Author: admin

>Driver charged in pedestrian accident in Ridgewood

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A juvenile girl was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and Hope Street at about noon on Tuesday. The driver, who initially left the scene, was charged the following day with multiple motor vehicle summonses.

The juvenile, who was on a bicycle, had stopped at the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and Hope Street and observed no vehicles before attempting to cross East Ridgewood Avenue, according to Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward. She proceeded within the crosswalk and was struck by a blue, two-door 2004 Honda turning onto East Ridgewood Avenue from Hope Street. Ward said there were two people in the car who “stopped briefly, asked her if she was OK, and drove away.”

https://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/128317378_Driver_charged_in_pedestrian_accident_in_Ridgewood.html

>Medical emergency causes driver to crash in Ridgewood

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Police believe that an emergency medical issue was responsible for incapacitating the driver of a silver four-door Volkswagen, who lost control of her vehicle and careened through three properties along Grove Street before coming to rest at a chain-link fence.

Authorities responded to reports that a vehicle had struck a house along Grove Street at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Police determined that the driver sustained a black-out while traveling westbound on Grove Street (approaching its intersection with Berkshire Road) and veered off across the opposite lane of traffic, according to Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/128332978_Medical_emergency_causes_driver_to_crash_in_Ridgewood.html

>NJ Towns balance books by selling off their assets

>Nearly 30 percent of New Jersey school districts hired new superintendents in the last year

>School is Not Closed September 8th, 2011

T he first day of school is September 6th, 2011. The calendar posted on the Village of Ridgewood website incorrectly states that schools are closed on Thursday, September 8th. Ridgewood Public Schools will be open on Thursday, September 8th.

>New Jersey Democrats hope to override governor’s veto of failed RGGI program 
Birmingham, Alabama (Platts)–22Aug2011/150 pm EDT/1750 GMT

The chairman of the New Jersey Assembly’s environment committee said he will attempt to secure enough votes in the state legislature to override Governor Chris Christie’s Friday veto of a bill that would have required New Jersey to remain a member of a multi-state group designed to cut CO2 emissions.

Christie, a Republican, in May said New Jersey would pull out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a 10-state cap-and-trade program, by the end of the year. After the announcement, state lawmakers passed bills that found the governor’s decision violated the intent of the legislature and would have required New Jersey to remain a member of RGGI.

Christie vetoed the bill late Friday calling it a “political response” to his decision to withdraw from RGGI. While Christie said he does not argue with the science of global warming, he does not believe RGGI is an effective mechanism for addressing the problem.

https://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/6393681

>Fitch Downgrade Highlights Destructive Role of NJ’s Activist State Supreme Court
AFP

As you know all too well, New Jersey has one of the worst tax climates in the entire country and a swelling debt of more than $45 BILLION. Our state’s dire fiscal condition was made all the more evident when credit rating agency Fitch, Inc. announced last week that it was downgrading New Jersey’s general obligation bonds to AA- from AA.

Notably, Fitch cast blame for this downgrade in part on our activist state Supreme Court, specifically citing the recent ruling which dictates that the state provide yet another $500 MILLION to the 31 failing former Abbott Districts.

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School Activity Fees : Readers have a bone to pick 

The activities fee is a bunch of crap! Every club and sport and band that my kids’ belong to has some cost associated with it. It is donations or fundraising for the club ~ so what are they using the activities fee money for? I’m sure Angelo is swirling that money somewhere to make himself look good! I think ‘7 on your side’ on eyewitness news would love to get a hold of this story ~ then you will see whose diploma is withheld or whose grades aren’t sent out!!

The activity fee is an outrage to begin with but think about this:
If you child enrolls in classes such as cooking/art/chemistry etc. there are lab and/or supply fees to the tune of about $20 per class. I can’t see how these mandatory fees are legal but we pay them each year. Also, when a student takes a class at RHS and they are issued a textbook with corresponding workbook the student is not permitted to write in the workbook unless the parent pays for the book. The workbook issue defeats the purpose of the workbook concept and is especially difficult and counterproductive for struggling students.

These fees all add up and perhaps should be added to the reported cost per student in Ridgewood.

another way they raise money . . . charge the kids for damage to book textbooks that were already damaged. Despite the fact that the damage was noted and recorded the day the book was issued to the kid, they are charged for it at the end of the school year. How many kids get charged for the same damaged book year after year.

>School Activity Fees  : Hitting a sore spot 

As I remember in the Day, only about 4-5 years ago, we filled out a lunch form and sent it into the elementary schools who at the time had the staff to process the checks and lunch orders. The BOE switched to Community Pass and eliminated that position in each of the elementary school, thus saving money.

Now I am being told that the village has been picking up the tab for processing charges. Maybe the new guard should look at the old guards notes and remember some of us have been around along time.

Also the lunch room staff was reduced and parents are taking shifts in the cafe to help with the control in the lunch room. Thus more savings.

Helping out in the lunch room has always bothered me with how it was mandated it is the parents obligation, just as it is with many other things that have changed in the last 10 years.

Come-on, I have to buy dry-erase markers for the classrooms, one for homeroom and the other for a specific class. And there are others so that the teachers can do their jobs. My trip to staples was over $200 for a middle school supply list, I used a charge card and they did not hit me with a convenience fee.

Spanish teachers were eliminated in the elementary school, is there now a fee for Rosetta Stone on Family Access, save money eliminate positions and charge the student’s family.

Now I need to pay multiple times to register my child for lunch funds and student activities, with a convenience fee? No thanks, I will sent in my check at my convenience or cash for lunch. Hope they have the staff to handle it.

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>Ridgewood Gets its own Reality TV Show and no its not about ,the BOE, VC ,Valley Hospital or the Ridgewood blog 


“Brothers on Call” (DIY Network): The cameras trail humorous Ridgewood handymen, Terry and Jon Wittmaack who run a family business, Men Around the House. Their projects can be as grandiose as a kitchen renovation and as minimalist as changing lights bulbs. (Debuts in October)

Published: Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 9:05 AM
Lisa Rose/The Star-Ledger

Reality TV has fixed its gaze on the Garden State.

A place that was once mocked as the home of little more than a turnpike is now a hot spot for unscripted entertainment.

Jersey moxie has evolved into a brand, an attitude that’s celebrated in shows centered on average Joes and Janes with larger-than-life personas.

“The people in New Jersey have so much self-confidence and are completely secure in who they are,” says SallyAnn Salsano, creator of “Jersey Shore,” which features three year-round residents. Production just wrapped on season five in Seaside.

Salsano continues, “They’re not doing anything more than being themselves and that’s what makes a great reality TV character.”

Although Jerseyans, including Gov. Chris Christie, vocally object to the way the state is depicted on TV, the trend remains vibrant, sustained by Snooki’s big ratings.

“New Jersey has become like an industrial ingredient for reality TV,” says Hugh Curnutt, media history professor at Montclair State University. “If you’re in California and you hear about a new reality TV show about New Jersey, you already know that it’s probably about Italian-Americans, family, culture and it will tend to follow the caricatures that are on other shows. That may not be what people want to see but that’s what they’re given to see.”

>BREAKING NEWS; EARTHQUAKE ACTIVITY REPORTED 

NY POST REPORTS : 

BREAKING: EARTHQUAKE -NEW YORK CITY HALL EVACUATED  

FOX NEWS 5.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Virginia, with tremors felt along the east coast

>Are You Considering Weight Loss Surgery? Come to a Free Informational Seminar on September 12 at Valley Hospital
 
The Valley Hospital’s Center for Obesity Surgery is offering a free program entitled “All About Obesity Surgery.”  The program will be presented by bariatric surgeon Melissa Bagloo, M.D. The program will be held on September 12 at 6 pm. in Kraft 1 #1 of the hospital’s Dorothy B. Kraft Center, 15 Essex Road, Paramus.

Dr. Bagloo will discuss the definition of obesity, the criteria for weight loss surgery, the procedures that are available and their expected results, and life after surgery.  Dr. Bagloo is skilled in the minimally invasive approach to bariatic surgery, having performed hundreds of such procedures.

The Valley Hospital’s Center for Obesity Surgery is the New Jersey site for the highly successful program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and offers the latest techniques in weight-loss surgery.

At Valley’s Center for Obesity Surgery, Dr. Bagloo works with a comprehensive team of specialists.  She and her team carefully evaluate each patient for the most appropriate surgical option.  After surgery, the team provides the care and support the patient needs to maintain weight loss and adhere to a new lifestyle.

To reserve a space for one of the presentations, please call 1-800-VALLEY 1. (1-800-825-5391)

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PSE&G Advises Residents to Test Their Heating Systems Before Chilly Weather Arrives

(August 22, 2011 – Newark, NJ) –– Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) is recommending that its gas heating customers test their gas heating systems now, before the chilly weather arrives.  If there’s a problem, PSE&G will come out to start the unit — at no charge — through September 11, 2011.

“Chilly weather will be here soon, and one of the best things customers can do now is to check their heating system to ensure safe and efficient operation before the colder weather arrives,” said Joe Bassolino, manager of business development at PSE&G. “By testing their heating systems early, customers will be prepared for the upcoming cold weather. In addition, PSE&G will be able to respond more quickly now if there is a problem.”

PSE&G customers are advised to first inspect their gas-fired heating systems to ensure the units start and run properly.

How to check your heating system:

Verify that the area surrounding the unit is free of combustible items like boxes, paper, clothing, paint, etc.
Make sure that the flue pipe is connected and in good condition.

If you have a hot water boiler, verify that the indicator on the pressure gauge falls into the normal range (12-15 psi cold).
If you have a steam heating system, check the water level in the sight glass. If it is low, turn on the water supply valve to bring the water level up to the half-way mark. Turn off the valve.

For warm-air furnace systems, check and replace dirty air filters. Verify that the blower door is closed tight and correctly secured.

Verify that all controls, valves, and electrical switches are in the “On” position.
How to start up your heating system:

If the unit is equipped with a pilot, confirm that it’s lit.  If the pilot light is out, follow the instructions on the heating unit to relight it. Let the pilot light burn a few minutes before continuing.

Many heating units use a form of automatic ignition.  Review the starting instructions located on the unit before continuing.
Set each thermostat mode to “heat” (if equipped) and raise the setting five degrees above room temperature. The heating system should start within a minute or two.

Let the unit run a few minutes to ensure it’s operating normally and then return all controls to their previous settings.

If you’re having problems:

Need help lighting the pilot? PSE&G will perform this service free-of-charge through September 11, 2011.  PSE&G will charge $25 for this service from September 12 through October 31.

Not working properly? PSE&G customers can call 1-800-350-PSEG (7734) or go to www.pseg.com to register their account and schedule repair services online for assistance from our appliance service technicians.

The utility also is asking customers to keep their homes and yards safe, well lit, and free of clutter so that our workers can safely access the meters and their equipment. Customers are asked to:

Warn PSE&G workers of any hazardous conditions on your property, such as loose steps or railings.
Make sure the path leading to your meters is clear and properly lit – especially stairways.
Keep dogs and other pets secured away from our workers and service areas.
Keep the area around your furnace, meter and appliances free and clear of clutter. Trim bushes and shrubs in the vicinity of meters located outdoors.