Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood High School Bands annual Poinsettia and Amaryllis Sale has begun .
Students will be selling door to door on 10/29/17 with a delivery December 2 – 5, 2017.
Sizes and prices as follows: 6″ Red or white poinsettia – $10 10″ Red or white poinsettia- $25 Pink amaryllis – $15
Orders accepted until 11/17/17. Please contact Lorissa Lightman: [email protected] for more information. Orders/ checks made out to RHS Band Assoc can be mailed c/o Lorissa Lightman, 659 Spring Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 .For more information on the band program and a list of events, visit www.rhsbands.org
Ridgewood NJ , Trendy tots from Ridgewood and surrounding towns will strut their stuff on the red carpet at the Little Skye Children’s Boutique fashion show on Saturday, October 28 at 3pm. The show will start promptly at 3:00 pm and showcase Winter Fashions from some of the world’s top indie kids clothing designers. Attendees are welcome to wear their Halloween costumes! Sponsors include Prestige Family of Fine Cars, 21 Godwin salon in Ridgewood, West Ridgewood Dental Professionals and Little Nest Portraits in Ridgewood.
Little Skye Children’s Boutique is located at 171 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, NJ. The boutique features baby and kids’ clothing from around the world at all price levels, ranging from established brands to smaller production lines. More information about the boutique and clothing can be found at https://littleskyechildrensboutique.com. Or, please contact Ilene at [email protected] or (201) 645-3132.
Ridgewood NJ, Kim Guadagno the Republican candidate for governor has proposed conducting a full state audit of New Jersey’s finances or lack there of as part of her 8 point plan to right a sinking ship . Neighbors are fleeing New Jersey because of excessive taxes and the sky high cost of living, yet Trenton dose not seem to understand how dire the situation is for New Jersey families.
1)Conduct Full-Scale Audit
On day one, Kim will order a complete audit of state government finances, operations and programs to root out waste, abuse and inefficiencies in all areas of state government. Savings realized from the “Audit Trenton” initiative will be given back to the taxpayers in the form of property tax relief.
2) Support An Independently Elected Attorney General
New Jersey is one of only a handful of states that allows the governor to appoint its top law enforcement official. A Guadagno administration would support a proposal to establish an independently-elected attorney general, or commission an independent special prosector in the event the governor or lieutenant governor is under investigation. This will ensure the state’s top law enforcement agency in the state is accountable only to the people of New Jersey to root out potential corruption and abuse.
3) Use Zero-based Budgeting
The first budget proposal presented by the Guadagno administration will utilize “zero-based budgeting” techniques, forcing all state spending to be justified based upon need and cost. Kim will also nominate Cabinet officials who understand that finding savings for taxpayers ranks second only to protecting our citizens’ health, safety, and welfare.
4) Ensure Education Dollars Get To Classrooms
New Jersey taxpayers currently spend an average of $19,600 per student, but that amount varies widely district to district and a large portion never gets to the classroom. Before we can ask taxpayers to fork over another penny for schools, we must ensure that the education funding formula is fair and our tax dollars are actually being used to improve student performance. That’s why a Guadagno administration will immediately call on the State Department of Education to conduct an audit of the state’s 586 school districts to ensure we’re spending the money on improving educational outcomes for students.
4) Fix School Procurement And Construction
School district procurement rules and practices often get in the way of getting the best product at the lowest price. We must review and change these rules and develop benchmarks for districts regarding smart purchasing practices. Like collective bargaining, we should establish a uniform, statewide procurement policy and system that will allow for the leveraging of statewide bargaining power to secure the best possible price for school goods. New Jersey must also bring fairness to school construction by requiring the SDA districts to pay the same percentage on capital improvements as they do for their entire district budget.
5) Sell Surplus State Assets
A Guadagno administration would sell buildings and other assets no longer needed by the state. This would yield the two-fold benefit of producing income that could be used to reduce debt and would put these properties back on the local tax rolls to help municipalities reduce property taxes. This proposal would not affect parks, beaches or environmentally sensitive properties owned by the state.
6) Take The Politics Out Of Road Building
In New Jersey, it is no secret that it costs too much and takes too long to build roads and other infrastructure projects. Yet instead of fixing the problems, Trenton insiders created a politically-appointed panel of four to control how our transportation dollars are spent and demand everyday New Jerseyans pay more at the pump through higher gas taxes. A Guadagno administration will demand better and work to bring efficiency and common sense to road construction. This includes auditing the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), eliminating political appointees, disbanding the panel of four politically appointed bureaucrats and ensuring infrastructure projects are funded based upon need, congestion and economic impact.
7) Oppose New Long-Term Debt
New Jersey’s state debt is about twice the national average and threatens to further erode the state’s declining credit rating. As governor, Kim will close the loophole that allows New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority to take on new debt without voter approval. In fact, Kim will oppose any plan that adds additional long term debt to the state’s balance sheet without getting voter approval via a referendum.
8) Scrap Plans To Build ‘The Palace Of Versailles’
At a time when we have the highest foreclosure rate in the nation, New Jersey cannot afford to turn the State House into the Palace of Versailles. Instead of spending $300 million on renovating the State House, Kim believes we should set up a charitable foundation to raise funds from private sources to make any necessary repairs to the aging building. This effort can be assisted by making charitable contributions tax deductible.
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!! “Arts and Architecture Alive in the Village”
https://Www.ridgewoodwalks.com
MEETING PLACE: Ridgewood Art Institute, 12 East Glen Avenue
Tuesday, October 24th- 9-10:30 a.m. RAIN OR SHINE!! Plz remember your umbrella.
This exciting and informative tour will take you through some of the most historic and unique structures in the village that also house nonprofit art and history organizations. We’ll begin at the Ridgewood Art Institute. Tour the historic building and learn about many professional and amateur artists who hone their craft inside this spectacular Ridgewood gem. From there the tour heads to the Art Gallery at the Stable, the building that once housed the horses of Ridgewood’s aristocrats. Look around the interior of this exceptional structure and enjoy the many pieces of art by local artisans. The next stop is the Bolger Heritage Center for Genealogy and Local History at the Ridgewood Public Library. They house a stunning amount of information about Ridgewood, and Bergen County. The interior walls are covered with photos of our village’s past. Our final stop is the James Rose Center on East Ridgewood Avenue. The JRC is by far the most unique building in the village. There is simply too much to say about the James Rose Center, it is truly spectacular. https://lalh.org/preservation-hero-james-rose-center/
This Arts and Architecture tour is a must!
Hey, its happened to me too. I walk on sidewalk on Meadwobrook and people’s dogs on leash lung toward me and the owners don’ t care People are getting out their anger with their dogs. Likeing it when their dogs try to attack walkers.
I wrote about this problem last year on this blog as a comment to a posting
Apparently, according a someone who responded to my comment, you can buy mace or something from a sporting goods store for protection. I haven’t done it yet, but it is coming to that.
A trained dog will not lunge at walkers. I know because I walk a family members dog regularly here in town, again along Meadowbrook. It is very easy to train a dog not to lunge at people. I also grew up with a dog.
Also , just last week , a few days ago, I walked Dunham Trail by myself, never did it before, but since it was Octoberwalkfest , or something, I did it. A woman came from the opposite direction from the Grove entrance with TWO UNLEASHED DOGS. The dogs ran toward me and stopped dead in their tracks , daring me to advance. on the path. I was terrifiedand got off the path. The woman continued to walk her dogs, she did not call them back or apologize. I told her she isnt supposed to walk dogs unleashed in the park , She ignored me. I am an elderly woman, old, look old, walk old, you get it.
Also I walked Pleasant Park for the first time this past Saturday. A man with a huge dog was walking it on a leash. I got out of the way, climbing over piles of brush and fallen logs.
Hey, I love dogs. I grew up with one, a collie dog that looked like Lassie, my love and joy throughout my childhood. But people do not train their dogs not to attack people. And it’s done on purpose.
This is not really a nice community. Keep braggin folks.
The residents WANT THEIR DOGS to SCARE and perhaps BITE people.
As a former President of the Ridgewood Education Foundation and current Trustee of the Ridgewood Public Schools, I can state that this comment is completely incorrect. Through the Foundations contributions, the high school and middle schools have been able to give each student a Chromebook. The Foundation contributed significantly to the Maker’s Space at the high school and the renovations in the BF & GW science facilities. Over the years the Foundation has contributed mightily to the Ridgewood schools. There is no basis in fact whatsoever for this posting. The Foundation is an all volunteer organization that works exclusively for the children of Ridgewood
Ridgewood Station: Center Platform Stairs Serving Pedestrian Tunnel Closed Temporarily for Repair Work – Beginning Wednesday, October 25, 2017
October 24,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Beginning on or about Wednesday, October 25 and continuing through Friday, November 3, the stairway leading to/from the center platform and the pedestrian tunnel at Ridgewood Station between East Ridgewood Avenue and Wilsey Square will be closed temporarily for repair work.
During this time, customers may use the stairs or elevators serving the Franklin Avenue underpass for access to and from Garber Square, Wilsey Square, North Broad Street and the center platform serving tracks 3 and 1. For your safety, please follow directional signs and do not travel through barricaded areas.
We apologize for any inconvenience. For further information, please call NJ TRANSIT Customer Service at (973) 275-5555 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
North Bergen NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that Timothy Grossi, former deputy director of the North Bergen Department of Public Works (DPW), pleaded guilty today to a charge that he ordered subordinate employees to run political errands while they were on duty and being paid by the township.
Grossi, 77, of Jersey City, N.J., pleaded guilty today to a charge of third-degree misapplication of entrusted property and property of government before Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti in Bergen County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Grossi be sentenced to five years in state prison. However, the judge indicated on the record in court that she intends to suspend the sentence because of the condition of Grossi’s health. Grossi will be permanently barred from public office or employment in New Jersey. He is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 8.
In pleading guilty, Grossi admitted that he directed on-duty DPW workers using township vehicles to go to the county clerk’s office to perform errands related to his personal political activity in the township – and unrelated to township business – including picking up and dropping off challenger badges.
Deputy Attorneys General Cynthia Vazquez and Charles Wright prosecuted Grossi and took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice. Grossi is the fourth supervisor from the North Bergen DPW to plead guilty or be found guilty at trial in an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau into abuses involving DPW employees being paid by North Bergen Township for work unrelated to DPW functions. On Sept. 11, 2012, former DPW Superintendent James Wiley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct, admitting he directed DPW employees to perform hundreds of hours of chores at his home and to work on campaigns while being paid by the township. He is awaiting sentencing. In 2015, former DPW supervisors Troy Bunero and Francis Longo were convicted at trial of second-degree charges of conspiracy and official misconduct for assigning municipal employees to work on election campaigns and complete personal chores or projects for them or their boss, Wiley. Bunero and Longo were each sentenced to five years in state prison.
“Grossi was one of the top officials in the North Bergen Department of Public Works, but this guilty plea will make him a convicted felon, just like the three supervisors under him who previously pled guilty or were convicted at trial,” said Attorney General Porrino. “By arrogantly abusing the power entrusted to him and exploiting public workers for political purposes, Grossi promoted a culture of corruption within his department, a culture we exposed through our investigation.”
“North Bergen residents pay taxes to fund essential government services, not to fund officials who misuse public resources for personal gain or political advantage,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We’ll continue to protect public assets by aggressively investigating and prosecuting corrupt officials like Grossi.”
Attorney General Porrino and Director Honig noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has a toll-free Corruption Tipline 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities confidentially. The public can also log on to the Division webpage at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing confidentially
Ridgewood NJ, In the paper , “The Rise of Victimhood Culture.” by Conor Friedersdorf , Friedersdorf explains, Americans previously settled conflicts within the frameworks of the “honor” and “dignity” cultures:
“In honor cultures like the Old West or the street gangs of West Side Story, they might engage in a duel or physical fight. In dignity cultures, like the ones that prevailed in Western countries during the 19th and 20th Centuries, ‘insults might provoke offense, but they no longer have the same importance as a way of establishing or destroying a reputation for bravery,’ they write. ‘When intolerable conflicts do arise, dignity cultures prescribe direct but non-violent actions.’”
But now, we have the victimhood culture. Quoting Campbell and Manning, Friedersdorf explains this as
“characterized by concern with status and sensitivity to slight combined with a heavy reliance on third parties. People are intolerant of insults, even if unintentional, and react by bringing them to the attention of authorities or to the public at large. Domination is the main form of deviance, and victimization a way of attracting sympathy, so rather than emphasize either their strength or inner worth, the aggrieved emphasize their oppression and social marginalization.
Victimhood cultures emerge in settings, like today’s college campuses, “that increasingly lack the intimacy and cultural homogeneity that once characterized towns and suburbs, but in which organized authority and public opinion remain as powerful sanctions,” they argue. “Under such conditions complaint to third parties has supplanted both toleration and negotiation. People increasingly demand help from others, and advertise their oppression as evidence that they deserve respect and assistance. Thus we might call this moral culture a culture of victimhood … the moral status of the victim, at its nadir in honor cultures, has risen to new heights.”
According to the paper, the following social conditions allow the victimhood culture to get a foothold:
Self-help in the form of dueling or fighting is not an option.
“The availability of social superiors—especially hierarchical superiors such as legal or private administrators—is conducive to reliance on third parties.”
Campaigns aimed at winning over the support of third parties are likeliest to occur in atomized environments, like college campuses, where one cannot rely on members of a family, tribe or clan to automatically take one’s side in a dispute.
Since third-parties are likeliest to intervene in disputes that they regard as relatively serious, and disputes where one group is perceived as dominating another are considered serious by virtue of their aggregate relevance to millions of people, victimhood culture is likeliest to arise in settings where there is some diversity and inequality, but whose members are almost equal, since “a morality that privileges equality and condemns oppression is most likely to arise precisely in settings that already have relatively high degrees of equality.”
In simple terms the members of the victimhood culture operate within a relatively privileged and sheltered environment and try to solve conflicts in a childish fashion by tattling to authority figures so that they may gloat over their perceived aggressors.
Garfield N.J , Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal hosted a conference entitled “Educators Update: Combatting Bias & HIB Incidents in Schools” it was held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at the Venetian, 546 River Drive, Garfield, N.J. from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This program was presented to educators, law enforcement officers, and social service professionals who interact with Bergen County youth. It was sponsored by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) and was funded solely through funds forfeited from criminal offenders.
The topics to be addressed this year include:
Bias Crimes vs. Bias Incidents
Social Media Awareness, Cyber Bullying & the Internet
Juveniles & Bias: Resources & Consequences
Recognition of Innovative School Programs
This annual SNAP conference was first held in 1991 as part of a Statewide Narcotics Action Plan from which the conference derives its title. Since then, it has continued each year in Bergen County as an opportunity for law enforcement to brief educators about issues facing local youth.
More than 400 school personnel, police officers, and social service professionals from Bergen County attended the event.
RE: “Since Inception the Ridgewood Education Foundation has donated more than $1,000,000 to our public schools and community”
The Ridgewood Education Foundation hasn’t donated a PENNY to the schools…. they just shame/bully/cajole/guilt the parents into paying EVEN MORE into an overpriced school system (which is experiencing dwindling returns each year as its value gets reduced to a bumper sticker with no value: “tradition of excellence”)
Parking is NEVER an issue. Gorgeous Saturday night. Just came from town. Restaurants are jumping. People eating in and eating out. Plenty of people strolling. And the Cottage lot is almost empty. Park and walk a couple of blocks folks. If Jerry could walk then so can you.
I was bitten on Oct 21 as I was leaving saddle river park by the Glen Rock Duck pond. A woman, with her Wheaton terrier were passing me on the bridge to the cu de sac and the dog lunged at me and took a chunk out of my arm. The woman initially volunteered to help, but then changed her mind and fled. Now if I don’t locate the dog and th owner I will have to undergo Rabies shots. Woman is in her thirties, slim with long brown hair and Eastern European accent..
Ridgewood NJ, don’t forget tonight Monday, October 23 at 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM the Village of Ridgewood will host a District 40 candidate forum at the Village Hall in Ridgewood . The 40th Legislative District includes portions of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, including Allendale, Cedar Grove, Franklin Lakes, Ho-Ho-Kus, Little Falls, Midland Park, Pequannock, Pompton Lakes, Ridgewood, Riverdale, Totowa, Waldwick, Wayne, Woodland Park, and Wyckoff .
Senate candidates Republican Kristin M. Corrado, the Passaic County clerk, and Democrat Thomas Duch will debate, as will Republican Assembly candidates Christopher P. DePhillips and incumbent appointee Kevin J. Rooney and Democrats Christine Ordway and Paul Vagianos.
Lot of water leaks in town – – our infrastructure is aging and we need to take preventive steps. At the same time, we need to be prepared for the additional strain of the hundreds of new families who are going to be moving downtown once the projects are completed.
Is the council taking steps for this gathering storm?
![Timothy-Grossi[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Timothy-Grossi1.jpg "Former Deputy Director of Public Works in North Bergen Pleads Guilty to Ordering Municipal Employees to Perform Political Errands Using Township Vehicles While Being Paid by the Township")
