Cost of a College Education Spirals Out of Control— Student Loan Bubble Buried by Distractions
by cscadm
February 15, 2013
Our friends over at Frugal Dad (a website that has a very nice catchy tagline, if we do say so ourselves) have created a wonderful infographic that really drives home a major problem that is facing the United States right now. No, not gun control. Not health care. It’s the cost of a good college education. This is great information about a problem that most of us are vaguely aware of, but maybe we don’t really sit down and look at the facts (until it’s time to put the little ones through college, at least). Not only is the inflation of higher education completely out of line with the inflation of anything else in the universe, but many people are forced into deciding between the options of simply skipping out on college altogether or going into some serious, monstrous debt to do so. A lot of students are graduating and striking out into the world for the first time on their own two feet with what equates to a mortgage already hanging around their necks. And with so much competition in our world today, many are finding work that just isn’t what they hoped for. They are settling for jobs making lower incomes while they have to begin paying back mountains of debt. And who is making out like a bandit on the deal? Oh, you guessed it. The federal government.
Readers says Ridgewood Fire Department should charge a fee for showing up
PJ I just herd this on channel 12 News,in Missouri, one fire dept. is charging a fee to respond to traffic accidents. They’re charging from $500 to $2,000. It’s to help the budget.
Maybe this is something the Ridgewood Fire Department should look into , at lest for out of town responses. I think it would be awful; but people would be a lot more careful.
I am only going to reply to this implication by “The Fly” this one time, because I don’t want to be sucked into this, indeed given that “The Fly” (an anonymous pen name?) has really not read my comment accurately. The quote you have made (italics below) appeared in a series of numbered bullets, in which I said that the developments, if built, should not be approved by a blanket Master Plan Amendment, which could have permanent, potentially damaging effects on the town in many ways. The series of bullets (if you read the previous wording accurately) were all points that do not seem credible to me, and vitally need to be tested before a Master Plan were to be approved. The word prior to these bullets is “If” appears above them, and I had expected my sincere skepticism was the whole point of my post to the Patch.
In other words, taken in context, my bullet was:
“IF there are improvements to stoplights, signage, sidewalks and curbs that can actually improve traffic, it would seem obvious that our village should pursue them — starting with those promising the most significant impact (the oft-mentioned one being traffic lights), but one intersection at a time — not via a master plan amendment and overall village policy to concurrently allow four large housing/retail complexes and 330 new apartments in our downtown.
“I encourage the Village to re-direct its approach to allow one of these developments first, via a variance to current zoning, with same type of public-private partnership now offered by the developers, to see if: IF:….
….5) the odd-sounding predictions by their developments and village traffic consultants are accurate — that the four unprecedented apartment complexes would improve traffic (not in fact clog traffic or hurt our town).
The bullets 1-4 had also enumerated other great concerns many of us have about possible affects of the developments — that must be critically vetted in reality before a Master Plan Amendment were made to allow these developments to all happen, carte blanche, and included the affects of the developments on schools, and their visual impact on town — and to see if in fact a development would bring about vibrancy of downtown and tax ratables that are touted as reasons to approve them all.
I take umbrage that The Fly would focus on family relationships when in fact they have had nothing to do with my views on the hospital (which continue to be voiced in various forums and are unchanged, as you wil likely see in my statements in the press as a new proposal may proceed from the hospital,). ….Also because I believe my views have hopefully always been carefully worded and balanced. Above all, despite any potential varying views anyone may have on public policy, dialogue is is important, and family friendship and relationships and love in the village are something to be supported and safeguarded no matter what.
Note, my comment in the Patch regarding the developments,, goes on to say,” We should not rush to make such a permanent and massive change to the character of Ridgewood, but improve the intersections and approve the developments one at a time. I was quick to make this comment to the Patch the day the related article came out because I think this is very important”. As I have suggested to our Planning Board and Village Planner in public comment at Planning Board meetings (which I have encouraged other residents to participate in — have you?) — I feel that IF there are traffic improvements to be made, by all means they should be made, and if private/public partnerships are touted as they only way to fund them, then this should be pursued prudently, and not across the board.
Aside from being quoted out of context, and with an accusatory tone, It also bothers me that “The Fly” would see fit to make such allegations (on private matters of family friendship) cloaked in a veil of anonymity. Despite was I hope would be appreciated as potential discomfort stating my persona views, I have never posted anonymously, because I feel that every person should feel comfortable stated their views on important topics without being anonymous.
We all care about our town, and should be candid in engaging in discussions, even when it may be uncomfortable. It has been my hope to consistently reflected that spirit. I believe deeply that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and is to congratulated if they offer to run for an office, including my sister, who works hard in her volunteer position.
Again, this is the last time I will respond to this thread, dear Anonymous Fly, even if you lay out more accusations, because I think your divisive message and tone is detrimental to the tow and any good faith effort toward constructive dialogue.
I apologize for this lengthy post, but I only respond to set the record straight and implore that no one try to cause division, in our town or our families. We all care about each other, and hopefully try to build good public policy via positive and constructive engagement.
Signing off on this thread, which I hope will be read carefully — if at all.
Pete Wentz , Bassist Fall Out Boy, at Bookends
Wednesday, February 20th @ 6:00pm
Bassist and Primary Lyricist for the band Fall Out Boy, will sign his new book: Gray Books available Feb 19th
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
The information in this section is a working document of Village Finance and Village Manager’s Office.
The Village Council approves the 2013 budget, after a thorough process of which these documents are the current discussion following department requests and CFO/Manager negotiations with the department.
Included in this folder are:
1.) 2012 Budget Newsletter (for reference) – Click Here
2.) 2012 Adopted Budget – Click Here
3.) 2013 edited budget discussion presented at 1-30-13 Council workshop
Pages 1 -14
General, budget options: base, zero increase, zero tax increase
Timeline (page 1-2)
Amount to be raised by taxation (page 3)
Budget Revenue (pages 4-6)
Budget Appropriations (pages 7-12)
Discussion of potential revenue increase (pages 13-14)
Please understand, this is not a final document. It will not be voted on by the Council in this form. There will be opportunities for you, if interested, to appear before the Council and comment or question the proposed 2013 Budget prior to final adoption by the Council. In addition to Council meetings the meeting times of department discussions with the Council will be posted on the Village’s website – www.ridgewoodnj.net
For the Report https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2013VillageBudgetStatus.pdf
02/19/13 7:30PM Planning Board Public Meeting CANCELLED
02/26/13 7:30PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
02/27/13 7:30PM Village Council Public Work Session
02/28/13 7:30PM Planning Board Special Public Meeting
03/05/13 7:30PM Planning Board Public Meeting
03/06/13 7:30PM Village Council Public Work Session
03/11/13 7:30PM Planning Board Special Public Meeting
03/12/13 7:30PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
The Village Council is the governing body of the Village of Ridgewood. There are five Council members who are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis. The Municipal Election for Village Council takes place on the second Tuesday in May, in even numbered years. The term of a Council member is four years. The Mayor is chosen by the Village Council every two years, after a Municipal Election. The Reorganization meeting,which is when the new Council members take office is held on July 1st.
Village Council members serve part-time, and most have full-time jobs. They appoint a Village Manager to oversee the day to day operations of the Village, to handle personnel, citizen inquiries and complaints, and to handle the administrative duties of the Village.
The Village Council passes local laws, makes appointments to various Boards and Committees, and awards various contracts for purchases of goods and services used by the Village.
They also review, amend, and adopt the annual budget for the Village prepared by the Village Manager and Chief Financial Officer.
Road Work on Maple Snarls Traffic in Downtown Ridgewood
February 19,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj , A little bit of road work in the Central Business distract tied up traffic most of the day Tuesday .Traffic was tied up on Maple and East Ridgewood with very limited access to the Bank of America on Maple.
The Village recently revealed a study that claims that four high-density, multifamily housing complexes proposed for downtown could alleviate traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety. , is that right?
It will be interesting to test the theory if 4 multifamily housing projects and two parking garages as well as a renewed Valley Expansion will alleviate traffic congestion as claimed.
To make matters worse the Ridgewood PD failed to mention it on either their website or Facebook page .
the fly is wondering which way the wind is blowing CRR
it seems that Councilwomen Hauck’s sister is a member of CRR is now avid pro-development. She came out of the closet not surprisingly almost at the very instant the CRR lawsuit against Valley was dismissed. Her recent comments on the Glen Rock Patch claiming , “the odd-sounding predictions by their developments and village traffic consultants are accurate ” leave one to speculate whether CRR has be so infiltrated by Aronsohn’s pro Valley people that is is no longer effective as an organization? .
Readers say time for Valley to pay in PILOT to Ridgewood
Hackensack hospital has paid millions in PILOT to Hackenasck for years while Valley has hidden behind their nonprofit.
They do provide some support to activities such as the 4th of July parade etc. They paid for much of the field at Northern Parkway in order to buy the field committee support after the debacle of trying to build under Bf field but none of that compares to how much of a negative effect they have had on the infrastructure. This expansion will only exacerbate that and still they try to make everyone believe how wonderful they are to Ridgewood.
Strictly speaking, the fact that Valley Hospital doesn’t pay real estate tax is a result of State Law.
Valley hospital pays for it’s water use and a sewage fee but tis property tax exempt. Whatever commerce is generated is self contained as food for the institution is out sourced and it has it’s own visitor food service and gift shop. The burden is the cost of municipal services for the valley for which they don’t pay tax, and the wear and tear on local infrastructure and loss of quality of life for it’s neighbors. Let valley invest it’s resources elsewhere.
However, Valley Hospital could make an annual contribution to the town.
DHS Advances Plan For “Public Safety” Drones
More incarnations of spy technology to undergo testing
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
February 18, 2013
The Department of Homeland Security is advancing its plan to use surveillance drones for “public safety” applications, announcing last week that it had received a deluge of “excellent” responses from potential vendors and was set to carry out more tests of the technology.
New testing of spy drones for “public safety” applications has been rubber stamped by the DHS. Image: YouTube
As we first reported in July last year, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano told a House Committee on Homeland Security that the federal agency was “looking at drones that could be utilized to give us situational awareness in a large public safety [matter] or disaster,” despite the fact that the agency had previously indicated it was reticent to use spy drones to keep tabs on the public.
This was followed by a “market research” announcement in September that confirmed the DHS was exploring a “Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety” (RAPS) project, and was asking small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) vendors to take part.
Xanadu Wake-up call: American Dream project needs new look before Super Bowl
Maybe it’s nothing more than lipstick on a pig, but New Jersey officials want to see a different face on the exterior of the long-stalled American Dream super mall project before next year’s Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium.
The sprawling, unfinished structure once known as Xanadu — just over a football field-length away from MetLife Stadium — will not be completed before the big game next February, developers concede. But with construction slated to finally resume later this year, the state says it is looking for at least a change in the look of the garish and incomplete entertainment and retail complex before guests come to town. (Sherman/Star-Ledger)
The Man Behind Robert Menendez’s Troubles
By Ezra Fieser/ Boca ChicaFeb. 18, 201317 Comments
Feb. 13, 2013.
Kevin Lamarque / REUTERS
Every day in a steady stream, hundreds of trucks line up at the Multimodal Caucedo port in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, with shipping containers bound for the rest of the world. Mostly they carry bananas, clothes and other legal exports. Sometimes they are full of cocaine.
In recent years, the containers have become one of the favored methods for drug traffickers operating in the Dominican Republic, security officials say. Perhaps that’s because the country’s sole X-ray machine scans less than 5% of the containers.
Efforts to solve that problem are at the root of a growing scandal surrounding a powerful U.S. Senator, New Jersey’s Robert Menendez, chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, and a high-flying Florida ophthalmologist, Salomon Melgen, who is among the Democratic Party’s biggest donors.
A decade ago, the Dominican government signed a deal with a private company to provide more X-ray machines. But because of high costs and claims that the deal gives the company a monopoly, it’s been held up in court; the machines were never installed. That’s left in limbo the contract, worth upwards of $500 million over 20 years, and the company that now holds it, Florida-based Boarder Support Services, which was formed by Melgen.
Thirty years after the New Jersey Legislature created an independent body to determine limits on pollutants in tap water, there is growing concern about its future.
The Drinking Water Quality Institute – whose schedule is determined by the state Department of Environmental Protection – has not met in more than two years following a fight over tightening limits on industrial chemicals. And legislation has been introduced that would add representatives of industrial and chemical companies to the board and press the institute to consider industry-funded research in its decision making. (Obsborne/The Inquirer)
Ridgewood YMCA Hosts Summer Camp Open House
Sat, February 23, 2013
Time: 4:00 PM
Ridgewood YMCA, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
The Ridgewood YMCA will be hosting a Summer Camp Open House beginning at 4PM on Feb. 23rd at its Oak Street branch. The event is free for all and will give parents the opportunity to learn more about Ridgewood YMCA summer camps as kids enjoy fun arts & crafts and camp games.
The Ridgewood Y will host additional Open House events on March 23 and April 27.
For more information visit the website at
Ridgewoodymca.org/camp or by phone 201-444-5600 ext 375.
Valley Health System Expands Women’s Health Services with Opening of New OB/GYN Practice in Fair Lawn
February 15, 2013
Ridgewood NJ, Women in North Jersey now have expanded access to Valley Health System’s award-winning women’s health services with the opening of the Valley Medical Group obstetrics and gynecology practice in Fair Lawn.
Kimberly L. Fallon, M.D., who has practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Bergen County for more than 12 years, cares for women of all ages at the new Valley Medical Group practice at 5-22 Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn. In addition to Valley Medical Group’s primary and specialty care practices, Valley Health System includes The Valley Hospital and Valley Home Care.
Board-certified in OB/GYN, Dr. Fallon provides a full range of services in her specialty, including prenatal and obstetrical care, gynecologic care, advanced laparoscopic surgery (including hysterectomy), adolescent medicine, menopause management, and endometrial ablation. Dr. Fallon’s patients receive full, streamlined access to all health care services provided by The Valley Hospital at its main campus in Ridgewood and at its ambulatory care center, the Robert and Audrey Luckow Pavilion, in Paramus. Valley’s quality distinctions include an “A” rating for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group and excellence awards from HealthGrades for women’s health care and gynecologic surgery.
Dr. Fallon received her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She completed her OB/GYN residency and was chief resident at the New York Medical College. She is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and an active member of the American Medical Association and the American Medical Women’s Association. She is proficient in Spanish.
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Fallon, call 201-476-0400. Valley’s women’s health services include the Center for Childbirth; the Center for Women, Children, and Family Education; the Fertility Center; maternal-fetal medicine; a holistic birth program; reproductive genetic counseling; and gynecologic oncology services.
