Ridgewood Deputy Mayor Abruptly Ends Meeting: “I Need to Go Home” Leaves Hybrid Residents in Limbo
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The promise of “hybrid access” in local government is supposed to ensure that every voice is heard, whether you are sitting in the front row of the council chambers or logging in from your kitchen table. However, during Wednesday night’s Ridgewood Village Council Public Work Session, that promise felt more like a hollow gesture.
When the session reached the public comment portion, the Council was informed that three residents were waiting online, patiently biding their time to participate in the democratic process.
The response from Deputy Mayor Pamela Perron?
“I need to go home.”
A Disconnect in Leadership
For residents who juggle work, childcare, or mobility issues, the hybrid meeting format is a vital lifeline to local governance. Being “left hanging” after hours of waiting isn’t just a technical glitch—it’s a significant sign of disrespect toward the constituents the Council is sworn to serve.
While public service involves long hours and late nights, the decision to prioritize a personal schedule over the active participation of three residents has sparked a wave of frustration. It begs the question: If our leaders aren’t willing to listen, why offer a hybrid option at all?
The Growing Gap in Ridgewood Governance
This incident highlights a growing tension in Ridgewood regarding accessibility and transparency. When a high-ranking official publicly dismisses waiting commenters with a blunt “I need to go home,” it sends a clear message about whose time is valued—and whose isn’t.
Ridgewood residents deserve a Council that stays until the job is done.
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it it really necessary to listen to Halaby’s brown nosing ever meeting
He’s ridiculous and his chatter is old and played. He should stay home. So annoying.
He should not have a say as a renter and no longer a tax payer. Send him home until he pays taxes again.
In the late 19th century he might have been called “a gasbag.”
Pammy is out of her league here…
Mind or league. Hahahaha
Mind
This whole new group from the mayor council management are all rude. I remember about 10 years ago when a management told the employees that the village is going a different way, how’s that working out for you not so good is it, because morale is down to shit. Everyone’s writing each other out, meaning you can’t trust no one, what a horrible place to work at. Everyone that I talk to they tell me the same thing. They’re all disgusted, and that’s because it’s all comes from the top.
Rurick Halaby, a legend in his own mind.
Did the bond king say anything about the pending 5 million dollar hole in the budget.
Didn’t this incident take place in November of 2023?
The village knew about this information a long time ago, they were crying in 10 years ago when the Valley hospital had an inkling that the village didn’t want Valley to expand, so what did Valley do, as a smart business move. They went out and bought up all the medical buildings throughout the village, and guess what they don’t have to pay taxes on that either they want all the doctors in the area working for a Valley. It’s like a monopoly. Full control. I know my cardiologist doesn’t want to work on the Valley, he doesn’t need their thumb on top of his head 24 seven and then Valley steals all their customers.
Who is running the village, they must be real confused. The employees tell the taxpayers the place is a joke.
It’s not the first time Pam Perron abruptly ended a meeting. She’s notorious for cutting off public speakers, especially hybrid attendees.