>Pension council approves shift to more investments in ‘alternatives’
Of the targeted allocations for fiscal 2012, the investment plan’s greatest shift would be toward hedge funds. (Tangel, The Record)
https://www.northjersey.com/news/122279004_Pension_fund_adding_riskier_investments.html
>Despite Public Sector Layoffs the state added 13,400 private-sector jobs and 600 public sector jobs last month
N.J. gained 14,000 jobs in April
New Jersey’s economy added 14,000 jobs in April, and its unemployment rate remained steady at 9.3 percent, the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development reported Thursday. (Diamond, Gannett)
https://www.app.com/article/20110519/NJBIZ/305190128/N-J-gained-14-000-jobs-in-April
>Expert: Expand sales, cut income tax
New Jersey’s sales tax should be expanded in order to reduce other taxes, an expert from a conservative think tank told top members of Gov. Chris Christie’s administration Thursday. (Method, Gannett)
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110519/NJNEWS/305190031/Expert-Expand-sales-cut-income-tax
>Ridgewood’s unlimited parking pass included in revisions to rate structure
Friday, May 20, 2011
BY MICHAEL SEDON
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
STAFF WRITER
Commuters and downtown workers can stop saving bags full of change by getting a new unlimited parking pass, village officials said this week.
“The idea for unlimited parking was adopted to better meet the needs of customers, downtown workers and commuters,” said Councilman Paul Aronsohn, the liaison to the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. “Currently, many are forced to move their cars or illegally feed the meters. This new approach recognizes and accommodates those that need more than two hours of parking.”
The “Unlimited Prepaid Parking Permit” (UP3) was part of revisions in the village’s parking rate structure approved by the Village Council last week.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/122278034_Keep_the_change.html
>”Bill Clinton, back in 1992, when he was running for office, you know, their campaign coined the phrase, ‘It’s the economy, stupid,'”
>An Attack on School Boards
May 12th, 2011 by Ray Pinney
By Ray Pinney
“The local school board, especially the elected kind, is an anachronism and an outrage. We can no longer pretend it’s working well or hide behind the mantra of ‘local control of education.’
Chester Finn and Amber Winkler, Thomas Fordham Institute
Most of you who know me, I hope, would agree that I am a fair person not quick to anger or hatred. I am always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt. But when someone sent me Chester Finn and Amber Winkler’s article The Anachronism of School Boards, it made me angry. Chester Finn is a noted scholar and author, but in this case I find his logic not only flawed and a bit foolish, but actually dangerous. Dangerous because it is becoming part of the education reform agenda.
It’s also dangerous because some state political leaders may think that this concept has some merit. In fact the NY Times recently reported that Gov. Chris Christie has hinted he would like to change the system of school boards in New Jersey. (Although, to be fair, we have no idea what changes the governor favors, let alone if he agrees with Finn and Winkler.)
https://www.njsba.org/blog/?p=236
>Why does Laurie still maintain a blog…?
Why does Laurie still maintain a blog…? Great question! Why does she continue to write about school issues and topics when she isn’t on the school board?
Why does she still post stories about education on her blog when she doesn’t have a vote on the school board?
Why does she ask questions on her blog about education, which could challenge our administrators and residents when she doesn’t have a seat on the board that would let her change things.
How dare she continue to be interested in education!
>
photo courtesy of preserve Graydon.org
May 18, 2011
Summer’s coming…and the clock is ticking
Only 3 more days to take advantage of Early Bird prices for season badges
As Saturday rolls into Sunday, badge prices for Ridgewood residents will increase.
What’s the Early Bird?
$5 off new prices for age 62+; $10 off for other adults and kids (under age 2: free)
Last time for discount in person: This Saturday, May 21, 10 AM to noon, Graydon Badge Office
How to get to the Graydon badge office: Park at Graydon North lot, northwest corner of Linwood Avenue and Northern Parkway. Walk over bridge to Graydon grounds. First building on the right.
Take an umbrella—the line forms outside. Look for the 1936 cornerstone in the lower right corner of the building.
Online, 24/7: The transaction takes a few minutes; start well before 11:59 PM Saturday or you’ll miss the boat!
https://ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass
Parks & Rec Graydon information:
http://ridgewoodnj.net/graydon
Till soon,
Marcia Ringel and Alan Seiden
Co-Chairs, The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
info@PreserveGraydon.org www.PreserveGraydon.org
>Eyeballing revenue intake uptick, Christie targets pension system and property tax rebates
Addressing what he wants to do with unforseen revenues, Gov. Chris Christie said he would put roughly $250 million into the pension system and another $225 million toward property tax rebates. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/47814/christie-targets-pension-system-and-property-tax-rebates
>Political Beliefs Have No Place in N.J. Judiciary Decisions
In Case You Missed It: Political Beliefs Have No Place in N.J. Judiciary Decisions
The following editorial by Senators Joe Kyrillos and Kevin O’Toole appeared in the Star-Ledger on Tuesday, May 17, 2011:
May 18, 2011- Realizing that newspaper editorial writers, by definition, express an opinion for a living, we must take issue with The Star-Ledger’s complaint against Gov. Chris Christie in the April 28 editorial, “The Attack on Justice Albin.”
In that column, The Star-Ledger excoriates Christie for criticizing state Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin’s comments regarding a tax increase during the latest round of school funding litigation as “tasteless,” “cheap” and “dishonest.”
We disagree. In our opinion, Albin wrongfully overstepped his jurisdiction and the governor had every right to call him on it.
The state Supreme Court’s role is to interpret laws as they are made by the Legislature and ensure compliance with the state constitution.
In other words, it has no role in setting tax rates. That job is left to the Legislature and the governor — branches of government empowered by the state constitution to raise revenue.
We were members of the Senate when Albin was nominated for tenure in 2009 and believed, at the time, that he would be a judge that didn’t legislate from the bench. Unfortunately, we now believe the opposite to be true with regard to Albin’s treatment of the current school funding case.
The mere mention of the so-called “millionaires tax” by a sitting justice during oral arguments in the case was inappropriate. Albin all but admitted that his mind was made up about the case and that he believes New Jersey, despite spending more on public education than anywhere else in the nation, should be ordered to spend even more because a tax that he agreed with was allowed to expire.
So much for our judiciary being an independent and nonpolitical entity.
Last year, the elected leaders of this state used their constitutional authority to make the determination that raising taxes in the middle of a recession would be bad public policy. The court’s job is to render its opinion on the issue of whether or not the state’s current financial position may affect how schools are funded.
It does not matter whether Albin agrees or disagrees with the tax rates set by Christie and the Legislature. It’s not his call. That he thinks tax policy has anything to do with his job as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court simply supports Christie’s criticism: that the Supreme Court is out of control and overstepping its authority on everything from school funding policy to affordable housing.
The stakes in this case are very high, with 1.7 billion taxpayer dollars hanging in the balance. If the court determines that the state must spend additional funds on school aid, fiscal crisis notwithstanding, it will affect every single person in the state of New Jersey.
The additional money, of which the millionaires tax covers less than one-third, will be raised either through broad-based income and sales tax increases, massive reductions in state programs and services, or some combination of those.
The people of this state will have these tax increases and spending cuts forced upon them by a group of five judges who were not elected by the public and are accountable to no one.
We believe the governor is right. You cannot expect the state to spend more money than ever before on anything, when revenues are at their lowest point in years.
The court may see it otherwise, but if it does, it should be based on sound legal reasoning and not the political beliefs of Albin.
Sens. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) and Kevin O’Toole (R-Essex) are members of the Judiciary Committee in the state Senate.
>“Bill Clinton, back in 1992, when he was running for office, you know, their campaign coined the phrase, ‘It’s the economy, stupid,'”
>NOTICE – West Bergen Mental Healthcare
To All Interested Persons,
This notice is being sent to advise you that there will be a brief presentation by West Bergen Mental Healthcare at the Ridgewood Village Council’s May 25, 2011 meeting. The purpose of the presentation is to update the Council and the general public concerning the status of a planned community residence at 234 South Broad Street in the Village. As a member of this neighborhood and the general public, you are welcome to attend this meeting if you are interested. Please note that community residence is an approved project and that this is not a public hearing. The Council will not be taking any action on this matter; the presentation is only for informational purposes.
The Council’s meeting will begin at 8:00 p.m. in the Sydney V. Stoldt Court Room on the fourth floor of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Sincerely,
Heather A. Mailander, RMC/CMC/MMC
Village Clerk
>BOE: It is the sworn obligation of ALL the board members to act in the taxpayers’ interests
It is the sworn obligation of ALL the board members to act in the taxpayers’ interests. It is mind-numbing to listen to and read all the complaints about VC and BOE members, watch the complainers elect unqualified/inappropriate candidates and then listen and read as those same complainers give their candidates passes when they cow-tow to a vocal minority, instead of acting in the best interests of Ridgewood.
your joking right?…
A few don’t seem to be acting in my best interests. My taxes keep going up, while the schools and the village don’t get noticeably better. Why is it that none of them seem willing to take a hard line against any of the public sector unions? The way that the Village Council caved to the police union a few months ago was embarrassing. Five years of raises? Minimal healthcare contributions? In a recession? I hope that the BOE shows more of a backbone in their negotiations with the teachers.
>NJEA spends $7 million on anti Christie ads
NJEA offers revised history on one tax
When Gov. Chris Christie took his town hall road show to a Washington audience recently, the message was the same as here: Teacher unions are the biggest stumbling block to education reform. Back home, the New Jersey Education Association was proving him right. (Ingle, Gannett)
>State Treasurer recommends boosting Homestead credits with income tax windfall
Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff gave a hint into the thinking of the Christie administration Tuesday when he told the Assembly Budget committee that a boost in projected income tax revenue is not a license to begin spending. (Hassan, State Street Wire)
