Month: November 2012

Ridgewood YMCA opens it doors to neighbors and community.

The RIDGEWOOD YMCA has opened its doors (they just got their lights back 11/4/12) and invite their neighbors and community who are still without power to please feel free to come into the Y to warm up, take a shower, have a coffee, charge cell phones, access wifi, or get some exercise or swim in a heated pool. NO need for a Y membership – this invite is open to all.

Hours 5:00am-10:30pm. For more information 201-444-5600– X313 gimhoff@ridgewoodymca.org

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Announce Holland Tunnel to Open to Commuters for Morning Rush on Wednesday, November 7
Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced this evening that the Holland Tunnel will reopen to all commuter traffic tomorrow, November 7, at 5 a.m. This will be the first day the Tunnel will be fully operational since Hurricane Sandy hit the region last Monday night. On an average weekday, an estimated 91,000 vehicles use the Holland Tunnel to commute between New York and New Jersey.

Ridgewood Schools will be able to have a regular school day at all schools tomorrow

11.06.12 AT 8:10 P.M.: UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
8:10 P.M.:

Dear Ridge, Willard, RHS and BF Parents and Guardians:

I am happy to inform you that electricity service has been restored at RHS and Willard. This means we will be able to have a regular school day at all schools tomorrow, Wednesday November 7th.

– Busses will pick up at there regular time and location. Please be patient because roads may be blocked.
– Students must bring a bag lunch
– The before and aftercare program operated by the YWCA will resume on Thursday, November 8th

Thank you in advance for your understanding and support during this unprecedented experience. I think it is great for students to get back to school for a full session. Please be careful traveling.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent
Ridgewood Public Schools

NWS Briefing Package for tomorrow’s storm

https://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/phi/briefing/packages/current_briefing.pdf

•A strong coastal nor’easter will threaten the region in the November 7th-8th timeframe.
• Storm force wind gusts (55-65 mph) are likely during this storm.
• Moderate coastal flooding is likely during this storm, major coastal flooding is still a slight possibility; the high tides of most concern are the ones around midday Wednesday, November 7th and the following high tide Wednesday night.
• There will be moderate to severe beach erosion during this event.
• This nor’easter will have greater impact than usual because of the serious impacts from Coastal Storm Sandy.
• There is a threat of wintry precipitation over the region.

Next briefing package will be issued by Noon on Wednesday, November 7th.
• Monitor our latest weather forecast at https://www.erh.noaa.gov/phi/
• Watches have been issued, warnings & advisories likely will be in the near future. To keep up on the storm, monitor our website. This briefing package is simply a snapshot in time.

US DOL Funding 1,000 Temp Clean-Up Jobs

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has provided emergency funding for New Jersey to hire approximately 1,000 temporary workers to assist with Superstorm Sandy clean-up activities.

Job-seekers should report to local One-Stop Career Centers. They also may send e-mails to sandyhelp@dol.state.nj.us, log onto www.Jobs4Jersey.com or call 1-877-682-6238 or 1-800-233-5005. Please be patient if lines are busy.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
SHELTER UPDATE!

In an email from Mayor Paul Aronsohn this morning, we were informed that PSE&G does not expect power to be fully restored to Ridgewood until SATURDAY.

Please read below if you are able to help with the warming shelter!

VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are good through today however, beginning Wednesday (tomorrow) at 11am our volunteer list is EMPTY through the rest of the week.

We are asking for two hour shifts on the following schedule:
11am-1pm, 1-3pm, 3-5pm, 5-7pm, 7-9pm, 9-11pm, 11pm-1am, 1-3AM, 3-5am, 5-7am, 7-9am, 9-11am.

Days needed from Wednesday, Nov. 7th 11a.m. through Saturday, Nov. 10th 5pm.

Overnight hours are crucial. If you are able to help with any of the hours, please email Glen Mc Call with the DAY and HOURS you can help. A confirmation email will be sent back to you.
Glen’s email is
gmccall@olmcridgewood.com

FOOD:
Last night we fed over 75 people for dinner. Crowds are getting larger for meals.

We could use some more hot dishes for dinner this evening and many more throughout Friday evening.

Whatever you can do is great!

Likes: Soups, stews, chicken dishes, GREEN SALADS.

At this point, many are “zitied” out!
PLEASE email Glen with what you would like to make and when you would bring it.

You can also stop by the parish center anytime to sign up there to save on emailing back and forth.

THANK YOU in advance for your help.

Ed Murray/The Star-Ledge

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno moves to fix fax and email ballot backlog
November 6th 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In response to widespread reports that voters displaced by Hurricane Sandy haven’t received their email and fax ballots on Election Day, the state has now extended the deadline for voters to return those ballots to county clerks office to 8 p.m. Friday.

There has been substantial backlogs in Bergen, Essex and Middlesex Counties as reported on this blog. Under a new directive released this afternoon from Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, displaced voters and first responders seeking to cast their ballots by email or fax need to apply for the ballots at their county clerk’s office by 5 p.m. today.

Guadagno, the state’s top elections official, moved the deadline voters to return the ballots from 8 p.m. on Election Day to Friday. Clerks’ offices must process fax and email ballot applications and get ballots to voters by noon Friday. The voters then have until 8 p.m. Friday to return their ballots.

Groove Street Photo by Boyd Loving

Village abdicates leadership places blame solely on PSE&G
November 6,2012

Honestly, we all know it’s a shitty situation and the crews I’ve seen are working like gangbusters. But the party line is ‘shame on those lying bastards at PSEG’. Mayor Paul Aronsohn is abdicating his leadership by placing blame, rather than saying ‘we in Ridgewood are working hard to help PSEG get full power restored.’

I got another reverse 911 from Paul “Mayor Vaughn” Aronsohn who bitched about PSEG again. He also said he called our unnamed state senator and asked for help. He said everyone should call PSEG and ask – no, demand – that action be taken to restore power immediately. However, he said not to worry – we will all get through this together.

I seriously wish the other council people would lock him in a closet until the power is restored. At the very least he should be banned from the robocall equipment. I am starting to wonder if all the “whining ” has backfired .

Senator Kyrillos Completes 21 County Tour than Hosts Hurricane Relief Rally with Special Guest Max Weinberg

Lincroft, November 5… When Senator Kyrillos arrived at the Lincroft Inn for an Election Eve Hurricane Relief rally tonight, he had completed a twenty one county tour of the state over the last four days.

Since the devastation of Hurricane Sandy was first realized, Senator Kyrillos has toured the damage across the state to meet with residents and aid in the recovery efforts.

“I continue to offer my support, assistance, and solace to those who have lost so much. Recovering from the devastation will be long and arduous, but we will emerge Jersey Strong,” said Senator Kyrillos.

In Union Beach, Senator Kyrillos delivered a load of blankets, ice, clean water, and secured a Lowe’s truck full of cleaning supplies for the displaced Residents.

In Egg Harbor, Senator Kyrillos visited an Emergency Shelter housing more than 150 out of state emergency responders who have been dispatched to New Jersey to help with the recovery efforts.

The Hurricane Relief rally drew donations from across the state—and the country, and featured surprise guest Max Weinberg of the E Street Band. Two large buses with donated supplies came from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and another from New York state. Tonight’s rally was originally planned as a Pre-Election Day event, but in the wake of the storm devastation, Kyrillos thought it prudent to instead gather needed supplies like blankets and warm clothes for those who have been most affected by the storm.

“Hurricane Sandy cut a heartbreaking path of destruction through New Jersey,” said Kyrillos. “But the New Jersey spirit remains unbroken. I have spoken with New Jerseyans from Cape May to Sussex County and I am confident that we will rebuild and renew. The storm has captured the nation’s attention over the last week — and rightly so. But, Election Day is upon us tomorrow and our nation needs a new way forward.

“Currently, there are 23 million unemployed or underemployed Americans. Our nation is 16 trillion in debt, all of which will be passed on to our children and our grandchildren. There are 46 million Americans on food stamps, and 17 million women living in poverty.

“And just like in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, throughout this entire campaign, I have traveled to every corner of the state to meet with residents and hear their concerns about the future of our nation.”

Senator Kyrillos has traveled 79,334 miles throughout this campaign. He visited 19 businesses in 2 months to listen to the owners and workers directly to hear the challenges they face. He has delivered 643 speeches, and met thousands of his fellow citizens.

“Across our state we are witnessing countless acts of heroism and compassion. Together, we stand shoulder to shoulder ready to rebuild what was lost and make our State stronger in the process. Tomorrow, we will bring that Jersey spirit to the rest of America,” concluded Kyrillos

Rabbi Shmuley asks that we all do at least “one good deed” in the wake of Hurricane Sandy
October 30, 2012 By shmuleyforcongress Leave a Comment

Rabbi Shmuley asks everyone including himself to do at least one good deed during the tragedy brought on by Hurricane Sandy.

Watch the video below.

“One Good Deed”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHTc3MtuQJM

Hurricane Sandy Updates – November 6 Statement from Mayor Paul Aronsohn

Good morning. This is Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn

Yesterday afternoon, I had the opportunity to join about 10 other mayors for a meeting with the President and Chief Operating Officer at PSEG.

The meeting was informative. It was useful. But unfortunately, for our purposes here in Ridgewood, it was insufficient.

The good news is that power continues to be restored in different areas throughout the Village. And thanks to an augmentation of PSEG’s staff with about 3,000 out-of-state linesmen, the work is moving forward at a faster pace than last week.

The bad news, however, is that faster is not fast enough, and PSEG is now projecting that full restoration of power throughout all of Ridgewood will not occur until Saturday.

So what does this mean?

It means that we in Village government will continue to press PSEG, holding its feet to the fire, and continue working to facilitate progress by the linesmen.

It means that many of you will start seeing your power restored today, but many of you will not until later this week.

It means that with temperatures dropping and another possible storm on its way, we – as a community – need to plan accordingly and we need to act with charity.

Now, more than ever, we need to work together – to make sure that our neighbors have the warmth they need, the food and shelter they need, the comfort they need.

Mount Carmel Church has been serving as a warming center and shelter since last weekend. I’d strongly urge people to go there – to have a good, hot meal, to recharge your phones, to sleep in a warm place.

Similarly, other houses of worship — whose power have been restored — are also providing refuge during the day.

And finally, now – more than ever – this is a time when neighbor must help neighbor.

Again, we will be working throughout the day to help restore power and a sense of normalcy. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at paronsohn@ridgewoodnj.net or call me on my cell phone at 201.213.1811.

Thank you. Be safe. And please remember – we will get through this together.

Oh, and one final, important thought: Please don’t forget that today is election. Please vote. Every single vote matters. Thank you