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Posted on January 27, 2017January 28, 2017 by James — 27 Comments

UPDATE : The Valley Hospital Unveils Plan to Relocate and Build a New Hospital in Paramus

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Ridgewood Campus Will Be Maintained for Outpatient Services

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus, NJ, The Valley Hospital will build a new, state-of-the-art hospital in Paramus, announced Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. Meyers, who was joined by members of Valley’s Board of Trustees, elected officials, and community leaders in making the announcement, said the new facility will allow Valley to meet the long-term healthcare needs of northern New Jersey and ensures that residents have access to the highest quality of care.

On February 1, Valley will file a Certificate of Need application with the New Jersey Department of Health, which must approve the hospital relocation. Valley anticipates breaking ground in 2019 and the new hospital could open as early as 2023.

The planned site for the new hospital campus is conveniently located on Winters Avenue in Paramus, just 2.5 miles from Valley’s current location in Ridgewood and directly across the street from the hospital’s comprehensive cancer and same-day-surgery centers (The Luckow Pavilion). Winters Avenue runs parallel to Route 17 and the Garden State Parkway between East Ridgewood Avenue and A&S Drive. The hospital’s property is located near the Fashion Center and Paramus Park mall.

While the new hospital has not yet been designed, it will be a state-of-the-art, welcoming hospital that incorporates the best practices in healthcare facility design. Conceptual plans call for a 372-bed, approximately 910,000 square-foot facility that will range in height from three to seven stories. The facility will be designed, constructed, operated and maintained using “green” or environmentally friendly principles and processes and will be in full compliance with the Paramus’ zoning ordinances.

Moving inpatient and emergency services to Paramus will allow Valley to repurpose its current campus in Ridgewood for a broad range of healthcare services, including an urgent-care center, and laboratory, radiology and endoscopy services. In addition, Valley plans to consolidate existing ambulatory and outpatient services and health system business functions back to the Ridgewood campus.

“The ‘New’ Valley Hospital will combine Valley’s exceptional level of care and dedicated staff with the latest innovations and advancements in healthcare,” said Meyers. “This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to raise the bar in all that we do – providing world class healthcare, strengthening our communities and helping people and families live healthier lives.”

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), State Senator Bob Gordon, Assemblyman Joseph Lagana, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, and Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera were among the elected officials on hand to show their support for the new hospital. Senator Menendez, Assemblyman Lagana and County Executive Tedesco also reside in the Borough of Paramus, “Valley has long been a valued member of the Paramus community and we are excited to be the future home of The Valley Hospital,” said Mayor LaBarbiera. “The ‘New’ Valley Hospital will help revitalize an aging industrial and office-use area of Paramus, bring much needed roadway improvements, provide economic benefits for the entire town, and diversify a retail-dependent tax base. Valley has always supported Paramus through sponsorships and community programs, and consistent with their philosophy of giving back, Valley has committed to work with us on new initiatives.”

“Valley’s continuous efforts to innovate and elevate the level of care they provide demonstrates their steadfast dedication to the people they serve,” said U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. “The “New” Valley Hospital means increased services for patients, more jobs for area residents, and greater access for families across northern New Jersey to the latest advancements in healthcare now and in the future.”

“I am excited about the potential for Valley’s new, modern hospital to transform care for our residents and bolster our economy by supporting local businesses and bringing good jobs to northern New Jersey,” said Congressman Gottheimer.

“For all of us who live here, raise our families here or work here, access to quality healthcare is an essential component of our quality of life. Valley has been the hospital of choice for my family, and this new project will ensure future generations have access to the highest quality care,” said Senator Bob Gordon.

“This is a milestone day for Bergen County,” said County Executive Tedesco. “Valley’s commitment to the community has been unwavering, and this exciting project will not only provide greater access to healthcare for the residents of Bergen County, but will also strengthen our local economy by creating new jobs. Bergen County is well on its way to becoming the healthcare hub of the state.”

The “New” Valley Hospital will incorporate cutting-edge technology and the latest innovations and best practices in healthcare facility design. It is being designed from the ground up to integrate innovative technology and the flexibility required to accommodate new and emerging healthcare models. To enhance privacy and comfort as well as improve the quality of care provided, the new hospital will be built with single-patient rooms. Research has found that patients cared for in single-patient rooms experience shorter lengths of stay, fewer sleep disturbances and lower rates of hospital-acquired infections.

The plans for the new hospital also call for the creation of universally sized rooms for surgery and procedures. These rooms will be designed to accommodate the latest in healthcare technology and meet all of the standards to allow them to be used for general surgery, minimally invasive robotic surgery, cardiac catheterizations or endovascular procedures.

“While our staff has long been recognized for the quality of care they deliver to our patients in Ridgewood – where we consistently rank at the top of patient satisfaction in New Jersey – modern, single-patient rooms in our new facility will allow us to provide our patients and their families with an even higher level of care and service,” said Meyers.

Meyers said that Valley is committed to working with the town to improve traffic flow in the area and that one of the advantages to this site were its multiple entry and exit points, which would mitigate any impact to local streets.

“We very much look forward to continuing to work with Mayor LaBarbiera and the Council, and will be hosting Town Hall meetings for the residents of Paramus to introduce our project to the Borough,” said Meyers.

Valley has launched a new website, www.TheNewValleyHospital.com and a Facebook page, Facebook.com/TheNewValleyHospital, where interested visitors can learn more about the proposed healthcare facility and stay up-to-date with the hospital’s plans.

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — 4 Comments

NJ hospitals: Obamacare repeal would slam us

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Jonathan Gruber Obamacare architect said last year that a “lack of transparency” and the “stupidity of the American voter” helped Congress approve ObamaCare

Michael L. Diamond , @mdiamondappPublished 5:02 p.m. ET Jan. 26, 2017

New Jersey hospitals would be hit hard by the repeal of Obamacare if Congress doesn’t replace it with a law that would include similar levels of insurance coverage, their trade group said Thursday.

Hospitals would lose money from both private insurance and Medicaid reimbursements. They would need to treat more consumers who lose their coverage in emergency departments. And both would put a strain on their bottom line, officials said.

https://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2017/01/26/nj-hospitals-obamacare-repeal/97078816/

Posted on January 27, 2017April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Is My Teen Using Drugs? Can I Know For Sure?

file photo by Boyd Loving

The drug-abuse crisis among teenagers and young adults isn’t abating

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Prescription drugs, especially opioids, are a growing threat to the health of young people, with 6 percent of teens 12 to 17 saying they use the drugs for non-medical reasons. And in 2014, prescription drugs caused the overdose death of 1,741 young people ages 18 to 25, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

If those statistics aren’t alarming enough, studies reveal that 3 percent of teens have used heroin and that drug’s use is on the rise. In 2009, 21,000 teens sought treatment for heroin addiction, compared to 4,400 10 years earlier, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

So how can parents concerned their teen might be using opioids or other drugs find out for sure? Some parents seek to confirm their suspicions with one of the many drug-testing kits available at the corner pharmacy.

But clever teens and free-market ingenuity are making the accuracy of those urine drug tests questionable. In fact, the urine drug test cheating industry is estimated to be near $1 billion, with products easily purchased on the web, including synthetic urine, substitute urine and even devices aimed solely at defeating the drug test.

“Unfortunately, there’s a whole industry of products out there that help people cheat the drug tests,” says Dr. Matt McCarty, CEO and founder of Genotox Laboratories (www.genotoxlabs.com). “Even if you decide to make your child use a urine test, savvy teenagers know that once you send them into the restroom alone they can substitute a friend’s urine or synthetic urine and trick you.”

The challenge for parents is to confirm that their handy drug-testing kit really is testing their teen’s urine and not someone else’s. They aren’t the only ones who face that predicament. Drug-test cheating is a problem that human resource departments, law enforcement and other agencies or businesses that test for drugs encounter as well.

Cheating the tests also is a problem when monitoring patients who are taking opioid medications under a doctor’s care, or who are undergoing rehab and recovery from addiction.

But there are ways to foil the cheaters. Genotox Labs, for example, developed a product called ToxProtect™ that adds a cheek swab to the urine-collection process so the DNA can be matched.

“With a DNA test, there’s no maybe about it,” McCarty says. “It either matches or it doesn’t match.”

What might lead a parent to insist on a drug test for their teen? The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence says there are drug-abuse warning signs parents can look for, and McCarty says all parents should be on the lookout for these signs. They include:

• Physical and health signs. Bloodshot eyes; pupils smaller or larger than normal; frequent nosebleeds; changes in appetite or sleep patterns; sudden weight loss or weight gain; deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance; and impaired or unstable coordination.
• Behavioral signs. Skipping class and declining grades; loss of interest in extracurricular activities; acting isolated, silent or withdrawn; demanding more privacy and avoiding eye contact; and sudden change in relationships and friends.
• Psychological warning signs. Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts or laughing at nothing; periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation; lack of motivation and inability to focus; appearing fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid for no apparent reason.

While schools and other agencies may provide some help, ultimately it’s up to the parents to address a teen’s drug problem, McCarty says.

“All evidence suggests that preventing drug abuse starts at home,” he says. “It’s not someone else’s responsibility. It’s the person who has the problem and their family who need to deal with it. That’s why if you test your kid for drugs at home, you want to make sure you’re getting their results and aren’t letting them fool you.”

About Dr. Matt McCarty, M.D.

Dr. Matt McCarty is a board certified, fellowship trained physician specializing in chronic pain management. Aware of the growing need for medication monitoring and personalized medicine, he founded Genotox Laboratories (www.genotoxlabs.com), a rapidly growing national reference lab providing medication monitoring services through urine drug screen confirmations and pharmacogenomics testing. He believes that earlier and better monitoring by all physicians prescribing controlled substances could lead to lower rates of addiction, diversion and overdose deaths. With his team at Genotox he invented a patent pending DNA authenticated sample matching method called ToxProtect™. It ensures urine submitted for drug testing is matched to a specific donor. ToxProtect™ uncovers the use of substitute and synthetic urine and detects substance misuse, abuse and relapse when all other urine drug testing fails. He hopes that through the most advanced genomic testing platform offered by Genotox, a clinician can uncover substance misuse abuse and relapse allowing for earlier intervention.

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

‘Dismantling Dodd-Frank’ a Top Priority for Administration, Congress

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After President Trump today said Congress should make financial regulatory reform a priority to “help striving Americans get the credit they need to realize their dreams” and Vice President Pence said “dismantling Dodd-Frank” is a top legislative priority for the Trump Administration, House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) issued the following statement:

“No bureaucrat in Washington should be able to tell hardworking Americans what kind of credit card, bank account, mortgage or retirement advice they can have, but that’s exactly what Dodd-Frank does. As the President and Vice President have said, Dodd-Frank makes it harder for people to get loans to buy a home or start a small business. Consumers are paying more in fees and are losing benefits and access to services they want and need. Instead of ending ‘too big to fail,’ Dodd-Frank institutionalizes bailouts for big banks. Dodd-Frank’s regulations give Wall Street a competitive advantage over community banks and credit unions. In fact, since Dodd-Frank became law the big banks have gotten bigger and the small banks are fewer.

“Fulfilling the Trump Administration’s pledge to dismantle Dodd-Frank this year is essential to leveling the playing field, building a healthy economy and offering every American greater opportunities to achieve financial independence.

“Republicans on the Financial Services Committee are eager to work with the President and his administration to unclog the arteries of our financial system so the lifeblood of capital can flow more freely and create jobs. The Financial CHOICE Act, our bold and forward looking plan, replaces Dodd-Frank with new policies to protect consumers by holding Wall Street and Washington accountable, end bailouts and unleash America’s economic potential.

“Replacing the Dodd-Frank mistake is necessary if we ever hope to enjoy a healthy economy and make America great again.”

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

NEW JERSEY STILL BOGGED DOWN IN FORECLOSURES WHILE REST OF COUNTRY RECOVERING

JOE TYRRELL | JANUARY 26, 2017

Housing advocates blame a lack of leadership at state level for Garden State’s highest foreclosure rate in nation

Housing markets have improved and foreclosure numbers dropped across the country since the Great Recession, but a decade on, New Jersey remains mired in a deep foreclosure swamp.

Statewide figures are significantly better than in 2009, the depth of the economic downturn. Yet some analyses cite Atlantic City as the worst housing market in the country, with Trenton not far behind. Overall, New Jersey continues to have the highest foreclosure rate in the country, according to real-estate data firms.

While many factors contribute to the problem, housing advocates point to a lack of leadership from state government as significant. Gov. Chris Christie, who used $75 million from national foreclosure-prevention aid to plug a budget gap in 2012, seldom mentions the issue.

“In the other states where we work, we have governors who have welcomed us and networked us to their housing agencies and counselors,” said a relative newcomer to the state scene, Jessica Brooks, a vice president at Boston Community Capital.

Nonprofit housing organizations like BCC work with lenders and borrowers to prevent foreclosures. Some for-profit groups also have sprung up, like Community Champions of Melbourne, Florida to fight the effects of foreclosure blight. But as the major federal foreclosure relief ends, a lack of state leadership in New Jersey means municipalities must find such partners themselves. Meanwhile, borrowers must remain alert to police their own mortgages, according to a top foreclosure defense lawyer.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/01/25/new-jersey-is-still-bogged-down-in-foreclosures-while-rest-of-country-recovers/?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

Posted on January 27, 2017January 24, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

2016 INVESTMENT RETURNS FOR PUBLIC-EMPLOYEE PENSION UP 7%, MUCH BETTER THAN IN 2015

JOHN REITMEYER | JANUARY 26, 2017

New figures don’t negate fundamental funding problems, but they bring some good news for the beleaguered pension system

The board that oversees New Jersey’s beleaguered public-employee pension system received some good news yesterday as new figures showed overall investment returns finished ahead by about 7 percent last year.

While those returns didn’t live up to the 7.9 percent assumption that’s set in state law for the pension system, they marked a significant improvement over the year before, when investments generated less than 1 percent returns.

The new calendar-year figures also suggested a much better outlook for the pension system — which is deep in debt thanks to years of underfunding by the state — after figures released last year for the 2016 fiscal year showed negative returns for the first time in nearly a decade. (The fiscal year runs on a July 1 to June 30 schedule, mirroring the state budget cycle.)

The full dive into the 2016 calendar-year investment returns took place yesterday during a public meeting of the State Investment Council, the board that sets policy for the $72 billion pension system. State officials said the improvement largely occurred during the second part of 2016, with areas like equity and real estate leading the way after a poor start that included plummeting energy prices. They also released new figures for alternative investments like hedge funds and private equity that showed a slight increase in fees but an overall reduction in other costs like bonuses for performance.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/01/25/2016-investment-returns-for-public-employee-pension-up-7-much-better-than-in-2015/?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — 1 Comment

BREAKING : The Valley Hospital Unveils Plan to Relocate and Build a New Hospital in Paramus

Ridgewood Campus Will Be Maintained for Outpatient Services

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), State Senator Bob Gordon, Assemblyman Joseph Lagana, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, and Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera were among the elected officials on hand to show their support for the new hospital. Senator Menendez, Assemblyman Lagana and County Executive Tedesco also reside in the Borough of Paramus
“Valley has long been a valued member of the Paramus community and we are excited to be the future home of The Valley Hospital,” said Mayor LaBarbiera. “The ‘New’ Valley Hospital will help revitalize an aging industrial and office-use area of Paramus, bring much needed roadway improvements, provide economic benefits for the entire town, and diversify a retail-dependent tax base. Valley has always supported Paramus through sponsorships and community programs, and consistent with their philosophy of giving back, Valley has committed to work with us on new initiatives.”

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — 2 Comments

Burglaries on Bingham and Spring Ave, Identity Fraud and Vehicle Break-in Highlight Ridgewood Police Blotter

file photo by Boyd Loving

Janaury 27,2017

Complied by the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report two Village burglaries; A Bingham Road resident discovered his home had been burglarized upon arriving home on January 22. The resident reported he discovered a first floor window had been broken by a rock and unlawfully entered. The residents checked the interior of the residence but found nothing missing. Det. Douglas Henky responded to the scene to investigate the burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief, however the homeowner declined to have the Bergen County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit respond to process the scene. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau photographed the scene and is investigating the incident.

On January 23, patrol units responded to a report of a burglary in the past on Spring Avenue. The house was discovered to have been entered between 12:30pm and 1:52pm by an unknown actor forcefully making entry. The residence was found to have been ransacked and jewelry, silverware and other various items were reported to have been stolen. Det. Jeffrey Casson responded to the scene to investigate and requested the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit to respond. Upon arrival, B.C.I. investigated and processed the scene along with the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.

Thefts at Valley Hospital; On January 19, a Hawthorne, N.J. resident reported the theft of a mobile device while at the Valley Hospital. The victim reported the cell phone was left unattended for a short time in a hospital office and when the employee returned she discovered it missing. The Apple IPhone 6 is valued at $700.

A parked vehical break in ; A Midland Park, N.J. resident reported on January 21, a theft occurred from his vehicle while it was parked unattended in the Village of Ridgewood between 1/19/17 and 1/21/17. The victim reported the unknown actor stole approximately $440 in contracting equipment. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

The Ridgewood Police also report a string on identity theft; On January 20, a North Monroe Street resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report identity theft. The victim reported an unknown person entered a Chase Bank in Columbus, Ohio using the victim’s identity and cashed two cashier’s checks from the victim’s accounts, which totaled $4800. The bank is investigating the incident. The victim was provided a Ridgewood Police identity theft information form.

On January 21, a Sheffield Road resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report identity theft and fraud. The victim reported an unknown actor withdrew $3200 from his TD Bank savings account and $700 from his TD Bank checking account at a branch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. TD Bank advised the victim the actor utilized a N.J. Driver’s License to make the withdrawal. The Driver’s License has been discovered to be a fraudulent identification. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

All actors are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — 9 Comments

Ridgewood Public Library Continues to Push it’s “Merely speculative” Plans for Renovation

file photo by ArtChick

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on this blog Nancy Green gave a presentation about plans for remodeling the library. Basically, she presented a wish-and-hope plan, which included some architectural drawings. She stated that they will work within the existing footprint……although there was a quick mention of “squaring off” the empty space on the northwest corner of the building along the walkway from Maple Avenue (behind the auditorium). Tiered seating in the auditorium was discussed as a possibility. Nothing will happen without approval from the Council. She says this is all very preliminary, but clearly, a lot of work has gone into this very preliminary presentation.

Sounds like we have heard all this before,“Ms. Greene described the five-year planning process conducted by the Library, which included the development of a Strategic Plan with consultant Alan Gray of Darien Library, and a Building Program with consultant Leslie Burger of Princeton Library.” Do you think that hiring two consultants who gave their presentation at the

Readers seem to fall into “NO LIBRARY EXPANSION. Board has too much money to play with and can’t stop delusions of grandeur. Buy a new outfit for a big opening somewhere else. Stop charging a fortune for DVDs. At least the old ones should be free.” category.

Readers suggest, “If the plea is “We already spent a ton of money, so we have to spend more,” I recommend the following reply by the Council: “Your bad. Cut your losses.” Spending $5 million to create a performing arts center with no parking while reducing the number of books in the library would be as appalling in the current financial situation as Christie’s plan to spend $300 million upgrading the State House while state pension plans, infrastructure, and much more are in desperate need and our credit rating sinks and sinks. NO to library upgrade. Replace the board and stop charging a fortune for DVDs and so on.”

Posted on January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 by James — 2 Comments

The Priority of Ridgewood Committee By-Laws

file photo by Boyd Loving , Councilman Voigt

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, It is a wonderful that the Village Council is going to be reviewing all the bylaws of the Committees and Boards, and is going to have a template for all of them to follow in the future. It seems that some of these bodies of volunteer citizens have no written bylaws at all. Some have very skimpy bylaws. And some have bylaws that exceed the charge that is stated for the committee. While these committees and boards provide a huge service, and their volunteer members work hard at their tasks, it is very important that their roles are clearly defined. They are not elected officials, and they are not employees of the Village. They are volunteer citizens who can provide input and ideas. Period.

Two committees in particular need to be watched. Both are chaired by citizens who ran (unsuccessfully) for Village Council last spring, with the full support of Aronsohn-Pucciarelli-Hauck-Sonenfeld.

The Financial Advisory Committee has somehow extended its bylaws to include more responsibility than it is supposed to have. The chairman Evan Weitz wants to be included in the contract negotiations for the police and fire departments. Seriously. Can you even imagine that a committee of volunteers thinks they can be included in these negotiations? It is not even legal. And he is being egged on by Councilman Jeff Voigt, who sent an email to Evan Weitz recently asking him to come to the January 4, 2017 meeting and asking him to defend the FAC during public comments. Evan Weitz has also requested access to information that is not available to the public via OPRA requests. So glad that the Village Council is going to take a close look at the bylaws of this committee and reign them in. This committee seemed like a good idea in the beginning, it made some useful recommendations about budget planning and other financial activities, but it is probably no longer needed. Hopefully this committee can be eliminated altogether, as we now have a CFO who is highly competent.

The Parks and Recreation Committee is chaired by Richard Brooks, who chastised the Village Council on January 25 for having the audacity to put Schedler and Graydon on the Worksession agenda. Using language and tone of voice that was condescending and falsely authoritative, Mr. Brooks suggested that absolutely no recommendations or decisions about these two parks or any parks should be made EVER without running them by the PRC first. Mr. Brooks needs to be reminded that his committee is advisory and has absolutely no authority. He also made a point of announcing that the current and past Village Council liaisons to the PRC, Mr. Hache and Ms. Hauck, are lifelong residents of Ridgewood; he stated that having lifelong residents who grew up playing in the Ridgewood parks is an asset. When is this elitism going to end? Newer residents are often made to feel like second-class citizens, and this is dead wrong. A new resident has just as many rights and his or her opinions are wholly as valuable as those of someone who has lived here for many years.

Although Councilman Voigt publicly characterized the proposed review of all Committee and Board bylaws as an utter and complete waste of time, the fact is that this task is both essential and urgent. Volunteer committee members are the lifeblood of this community, but their responsibilities need to be clearly defined in order for everyone to be able to achieve the best outcomes. And when disgruntled citizens such as Mr. Weitz and Mr. Brooks are put into positions where they can attempt to wield power that is not theirs to wield, we have a serious problem.

Mayor Knudsen stated last night that the reviews will begin in March, by which time all Council members will have provided relevant materials from the committees and boards on which they serve. Looking forward to seeing the outcome of this major endeavor.

Posted on January 27, 2017January 26, 2017 by James — 10 Comments

Time to Shut Down the Financial Advisory Committee

January 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, is it only the Ridgewood blog that concerned a committee the FAC is peering into all town finances, without minutes, public meetings ,bylaws or agendas?

And while we welcome volunteers, the financial background of many on the committee seems a bit thin.

Do the residents of Ridgewood really want town finances discussed in this matter? By people who so clearly have their own agenda?

One reader said , “I was concerned over Richard Brooks statement about the importance of running”all things parks” through them. It indicated a level of importance that simply isn’t their role. I think this is one of the reasons the Mayor is focusing on bylaws for the village committees.”

Another was even more disturbed, “I agree big time. Richard Brooks was extraordinarily nasty and condescending in his tone and presentation. Excuse me, sir, but you are a volunteer (thank you, we appreciate it) but you are not an elected official (not even close, by the way, you were voted down by a huge margin, you were the lowest vote getter). So get off your high horse and stop telling the elected officials what they can and cannot do. They can discuss Schedler and Graydon and any other park they want to. Yes, they will listen to recommendations or suggestions from you and your committee (again, thank you for volunteering) but they are in charge and wild decide what they will and will not do.. Not you. Got it? Get it. Now sit the hell down.”

Posted on January 27, 2017January 26, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

Trump administration asks top State Department officials to leave

By Elise Labott, CNN

Updated 3:23 PM ET, Thu January 26,2017

Washington (CNN)Two senior administration officials said Thursday that the Trump administration told four top State Department management officials that their services were no longer needed as part of an effort to “clean house” at Foggy Bottom.

Patrick Kennedy, who served for nine years as the undersecretary for management, Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Consular Affairs Joyce Anne Barr and Michele Bond, and Ambassador Gentry Smith, director of the Office for Foreign Missions, were sent letters by the White House that their service was no longer required, the sources told CNN.

All four, career officers serving in positions appointed by the President, submitted letters of resignation per tradition at the beginning of a new administration.

https://www.cnn.com/2017/01/26/politics/top-state-department-officials-asked-to-leave-by-trump-administration/index.html

Posted on January 27, 2017January 26, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

Steve Bannon Torches New York Times: ‘You Have No Power’

Stephen K. Bannon (or, for those who wish to maximize their SEO, Steve Bannon) — former Executive Chairman to Breitbart News — tells the New York Times’ Michael Grynbaum that the “elite media” has “no authority” to report on what the American people want out of newly-inaugurated President Donald Trump.

From the New York Times:

Stephen K. Bannon, President Trump’s chief White House strategist, laced into the American press during an interview on Wednesday evening, arguing that news organizations had been “humiliated” by an election outcome few anticipated, and repeatedly describing the media as “the opposition party” of the current administration.

“The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for awhile,” Mr. Bannon said during a telephone call.

“I want you to quote this,” Mr. Bannon added. “The media here is the opposition party. They don’t understand this country. They still do not understand why Donald Trump is the president of the United States.”

https://www.breitbart.com/big-journalism/2017/01/26/steve-bannon-torches-new-york-times-no-power/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Posted on January 26, 2017January 26, 2017 by James — Leave a comment

How Trump is remaking the ‘culture war’

By Rich Lowry

January 23, 2017 | 6:56pm | Updated January 24, 2017 | 9:46am

The nation’s foremost culture warrior is President Trump.

He wouldn’t, at first blush, seem well-suited to the part. Trump once appeared on the cover of Playboy. He has been married three times. He ran beauty pageants and was a frequent guest on the Howard Stern radio show. His “locker-room talk” captured on the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape didn’t, shall we say, demonstrate a well-honed sense of propriety.

There is no way Trump could be a credible combatant in the culture war as it existed for the last 40 years. But he has reoriented the main lines of battle away from issues related to religion and sexual morality and onto the ground of populism and nationalism. Trump’s culture war is fundamentally the people versus the elite, national sovereignty versus cosmopolitanism and patriotism versus multiculturalism.

https://nypost.com/2017/01/23/how-trump-is-remaking-the-culture-war/amp/

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