Storm Notice – No leaves are to be placed in the street on Saturday, Sunday or Monday
This is a notice from the Village of Ridgewood Public Works Department concerning Hurricane Sandy which is headed up the East Coast and is expected to affect our area.
If you employ the services of a landscaper, effective immediately, please advise them that unless they remove leaves from your property no leaves are to be placed in the street on Saturday, Sunday or Monday. We encourage homeowners to also follow this same request. With heavy rain expected we must keep roadways and storm drains clear. The Village is requesting your assistance to help avoid unnecessary flooding to your property and your neighbors’.
Village crews will be working today to clear low lying areas. If you have a storm drain in front of your property, please assist Village staff with keeping it clear.
Updated information will be posted on the Village website www.ridgewoodnj.net and we encourage you to sign up for “E-Notice” for updates.
DUE TO THE IMPENDING STORM, RESIDENTS IN LOW LYING AREAS MAY PARK CARS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT IN THE HUDSON STREET, WALNUT STREET, AND COTTAGE STREET PARKING LOTS STARTING AT 6:00 PM ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 THROUGH WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31. METER AND OVERNIGHT PARKING RULES WILL BE SUSPENDED IN THOSE LOTS DURING THE STORM.
Ridgewood putting preparations in place in anticipation of storm
FRIDAY OCTOBER 26, 2012, 2:15 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood emergency officials have increased their preparation efforts in anticipation of a potential three-headed super storm that has been predicted to hit the area early next week.
Bergen County could see extreme weather conditions, including three to six inches of rain and winds reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour, should Hurricane Sandy collide with a winter storm from the West and an Arctic front from the North, meteorologists predict. Already dubbed “Frankenstorm,” the storm is expected to arrive in the area beginning Monday.
According to Jeremy Kleiman, coordinator of Ridgewood’s Office of Emergency Management, emergency preparation in the village started earlier this week, and all department heads met and discussed plans Friday morning.
“We reviewed our pre-storm checklist and have a plan to continue preparations through the weekend,” Kleiman told The Ridgewood News.
PSE&G Ramps Up Preparations for Hurricane Sandy
October 26, 2012
Provides safety tips for customers
(October 26, 2012 – Newark, NJ) – Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company, New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is continuing to closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Sandy and is ramping up emergency preparations. Although the storm is now tracking further south, it is still expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and flooding to our service territory. At this time, Hurricane Sandy is expected to begin impacting New Jersey as early as late Sunday with the full brunt of the storm hitting the area Monday into Tuesday.
In anticipation of Hurricane Sandy, PSE&G has requested more than 1,300 linemen and 600 tree contractors from utilities in other states to assist our highly skilled crews. The utility’s call center will be fully staffed to handle calls from customers. Other employees will assist with assessing storm damage, keeping the public away from any downed power lines and other functions that support restoration efforts.
Since Hurricane Irene and the October snowstorm in 2011, PSE&G has made additional investments in our electric delivery system to help withstand storms.
• Replaced older 26,000-volt lines with lines capable of carrying 69,000 volts. These lines provide greater protection against lightning strikes and can better withstand wind and rain.
• Spent about $28 million pruning trees away from power lines.
• Tightened coordination with county Offices of Emergency Management to ensure that public officials have the latest information on outages and restoration progress.
• Compiled a list of school administrators and superintendents to contact in case schools are affected by outages.
• Made some improvements to our automated call answering systems.
Just as the utility is preparing for Hurricane Sandy, we urge our customers to do the same. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:
• A battery powered radio.
• A corded telephone (cordless phones will not work if the power is out)
• Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
• A first-aid kit.
• Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
• A non-electric can opener.
• Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
• A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG.
A storm like Hurricane Sandy has the potential to interrupt service. High winds might cause trees to brush up against power lines, and lightning could strike and damage trees or pole-top equipment. There also is the potential for trees to be uprooted.
Depending on the severity of the storm, response times for both electric and gas emergency services may be longer than usual. PSE&G asks for our customers’ patience and cooperation as we work to safely restore service as quickly as possible. As the storm gets closer, the utility will provide information about estimated restoration times.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.
Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
In addition, PSE&G will activate its Twitter page to keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The state acknowledged Ridgewood’s recycling efforts this week, awarding the village more than $55,000 in grant money to continue its environmental protection initiatives.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the funding this week and based the rewards to municipalities across the state on the number of tons recycled in 2010. The DEP, through its Recycling Enhancement Act, will distribute a total of $1.5 million in grants.
“The recycling tonnage grants represent recognition of each town’s ability to encourage recycling among residents, and they offer an incentive for each town to achieve greater recycling results,” state Sen. Kevin O’Toole said in a press statement. “The more trash we can keep out of the garbage stream, the better it is for our environment and our wallets.”
O’Toole represents Ridgewood in the 40th legislative district. The village’s grant total of $55,085 is the most of any town in District 40.
Ridgewood Middle Schoolers accepted into the Bergen County Honor Band
The following students were accepted into the Bergen County Honor Band:
Benjamin Franklin Middle School: Jennifer Jin (8) – Flute, highest score; Brian Noh (8) – Oboe, highest score; Darius Karoon (8) – French Horn; David Song (8) – Mallets, highest score; Brian Caine (8) – Percussion (traps ) section high score; Christian Seremetis (8) – Timpani
George Washington Middle School: Liam Roumila (7) – Alto Sax; Jonathan Sloan Ruhl (8) – Tuba
FCC takes up text message spam
by Dave Nyczepir
Oct 25 2012
The legality of text message spam depends on who you ask.
The mobile industry’s at war over cellular privacy—or free speech—depending on how you look at it.
The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday that it’s accepting comments on a petition that seeks to have Internet-to-phone text messaging declared a type of autodialing. The technology, which collects cell numbers without consent and then messages them via created email addresses, isn’t currently covered under the Technology Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and some consider it a loophole for those who want to spam your cellphone.
EXCLUSIVE: CIA operators were denied request for help during Benghazi attack, sources say
By Jennifer Griffin
Published October 26, 2012
FoxNews.com
Fox News has learned from sources who were on the ground in Benghazi that an urgent request from the CIA annex for military back-up during the attack on the U.S. Consulate and subsequent attack several hours later was denied by U.S. officials — who also told the CIA operators twice to “stand down” rather than help the ambassador’s team when shots were heard at approximately 9:40 p.m. in Benghazi on Sept. 11.
Former Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods was part of a small team who was at the CIA annex about a mile from the U.S. Consulate where Ambassador Chris Stevens and his team came under attack. When he and others heard the shots fired, they informed their higher-ups at the annex to tell them what they were hearing and requested permission to go to the consulate and help out. They were told to “stand down,” according to sources familiar with the exchange. Soon after, they were again told to “stand down.”
Woods and at least two others ignored those orders and made their way to the Consulate which at that point was on fire. Shots were exchanged. The quick reaction force from the CIA annex evacuated those who remained at the Consulate and Sean Smith, who had been killed in the initial attack. They could not find the ambassador and returned to the CIA annex at about midnight.
Salute To Our Nation’s Veterans
Friday, October 26, 2012
8:00 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church
Ridgewood, New Jersey
Featured Guest Soloist
SFC Jason Ham
Euphonium, United States Military Academy Band, West Point
Guest Conducting Appearance
Johan de Meij
Guest Ensemble
Rutgers University Symphony Band – Darryl Bott, Director
Program Highlights
Heritage of Freedom Fanfare- James M. Stephenson
U.F.O.Concerto for Euphonium and Concert Band – Johan de Meij
Festival Prelude on Star Spangled Banner – Dudley Buck
Sabers and Spurs – John Phillip Sousa
Solid Men to the Front – John Philip Sousa
Stars and Stripes Forever – John Philip Sousa
Taps Eternal Father – Gen. Daniel Butterfield & John B. Dykes
Elegy – John Barnes Chance
Costs of Obama’s Plan to Raise Tax Rates on Incomes over $200,000
Washington, D.C., October 25, 2012—President Obama’s proposal to raise taxes on individuals earning more than $200,000 would slow economic growth and reduce future incomes across the board, according to a new analysis by the Tax Foundation. The amount of income that would be lost over the next ten years because of higher taxes varies by state, ranging from $2 billion in Vermont to as much as $241 billion in California.
“President Obama’s campaign to raise taxes on high-income earners presents an overly simplistic view of the economy, as if tax increases only affect those people who write checks to the IRS,” said Tax Foundation chief economist William McBride. “When high income families are hit with additional taxes, they reduce spending on goods and services and invest less. All of this hurts economic growth over the long run, resulting in fewer jobs and lower wages.”
In dollar terms, the states most affected are large, high-income states. California stands to lose $241 billion over ten years as a result of the president’s tax policies, followed by New York at $186 billion, Texas at $131 billion, Florida at $104 billion, and Illinois at $74 billion.
As a percent of income, Wyoming is most affected, losing 1.82 percent of income in 2013, followed by Connecticut at 1.76 percent, New York at 1.61 percent, Delaware at 1.49 percent, and Massachusetts at 1.40 percent. In all, thirteen states are set to lose at least 1 percent of income as a result of these tax increases, and every state loses at least 0.5 percent of income.
Many businesses would also be directly affected by the President’s proposed tax increases, since the vast majority of businesses file under the individual tax code. These so-called “pass-through” businesses, such as partnerships, S corporations, and sole proprietorships, earn more income and employ more workers than companies which file under the corporate code. Most of this pass-through business income (about 66 percent) is reported by taxpayers earning more than $250,000.
Recent economic analyses that take into account the pass-through business sector find that raising personal income tax rates on high-income earners does significant harm is done to the economy. Economists Robert Carroll and Gerald Prante, for example, found that 710,000 jobs would be lost as a result of President Obama’s tax policies.
Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 333, “How State would be Affected by Obama’s Proposed Tax Increases on High-Income Earners” by 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.
Ridgewood NJ , The District Supervisor of Fine & Applied Arts/Music Christopher McCullough and Music Teachers Jeffrey Haas and John Luckenbill gave a presentation on a new technology course at RHS on music production. Equipment and software has been added to the Mac Lab at the high school that enables students to compose and arrange music.
In addition, two software programs, “Garage Band” and “ProTools,” have been added to the music program, allowing students to edit and mix recordings. As part of the presentation, the teachers also introduced the “SmartMusic” software program now in use at RHS; this program is a web-based tool that allows students to practice and also be graded on instrumental performance.
A Step Forward – Even A Small Step Forward – Is Far Better Than Continuing Our Backwards Slide
October 25,2012
By Ian Linker
It is time for a modicum of pragmatism. Defeating Barack Obama will not be the end of a journey and it is not an end in itself. But it is a critical step. It is a critical step because an Obama reelection portends severe trouble for the United States and its economy and could – without much, if any, hyperbole – jeopardize our ability to function as a sovereign nation. Therefore, we must – quite simply – do what we can to defeat President Obama in this election.
Rather than supporting a third-party candidate, an idealist, who has virtually no chance of winning or standing on ceremony and not voting at all; thus, making an Obama win more likely, why not support the candidate who will lead us away from the abyss and has a bona fide chance to prevail. Even if a hypothetical third-party candidate had a chance at winning, however, he would likely not be able to govern effectively. Taking big steps often is neither practical nor possible in our political system. We effect real change in this country through baby steps.
Like it or not, America has a rigid two-party system. And the parties as currently configured have polar-opposite views on most of the big issues facing our nation. In such an environment, big steps – as much as many want them – may be impossible to achieve for two reasons. First, given the leftist proclivities of the mainstream media and the significant plurality of the American public that rely on the traditional media for its information, a principled idealist who wants everything or nothing would have virtually no chance to win a nationwide general election. Second, governing with anything other than a majority of like-minded Congressmen in the House and a cloture-proof majority in the Senate would be impossible for such a candidate to enact an agenda even if he or she could win an election.
Supporting Governor Romney, on the other hand, as difficult as it may be for some to do, is the only way to avoid a second Obama term – a mortifying proposition. But you should not fret. Governor Romney will ably lead us in the right direction – albeit in smaller steps than many would like – at a time, however, when we desperately need leadership.
So what will Governor Romney likely do? Romney will attempt to reform the tax code in a positive and revenue-neutral way, maybe not getting us to a flat tax or a Fair tax as some of us advocate for, but any simplification of the code that expands the tax base, brings down marginal rates, closes loopholes, reduces giveaways, and unleashes market forces to create growth and jobs is a good thing.
Romney also will work to reduce the size of government and cut government spending to rein in our trillion-dollar-plus deficit and reduce our $16-plus trillion debt to a manageable level. He also will repeal most, if not all, of the more insidious provisions of Obamacare. Moreover, Romney will not mandate cooperation on the American people as President Obama seeks to do. Perhaps Romney won’t balance the budget, solve the debt crisis in its entirety, or reduce the size and role of the federal government to its constitutional limits, but he will advance the ball in a meaningful way. And we desperately need to advance the ball.
Further, Romney will work to reverse or repeal some of the oppressive and deleterious regulations that hamper economic growth and kill jobs. If I was a betting man, which I am not, I would bet that Romney won’t eliminate all the infectious regulations that plague our economy, but he will begin the process. And it is an important process that must start somewhere.
The Judicial branch is another area on which a Romney presidency will certainly have a positive impact. Many federal judges appointed by President Obama, for instance, are judicial activists and results oriented, which means they legislate from the bench and do not have an uncompromising respect for the rule of law as we should demand from our jurists. A President Romney will nominate proven judges who strictly and faithfully interpret the Constitution and our other laws and uphold the rule of law.
With respect to foreign affairs, Mitt Romney will not obstinately snub his nose at the world acting unilaterally and without our allies’ support, despite what some Democrats would have us believe. Instead, as he explained in his last debate with President Obama he will lead by example and build coalitions of mutual opportunity with the nations of the world through leadership and shared interests, rather than through reliance on feckless multi-national organizations. The governor also will not travel the world apologizing and appeasing our rivals and adversaries. In short, a President Romney will be a welcome change in foreign policy.
Governor Romney will undoubtedly not take us to the proverbial Promised Land as quickly as some of us would like, if at all. But with baby steps, the rest of the American people may come to realize over time that we prosper with freedom, a limited federal government, and a judiciary that respects the rule of law. The bottom line: Governor Romney will move us away from the cliff that an Obama reelection could ensure we fly right off. At this point in our nation’s history, moving away from the precipice edge – even if we take baby steps away from it – is the only way to go.
Ian Linker is an attorney and former Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from New Jersey.
The Village of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department
October 26,2012
The Village of Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring the following programs. Registration forms can be submitted in person or by mail (cash or check only). Online registration using Visa or MasterCard is done through Community Pass. Call the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 with any questions or if special accommodations are needed. https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/department_detail.cfm?dept_id=34
A Fall Middle School Mixer for Grades 7 and 8 will be held on Friday, November 2 from 7:30-9 p.m. Sponsored by Ridgewood Parks and Recreation, the Bergen County Municipal Alliance Grant and the NJ Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, students from Village middle schools can come together to enjoy music, dancing, refreshments and fun at the Annie Zusy Youth Center. A donation of $8 is requested (all funding will benefit the refurbishment of the Community Center). The dance will be held in the Annie Zusy Youth Center, located on the ground level of Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue. Parents must drop off and pick up children in the rear lot of Village Hall by the Community Center entrance.
Bats, Bats, Bats, a children’s show, will be held on Wednesday, November 7 at 11 a.m. in the Anne Zusy Youth Center, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Ave. Expert Joseph D’Angeli will present live bats and lecture on the vital role these endangered creatures play on earth. Co-sponsored by The Women Gardeners of Ridgewood and Ridgewood Parks and Recreation, the cost is $5 per person (free to “Green Kids” club members). Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telephone 201-670-5560.
Peas And Carrots Music, a children’s show, will be held on Thursday, November 8 at 1 p.m. at the Anne Zusy Youth Center, Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue. Peas and Carrots Music uses music as that perfect medium to teach basic fundamentals of everyday life, such as the days of the week, the diversity of animals and nature, or just simple counting. Audience members of all ages will enjoy this live presentation with educational and traditional songs. The cost is $5 (ages 2 and up). Purchase tickets in advance at The Stable, 259 N. Maple Ave., Monday through Friday,
8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Telephone 201-670-5560.
Analysis: Americans to face tougher 2013 on rising prices, taxes
By Edward Krudy
NEW YORK | Thu Oct 25, 2012 7:25am EDT
(Reuters) – Consumers will have to dig deeper into their pockets next year to pay for costlier healthcare, more expensive grocery bills and higher taxes, an extra drag on the country’s already slow-moving economy.
The additional outlays look set to test the resilience of consumers, whose spending accounts for around two-thirds of the U.S. economy.
“We think it’s going to be a difficult six to nine months,” said Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics for Moody’s Analytics. “If anything, conditions are likely to get worse, particularly at the start of the year.”
The strength of consumer spending has surprised some economists, given unemployment near 8 percent and anemic wage growth. Consumer spending has cushioned the blow to the United States from slower foreign demand for its goods.
U.S. households have shed about $880 billion in debt since the peak in the first quarter of 2008, according to Federal Reserve data. That has put many consumers on a path back to financial health.
But an expiration of payroll tax cuts in early January and a spike in food prices could wipe 0.8 percentage points off U.S. economic growth next year, according to some economists.
The economy is now expected to expand 2 percent in 2013, down from 2.1 percent in 2012, a Reuters poll showed.
Consumer groups are noting caution on the part of households when it comes to such things as taking on more debt, retirement savings and gasoline prices.
“People are very concerned about what is going to happen next year because they are already seeing price increases that are affecting their budgets,” said Bruce McClary, a spokesman for Clear Point, a nationwide credit counseling organization that helps consumers experiencing problems with debt.
Texas sparks international row with election observers
By Julian Pecquet – 10/25/12 03:04 PM ET
Texas authorities have threatened to arrest international election observers, prompting a furious response from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
“The threat of criminal sanctions against [international] observers is unacceptable,” Janez Lenarčič, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said in a statement. “The United States, like all countries in the OSCE, has an obligation to invite ODIHR observers to observe its elections.”
Lawmakers from the group of 56 European and Central Asian nations have been observing U.S. elections since 2002, without incident. Their presence has become a flashpoint this year, however, as Republicans accuse Democrats of voter fraud while Democrats counter that GOP-inspired voter ID laws aim to disenfranchise minority voters.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott further fueled the controversy on Tuesday when he sent a letter to the OSCE warning the organization that its representatives “are not authorized by Texas law to enter a polling place” and that it “may be a criminal offense for OSCE’s representatives to maintain a presence within 100 feet of a polling place’s entrance.”
