file photo by Boyd Loving
Albert himself created a document that forbids any electronic communication by elected officials during public meetings. Albert, Paul, and Gwenn have all admitted to violating this. It is Resolution 13-87. Go to this link on the Blog:
https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-council-must-follow-meetings-protocol/#comments
Ridgewood Council must follow meetings protocol
To the Editor:
In response to concerns voiced by several residents regarding Village Council members’ adherence to provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 13-87, “Village Council Meetings and Communications Protocol,” in April of 2013. This document, which was developed by the council with the very best of intentions, is a list of “dos and don’ts” for the five elected council members to follow when discussing, investigating, or preparing for deliberation of municipal business.
Item No. 4 in this list reads as follows: “Telephonic or electronic communication between or among Council members or between a Council member and a member of the public during public meetings is prohibited.” In the 2013 public work sessions at which this document was edited, the clause prohibiting contact with members of the public was specifically inserted.
At both the Oct. 22 and Nov. 5, 2014, Village Council meetings, it was revealed that some members have their telephones and/or tablets on during meetings, and receive and reply to messages from family members. Resolution 13-87.4 does not allow for any exceptions to the prohibition, and family members are certainly members of the public. Both Mayor Aronsohn and Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli have clearly indicated that they have no problem breaking this rule in order to communicate with their families. As one resident stated on Nov. 5, this does not meet the high standards they set for themselves.
Our Village Council members put in long hours conducting business for Ridgewood, so one can imagine their temptation to be in touch with family during an evening meeting. Unfortunately, when their own rule is being broken, with private communications occurring during public meetings, members of the community are left with no way of knowing whether electronic exchanges might be taking place regarding substantive matters on the council agenda. If such interactions were to take place, this would seem to contradict the principles of the Open Public Meetings Act.
It is my hope that, moving forward, the Village Council will start following this document to the letter of their own law. Having telephones and tablets turned off and out of reach during these public meetings would completely eliminate any hint of impropriety.
Anne LaGrange Loving
Ridgewood
It’s amazing to me that anyone volunteers for anything in this town. So turn off the phone. It’s not that big a deal.
Morons
Head down looking at her computer screen, again.
Turn the phone off. You made the rule, you voted for the rule, you proclaimed the rule is a good one. Then you immediately started to break your own rule and you defended your right/s to do so.
And turn your phone off in other inappropriate places too…..church?
10:03, they cannot turn their phones off. They need their handlers to text them what to say next, or to stroke them
Anne, you’re missing the forest for the trees
Shock collars would solve this problem…..
It is hard to break away from those adorable kittens.
don’t you understand the rules don’t apply to them.
They are the cool kids you loved to Hate in School.
None of them seem like they were ever cool. They cling to each other like middle schoolers afraid of getting pushed in the halls.
Written November 14, 2014. A year later and they are still at it..
7 more votes for Killion and we wouldn’t be dealing with these miscreants.
That’s a great pic of three hardworking leaders.
Reminds me of that old police drama from the early 70s…
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062589/
Remember what you said Gwenn
“I want to restore the healthy dialogue we used to have in the village. It is all about communication. There needs to be a comfort level that welcomes varying opinions about what Ridgewood needs,” she said. “Of course there are some issues we will face that are almost impossible to agree on but everyone should know that they don’t have to be afraid to have their own opinion. That is one of the things I bring to the table. I will foster a more open dialogue; I believe morale has suffered because of the bitterness surrounding debates in Ridgewood.”
Remember this Albert?
The best thing about Ridgewood: The Central Business District is a special place that gives us an opportunity to walk, converse, dine, catch a movie and shop as a community, the kind of place that is becoming increasingly rare in a country of box stores and strip malls, a place near which I am so fortunate to live; similarly Graydon Pool and our playing fields and parks – they all enhance community life.
The thing about forests and trees is that a single kudzu vine sprouting up in a forest can kill everything. Gotta watch the individual trees. Texting to members of the public during VC meetings is not the biggest problem, but it exemplifies the dishonest nature of three of our leaders.
8:34, this is priceless, whoever you are, thank you for finding this gem of a quote. That will get the old toupee in a twist for sure.
And there a lot more were they came from 8:40
Here another 8:49 Notice Albert says
“Not by building a parking deck or instituting a “pay and display” system.?”
“We have to let the economy work. We have to let the successful businesses thrive, and those that aren’t [successful] fail. That’s what our economy is about,” he said.
Pucciarelli said if he’s elected, he will encourage a mixed-use downtown and explore additional residential opportunities for residents 55 years and older. Parking should also be improved, he said, though not by building a parking deck or instituting a “pay and display” system.
“We have to find ways to extend parking wherever it’s available,” he said.
Our Mayor
“The voters wanted new ideas and new commitment to do government right. That’s what the three of us will deliver,” he said.
According to Paul Aronsohn, Mayor of Ridgewood, NJ, and featured guest at the January 8 BGR meeting, good governance hinges on a rich dialogue between residents and the elected officials who create policy. He says that receiving more input from residents results in better policy and therefore empowers him to do his job.
10:00 pm – rich dialogue especially needs to take place by text during public meetings. Hey, it’s all in the name of pushing his agenda forward and drilling down.
Will there be advertising inside or outside the larking structure?
If meter fees don’t cover the cost they may go for a Port Authority look with advertising.
They all do it! Look at the 11/4 meeting regarding affordable housing — even Mike was spending minutes looking down and at times looking up and back down.
Screen Capture:
https://s10.postimg.org/x7yg9nsy1/Capture.jpg