Author: James

Posted on by — 7 Comments

2018 RIDGEWOOD PARKING PERMITS GO ON SALE MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2017 at 8:30AM

Ridgewood Trainstation_theridgewoodblog

January – December 2018

Ridgewood Parking Permits – RPP

Hourly meter rates in all Village lots and streets are $.50 per hour from 10AM to 6PM, Monday through Saturday. 3 hour meters on streets & in all lots, except the Cottage Place Lot which has 8 hour meters.

RPP – (Ridgewood Parking Permit) provides ‘coinless’ convenience and can be used for unlimited parking in specified lots.  $750 Annual permits are issued for a calendar year to residents for parking in Chestnut St., N. Walnut St., Cottage Pl., Route 17 Park & Ride Lots. $1,000 Annual Premium RPP will be issued for parking at the Train Station, and all other Ridgewood Lots. A maximum of 210 Annual Premium RPP will be issued.

$1,500 Non-Resident Permit allows parking in Cottage Place Lot; $750 Permit allows parking in the Rt. 17 Park & Ride Lot.

Payment may be made by check or cash. We accept credit cards that will have a 3% convenience fee charged to the purchaser.

If the Resident RPP is purchased later in the year, fees are prorated as follows:

RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

  

Purchase Month

  

FEE

 RESIDENT Purchase Month  

FEE

  

Purchase Month

  

FEE
January $ 750 July $ 370 January $1,000 July $ 496
February $ 690 August $ 300 February $ 916 August $ 412
March $ 625 September $ 245 March $ 832 September $ 328
April $ 560 October $ 185 April $ 748 October $ 244
May $ 500 November $ 120 May $ 664 November $ 160
June $ 435 December $ 65 June $ 580 December $ 76

Applications are available at the Village Hall Reception Desk Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM. All Applicants – residents and non-residents – must show current Driver’s License and valid Vehicle Registration(s) for up to three vehicles. For flexibility, you can list 3 vehicles on a permit, but the permit can only be used by 1 car for 1 parking space at a time.

All lots, including the Train Station Lot, will require a free Ridgewood Resident Parking Sticker in addition to the purchased RPP.  Resident parking stickers are issued annually for free to residents only at the Village Hall Reception Desk.  This sticker confirms you are a resident.

RPPs can be used in any metered space in the lots designated for that particular permit and provides unlimited parking from the hours of 6AM to 2AM. On Saturday, RPPs may be used in any lot, but not in the CBD Employee Spaces. They are not valid for street parking. The hangtag permit must be displayed on the rearview mirror when the vehicle is parked. RPP does not guarantee availability of a parking space.

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Reader says I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronsohn

Ridgewood Yard Signs

I don’t know that I disagree with Weitz on his general point, but he completely overlooks the fact that nasty barbs and citizen put downs were the stock in trade of Mayor Aronson. Simply put – He was mean and nasty to those who disagreed with him. No one trusted him in the least. (And who can forget Deputy Mayor I Am the Only One IN Town with a Day Job.) And Evan, to be frank, you were rumoured on the campaign trail to toss a few barbs yourself when you ran on the Arohnson supported ticket.

So, yes, Evan is right, we need to tone it down sometimes. But his fake news and attempt to resurrect Arohnson from the political graveyard he richly deserves isn’t helping us at all.

Posted on by — 7 Comments

Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

parkmobile_meter

 

December 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Simply put, the situation involving Parkmobile constitutes a blatant case of FRAUD.

Officers of Parkmobile convinced elected officials to adopt a formal resolution that approved the signing of a contract with their company. The adopted resolution stated in plain English that the Village would not be charged in any way, shape, or form. All costs were to be paid for by users on a per transaction basis. Then, Parkmobile somehow convinced former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld to sign a contract granting Parkmobile a percentage of the parking revenue from every transaction involving their app.

Bait and switch, plain and simple. One bill of goods was sold to the Council, another was sold to Roberta Sonenfeld.

FRAUD I say. I maintain the contract is invalid because it is in direct conflict with what our elected officials were told, and what they approved via resolution.

I’m about to call up that attorney who is handling the case against the Board of Education (Rosemarie Aronold of Fort Lee) and ask her to file a class action suit against Parkmobile for triple damages, court costs, and attorney’s fees.

FRAUD, FRAUD, FRAUD!

https://www.rosemariearnold.com/

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Tractor Trailer Jackknifes on Washington Avenue in Washington Township

Tractor Trailer Jackknifes on Washington Avenue in Washington Township

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

December 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington Twp NJ, An inexperienced tractor trailer driver was unable to negotiate a steep portion of Washington Avenue west of Van Emburgh Avenue in Washington Township on Tuesday afternoon, 12/12 and lost control of the rig while trying to back down the hill. Washington Township Police responded and issued multiple summonses to the driver and impounded the rig for being unregistered and uninsured. A heavy duty tow truck driver freed the rig from its predicament before towing it to the impound yard. No one was injured in the incident.

Posted on by — 16 Comments

Former Council Candidate Evan Weitz Defends Past Unethical Behavior of Former Mayor and Village Manager

Roberta

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, In a letter to the editor : A lack of civility in Ridgewood https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/12/12/letter-lack-civility-ridgewood/944073001/, former council candidate Evan Weitz sticks up for ethically challenged former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn , and former breath of fresh air Village Manager Roberta Sonnefeld .

Wietz like may New Jersey politicians supports the philosophy that the rules are only for the little people and politicians and their flunkies are always above reproach ,they are here for self promotion, self aggrandizement and personal gain at your expense .

The boiler plate letter is almost believable except that it defends a group of people and their supporters who called residents “terrorist” , “grandstanders” , physically attacking legal petitioners in the central business district , mocked people who lived on the far east side of Ridgewood, hosted efforts to silence dissent , attacked businesses that didn’t go along with their schemes and egregious mishandled almost ever public forum they held.

Posted on by — 6 Comments

Governor-elect Phil Murphy formally nominates Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal to serve as the state’s next attorney general

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  In an historic moment for the Garden State, Governor-elect Phil Murphy this morning formally nominated Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal, a Sikh American to serve as the state’s next attorney general.

“Our state needs someone with a steel backbone who will stand up to President Trump to protect the values of our state and all 9 million of our residents,” Murphy told reporters at a Statehouse press conference, standing beside Grewal, who is poised to become the first South Asian attorney general in New Jersey history and the first Sikh to serve as an attorney general in American history.

Grewal is a Georgetown University grad, who attended law school at the College of William and Mary, and built his career in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and as Bergen County Prosecutor, where he oversees 3,000 law enforcement officers and 70 municipalities.

“We are turning the page in New Jersey and I am honored to have Gurbir. There should be no mistake. He is a proud son of immigrants. His story is the American story,” said the Governor-elect.

Murphy is clearly trying to make a point based on the race , the Ridgewood blog thinks Murphy blinded by politics may have gotten more than he bargained for . Grewal a Democrat who was appointed by Republican Chris Christie . The Democrats delayed the confirmation of Grewal for some time . It seems Grewal is pretty much a straight shooter unlike his political motivated predecessor and would not play ball for the usual Democrat talking points .

While Murphy bills Grewal as the point man against President Donald Trump , most experts think Trump policies are the lest of  the Governor elect’s list of things to be worrying about . The states apocalyptic financial situation, depleted tax base , massive unfunded pension liabilities and a huge level of illegal aliens living in the state have most Trenton watchers placing bets as to date for the total collapse of New Jersey finances

Posted on by — Leave a comment

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA

temp_cell_tower_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT AGENDA
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Village Hall Court Room – 7:30 P.M.

Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance
Statement required by the Open Public Meeting Act “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in the Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including date and time of this meeting”.
Please note: A curfew of 11:00 PM is strictly adhered to by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood. No new matter involving an Applicant will be started after 10:30 PM. At 10:00 PM the Chairman will make a determination and advise Applicants as to whether they will be heard. If an Applicant cannot be heard because of the lateness of the hour, the matter will be carried over to a future meeting to be determined by the Board at 10:00 PM.
Roll call
Approval of minutes: September 12, 2107
Non-agenda items:
Board member comments
Members of the public comments
Public hearings
Old Business:
657 RIDGEWOOD LLC – Review revised landscape plan as per Resolution, at 657 Franklin Turnpike, Block 4703, Lot 14, in an OB-2 zone.
NEW CINGULAR WIRELESS PCS, LLC – An application to amend the Resolution approving a temporary 75 foot pole with antennas at the top and related equipment at the base of the pole to extend the time of removal from January 10, 2018 to June 30, 2018 at 490 Route 17, Block 4703, Lot 11, in an OB-2 zone.
309 WESTGATE ASSOCIATES, LLC – An application to permit the construction of a new single family residence on a nonconforming lot located upon a steep slope
at 309 Westgate Road, Block 2808, Lot13, in an R-125 zone. (Continued from October 24, 2017)

AGENDA – CONTINUATION December 12, 2017
New Business:
KIM HEKIMIAN – An application to permit a second floor addition and stone patio which will result in a front yard setback of 34.7 feet to the porch, where 40 feet is required and a side yard setback of 6.5 feet, where 10 feet is required at 255 North Walnut Street, Block 1920, Lot 1, in an R-2 zone.
Resolution memorialization: Kleimann, 224 S. Van Dien
Licitra/Douglass, 584 Cliff Street
Discussion
Adjournment

Posted on by — 4 Comments

NFL Ratings Continue Huge Drop for ‘Sunday Night Football’

Goodell_theridgewoodblog

December 12,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Week 14 and the NFL ratings implosion continues .Sunday Night Football represented one of the NFL’s last chance to right the ship ,but no dice, didn’t happen.

The NFL Sunday night match with two very viable playoff teams ended up a ratings disaster . The Week 14 battle betweem the Ravens and the Steelers ended up a 39-38 victory for Pittsburgh. Ratings were down 30% in the from last year’s Week 14 match-up between the Giants and Cowboys.

Overall, the game earned an 11.6 rating which was still good enough to win the sleepy Sunday night for NBC. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter “…even with such a tight match-up, this week’s marquee primetime game was down 11 percent” from last week.

Add these awful numbers in with the rest of the awful primetime numbers for the NFL this year. Plus the league’s well-advertised attendance problem, and it’s easy to understand why networks like Fox sports are unable to afford to send people to the Super Bowl this year, due to revenue losses from the NFL.

Long time watchers of the sport lament the “end of the NFL” and perhaps the end of network television as we know it .

Not everyone is suffering however the Commissioner Roger Goodell continue to fail upwards signing a new contract last week, worth up to $200 million.

Posted on by — 25 Comments

New Rescue Truck for Ridgewood Emergency Services

ridgewood emergency services

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Volunteers of Ridgewood Emergency Services have placed into service, a new Rescue Truck, replacing an aging vehicle that was not meeting the needs of the Department.

This Rescue Truck will be used to provide scene lighting, generator power, traffic control and rehabilitation at emergency scenes while supporting EMS, Police, and Fire Department operations in providing a safer environment for all responders to complete the mission at hand.

Ridgewood Emergency Services Chief Tony Lillo stated that “Deputy Chief Ryan Savaria and his committee spent countless hours in preparing what type of vehicle would best serve the Departments needs and that of the Village of Ridgewood.” The Rescue Truck was customized and built to specifications set by the committee.”

The chassis is a 2017 Ford F550 with a 5-seat crew cab crew and an 11-foot rescue body. There are slide out trays on each side for easy access to the equipment. A rear slide out tray provides for easy access for traffic incident management devices. The Rescue Truck has sufficient storage space for everything necessary to support an emergency scene. There is an onboard 8000-watt generator, telescoping LED flood lights to illuminate emergency scenes at night. Unique to this truck, is that it is the only Rescue Truck in Bergen County with a large rear roof mounted LED Variable Message Board for traffic direction, providing clear instruction to motorists. The Message Board aids in the safety of the responders on the scene.

IMG 8478

Posted on by — 9 Comments

“Coin Boy “, Parkmobile and the Hudson Garage, Just Another Parking Scam in the Village of Ridgewood

3 amigos

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ,  as previously reported by the Ridgewood blog ,the Village Mangers office confirmed that “ZERO” business opted in the Central Valet Parking program . That means that there are not any business in the Central Business District willing to Validate parking . Apparently we have all been misinformed about the parking problem .

For years readers have questioned the claim that the Village of Ridgewood Central business district really needed a garage or if the “parking shortage ” was nothing more than a self created marketing ploy to add parking for the new housing developments?

With no merchant participation in the central valet service and little to no participation in the Ridgewood “Estate Card ” program , taxpayers are left with one and only one conclusion , that no garage is necessary and that like the parking meters and parkmobile  scams the Hudson garage appears to be nothing more than an effort to separate tax payers from there money and offer developers indirect subsidies to further destroy the Village of Ridgewood .

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal and two survivors of opioid addiction discuss the sharp rise in drug related deaths in the U.S. since the 1990s

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal

photo courtesy of the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and the Glen Rock Police 

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ,Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal discussed the sharp rise in drug related deaths in the U.S. since the 1990s at a town hall meeting in Glen Rock  last week.

“Last year, hardly a day went by in Bergen County without a heroin arrest, an overdose, or a Narcan save…there’s just more work to do.” – Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal

The presentation is available here: https://vimeo.com/246359764 

Overprescribing of opioids causing unintentional overdoses and early death:

91 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose.
US providers wrote nearly 250,000,000 million opioid prescriptions in 2013—enough for every adult to have their own bottle of pills.
The majority of drug overdose deaths (more 60%) involve an opioid. Since 1999, the number of overdose deaths involving opioids (including prescription opioids and heroin) quadrupled.
From 2000 to 2015, 500,000+ people died from drug overdoses.
Prescription opioids are used to treat moderate-to-severe pain; in recent years, their use has increased dramatically, despite serious risks and lack of evidence of their long-term effectiveness.

You’ll see remarks from County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal and two survivors of opioid addiction …a recovering addict and his mother. Prosecutor Grewal provided detailed remarks and information about the heroin crisis in Bergen County to citizens from Glen Rock who assembled at the town hall last week.

From the distribution of this dangerous narcotic, to warning signs, and to the county’s unique plan of prevention, enforcement, and treatment, Prosecutor Grewal left attendees with lots of food for thought.

In conjunction with Glen Rock, New Jersey officials, the Glen Rock Police Department – NJ, The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, and others, this event was one of many public education initiatives conducted by the BCPO. #StopTheODs

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Truck Rollover on Saddle River Road in Fair Lawn Sends Two to Valley Hospital

Fair Lawn Police

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair lawn NJ, Fair Lawn Police, Fire, EMS, and Heavy Rescue Squad units all responded to a rollover truck crash in front of 12-15 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn on Monday morning, 12/11. Two (2) occupants of the truck were transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non life threatening injuries. At least one (1) utility pole was destroyed in connection with the incident.

25299710 786274274891941 2385396018397457472 o

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Traffic Alert – December 12 – North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue will be Closed – 8am to 12 Noon

roadwork

December 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police have issued a traffic alert for  North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue will be Closed , December 12,2017.
Ridgewood Police Department will close North Broad Street & E. Ridgewood Avenue Tuesday, December 12 from 8am to 12 Noon.

Posted on by — 15 Comments

Ridgewood Leaf Update : final collection in all areas

leaf5_pickup_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

December 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, LEAF UPDATE:  Area A has been completed.   The final placement date for Area A is from December 11th to December 17th with collection to follow.  Area B will begin collection on December 11th.  Area C is currently in the process of being collected.  This will be our final collection in all areas.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Port Authority Evacuated During Morning Rush Due to Explosion

suicide bomb port authority

December 11,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

New York, New York , according to New York Police sources a would-be suicide bomber detonated an explosive device underground near the bustling Port Authority Bus Terminal is a former New York City cab driver who told investigators he carried out the attack for revenge, law enforcement sources said. Subways were rerouted this morning and the Port Authority Bus Station was evacuated during the morning rush.

There were also disruptions on the Seventh and Eighth Avenue lines, as well as the shuttle between Grand Central Station and Times Square. Service should return to normal before evening rush hour, transit officials said.

The bomber Akayed Ullah, 27, is believed to be from Bangladesh and was living in Brooklyn, told authorities in sum and substance from his hospital bed: “They’ve been bombing in my country and I wanted to do damage here,” sources said.

Ullah, who officials say is a former city cab driver whose license has lapsed, set off a “low-tech” what some have described as a homemade pipe bomb strapped to his midsection around 7:20 a.m. inside the subway passageway between West 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue and West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue.