Author: James

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OPMA/OPRA presentation with Senator Loretta Weinberg

Village Council Tables Vote on High Density Housing

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 6,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Chapter of the League of Women Voters is hosting a presentation featuring Senator Loretta Weinberg on November 8, 2017 from 6:00 PM to 7:45 PM at Ridgewood Village Hall.  Senator Weinberg will be joined by NJFOG officer Walter Luers, Esq.

The Open Public Meetings and Records Acts (OPMA and OPRA) will be discussed with a focus on OPMA and OPRA reform legislation, bills S1045 and S1046, sponsored by Senator Weinberg.  The bills would modernize and reform the statutes to clarify what information is public in nature, when it must be provided, and how.

Free and open to all.  Handouts and light refreshments will be provided.

No registration required.

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Crash Involving a New Jersey Transit Train in Glen Rock Sends One to Valley Hospital

glen rock NJT crash

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

November 6,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, An SUV driver was transported by Glen Rock EMS to The Valley Hospital after sustaining non life threatening injuries in a crash involving a NJ Transit train on Rock Road in Glen Rock early Sunday evening, 11/05. The driver of an SUV hit a commuter train .

Glen Rock Police, Fire and NJ Transit Police responded to the incident. The vehicle was removed by a flat bed tow truck. NJ Transit Police is handling the investigation. The incident occurred at NJ Transit’s Bergen Line grade crossing.

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Ridgewood Police Report Residents received “terroristic threat” and threatening phone calls in 2 separate incidents

ridgewood police

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 6,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on October 19, a Glenview Road resident reported a terroristic threat in the past. The victim reported receiving a threatening text message from an unknown actor on a cell phone. The Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

Also on October 26, a Kenilworth Road resident reported harassment after receiving a threatening phone call. The victim reported an unknown person contacted her and made a statement which caused alarm and annoyance from a blocked phone number at 0416 hrs. No further information or description was provided.

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How to keep Vagianos OUT of office

keep Vagianos OUT of office

November 06,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Voters be aware:  If you do not want to see Vagianos elected to public office, AND you do not want to vote for a Republican, then you have an option in the form of Anthony J. Pellicia, running under the logo “You Tell Me.”  Some are saying they simply will not vote that line because they cannot stomach voting for Vagianos.   Leaving it blank does not vote against him.  Vote against him; we do not need an Aronsohn clone in any elected office. This is not to be considered an endorsement of Anthony J. Pellicia .

District 40 – Allendale, Cedar Grove, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Little Falls, Midland Park, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Ridgewood, Riverdale, Totowa, Waldwick, Wayne, Woodland Park, Wyckoff

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Reader says Fishbein SHOULD NOT PRETEND to be transparent and dispel rumors when he does not (and cannot) disseminate any tangible information about the incident

Dan-Fishbein-10

“Do you also think Fishbein’s responsible if your kid sneaks alchohol from your cabinet before going to an event?”
NO, I do NOT, but he does.
The school will discipline students who don’t behave according to the school’s “standard of conduct” even if the child (not student) acts off school property, after school hours.
This is the twisted world we live in.
.
That said, Fishbein SHOULD NOT PRETEND to be transparent and dispel rumors when he does not (and cannot) disseminate any tangible information about the incident. But he is too busy patting himself on the back, being pious and covering his behind. He is more interested in guilt spreading and punishing the 99% innocent children who WERE NOT at the fights and DID NOT have any knowledge of the incidents until after the fact by forcing useless “witness training” on them. Instead, he should JUST address the guilty.
No “witness reeducation training” assembly is necessary. If he feels compelled to have an assembly, it could just identifying the bad actors for all of their peers to see.

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Reader says Ridgewood DOES NOT NEED A GARAGE

Pike Parking Garage Presentation for Ridgewood

This may be a great way to make money (or even “to fund a garage”), but it does not address the reality that Ridgewood DOES NOT NEED A GARAGE, especially this particular garage in this particular location.

Also, it would seem that this solution (while great for private investments) involves Ridgewood selling public property to private individuals.
Besides, if this is so lucrative, why doesn’t the village just retain ownership and rent out the spaces long term (daily, monthly, annually) like they do art the train station rather than the current garage plan to rent out the spaces short term (hourly parking fees)?

Finally, IF the rationale is that Ridgewood needs a three story parking structure due to unmet demand for parking spaces (an untrue premise, but we will assume it is true for this exercise) then this condo/privatized parking plan totally fails to meet its objectives.

This plan would reduce the number of parking spaces by a) building the condominiums in part of the area previously dedicated to parking spaces and b) giving the remaining parking spaces to the condominium owners which they will likely use at a high percentage thus removing them from public availability and allowing individuals to set rates which will result in price uncertainty and inconsistency of available parking.

As an investment model it has certain merits, as a vehicle to address (the imaginary) need for additional parking, it is a failure.

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HIGH TAX RATES ARE DECIMATING STATE ECONOMIES AND LEADING TO A WEALTH EXODUS IN AMERICA

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 6,2017
by Kevin Ryan

It’s a simple concept that has eluded many politicians and ideologues, especially on the left. When you raise taxes, people and businesses will leave, bringing with them those taxable incomes your government depends on. One look at the migration patterns within the United States verifies just that.
A book on the subject, How Money Walks, uses official statistics from the Census and the IRS to explore the subject. It found that, between 1995 and 2010:
• The nine states with no personal income taxes gained $146.2 billion in working wealth
• The nine states with the highest personal income tax rates lost $107.4 billion
• The 10 states with the lowest per capita state-local tax burdens gained $69.9 billion
• The 10 states with the highest per capita state-local tax burdens lost $139 billion
According to the authors, “The states that gained working wealth are growing and thriving. The states that lost working wealth lost their most precious cargo—their tax base—and the consequences are dire: stagnation, deterioration, an economic death spiral as they continue to raise taxes and lose people, businesses, and working wealth. The numbers don’t lie.”

Its website includes a fascinating interactive map that shows where people and their money moved to, on a state and even county basis, here: https://www.howmoneywalks.com/irs-tax-migration/
(Note: the interactive map doesn’t work on the Safari browser, so iOS users should view it on the Puffin app instead).
Another website by the authors includes a calculator that will tell you the tax implications of moving from your current state to a different one, here: https://www.savetaxesbymoving.com/
SOURCES: https://www.howmoneywalks.com

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Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Monday November 6th

BOE_theridgewoodblog

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education meeting is on Monday, November 6th at 7:30pm, 3rd floor Education Center.If you are concerned with the current state of affairs, lack of communication, serious issues being swept under the rug, BOE being concerned with the school reputation more than well-being of our kids, please come to the meeting!! Make our voices heard beyond social media.

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.

Education Center

Regular Public Meeting 7:30 p.m.

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Whole Foods installs Amazon E lockers in Ridgewood ; e future has arrived

Whole Foods installs Amazon E lockers in Ridgewood

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Whole Foods has installed Amazon E lockers in Ridgewood , e future has arrived. Amazon Lockers are secure, self-service kiosks where customers can pick up Amazon.com packages at a time and place that is convenient for them.

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To use an Amazon Locker as your shipping destination, find a Locker and add it to your Amazon address book. Then, during checkout, select the Locker as your shipping address. Once your package has been delivered, we will email you a unique 6 digit code. Simply visit your selected Locker and enter the code on the Locker’s touchscreen, then remove your package after the Locker’s door opens.

Standard shipping rates apply or FREE Two-Day Shipping with Amazon Prime is available. There is no additional cost to use an Amazon Locker.

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Pro Arte Chorale presents: A Christmas Celebration

Pro Arte Chorale presents: A Christmas Celebration

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Pro Arte Chorale presents: A Christmas Celebration, to be held on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 4.p.m. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ.

Guests who attended Pro Arte’s performance of the works of Anton Bruckner last June will remember the orchestral accompaniment by members of the NJ Wind Symphony (formerly the Ridgewood Concert Band). The chorus is delighted to be joined again by these fine instrumentalists for our December concert.

The program will feature sacred works by twentieth century artists, including Pinkham, Vaughn Williams, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and more.  The chorus will end the evening with songs celebrating the season by singing some traditional carols.

Tickets prices $25 Adults, $20 seniors and $10 Students.  For advance discounted tickets visit ProArteChorale.org, [email protected] or call 201-497-8400.

The Pro Arte Chorale is sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts.

All performances are held in ADA compliant venues with handicapped accessible parking, ramps, elevators and restrooms. Large print programs are available.

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America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani helping out on the New Jersey Campaign Trail

Rudy Giuliani

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, the campaign seemed to finally heat up this weekend with America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani  endorsing the GOP  District 39 ticket, Senator Cardinale, Assemblyman Auth and Holly Schepisi and helping us raise additional money last night.

District 39 – (Bergen and Passaic)  Bloomingdale, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ringwood, River Vale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Wanaque, Washington (Bergen), Westwood, Woodcliff Lake.

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Giuliani  also endorsed and campaigned with Kelly Greco Langschultz for NJ Senate. Kelly Landschultz of New Milford is the Republican candidate for Senate, with William Leonard of Glen Rock and Christopher B. Wolf of Saddle Brook the GOP Assembly candidates

District 38 – (Bergen and Passaic)  Bergenfield, Fair Lawn, Glen Rock, Hasbrouck Heights, Hawthorne, Lodi, Maywood, New Milford, Oradell, Paramus, River Edge, Rochelle Park, Saddle Brook .

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Reader Feels the Village of Ridgewood is Anti-Business

Betsy the Sheep

As of Ridgewood regimen for 40 years I’m so embarrassed that this business owner received a summons for such nonsense. If this business owner summons is not thrown out by the village attorney prosecutor and judge mayor and council manager Building department zoning department then that will be a shit storm like I never seen before. Because then we’re going to get every major news network in the CBD in the village Ridgewood to ride around take pictures of all the legal structures that will put up by you know hoo and where .and by hoo. And upper officials let it slide by. Because of dirty politics in the village of Ridgewood slime balls

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How to fund the parking garage in Ridgewood ?

pike garage Melanie Whobin

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, So here’s a possible solution brought to our attention by a regular reader ;to funding the proposed parking garage in Ridgewood. Ridgewood  Real-estate agents pay careful attention .Construct the garage either partially or entirely as a condominium. That is, offer the parking spaces for sale to individuals, businesses, and/or investors. Those who choose not to use the space(s) they purchased can rent them out.

As investors, Buying individual parking spaces is a little known but extremely appealing real estate play for small investors like Ms. Jones. The obvious selling points are comparatively low prices, steady income, next to no maintenance, and wear and tear limited to the odd oil stain on the cement. Moreover, a growing number of parking apps is making it easier to rent out these spaces on a yearly, monthly, daily and even hourly basis  https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/realestate/parking-spaces-that-could-make-you-rich.html

The spaces could be rented like airbnb , no noisy neighbors to worry about . SpotHero, an app that helps car owners locate spaces in the United States and Canada, lists mostly excess vacancies in hotel garages. But Larry Kiss, a founder of the company, said he has noticed more independent listers offering spaces on the site, whether it’s an extra space in their home garage or driveway or a space they have purchased. Another app listing an increasing number of one-off parking spaces, as well as storage space, is Spacer.   https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/realestate/parking-spaces-that-could-make-you-rich.html

we have to be careful though , Parking investors do face an uncertain future, though. If more people start driving electric cars, spaces without charging stations will be less desirable. Ride hailing apps and self-driving car services could also dampen demand.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/realestate/parking-spaces-that-could-make-you-rich.html .

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Don’t Ridgewood families deserve better?

Dan-Fishbein-31

“Disappointing” “Highly unfortunate” “Unnecessary” this gentleman is the leader and chief of one of the most recognized and largest schools districts on northern NJ. All he cares about is nothing that it was not during school hours. Yet the most damming angle of this is the bullying is concerning ANOTHER bullying experience that has been active for some time.
“I can’t believe what you say, because I see what you do.”
Don’t Ridgewood families deserve better? If you care about nothing else and you may care about your housing values when no one wants to move to your town because you school and it’s ineptitude are plastered all over NYC/NJ news.That was yesterday.

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Fall back : Day Light Saving Time Officially Ended at 2am this Morning

Clock_Ridgewood_theridgewopodblog

November 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep . This morning Sunday, Nov. 5, daylight saving time at 2 a.m. officially came to an end and you were granted an extra hour of sleep by turning your clocks back one hour to 1 a.m.

The easiest way to handle it traditionally was to change all your clocks before bed. Another option is hitting the bar since you’ll get an extra hour of party time! Sunrise and sunset will be about an hour earlier on Nov. 5 and there will be more light in the morning.