August 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Edgewater NJ, One year ago today, a fast-moving fire sparked by a maintenance worker’s blowtorch climbed up the walls and through unsprinklered spaces of the Avalon Edgewater apartment complex.
The blaze was first reported at 4:22 p.m. on Jan. 21, 2015, sending 500 first responders to the Russell Avenue complex.
By Paul Milo
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP — The family of Mallory Grossman, a 12-year-old who committed suicide in June, is suing the township’s public schools for failing to prevent the cyberbullying her parents are convinced led to her death, the family’s attorney said.
Mallory Grossman (via GoFundMe) https://www.gofundme.com/memorial-for-mallorey
In a statement, the law firm Nagel Rice of Roseland said the district was guilty of “gross negligence” for doing nothing to halt the text messages and Snapchat posts from fellow students at Copeland Middle School despite repeated requests from her parents asking school officials to intervene.
“This tragedy could have been prevented and this lawsuit should be a wake-up call to every school in every hamlet in our great country that cyberbullying is going on every day and that the schools must immediately take steps to stop this and protect every student in the school,” said attorney Bruce Nagel, who is representing the Grossmans.
https://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2017/07/family_of_12-year-old_who_killed_herself_to_sue_sc.html
Wed, August 02, 2017
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Running Company will be hosting a grand re-opening on Wednesday August 2nd and will be operating under a new name Jackrabbit .
The Grand Re-Opening will feature and Ice Cream Run. Wednesday’s Ice Cream Run!!! We will leave from the store at 7pm, run a 3.75 mi loop around scenic Ridgewood, then end at Ben & Jerry’s for Ice Cream
August 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hillsdale NJ, we have to laugh Congressman Josh Gottheimer gathered local business leaders for a roundtable on the Export-Import Bank with Former Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank, Fred Hochberg. Hosted by Fornazor International, Inc., the group shared Export-Import Bank success stories and discussed ways that small- and medium-sized New Jersey manufacturers can leverage the opportunities afforded by the bank to expand their businesses .
Perhaps no one told Congressman Gottheimer that the Export-Import Bank is one of the most corrupt organizations in Washington and often referred as nothing more than corporate welfare .
A Gottheimer press release In New Jersey, this program has supported, $4,039,300,000 in exports, 25,811 jobs, and 219 companies — without costing the Treasury a single nickel. Congressman Gottheimer views Ex-Im as a great return on investment for the district, state, and country.
The reality is far different the Export Import Bank is nothing but corrupt corporate welfare. The 81-year old, government agency, the Export Import Bank cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year and it overwhelmingly benefitted big corporations and big banks. (Beware, incompetent government protocols allow for wild variations in costs). Recently, 42 Republicans and 176 Democrats forced a vote in the House of Representatives to reauthorize the bank.
Originally, the Export Import Bank (ExIm) was created in the 1930’s to assist small businesses unable to acquire private, bank loans. In 2012, Boeing received 83% of its loan guarantees through the Export Import Bank. Not to mention, Chase, Citibank and other big banks are essentially receiving risk-free loans from our government bank. What happened? Inevitably, a government subsidy attracts big businesses with powerful lobbyists to convert the program to their advantage. This happened and was the reason small government conservatives demanded an end to the ImEx.
Thus, upon losing their enormous government subsidies, big businesses and well-paid lobbyists are working hard to convince Members of Congress to reauthorize and fund the bank. According to Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center, between 2007 and 2013 the Bank subsidized:
· $66.7 billion in sales by Boeing
· $8.3 billion for General Electric
· $5.2 billion for Bechtel
· $4.9 billion for Caterpillar and its subsidiary Solar Turbine
· $3.2 billion for CBI Americas
· $3.0 for Exxon Mobil
· $2.1 billion for Applied Materials
· $2.0 billion for Westinghouse
· $1.4 billion for Noble Drilling
In 2014 the left of center “HILL” wrote a very critical article on the banks dealings with Russia and what it called rampant fraud at the bank, ” In late July, the bank scrambled to halt their dealings with Russian companies, a week after the awkward news that the Obama administration had sanctioned some of the Bank’s previous Russian “customers” with close ties to Vladimir Putin.
Around the same time, the bank’s president, Fred Hochberg, was hauled before Congress to address concerns about rampant fraud at his institution after three employees were dismissed following allegations of corruption. Also called to testify was Johnny Gutierrez, himself one of the recently-dismissed bank officials. Gutierrez pled the Fifth Amendment and Hochberg’s testimony was less than illuminating. In addition, a recent report in The Daily Caller found several instances of conflicts of interest among members of the bank’s own advisory committee.”
The Export-Import Bank is backed by powerful corporate interests and corrupt politicians who make a living off of all the dirty deals .
August 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, For the second time in 28 days Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s attempt to get the State Assembly to relieve municipalities from over development arising from court-mandated housing requirements was denied.
The court mandated over development endangers Bergen County quality of life and will require many towns to build unneeded housing in a state with a declining population .
Schepisi said , “I’m very disappointed that the speaker again blocked my efforts to relieve municipalities of this incredible burden. The only roadblock helping our communities is Democrats’ continued refusal to take action,”
Earlier Schepisi asked Speaker Vincent Prieto to post her bill package addressing court-mandated affordable housing before today’s special voting session, but was again denied.
From the Assembly floor at 1 a.m. on July 4, Schepisi urged the legislature to suspend all affordable housing litigation until the end of the year so the legislature could address the issue. Her effort was voted down 44-26 along party lines.
“This is a bipartisan issue that has turned into a potential disaster for our towns and our constituents. Just ask the mayors from Democratic towns outside of my district who have asked me for help instead of their own local Democrat legislator,” continued Schepisi (R-Bergen).
“Maybe Democrats aren’t listening to their mayors, councils and constituents because Phil Murphy funds the non-profit suing our communities and forcing unwanted development. It’s not what is best for towns, our environment and our schools; it’s what is best for their party.”
On June 19 Schepisi introduced an eight bill package shifting all municipal obligations to the state and recalculate obligations based on reasonable need. It also makes changes to how affordable housing is administered to best help communities.
“I have introduced a package that addresses all of the concerns I have heard from mayors on both sides of the aisle. And it ensures that affordable housing will be built to accommodate the needs of the residents of this state,” concluded Schepisi.
Schepisi’s affordable housing package includes:
• Amending the state constitution to require the state calculate affordable housing obligations (ACR250).
• Increasing the numbers of senior and special needs housing that can count towards the affordable housing obligations in the State.
• Requiring COAH and Courts to take into account environmental considerations, municipal infrastructure, school and emergency services department capacities
• Allowing municipalities to provide preference to their own residents in need of affordable housing
• Requiring COAH to administer affordable housing obligations (A5025).
• Allowing municipalities to challenge obligations administered by COAH (A5026).
• Requiring COAH calculate obligations based on reasonable need factors and imposing a population increase cap (A5027/A5028).
• Eliminating the exclusion of urban aid municipalities from obligations (A5029).
• Amending the state constitution to prohibit exclusionary zoning and clarify municipal affordable housing obligations (ACR249).
• Prohibiting the builder’s remedy in exclusionary zoning litigation (A5030).
Town Garage is like some intergalactic stepping off point for a Steven King adult Day Camp..since the issues are hard..don’t ask don’t tell..lets it go to seed to be the whipping post instead of and for the bitching about how the whole town and its roads are a complete mess..
And the VC Still thinks fish needs a parking garage structure for good old times sake.,,another novel approach by the town leaders,
JOHN REITMEYER | JULY 31, 2017
Many NJ seniors won’t qualify for property-tax reimbursement because program was capped at $70K following Great Recession — and that’s where the cap remains
A recent poll of New Jersey voters indicated the top issue this gubernatorial election year is the state’s notoriously high property taxes. Ever-rising property tax bills are also a particularly troubling issue for the state’s senior citizens because many are living on fixed incomes.
Yet the most recent state budget signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie earlier this month included fine print written quietly into budget documents that will keep many seniors from being able to collect sizable reimbursement checks that are offered through one of the state’s most popular property-tax relief programs.
The budget language effectively overrides the state law that funds the “senior freeze” Property Tax Reimbursement Program by lowering the program’s annual income cap from near $90,000 to $70,000. The cost-cutting measure started as the state faced deep budget problems in the wake of the Great Recession, but it has been maintained ever since even as revenue collections have now rebounded.
In the past, Democratic lawmakers have tried to block the income-cap change, but Christie, a second-term Republican, has used the line-item veto pen to override their wishes. But this year, Democrats prioritized increased funding for local school districts and several other programs in a budget showdown with Christie, leaving the frozen senior-freeze income cap in place for another year. That means it will likely be up to the state’s next governor to determine whether New Jersey seniors will eventually be made whole.
By Bob Hennelly | July 30, 2017
Listening to Wall Street based business reporting you would believe that the nation’s foreclosure crisis is in the nation’s rear view mirror. Yet, in New Jersey in places like Newark, East Orange, Paterson and Atlantic City foreclosures are hollowing out entire primarily African-American neighborhoods. Go to any on line real estate tracking site like Zillow and you can see the carnage depicted graphically. Atlantic City has the highest foreclosure rate in the country.
On the ground in these places it has meant vacant zombie homes, where families were pressured out, and banks have failed to re-market these distressed properties, and they continue to depress local property values. Sometimes the derelict properties catch fire and threaten the lives of those left behind. For those remaining families in these places, that are desperately trying to hold on to their homes, this downward spiral makes holding on even harder, as they find their mortgages sinking deeper and deeper underwater.
But that is not the only economic force drowning these folks, as they tried to hold on to their piece of the American dream that often has been in their family for a couple of generations. The local governments have tried to make up for the slide of their ratable base by raising property taxes. In some cases like Atlantic City by double digits as in 2014 when that City’s property levy spiked by 29 percent in one year.
August 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) introduced a bill in June 2016 that would allow New Jersey Police officers to survey drivers’ cell phones using an “electronic scanning device.” The device is called the ‘Textalyzer’ . , but the bill currently sits in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Under the Codey bill, a driver could be fined anywhere from $300 to $1,000 and have their license revoked for up to 10 years if they refuse to give their cell phone to an officer, depending on the number of past offenses.
Very similar to the states “Breathalyzer” ,where motorist are not free to refuse it.
Civil liberties groups worry the ‘textalyzer’ violates motorists’ privacy and the Fourth Amendment and is an other opertunity for police to conduct warrant-less searches .The device is plugged into a driver’s smartphone and time-stamped information is downloaded about apps used prior to an accident.
Ridgewood NJ, In New Jersey you don’t need a fishing license if you are under the age of 16.
Anyone age 16 and older must have a valid license (see Exceptions) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey with handline, rod and line, or longbow and arrow. This includes privately owned lakes and other waters. New Jersey does not require a general saltwater fishing license but there are a limited number of saltwater licenses and permits required. Additionally, most saltwater anglers need to register with the free New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
By Steve Serby
July 30, 2017 | 12:48am
New Jersey native Todd Frazier, recently acquired by the Yankees in a trade with the White Sox, takes a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: What are your favorite Toms River memories growing up?
A: Oooh man. … We won the national junior peewee Pop Warner championship when I was 8. I won the Punt, Pass and Kick when I was 9. When baseball comes around, it’s crazy. I remember having 2,000 people at our Little League games at 12 years old when we played against the rival Toms River … going to the high school football games which were unbelievable, to scoring 1,000 points. I remember when I scored 1,000 points, both my brothers did the same things, in basketball. Just the friendships I made, and just the love I have for that city.
Q: Why is Toms River so special?
A: I don’t know, man, it’s crazy. It’s a who-knows-who there, to be honest with you. You go to a regular grocery store, everybody’s asking about you, “You’re doing a great job,” this and that. Everybody takes pride in what they do, and especially when it comes to baseball. We run camps all the time in the offseason. We try and give back, me and my brothers, as much as we can, so we can have, hopefully a couple of more Todd Fraziers coming up (smile). It’s just a fun town. It’s a town filled with excitement every day, and sports plays a big role there,
https://nypost.com/2017/07/30/todd-frazier-on-little-league-glory-yankees-love-and-frank-sinatra/
July 31,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The American dream is more than owning a home. It’s owning the right home–one customized through renovations to build wealth and reflect your tastes. But most people don’t have the knowledge to make smart financial decisions around renovations, resulting in disaster: too much debt, costly delays, and even foreclosure.
According to Hearth [www.gethearth.com]—a financial tech startup that aims to restore the American dream of owning the right home—there are 8 questions to ask to avoid financial disaster while working towards that American dream:
#1: HOW MUCH DEBT DO YOU HOLD?
Calculate your debt to income ratio—your overall debt to your overall income. The lower the ratio, the more loans you may qualify for.
#2: HOW MUCH HOME EQUITY DO YOU HAVE?
That’s your home’s value, minus any debts you owe on the house. You can pledge your equity to a lender, freeing up cash and getting low loan rates.
#3: HOW’S YOUR CREDIT?
Your credit score is calculated based on personal factors like current debt and payment history. The higher it is, the better interest rates you’ll receive on a loan—so be honest with yourself.
#4: WHEN ARE YOU PLANNING TO MOVE?
How long you plan to stay in your home affects your loan repayment period. Will you pay it off over 30 years, or do you need to pay it off in 7?
#5: DO YOU—AND WILL YOU CONTINUE TO—HAVE A STEADY JOB?
Knowing you’ll have a steady source of income over a several year period gives you confidence you’ll be able to pay off your whole loan.
#6: WHAT’S YOUR BUDGET?
Talk to a few different contractors to get a sense of how much you’re going to have to spend. If you start without an estimate, you’ll end up overspending.
#7: WHAT IS YOUR PROJECT’S TIMELINE?
If you’re strapped for time, a personal loan can deliver funds within days. But if you have time to spare, you can get home improvement loans. They take longer to release funds, but have lower rates.
#8: WILL THE RENOVATION ADD VALUE TO YOUR HOME?
Talk to a contractor and find out if your renovations will pay off—and what you can change to make them worth even more. Simple switches like marble instead of granite countertops can add measurable value.
As part of its mission, Hearth prepared the ultimate guide to home improvement loans (read it here: https://www.gethearth.com/
CLAIRE LOWE Staff Writer
Jul 29, 2017
HAMMONTON — New Jersey peach farmers are reaping a bounty this summer with one of their largest crops.
New Jersey, which is the fourth-largest producer of peaches in the nation behind California, South Carolina and Georgia, is projected to produce between 55 million and 60 million pounds of peaches over 5,500 acres in 2017, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.
In 2015, farmers grew 42.2 million pounds on 4,700 acres valued at $27.6 million.
Editors Note Maybe an idea for Ridgewood
Eric M. Johnson
(Reuters) – A ban on pedestrians looking at mobile phones or texting while crossing the street will take effect in Hawaii’s largest city in late October, as Honolulu becomes the first major U.S. city to pass legislation aimed at reducing injuries and deaths from “distracted walking.”
The ban comes as cities around the world grapple with how to protect phone-obsessed “smartphone zombies” from injuring themselves by stepping into traffic or running into stationary objects.
Starting Oct. 25, Honolulu pedestrians can be fined between $15 and $99, depending on the number of times police catch them looking at a phone or tablet device as they cross the street, Mayor Kirk Caldwell told reporters gathered near one of the city’s busiest downtown intersections on Thursday.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hawaii-texting-ban-idUSKBN1AD2LS
file photo by Boyd Loving
This is a waste of taxpayer funds – where is the outrage? Mayor Knudsen and Council majority are raising expensive municipal debt to pay for this just as interest rates rise. Which means higher interest payments down the road for Village taxpayers. To buy a property in the CBD for a corrupt, crony led failed Ridgewood Water? There is no doubt that this is a black hole of greed and corruption. Driven by Mayor Knudsen. Why?
