Traffic is terrible in the area of the train station after Chris ” Bike Lane ” Rutishaser redesigned the area now he is going to bring busses and more commuters to the area. I would like to know his plan for the busses when they reach the end of Franklin Ave? Do they make the turn on to Maple Ave and then turn onto Ridgewood Ave. He said last night he has an alternate plan for the busses to get to Ridgewood Ave. Well what is it “Bike Lane” ? Redesigned the area, spend in excess of three hundred thousand (Cost overruns not included) all for the sake of commuter parking.
RE:” The bus station may be moved to the train station to create a single transit hub. This would free up many parking spots in the core of the village by Van Neste. It would also get buses off of Ridgewood Avenue and onto Franklin Avenue. Of course with high density housing slated for the Ken Smith property, there is going to be a lot more traffic on Franklin anyway. And the bus station on the other side of the tracks would take away some spots there. But overall there would be a net gain of 38 (?) spots.”
This seem like a bad idea.
If this is done, that idiotic “Green” bike lane needs to be removed.
Traffic is a nightmare already.
I can’t imagine how bad it will be when you add bus traffic AND vehicle traffic for people dropping offs/picking up bus passengers.
Judicial Watch continues to undercover the details of the Obama IRS’ arbitrary and capricious behavior toward those presumed to be “enemies” of President Obama.
This week we released 695 pages of new documents containing admissions by IRS officials that the agency used “inappropriate political labels” to screen the tax-exempt applications of conservative organizations. Other records reveal that the IRS was going to require 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations to restrict their alleged political activities if they opted for “expedited consideration” of their tax-exempt applications.
The documents were produced after a revelation by the IRS that it had located “an additional 6,924 documents of potentially responsive records” relating to a 2015 Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit about the Obama IRS targeting scandal. These new records are the first batch of nearly 7,000 documents that had been hidden from JW, Congress, and the American people. (Our FOIA lawsuit seeks records about the IRS’ selection of individuals and organizations for audits based upon applications requesting nonprofit tax status filed by Tea Party and other 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organizations (Judicial Watch v. Internal Revenue Service (No. 1:15-cv-00220)).
Of the 695 pages of documents released by the IRS, 422 (61%) were completely blacked out. Again, this new material was not in the “Congressional Database,” which the IRS created in 2013 to house records responsive to congressional inquiries into the IRS scandal.
Nevertheless, we extracted some key info – such as a June 20, 2013, memo from Karen Schiller, then-acting director, EO (Exempt Organizations) Rulings and Agreements, suspending use of the controversial Be on the Lookout (BOLO) and Touch and Go (TAG) lists:
EO Rulings and Agreements is undertaking a comprehensive review of screening and identification of critical issues. We intend to develop proper procedures and uses for these types of documents. Until a more formal process for identification, approval and distribution of this type of data is established, Rulings and Agreements will not use this technique to elevate issues.
In an August 9, 2013, memo, Schiller admitted the IRS used political labels in targeting the groups for special scrutiny and possible audit and that, going forward, the agency would screen organizations based only on their activities, “not words” or “labels of any kind:”
As Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel has said, the IRS has taken decisive action to eliminate the use of inappropriate political labels in the screening of 501(c)(4) applications. IRS policy is now clear that screening is based on activity, not words in a name. The new steps and current policies were outlined in the June 24 report, which noted: “In the absence of BOLO lists, the Determinations Unit will continue to screen for information affecting the determination of applications for tax exempt status, including activity tied to political campaign intervention, but it [will] be done without regard to specific labels of any kind.” The 30-day report also reflects the June 20, 2013 memorandum, which was issued to officially suspend the use of the BOLO list in the screening process.
The documents also include a “Dear [Applicant]” letter that offers an “expedited process” for 501(c)(4) groups in exchange for restriction on their activities:
This optional expedited process is currently available only to applicants for 501(c)(4) status with applications pending for more than 120 days as of May 28, 2013, that indicate the organization may be involved in political campaign intervention.
In this optional process, an organization will represent that it satisfies, and will continue to satisfy, set percentages with respect to the level of its social welfare activities and political campaign intervention activities (as defined in the specific instructions on pages 5-7). These percentage representations are not an interpretation of law but are a safe harbor for those organizations that choose to participate in the optional process.
In short, the Obama IRS, after lawlessly delaying the approval of Tea Party group applications, tried to extort restrictions – which had no basis in law – on these very same groups.
On September 30, 2013, Acting Director, Exempt Organizations, Kenneth C. Corbin, sent a memo to IRS staff providing detailed guidance on classifying applications when “‘merit approval’ is not an option,” emphasizing that the determination is to be based on “facts and circumstances,” not “words and labels:”
Classifier reviews the application and determines if it should be routed to a specialty group. This determination is based upon facts and circumstances of the stated activities within Part II of the application rather than names or labels. This is consistent with Karen Schiller’s August 9, 2013 memorandum …
The Schiller and Corbin memos came on the heels of the May 14, 2013, Inspector General report revealing that the IRS had singled out groups using conservative-sounding terms such as “patriot” and “Tea Party” when applying for tax-exempt status. The IG probe determined that “Early in Calendar Year 2010, the IRS began using inappropriate criteria to identify organizations applying for tax-exempt status (e.g., lists of past and future donors)” and “delayed processing of targeted groups’ applications” in advance of the 2012 presidential election.
No wonder the Obama IRS hid these records. These new smoking-gun documents contain admissions by the Obama IRS that it inappropriately targeted conservative groups. But the records also show that the abuse continued – as the Obama IRS tried to force conservative applicants to give up their First Amendment rights in order to finally get their applications granted.
Ridgewood Nj, Trout Season Opens Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 8:00 a.m . 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. https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/fishneed.htm
TROUT STOCKING HOTLINE: 609-633-6765
NOTE: Due to a delay in the printing of the Trout Regulation Signs a number of waters have yet to be posted. All waters have been and will be stocked as scheduled.
BROOK, BROWN & RAINBOW TROUT (and their hybrids and strains) April 8 at 8 a.m.–May 31 9 inches 6 per day
LAKE TROUT REGULATIONS Jan. 1–Dec. 31 15 inches 2 per day
Bergen County:
Dahnert’s Lake—Garfield (4) Hackensack River—Lake Tappan to Harriot Ave., Harrington Park (4) Hohokus Brook—Forest Rd. to Saddle River (4) Indian Lake—Little Ferry (4) Mill Pond—Park Ridge (3) Pascack Creek—Orchard St., Hillsdale, to Lake St., Westwood (4) Potash Lake—Oakland (3) Saddle River—Lake St. to Dunkerhook Rd., Fair Lawn (5) Tenakill Brook—Closter, entire length (3) Whites Pond—Waldwick (4)
New Jersey offers some of the best trout fishing opportunities you will find in the northeast – and fishing has never been better! And its not just a spring thing anymore. Stocking programs in spring, fall and winter provide for excellent year-round trout fishing opportunities in the Garden State.
A progressive trout stocking program results in nearly 600,000 trout, raised at the Pequest Trout Hatchery, being stocked statewide each spring, followed by additional fall and winter trout distributions. The average size of trout stocked in the spring is 10.5 inches in length and ½ pound in weight, but be wary and watch your line as thousands of 2 pound to 5 pound fish are also mixed in and stocked with the regular production fish. Talk about excitement!
Come October and November, New Jersey anglers can gear up to hook into some 26,000 super-sized trout, which measure 14 inches to 24 inches, and can be caught throughout autumn and winter. New Jersey also boasts two fabulous Trophy Trout Lakes. Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs both support monster rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. Round Valley supports perhaps one of the most southern naturally reproducing populations of lake trout and boasts the current state record of more than thirty-two pounds!
Another super bonus for New Jersey trout anglers is a lesser-known fishery for the elusive sea run brown trout. These fish, also raised at Pequest, were stocked in the lower freshwater tidal section of the Manasquan River within the Manasquan River Wildlife Management Area until 2013. From there, they migrate out to the ocean and return larger, and more silver in color. Scattered reports indicate fish over 20 inches in length have been caught.
Angler fishing access abounds in New Jersey, and this is where this small state has it big on many of its larger counterparts. The state Green Acres Program has been acquiring land by leaps and bounds and the Division of Fish and Wildlife has been the advocate for, and recipient of, thousands of acres of land specifically designated as fishing access. So if you want to fish for trout and are not sure where to wet a line, there is a good chance a spot is being held open for you by the state.
So what are you waiting for? With more trout being stocked and more places to fish, trout fishing has never been better. Just remember a fishing license and trout stamp is required to fish for trout for anglers age 16 through 69. And to make it easy, licenses and stamps can be purchased and printed online or obtained through one of the many license agents throughout the state. In just minutes, you can be on your way to spectacular trout fishing in the Garden State.
Ridgewood NJ, the resent derailment at Penn Station New York has suggested new urgency to the Hudson Tunnel Project.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and NJ TRANSIT are jointly preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the Hudson Tunnel Project. The Project is intended to preserve the current functionality of the Northeast Corridor’s (NEC) Hudson River rail crossing between New Jersey and New York and strengthen the resiliency of the NEC. The EIS is being prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). As appropriate, FRA and NJ TRANSIT will coordinate with Amtrak and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) on the EIS.
The FRA and NJ TRANSIT have identified a Preferred Alternative for examination in the EIS. The Preferred Alternative would include two new tracks extending from the NEC in Secaucus, NJ, continuing in a tunnel beneath the Palisades (North Bergen and Union City) and the Hoboken waterfront area, and beneath the Hudson River to connect to the existing approach tracks that lead into Penn Station New York, as well as rehabilitation of the existing tunnel once the new tunnel is complete. For more information, see the Preferred Alternatives Summary (also available on the Library page.)
The Hudson Tunnel Project has completed an Alternatives Development Report (also available on the Library page) describing how the Preferred Alternative was developed.
The FRA and NJ TRANSIT invite you to learn about the proposed Project and the environmental review process. We have also added a document to our Library for your review.
Ridgewood NJ, So much for the Trump Putin Alliance. Several months of nonstop accusations by the media and Democrats that our President Donald Trump is colluding with Russian Leader Vladimir Putin came to crashing halt with last nights tomahawk missile attack on a Russian ally Syria.
Trumps decisive action came on the eve of a Sino-Trump sit down in Mar-a-Lago . Leaving the Chinese leader ,many Trump allies and most trump critics in disarray. In one move Trump sent a signal to North Korea, Iran , Russia and the Democrats.
The fact that Trump campaigned so strenuously against such actions makes it that much more significant.
Students of history will remember many a new presidents ,most notable John F Kennedy who were tested in the early part of their administration .
In one decisive stroke the president silenced not only critics of his leadership ,departed from the failed policies of the Obama administration , put an end to Russian collusion accusations, and mirrored the action of what his former opponent Hillary Clinton had suggested just hours earlier .
Will the tomahawk missile attack on Syria lead to renewed entanglements in the middle east ,given Trumps campaign rhetoric I have my doubts . More likely it will be akin to Reagan’s firing of 13,000 air traffic controllers in early August of 1981. Like Reagan it says this president means business .
Glen Rock NJ, A rollover crash at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and Prospect Street in Glen Rock resulted in the destruction of a fire hydrant and two (2) utility poles on Thursday evening, 04/06. Glen Rock firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free the vehicle’s driver. The victim was transported by a Glen Rock EMS ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center. A portion of Prospect Street near Jerome Avenue was closed for an extended period to facilitate repairs to utility services. The wrecked vehicle was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Glen Rock PD is investigating the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of East Ridgewood and South Van Dien Avenues in Ridgewood on Friday morning, 04/07, sent one (1) vehicle up onto the nearby First Presbyterian Church’s front lawn. Both drivers involved in the mishap were evaluated on the scene by RIdgewood FD and EMS EMTs and both declined ambulance transportation to a hospital for further evaluation/treatment. Flatbed tow trucks removed both wrecked sedans. An Easter related lawn sign belonging to the church was damaged in connection with the collision. Ridgewood PD is investigating the incident.
Ridgewood NJ, At 6:55 a.m., Amtrak advised NJ TRANSIT that all but one track is back in service at Penn Station New York (PSNY). NJ TRANSIT’s MidTOWN Direct Service has been operating to PSNY this morning, and the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line train service is operating on their regular weekday schedules.
Trains are running with 15-20 delays !
As a precaution, NJ TRANSIT is advising customers that they may experience some delays and should give themselves some extra time to get to their destinations. We also urge customers to check njtransit.com before traveling.
At approximately 9 a.m. Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor line train #3926 experienced a slow-speed derailment while pulling in to Track 9 at New York’s Penn Station. Three cars in the middle of the ten car train derailed. These were cars 5, 6, and 7. Amtrak, which owns and maintains the tracks near Penn Station New York, has determined that a track problem was the cause of the derailment.
As long term commuters many on the staff of the Ridgewood blog would like to offer the following advise : Always have a backup plan or a plan B . Long term commuters often have a plan C as well .
If you take the Train everyday be familiar with the NJT bus schedule (163,164 ) as well as the Short line bus schedule and the NJT 165 express buses that leave the park and ride at Garden State Parkway off Ridgewood ave. Also be familiar with the 752 buses ,they link Ridgewood to Hackensack bus station. And don’t forget the 175 goes to the GWB bus station linking to the A express subway line.
Midtown direct passengers should be familiar with the Hoboken PATH trains as well as trains from Newark Penn to Ridgewood .Main line Bergen Line passengers should also be familiar with Pascack Valley line .
Complaining about commuting does not get you home to your family but good planning does.
By Jessica Mazzola | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on April 07, 2017 at 7:45 AM, updated April 07, 2017 at 7:47 AM
A New Jersey town has banned summertime commercial leaf blowing for good. (File photo)
MAPLEWOOD — The controversial leaf blower ban is back, and it’s here to stay.
The Maplewood town council this week unanimously passed an ordinance banning commercial landscapers’ use of the gas-powered blowers during the summer months – a move that cemented a pilot program enacted last year. The new rule, the town’s lawmakers said, is meant to decrease noise and environmental pollution in the community.
Ridgewood NJ, The boil water alert that was issued on Wednesday, April 5th has ended. Samples
collected throughout the affected zone were tested and are free of any E coli bacteria. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the source of the contamination along with a full review of Ridgewood Water Customer
notifications.
Ridgewood Water regrets any inconvenience this may have caused. The health and safety of our consumers is paramount. Consumers can get the latest information about the utility and its operations from our website, water.ridgewoodnj.net.
Please share this information with your friends and neighbors
Mark Krulish and Kaitlyn Kanzler , NorthJerseyPublished 12:23 p.m. ET April 6, 2017 | Updated 12 hours ago
RIDGEWOOD – Residents of Ridgewood face no danger from the E. coli that was detected in a groundwater sample on April 5, town officials announced Thursday.
Ridgewood Water customers were notified that the E. coli had been found in a low-pressure zone that includes parts of Ridgewood, Midland Park and Wyckoff and all of Glen Rock and were told to boil their water for a full minute before consuming.
Ridgewood Nj, readers feel the lack of communication from Ridgewood Water and the Village council added to the confusion and made matters far worse :
Mass panic and hysteria over absolutely nothing. The water supply was not contaminated, period. What are these people going to do when the bomb drops? They’ll be jumping off of roofs of buildings in the CBD.
A big part of this problem is communication. Apparently Ridgewood Water has its own notification system. Being signed up with the town is not enough!The water dept needs to step it up.
The Village is creating more confusion and panic by not explaining clearly exactly what the “Low Pressure Zone” is. They need to grasp the idea that without a clearly printed map, very few people will understand if they are in an affected area. This will lead to people worrying and possible overreacting.
ridgewood water company is run like a family business. Nobody is responsible for past billing issues or the future settlement with the surrounding towns. Please sell it and let’s focus on our core issues. Like running the town better.
I’ve lived in Ridgewood for almost 40 years and I can’t recall any communication being handled so poorly. Someone should be fired over how badly this was managed
Ridgewood water gets worse every year. Never any improvements, just arsenic violation lead violations, and now ecoli. Avoidance of lawsuit. Someone in this state has to intervene immediately and have it rin properly and professionally. Constant ignoring and no improvements can’t continue any longer.
No notification via robocall. No “neighborly” notification, of course. You could drop dead on the street and no one would help. Ridgewood Water refuses to answer the phone, Health Department could care less and refused to answer questions. Inept, unprofessional and incompetent. Will be deducting from water bill. This is par for the course in a backward town which lacks modern updates, conveniences and its residents are nasty.
Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_KrulishPublished 7:46 p.m. ET April 5, 2017 | Updated 19 hours ago
RIDGEWOOD — Barring any unforeseen developments, the village will soon be home to a new residential complex on Chestnut Street.
Chestnut Village, a 43-unit apartment complex, will include seven units set aside for affordable housing. It will be built at the site of the old state inspection station, near the village’s central garage.
Information about Ridgewood Water safety has been discussed on major news channels, as well as in social media. Please read the following notice, in its entirety, so that you may understand the facts surrounding what has occurred. The safety of consumers is paramount to Ridgewood Water, which is the reason behind actions which were taken.
Yesterday, April 5th, Ridgewood Water learned that a sample testing of raw, untreated groundwater resulted in a detection of fecal microbes. This sampling of raw water occurred prior to standard treatment and regular disinfection, before entering into the distribution system. As a precautionary measure, the affected well was immediately shutdown. Further, a DEP technical requirement was implemented, requiring notification to consumers within the distribution area. Those registered for Ridgewood Water messaging, were notified via the Ridgewood Water reverse 911 list.
The timing of the consumer notification was based on the date of sample collection and subsequent results, which were reported to Ridgewood Water less than 24 hours later, on April 5th. Ridgewood Water consulted with the New Jersey DEP and EPA on notice requirements.
The distribution areas covered by this notification include:
all of Glen Rock
Ridgewood south of Monte Vista and east of the rail line,
Wyckoff in the areas of Goffle Road, Hopper Ave, Ravine Court and Ravine Avenue
Midland Park in the vicinity of the Godwin Avenue shopping center, including the ACME Supermarket on Lake Street.
In order to be compliant with the DEP regulations, and in an abundance of caution, Ridgewood Water has advised that those consumers living in the distribution areas covered by this notification should use bottled water or boil water before using it. The boil water advisory will be lifted once RidgewoodWater receives favorable lab results from subsequent testing. You can learn more about whether your area is affected by calling Ridgewood Water at 201-670-5520.
Kindly share this information with your friends and neighbors.
Heather A. Mailander
Village Manager
201/670-5500 x202
