> Port Authority audit reveals nearly $4B cost overrun for World Trade Center Published: Tuesday, February 07, 2012, 6:24 PM By The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The agency building the new World Trade Center has let costs get out of control, with the estimated price tag soaring nearly $4 billion over the last four years, auditors said today.
Navigant Consulting said the project is now expected to cost $14.8 billion, 35 percent more than the last estimate, of $11 billion, in 2008.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie ordered the review of the World Trade Center site’s owner, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, after the agency’s board voted to raise bridge and tunnel tolls in August.
>Bishop: New Mandate Goes Against Catholicism By Jon Berg Published: February 5, 2012, 10:00 PM
SIOUX FALLS, SD – A new mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is causing a lot of controversy within the Catholic church.
Bishops from across the country, including right here in South Dakota, say the rule compromises religious freedom.
Hundreds of thousands of Catholics attended mass across the country Sunday, and many were told about the new healthcare mandate that religious leaders believe is a violation of the church’s beliefs.
“It’s a core issue of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, Bishops all across the country are responding in the same way because we feel as if our freedom of religion, our ability to live out the church teachings are being compromised by this regulation that’s come out of the department of human services,” Bishop Paul Swain with the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese said.
State agency urged to turn down proposal for first offshore wind farm
The state is being urged to reject a proposal to build New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm about three miles off Atlantic City by the Division of Rate Counsel, which argues the project fails to deliver a net economic benefit.
The recommendation from a consultant hired by the division is backed by its director, Stefanie Brand, who said, “the numbers just don’t add up.” The consultant’s report was filed Friday with the Board of Public Utilities, which is expected to act on the Fishermen’s Energy project sometime this spring. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
>US Left continues to attack protections of US Constitution
‘We the People’ Loses Appeal With People Around the World By ADAM LIPTAK Published: February 6, 2012
WASHINGTON — The Constitution has seen better days.
Sure, it is the nation’s founding document and sacred text. And it is the oldest written national constitution still in force anywhere in the world. But its influence is waning.
In 1987, on the Constitution’s bicentennial, Time magazine calculated that “of the 170 countries that exist today, more than 160 have written charters modeled directly or indirectly on the U.S. version.”
A quarter-century later, the picture looks very different. “The U.S. Constitution appears to be losing its appeal as a model for constitutional drafters elsewhere,” according to a new study by David S. Law of Washington Universit.
2 different career paths define Christie N.J. Supreme Court nominees
One nominee has logged long hours in the courtroom, and the other has rarely appeared before a judge. One has a $3.5 million real estate portfolio, while the other owns less than $1 million worth of property.
Those are just a couple of the distinctions between the two attorneys nominated by Gov. Chris Christie to serve on the state Supreme Court detailed in questionnaires submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The documents, obtained by The Star-Ledger, offered a glimpse into the different backgrounds of Phillip Kwon, 44, of Closter, and Bruce Harris, 61, the mayor of Chatham borough. If confirmed, Harris would be the first openly gay justice on the court, and Kwon the first Asian-American. (Baxter and Spoto, The Star-Ledger)
THERE AREN’T many government agencies as powerful as the Federal Reserve Board, which controls the nation’s monetary policy.
Nevertheless, when board Chairman Ben Bernanke was asked to appear before Congress last week, he dutifully did so. Bernanke probably knew he would take some heat from Republicans, and, in fact, the chairman was criticized by Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Wantage, for allegedly overstepping his bounds in regard to housing policy. However, answering to Congress is part of the job, and Bernanke fulfilled that duty.
Contrast Bernanke’s cooperative stance last week with that of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In the wake of last fall’s massive toll hikes and recent reports in The Record about secret bonuses to employees and dozens of jobs going to those connected to the Christie administration, Port Authority officials were asked to appear last week before an Assembly committee in Trenton.
N.J. Senate committee approves bill to expand job opportunities for ex-convicts
Legislation designed to expand employment opportunities for some ex-convicts in order to aid in their reentry into society was unanimously approved by the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee Monday.
The bill, S-876, would permit certain ex-offenders convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude to be employed by alcoholic beverage licensees, so long as they are not involved in the serving, selling, soliciting, mixing or handling of alcoholic beverages. (Hester. New Jersey Newsroom)
>Tepid support as Sweeney renews pitch for shared services
New Jersey’s difficulty in consolidating and regionalizing school districts is well-known, but even a plan to just share services is proving easier said than done.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) has called expanded shared services by local schools and municipalities one of his legislative priorities for the year, saying it help would bring down or at least stabilize property taxes.
With schools the bulk of the local tax bill, Sweeney has pressed a year-old bill that would allow the state to appoint in each county an organization such as an education services commission or special service district to serve as a hub for sharing local school resources like transportation, nursing and special education programs. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
Senate Democrat Bob Menendez stopped by the Ridgewood Train station Monday morning for a photo op to pitch the Federal Transit Bill the staff of the Ridgewood blog
(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) Senate Democrat Bob Menendez stopped by the Ridgewood Train station Monday morning for a photo op to pitch the Federal Transit Bill that will give New Jersey $63M in federal transit funding if it’s passed by the Senate.
The bill also contains a number of programs the Senator championed including:
A New $20 Million Transit Oriented Development Planning Program. The $20 million program will help communities create more livable communities by planning new development around new transit hubs. The provision is based on similar language in Senator Menendez’s Livable communities Act, and in New Jersey would work in tandem with the state’s Transit Village program.
Increased Funding for the National Transit Institute at Rutgers (NTI) [$5million]. NTI provides training, education, and clearinghouse services in support of public transportation and quality of life for the entire nation. In recent years this important national program has seen its funding slashed, despite the increased need for training in the face of an ongoing wave of retirements in the industry. This bill will raise NTI’s funding to $5 million per year from $3.8 million.
Increased Clean Fuels Program Funding [From $51.5M to $65M]. This competitive program for clean fuel transit vehicles and for refueling infrastructure will help agencies switch from dirty, expensive fuels, to cleaner, cheaper fuels. This will help improve air quality and allow transit agencies to untether themselves from volatile oil prices.
Increased Funding for Transportation for Seniors and the Disabled [NJ Funding Goes From $6.5 M to $7.8 M]. With demand for senior transportation increasing, the bill is able to meet that demand with increased resources.
Streamlined and Reformed “New Starts” Process. The bill streamlines the process for the federal approval of new projects and allows projects designed to increase capacity on existing systems rather than just allow new systems or new lines. Older systems such as New Jersey’s that are at capacity could, for instance, use the program to add a new station, add another track, or purchase bigger train cars.
Menendez recently found himself out of party good graces when he became the first Democrat to reject one of President Obama’s judicial appointments. He first claimed Judge Patty Shwartz, whom Obama nominated in October, was not qualified to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia.Later Menendez reversed himself and said he would support the nomination.
Menendez was also recently jilted when West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque, a Hudson County Democrat,endorsed Republican State Sen. Kyrillos for the U.S. Senate seat held by Robert Menendez, also a fellow North Bergen Democrat.
Sources claim Sen Menendez was invited to Ridgewood by his friend Councilmen Paul Aronsohn . The funny thing is that no media sources except for the “Patch” also a friend of the Councilmen covered the event.
Observes found it odd the the Senator would use the controversial Ridgewood Train station as a back drop to promote more transit spending when the station has come under so much criticism for the $800,000 gutters, $2million dollars for the roof and ADA compliant elevators to nowhere .
> NJ Transportation chief says better analysis needed to decide if mega projects make sense
PHILADELPHIA — The man who’s defended the Christie administration’s decision to kill the second Hudson River rail tunnel project has become a transportation rock star.
Transportation Commissioner James Simpson has been a panelist at two major transportation forums in New York, in November, and most recently, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on Thursday.
The debate always comes around to that tunnel project and Simpson defends his boss’s decision in plain talk — the state couldn’t afford it and it wasn’t the right project.
Bill to change N.J. teacher tenure rules is reintroduced by lawmaker
State Sen. Teresa Ruiz introduced a bill today that would dramatically overhaul teacher tenure by using a rating system based on annual evaluations.
The bill is the latest attempt to overhaul the century-old system that has come under fire from Gov. Chris Christie and other critics who say tenure protects bad teachers and is a lifetime guarantee of employment. Proponents for tenure argue teachers must be protected from political hiring decisions.
Christie has made teacher tenure and other education changes a major goal of his administration. (DeMarco, The Star-Ledger)
The Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Women Gardeners of Ridgewood, welcomes Patrick Scheuer, Director of NJ Audubon’s Lorrimer Sanctuary, to teach about winter in the woodlands. Discussions will include hibernation, migration and survival; how birds, mammals, insects and plants adapt to the winter months. Students must dress appropriately for the outdoor winter trek in search of animal tracks and trails.
Students in Grades 3-5 are invited to meet at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, on Wednesday, February 22nd, from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $20 for the workshop. Registration may be made online at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass or in person or by mail – The Stable, 259 North Maple Avenue, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may download the registration form from the Recreation homepage at www.ridgewoodnj.net/recreation. For more information or assistance please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560.
>Ridgewood Parks and Recreation presents Comic Book Creations
During February School Recess From super heroes to fun silly characters, participants will learn how to begin to create a comic book, taking their imagination to a whole new level. Class is instructed by local resident Joe Federico. Village students in grades K–3 are invited to join. The workshop will be held at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, during the February school recess on Tuesday, February 21st (snow date is Feb 24 if needed). Grades K and 1 will meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and Grades 2 and 3 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. This cost is $20 which includes all materials.
Registration is available online at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass or by mail/in person to The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue. The Recreation Office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can locate the registration form on our website at www.ridgewoodnj.net/recreation. If you have any questions, or if special accommodations are needed, please call the Recreation Department at (201) 670-5560.
>Prime parking spots near Ridgewood High School may require a permit
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2012 BY JOSEPH CRAMER STAFF WRITER THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A portion of the parking spaces on Heermance Place may soon require a permit during school hours to alleviate existing parking difficulties for teachers and staff.
At its work session on Wednesday, the Village Council discussed a request submitted by the Board of Education (BOE) to change parking policies on the one-way side street, which runs along the front of Ridgewood High School and contains multiple angle-parking spots that prepared or lucky students can use during the school day.
The request was made because parking for staff in the designated lot behind the high school is currently “tight,” Superintendent Daniel Fishbein said.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2012, 12:10 PM BY JOSEPH CRAMER STAFF WRITER THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
On a clear, dry day, the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, with its gentle and quiet southbound flow, may not seem like the sort of body of water likely to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. But subtle clues – chunks of concrete scattered across the waterbed, ravaged tree roots, imposing mounds of rock – hint at the greater power of the brook under less optimal weather conditions.
It is a power that residents and village officials are currently wrestling with, both in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and looking ahead to flood events that seem to be increasing in frequency. With Ridgewood officials reporting substantial progress on obtaining resources necessary to remediate some of the brook’s problems, however, it looks like the current may be turning in the village’s favor.
