Local Backlash Erupts Over Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer’s Comments on Ridgewood Water and Veterans

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Democrat Congressman Josh Gottheimer’s recent remarks regarding Ridgewood Water and its efforts to address contamination have sparked a wave of criticism from local residents. While some applaud his coordination with local officials, others are calling out what they perceive as misleading statements and inaction on pressing community issues, particularly regarding veterans and environmental concerns.

The Ridgewood Water Debate: Clean Water or Misleading Claims?

Critics argue that Gottheimer’s comments about Ridgewood Water being clean are either naive or deliberately misleading. Flyers distributed by Ridgewood Water have reportedly advised residents to install reverse osmosis filters to address contaminants like PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

Additionally, residents point out that the remediation projects for PFAS contamination are funded through taxpayer-backed bonds, not federal grants. While the Congressman emphasized federal oversight and cooperation, many feel that the financial burden on Ridgewood residents and customers tells a different story.

One commenter shared their frustration:

“Ridgewood PFAS remediation is done with borrowed money, not clawed federal funding. Bonds are backstopped by Ridgewood taxpayers and costs are passed through to customers.”

Veteran Support Under Scrutiny

Beyond water issues, local constituents are calling out both Rep. Gottheimer and Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos for their perceived lack of action on veteran affairs.

Amy McCambridge, a vocal critic, highlighted the struggles her family faced in seeking support for veterans from Gottheimer’s office and the mayor:

“They both have done absolutely nothing for our veterans… It took us a year to get even a glance from Gottheimer’s office when we were discussing the suicide rates coming out of the Lyons VA. He does not care, and neither does Mayor Paul Vagianos.”

McCambridge also expressed frustration with the lack of engagement on issues that matter deeply to veterans, such as preserving green spaces:

“He didn’t want to hear about preserving the earth and our green space, which means so much to our veterans. This is so disgraceful it actually makes my heart hurt.”

Community Voices: Mixed Reactions

Not everyone agrees with the criticism. Some residents see Gottheimer’s statement as a forward-looking acknowledgment of Ridgewood Water’s ongoing efforts to improve water quality.

“His statement can be clearly read as prospective—overseeing plans to get clean water—rather than a statement of the current condition. Good coordination between federal and local officials will be helpful in actually getting federal resources to our town.”

Still, others remain skeptical of politicians’ promises, with one resident cynically noting:

“Politicians lie over and over and over again. I could go on for infinity.”

The Bigger Picture: Trust in Local Leadership

The backlash highlights a growing frustration among Ridgewood residents with what they perceive as a lack of transparency and meaningful action from their elected officials. From clean water to veteran support, many feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.

As Ridgewood continues its PFAS remediation efforts and local leaders seek to secure federal resources, it remains to be seen whether these criticisms will lead to actionable changes—or further erode trust in local leadership.

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