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>The Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM

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RotaryInternational theridgewoodblog.net

The Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM

The Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club is a local community service organization of 62 men and women in the Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus, Glen Rock and surrounding communities. We come from a diverse range of professions and share the goal of making a difference in our communities and the world.

Our club is part of Rotary International, the world’s first service organization, with 1.2 million members in 200 countries. Rotary International helped establish the United Nations, is the driving force behind eradicating polio worldwide and gives more college scholarships than any other organization.

Since the Ridgewood A.M. Rotary Club was founded in 1987, we have raised and disbursed nearly $1 million to local, national and international causes, including:

Local high school scholarships
Local health and human services agencies
Aid to the hungry and homeless
Student service and leadership clubs at local schools
Project Hope, Haiti’s largest orphanage
Gift of Life program that helps needy children from overseas receive life-saving heart surgery in the U.S.
To learn more about us, join us for our lively breakfast meetings: Thursdays at 7:30 Sharp to 8:30 a.m. at Osteria La Fiamma, 119 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood.

We encourage your involvement in our club and welcome your ideas. Please take a moment to give us your thoughts and suggestions. If you would like to speak to anyone in our club in person, you are invited to join us for breakfast, where you will have the opportunity to talk to any of our members one on one. In addition, feel free to enter your information below and our club Secretary will contact you shortly.

Contact Information

Phone: (201) 637-7335

Mailing Address
The Rotary Club of Ridgewood AM
P.O. Box 1152
Ridgewood, NJ 07451-1152

https://www.ridgewoodamrotary.org/

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>Warren Buffett’s Taxing the Rich Won’t Solve Deficit, Says Tax Foundation

>Warren Buffett’s Taxing the Rich Won’t Solve Deficit, Says Tax Foundation
Friday, August 19, 2011
By Matt Cover

buffett and obama

President Barack Obama awards the 2010 Medal of Freedom to investor Warren Buffett on Feb. 15, 2011. (AP Photo)

(CNSNews.com) – Taxing millionaires and billionaires more – a position advocated by billionaire Warren Buffett and President Barack Obama – won’t make much of a dent in the national debt or the record federal budget deficits, a new study finds.

“Even taking every last penny from every individual making more than $10 million per year would only reduce the nation’s deficit by 12 percent and the debt by 2 percent,” the non-partisan Tax Foundation’s David Logan writes.

https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/warren-buffett-s-tax-solution-won-t-solv

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>We need to increase Graydon badge sales to residents, I dont want Graydon to becone just a "tourist destination"

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Graydondriveby theridgewoodblog.net



We need to increase Graydon badge sales to residents, I dont want Graydon to becone just a  “tourist destination” 

Badge sales to non-residents are a small fraction of the total badge sales. There were only 263 badge sales to non-residents and 2,896 to residents. That is less than 10%.

I have been for keeping Graydon “natural”, but if we are turning this into a tourist destination then I will have to change my position.This needs to be for the residents of Ridgewood. That said, I’ll fight putting in a gaudy water park or a series of unimaginative concrete pools.

There needs to be a third option where we can modernize and modify Graydon so it again becomes a community meeting place where Ridgewood residents want to go.If this cannot be achieved, then I’d be for filling it in and doing something else with the land (for Ridgewood residents) before turning it into the most popular day camp site for all of the local urban centers.

I agree that the changes that have been made over the past few years (for example: water quality is excellent; snack bar is much improved) have made it a very nice place to relax, but if the residents are not coming, then more changes need to be made or perhaps, sadly, it is time to move on.

CoolTan Tan Through Clothing and Swimwear

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>Submit your favorite pizza spot for the Best Pizza in Ridgewood 2011

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ridgewood+01252006+013



Submit your favorite pizza spot for the Best Pizza in Ridgewood 2011

the Ridgewood blog is looking for nominations for the 2011 best Pizza in Ridgewood, New Jersey.Please submit your favorite pizza spot to: [email protected]

Put “Best Pizza in Ridgewood ” in the subject line or leave a comment on the “Best Pizza” post on the Ridgewood Blog

Pizza fusion (2010 Winner)

A Mano (2009 Winner)

Puzo’s (2008 Winner)

*Due to the hotly contested nature of the contest and technical problems with the voting reviews will be published of all the participants over the next several months by our secret judging panel.Lets see if they come to the same conclusions as the voters. 


2010 participants and Votes :

A Mano (2009 Winner) (22%) 24 Franklin Ave, in Ridgewood ,NJ 201.493.2000

Renato’s Pizza (8%) 36 S Maple Ave,Ridgewood, NJ (201) 652-3554

Puzo’s (2008 Winner) (5%) 16 W Ridgewood Ave,Ridgewood, NJ (201) 445-3332

Brooklyn Pizza (6%) 15 Oak St,Ridgewood, NJ (201) 493-7600

Sicilian Sun (by popular demand) (4%) 604 N Maple Ave,Ho Ho Kus, NJ (201) 444-3494

La Bella Pizza (4%) 102 N Maple Ave, Rdgewood, NJ (201) 652-0444

Roma Pizza (1%) 88 Godwin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ (201) 389-6810

Pizza Fusion (42%) 33 Godwin Ave,Ridgewood, NJ (201) 445-9010

Ridgewood Pizza (3%) 37 Godwin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ (201) 444-1055 

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>Mr Buffett : Gift Contributions to Reduce Debt Held by the Public

>Mr Buffett : Gift Contributions to Reduce Debt Held by the Public


The Bureau of the Public Debt may accept gifts donated to the United States Government to reduce debt held by the public. Acting for the Secretary of the Treasury, Public Debt may accept a gift of:


Money, made only on the condition that it be used to reduce debt held by the public.
An outstanding government obligation, made only on the condition that the obligation be retired and the redemption proceeds used to reduce debt held by the public.


Other intangible personal property made only on the condition that the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale used to reduce the public debt.
Gifts to reduce debt held by the public may be inter vivos gifts or testamentary bequests.


The fiscal year to date information includes total gifts received for the months of October through September. For the years 1996 and 1997, monthly data is not available.


Read about how to make a contribution to reduce the debt.


Gift Contributions  and  Fiscal Year to Date Totals
2011 $2,035,349.94
2010 $2,840,466.75
2009 3,063,057.05
2008 2,189,358.89
2007 2,624,862.42
2006 1,646,209.41
2005 1,455,541.65
2004 664,911.25
2003 1,277,423.40
2002 744,675.06
2001 1,645,082.28
2000 1,868,891.93
1999 1,457,510.59
1998 1,535,541.02
1997 955,897.15
1996 1,985,175.10


Gifts to Reduce Debt Held by the Public have been reported in the footnotes of the Monthly Statement of the Public Debt since February 1988. Visit the MSPD to view the debt historical information archives including fiscal year to date tables through and including 1987.


Financing the Debt


Why does the debt sometimes decrease?


The Public Debt Outstanding decreases when there are more redemptions of Treasury securities than there are issues.


How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?


There are two ways for you to make a contribution to reduce the debt:


You can make a contribution online either by credit card, checking or savings account at Pay.gov
You can write a check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it’s a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to: 


Attn Dept G
Bureau of the Public Debt
P. O. Box 2188
Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188

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>Reader says: Just glad to have a job , Lots of folks are working harder and coming home with much less in their pockets

>Reader says: Just glad to have a job , Lots of folks are working harder and coming home with much less in their pockets


I’m a federal employee. My raise for the next two years will be 0% each year. My health insurance premium went up went up 17% for 2011 and it is estimated to increase 8% in 2012. I contribute 60% of that premium premium as work part-time ($150 every two weeks). I also contribute 25% of my salary to my 401(k) of which the federal government matches the first 5%. I have NO FEDERAL PENSION as I was hired after 1985 which is when they did away with that sweet civil service retirement package (CERS). I also will not be paid for the thousands of sick leave hours I have saved when I retire. My agencies budget has been cut 37% in the past two years and we are doing much more with much less (I easily put in 40 hours a week when I am paid for only 24). BUT I AM GLAD I HAVE A JOB. Lots of folks are working harder and coming home with much less in their pockets. It’s the economy stupid. My heart does not bleed for the teacher’s right now.

EMAIL+LOGO

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Ridgewood News Jumps on the Bandwagon on Gabbert Pay Raise

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ridgewood+4th+parade+165



Ridgewood News Jumps on the Bandwagon on Gabbert Pay Raise 

Ridgewood News Editorial: Raising some questions


FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011    
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Members of the Village Council, with the exception of Paul Aronsohn, voted to increase Village Manager Ken Gabbert’s salary last week – a 12 percent increase over just 14 months. Gabbert now earns $185,000, one of the highest salaries for a municipal manager in Bergen County.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/128055573_Raising_some_questions.html

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>Revenues up, badge sales down at Graydon Pool

>Revenues up, badge sales down at Graydon Pool

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
BY KELLY EBBELS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

After raising badge prices, bringing in the Wibit and opening membership to everyone, Graydon Pool has brought in higher revenues so far this year but fewer badge sales – particularly from Ridgewood residents – in what has been a mild and pleasant summer season.

Village Manager Ken Gabbert reported the news at a Village Council meeting last week, and later provided additional numbers indicating the differences in badge sales and revenues since this time last year.

In previous years, out-of-town residents were allowed from Ho-Ho-Kus and Midland Park; other non-residents were allowed only if they had sponsorship from a Ridgewood resident. This year, the pool was opened to everyone with no prerequisites, and figures through July indicated that, with the policy change, badge sales from out-of-town residents increased from 155 to 263.

https://www.northjersey.com/recreation/128022018_Revenues_up__badge_sales_down_at_Graydon_Pool.html

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>Connecticut union takes concessions to save jobs

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Connecticut union takes concessions to save jobs

After nearly six months of negotiations and two rounds of votes, Connecticut’s public unions have approved $1.6 billion in contract concessions proposed by Gov. Dannel Malloy.

The deal means at least 3,000 state workers will keep their jobs. While the administration expects to continue laying off managers and consolidating state agencies, and it estimates 2,000 employees will retire before Oct. 1, the thousands of pink slips unionized workers received this summer will be rescinded beginning Monday.
The union’s rank-and-file members shot down the deal in June. This week’s vote followed a decision by the union leadership to ease voting rules.  (Banjo, The Wall Street Journal)

https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903639404576516861385698904.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
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>Bob Wolf of Ridgewood A.M. Rotary comments on your post "A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words":

>Bob Wolf of Ridgewood A.M. Rotary comments on your post “A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words”: 

As a member of the Ridgewood A.M. Rotary, who attended the Humanitarian of the Year dinner in 2008, I applaud the many people who made generous contributions that evening in honor of Doug and Barbara Dittrick, including the attendees who are pictured in the photo. The funds raised from that dinner were used to assist worthy students graduating from Ridgewood High School with scholarship grants, support various charities like Community Meals, Children’s Aid and Family Services and other non-profits in the Ridgewood vicinity, pay for encyclopedic dictionaries that Rotarians distributed to every third grader in the Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Ho Ho Kus public schools, provide humanitarian aid abroad, etc., etc.

If it is a crime to volunteer or otherwise participate in the community in which you live, and attend a fund-raising event and through your attendance make a donation to a wonderful cause in Ridgewood and throughout the world, perhaps we should all duck when a camera points our way!

Microsoft Store

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>The VC voted a 12% raise which increased the manager’s salary to more than the Governor of the State

>The VC voted a 12% raise which increased the manager’s salary to more than the Governor of the State

Let’s get away from the pro vs. anti Arohnson discussion. The true issue is the 12% raise the VC voted for Ken Gabbert. The fact that Arohnson voted against it, is immaterial. The VC voted a 12% raise which increased the manager’s salary to more than the Governor of the State, the Mayor of Newark or the Managers of any other muncipality in the State.

Looking at the justification of the other members of the VC is the problem.Several members said: “He saved thousands of dollars for the Village”. I would like to know the specific. As I see it, the Village Manager indiscrimitally fired 30+ employees in year one, hired back 7 the following year and the Village is still under staffed and can not function. In addition both the Fire and Police Department have added people.

The Mayor said:”Since the union workers got raise, the non union employees (the Manager) should get raises also”. But, it was the Village Manager who negotiated new contracts with the Fire and Police Departments which gave them 4% increases. Not the 12% he’s getting.
What did he do: He increased the parking meter hours, the permit fees for oudoor dinning and the charges to Midland Park residence for water hook ups and other charges. These aren’t savings. They are additional revenue, just like the 7% increase in our taxes. What else did he do: The Village is being sued directly as a result of his hiring a new Police officer. In addition, the Village is being sued by the surrounding communities because the Water Authority, as a result of questionable allocation of Village expenses made while Gabbert is the Village Manager.

So I continue to ask “What did he do, that the VC used to determine that he was doing a great job?
The fact that no public outcry was made over the Village Hall construction, the School Budget, the Station Construction or other errors made in the past is not a reason not to question this action by the VC.

The VC may know more than I do, but they have a responsibilty to explain their actions. I have the responsibilty, if not satisfied with the explanation to ask for more information and if I can’t get it, to take futher action.

Smile all summer with our Sunsational Summer Plant Sale starting at $19.99 from 1800Flowers.com. Save up to 50%! Perfect for yours or a loved one's home or garden. (Offer Ends Aug 31, 2011) - 300x100show?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=216823

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>As tolls keep rising, some still pay nothing

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As tolls keep rising, some still pay nothing

For eight years, Alfred Buono had made it a twice-weekly occurrence: He would drive his car across a bridge from New Jersey to Staten Island and not pay the toll — doing so a total of 998 times, authorities said.
By taking advantage of gateless E-ZPass toll lanes, Mr. Buono failed to pay a total of $5,254 in tolls, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

With the advent of E-ZPass, numerous toll authorities, including the Port Authority, have introduced gateless toll plazas, rewarding E-ZPass users with shorter travel times.

But at Port Authority crossings, records show, roughly 2 out of every 100 cars driving over bridges and through tunnels pass through the gateless toll lanes without paying.  (Haughney, The New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/nyregion/e-zpass-cheats-cost-toll-authorities-millions.html
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>Poll: Voters don’t like plan to increase tolls

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Poll: Voters don’t like plan to increase tolls

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s initial proposal to dramatically increase tolls on the bridges into New York is an unpopular one with New Jersey’s voters, according to a poll released Thursday.
A Quinnipiac University poll showed registered voters disapprove of the plan to hike tolls between $4 and $7 for commuters by a margin of 54 to 41 percent. In addition, 54 percent of those surveyed blamed the port authority for the proposal, rather than the governors of New Jersey and New York, who appoint the authority members.

“Just about everyone in New Jersey has heard about the Port Authority’s toll proposals and they’re not popular,” said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “Even in South Jersey, where there’s another Port Authority which controls toll bridges to Pennsylvania, voters are opposed.”  (Staff, Gannett)

https://www.app.com/article/20110818/NJNEWS/308180073/Poll-Voters-don-t-like-plan-increase-tolls
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>Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) Sellout Commuters with massive toll increase

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Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) Sellout Commuters with massive toll increase 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has announced it will support the toll-hike proposal released today by Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.). Tolls on cars using E-ZPass would increase by $1.50 in September and by an additional 75 cents each December from 2012-2015. The joint proposal also states that those who pay cash will be subject to the same increase in addition to a $2 penalty rounded up to the nearest whole dollar.