The FBI on Friday released a detailed report on its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server, including the summary of its three-hour interview with the former secretary of State.
The report totals 58 pages, although large sections have been redacted.
In July, FBI Director James Comey announced that he did not recommend charging Clinton with willfully mishandling classified information.
While Comey called the former secretary of State “extremely careless” for using the server, he repeatedly said that “no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case.”
Ridgewood NJ, the press is finally starting to recognize that Josh Gottheimer is a political insider trying to use his Clinton connections to buy a congressional seat. New media reports blast him as a “Clinton lackey” whose resume is merely a “revolving door with the Clintons.”It seems for all his bravado Josh Gottheimer is nothing more than a cog in the Clinton machine and only in Bergen to execute on Clinton business.
Clinton Foundation. Josh Gottheimer has filed no public registrations about the clients he represented during the four years he served as Executive Vice President for Burson-Marsteller. (Josh Gottheimer, LinkedIn, Accessed 8/29/16)
Clinton Connections. “[T]he collection of Clinton associates aiding Mr. Gottheimer is striking in its breadth.” (Alexander Burns, “Protégé of Clintons Takes On Congressman in New Jersey,” The New York Times, 12/26/15)
Clinton Cash. “A review of his filings found that about one dollar in six came directly from fellow alumni of the Clinton White House and campaigns — many of whom are scattered across powerful companies like Time Warner Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and Goldman Sachs — or from major donors and employees of consulting firms tied closely to the Clintons.” (Alexander Burns, “Protégé of Clintons Takes On Congressman in New Jersey,” The New York Times, 12/26/15)
Ford job, courtesy of the Clintons. From Bill Clinton’s White House and Hillary’s Clinton’s campaign, Gottheimer then went to Ford Motor Company, a client of Clinton confidant Mark Penn. (Josh Gottheimer, LinkedIn, Accessed 8/29/16)
Gottheimer’s Ford Failure Resulted in the Loss of At Least 34,000 Jobs And the Closing of 14 Manufacturing Facilities. “‘It’s not a time when everything is rosy,’ says Josh Gottheimer, director of strategic communications.” (Theresa Howard, “Bill Ford Takes Chamois To Namesake Automaker’s Image,” USA Today, 4/17/06)
Burson-Marsteller job, courtesy of the Clintons. After failing spectacularly at Ford, Gottheimer jumped ship to Burson-Marstellar, thanks to Penn’s new role as CEO.(David Shepardson, “Top Ford Political And PR Strategist Departs,” The Detroit News, 11/6/06)
Black Hole: Josh Gottheimer has filed no public registrations about the clients he represented during the four years he served as Executive Vice President for Burson-Marsteller.
FCC job, courtesy of the Clintons. Gottheimer coincidentally joined the FCC right as Penn/Burson client LightSquared petitioned the agency for a waiver. Both the media and Members of Congress noted Gottheimer’s lack of credentials for this job, and the US Senate ultimately investigated Gottheimer for impropriety.
POLITICO: “The FCC will announce today that Josh Gottheimer, executive VP at PR firm Burson-Marstellar, will become senior counselor to Julius Genachowski. Gottheimer…doesn’t have a Capitol Hill background.” (Kim Hart And Tony Romm, “A Big New FCC Hire: Gottheimer To Become Senior Counselor To Genachowski,” Politico, 6/23/10)
Sen. Chuck Grassley: “On June 23, 2010, you announced that Mr. Joshua Gottheimer would be appointed as your Senior Counselor with a special responsibility towards implementing President Obama’s National Broadband Plan. Given the complicated technical issues at play, I was surprised that Mr. Gottheimer’s published qualifications did not include any telecommunications or broadband experience.”(Senator Chuck Grassley, “Letter To FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski,” United States Senate, 1/30/11)
Microsoft job, courtesy of the Clintons. After ascandal-plagued tenure at the FCC, Gottheimer once again followed Clinton confidant Mark Penn, this time to Microsoft. (Nick Wingfield And Claire Cain Miller, “A Political Brawler, Now Battling for Microsoft,” The New York Times, 12/15/12)
Dear Nattering nabobs of negativism,
Although Stage 2 watering restrictions will continue to be in effect, Ridgewood Water will begin to consider waivers beginning on September 6th.
The following guidelines are the basis for granting individual exceptions to restrictions on outdoor water use:
New trees, shrubs, and perennials – Waivers may be granted, but will be limited to use of soaker hoses or drip irrigation on Tuesday,Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only. No automatic irrigation will be allowed for this purpose.
New lawns (sod or seed) – Waivers may be granted for automatic irrigation on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday only.
Applications are available on the Ridgewood Water website atwater.ridgewoodnj.net. Your completed application and documentation may be submitted in the following ways:
Village Hall
131 N. Maple Ave.
Fifth Floor
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Waivers cannot be guaranteed and are subject to cancellation if conditions worsen. Residents are still urged to postpone landscape installations when weather conditions are unfavorable.
Thank you for your support and cooperation. By working together we have been successful in avoiding more stringent restrictions this year.
Have a great Labor Day weekend,
Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager 201-670-5500, ext. 203
BY: Elizabeth Harrington
September 2, 2016 5:00 am
The National Science Foundation is spending roughly half a million dollars to combat “online trolling.”
A joint project by Northwestern and Northeastern universities is examining how to create “trolling-free environments” on the Internet. The researchers define online trolls as those who try to influence public opinion by boosting “misleading” and “inauthentic comments.”
“Today, almost every browsing click that users make is collected by numerous trackers associated with a variety of online services (e.g., advertising networks, online social networks, e-commerce platforms),” a grant for the project states. “Users have often expressed concern about the lack of privacy and control over their personal data. Nonetheless, despite a substantial effort to expose and control this prevalent behavior, the reality is that users keep accepting updated online privacy policies, which in turn grant the gathering of more personal data.”
Photo: (from L) John Domville, Daniel Fishbein, Jeffrey Nyhuis
September 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The 2016 Ashby Award and Tradition of Excellence Award were announced at Staff Convocation on September 1. Two RHS veterans, Assistant Principal Jeffrey Nyhuisand now-retired History Teacher John Domville were co-recipients of the Ashby Award. The Tradition of Excellence Award for support staff went to now-retired RHS secretary Sue Wasserman.
Trenton, NJ – Governor Chris Christie today announced The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has awarded the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) a $727,688 competitive grant to enhance efforts to curb the opioid crisis through a series of initiatives and the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) approximately $6.9 million to target prescription and opioid misuse.
“Today is International Overdose Awareness Day, a reminder that the disease of addiction is preventable through education and intervention,” said Governor Christie. “These funding grants are another important step in combating opioid misuse and abuse in New Jersey while strengthening our ability to positively impact the opioid crisis in our state by saving lives.”
Funding for DOH will enable the agency to enhance its data access and analysis; improve prevention planning, including implementing a statewide strategic plan; assess the impact of state-level policies on the opioid crisis; identify and engage communities most impacted by the effects of the opioid crisis; and maximize the New Jersey Prescription Monitoring Program’s public health surveillance potential.
The CDC’s Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention grant helps states combat ongoing prescription drug overdose challenges. The purpose is to provide state health departments with resources and support needed to advance interventions for preventing prescription drug overdoses.
Through 2019, CDC plans to give selected states annual awards between $750,000 and $1 million to advance prevention in four key areas: maximizing prescription drug monitoring programs; community, insurer or health systems interventions; policy evaluations and Rapid Response projects.
Through SAMHSA, DHS will receive a Strategic Prevention Framework for Prescription Drugs five-year grant award for approximately $1.9 million to target prescription drug misuse. The program is designed to raise awareness about the dangers of sharing medications and educate pharmaceutical and medical communities on the risks of overprescribing to young adults.
This grant also will fund prescription drug abuse prevention activities and education to schools, communities, parents, prescribers, and their patients. SAMHSA will track reductions in opioid overdoses and the incorporation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data into needs assessments and strategic plans as indicators of the program’s success. The cooperative agreement between DHS and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) calls for up to 25 awards of about $371,616 annually.
The reports developed from the DHS’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) data analysis will be shared with other state agencies and with DMHAS’ Regional Prevention Coalitions to inform planning in local communities.
In addition, DHS is receiving $5 million to target the reduction of the number of prescription drug/opioid overdose related deaths and adverse events among 18 year olds and older. The grant will focus on training key community sectors on the prevention of prescription drug/opioid overdose related deaths and implementing prevention strategies, including the purchase and distribution of naloxone kits. A cooperative agreement between DHS and SAMHSA calls for up to 11 awards of $1million annually.
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held annually on August 31 that aims to raise awareness of overdoses and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends who have experienced death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdoses.
Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog ,in October 2015 Resident Jacqueline Hone raised several issues pertaining to the Schedler Park Project including the allegation that the applications for Open Space Funds were fraudulent .
Ms Hone basically received the blow off from the Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and she sent a second email exclaiming ,”A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.”
Jacqueline Hone continues to push for clarity on the issue and says there is much confusion with County letter of intent.
“The intent only happened because residents attended a VC meeting and complained. Without any notice to VC or residents, Roberta introduced the idea/grant and pushed for an immediate approval.
Roberta’s usual “oh by the way” management style failed. Mayor Susan Knudsen stepped in and saved the day. Our mayor stressed that things have to be done in a correct manner and the process has to be followed to include residents. Prior to that, Roberta wanted to put the cart in front of the horse (as always). Residents would have been excluded and procedure would have been ignored. Listen to the meeting minutes.
Her email is not looking for VC support of the plan. Her email is “TELLING” VC to cover what she tried to do and publicly come down on residents that blew the whistle and complained.
All is documented and recorded. My heart breaks for residents that have no idea what is truly happening in our village. I urge everyone to seek first to understand.
Replace opinions with facts. There is a reason why thousands of residents petitioned (twice) and won. Our Village Manger is entangled in state ethics violations, citizen complaints and lawsuits. Did you know?
Residents are unaware, if they are moving forward with the grant, the Public Hearing must be appropriately advertised and scheduled for September 14, 2016. I haven’t seen a single thing.
Why isn’t Roberta gone yet? She’s a runaway train, taking out everything in her way, plowing down residents and our quaint village.”
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – A standardized test will play a greater role in the evaluation of teachers in New Jersey.
The state Education Department says teachers in grades 4-7 whose students participate in the PARCC math tests or in grades 4-8 whose students take PARCC English exams will have 30 percent of their ratings based on how the students performed on the tests. That’s up from 10 percent.
In a memo, Deputy Education Commissioner Peter Shulman says the test is in its third year and can be used as a tool to improve classroom instruction more effectively than any previous statewide assessment.
The problem with the town garage is that is a pollution nightmare. The property is now owned by a group of private investors who scooped it up to profit from a possible quick sale to the town as a parking garage. The investors should be on the hook for the remediation, but surely own the property in some sort of LLC with no assets. The town should take the property or start proceedings to have the current owners clean it up. the current cost of $1.2 million is an estimate and costs can surely be higher. We have let this pollution continue for too long and based on us having a ground water system need to do something NOW. we have waited wait too long. Hopefully the new council will shift into high gear and get something accomplished. That parking lot along with the town garage would make a nice parking garage. Forget about retail space.
Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the arrests of 40 people from August 28, 2016 through Thursday, September 1, 2016, as the result of “Operation Helping Hand” – an innovative and collaborative law enforcement and public health initiative targeting the heroin and opioid crisis in Bergen County.
Ridgewood had two residents Christopher J. O’Brien and Lyndsay A. Paul, both 32, who were charged with possession of heroin.
This investigation was the result of a multi-jurisdictional task force consisting of local and county agencies coordinated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Chief Robert ANZILOTTI. Assisting in this investigation were members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO. These detectives and officers formed the backbone of the multiagency task force. The municipal police agencies participating in this investigation were: Bergenfield Police Department; Cliffside Park Police Department; Dumont Police Department; Englewood Police Department; Elmwood Park Police Department; Fort Lee Police Department; Lyndhurst Police Department; Mahwah Police Department; New Milford Police Department; Saddle River Police Department; Tenafly Police Department; and Upper Saddle River Police Department. In addition, valuable assistance was provided by Bergen County officials, including Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, and Bergen Regional Medical Center.In 2015, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Intel Unit and Narcotic Task Force analyzed overdose data as well as deployments of NARCAN, the overdose reversal drug, in
Bergen County. That analysis revealed the following with respect to 2015:
288 total reported overdoses, 231 of which were heroin/opioid-related;
87 overdose fatalities, 71 of which were heroin/opioid-related; and
187 NARCAN deployments by law enforcement officers, resulting in 170 lives saved.In 2015, the hardest hit municipalities were:
Garfield with 23 overdoses;
Lyndhurst with 20 overdoses;
Fort Lee with 15 overdoses;
Lodi with 15 overdoses; and
Cliffside Park with 14 overdoses.Similar analysis of available data for 2016 year-to-date, revealed the following:
202 reported overdoses, 158 of which were heroin/opioid overdoses; and 48 total overdose fatalities, 40 of which are believed heroin/opioid-related.
In an effort to address this issue in a novel way, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office collaborated with Bergen Regional Medical Center to set aside a number of 5-day detox beds for a one-week period for individuals arrested on drug charges, who were battling addiction. Thereafter, on August 28, 2016, members of the multiagency task force described above began enforcement actions in areas known for narcotics sales, namely heroin sales. As a result of those operations, the task force arrested the individuals reflected on the attached spreadsheet. In addition to arresting them, task force members presented the option of participating in a voluntary detox program at Bergen Regional Medical Center that was available to them. The detox program was not in lieu of criminal charges. Approximately 12 individuals have afforded themselves to the detox option, and task force officers then either transported or are presently in the process of transporting those individuals to Bergen Regional Medical Center to enter into the detox program.
Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that the charges against the defendants identified on the attached spreadsheet are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would also like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bergen County Executive and Bergen Regional Medical Center, as well as all the municipal departments that participated for their assistance with this initiative.
Ridgewood NJ, According to the Ridgewood Police on 8/25/16 Ptl. Elwood was investigating a motor vehicle complaint on East Ridgewood Avenue when a party who was not involved became agitated and aggressive towards Ptl. Elwood. The party then assaulted Ptl. Elwood and was arrested at the scene. The 28-year-old Franklin, N.J. resident was then transported to headquarters and processed for Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer. The arrestee was released without bail pending his court date.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on 8/26/16 Ptl. Karcher was dispatched to the parking lot at 363 Route 17 South on a report of suspicious females sleeping in a motor vehicle. Ptl. Karcher responded and located the vehicle, which was registered in Pennsylvania. Ptl. Karcher began to investigate as Sgt. Chuck and Ptl. S. Amoruso arrived on scene. The occupants within the vehicle were arrested at the scene and transported to headquarters for processing. A 34-year-old female from Albany, N.Y. was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia as well as possession of hypodermic needles. Additionally the arrestee had an outstanding warrant from Trenton Municipal Court for a N.J. Transit violation. Trenton City Police and N.J. Transit Police were notified of the arrest and of the arrestee being transported to the Bergen County Jail. The second occupant, 21-year-old female of Albany, N.Y., was arrested for possession of an unlawful weapon as well as possession of a controlled dangerous substance. The arrestee was released without bail with a pending court date.
Ridgewood NJ, Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) issued the following statement after the Institute for Science and International Security released a report today that the Obama Administration gave the Iranian regime secret loopholes to keep Iran compliant with last year’s nuclear deal. The report states that Iran did not limit their nuclear stocks and facilities by Implementation Day in direct violation of the parameters set by the P5+1 nuclear deal.
“To recap the perks given to Iran by the Obama Administration since signing the nuclear deal, Iran has been given sanctions relief, a financial windfall, ransom money, less oversight, and freedom to test ballistic missiles. Now, according to today’s report, we can add secret loopholes to that list. It’s as if the president is going out of his way to keep the American people in the dark about the details of this dangerous deal.”
“It’s obvious from this report that the Obama Administration thought it was more important to keep a politically expedient deadline than to ensure terrorists never develop nuclear weapons. The world will undoubtedly be a more dangerous place if the Iranian regime builds a nuclear arsenal, and I will continue to fight against this terrible deal to ensure the safety and security of the United States and its allies.”
Ridgewood NJ, Our upcoming concert season “Musical Works of Art” will begin November 20 th with a 4:00 pm performance of Brahms’ beautiful Ein Deutsches Requiem. Our Summer Sing on August 15 and 29 featured this magnificent work, giving interested singers the chance to join their voices with Pro Arte and experience the joy of choral singing. Our March 26 th concert at 4:00 pm will feature a selection of Opera Choruses, which will include collaboration with a high school chorus. Our final concert, June 10 th at 8:00 pm will be an all-Bruckner program featuring 6 Motets and his Mass in E Minor. Interestingly, Bruckner is known mostly for his symphonies, but he was a church musician as well, and his music for the Roman Catholic liturgy is considered to be amongst the finest of the last 150 years. We are excited to present our 2016-2017 season and remain deeply grateful for the support we receive from our funders and audience members. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts and events!
The Pro Arte Chorale, a 50-member volunteer chorus based in Ridgewood, is committed to enriching the lives of its members and its audience by exploring many musical traditions. The Pro Arte Chorale welcomes voices in all sections. We will be hosting auditions throughout the season, starting in early September on Monday nights @7pm. Singers interested in auditioning will be asked to prepare a piece of music that best highlights their voice, and will also be tested for range and reading ability. To schedule an audition, please contact us via email ([email protected]) or via phone (201) 497-8400. We rehearse on Monday nights, 7:30 – 10:00pm at The Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood.
The Pro Arte Chorale is lead by Maestro Steven Fox. Maestro Fox is also the artistic director of Clarion Music Society in New York, and the music director for Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg in Russia which he founded in 2001 at the age of 21. He has a distinguished background in sacred music, having served as Acting Director of Music at historic Trinity Church, Wall Street from 2009-2010 and Cantorial
Soloist at the majestic Temple Emanuel in New York City from 2009-2013. Maestro Fox has given master classes and clinics at Dartmouth College, Julliard School and Yale University, where he served for two years as preparatory conductor of the Yale Schola Cantorum. He graduated a Senior Fellow with High Honors from Dartmouth College and with Distinction from the Royal Academy of Music, London, where, in 2010, he was named an Associate for ‘remarkable achievement in and contribution to his field in music’. Recognized as a leader in his generation of conductors, Steven has been called an “esteemed director” by The New Yorker, “visionary” by BBC Music Magazine, and ‘a conductor to watch’ by Seen and Heard International.
The Pro Arte Chorale is sponsored in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts. All performances are held in ADA compliant venues with handicapped accessible parking, ramps, elevators and restrooms. Large print programs are available.
