Hawthorne NJ, A 20-year old female who allegedly kicked in the front door of a home on Rock Road in Hawthorne, violating a temporary restraining order (TRO) the the process, was apprehended and taken into custody by Hawthorne Police on Goffle Road, Hawthorne just moments after the incident was reported via a 911 telephone call. No injuries were reported by the home’s occupants, nor any of the uniformed patrol officers who affected the arrest. The vehicle the alleged perpetrator used to flee the incident was impounded by Hawthorne Police and towed from the arrest location. NOTE: All persons shall be presumed innocent until found guilty by a final decision of the court
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. District Court Judge Williams Walls, the judge presiding over the corruption and bribery case against Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has declared a mistrial after the jury said that it was deadlocked and unable to make a decision.
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., has been accused by a California TV host and sports broadcaster of kissing and groping her without her consent in 2006. This seems to be epidemic at this point .First Hollywood ,sports now politicians. Lets put politics aside for the moment and focus on your take on the idea of making accusations from 40 years ago ? Do we really think that is legitimate?
Are all accusation to be believed on face value ? Are some of the charges politically motivated ? Should there be equal punishments for false accusation ? What about Bill Clinton why this all OK for him ? And what about our own Bob Menendez who was accused of gallivanting off to the Dominican Republic for hookups with under age hookers.
Before the Hollywood blow up , media was often the chief enabler of Democrats ,”gone wild” ,Republicans much less so .
Many of you have been following the Judge Roy Moore accusations , and most likely your point of view reflects your point of view on his candidacy .
Jack Hellner, of the American Thinker ,pointed out, “I find it odd that this story came up after the primary and after decades of service by Roy Moore. Why did the Washington Post reporters wait until after no one else could be put on the ballot to run a 40-year-old story? Isn’t it also strange that a supposed sexual predator would have all of a sudden quit going after young girls 40 years ago? Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Bill Clinton never quit. Clinton couldn’t control himself even when he was in the White House.”
To us these are very serious accusations ,but false accusation make it that much harder for women in the future to prove legitimate claims. On a case by case basis , different situations and different sets of facts lead to different conclusions ,but as we have seen in our own home town the rush to jump to conclusions seems hard to resist.
An Open Letter to Sean Hannity.
Dear Sean:
I am suffering the same treatment other Republicans have had to endure.
A month prior to the general election for U.S. Senate in Alabama, I have been attacked by the Washington Post and other liberal media in a desperate attempt to smear my character and defeat my campaign.
Over the last 40 years I have held several public offices, including Deputy District Attorney, Circuit Judge, and Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. In addition to running five statewide and three county campaigns for public office, I have been involved in two major controversies that attracted national attention, one about the Ten Commandments and the other the sanctity of marriage.
The Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission, Court of the Judiciary, and Attorney General have investigated, scrutinized, examined, and vetted me, not to mention every opposing candidate against whom I have run.
I have been married for almost 33 years to my wife Kayla. We have four children and five granddaughters.
We are in the process of investigating these false allegations to determine their origin and motivation. For instance, we have documented that the most recent accuser, Beverly Nelson, was a party in a divorce action before me in Etowah County Circuit Court in 1999. No motion was made for me to recuse. In her accusations, Nelson did not mention that I was the judge assigned to her divorce case in 1999, a matter that apparently caused her no distress at a time that was 18 years closer to the alleged assault. Yet 18 years later, while talking before the cameras about the supposed assault, she seemingly could not contain her emotions.
My signature on the order of dismissal in the divorce case was annotated with the letters “D.A.,” representing the initials of my court assistant. Curiously the supposed yearbook inscription is also followed by the same initials—”D.A.” But at that time I was Deputy District Attorney, not district attorney. Those initials as well as the date under the signature block and the printed name of the restaurant are written in a style inconsistent with the rest of the yearbook inscription. The “7’s” in “Christmas 1977” are in a noticeably different script than the “7’s” in the date “12-22-77.” I believe tampering has occurred.
Are we at a stage in American politics in which false allegations can overcome a public record of 40 years, stampede the media and politicians to condemn an innocent man, and potentially impact the outcome of an election of national importance? When allegations of events occurring 40 years ago—and never before mentioned during a 40-year career of public service—are brought out and taken seriously only 30 days before a critical election, we may be in trouble as a country.
I adamantly deny the allegations of Leigh Corfman and Beverly Nelson, did not date underage girls, and have taken steps to begin a civil action for defamation. Because of that, at the direction of counsel, I cannot comment further.
It is called the Hazlett Nature Sanctuary. The area is now open to the public.
Dead trees in Schedler which attract insects provide food for birds and are called snags. They could be allowed to lie along the ground, if pose a danger of falling.
But there are enough residents in town who want to destroy Schedler.
After all there is plenty of open space, around town right, around Bergen County, around the country around the world. Who needs it. Above all and most importantly WHO NEEDS NATURAL BEAUTY, nature. If you want beauty go the the central business district in Ridgewood and see all the stuff that is for sale.
Oh do not forget, BE SURE to add a Starbucks on the Schedler property when you develop it properly.
Ridgewood NJ, Congratulations, to Mike ,Susan and Heather Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Village Council received the 2017 Innovation in Governance Award, honored by the National League of Cities and Sustainable Jersey Silver certified!!
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. By supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is empowering communities to build a better world for future generations.
The Sustainability Champion award recognizes municipalities that have scored the most points in the Sustainable Jersey certification program in three population categories (large, medium and small).
“The Sustainable Jersey municipal awards recognize the outstanding work being done at the local level,” said Randall Solomon, who co-directs Sustainable Jersey with Donna Drewes. “We are extremely impressed by the innovative and effective sustainability programs and initiatives of these towns. They deserve to be commended for their accomplishments.”
Washington Twp NJ, No injuries were reported by the lone occupant of a passenger vehicle that careened off of East Glen Avenue in Washington Township on Wednesday evening, 11/15, across the lawns of two (2) homes, through a picket fence, and into the back yard of a house located on nearby Madeline Court. The vehicle was winched out of its predicament and removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Washington Township Police responded to the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, once again the Schedler Property in Ridgewood seems to be in play. Rumors are swirling on the east side of route 17 ,that the current tree clearing is really to make way for more ball fields .
Jacqueline Hone commented on Facebook on Ridgewood History, “There has been an ongoing debate about the Schedler property in Ridgewood. Artifacts dating back to the Revolutionary war were discovered on this property. Here is a British Lieutenant’s sword, dated 1747, found at Schedler. Also, a letter written by the same man describing his approach to battle on this site. Our Village Stewards are moving towards converting this historical, untouched, wooded area into another ball field. Many felt the area should be preserved historically and left as a nature/discovery walk. How do you feel about this? Does anyone have pictures, stories or artifacts related to Schedler?”
Mayor Susan Traina Knudsen also commented on Facebook saying , “The previous plan for a 90′ field required clear cutting the lot to accomodate a 300′ outfield, plus a practice area, seating, parking lot, bathroom/concession and more. That plan also included the removal of the historic house plus a 60’H x 300’L errant ball net along route 17….my recollection of the size.
This Village Council unanimously voted to repeal the plan for the 90′ baseball field at the location and subsequently appointed an ad hoc committee to look at how to best proceed with the property.
It is fair to say the Schedler neighborhood is very well represented on the Ad hoc committee. Other members include two VC ,VoR staff, representation from both Wildscape & parks/rec, and residents.
This Village Council is committed to doing better and preserving one of the last remaining historic Dutch frame houses in New Jersey…the Zabriski/Schedler house has a Certificate of Eligibility for historic recognition and is listed in the Historic element of the Village of RIdgewood Master Plan.
To date, no new plan has been presented for VC review; however, I anticipate one or more plans will be forthcoming in December.
Matching grant money has been awarded for both the house restoration and property. Work on the house requires appropriate historic restoration and will begin early spring-ish 2018. Non-historic structures will be removed including the garage and severly damaged shed. Additionally dead and fallen trees will be removed allowing for new, healthier growth on the ground beneath the tree canopy.
I hope and anticipate a compromise will include a neighborhood children’s playground, a smaller practice/playing multipurpose field, and walking nature paths – all while maintaining a healthier, densely wooded lot.
Doing nothing leaves a blank slate for future plans. Development and implementation of a thoughtful plan, accomodating a variety of interests, is important for the entire community.
In closing, there has been significant resident input in this process including council meetings, public meetings, public hearings at both the Village and county level, emails, neighborhood meetings and more.”
Why Making The Schedler Property in Ridgewood Into A Ballfield Is Dumb
Ridgewood NJ, looks like Christopher Rutishauser Village Engineer has had his share of troubles parking in the Village Hall parking lot . So in order to keep his special spot available an over night sign change was needed and there we go special parking for motorcycles, even closer to the Village hall the handicapped spaces .
The signs were not approved and parking has gone rogue with the entire Village Hall back lot has now been converted into a everyman for themselves.
Residents have to pay up to $1500 a year for parking permits in the Village. The main question is should be why is Chris Ritishauser given preferential treatment and above the law? All employees should park at the rear of the lot or somewhere else. Across the field. What’s good for the CBD should be good enough for Village employees.
I get a kick out of all the liberals talking about “fairness”.
How is it fair that senior citizens on fixed incomes who never had children in the schools or singles with no children are supposed to pay for the education of someone else’s children?
I shouldn’t have to subsidize the education of the children of someone (typically a wealthy wall streeter) who earns a lot more then me,
I guess it become “fair” due to the liberal mantra of sticking someone else with the bill.
Still need to digest this – the cynic in me says – read the fine print – are we truly getting what we want or is there a loophole/compromise in this solution that will end up leaving us worse of.
Agreed it looks good on the surface, but I do not advocate celebration nor letting our guard down just yet…
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Patrol Officer Brandon Donnelly rescued a small dog that had been trapped on the lower roof of a Queens Court, Ridgewood home for over eight (8) hours on Thursday, 11/15. A next door neighbor who reported that the dog had been barking since approximately 8:00 a.m. said she only realized the dog was trapped in the roof after returning home from picking up her children from school late in the afternoon. The roof’s condition prevented Officer Donnelly from climbing up on it, so he coaxed the dog over to edge by using two (2) crackers provided by the neighbor. The seemingly uninjured animal was taken into custody by a representative of Tyco Animal Control Services, hopefully to be freed from captivity when its owner returns home and finds a note that Officer Donnelly left behind on their front door. Access to the lower roof was likely made via a rear deck with missing railings.
photo Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.,Senator Bob Menendez, Nellie Pou, and Jose “Joey” Torres.
November 15,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paterson NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that Jose “Joey” Torres, the former mayor of Paterson, N.J, was sentenced to prison today for directing that city employees perform work at a private warehouse leased by his daughter and nephew while the employees were being paid by the city. Three former supervisors in the Paterson Department of Public Works also were sentenced today.
Torres, 59, of Paterson, N.J., was sentenced today to five years in state prison by Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable in Hudson County. Torres pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to a charge of second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct. As a result of his guilty plea, he forfeited his position as mayor and is permanently barred from public office and public employment in New Jersey. He is jointly and severally liable with his co-defendants for paying restitution of $10,000 to the City of Paterson for payments, including overtime payments, made to city workers for the time they spent working at the private warehouse.
The following three co-defendants pleaded guilty on Sept. 22 to third-degree conspiracy charges and each was sentenced today by Judge Venable to a three-year term of probation:
Joseph Mania, 51, of Randolph, N.J., Supervisor, Paterson DPW Facilities Division;
Imad Mowaswes, 53, of Clifton, N.J., Supervisor, Paterson DPW Traffic Division; and
Timothy Hanlon, 31, of Woodland Park, N.J., Assistant Supervisor, Paterson DPW Facilities Division.
Those men also forfeited their jobs with the city and are permanently barred from public employment.
Deputy Bureau Chief Jeffrey Manis and Deputy Attorneys General Cynthia Vazquez and Peter Baker prosecuted the case and handled the sentencing for the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. The defendants were indicted in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau North Squad.
“Joey Torres corruptly used his vast power as mayor of New Jersey’s third-largest city to serve his own selfish ends, when he should have been serving the residents of Paterson,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Torres thought he was above the law and is now on his way to prison. This prison sentence demonstrates that nobody is above the law, least of all public officials who brazenly abuse the authority entrusted to them.”
“By unlawfully using on-the-clock city workers to assist with a family business, Mayor Torres put his own interests ahead of the interests of city residents and compromised the integrity of his office,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Public corruption takes many forms, but it always has the corrosive impact of undermining good government and public trust. We will continue to make these cases a top priority.”
“Torres betrayed many staff and colleagues who unknowingly believed in him, but his betrayal of the residents of Paterson, whom he was entrusted to serve, is by far the worst of all,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan, Acting Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “I commend the State Police Official Corruption North Bureau and their partners for bringing justice to the people of Paterson.”
The investigation revealed that, at Mayor Torres’ behest and under his supervision, Mania, Mowaswes and Hanlon performed work and/or assigned subordinate employees of the Department of Public Works (DPW) to perform work at a private warehouse facility at 82 East 15th St. in Paterson. The facility was leased by “Quality Beer,” a limited liability company formed by Torres’ daughter and his nephew. The tasks performed by the DPW workers included renovation, painting, carpentry, and electrical work. The work was performed on various dates between July 2014 and April 2015, while the three supervisors and other DPW workers were “on the clock” working for and being paid by the City of Paterson. The daughter and nephew intended to use the warehouse as a wholesale liquor distribution facility, but they ultimately terminated the lease after failing to obtain the necessary permits and license from the state.
The investigation further revealed that Mania, in his capacity as a DPW supervisor, caused false time-keeping records to be submitted to the city, including overtime verification forms and bi-weekly timesheets. These records falsely stated that Mania and other DPW employees were working overtime details on legitimate city projects, when, in fact, Mania knew that he and the other employees spent at least part of these overtime shifts working at the private warehouse. By submitting and signing off on these timekeeping records and authorizing the overtime details, Mania caused the city to make overtime payments to himself and other employees for hours spent performing private work for the mayor and his relatives, with no connection to any legitimate city business. Mania’s co-defendants, including the mayor, also were charged with falsifying these records as accomplices and co-conspirators.
Newark NJ, the Jurors in the bribery trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen could hear new instructions from the judge Wednesday as they resume deliberations.
The jury finished Tuesday without reaching a unanimous verdict on any of the 18 counts against the New Jersey Democrat .Deliberations began last week, but the jury was forced to be restarted on Monday after a juror was excused for a previously scheduled vacation and was replaced by an alternate.
The Jurors have since remained deadlocked, but were told to keep going and to “take as much time as you need.” by U.S. District Judge William Walls .
The New Jersey Senator is being charge with accepting an abundance of campaign donations, gifts and vacations from Salomon Melgen, a Florida ophthalmologist. In return, he used his position to lobby on behalf of Melgen’s business interests, according to prosecutors.
Melgen allegedly directed more than $750,000 in campaign contributions to entities that supported Menendez, according to the indictment, which prosecutors said were inducements to get Menendez to use his influence on Melgen’s behalf. Prosecutors have also accused Menendez of trying to hide the gifts.
Melgen paid for Menendez and his girlfriend to stay for three nights at a Parisian hotel where rooms typically cost about $1,500 per night and allowed the senator the use of his private jet, according to prosecutors.
Federal prosecutors said that Menendez “sold his office for a lifestyle that he couldn’t afford.”
The indictment also alleged that Menendez pressured State Department officials to give visas to three young women described as Melgen’s girlfriends.
Menendez has vehemently denied the accusations against him and claimed that he and Melgen have been friends since before the former became a senator, and the trips were nothing more than friends traveling together
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water is reminding people that , “Your Toilet is a Water Thief” – Check your toilet for leaks to save water and money. Free testing tablets are available at the office of Ridgewood Water.
Longer term readers of the Ridgewood blog know the Village has had its fill of “Golden Toilets” .
Given the current state of water restrictions in the Village of Ridgewood and the rest of Ridgewood Waters service area begs the question, can no flush Fridays be far behind?
We’ve had a decade or more of helicopter parents, participation trophies and general coddling of anyone who needs to be considered “special”. As a society we have failed these kids by not teaching them how to both win and lose with dignity or to be accountable for their behavior. Once the kid grows beyond his parents’ ability to fix everything for him, the kid is faced with the harsh reality of natural consequences to his actions. The real world is not a kind place and we have raised a generation of kids that are wholly unprepared to face it.
