photo by Dana Glazer
April 8,2016
Council Candidate Jeff Voigt
Ridgewood Nj, Based on the 2016 H zone Master Plan amendment being passed by the planning board – where does this leave Valley in the view of the Village residents? Many view Valley as a very bad neighbor – it pays no property taxes, doesn’t tell us its long term intentions, and filed a lawsuit against the planning boardand town council in order to achieve its expansion aims. Valley certainly has a public relations problem which it needs to address. So what can Valley do to improve its image and commitment to the Village of Ridgewood?
Here are some suggestions:
In a recent conversation I had with Jim Griffith, Village resident, Jim suggested that Valley should start investing more $$$ in the Village. This could be done potentially with the new NJ requirement for Valley to pay property taxes (even though they are a non-profit). However,rather than just giving the Village the tax dollars, Valley should make known to all residents its financial commitment to issues important to the Village such as Parks and Recreation. While Ipartially agree with Jim, I would also content that Valley is a very profitable non-profit hospital (see their December 31, 2014 financials on line; Baker Tilly, auditor’s report). Therefore as a“good neighbor” Valley should pay their fair share of property taxes. This would have amounted to $4.5 million based on their 15.5 acre campus (based on the Village tax assessor estimates). Recent suits in NJ have opened the door for non-profits to pay their fair share of taxes; as perabove. It would also be nice however, if Valley would become more involved in the Village’s interests, above and beyond paying its fair share of taxes.
Valley might consider having a Village resident on its board of Trustees (ideally a voting member), who in turn could report back to the Village on Valley. There are several committed Village residents who would do a really good job at this. This person(s) would serve the interests of the Village and help in building a partnership with Valley.
Valley should have a Village resident intimately involved in the planning and implementation of the hospital expansion/construction. Again there are several people in our Village, living near Valley, who would be great candidates for this.
Valley could develop a series of educational programs such as “good health programs” for the schools and teach them. These might include nutrition, healthy living/lifestyles, exercise programs, etc.
The key for Valley in all of this is to become a better neighbor and; to demonstrate its commitment to the Village by working with its residents.
Right Jim Griffith we should go to Valley HAT IN HAND and beg then to support certain programs. We Mr Griffith here is a simple solution. JUST PAY THERE FAIR SHARE OF TAXES. The Village should not go to the Hospital and KISS THE RING every time they need something.
Jeff- Although this all seems very nice, what has Valley done over the last several years that would give you the impression that they care about their standing in this community ? Because the truth is, other than using the Ridgewood name, it’s convenience, and the fact that they pay nothing for using the town facilities, they really could care less about what happens to this town, or it’s residents, in both the short and long term. If they did care they would not be even thinking about this expansion, but rather, improving on what they have, either on or off the Ridgewood site.
Bill H:
Thanks for the comment. We have to start somewhere and hopefully through the recent Whispering Woods hearings, Valley realizes they have a PR problem and; that it needs to be more involved in the Village. Valley and the Village need to resolve this to the benefit of both. Let’s see if they are receptive to other’s suggestions in healing some very open wounds.
Jeff
Jeff… while well intentioned, it is going to take YEARS to repair whatever image they have with many (not all and maybe not the majority of) residents… maybe as new families move in the animosity will lesson… between this issue and judicial mandates, the parking garage, hdh and now going for Valley’s tax exempt status, the social fabric in this town is being shredded… the lack of trust in the planning board and council by many people, the fraying of friendships and the subtle east vs. west undercurrent is probably unprecedented. First is to get some degree of trust in the village institutions by people who think the residents have been wronged….. that in itself will be a major challenge and the first step…
Paul.,2.55. Very thoughtful and an excellent summary of where we are and how these challenges might start to be unwound ..trust indeed is quickly lost and difficult to rebuild. Current Council is an embarrassment.Good ridance..how’s that for a goodbye toast,
I actually think the current council and pb are trying to do what’s best but especially with Valley, the legal piranhas at valley were right on target… the hand that they were dealt was made from a stacked deck. The Brogan testimony was a body blow and conflicting testimonies for the 2 plans set the current mess in course… the horse is out of the barn but change the pb resolution process to let the town get their governance back or home rule with the resultant high taxes is a total joke.
welcome to Bayonne
Paul- With all due respect, I think you are giving way too much credit to the effect that ridiculous speech Mrs. Brogan gave on the members of the PB, or anyone else that has seen it. Any sane adult easily came to the conclusion that she was either getting something from Valley, getting even with somebody, or whatever. The only thing the tape of that “opinion” should be used for is to show how low Valley is willing to go for any type of support from residents of this community. It really was an insult to the intelligence of any parent of a Ridgewood student. Quite frankly, I don’t know why anyone has not called for an apology.
Well for what it’s worth Bayonne is owned by Carepoint… they are among the most expensive hospitals in the NATION… their billing rates are sometimes 3-4 times Valley. We don’t want that either.
Bill H- That testimony has been the equivalent of the gift that keeps on giving for Valley…
Paul- Like I said, “any sane adult…”
Agreed… but the fact is the Valley attorney co-opted pb and boe statements into their case…. that is a stacked deck if I’ve ever seen one…