>I ask, would it not be better for the Village Council along with the Chamber of Commerce to encourage and lobby merchants to move into town instead of spending all this time money and energy trying to prohibit and chase business out of town. The whole thing seems somewhat convoluted to me. Given the empty stores and the amount of merchants in town that never seem to be opened it would appear that Ridgewood would be a very good place to do business unless the Village Council continues to attempt to run other people business the way they renovated the Village Hall. I know this idea doesn’t cost very much and we won’t have to hire up a bunch of people but it would be a simple solution and would enhance the quality of the shopping in the Village.
readers speak out:
Despite overwhelming public condemnation of the “no banks” and “change of use” ordinances, Mayor David T. Pfund has continued to push for their adoption, in one form or another. Perhaps the Mayor’s persistence can be best explained by comments he made during a recent public hearing regarding the “change of use” ordinance.When asked if he ever had the opportunity to present before either Ridgewood’s Board of Adjustment or Planning Board, Mayor Pfund replied: “No; as a member of Council I am prohibited from doing so. However, I wish I could because I’d make a lot of money.”In actuality, the question posed to our Mayor was done so with the intent of determining whether he had ever presented to one of the aforementioned Boards as a property owner, not as the attorney for a property owner. But, his answer was extremely revealing.That is, Mr. Pfund is clearly aware of the convoluted and burdensome nature of building & zoning regulations in Ridgewood. Very few property owners go forth without hiring an attorney and/or professional planner. Clearly, attorneys and planners benefit the most from complex and arduous regulations.Now, what does Mayor Pfund do for a living? Oh, that’s right – he’s an attorney. Duh! Thus the explanation of why he continues to push for the adoption of “no banks” and “change of use” ordinances. Remember his line: “I could make a lot of money.” Perhaps he has friends who are either planners or attorneys and they all want to make a lot of money too?
