The Village of Ridgewood : the more things change the more things stay the same
October 4,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , The more things change the more things stay the same. So many promises made during the political campaign , but with the appointment of former Mayor David Pfund municipal court judge many can take comfort in the fact that its still the “same old Ridgewood”.
Over the years you begin to notice some of many recycled faces that seem to appear and reappear at the Village Hall. While David Pfund seemed to have just as good as credentials as any of the other candidates , he was clearly the front runner from the get go with the right Valley and Westside connections . The new judge has barely warmed his seat and already we are told he needs a raise .
Ken Gabbert the Village Manager who’s pay and stewardship of the Village was such a point of contention during the campaign has managed to weather the storm and quite the critics particularly with a job well done on his two year negotiations with NJT over finishing the train station.
The Chamber of Commerce which has for years has looked to the Village Hall to solve their problems has rolled out once again another rendition of additional parking for the Village ,now if only they could convince the tax payers to fund it., …ah progress……..
First Presidential Debate : Huge Win for Mitt Romney last Night
October 4, 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ ,Mitt Romneys big win last night triggered undecided voters in focus groups to swing sharply toward Mitt Romney; Pollster Frank Luntz: ‘I’ve never seen anything like this’. CBS post-debate poll also confirmed this showing a very big win for Romney.
Durring the debate , pollster Frank Luntz assembled a focus group consisting of undecided Colorado voters. By the end of the debate, the group had moved dramatically toward GOP nominee Mitt Romney.
According to Luntz at least half a dozen focus group members who voted for Barack Obama in 2008 now say they will vote for Romney. Virtually everyone in the group said that Romney won the debate and exceeded their expectations. A CBS News post-debate poll confirms a big win for Romney.
Even far left commentator Bill Maher said via twitter “Romney looks more confident and energetic – he’s about a minute away from holding Obama down and cutting his hair. This better be ropeadope” ( No ropeadope came)
Here is what others were saying about the debate via twitter:
Governor Scott Walker said ,”1) Focus on jobs. 2) Connection with real voters. 3) Total command of issues. 4) Absolute passion. @MittRomney was superb! ”
Dennis Miller Show ,”Game, Set, Matchless…ROMNEY! ”
Andrea Tantaros ” This debate should be a case study in butt kicking.”
Red Alert Politics,: Romney smacks Obama: “You’re entitled to your own airplane and your own house, but not to your own facts.”
Ann Coulter ,”Yes, costs will go down under ObamaCare — like they did with the Post Office and Amtrak food service. Govt is a cost-saver’s dream! ”
David Limbaugh ,”Obama just throws out facts that are wrong, irrelevant, and meaninglfess.”
Dana Loesch ”Romney used “Obamacare.” Obama says “I like it.” So not racist now? ”
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste endorses of Rep. Scott Garrett
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee (CCAGW PAC) announced its endorsement of Rep. Scott Garrett, who is seeking re-election to Congress in New Jersey.
“Vigilance on cutting deficits and reducing the debt has never been more essential,” said CCAGW PAC Chairman Tom Schatz. “Taxpayers need friends in Washington who will defend their interests, not the special interests. That is why the CCAGW PAC is supporting Rep. Garrett, who is a bona fide fiscal conservative committed to reducing the size of government by working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Rep. Garrett has been a principled advocate for lower taxes and smaller government and was designated a “Taxpayer Hero” in CCAGW’s 2011 Congressional Ratings for his score of 95 percent. “The CCAGW Congressional Ratings certify that he will continue to strive to control spending, fight for lower taxes, and eradicate wasteful programs,” declared Schatz.
Rep. Garrett is an invaluable ally for taxpayers and for anyone who abhors wasteful, bloated government,” added Schatz. “He is a staunch advocate for free enterprise and limited, efficient government, as evidenced by his votes to end misguided programs like $1.2 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter alternate engine and to cut $250 million from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program.
The CCAGW PAC also urges New Jersey voters to closely examine the records of all incumbents because some have received abysmal vote ratings. Rep. Rush Holt (D), for example, received a score of 12 percent in the CCAGW 2011 Congressional Ratings and has a lifetime rating of 12 percent, earning the rank of “Hostile to Taxpayers.” Rep. Albio Sires (D) has been even worse; he scored 9 percent in 2011 and has a lifetime rating of 2 percent. Reps. Holt’s and Sires’s ratings demonstrate continued support for higher taxes and profligate spending, which have placed the country on a path to fiscal ruin.
“In the current political and fiscal climate, Congress has engaged in an historically unprecedented level of spending, and is supporting actions that will mortgage our children’s futures. On November 6, 2012, voters in Illinois should support Rep. Walsh, and other candidates like him, so that he can fight for fiscally conservative principles that will be vital to taxpayers in the 113th Congress. We also urge voters to oppose Reps. Holt and Sires, who have been antagonistic to the interests of taxpayers throughout their tenures in Washington,” concluded Schatz.
Simulating the Economic Effects of Romney’s Tax Plan
Tax Foundation Runs the Numbers on Proposed Tax Reform Package
Washington, D.C., October 3, 2012—A new analysis of Mitt Romney’s tax reform package by the Tax Foundation has revealed that, given realistic assumptions about its long-term impact, the plan would result in rising wages and increased economic growth. Economic simulations run by Tax Foundation Senior Fellow Stephen Entin and Chief Economist William McBride also debunk charges that Romney’s planned tax cuts on high-income households would increase the tax burden on low- and middle-income households.
“While the debate over tax reform has been consumed with distributional issues, the economy continues to limp along in the worst recovery since the Great Depression,” said McBride. “To be sure, this economy faces headwinds that even an ideal tax code will not address, but pro-growth tax reform can provide substantial benefits.”
The Tax Foundation’s results indicate that by lowering tax rates on investment and labor, the Romney tax plan would grow the economy by 7.4 percent, the capital stock by almost 19 percent, wages by almost 5 percent, and hours worked by 3 percent. The benefits would be widely enjoyed, as every income group would experience at least a 7 percent increase in after-tax income. It would benefit the federal budget as well, in that fully 60 percent of the initial revenue loss from Romney’s plan would be recovered from taxing a larger economy.
Economists recognize that there is more to a tax cut than the immediate increase in wealth of the recipient. If investment taxes are lowered, investment increases, because investors expect to keep more of their after-tax returns, and more people become investors. If taxes on wages are lowered, more people work and more people work harder. The benefits from these things spill over beyond the immediate actors. Businesses invest in equipment and new hires, leading to more productive workers, higher wages, and ultimately satisfied customers.
Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 330, “Simulating the Economic Effects of Romney’s Tax Plan” by Stephen Entin and William McBride is available online.
The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937. To schedule an interview, please contact Richard Morrison, the Tax Foundation’s Manager of Communications, at 202-464-5102 or morrison@taxfoundation.org.
BCRO Poll few voters know Freeholder candidates, many fail to recognize County Executive
October 3.2012
PJ Blogger
Ridgewood NJ , Speaking of Poll according to PolitickerNJ a Bergen GOP poll conducted by the BCRO shows Democrats with a 42% to 33% advantage over Republicans in this cycle’s Bergen County freeholder contests. Taken by Voter Survey Service of 300 likely general election voters, the poll shows 126 voters preferring Democrats to 98 favoring Republicans.
According to the GOP-commissioned poll and this comes as no surprise, Obama beats Romney in Bergen, 53-39%. The same poll shows Republican Gov. Chris Christie transcending the party fault lines with a 62% approval rating in Bergen County, according to the poll, against 33% who disapprove of the job he is doing ,also no surprise.
But this is where it gets interesting according to PolitickerNJ few know the freeholder candidates this year, according to the same poll. A whooping Seventy-eight and 89% of voters polled say they are unaware of Democratic challengers Steve Tanelli and Tracy Zur. While Republican freeholder candidate challenger Peg Watkins, 85% are not aware of her and 79% don’t know Incumbent GOP Freeholder Rob Hermansen .Whats even more surprising is 24% of voters say were unaware Bergen County Executive Kathe Donovan who is up for re-election in 2014.
Folks this leads me to 3 conclusions first : either we have a very uninformed electorate, or the Freeholders are doing a particularly bad job of campaigning . Second perhaps many in Bergen practice “Zombie” voting and just vote their party line making campaigns a waste of time and third I think its a combination of both , lots of “Zombies” and awful campaigning by everyone .
Source : BCRO Poll shows Christie strong in Bergen, few know freeholder candidates , By Max Pizarro | October 1st, 2012 – 2:32pm https://www.politickernj.com/back_room/bcro-poll-shows-christie-strong-bergen-few-know-freeholder-candidates#ixzz28DzHigxt
A far left Labor Union and far left Community Activist Media tow groups that heavily support the President take a Poll to find out how many people think polls are biased , the plurality of respondents thought so
A Poll about a Poll ? So that means that that poll is also biased?
Since the John Kerry landslide prediction we have wondered why theses people still have jobs?
Daily Kos and SEIU Poll: Plurality say polls biased for Obama
By Justin Sink – 10/02/12 08:30 AM ET
A plurality of Americans and more than seven in 10 Republicans say pollsters are intentionally skewing results to benefit President Obama, according to a new poll released Tuesday.
Some 42 percent of voters surveyed by Daily Kos and SEIU believe pollsters are manipulating their sample sizes to benefit the incumbent president, while 40 percent do not. An additional 18 percent said they were not sure. That’s evidence that Republican claims that Democrats and minority voters are being oversampled in national polls could be resonating — and potentially undermining the momentum of the president’s early lead.
Rebecca Jean Leer named Ridgewood Art Institute Artist of the Month for October 2012
Ridgewood NJ, Rebecca Jean Leer teaches drawing for adults and children. In her classes, drawing is explored as an art unto itself and as augmentation to painting. A strong foundation in the principles of drawing, like a standard in the artist’s toolbox, propels the student forward in all artistic endeavors. Ms. Leer stresses the importance of capturing the light effect in line and tone in every picture.
Classically trained, Ms. Leer received a BFA degree from Rochester Institute of Technology for medical illustration and studied illustration on a scholarship at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, CA. After moving to Ridgewood, she studied painting with John Phillip Osborne. She has been a professional artist for over 25 years, gleaning awards from the Societies of Illustrators of New York, Los Angeles and Washington, DC., the Hudson Valley Artists Association, the American Professional League and others, including the prestigious Land of Enchantment Award for her children’s book illustrations. Her work has been seen in books, magazines, advertisements, museum exhibits and corporate and private collections.
Ms. Leer was recently profiled by American Artist Magazine as one of 12 up and coming artists handpicked by the artist community.
Ms. Leer currently serves on the Board of Trustees at the Ridgewood Art Institute and curates their Permanent Collection.
Valley Home Care and Hospice Now Recruiting Volunteers for End-of-Life Doula Program
Valley Home Care and Hospice is currently seeking volunteers to be part of our End of Life Doula program, and invites those interested to sign up for our November training program. The training sessions will take place at the Valley Health Systems Kraft Building on 15 Essex Road, Paramus.
Specially trained volunteer doulas provide emotional, physical, and spiritual support to people who are dying and their loved ones. The volunteers work in shifts to help families deal with the around-the-clock demands for care as death approaches.
Those interested in reiki, massage therapy, and various healthcare or spiritual fields or services are also invited to contact us.
Valley Home Care and Hospice also offers volunteer opportunities as “Friendly Visitors” who visit the sick and home bound, provide them with socialization support and a friendly smile. We also have opportunities for volunteers to support our office staff with filing and other office duties.
Please contact Maria Salerno, Volunteer Coordinator at 201-291-6246 for the schedule for the training sessions, and for further information. You can also print our application package on line at www.valleyhealth.com, under “Valley Volunteers”.
10 Questions for the First Presidential Debate
Amy Payne
October 3, 2012 at 9:05 am https://tinyurl.com/9xulw36
Tonight’s debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney is supposed to focus on domestic policy, with a major concentration on the economy. Health care, the role of government, and philosophy of governing are also on the agenda. The Heritage Foundation’s policy experts have submitted 10 questions they would like to see asked in the debate.
1. In 2008, then-candidate Obama said, “Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.” In reality, President Obama’s signature health care law contains 18 new or increased taxes and penalties that will cost taxpayers $836.3 billion over the next 10 years, many of which fall heavily on the middle class. In fact, almost 70 percent of those responsible for paying the fiercely debated individual mandate are below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Should these tax increases be stopped to protect middle-class Americans from their damage? If yes, where would the money needed to help pay for Obamacare come from?
2. Millions of baby boomers are starting to retire, and spending on Social Security and Medicare as these programs are currently structured is simply unsustainable. What is your plan to solve the looming entitlement program spending crisis?
3. Medicare as we know it today is facing severe financing problems that are unsustainable and putting future generations’ Medicare benefits in jeopardy. Over the long term, Medicare has made $37 trillion worth of promises to seniors that it cannot keep and the hospital insurance trust fund will be empty by 2024. Worse, the President’s health care law will cut Medicare by $716 billion over the next 10 years to pay for new spending in Obamacare. As Medicare’s solvency hangs in the balance, what structural reforms, if any, are you willing to make to preserve Medicare for future generations?
4. Everyone talks about shoring up our battered American Dream. How would you define the American Dream and what do you think are the most serious threats to it?
5. The Health and Human Services Department recently rewrote the law governing welfare to weaken its work requirements. Meanwhile, the number of people relying on food stamps has doubled under the current Administration. Should all able-bodied recipients be required to work or prepare for work as a condition of receiving aid in public housing, food stamps, and cash assistance?
6. The federal government is currently spending much more than it has, and annual budget deficits over $1 trillion have become the norm. What is your plan to stem the tide of deficits and rising debt?
7. One of the few bright spots in America’s economy has been energy production, particularly on state and private lands. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), energy production decreased 13 percent on federal lands in fiscal year (FY) 2011 when compared to FY 2010. What would you do to reverse course on energy production on federal lands?
8. Congress—most notably the Senate, which hasn’t produced a budget in over three years—is sorely lacking in its basic responsibility of budgeting. What would you do to ensure the fundamental process of budgeting is restored?
9. President Obama has previously stated that, in the most important 5 percent of cases before the courts, it matters more what is in a judge’s heart (what has come to be known as his empathy standard) than what the rule of law requires. Is this the correct standard by which to evaluate judicial nominees? If not, what standard would you apply?
10. Former Attorney General of Mexico Victor Humberto Benítez Treviño estimated that approximately 300 Mexican citizens have been killed using Fast and Furious weapons in addition to U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry. Should Eric Holder resign as Attorney General because of his failures related to Operation Fast and Furious, including his failure to properly supervise the operation? If not, why not?
Beginning October 1 again this year Caurousel Cakes in Nanuet, NY and all 3 cupcakes by Caousel Cakes NJ locations will be selling pink awareness cupcakes and cakes donating $1.00 per cake on our online store to a local breast cancer center.
Carousel Cakes of Nanuet is located at 192 East Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, N.J. 201-389-3090. Hours: Open every day at 10AM, late nights Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – October 2, 2012 – During the recent Ridgewood Community Access Network’s Access Ridgewood weekend, Mayor Paul Aronsohn and his wife Maria DeNoia Aronsohn hosted a fashion show at the Ridgewood Library with models, music and more.
Shown here celebrating the fashion show, and the gift of a portable ramp by The Valley Hospital to the Village of Ridgewood to ensure accessibility to Village-sponsored events, are, from left to right: Assistant Village Manager Janet Fricke, Valley’s Vice President for Communications Megan Fraser, Valley’s Manager of The Kireker Center for Child Development Elizabeth Lanza, Mayor Aronsohn, and model Kaitlin Sheehy.
State gives preliminary go-ahead to two new charter schools
The Christie administration continues to be picky about new charter schools, with just two applications approved in the latest round announced yesterday — one in Newark and one in Camden.
If it receives its final charter, the Newark school would be the first approved under a new law allowing existing private schools to convert to charter schools. The new school would be Philip’s Academy Charter School, a renaming of St. Philip’s Academy, a well-established independent school in the city’s Central Ward.
The Camden application is for the International Academy of Camden, an elementary school founded by a group of New Jersey entrepreneurs and likely to be run by a private education management organization.
Among those under discussion is the operator of the Ascend Learning charter schools in New York City, but one of the founders of the Camden school stressed that others are also being considered in a public bidding process. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
Ridgewood Schools in a PR offensive
October 3, 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Schools took a bit of heat in early September with the NJ Monthly survey showing Ridgewood High School drooped a whooping 8 places in their school ranking .
With in days Ridgewood Superintendent Daniel Fishbein gave a brief overview of comparative data from the recent NJ Monthly high school rankings. According to Dr.Fishbein Ridgewood High School (RHS) performed as well as, or better than, surrounding schools in Bergen County that were ranked higher by the magazine. https://theridgewoodblog.net/dr-fishbein-claims-drop-in-nj-monthly-school-rankings-due-to-the-fact-that-rhs-students-are-required-to-take-the-ap-tests/
Since then Ridgewood Schools have continued to garner media attention :
Greg Wu named 2012-2013 Ashby Award Winner , Ridgewood NJ, The 2012 winner of the coveted Ashby Award is Greg Wu, Assistant Principal/Grade Administrator at Benjamin Franklin Middle School https://theridgewoodblog.net/greg-wu-named-2012-2013-ashby-award-winner-3/
Willard is Named a National Blue Ribbon School ,September 11, 2012 ,Ridgewood NJ – Willard Elementary School has been named a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. The announcement was made last week by the U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Willard is one of only 269 schools in the nation to receive the award. Willard earned the Blue Ribbon designation for its overall academic excellence, in the category of “Exemplary High Performing.” https://theridgewoodblog.net/willard-is-named-a-national-blue-ribbon-school/
Ridgewood Board of Ed won’t commit to a zero percent tax increase ,Wednesday September 12, 2012, 3:49 PM ,BY LAURA HERZOG,
The Ridgewood News. A zero percent tax increase will be considered, but will not be a firm goal for the 2013-2014 school year budget.https://www.northjersey.com/news/169513576_Ridgewood_Board_of_Ed_won_t_commit_to_a_zero_percent_tax_increase.html
RHS ATHLETIC TRAINER NICK NICHOLAIDES TO APPEAR ON THE ‘KATIE’ SHOW,RHS Athletic Trainer Nick Nicholaides, whose video on concussion awareness is garnering national attention, will appear on Katie Courac’s new show, “Katie,” this Friday, September 21 at 3 p.m. on Channel 7 (ABC). Also in the audience will be RHS student athlete Megan Donnelly.
Ridgewood enrollment numbers on the rise MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2012, 10:09 AM,BY LAURA HERZOG,THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
While school enrollment has substantially declined in many other public school districts, Ridgewood has been gaining students.According to data provided by the Board of Education (BOE), 52 more students are enrolled in Ridgewood this fall than were enrolled last year. The numbers also show that enrollment has steadily been on the rise in Ridgewood for more than 10 years. https://www.northjersey.com/news/170980391_Ridgewood_enrollment_numbers_on_the_rise.html
Ridgewood High School library upgrade campaign ramped up ,THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2012, 4:44 PM, BY LAURA HERZOG
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS .The Ridgewood High School (RHS) Home and School Association (HSA) will soon launch an aggressive fall fundraising campaign to pay for the transformation of the RHS library into a space better suited for 21st century learners. The renovation will potentially cost $850,000. https://www.northjersey.com/news/170564766_Ridgewood_High_School_library_upgrade_campaign_ramped_up.html
And yesterday we are told DR. FISHBEIN NAMED TOP SUPERINTENDENT IN NORTH JERSEY , 10.02.12: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein has been named top superintendent of the state’s northern region by his peer members of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. Dr. Fishbein is now in the running for the New Jersey Superintendent of the year, which would make him eligible to be voted to the national title. https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/
First Kudos for Willard, Dr Fishbien ,Greg Wu ,and Nick Nicholaides but one is lead to wonder ,what gives with the PR offensive ? pressure from Charter Schools , worries about the core curricula ? , big tax increase coming ? turf fields in flood zones getting you down ? Teachers prolonged contract discussions left some bad blood or is the BOE looking to buck the 2% cap? Or maybe Dr Fishbien is looking for a big raise ?
A new study by Douglas Holtz-Eakin of the American Action Forum finds that President Barack Obama’s spending plan would raise taxes on the middle class. “[T]axpayers making as little as $30,000 will carry $1,500 more in taxes annually over the next 10 years,” the study finds.
The significance of this study is that it contradict Obama’s pledge not to raise taxes on the middle class. “If you are a family making less than $250,000 a year, you will not see your taxes go up,” Obama said in 2008.
But if the American Action Forum study is correct, and if Obama is reelected, he will either break his pledge not to raise taxes on the middle class or his commitment to balance the budget.
The study hinges on Obama’s commitment to balance the budget by 2022. “[The] paper outlines the tax implications of the Administration’s current spending plans. I compute the tax increases necessary to achieve primary budget balance by at least 2022 under a variety of assumptions on the mix of fiscal adjustment and breadth of tax increases across taxpayers,” Holtz-Eakin writes in the study’s executive summary.
There are not enough millionaires to make up the gap, Holtz-Eakin finds. “The paper finds that, in order to achieve primary budget balance by at least 2022, taxing only millionaires would require raising their taxes to 123.9 percent. Taxing only those individuals making over $500,000 would require an increase from 30.6 percent to 95.5 percent.”
Under Obama, Poor, Middle Class Incomes Fall Sharply
By JOHN MERLINE, INVESTOR’S BUSINESS DAILY
Posted 08:05 AM ET
Despite repeated promises that he would build prosperity from the bottom up, President Obama has presided over three years of income losses for the middle class, according to the latest household income data from the Census Bureau.
Since 2009, the middle 20% of American households saw their average incomes drop 4%. In 2011 alone, they fell 1.7%. The poorest 20% have fared even worse under Obama, Census data show. Their incomes have dropped more than 7% since 2009, and are now lower than they’ve been at any time since 1985, after adjusting for inflation.
Meanwhile, the wealthiest have managed to eke out gains in two of the past three years. In 2011, the top 20% saw their average income climb almost 2%, the Census data show.
Read More At IBD: https://news.investors.com/100212-627662-under-obama-poor-middle-class-incomes-fall-sharply.aspx#ixzz28A5IGAcp
