the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Manager Keith Kazmark announces “his Truth” on Facebook in a new post ,”The Manager’s Fact Check Friday”. Kazmark rattles off a series of issues impacting the Village and attempts to shed light on the Village’s current position. When the Village had vigorous public debate on issues this type of thing would not be necessary, but over the last 20 plus years public debate has been severely curtailed.
The Village Manager feels the councils point of view needs to be disseminated and reiterated on social media.
Good morning, Ridgewood Residents –
In a world where we question the accuracy and truthfulness of all types of information and sources of that information, we share similar concerns about what is being said here in the Village.
In order to provide you with good, accurate information – right from the source, we are starting The Manager’s Fact Check Friday.
On Fridays, when necessary, I will share some tidbits about the Village and clarify matters of importance.
So let’s begin…
FACT CHECK 1:
Paramus approval of COSTCO on Route 17 –
After concerns about traffic were expressed from Ridgewood residents in the area of Linwood Avenue regarding the proposed COSTCO in Paramus, the Village Council authorized our Village Attorney, Matt Rogers, to attend the Planning Board hearing. Mr. Rogers vocalized the concerns of the Village and our residents. Unfortunately, with NJ Department of Transportation approvals in hand, the Paramus Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the COSTCO application over our objections.
FACT CHECK 2:
Appropriations for the Warner Theater purchase –
The Village and the newly re-constituted Ridgewood Arts Foundation (RAF) have partnered to save the Warner Theater and endeavor to create a Performing Arts Center downtown. The RAF is working with a professional team, who has vast experience in business, operational, and financial management of developing performing arts centers in New Jersey. The goal is to pursue a New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) grant to finance the start up and improvements for the center, in addition to an aggressive fundraising initiative. The Village has worked to set up initial financing to help guarantee the purchase. This has been an agenda item on five Village Council meetings (8/6, 8/13, 9/10, 9/24, and 10/8) since August with significant explanation and ample discussion. The Village and RAF look forward to keeping the public updated and aware as this important initiative continues to progress.
FACT CHECK 3:
Understanding the Open Space Ballot Question –
Residents recently received a mailing at their home to inform the public as to the specifics of the ballot question. The question asks voters if they are in favor of increasing the open space tax from 1/2 penny ($0.005) to one penny ($0.01) per $100 of assessed value. Per year, that would result in a $35.64 annual property tax increase on the average home assessed at $712,700.
Two important points on this initiative. One, there is no bonding involved relative to the ballot question. The referendum simply asks if the Village should collect a full penny, rather than a 1/2 penny. Secondly, traditional bonding has been suggested as an alternative to this question. From a municipal financing standpoint, bonding incurs interest over a 25-30 year period. Increasing the open space allocation would allow the Village to have cash on hand should an open space acquisition opportunity arise.
I hope this information is helpful. Have a great weekend!
Keith Kazmark
Village Manager
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Loathsome
This is so sad.
I actually feel bad for Keith.
Fool Community Friday
Seriously?
No matter how hard he tries, the public will have the last word.
How petty.
“newly re-constituted Ridgewood Arts Foundation”
What does that mean?
Is he for real?
Will CNN be running the fact checking?
open space money is used to fund turf fields, kick backs are given to the promoters of turf and the turf company’s make healthy political donations, courtesy of the nj ie… Ridgewood taxpayer
The village is not getting any money from Costco, they wish they can get that tax revenue from that location, they had the opportunity to buy that whole location. They dropped the ball. They rather spend all the money on their old movie theater that needs to be completely restored. Good luck.
Future money pit, just like the garage that was going to be paid for, except on Saturday nights. $18.00 for a martini but not $3.00 for the parking garage.
Keith, you are pitiful.
Oh Keith. Contributing to The Blog. You revile the Blog and yet you read and contribute. HAHAHA
LONG LIVE TGE BLOG
Wow, Holy Sh*t, I almost fell over seeing this! This is surreal that this guy, who is so shady, can actually put a post up about being honest and truthful. Anyone who is paying attention knows that Ridgewood Mayor, council and especially the Village Manager, are so shady and loathsome. I cannot believe they pretend to be on the level about anything,
#voting_NO_on_Open_Space_Referendum
Is he really that Thirsty? He has been a social media whore from day 1 but this is too much!
Sorry Mr. Kazmark, no one with a brain is going to believe your pack of lies and we know that the mayor and council are as devisive as they come with lie upon lie. I hope this referendum gets shot down. While I do love open space, I don’t believe or trust anything that comes out of your mouth.
Fact Check Friday? Can we get ‘Freedom of Information Monday’ next?
Keith’s need for control and attention keeps escalating. Let me guess, soon he’ll have a podcast version.