High density housing set the stage for developers to subdivide and cram lots. This is only the beginning and there is no recourse to stop them. It’s all now permissible and within code. How does Planning Board say No? Attorneys will milk this.
December 20,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the staff of the Ridgewood blog has noticed on the Facebook page of the Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock ie CRAB , chaired by Jan Philips was an ad to help illegals resist deportation and does appear that the board is openly looking to resist federal law . The blog wonders if the Village of Ridgewood Chief of Police Jacqueline Luthcke is in accordance with this policy ?
ICE just reported the arrests 101 in a New Jersey operation targeting criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and immigration violators.
ICE reports that a Mexican national in the country illegally, who has a prior conviction for sexual assault on a minor, is among 101 foreign nationals taken into custody during a five-day operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week in New Jersey, targeting at-large criminal aliens, illegal re-entrants and other immigration violators. The operation was supported by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) New Jersey Field Office.
Of those arrested during the operation, which was spearheaded by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), 88 percent were convicted criminals and 80 percent of them had prior felony convictions.
The New Jersey enforcement effort comes days after the agency announced a 40 percent spike in administrative arrests nationwide over last year – 92 percent of which had a criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge, were an ICE fugitive, or were an illegal re-entrant.
“The continued results of our Fugitive Operations officers and their law enforcement partners underscore ICE’s ongoing and steady commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “As part of this operation, we continue focus on the arrest of individuals who are criminal and are a threat to public safety and national security. Because of the tireless efforts of these professional officers, there are 101 fewer criminals in our communities.”
“HSI is committed to leveraging its broad jurisdiction to further public safety in New Jersey,” said Michael McCarthy, acting special agent in charge for HSI Newark.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Leon Hayward, acting director for the New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts, such as the one leading to these arrests, that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”
The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Brazil (3), Colombia (4), Congo (1), Costa Rica (3), Cuba (4), Dominican Republic (18), Ecuador (2), Egypt (2), El Salvador (7), Ethiopia (1), Georgia (1), Guatemala (6), Guyana (3), Haiti (3), Honduras (8), Jamaica (1), Korea (2), Liberia (1), Mexico (15), Nicaragua (1), Nigeria (1), Pakistan (1), Philippines (2), Peru (2), Portugal (1), Spain (2), Turkey (2), United Kingdom (1), Ukraine (1), Venezuela (1) and Vietnam (1).
These individuals were arrested in the following counties in New Jersey: Atlantic (2), Bergen (6), Burlington (7), Camden (11), Cumberland (3), Essex (14), Hudson (15), Mercer (6), Middlesex (11), Monmouth (3), Morris (1), Passaic (9), Somerset (4), and Union (6) and the following counties in New York: Kings(1), New York (1), and Suffolk (1).
They range from age 20 to 71 years old and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, trespassing, DUI, fraud, possession of child pornography, domestic violence, battery, receiving stolen property, theft, possession of a weapon, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault, aggravated assault on law enforcement, assault by auto, shoplifting, invasion of privacy-recording sexual act without consent, resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child, and illegal reentry.
Among those arrested during this operation include:
A Mexican citizen convicted of sexual assault of a minor
A Turkish citizen convicted of possession of child pornography
A Peruvian citizen convicted of invasion of privacy-recording a sexual act w/o consent
A Colombian citizen convicted of aggravated battery and domestic violence assault
A Spanish citizen convicted of storing/maintaining child pornography
A Philippines citizen convicted of possession of methamphetamine
A Dominican citizen convicted of cocaine distribution and possession
A Guyanese citizen convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon
An Egyptian citizen convicted of possession of heroin
An El Salvadorian citizen convicted of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury
A Korean citizen convicted of distribution of cocaine
ICE deportation officers conduct targeted enforcement operations every day in locations around the country as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to protect the nation, uphold public safety and protect the integrity of our immigration laws and border controls.
During targeted enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE.
ICE continues to focus its enforcement resources on individuals who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security. ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy. However, as ICE Acting Director Thomas Homan has made clear, ICE does not exempt classes or categories of removable aliens from potential enforcement. All of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and, if found removable by final order, removal from the United States.
Jan Phillips, Chair of the Community Relations Advisory Board you should know better. You should be stripped of your title and removed from the Board immediately. How do you hold such a position and undermine a legal process that defended a public that was violated? The complaint was substantiated, evidence reviewed and they were found guilty. Instead You should work towards improving community relations without prejudice. Have you reached out to the public they violated? What about an open forum, at your next meeting, to hear true resident input?
I watched last night’s meeting. They were trying to figure out how to budget with the coming property tax situation in NJ. They were real concerned about health care premiums going up too.
The answer is staring them in the face: What other states do CONSOLIDATION. New Jersey will be forced into it. One school supt. per several towns, and so on for police, fire, and so on.
And you know what that is a good thing. It’s about time. Rutgers has been recommending for years. In fact all universities with town planning programs say that. Many states do. So pig greedy NJ. Let’s be good and nice not naughty and consolidate. You will be forced into it.
photo courtesy of NJ state police
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
North Brunswick NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog , in Weapons and Uniforms Stolen from a State Troopers Car May Have Been Used in an armed robbery in Middlesex County https://theridgewoodblog.net/weapons-and-uniforms-stolen-from-a-state-troopers-car-may-have-been-used-in-an-armed-robbery-in-middlesex-county/
The New Jersey State Police and North Brunswick Police Department are cooperatively investigating the theft of an unmarked troop car, which was stolen from a trooper’s residence in North Brunswick and then used during the commission of two robberies and a theft at a gas station.
On Sunday, December 17, a New Jersey State Trooper reported his troop car stolen at approximately 9:39 a.m. when he discovered it missing from his driveway. The troop car contained several uniforms, two issued weapons, and other issued equipment.
Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives determined that the suspect and troop car were involved with three incidents early Sunday morning. At 6:50 a.m., a truck driver reported a robbery to State Police after he was stopped by the suspect using the stolen troop car on the New Jersey Turnpike southbound at milepost 74.7 in South Brunswick. During the interaction, the suspect stole cash from the driver. At 7:19 a.m., the suspect fueled the troop car at a gas station on St. George Avenue in Colonia, N.J. and left without paying. At 7:30 a.m., the suspect stopped a cab at the Woodbridge Center Mall in Woodbridge, N.J. and stole cash from the driver. No weapons were brandished during any of the incidents.
This is an active investigation, and we continue to work cooperatively with North Brunswick Police Department and local law enforcement. There is no further information available at this time. Anyone concerned or suspicious about the validity of an officer’s identification should call 9-1-1 to report the information and seek confirmation of the officer’s credentials.
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, for the third time in as many weeks a supporter of the failed Aronsohn administration attempts to make excuses for the unethical behavior of both the former mayor Paul Aronsohn and his side kick former Village manager Roberta Sonnefeld . In a letter , “Regarding ethics fines brought against former officials”https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/12/14/letter-regarding-ethics-fines-brought-against-former-officials/952325001/ Ridgewood resident Jan T. Philips attempts to throw dispersions by attacking “transparency” , in her letter she says , “what was the basis for the seven-member board’s determination? Without the finding of fact for a conclusion, what we are left with is a capricious and arbitrary ruling that mocks transparency.”
Funny coming form supporters of the Aronsohn Administration aka the 3 Amigos , did they not lie and obfuscate the size and scope of the garage as well as its intended use ? Did not the former Village manager make a mess of the Parkmobile contract ? And what about the gimmie at Habernickel Park ?
The Ridgewood blog has documented at length their disgraceful and abusive behavior toward residents while pushing special deals for their friends and supporters . It time for residents to distance themselves from this aberrant behavior and treat these followers like the social piranhas they are. Unethical behavior should never be supported , endorsed or promoted, period.
file photo by Boyd Loving
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The League, along with a coalition of local government groups have made clear to the Legislature the need to extend the cap on arbitration awards , The league called on local mayors , saying “We know that hundreds of municipalities have publicly called for the extension of the cap, but it is clear we must redouble our efforts to maintain this important protection for property taxpayers”. The law is set to expire in two weeks.
In an analysis of the cap released this fall found it saved taxpayers $530 million on police and firefighter salaries and more broadly found the duo of caps saved taxpayers $2.9 billion.
The expiration date coincides with the expiration of at least 100 public safety municipal contracts, according to the League of Municipalities, and proponents said they would expect unions to quickly file for interest arbitration.
“The conclusions the data supports are undeniable. The arbitration award cap and property tax cap are unseverable and essential policies if we are serious about keeping property tax increases at the historically low rates of the last few years. The data and the report confirm what the laws of mathematics dictated from the start, you can’t have an effective cap on property taxes without an identical cap on arbitration awards. We can’t tell local officials their revenues can only increase by two percent, but that the largest line item in their budgets must increase by three percent or eight percent or any amount higher than the tax cap. And it isn’t just police and firefighter salary costs that are effected, there is a ripple effect throughout all salary expenses.” , Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.
The League of Municipalities says that Trenton needs to hear directly from you on the critical need for the common sense extension of the 2% cap on interest arbitration awards. In 32 calendar days the cap will expire along with over a 100 police and fire contracts. With this deadline looming, local officials’ voices must be heard in Trenton. If the cap is not extended it will be local leaders, not the special interest groups or State elected leaders, facing the dilemma of funding an unelected third party arbitrator’s award under the state mandated 2% levy cap.
In addition, to personally contacting your State representatives on the urgent need for the 2% cap on interest arbitration awards, please contact the following:
Senate President Sweeney at 856-251-9801 or [email protected]
Senate Republic Leader Kean at 908-232-3673 or [email protected]
Assembly Speaker Prieto at 201-770-1303 or [email protected]
Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick at 908-232-2073 or [email protected]
Assembly Speaker Elect Coughlin at 732-855-7441 or [email protected]
Governor Christie at 609-292-6000
Governor-Elect Murphy (Transition office) 609- 292-4075
file photo
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in a new twist on the long standing lawsuit again Ridgewood Water a consultant hired by the village says Ridgewood Water actually undercharged ratepayers in 2010 and 2011, a time when the utility was found by a Superior Court judge to have wrongly raised rates to cover village debt.
In July, Superior Court Judge Lisa Perez Friscia ruled in favor of the plaintiffs ;Wyckoff, Midland Park and Glen Rock, which are served by Ridgewood Water and had sued the village over rate increases between 2010 and 2012. The three municipalities argued that Ridgewood Water was using the excess fees to cover unrelated operating costs for the village of Ridgewood.
As previously reported Judge Friscia, called Ridgewood Water’s rate hikes arbitrary, and told the village to recalculate the charges.
An announcement Monday by Village Manager Heather Mailander said that Howard Woods, the consultant hired to recalculate the correct rates, released a 247-page “initial report” to Judge Friscia on Monday, stating that customers were actually undercharged for their water usage during the first two years covered in the lawsuit.
Mailander’s announcement went on to say that despite the increase there was still an overall “shortfall” of over $400,000 for the span of all three years.
Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff are currently appealing the July decision and are asking for not only a recalculation of rates, but are seeking $13.4 million in refunds and $3.6 million in damages.
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Hackensack Police ticketed 500 drivers for parking illegally in a handicapped parking spaces, and they recently confiscated hundreds of fake and expired handicapped parking tags , in Hackensack and at Riverside Square Mall .
NEW JERSEY HANDICAPPED PARKING LAWS
Prohibit parking motor vehicles in handicapped spaces without a special vehicle identification card; mandate initial and subsequent fines of $250 each and up to 90 days of community services (C.39:4-197.(3)c).
Authorize municipalities to establish handicapped spaces in front of residences, schools, hospitals, public buildings, and in shopping and business districts (C.39:4-197.5).
Authorize municipalities to establish handicapped parking zones in front of residences occupied by people with disabilities, unless such parking interferes with the flow of traffic (C.39:4-197.6).
Enable enforcement officers to enforce handicapped parking laws on both public and private property (C.39:4-138.o).
Authorize municipalities to set up parking enforcement units that concentrate on shopping centers and malls (C.39.4-197.9).
Authorize eligible people with disabilities to request law enforcement officers to arrange for the removal and storage of motor vehicles unlawfully parked in handicapped parking spaces or zones (C.39:4-207.7).
file photo by Boyd Loving
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Residents have reported that the latest round of IRS phone scams is spoofing the Ridgewood Police Departments phone number to make it appear that the call is coming from the Ridgewood Police.
How it works and what you can do to protect yourself.
Scammers make unsolicited calls claiming to be IRS officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill. They con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. They may also leave “urgent” callback requests through phone “robo-calls,” or via a phishing email.
Many phone scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. They may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don’t get the money.
Scammers often alter caller ID numbers to make it look like the IRS or another agency is calling. The callers use IRS titles and fake badge numbers to appear legitimate. They may use the victim’s name, address and other personal information to make the call sound official.
Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam.
The IRS will never:
* Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
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* Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
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* Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
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* Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
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* Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:
If you don’t owe taxes, or have no reason to think that you do:
* Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
*
* Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” webpage. You can also call 800-366-4484.
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* Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
If you know you owe, or think you may owe tax:
* Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. IRS workers can help you.
Stay alert to scams that use the IRS as a lure. Tax scams can happen any time of year, not just at tax time. For more, visit “Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts” on IRS.gov.
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov.
December 19,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The project is progressing along with two of the stream crossings, East Ridgewood Ave. & North Irving St. completed with the exception of final restoration which will be completed in the Spring of 2018. The third stream crossing, Spring Avenue is 60% completed.
Keeping to schedule, Deven’s Construction will mobilizing to the fourth stream crossing, Linwood Avenue during the week of December 4th. Construction activities will include moving equipment and materials on site followed-up by mobilization of the crew. The first order of business will be to install the sheet piling in the stream bed and construction of the new water main thru the stream. We anticipate approximately 5 – 7 weeks for completion of the entire Linwood Avenue water main reconstruction barring any unforeseen conditions and inclement weather.
Devens Construction will be coordinating with the Ridgewood police who will be directing traffic around work areas on an as needed basis. Expected work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7am – 4:30pm, with possible Saturday work.
December 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will be holding its regular public meeting December 18 2017 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center.
At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 9:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8:00 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at about 9:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.
At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics.
At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times.
Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds.
Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.
December 18, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today approved the purchase of 17 additional dual-powered locomotives manufactured by Bombardier Transit Corporation. The new locomotives will allow NJ TRANSIT Rail Operations to retire some of the oldest locomotives in the fleet to increase mechanical reliability, operational flexibility and efficiency.
“The addition of these new dual-powered locomotives continues our effort to modernize our rail fleet,” said Executive Director Steven H. Santoro. “These locomotives can operate across the entire rail system in either electric or diesel mode providing us with greater versatility and operating efficiency.”
The ALP45 locomotives will replace NJ TRANSIT’s aging fleet of GP40 and F40-series locomotives, which were initially manufactured in the late 1960s. The older locomotives have reached the end of their service life and have become increasingly more expensive to maintain. In addition, the GP40s and F40s are becoming functionally obsolete as a result of their limited pulling power and ability to provide electrical power to the larger, heavier multi-level passenger coaches.
The ALP45 locomotives are designed to operate push-pull passenger train service on both electrified and non-electrified lines at speeds of up to 125 mph in electric mode and up to 100 mph in diesel mode. The locomotives will meet the current EPA Tier IV requirements, reducing emissions compared to the locomotives to be replaced when operating in diesel mode, and producing no emissions when operating in electric mode. The ALP45s offer a significant increase in horsepower, acceleration and available head-end power over the GP40s they will be replacing.
In 2008, the Board of Directors approved a contract with Bombardier Transit Corporation for the purchase of 26 ALP45 dual-powered locomotives, with an option to purchase up to 63 additional locomotives in the future. In July 2011, NJ TRANSIT purchased 9 additional locomotives, increasing the total number of ALP45s to 35. The first locomotive was delivered in December 2011. The introduction of the dual-powered ALP45s in 2011 marked a first for this technology in the United States.
Today, the Board approved the purchase of 17 additional ALP45 locomotives at a total contract authorization of $184.5 million, under the 2008 contract with Bombardier Transit Corporation.
December 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, an online petition is be circulated by Ridgewood residents looking to stop the over development of the Village . The planning board in the past has not excepted online petitions some residents hope to bring pressure and sanity to the process .
TIRED OF SUBDIVISIONS AND DEVELOPERS taking down our homes, clear cutting 16 trees, eliminating open space, reducing our property values but raising our taxes.
#JUSTSAYNO to this 250 year old street and 157 year old homes being torn down. Attend the next planning board meeting 12/19 and support your residents – or please help to sign the petition.
https://petitions.moveon.org/sign/stop-destruction-of-historic?source=c.em.cp&r_by=19358725
December 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
North Brunswick NJ, according to State police an unmarked trooper SUV was stolen overnight in Middlesex County.
NJ State Police report the white Chevrolet Tahoe vanished sometime Saturday evening or early Sunday morning in the area of North Brunswick.
The vehicle was found Sunday in North Brunswick, but two uniforms and two weapons that had been inside the car were gone.
Police say the stolen weapons and uniforms may have been used in an armed robbery in Middlesex County Sunday morning.
John Longo a retire police officer said ,” In 26 years on the job, I never left weapons and uniforms in a vehicle overnight….this adds to that whistle blower female trooper’s allegations about unqualified applicants going through their police academy and appointed on the job. This makes me question their integrity and their abilities. People could have been killed during this armed robbery due to someone’s stupidity ”
So the question remains, Why are troopers leaving weapons in an unattended vehicle?
