes per team is determined by the nature of the sport, facility use, coaching personnel, budgetary constraints, and transporting students safely to events. For example, the range for football at the varsity, junior varsity, or freshman level is 44-60, while boys or girls golf is limited to 8-12 at the varsity level only.

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>Moving to Florida

>saltzman
Voted the “Most Innovative Real Estate Company” by Inman News, Keller Williams® Realty takes a different approach, one that is built on personal touches, a professional approach and positive results. Michael Saltzman utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to meet your expectations. However, more importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.

Michael Saltzman 954-829-1524

michaelsaltzman@bellsouth.net

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>It is time that we, as Ridgewood residents, take a long look in the mirror

>The BOE members may be incompetent and unqualified to serve in their positions. But, if the BOE has been “the most arrogant clique in Ridgewood” for decades, who is to blame…the BOE members, or Ridgewood residents who keep elected them?

The Anonymous post at 8:15 is characteristic of the lack of accountability that is tolerated and, in some cases, promoted in Ridgewood. Nowhere is this more prevalant than in the BOE, which has settled for mediocrity in almost every aspect of our school system, to a point where academic and athletic programs have suffered, the physical plant is in shambles, the budget continually seems beyond their control and the relationship between the BOE and the community is at the lowest point in recent memory. Yet, it exists all around us. It’s in the Police Department. It’s in Village Hall. It’s in volunteer organizations, whose boards are unable to make important decisions for fear of the backlash they might get from one or two disgruntled residents. But, most importantly, it’s in many of the parents of Ridgewood who don’t take responsibility for their own actions and fail to require such responsibilty from their children.

There are countless examples of parents who complain or threaten to sue because their child didn’t have the ability or commitment to qualify him or her for a particular sporting team. Go to any public outdoor location, where Ridgewood residents (not just children) gather and notice the countless half-finished water bottles strewn on the ground when they leave, often just yards from the nearest trash can. There is the absurd debate about the RHS smoking policy, when smoking is illegal for 98% of its students. There is the debate about whether RHS campus should be closed, as if the school administrators can decide whether they want the “inconvenience” of being responsible for students during school hours, or as if high school students have some inalienable right to leave campus if they choose. Every day there are post on this blog by those who fancy themselves to be “community watchdogs”, who attend every public meeting looking for the next big community issue. How many of the these bloggers donate their time or their money to improve the quality of life for all residents in town? How many even follow up their complaints with constructive recommendations of ways to address their complaints?

It is time that we, as Ridgewood residents, take a long look in the morror and accept that if we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem. Stop blaming the “other guy.” Stop the belly aching and take action. This requires more than going to public meetings to express your opinion. This means not settling for mediocrity or compromising on the option that results in the least resistance. This means assuming the responsibility to take actions that will make this town a better place to live for all of us, not just yourself.

more blog readers speak out….

Agreed; we as Ridgewood residents are to blame. We must refuse to accept continued mediocrity and incompetence on the part of our elected officials. We must start demanding the best and nothing less.However, taking action in the form of attending meetings, making public comments, and posting on this blog should not be characterized as just “part of the problem.” Much good comes from publicizing issues that others might not have been aware of.This blog is widely read by administrators at Village Hall and BOE headquarters (although no one would ever admit to it) and several elected officials. Behaviors change when someone sees their name posted, or thinks their name may be posted. Letters to the editors of our local newspapers result in behavior changes as well.So please don’t to characterize Ridgewood’s gadflies/anti government grumblers as just a “part of the problem.” Although you may not agree with our tactics, we do produce results – more results than you might ever be aware of.

blog critic speaks out….

Unfortunately, the problem is not limited to our elected officials. I applaud concerned residents, who use this or other forums as a tool to improve the quality of life in Ridgewood, if it is accompanied by positve action. But, that’s generally not what I see in this blog. What I see is constant whining, criticizing and complaining, without offering constructive alternative solutions. Anonymous gadflies and government grumblers, who merely point to a problem, assess blame and snipe at those who (in their minds) are responsible ARE part of the problem, unless they are willing to take action to rectify the issues they perceive. Do you honestly think most people on this blog are interested in creating public awareness? Go back and check the archives. Most of what you’ll find are posts from miscreants who are emboldened by anonymity and get a kick out of taking pot shots at their neighbors. That’s not what I consider to be a productive community service. Nor is using this blog to post scandalous inuendo, without the slightest documentation or factual basis.

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>BOE Plans to Keep Public Waiting – Again

>Notwithstanding public criticism that followed their decision to conduct an
Executive Session in the midst of a November 27th open public meeting, which
kept 25 taxpayers and a Cable TV viewing audience waiting 55 minutes, BOE
President Mark Bombace has scheduled another such session to take place
during the BOE’s Monday, January 8th open public meeting.
The topic of this planned closed door session is thus far being kept top
secret. However, the NJ Open Public Meetings Act will require BOE members
to publicly approve a resolution prior to the meeting that must disclose the
general discussion topic.

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