>The individual wanted in connection with Saturday night’s aggravated assault
on Police Officer Sean Amoruso was arrested at 10:12 PM this evening on
Steilen Avenue in Ridgewood. The arresting officer was Detective Sergeant
William Amoruso.
The suspect, a male juvenile who resides on Steilen Avenue, was transported
to Ridgewood Police Headquarters for processing. He was accompanied by his
father.
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>1:33
Get off your duff and run for office and change it all. If you can.
>Even if I got elected to office it would take YEARS to clean up this incestuous mess and you know it, don’t you … because you’re part of the problem.
>who was #1 on the test and got passed over??? NAME THE NAME? sounds like someone might have been #1 on a written test…then most likely did NOT pass either the physical or psychological evaluation… again…No names..just BS
>Well, all of those passed over for FD or PD, bring on the lawsuits!!!
You can probably use some of these amazingly CREDIBLE witnesses posting anonymously on this blog. Heck, I’m sure they’ll do it for free. Just for the chance to put down others. Oh, but wait, you have to give your name- no, it won’t work… they need to remain anonymous!
I don’t hear any lawsuits out there alledging anyone being passed over in favor of a person in charge’s relative, if what you are all saying is true we would be bankrupt. The fact is people THINK they are qualified but at the end of the day, in most cases, the candidate hired was better qualified; end of story. As for the hundreds police or fireman applications- yeah, how many of those made it to the top 10 on the list? JUST 10! This was a TERC equation… and only a handful of those will be hired.
As someone above said- you have to pass the test with high scores, pass the physical and pass a psychological. That is the only chance to get hired in the PD and FD in any carreer department in the state of New Jersey that subscribes to Civil Service as Ridgewood does. Now, other Village positions may be different, don’t know.
Ms. Shortway- I do know who you are and I agree with your statement.
>1:33, it’s unlikely that 200-300 people applied for these exams. Last year, the RFD had to hire from an out-of-town list because the list of residents was too short…..
>4:41 PM You blast posters for remaining anonymous and then you post anonymously. Why must you remain anonymous? Post your name if you want your statements taken seriously. You’re such a schmuck!
>Some of these posters must be RWD Police, in my opinion.
1. They’re too sensitive about something deep down they believe is wrong.
2. They speak and write as if they are the authority on the matter and we’d better listen to them. Like giving orders…anonymously. no less.
>I have posted a few times in this (ridiculous) thread. I am not a police officer or fire fighter. I am just a resident that is fed up with complainers who go back to their jobs where they don’t get their hands dirty and just complain, complain, complain about Ridgewood. It’s not perfect, what town is? What are YOU personally doing to make it better?
I think NEPOTISM is one of those -ism words that gets thrown around too easily, like RACISM. Just because two people are related in a similar field of work doesn’t necessarily mean there was something fishy going on.
>Stop complaining yourself 11:20 AM.
>With regards to post 4:41, I am an employee and resident of the town and I appreciate the anonymity this forum provides. First off the majority of the village employees are hard working and care about the community, then there are the chosen ones whom care only about themselves. Yes many of us are disturbed by the way the village is being run and how our tax dollars are being wasted on unnecessary management positions, and unnecessary trips etc.. Unfortunately nepotism, improper promotional practices, and favoritism are a fact of life in many departments within the village. I cannot speak for the police and fire departments other than they have had many families with several generations as members. Unfortunately, as an employee I must fear retaliation if my name were revealed. Those whom have stood up to the village, have and still do pay the price for speaking out for what is right. As far as lawsuits was not just a few years ago that an officer sued the town for being passed over for promotion won. He also spoke out against improper management practices. At least one street department employee also sued the town for improper management practices. While both won their cases they still get their balls broken. It’s common knowledge that the village manager told that police officer not bother studying for this last promotional test. Unlike the police officers and fire fighters we have to worry about our job security and we don’t make the same salaries, nor do we have the same protections they do. I mean no disrespect to either profession as I could never do their job and my job doesn’t require me to risk my life as does theirs. They all work very hard at keeping us safe, but many of them are just as disgusted with the way things are being run in their departments as well. So if you want any chance of getting ahead you had better keep your mouth shut or be one of the chosen ones. So maybe it sounds like we’re bitching, but there are real problems with the way things are being run, and this forum is about the only way some of you will ever hear about it.
>i think the forum is a great avenue for factual posts. used properly it could point out potential problems without an employee fearing reprisal from superiors. unfortunately there is always the opportunity for someone with a personal vendetta to make innacurate untruthful posts directed at a particular individual or family.
>4:44 good point. but if that happens, we are capable of ignoring it and heaping ridicule on such a person.
>4:44 – Yes, you are correct and thank goodness that no one has directed any untruthful posts yet.
>3:29- I posted the comment on 4:41.
I agree with you that sometimes being anonymous is necessary. But what is happening in many of these postings are baseless accussations and allegations that people throw out irresponsibly because they can remain anonymous. It is not just this topic, you can go back and find those instances in many other places.
I will assume you have reason to fear retaliation and thus chose to remain anonymous, I am in the same boat. However, my point is that if there are real instances of nepotism they should be brought up, not just throw the word around. The lawsuits you mentioned I don’t think had anything to do with nepotism, correct me if I’m wrong since I do not recall all the details. I think they had to do with bad management practices as in the case of the police officer that sued and won. He was better trained.
Families like the Amorusos, the Shortways, the Bombaces and others pride themselves in a tradition of family service. I know some of them. If there are specific, substatiated instances of nepotism then citizens and employees have the responsibility to bring it out in the open. But just shooting from the hip to assassinate someone’s character because you don’t like them is unsavory and irresponsible.
I disagree with 4:44pm, there are unthruthful or uninformed (let’s give them the benefit of the doubt) postings here in many different places. Again, not just about this subject. When people try to call them on it then they are attacked. It is the nature of the beast, some will prefer to run with unsubstantiated gossip as long as it makes for a good story.
The poster of this blog will let it happen because controversy brings more hits. Who cares who gets hurt, anonymity will give us all that right. But where is the responsibility?
See my point?
>Okay 10:00 AM. What about the young man from Ridgewood (Ballesteros) who was #1 on his test, passed the psychological and other tests and was passed up? He wrote a letter to the editor of The Ridgewood News about this.
>11:46 AM I wish I knew more particulars about Ballesteros. What I do know is that my heart broke when I read his letter to the editor saying that he had been passed over by our Police Department. He comes from a wonderful Ridgewood family. His father is a minister, the family takes in foster children, and his father always works at the election polls. He is a very nice young man and would have made an outstanding police officer. Ridgewood’s loss.
>This question is for 11:46 AM.
Let’s say you have a applicant for police or fire who is #1 on his test, passed the psychological & fitness tests, no problem with background … and this person is passed over for a Vet, minority or female. How much lower can their test score be for them to be able to trump the #1 candidate?
>from the outside looking in said… I see your point and agree that in several of postings lack foundation or specific examples for their accusations and allegations. I also agree that some people can and have posted irresponsibly because they can remain anonymous. But such is the challenge of maintaining freedom of speech. I wish that they would reframe from such actions as it takes away from the value of this forum. That being said, those of us whom are in fear of retaliation must sometimes be vague in our postings so not to provide information, which might reveal whom we are. As for the officer case I did not mean to infer that nepotism was the problem, however the former officer for whom he was passed over, was allegedly close friends with several council members and the manager at the time. My point was that those in power chose to circumvent the proper promotional process back then and have done it again. In fact he and another supervisor identified improper management conduct and now both have had made very clear that they have no chance of moving up in their organization. What really scares me is that from what I have heard most of the supervisors who care about the department are now looking to leave the department. But its not just the police department, we are loosing or will be loosing many of the people who really care about this town. These are the people whom have always gone the extra mile. As I said in my post I mean no disrespect for either profession, in fact I have a great deal of respect for the vast majority of the police and firefighters. I should have been clearer regarding my inference, the Shortway, Amoruso, Kay, and Dinice families have a proud tradition of service to this community and do the Bombaces. Unfortunately with the village’s history with regards to promotions, and preferential treatment it is something that needs to be monitored. There is a very important difference between the way private and public sector operate. We are public servants entrusted by the community to do our jobs and to protect our community to the best of our abilities. When our public officials show a disregard for the rules and proper practices this leads to an atmosphere ripe for poor performance, apathy and even corruption to take root.
>3:43pm- Thanks for raising the level of dialogue in this blog.I wish we could keep it at this level.
You said it perfectly in the last few sentences of your post.
I just want all to remember that yes, freedom of speech is a right but it also comes with responsibilities. One should not be exercised without the other otherwise we have anarchy.
>Yes, daddy.
>Are Shortways, Amorusos, Kays, Dinices, and Bombaces all currently employed by the FD or PD? If so, that means about 12% of the FD and PD are related.
>9:04 PM — Talk about inbreeding?
>9:04
Sooooo,
Maybe 25% would be better. That way both depts. will be that much more efficient.
You know it don’t cost us a nickel more to have these related and qualified men protect us and our homes.
I don’t see your point.
>904 musta learned math in the ridgewood schools. thats fuzzy math there genuius
>I’d also like to know the answer to the question posted by 3:32 p.m.:
“Let’s say you have a applicant for police or fire who is #1 on his test, passed the psychological & fitness tests, no problem with background … and this person is passed over for a Vet, minority or female. How much lower can their test score be for them to be able to trump the #1 candidate?”
>9:04 – I assume you are saying that there are at least 10 employees who have a sibling on the FD and PD. Since there are about 80 police and firemen, that means 12.5% of the FD and PD have a relative on the force. That does not seem fuzzy to me but maybe to someone who writes there when they meant their.
>Um, 12:04 – – you’re Math is good, but your English isn’t so hot.
>I AM an English teacher… and a math sub.
>12:43
Figures, you work in Ridgewood?
>The Economist recently called NJ the Louisana of the North. Maybe they were talking about Ridgewood.
The inbreeding, disregard for laws, corruption and arrogance on the part of public entities is legendary.
>11:22
The inbreeding, disregard for laws, corruption and arrogance on the part of public entities is legendary.
What the heck are you talking about.
I’ve lived here for almost 30yrs. and have not heard this legend.
I want to see this legend. POST IT and the source too, or maybe its just someone flubbing at the mouth.
>hahah the “Economist”?? is that the same turd of a ‘publication’ that is a popup ad on every newspaper site?? if you want an opinion a pop-up ad/spammer is not the source to trust!
>Economist”?? is that the same turd of a ‘publication’ that is a popup ad on every newspaper
the Economist is the most respected magazine in the world you sound like a dumb dumb ,its time to wake up
>6:59
Economist, Never heard of it.
Sounds like an international coupon clipping mag., to help cut costs when traveling over seas with the low dollar and hi euro.
>Can’t believe you people haven’t heard of The Economist. It looks like a magazine, but it’s referenced as a “newspaper.” BTW it’s over 108 years old, it’s likely the most important publication in the world and originated in Great Britain, (that’s across the Atlantic!.
Check it out the next time you pass a real newsstand. It’s a must read in order to have a global view of why and how our world works (or doesn’t).
>Economist, Never heard of it.
another product of the Ridgewood school system I see or perhaps a BOE member or brain dead defender
>If you don’t know how the world works (or doesn’t ) by now, you should go back to HS and just take science. OR ask the guy who invented the internet ( what’s his name again?).
The Economist is good for people with and economic or political agenda, it’s not for everyone.
I imangine that some people just read Sports Illustrated if you get my drift. The brain dead guy is just the one.
>”The Economist is good for people with and economic or political agenda, it’s not for everyone.”
Not true. The Economist is a premiere opinion magazine. Goverments around the world rely on the valuable information it provides. It is not just about economics and politics, but covers the arts, education, culture, history, society and science with extremely potent analysis.
It should be required reading for anyone engaged in discourse.
It does successfully what Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, et al all fail to achieve.
>3:59
I’d rather be reading Sports Illustrated and engage in potent intercourse.
Not at the sametime of course.
By the bye, you must work there or write their ads?