Ridgewood Council Candidate Raises Concerns Over Access to Major Community Forum

Digital Access and Debate: Ridgewood Council Candidate Raises Censorship Concerns

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, As the election season heats up in Ridgewood, discussions regarding candidate access, platform censorship, and digital media transparency have taken center stage.

Village Council candidate Denise Pierce Lima has raised concerns after being denied access to “Ridgewood Moms and Dads,” a prominent local Facebook community group. The platform—previously administered by Councilmember Siobhan Winograd and currently moderated by administrator Steve Friedes—serves as a major virtual town square for residents.

Questions Over Platform Neutrality

According to Pierce Lima, the group’s administration permits select council candidates to post, discuss campaign issues, and engage with community members, while excluding others.

“This is unfair to residents who deserve to hear all points of view from all candidates,” Pierce Lima stated, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and equal access during the election period. Critics of the group’s moderation policies have long pointed to strict posting guidelines, with some residents alleging selective censorship of local political discussions.

Links to Village Leadership and Past Debates

Concerns surrounding platform moderation have drawn attention to administrator Steve Friedes’ past public support for current village leadership.

During the September 10, 2025, Village Council Regular Public Meeting, Friedes spoke during public comments regarding the controversial Kensington assisted living facility proposal. Supporting the council’s decision-making authority, Friedes noted:

“I want to trust the Village Councilmembers in the decisions they make regarding the Kensington project… As elected representatives, they are empowered to make decisions on behalf of Ridgewood residents.”

During the meeting, Friedes also commented on public pushback, calling opponents a “vocal minority” and urging that all council members be treated with respect and kindness.

The Impact on Local Voters

As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the controversy highlights the growing influence—and potential gatekeeping—of private social media groups in public elections.

With traditional town halls sharing space with online forums, community members continue to debate whether private group administrators have a responsibility to maintain neutrality when managing local political discourse.

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Ridgewood, Bergen County, Local Politics, Elections, Village Council, New Jersey