Author: James
Due to the excess of snow closings, Ridgewood schools will be OPEN on Friday, April 13
Public info: Due to the excess of snow closings, schools will be OPEN on Friday, April 13. Read Dr. Fishbein’s letter: https://tinyurl.com/DFletter31218
March 12, 2018
Dear Ridgewood Public Schools Community,
Today I am writing to inform you that based on the number of emergency closing days we have used so far this year, students will have a regular school day on Friday April 13, 2018. Any additional emergency closing days will be further taken from Spring Recess week, starting with Thursday, April 12 and working backwards.
By way of explanation, we have exceeded the two emergency closing days that the Ridgewood Board of Education builds into the school calendar. To date, we have had three weather-related closings. Please take a look at the 2017/2018 calendar adopted by the Ridgewood Board of Education on March 7, 2016 for the proviso stating that additional weather-related closings will be made up using Spring Recess.
As we know from the recent storm, winter is not yet over. The good news is that spring is just around the corner. I can see the tulips pushing through, and the days are getting longer with a hint of warmer weather in the air.
Sincerely yours,
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent of Schools
The Organization For Economic Growth Calls On N.J. Legislators To Reject Gov. Murphy’s Toxic Budget Proposal
March 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Wayne NJ , Calling Gov. Phil Murphy FY-2019 budget another nail in New Jersey’s economic coffin, the New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth is calling on all legislatures to reject the governor spending plan and create a fiscally responsible budget.
“The governor’s economic plan in no way represents the fiscal reality facing New Jersey; nor does it address the concerns of the business community,” said OEG Chairman Joseph Caruso. “New Jersey leads the nation in taxes and has the worst business reputation in the country — and Gov. Murphy, unfortunately, wants to continue those trends”.
Murphy’s $37.4 billion spending plan is $2.7 billion – or 8 percent higher than the state’s current budget. Murphy’s FY-2019 budget increases spending by $1.5 billion and calls for an increase in the sales tax, as well as increases in the corporate business tax and another millionaire’s tax .
Murphy called his budget proposal “fiscally and morally sound,” which raised the ire of OEG Executive Director Alex Cucciniello.
“There is nothing moral about raising taxes on hardworking people and those who are trying to run businesses,” said Cucciniello. “There is nothing moral about supporting a budget plan that will lead to fewer jobs. The governor’s sense of morality is out step with residents of this state,” said Cucciniello.
“This budget will crush small businesses and the middle class in New Jersey. If the Governors goal is to get people to leave the state he is doing the right thing, ” said OEG Vice-Chairwoman Katie Cericola, an accountant. “New Jersey already has the highest corporate tax in the nation, increasing it will result in fewer jobs.
“Young people like me want to stay in New Jersey; it’s our home. But politicians like Gov. Murphy are making it hard for us to live here. He and his administration are out of touch with the economic struggles of Millennials,” added Cericola.
The governor’s proposed increased in taxes and spending — including adding $2.1 million to pay for legal fees for illegal immigrants who face federal justice, is an attack on working people in New Jersey, said Vice-Chairman John DePinto.
‘There are hard working legal residents of our state who cannot afford an attorney; yet we have a governor who wants those working people to pay for the legal bills of illegal immigrants so they can continue to violate federal law. That is not a morally or fiscally acceptable position,” said DePinto.
“The governor wants the already overtaxed people of New Jersey to pay for his progressive ideology. His personal priorities are wrong for the state,” added DePinto.
OEG officials said Murphy’s FY 2019 budget proposal failed to even consider cutting spending.
“In a state that is recognized as the most overtaxed in the nation; a state that is losing jobs and business investment; the fiscally prudent thing to do would be to find ways to reduce spending. But it appears that the governor’s team just larded more fat on an already bloated state budget,” said Cucciniello.
DISAPPOINTING
Caruso called the governor’s introduction of his first budget disappointing beyond expectations.
“The people of New Jersey elected a governor who ran on a platform of raising taxes. and that’s just what he intends to do. But I don’t think anyone could imagine that it would be this bad,” he said.
Caruso noted that the governor’s budget proposal fails to address the state’s very real and very damaging pension deficit.
“Like governor’s before him, Mr. Murphy actually believes New Jersey taxpayers can afford the public pension system the politicians created. And to continue the deception, Gov. Murphy, like governor’s before him, has greatly exaggerated the return on pension investments so he doesn’t have to deal with the giant pension and retiree benefits hole that gets bigger every month.”
REJECT THE PROPOSAL
Cucciniello said he hopes the legislature will reject the governor’s proposal and start over.
“Hopefully there are fiscally responsible people in Trenton who will not ignore the fact that New Jersey’s fiscal policies are causing great damaging the people of this state Hopefully, they will not continue to ignore the plight of many people — Millennials and retirees – who have to make the tough decision to leave New Jersey because our elected officials simply don’t want to make the tough decisions required to make this state affordable for the middle class,” said Cucciniello.
A wonderful group of Ridgewood High School students….
March 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen meet with a group of students after school on Friday. The mayor called them an “extraordinary and thoughtful group of RHS students came to Village Hall (with a chaperone) to discuss the logistics of having a smaller March 24 “March for Our Lives” type event in Ridgewood. Village Manager Heather Mailander, Police Chief Luthcke and I met with the students to better understand the best venue to accommodate RHS students who wanted to hold a more local event within our the Village community. Additionally, the students wanted to remain focused on preventing school violence without being political. ”
While they had an idea to hold an event at either a Village park or BFMS, money remained an obstacle. Significant funds are required to pay for insurance, police costs, permits, etc. Working diligently to get organized they quickly setup a GoFundMe page. My understanding is if they don’t raise the needed funds by the deadline for a 3/24 event they’ll simply regroup and reschedule. I hope they do. If not, perhaps they’ll donate to a good cause or use for future programming. Either way, they will have my full support.
The mayor said, “These young people deserve our thanks and encouragement; they were poised, respectful, polite, caring and honest! Please consider helping by donating now and sharing my post forward!”
https://www.gofundme.com/walkout-movement-funds
Nice to see the kids are looking out for the taxpayers ,but are we the only one who finds this who thing very disingenuous? Or are helicopter parent funded protests the norm now? There is simple no such thing as a “Government Sanctioned Protests ” . lets see its sanctioned by the schools, , the mayor , the teachers union , and the Democrat party . Does not sound like much of a protest to me .
Real protests are not clean and neat and get out of control very fast , is there no concern the some parents may be unwittingly putting their children in danger ? This is not a protest this is promoting an agenda .
Village Council Explores the Idea of Using Ridgewood Open Space funds to restore and repair Maple Turf Field
March 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Village council has decided to take a look at using Ridgewood Open Space funds to restore and repair Maple Turf Field. The Council debated on funding to fix the field , the $600,000 of open space funds have been sitting for some time , and the Village manager pushed the idea of raiding the unused open space funds then bonding afterward. Councilmen Hache said there were some grant options and councilwomen Walsh focused on the shared responsibility to maintain the field.
The council will look to sports groups for regular maintenance funds and to enforce rules that extend the life of the fields.
While the Ridgewood blog and others warned about the fiscal dangers of installing a turf field in a flood plain , the fact is the field is there ,it can not be currently used in its present condition and the money is available . Sorry its a little late to cry over open space funds for turf fields and it would be better for the Village to deal with the reality we presently have than fantasizing about what could or would have been.
Once again this is a learning experience on how voters are stuck with the long term consequences of their actions. Like the high density housing the Turf Field is part of the Village and must be maintained as such and again you can not blame the present council for the mess that others created.
Ridgewood Water Looks to Raise Rates for the First Time In Three years
March 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water told the council that they need to raise water rates. The utility has not raised rates in over 3 years . The utility used the Woods study which concluded that Ridgewood Water charges were low and the distribution of the charges were inefficient. Fixed charges for 5/8 meters, the meters most common in Ridgewood Households should bring in 20% of utility expenses and currently they were bringing in 16% .The increase to about 18,000 or so customers effected will be about $7.41 per quarter increase .
As many readers know in July of 2017 Superior Court Judge Perez Friscia ordered Ridgewood’s water-rate ordinance invalid and that the matter be remanded to the village so the rates could be recalculated. The ruling came after Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park, sued the utility, claiming in a class action lawsuit that Ridgewood Water inflated its costs, by comingling Village expenses and unlawfully raised its rates.
Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park sued Ridgewood Water over a 31-percent rate increase from 2010 to 2012.The suit, filed on behalf of ratepayers in 2011 . Ridgewood representatives claimed the increase was necessary for the utility to stay solvent.
In a court-ordered report that the utility had a revenue shortfall of more than $400,000 from 2010 to 2012.The report concluded that the rate charged by the village’s water utility undercharged ratepayers for 2010 and 2011.
While the report was called ridiculous and self serving .The ruling left the plaintiffs to pay their massive legal fees .
Reader suggests “walkout-movement-funds” Is a backdoor fundraising for upcoming council elections
photo , one click and 4000 were notified that Alexandra Harwin was running for office
- They changed the title of the campaign – Earlier it was “walkout-movement-funds” which is still the URL – but now the title says – “Student Activism Club Funds”.
- lauren and john saraceno – $100. Is this a backdoor fundraising for upcoming council elections?
- Supporting Harwin, from Voigt to Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, Sonenfeld, Hauck, HalabyX2…..does any right-minded person think she would be good for the town?????
- Isn’t Harwin the one all over Facebook that took private e mails from 15 year olds during school hours to push her agenda? That is sneaky and scary to me. I have children in that school and do not need that kind of agendas being pushed!! Unethical!
- In addition to collecting the home addresses of minors who attended her presentation, she also collected their e-mail addresses. What is going to be done with this data? Who will these e-mails be passed along to?
- Wasn’t Ms. Harwin’s spouse, Rabbi Noah Fabricant, collecting the e-mail addresses of Jewish children in Ridgewood, allegedly to notify them of bias incidents?
- Both spouses collecting the e-mail addresses of minors? Something doesn’t seem quite right with this.
- Ms Harwin has removed her membership from a Facebook Page that was asking legitimate questions about her appearance at RHS yesterday. She does not want to see what people are saying. She does not want to respond to people’s concerns. What a gal. She surely does not think she can represent the entire village if she is only willing to hear what her supporters have to say.
Dr. Semendinger letter regarding an incident at Hawes on February 28th
Paul Semendinger, Ed.D. Principal
March 8, 2018
Dear Parents & Hawes Community,
It has come to my attention that there is a news article that was posted that speaks of an incident that occurred after hours at Hawes last week. This letter explains the situation.
On Friday, February 28, at about 7:45 p.m., a man entered the lobby of Hawes while a recreational sporting event was taking place in the gym. The man seemed to be looking for directions. A parent, who also happens to be district employee, addressed the person and asked him to leave the building. The man complied. Since the man appeared in distress, the employee called the police who were on the scene immediately.
Based on reports from the police to both Dr. Fishbein and myself, there was no danger involved in this incident. The stranger did not enter the building while school was in session, nor was he on the property or vicinity during school hours. He was cooperative and followed the district employee’s directions.
As has been shared previously, we take the safety of the school, the students, and the staff very seriously. At Hawes, all of the doors are locked and closed during school hours. There is no access to the building during the school day except through buzzing the main office. As any who have come to the school in recent weeks know, before our secretaries give permission to enter the building, they ask for the person’s name and the reason for wishing to enter.
The safety and security of our students and staff are always our main priority.
My Best, Paul Semendinger, Ed.D. Principal
Murphy Plans to Deliver on Promises to Raise Your Taxes
march 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Gov. Murphy introduces 2019 budget in State House address, and no surprise he rattled off a series of significant tax increases for the garden State . Murphy had run on a platform of raising taxes or what critics called “Murphy’s Law” and here is just a few he wants to start with ; a sales tax increase to 7%, tax on AirBnB rentals , new taxes on Uber and Lyft, E- Cigarette taxes, legal Marijuana taxes of 25% plus sales tax, income tax for $1 million plus and new business taxes.
Ridgewood Parents Raise Money for “Student led Walkout” ?
![students-protest-guns-nra-1-gty-thg-180307_12x5_992[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/students-protest-guns-nra-1-gty-thg-180307_12x5_9921.jpg "Ridgewood Parents Raise Money for \"Student led Walkout\" ?")
March 13,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood parent group pushes financial support for “student led ” protest or walkout . According to a Facebook post , “Since the Village would rather that parents not be present to support our students, we can support them financially (so what else is new???). If you would like to stand in solidarity with our students, join them in one of the marches on March 24th.”
https://www.gofundme.com/walkout-movement-funds
On the gofundme page it says, “These funds are needed for the Students Demand Action high school club. We are Ridgewood High School students from Ridgewood, NJ and are comprised of over 100 diverse students, who have come together and are determined to make a change after one of the most recent school shootings in Parkland, Florida. Although most of us are not directly related to the victims of the shooting, we, just like the students in Parkland are just that. Students. Kids. Teens. We want to be able to go to school and feel safe- we do not want to have to constantly worried that our family or our friends or even us could be gone in a heartbeat just because the wrong person has a gun. We are planning a rally for the 24th of March and need to reach our goal of $5,000 as soon as possible. These funds will be used to ensure a safe rally with police and canine presence as well as to help pay for the venue, insurances, permits, food, advertising, technology (speakers, lights, etc.), and anything else that may come up. When this money is withdrawed it will go to paying these expenses and any money left over will be either used for a future rally or donated to a Victim’s Fund. We have already received such an outstanding amount of support from our teachers, district, and town hall, and to reach our goal would help us make great strides in the school safety movement and lead to a safer tomorrow. For everyone. ”
So what exactly is this group , Students Demand Action high school club going to do with the $5,000 ? While some suggest , “Maybe they are trying to get money to pay for the cops and fireman. This march/rally has nothing to do with curriculum. Why should taxpayers pay for this? What a mess this is and the roots go back to the 3 Amigos and their politics. ”
Other suggest “bail money” .
Comparisons – rates & hours parking in “high end” municipalities with train stations
Taken from the internet:
Montclair, 8-7 M-Sat, 1.00 per hour street, .75 per hour off street
Millburn, ?-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Summit, 8-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Westfield, 10-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Red Bank, 9-6 M-Sat, 1.00 per hour street, .50 per hour off street
Princeton, 8-7 M-Sat, 1.25 per hour
Morristown, complex plan – depends upon where in City
Reader says Kids concerned that peers and teachers will look at her differently if they stay in classroom
My kid is in HS and doesn’t feel like she wants to go for the walkout. However she asked me what she should do as she is concerned that peers and teachers will look at her differently if she stays in classroom. See what happens? What am I supposed to tell her? I want her to follow her heart but I am also concerned that she may be subject to repercussions. This walkout shouldn’t happen during school hours. Either after hours or weekends. This way kids would be free to act as they wish without concerns of being watched. This administration is ruining the kids with political siding.
Councilmen Ramon Hache has Consitantly Promoted the Same Positions
Ramon Hache last campaign flier
March 13,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, recently we have had a spat of emails and comments voicing concern over councilmen Ramon Hache changing his positions on key issues affecting the Village of Ridgewood . So the Ridgewood blog investigated if the criticism was valid or not and came to the conclusion is was not .
Ramon was against the oversized garage that was proposed by the “3 Amigos” . That garage over flowed the property line into the street a fact well hidden by the former administration.
Village Council elections will be held on May 8th and there are 4 candidates competing for two village council seat
March 13,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council elections will be held on May 8th and there are 4 candidates competing for two village council seats. There are two challengers , Janice Willett and Alexandra Harwin
and two current incumbent council members Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon.
Ridgewood Council candidates -Two four-year council seats
Janice Willett
Susan Knudsen
Alexandra Harwin
Mike Sedon
Reader says there will be two “student led” Protests on March 14th
file photo by Boyd Loving
We are aware that many RHS students will be participating in the student-led national walkout on the one-month anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. On March 14 at 10:00 A.M., students will assemble on the front lawn of the high school to participate in speeches, songs, and a moment of silence. After 17 minutes, they will return to the building to resume class. The event is organized by Students Demand Action, a newly formed club at RHS. The students will pay tribute to the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and express their desire for safer schools.
Simultaneously, another newly formed student-led group will assemble in the Campus Center to advocate for safer schools and Second Amendment rights.
If a student does not wish to participate in these assemblies, he or she may remain in class with the teacher or, if on a free period, in the building with designated faculty members.
