Month: November 2011

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>Valley’s requested changes to the Master Plan are already in effect?

>Valley’s requested changes to the Master Plan are already in effect?

In a recent Ridgewood News article Village Attorney Matt Rogers,implied that the Master Plan or the H-zone has been changed. This process the Village Council is going through is not to confirm those changes, but to enact legislation to implement the changes. The Master Plan has been modified. That’s done.

So, what happens if the Village Council chooses either to (1) do nothing at all, or (2) only write ordinance for a portion of the revised Master Plan? Can the next iteration of our Village Council (e.g. after the next election) decide to revisit this and implement the changes ignored by the current Council?

So now we are told that Valley’s requested changes to the Master Plan are already in effect.

If true, this seems inappropriate and anti-democratic. The contents of the Master Plan should not be subject to change without first being approved of by the Village Council. Particularly when the only reason that changes were being entertained at all was that an entity outside of government proposed them and advocated for them. Federal rules or regulations are typically not put through the final approval process unless and until a governmental body decides it is good and ready to do so. No third party has the right to force the government to amend the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Has Valley exploited a loophole? Or did the VC have a vote at some point in the recent past to prompt the planning board to begin the process of amending the Master Plan at Valley’s request?

I’m also curious to know whether those voting ‘no’ on the VC need to come up with their own personal reasons for voting that way, or if those voting ‘no’ have to agree on a common statement (which will then be attacked by Valley). Village Attorney Matt Rogers, do you know the answer to this question?

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>ACORN Officials Scramble, Firing Workers and Shredding Documents, After Exposed as Players Behind Occupy Wall Street Protests

>ACORN Officials Scramble, Firing Workers and Shredding Documents, After Exposed as Players Behind Occupy Wall Street Protests
By Jana Winter
Published November 03, 2011
| FoxNews.com

The revamped ACORN office in New York — operating as New York Communities for Change — have fired staff, shredded reams of documents and told workers to blame disgruntled ex-employees for leaking information in an effort to explain away a FoxNews.com report last week on the group’s involvement in Occupy Wall Street protests, according to sources.

NYCC also is installing surveillance cameras and recording devices at its Brooklyn offices, removing or packing away supplies bearing the name ACORN and handing out photos of Fox News staff with a stern warning not to talk to the media, the sources said.

Read more: https://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/03/acorn-officials-scramble-firing-workers-and-shredding-documents-after-exposed/#ixzz1cjh9E8vX

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>What Ridgewood can look like in 2025

>What Ridgewood can look like in 2025

To the editor:

My wife and I are 42-year residents of the village, and I write in support of the Brogan and the Bolger housing developments. I look back with nostalgia at the Ridgewood of 1969 when we moved here. Who can forget Mr. Still, the Big Store, Sealfon’s and McHugh’s. Having said that, we should live on dreams and not memories. We should look forward and not back.

The days of downtown as a shopping destination are long gone, and in all candor, the place is beginning to look cadaverous with so many empty shops. Ridgewood is in need of forward-looking leadership that will work hard to ensure a vital downtown by attracting residents. Towns like Wellesley, Mass. and Bronxville, N.Y., are of a similar socio-economic level as Ridgewood, but their downtown areas are so much more dynamic. One big difference is that both towns have a higher density of living units in the downtown areas.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/133216773_Letter__What_Ridgewood_can_look_like_in_2025.html

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>Report: N.J. residents worse off money-wise in 2010 than 2000

>Report: N.J. residents worse off money-wise in 2010 than 2000


Most New Jersey residents are in worse financial shape today than they were at the turn of the century, according to a report by New Jersey Policy Perspective.

Released today, the report by the liberal-leaning group shows there were fewer jobs and nearly three times more people unemployed in 2010 than in 2000. Other economic indicators, such as wages, household income and poverty rates, were at worse levels in 2010 than in 2000, the report shows.

The declines show the toll the Great Recession took on the state’s economy, particularly on the middle and working class, the report argues.  (Renshaw, The Star-Ledger)

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>Gov. Christie announces plan to privatize amenities at N.J.’s 39 state parks

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Gov. Christie announces plan to privatize amenities at N.J.’s 39 state parks

Amenities offered at New Jersey’s 39 state parks such as boating or snack stands would be privatized and expanded under a plan to raise more money to operate the parks, Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday.
The governor said the parks and state-run historic sites cost the state about $39 million annually but such things as entrance, parking, camping and marina fees raise only about $8 million. He said in order to keep the parks and historic sites from closing, provide additional staff and provide maintenance more money is needed.  (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)

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>Jury trial begins for 2008 drowning at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood

>Jury trial begins for 2008 drowning at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011
BY KELLY EBBELS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

During opening days at the trial for the drowning of Soo Hyeon Park at Graydon Pool, a clearer picture emerged of events that day and their aftermath: friends panicking, lifeguards unaware of any struggle for life, and a grieving family left “longing” for their son.

The Park family has sued the Village of Ridgewood for negligence and emotional distress following the death of their 13-year-old son on July 15, 2008, and has refused to settle at $600,000, the village’s highest offer so far.

The Park family – Soo Hyeon and his sister Su In, mother Youn Wha Jung, and father Seong Wook Park – came to Ridgewood from Korea, to visit for a few days before moving to Rhode Island, where Seong Wook was scheduled to begin a research sabbatical. They stayed as guests of the Kim family, residents of Ridgewood.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/133180483_Jury_trial_begins_for_2008_drowning_at_Graydon_Pool_in_Ridgewood.html

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>Ridgewood Village Council questions snowstorm response

>Ridgewood Village Council questions snowstorm response

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011
BY KELLY EBBELS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Questions emerged this week about the village’s response to last weekend’s unseasonal snowstorm, particularly its communication efforts and leadership by Village Manager Ken Gabbert.

It was revealed at Wednesday night’s Village Council meeting that Gabbert did not attend several of the weekend staff meetings during the storm, a point which he declined to explain in response to pressing questions from Councilman Paul Aronsohn.

Gabbert could not recollect how many meetings he missed, and said he would provide his explanation in writing to Aronsohn, which the councilman said was unacceptable.

“This is a very serious issue. You’re the village manager, you’re the CEO, you run the day-to-day operations. Here we have one of the worst storms in over 100 years, and you won’t tell me why you weren’t at the meetings?” Aronsohn asked.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/133185063_Ridgewood_Village_Council_questions_snowstorm_response.html

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>Ridgewood Schools : a better contingency plan

>Ridgewood Schools : a better contingency plan

People should also be insisting that the schools/board come up with a better contingency plan. This is the second time in two years that Willard needed to remain closed a day longer than the rest of the schools. Its only November and Willard is already -1 in terms of emergency closings.

I’m no expert in school contingency planning, but there should be a plan in place. What would we have done if the power was not back at Willard for a week..??? (or longer). Three days is a long time to be closed for a storm like this. Consider the March windstorm of 2010 (which closed Willard for 3 days), Hurricane Irene (which would likely have closed schools for a few days) and now this storm.

 These are not “freak” 1 in 100 year events — there have been 3 in the past two years. If the schools are not going to implement a contigency plan than they should build more than 2 days into the schedule becuase storms like this do and will occur often.

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>Education reform on agenda

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Education reform on agenda

New requirements for student achievement, changes to charter school laws, teacher tenure reform and a proposed school voucher program all could be acted upon by the state later this fall, state education leaders said Wednesday.

Legislative negotiations and action will commence shortly after next week’s election and continue until the end of the state Legislature’s term in January, the leaders told a group of representatives from suburban school districts.

The lobbyists and association leaders, along with a state official, did not offer specific details during a meeting of the Garden State Coalition of Schools at Rutgers University, but instead presented a broad outline of measures being debated behind closed doors.  (Method, Gannett)

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>New Jersey’s anti-bullying law: Benefits and burden

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New Jersey’s anti-bullying law: Benefits and burden

The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights is one of the most consequential laws for New Jersey public schools in years, though hardly the most flexible. That’s led some state officials to look for ways to make the measure less of a burden on schools.

What changes, if any, will be suggested remains to be seen. But the law’s supporters are standing firm that any modifications will need to come in administrative guidelines and not to the law itself.

“We’re not revisiting the bill itself, or its intent,” said state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), one of the law’s primary sponsors, who has been part of the early discussions.  (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

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>Election 2012: Republican Presidential Primary Cain Pulls ahead

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Election 2012: Republican Presidential Primary Cain Pulls ahead 

National Poll: Cain 26%, Romney 23%, Gingrich 14%
Thursday, November 03, 2011

Georgia businessman Herman Cain, who continues to battle past allegations of sexual harassment, draws the most support nationally for the Republican nomination.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary voters shows Cain with 26% of the vote over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s 23%. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich draws 14% support, with no other GOP contender reaching double-digits. Thirteen percent (13%) of GOP voters are undecided at this time. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

As for the rest of the field, Texas Governor Rick Perry picks up eight percent (8%) support, Texas Congressman Ron Paul gets seven percent (7%), both Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman each pick up two percent (2%), while former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum draws support from just one percent (1%).

https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/election_2012_republican_presidential_primary

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>Kathleen A. Donovan : To suggest that the County is providing $400 million of public funds for the American Dream development in the Meadowlands is an outright lie

>November 3, 2011

Senator Robert M. Gordon
14-25 Plaza Road
P.O. Box 398
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410

Dear Senator:

You are running a campaign television commercial which irresponsibly misrepresents the County’s role and support for the region’s most significant economic development and job creating initiative.

To suggest that the County is providing $400 million of public funds for the American Dream development in the Meadowlands is an outright lie.  You know it.  But in your rush to pander to voters who rejected your party last year because of irresponsible bonding and borrowing practices you have evidently allowed your personal ambition to cloud good judgment.

To be clear, the County is not putting taxpayers at risk. Freeholder Chairman John Driscoll and I are in total agreement on this.  In fact, there is no proposal to provide taxpayer funds for this most worthwhile project.  Your commercial is a lie and should be immediately pulled.  You should apologize to the voters for misleading them and to Mr. Driscoll for purposely misrepresenting his record.

I support construction of American Dream.  It will provide over 9,000 construction jobs and some 15,000 permanent jobs with an economic ripple that will reach throughout the County.  For your information, unemployment in Bergen County is now nearly 10 percent and unemployment in the construction trades is a whopping 40 percent.  Your irresponsible action could jeopardize the greatest employment opportunity in not only Bergen County but throughout northern New Jersey.  You should apologize to these residents for undermining their opportunity to support themselves and their families.

I note that you stood by as a member of the State Senate and allowed private developers like EnCap to plunder Bergen County taxpayers by misusing tens of millions of dollars of public funds.  That scam, supported by Democrat administrations in Trenton and Bergen County, left a number of communities including Lyndhurst, North Arlington and Rutherford in total fiscal disarray. Local taxpayers will be paying for your silence for decades.  Moreover, you were silent when the Democrat administration that Bergen County voters kicked out of office last year doubled the County’s debt and borrowed over $100 million to complete one park — at least $70 million more than what was needed.  For this you owe every taxpayer in Bergen County an apology.

Let me be very clear.  Bergen County has not and will not commit to any taxpayer funds for this or any other private sector project.  Moreover, we have not been asked to do so by the developer. We will, however, assist wherever possible to make this project a reality.  Freeholder Chairman Driscoll joins me in that commitment.

American Dream will be an economic generator which will reverse the downturn that has hit so many Bergen County families.  It will be completed in spite of your irresponsible action and without taxpayer funding.  It deserves all of our support.

Sincerely,

Kathleen A. Donovan
Bergen County Executive

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Ridgewood school board interviews six candidates for open seat

BOE_theridgewoodblog

>Ridgewood school board interviews six candidates for open seat

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Board of Education (BOE) interviewed six candidates this week for the seat left vacant by trustee Charles Reilly’s departure last month.

Six candidates applied and were each questioned by board members on Monday night regarding their professional backgrounds, reasons for applying for the position, and goals as a potential BOE trustee. The decision on Reilly’s replacement will be announced at a public meeting on Nov. 7.

Among the candidates – James Morgan, Gwen Sullivan, B. Vincent Loncto, Janice Willet, Rei Shinozuka and Eric Gross – several themes were consistent across the six interviews. All expressed a desire to contribute to the reputation of the Ridgewood school district, which was a primary reason behind moving to the village for many of the candidates.

Issues of communication, whether relating to complex technical matters such as yearly budgets or simple instances of parent feedback, were also paramount in candidates’ responses.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/132699643_Ridgewood_school_board_interviews_six_candidates_for_open_seat.html

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>New Store Openings in Ridgewood

>New Store Openings in Ridgewood 

Sensations days spa & salon 
Sensations is located at:
9 South Broad St.
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: (201) 794-8070
(201) 794-8071

NEW WOMEN’S WEAR STORE SUITE201
Suite 201 is a specialty clothing boutique located at 11 South Walnut Street in Ridgewood, NJ.For more information and a full list of designers visit
https://www.shopsuite201.com/

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>Riot police fire projectiles, arrest dozens of Occupy Oakland protesters

>Riot police fire projectiles, arrest dozens of Occupy Oakland protesters

Riot police from a number of Bay Area departments fired tear gas and other projectiles early Thursday and arrested dozens of demonstrators to break up Occupy Oakland protests that had drawn thousands of participants Wednesday.

Officers moved in near the City Hall encampment where tents re-sprouted after officials last week ordered them razed. The police action came after a predominantly peaceful day of protest that attracted more than 7,000 people of all ages and left-leaning political stripes.

The evening appeared to be winding down peacefully when protesters declared victory at the Port of Oakland at 9 p.m.  Wednesday — after authorities confirmed that a shift scheduled to start work at 7 p.m. had been canceled. But as demonstrators amassed again at the City Hall plaza, the situation devolved.

https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/occupy-oakland-tear-gas-arrests.html