>Policy change in New Jersey is resulting in fewer welfare recipients
The number of general-assistance welfare recipients in New Jersey has plummeted, with thousands of applicants being denied enrollment, in part because of a controversial new policy of the Christie administration.
The July 1 change, which already has saved the state money, established a prerequisite to qualify for aid: attend job training or offer proof of an active employment search, for four consecutive weeks. (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>SHERIFF JOE: ‘TONS’ MORE SHOCKING OBAMA INFO Rips ‘biggest censorship blackout in the history of the United States’
“America’s toughest sheriff” says there is “tons” more potentially shocking information on Barack Obama in connection with his probe into the president’s eligibility, and he calls the media’s suppression of his findings of a likely forged presidential birth certificate and Selective Service Card “probably the biggest censorship blackout in the history of the United States.”
“I’m not going after the president to keep him off a ballot or anything else, but that could happen,” Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. “I’m going at it strictly as a law-enforcement guy investigating a possible forgery and fraud. I’m sticking with that, but I’ll tell you one thing. We got tons of other information that could be very shocking, too, but I’m sticking now with just the [forgery] investigation and possible criminal violations.”
The Ridgewood Concert Band is holding the “Winds of March” program on Friday, March 30 at 8:00 PM. Conducted by Dr. Christian Wilhjelm, featuring guest soloist Elaine Douvas on Principal Oboe. There will also be a prelude performace at 7:30 PM by the Hackensack High School Concert Band.
Tickets available at the door, Adults: $20.00, Seniors ($15.00) and Students $7.00. Children 13 and under free with paying adult or senior.
Winds of March- Ridgewood Concert Band,Fri, March 30, 2012,Time: 8:00 PM West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ.
>Former Ridgewood Mayor Quentin Wiest Gets Nod As Hoboken’s New Top Dog
Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced the hiring of Quentin Wiest as Business Administrator and Stephen Marks as Assistant Business Administrator.
“I am very excited about this team and the strong backgrounds they bring,” said Mayor Zimmer. “They will be a great asset to the City of Hoboken.”
Mr. Wiest has served as Business Administrator of the Borough of Closter, Executive Director of the Bergen County Improvement Authority, Director of Public Works for Bergen County, and Mayor of Ridgewood. He brings extensive finance, construction and facilities management experience.
>Christie snaps back at N.Y. congressman who criticized Gov.’s response to NYPD muslim probe
In response to criticism from U.S. Rep. Peter King, Gov. Chris Christie fired back at the New York Republican, saying he’s using the flap over New York police spying on New Jersey Muslims to make headlines in a re-election year.
King told Fox Business Network Imus in the Morning that Christie “let his personal feelings get in the way of protecting us against terrorism” and resents Police Commissioner Ray Kelly for a past slight. (Portnoy, The Star-Ledger)
>New York Congressman Peter King blasts NJ governor on counterterror
New York Congressman Peter King says New Jersey’s governor should show more gratitude toward the New York City Police Department for its counterterrorism work.
King told Fox Business Network on Wednesday that Gov. Chris Christie is letting emotions get in the way of preventing attacks.
Christie has criticized the NYPD for doing surveillance of Muslim communities in New Jersey without notifying local police or the FBI. (DeFalco, Associated Press)
>Voter approval on charter schools Not likely to pass
What it is: The bill, A-1877, requiring a local referendum on any new charter school opening in a community was approved by the full Assembly last week on a largely party line vote, the furthest the controversial bill has progressed. The vote was 46-27, with all the Democratic leadership in favor.
What it isn’t: Likely to pass and be signed into law anytime soon. A companion bill in the Senate is not even posted for a hearing, and there is little enthusiasm so far from the Democratic leadership in that chamber. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
>State grills Verizon NJ about voice service, Internet access
Verizon New Jersey is facing new scrutiny from state regulators over the quality of its traditional phone service and its commitment to offer high-speed Internet service to the entire state.
In two separate orders, the state Board of Public Utilities has ordered the state’s largest local phone company to explain why the number of complaints about its traditional, or landline phone service, have risen and why it has still failed to provide broadband service to 50,000 residents statewide two years after it said it would. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
>New Jersey narrows probe of erasures on standardized tests
State education officials will probe deeper into nine public schools after a preliminary investigation found higher-than-normal erasures in standardized tests.
Two schools in Newark and one each in Orange, Woodbridge, East Orange, Bloomfield, Bridgeton, Atlantic City and Union City will undergo further investigation by the Office of Fiscal Accountability, the state Department of Education’s investigative arm. (Mikle, Gannett)
re: “If your boss came to you and said “It’s time to renegotiate your compensation package”, are you all honestly expecting us to believe you would say, “Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits for the good of the company”.”
No, we wouldn’t say that… we’d say:
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits so the company stays in business and I can keep my job”.
OR
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits while I put my resume out there ASAP and pray that the company stays in business long enough for me to find a new job and move to a more financially stable company.”.
You are so clueless.
Companies cut back and fire and layoff people when they have no money.
Schools are very restricted in their ability to do this due to unions and legal constraints
Companies go out of business.
Schools cannot.
Companies can’t pay for things with money they do not have.
Schools can raid the taxpayers for more money
People do not have jobs guaranteed for life.
Teachers do
People are responsible for their own personal financial situation – they leave bad situations.
Teachers rarely leave
People cannot force a company to pay them for things with money they do not have.
Unions do
You can negotiate with the company and get what you want, but they will compensate in some other manner… they may pay Peter more money by firing Paul.
Teachers have lifetime guaranteed jobs
You blame “the SYSTEM”. What a weak and “uneducated” response.
First of all, “the SYSTEM” is comprised of people – it is not some autonomous monster over which you have no control (although this is a convenient place for you to hide).
Secondly – if you think “the SYSTEM” is broken, don’t bemoan it like a weak victim – try to fix it and support those who are attempting to reform it – don’t hide behind it and fight for it.
The teacher’s union (and the teachers in their support for the union) is acting like spoiled ignorant greedy children.
It is not surprising, when they react like spoiled ignorant greedy children when caught and confronted with their bad behavior.
And like spoiled ignorant greedy children, they do not appreciate the good thing that they have.
>March 22 PSE&G Paving in Ridgewood- List of Locations
This is to inform you that our company is scheduling to work in Ridgewood on Thursday March 22, 2012. We will be milling and paving over where PSE&G previously installed the gas mains on S.Broad St between Leonard Pl. and E. Ridgewood Ave.,on Dayton Street from S. Maple to Hope Street and on East Side Ave. from Maxwell Pl to Grove St
WEDNESDAY MARCH 21, 2012, 1:52 PM BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA MANAGING EDITOR SOUTH BERGENITE
WC targeted for sale if board can’t pay all costs
The William Carlos Williams Center for the Arts is on life support, according to county officials. The county has the center on a short list of county-owned buildings that could be sold in the near future. Joe Crifasi, the director of Public Works at Bergen County, whose division also oversees all county real estate, said the board of trustees at the center will be given one last chance to turn things around at the once crown jewel of performing arts in Rutherford or face the realization that the Williams Center may be no more. He said the money the county provides to the center is not equal to the benefits the county taxpayers receive.
>Florida state workers face random drug tests under new law
(Reuters) – Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a law allowing state employees to be randomly tested for drugs, a measure likely to draw a legal challenge over its constitutionality.
The Republican governor signed the Drug-free Workplace Act, which will permit state agencies to randomly test up to 10 percent of their employees, his office said on Monday.
Tests could be conducted once every 90 days under the measure, which takes effect July 1. It would allow agencies to fire or discipline employees the first time they test positive for drugs.
>Marines down on Obama byCharlie Spiering Commentary Staff Writer
The Marine Corps Times previews its cover story about anti-Obama Marines at their ‘Battle Rattle’ blog.
According to the article, of the 792 active-duty troops and mobilized reservists who responded to this year’s Military Times Poll, 44 percent said that they disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job as commander in chief.
The article cites hot button issues such as repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” relaxing restrictions of women in combat, and steep budget cuts, behind the disapproval numbers.
NJ Transit paid $4.1 million for unused sick and vacation time in 2011
Despite a policy decision to rein in unused sick and vacation time payments for nonunion workers, NJ Transit spent $4.112 million last year in payouts.
That total is up from the $3.67 million NJ Transit made in payouts the year before, a practice Gov. Chris Christie has vowed to end for public employees. Officials in Christie’s administration said they are looking to end such payouts, which he called “boat checks,” and prefer a “use it or lose it” policy for vacation time and that sick time be used during illnesses, similar to what is done in private industry. (Higgs, Gannett)
