Christie: Praise of Obama after Sandy won’t change my vote for Romney
It was hard to tell if Gov. Chris Christie was amused or annoyed when asked yesterday about the chatter surrounding his lavish praise for President Obama’s response to Hurricane Sandy.
Christie gave an intentional cough before launching into an answer in front of hundreds of cold but friendly Hoboken residents: “This is the kind of silliness that really drives me crazy.” (Friedman, The Star Ledger)
Email Voting Issues Bergen County
9:32 AM (1 minute ago)
Ridgewood NJ, Hello, I am a new resident of Ridgewood and and I really appreciate your blog. My husband and I are staying in NYC because of Sandy while we wait for power back at our house. I just wanted to make you aware of a situation going on with the Bergen County Clerk’s office.
We submitted requests for email ballots and they sent us both River Edge ballots instead of Ridgewood, even though they typed our Ridgewood address into the ballot. It’s been impossible to reach them for a correction, and a lot of people I know have been trying to fax in the request for a ballot and you cannot even get a fax or phone call through to the Bergen County Clerk’s office.
I tried three different numbers for them, none of them are answering. I did manage to get a human on the phone around 7 am who said she would try to rectify the problem and send me Ridgewood ballot but I never heard back from her.
Have you heard of anyone else who received the wrong ballot, or who could not get their request for a ballot through at all? The whole thing seems like a complete failure.
We sent in the fax request for a ballot while this thing was still kind of under the radar … people I know who have been trying since last night and cannot get anything response!
SENATOR KYRILLOS ALWAYS A CLASS ACT APPLAUDS OUT OF STATE EMERGENCY WORKERS HELPING IN NEW JERSEY
Senator Joe Kyrillos visited the Atlantic County Emergency Shelter in Egg Harbor this morning to applaud the more than 150 out of state emergency responders who are being housed there as they have been dispatched to New Jersey to help with Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts.
The shelter also houses 70 ambulances. While all crews are based out of the shelter in Atlantic County, they are dispersed throughout the state daily, aiding recovery efforts in Hazlet in Monmouth County, Hoboken in Hudson County, and the Meadowlands in Bergen County.
The Executive Director of the Emergency Medical Service Institute, Thomas McElree, has been managing the shelter which provides warm meals and a place to sleep for all the out of state emergency responders.
“Our New Jersey spirit is strong, but we certainly appreciate other states lending us their hard working emergency management personnel to help rebuild after the storm. I salute them, and all those who are putting their lives on hold to come to our rescue,” said Senator Joe Kyrillos.
Senator Kyrillos then traveled to Brick to lend a hand at the FEMA site where food and supplies are being handed out, and disaster assistance is available for local residents.
“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,” encouraged Senator Kyrillos.
U.S. Per Person Debt Now 35 Percent Higher than that of Greece’
4:27 PM, NOV 5, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER
A chart from the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee shows that “U.S. Per Person Debt [Is] Now 35 Percent Higher than that of Greece.”
“According to estimates from the International Monetary Fund, America’s total government debt will be $16.8 trillion by the end of the calendar year, compared to $441 billion for Greece,” the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee explains. “On a per person basis, that means U.S. debt is $53,400 for every man, woman, and child, compared to $39,400 for every man, woman, and child in Greece. The disparity between per capita debt in the U.S. and Greece has grown 40 percent (roughly $8,400) since 2011. Now, U.S. per person debt is 35 percent higher than that of Greece, and is also higher than per capita debt in Portugal, Italy, or Spain (which together with Greece make up the so-called PIGS countries).”
One of the most advertised and yet under-analyzed themes of this presidential campaign is President Obama’s slogan “Forward”.
It’s been said that Karl Marx used a similar phrase to generate support for his worker’s movement in the 1800’s that resulted in the formation of the Communist Party. Whether Obama and his campaign managers sought to mirror Marx, consciously or unconsciously, is unknown.
However, what we do know is that President Obama is urging voters to support his re-election because “we’ve come too far to turn back now.”
The question is “too far to what?” In what direction are we traveling and what is our ultimate destination? Perhaps more importantly, does the driver have any idea how to operate the vehicle?
Over the past four years, unemployment has hovered above 8% while the federal debt has grown by almost $5 trillion. More Americans are in poverty and on food stamps today – and fewer are gainfully employed – than when Mr. Obama took office.
Despite these troubling trends, the president wants us to give his agenda more time to work. Casting blame on his predecessor, he argues that no one could have cleaned up the economic mess he inherited in just four years…although he promised to do exactly that in 2008.
And so, America stands at a crossroads of sorts. Do we give a man who never ran as much as a lemonade stand in the private sector another term to see if his failed policies will eventually work? Or do we apply the brakes and head in a different direction…even if that direction is reverse?
Election preview: 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans seek 2 slots on Bergen County Freeholder board
By S.P. Sullivan/NJ.com
on November 04, 2012 at 7:00 AM, updated November 05, 2012 at 7:10 PM
BERGEN COUNTY — With two open seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Republicans stand to lose their 5-2 majority on the board if the Democrats sweep the freeholder election on Tuesday.
But the board’s party makeup belies the politics of county governance, with members of the Republican party split on issues like police consolidation and the county’s stringent pay-to-play restrictions.
The Ridgewood Public Schools will be open this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 7, 8 and 9.
11.05.12: UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
3:30 P.M.:
Dear RPS Parents and Guardians,
The Ridgewood Public Schools will be open this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 7, 8 and 9. Depending on the progress that is made by PSE&G over the next few days, we will implement a plan that includes an alternative school schedule and probable alternative school locations.
The alternative school schedule, or split sessions, will run from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. All students will be assigned to attend either the morning or the afternoon session on each day that a split session is necessary.
The detailed schedule and locations will be made public on Tuesday, November 6, but will be subject to change based on progress made by PSE&G.
Unfortunately, regular bus service will not be operative during this time. However, we will provide in and out of district special education bussing. If your child’s special education bus does not arrive, I suggest that you call the contact information you have been given, or perhaps you will be able to transport your child independently. We will not be serving lunches. Principals will inform you if they want your child to bring a snack. In addition, the “Y” before and afterschool care programs in our schools will not be open. I apologize for these inconveniences.
Although these interim learning conditions and schedules may not be ideal, I believe that we have come up with a plan that reflects the best way to get students back into the classroom under these unique circumstances. I know that you share my concern about our students losing any more school days that will have to be made up at a future date. It’s also important for everyone’s well-being that we attempt to resume our routines as best as we can.
I hope this message reaches more people as power is slowly being returned to our homes. Please share this information with neighbors and friends who may still be without Internet service.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent
Ridgewood Public Schools
PATH Partial Service Restoration
November 5, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Following Hurricane Sandy, PATH will resume limited rail service on Tuesday, November 6, beginning at 5 a.m. Trains will run from Journal Square in Jersey City to 33rd Street in Manhattan and in the return direction until 10 p.m.
Stops will include:
Journal Square
Grove Street
Newport
14th Street
23rd Street
33rd Street
Limited PATH Service beginning November 6, 2012
For real-time status information, subscribe to PATH Alerts:
https://www.pathalerts.com/alertsignup.aspx
Election Day: Due to loss of power at a number of our regular polling sites, the Bergen County Board of Elections has approved the following changes to polling sites:
Normal Voting Location ——– Voting Location For This Election
BF Middle School ——–Hawes School
Glen School ——– Fire Department Headquarters – E. Glen Ave.
Hawes School ——– Hawes School
GW Middle School ——–GW Middle School
Library ——– Fire Department Headquarters – E. Glen Ave.
Orchard School ——– Orchard School
Ridgewood High School ——– Somerville School
Somerville School ——– Somerville School
Travell School ——– Hawes School
Willard School ——– GW Middle School
Also, residents may vote in person at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office located at 1 Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack. Voting hours are Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM, and Monday 9 AM – 4 PM.
If your Power is Back on ,thank a Lineman
November 5.2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, I know this has been very frustrating but sometime around 6 pm November 5th we began getting more and more reports of more Village residents getting there power restored. Lets take time to thank the thousands of lineman from as far as Utah and California that are spanned out across the Garden State.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie should take the time to heap the same amount of praise in the direction of the many electric linemen working tirelessly to restore power to hard-hit areas of New Jersey as he did for President Obama .
Thousands of lineman from as far as Utah and California are spanned out across the Garden State, are working feveriously in terrible conditions to get the power back up for residents still without electricity, down from at peak of at least 2.4 million after Sandy first hit.
Their job is tough. PSE&G CEO Ralph LaRossa referred to it as “hand-to-hand combat” as crews work diligently on specific towns. Since Tuesday, most lineman have been working 16 hour days removing thousands of downed trees, replacing hundreds of damaged poles and running miles of wire in brutal conditions.( https://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/46514-%20electric-linemen-deserve-our-praise?Itemid=248 )
Today is Day 7 since Hurricane Sandy devastated much of our community
Good morning. This is Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn
Today is Day 7 since Hurricane Sandy devastated much of our community, and we remain focused – like a laser – on our number one post storm priority: getting everyone’s power restored.
Yesterday, some progress was made. We estimate that about 50% of Ridgewood now has power — a 16% increase since yesterday. That is good. That is promising. But that clearly is not good enough.
In fact, it won’t be good enough until every single Ridgewood resident has power restored.
Yesterday, there were PSEG and out-of-state utility crews working in certain sections of town.
We are not only expecting much more of that today; we are demanding it.
My first phone call today at 6:30am was with PSEG’s regional director. We reviewed the work that remains to be done. My second call, only moments later, was with our State Senator, who has been working closely with us to get PSEG to do its work here in Ridgewood.
On a related subject, I am pleased to note that Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been serving as 24 hour warming center and shelter since Friday, is back up and running after having its power temporarily turned off yesterday by PSEG. Anyone needing shelter should head to the church.
Again, more generally, please know that we are doing anything and everything to get power restored throughout all of Ridgewood. As stated, we are focused like a laser on this very important, very necessary goal.
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.
Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren Counties Eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance
A short while ago, after I requested additional FEMA assistance from the governor and the president, it was announced that Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties are now all eligible for disaster assistance for damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. This means individuals and families whose uninsured property has been damaged or destroyed as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy may qualify for financial or direct assistance from FEMA.
How to apply:
You can apply for disaster assistance a number of ways. If you have access to the Internet, you can apply online at disasterassistance.gov. There you will find an application that will guide you through the entire process. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can apply by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Additionally, FEMA often opens Disaster Recovery Centers in disaster areas where you can speak to someone in person about available disaster programs. There have not been any Disaster Recovery Centers announced yet in the 5th District, but if any are announced, your local townships and I will have information about where they are located.
What to Expect After Applying:
Here is some information direct from FEMA’s website: Applicants who register with FEMA will be given a personal application number. This number will be used to provide later to a FEMA Housing Inspector. So it’s important that you write this number down, and keep it secure and handy for future use. A FEMA Housing Inspector will contact you to make an appointment to visit your property within 14 days after you apply. The inspector will assess disaster related damage for your real and personal property. Please visit FEMA’s “The Next Step After You Register for Disaster Assistance” section of their website for complete details.
My offices are here to help:
My offices are here to help with any FEMA questions you may have throughout the application process. Please don’t hesitate to call:
Hurricane Sandy delivered New Jersey a devastating blow, but together we will get back on our feet and begin to rebuild the Garden State. May God bless and comfort the people of New Jersey and everyone who was put in harm’s way during this storm and may God bless the United States of America.
PROOF: OBAMA REF– USED TO CALL BENGHAZI ‘TERROR,’ CBS COVERED UP
by JOEL B. POLLAK 5 Nov 2012, 8:04 AM PDT
In an astonishing display of media malpractice, CBS News quietly released proof–two days before the election, far too late to reach the media and the public–that President Barack Obama lied to the public about the Benghazi attack, as well as about his later claim to have called the attack “terrorism” from the beginning.
CBS unveiled additional footage from its 60 Minutes interview with President Obama, conducted on Sep. 12 immediately after Obama had made his statement about the attacks in the Rose Garden, in which Obama quite clearly refuses to call the Benghazi an act of terror when asked a direct question by reporter Steve Kroft:
KROFT: Mr. President, this morning you went out of your way to avoid the use of the word terrorism in connection with the Libya Attack, do you believe that this was a terrorism attack?
OBAMA: Well it’s too early to tell exactly how this came about, what group was involved, but obviously it was an attack on Americans. And we are going to be working with the Libyan government to make sure that we bring these folks to justice, one way or the other.
Diabetes Foundation and Ridgewood YMCA To Host “Everything Diabetes” Health Fair
On Saturday morning, November 10th, the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. and the Ridgewood
YMCA will hold an informational health fair titled “Everything Diabetes”. The event will
provide information, advice, and resources for those living with diabetes, and those who are
looking to prevent it. The morning will offer free health screenings, include eye health, foot,
blood pressure and blood sugar screenings; fitness and BMI assessments; and other types of
testing, all free of charge. Certified diabetes educators, dietitians and other medical
professionals will be available to discuss nutrition, weight loss, diabetic medications and
supplies, physical activity, behavior change, complications, and signs and symptoms for those at
risk. Hourly educational seminars on nutrition and other related topics will be presented by
various professionals in the field, including the Valley Hospital. There will be plenty of
opportunities to ask the experts if you have a particular concern. Attendees will enjoy giveaways,
cooking demonstrations, and refreshments from vendors and local businesses and healthcare
professionals. Admission is free. The fair will be held from 9:00am to 1:00 pm at the Ridgewood
YMCA, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood, NJ.
Since 1990, the Diabetes Foundation, Inc, located in Paramus, has been improving the
care and quality of life for people living with diabetes throughout New Jersey and the tri-state
area. The Foundation serves a population that lives day-to-day with this serious chronic disorder
and needs help “now” in managing their disease. Programs of the Foundation include: assistance
with medications and supplies to those in financial need; camp sponsorships for diabetic
children; and, free public education programs on diabetes-related topics.
The Ridgewood YMCA welcomes and supports children and families by teaching the
values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. There are programs of interest to everyone-
girls, boys, men and women, of all ages, races, religions, incomes and abilities. The YMCA
builds strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Membership is open to all.
For further information about the event, contact the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. at 201-444-
0337 or info@diabetesfoundationinc.org.
DISPLACED VOTERS MAY MAIL IN BALLOTS – EMAIL OR FAX
Under Executive Directive from the Lieutenant Governor the Bergen County Clerk’s Office will be accepting mail-in ballots from any voter who has been displaced from their primary residence due to Hurricane Sandy or a first responder.
These voters may submit a “Mail-In ballot” application to the County Clerk in the county where they live. These voters may submit their application by e-mail or fax.
Upon receipt of the application, the County Clerk’s Office will determine if the applicant is a qualified voter.
If so, the County Clerk’s Office will electronically send the ballot to the voter by their chosen method (Fax or email).
The County Clerk’s office shall accept such electronic applications through 5pm on November 6, 2012.
