Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police and Fire Department personnel responded to a “downed utility wires” incident at 382 Gilbert Street, Ridgewood on Wednesday afternoon, 08/16. Members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #31 deployed yellow caution tape around the affected area and requested that a section of Gilbert Street be barricaded off until utility company technicians restrung the wires. The wires were likely hit by a large truck, e.g., a moving van.
A new bipartisan legislative panel will look into addressing a shortage of middle-skilled workers in New Jersey.
Melanie Willoughby with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association said 80 percent of manufacturers in the nation have a serious shortage of qualified applicants for skilled production positions.
“This is not where we want to be with the manufacturing industry in New Jersey that is worth over $44 billion, paying an average salary of $90,450 without a BA.”
Senate President Steve Sweeney wants to put a bond act on next year’s ballot that would provide hundreds of millions of dollars to expand and equip New Jersey’s vocational-technical schools.
“Not everyone is meant to go to college and there’s nothing wrong with having a trade. We want to make sure that our vocational schools are equipped to work with businesses for the future to make sure that they have the employees that they want.
Dustin Racioppi, State House Bureau, @dracioppiPublished 3:29 p.m. ET Aug. 15, 2017 | Updated 5:32 p.m. ET Aug. 15, 2017
Gov. Chris Christie’s new law shifting lottery revenue from education and social-service programs to the troubled public employee pension funds is being viewed as a “slightly positive” move by a Wall Street ratings agency, but not one that will fully relieve the pressure on the state to meet its obligations to workers.
The report by Moody’s Investors Service is the latest analysis by one of the three major ratings agencies that have collectively downgraded New Jersey’s credit under Christie a record 11 times. They often cited the state’s heavily underfunded pension system as the main driver of the downgrades.
Bridgewater NJ, Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC is voluntarily recalling 13 lots of Lorazepam Oral Concentrate, USP 2mg/mL, to the Consumer level due to a defect in the dropper markings. The Lorazepam Oral Concentrate, USP 2mg/mL, product is packaged with a dosing dropper, supplied to Amneal by a third party. In a few instances, the dropper is printed with the dose markings in reverse number order, has no dose markings or has dose markings that are shifted. Amneal learned about the issue from a Consumer’s report. To date no adverse events related to these dropper defects have been reported to Amneal. The below picture shows examples of a dropper with the correct print, along with examples of droppers with the defects.
Risk Statement: There is a significant likelihood that the dropper marking errors will result in dispensing either less than, or more than, the prescribed dose. There is a significant probability of a serious health consequence if more than the prescribed dose is dispensed and potential serious adverse events include – drowsiness causing trauma; increased anxiety; increased accidental injury to self or others (e.g., hip fracture, motor vehicle accident); which in the most serious circumstances could result in permanent decreased function or death.
The product is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. It is packaged in an individual carton, identified with the code: NDC 65162-687-84, which contains a 30mL amber glass bottle of liquid produced by Amneal, a package insert with patient information, and a plastic dropper sealed in a clear plastic bag. The affected Lorazepam Oral Concentrate, USP 2mg/mL, lots are the following:
Lot NumberExpiration Date
06876016A08/2018
06876017A08/2018
06876018A08/2018
06876019A09/2018
06876020A09/2018
06876021A09/2018
06876022A09/2018
06876023A11/2018
06876024A12/2018
06876025A12/2018
06877001A02/2019
06877002A02/2019
06877003A03/2019
The product can be identified by the lot number printed on the bottom-right side of the blue and white label, with the Amneal logo, on the amber bottle supplied with the dropper, in a blue and white carton, with the Amneal logo. The Lorazepam Oral Concentrate, USP 2mg/mL was distributed nationwide to wholesalers.
Amneal Pharmaceuticals has notified its wholesale customers by a Recall Letter to return all recalled lots. Amneal is notifying pharmacies by providing a Recall Letter and a supply of replacement droppers to all pharmacies that may have received any of the recalled lots. There is no safety issue with the bottled product itself. To avoid any interruption in supply or access to the medication by the patient, pharmacies are instructed to immediately discard the dropper included with the recalled lots and replace it with the dropper included with the Recall Letter. Amneal also is providing the pharmacist with a sticker which the pharmacist is required to place on the box to alert the patient and other pharmacists that the dropper has been replaced. Pharmacists are instructed to notify all Consumers impacted by the recall of the potential defect and the need to exchange a defective dropper. Consumers are instructed to discontinue use of any defective dropper and return it to the place of purchase for a replacement. If Consumers are unsure whether their droppers are defective they are encouraged to confirm with their dispensing pharmacy.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 631.952.0214 x338 or [email protected] on Monday through Friday from 9AM through 5PM Eastern Time. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax.
Complete and submit report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
file photo by Boyd Loving Councilmen Jeff Voigt has his OPRA troubles
By Donald Scarinci • 08/15/17 2:22pm
On the heels of several important decisions in the New Jersey courts, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced long awaited legislation to amend state’s Open Public Records Act. The bill (S1046) aims to improve and modernize the statute, while also boosting transparency.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) has been calling for reform for several years, but has seen prior attempts stall in committee. “There is no issue that overrides the public’s right to know what we in the Legislature and what our municipalities are doing on their behalf,” Weinberg said prior to the budget committee vote.
The OPRA statute has undergone few significant changes since it was enacted in 2002. Since then, the nature of government records has changed, largely due to the proliferation of the Internet, email and cell phones. One provision of S1046 would extend public record obligations to quasi-governmental organizations engaged in service to the public, such as the New Jersey League of Municipalities and the New Jersey School Boards Association. Another would allow residents to send records requests via email.
Beginning in January the Ridgewood blog published a host of articles starting with, the “Financial Advisory Committee Must Meet Professional Standards ” https://theridgewoodblog.net/financial-advisory-committee-must-meet-professional-standards/ , in that article we laid out the case that the absence of financial standards creates a legal liability for the Village.
We also accused the FAC of playing politics many times and questioned its relevance and professionalism .
Recent research into the FAC has opened a whole can of worms and here is just a summary of our findings:
We found Evan Weitz was WAY overstepping his boundaries; where Bob Rooney tried to remind him and others that the FAC was strictly advisory; where Evan wanted to get in on contract negotiations with the Police and Fire (for real?!>!?) and then of coarse is Nick Whitney’s resignation letter where he confirms all the Ridgewood blog claims as to the Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee not meeting commonly accepted standards, over stepping its boundaries, leaving members open to significant legal liability as well as the Village and of coarse interjecting politics into the committee.
Whitney’s resignation letter confirmed our fears and spells out in no uncertain terms the damage the FAC did and could have done to the village and implies it was nothing more than a committee to push former mayor Paul Aronsohn’s agenda .
Ridgewood NJ , the Assembly Republican caucus has made some major leadership changes in Trenton. We are excited to announce Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi has been named to leadership in the Assembly Republican caucus.
Schepisi has been very active in recent months shedding light on the court forced over development
of Bergen County .
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick announces leadership additions :
TRENTON, N.J. – Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick made the following statement regarding leadership appointments:
“I am proud to announce new leadership appointments to lead the Republican caucus in Trenton.
Ridgewood NJ, The adult male driver of a Toyota SUV was uninjured in a Tuesday afternoon, 08/15, crash during which his vehicle left the roadway, mounted a curb & sidewalk, and slammed into a utility pole and traffic control sign at the intersection of Linwood and Walthery Avenues in Ridgewood. Ridgewood Police, Fire, and EMS units responded to the incident. The wrecked Toyota was removed by a flatbed tow truck. A PSE&G crew was dispatched to replace the snapped utility pole. Police officers at the scene did not indicate whether the driver would be issued any summonses in connection with the mishap. The downed traffic control sign is likely to be replaced by the Village of Ridgewood’s Signal Bureau.
“In just a short time, we’ve already achieved transformative change at the VA—and believe me, we’re just getting started.”—President Donald J. Trump
August 15,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, GIVING VETERANS A CHOICE: President Donald J. Trump is giving veterans a choice in the healthcare they receive so they can receive the right care, at the right time, from the right provider.
President Trump signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program (VCP).
Veterans become eligible for care under the VCP if they live more than 40 miles from the closest eligible VA medical facility, wait times are over 30 days from the clinically indicated date, or they meet other special criteria.
The VCP has improved veterans’ access to care, and since its inception has resulted in more than 21.6 million appointments, serving over 1.8 million unique veterans.
This new funding will ensure VCP-eligible veterans continue to receive care in their communities from providers they trust.
While initially created as a temporary program in 2014, VCP has proven to be a valuable addition to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.
The Act empowers the VA to hire the very best people at competitive rates for senior positions so our veterans receive the best care possible.
The Act expands the VA’s direct-hiring authority, which will increase the speed at which the VA can onboard qualified people for VA jobs.
The Act authorizes 28 major medical facility leases, including some that have been on hold for over three years.
PUTTING VETERAN CARE FIRST: President Trump is making veteran healthcare a priority of his Administration and has moved quickly to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.
The Administration has implemented a new White House VA hotline, staffed principally by veterans, to help veterans.
Under President Trump, the VA fired 677 employees, suspended 238, and demoted 32, as part of the President’s effort to restore integrity and accountability to a department charged with supporting our Nation’s heroes.
The VA is the first agency to post information on employee disciplinary action online.
President Trump signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, improving senior VA officials’ ability to fire failing employees while establishing important safeguards to protect whistleblowers.
The VA is beginning the process of adopting the same electronic health records as the Department of Defense.
The VA has acted to increase transparency and accountability by launching an online “Access and Quality Tool” to provide veterans a way to access wait time and quality of care data.
Wait times are now posted online for each of the 168 medical centers managed by the VA.
The VA plans to dispose of 430 vacant buildings in the next 24 months, and is reviewing another 784 underutilized buildings.
Public sector worker greed has destroyed the state of NJ…. worst state finances, worst state economy, net migration out, highest state & local property taxes in the U.S.A. Until we vote out the Democrats in Trenton and the public safety, teacher and NJ Transit lackeys in our municipalities, it will get worse.
This is a disgrace. The Water Company is the most mismanaged department in town they don’t need their own space we spent millions on the Village Hall Shrine complete with spiral staircase and marble floors. There is zero reason for this. This mayor and council are out of control with unnecessary spending that is of no use to taxpayers
When is Cory Booker going to be taken down? He wants to be known as the former Mayor of Newark, but he really is from the silver spoon community of Harrington Park. He claims to have lived on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark during his tenure in office, but I would be he couldn’t find it on a map. Much less have the intestinal fortitude to get out of the chauffeur driven limousine to enter the home on a regular basis. Pay interns? Surely you gest. Chuck Schumer doesn’t let any cash flow from his nicotine stained fingers.
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle collision in front of 190 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood on Monday evening, 08/14, resulted in the ambulance transport of one (1) crash victim to The Valley Hospital. Two (2) other individuals were evaluated on the scene by Ridgewood EMTs but refused further medical attention. Both vehicles that were involved, a 4-door sedan and an SUV, were removed from the scene by separate tow trucks. Ridgewood Police issued one (1) summons in connection with the incident. Traffic on East Ridgewood Avenue between Cottage Place and North Walnut Street was detoured while emergency crews worked.
Weeks after the collapse of the attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, uncertainty around federal action is affecting premium rates and continues to unsettle the health insurance industry.
“The continued uncertainty is making it very difficult for carriers,” said New Jersey Association of Health Plans president Ward Sanders.
In two recent reports, from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Stop the Health Insurance Tax Coalition lobbying firm, premiums are estimated to increase by hundreds of dollars for New Jerseyans.
According to Stop the HIT, with the reintroduction of the premium fee:
Individuals will see an increase of at least $178.
Small group plans will increase by $209 for individuals and $556 for families.
Large groups will see an increase of $207 for individuals and $615 for family.
Seniors and disabled individuals in Medicare Advantage will see their premiums increase $516 per couple (or $248 for every individual).
State Medicaid programs will incur an additional cost of $268 for each of their insured Medicaid enrollees in 2018.
“From what we’ve seen from other state filings (as highlighted in the KFF report), the cost sharing reduction payments, if they are not going to be there, it is going to have a significant impact on insurance premiums,” Sanders said.
Whether or not the individual mandate and federal subsidies are kept intact, plus the reintroduction of the premium fee on insurers — which alone will increase premiums by close to 3 percent — are forcing significant increases for 2018 plans.
If subsidies are cut off for marketplace enrollees and the individual mandate is removed, insurers are likely to see fewer (mostly healthy) enrollees and therefore need to increase premiums.
