Following a rash of sudden disappearances from Thursday’s Assembly session and Speaker Vince Prieto’s decision not to post his competing Atlantic City takeover bill, Senate President and takeover sponsor Steve Sweeney was noticeably agitated after five hours of delay and closed-door caucus meetings. Sweeney reiterated his call for the Speaker to post the version of the takeover bill passed in the Senate. With an anticipated 39 votes out of the 41 needed to pass his bill, Prieto decided to fight another day earlier that afternoo JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
A detective who worked on the investigation into the deaths of Cooper University Health System CEO John P. Sheridan Jr. and his wife has filed a suit against the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Detective Jeffrey Scozzafava, a 31-year veteran, claims that his supervisor destroyed evidence found at the scene and that several of the responding investigators lacked forensic training. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
Ridgewood NJ, All are invited to the recognition ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place.
Teacher Recognition Award Winners are Named
The Board approved the nominees for the 2015-2016 Teacher Recognition Program, listed below. The Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Award reception will be held at the Education Center on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. for the award recipients, their families, school parents, teachers, and friends. Each of the award recipients will receive a stipend $500 ($250 awarded by the individual Home and School Association and $250 awarded by the Board).
Educational Services Personnel Kevin Feeley Hawes School Deborah Gregory-Fink Orchard School Amy Schaffer Ridge School Molly Sher Somerville School Elizabeth Janowski Travell School Joan Kelly Willard School Carol Petitt Benjamin Franklin Middle School Meredith Wearley George Washington Middle School William Oswald Ridgewood High School John Domville
Midland Park NJ, An elderly female/male couple sustained only minor injuries when their brand new 4-door Toyota Corolla crashed into a strip mall located at 644 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park at approximately 11:30 AM on Thursday, 05/05. Midland Park PD, FD, and EMS all responded along with a paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital and a BLS unit from Wyckoff. The victims were trapped in the vehicle until Midland Park firefighters removed a rear door to obtain access to the passenger compartment. The were both transported by separate ambulances to The Valley Hospital. A flatbed tow truck removed the Toyota from the building after PSE&G disconnected all gas & electric service. The section of the strip mall affected appeared to have been unoccupied and under renovation at the time of the crash.
Ridgewood NJ,The Valley Hospital has been named one of the top hospitals in New Jersey by doctors and patients as reported by Inside Jersey magazine. The list appears in the magazine’s April issue.
The magazine joined with Castle Connolly, a healthcare research and information company, to ask New Jersey doctors to name the top hospitals for overall care and for specific conditions. Inside Jersey also worked with IPRO, an independent not-for-profit health care consulting organization, to present post-discharge ratings of New Jersey hospitals by patients.
Among hospitals with more than 350 beds, Valley was named by doctors as among the top five in the state in the following categories:
· Top Hospitals Overall
· Top Hospitals for the Treatment of Breast Cancer
· Top Hospitals for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
· Top Hospitals for Bypass Surgery
· Top Hospitals for Hip and Knee Repairs
· Top Hospitals for the Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure
· Top Hospitals for the Treatment of Strokes
· Top Hospitals for High-risk Pregnancies
· Top Hospitals for Pain Management
Valley was also listed among the Top Hospitals for the treatment of Neurological Disorders, ranking 6th in the state.
Inside Jersey also reported that among hospitals with more than 350 beds, New Jersey patients ranked The Valley Hospital as No. 1 in the state for communication with doctors, and No. 2 for overall patient satisfaction, cleanliness and communication with nurses.
“I am delighted that physicians and our patients gave us such high marks,” said Audrey Meyers, Valley’s President and CEO. “It’s a testament to the priority Valley staff and physicians place on achieving the highest-quality clinical outcomes, while delivering the most compassionate care.”
HoHo Kus Nj, HoHoKus PD and EMS were called to the scene of an early afternoon construction accident on Wednesday, 05/04. An adult male sustained a serious head injury after falling 20 feet from a ladder at a home under construction on Hollywood Place in HoHoKus; there was no LOC. The victim was transported by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center. HoHoKus EMS was assisted by a paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital
…the fly has learned that after the “Get Acquainted Luncheon at Village Hall”, Mayor Aronsohn went off the rails yelling campaigner Dana Glazer outside the event . Attendees say the mayor, went from pleasantly serving lunch a little while earlier, to being belligerent like he was a completely different person. While the Village event was suppose to be a non partisan affair , all three of the Council majority were in attendance , till council person Susan Knudsen arrived and the deputy mayor quickly departed . It does seem the mayors attempts to politicize the meeting were foiled …
file photo of Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld interfering with petitioners in the CBD
May 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog has uncovered an email going around from a resident named Cornelie Ladd regarding the retention of the Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld , It seems the Brooks, Willlett, and Weitz is already conceding defeat and are making one last desperate plea to maintain the mayors ie..developers power grip on the Village of Ridgewood . The May 10 election is about candidates and the candidates vision for future direction of Ridgewood .
the email :
Dear neighbors, friends, and friends of neighbors,Without wishing to interrupt dinner / game / bath time, it’s time to find a moment to contemplate the electoral landscape ahead of the impending municipal elections next Tuesday, May 10th.
As many among us are probably aware, although elections for Village Council in Ridgewood are non-partisan by tradition and by nature, it is becoming increasingly apparent that, not unlike our national politics, this year’s elections have become polarized to a rather exponential degree.
As a consequence, although typically individual candidates are running for individual seats, this year’s candidates have coagulated into two slates of three: Brooks, Willlett, and Weitz versus Hache, Voigt, and Walsh.
I am writing to urge you to consider that, beyond the hot-button issues, there is only one slate, the one of Brooks, Weitz, and Willis, that will offer steady support to the excellent work of our Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld. If you value the labors of a responsive, responsible and accountable Village Manager, I ask that you support her by voting Brooks, Weitz, and Willis. You will find the positions of Brooks, Weitz, and WIllis articulated on Ridgewood2020.com.
According to the grapevine (which never lies … !) the other slate will seek to replace the Village Manager.
If, after having done your due diligence, you find that you subscribe to the views of this message, please share the gist of it among your friends and neighbors (and encourage them to go to the polls!).
Thank you for your consideration, with best wishes for a vibrant Ridgewood, Cornelie Ladd
Village Council Candidate Ramon Hache Responds
Hi All,
Thank you for sharing this. I did see the Mayor’s letter to the editor. Based on the email from your neighbor, it seems that Mayor Aronsohn is now pushing this idea through residents as well. There really is no basis. Neither Jeff, Bernie nor I have ever gone on the record to say that we have any plans of replacing the Village Manager. I have now attended a few “coffees” with Bernie and Jeff, including the one on Wednesday night (coincidentally next door to Ms. Sonenfeld’s home) and there was no mention by us of Ms. Sonenfeld in a negative light.I will share my personal view. I have an enormous amount of respect for the position of Village Manager. It is a very demanding job. The Village Manager is under constant scrutiny while dealing with a wide range of issues on a daily basis. I see the Village Manager as a direct extension of the Council. If I am elected, I plan on sitting down with key Village employees, including the Village Manager, to evaluate them in their current role. This is no different than what a new CEO would do at a company in the private sector. As with the way I have always treated my employees, I plan on conducting a fair and objective review. It is incumbent upon the Council to ensure that key positions in our Village, paid for by your tax dollars, are filled with the most competent and qualified people available to us. I do not know Ms. Sonenfeld personally. I think for any candidate to make a determination regarding her retention, whether pro or against, is extremely premature at this time. That would not be fair to either the Village Manager nor residents.
Unfortunately, this ugly rumor seems to stem from some political angle. Unfounded rumors such as this one only add to the divisiveness in our community. It is very unfortunate. Thank you for sharing your concern. I will certainly pass it along to Jeff and Bernie for their views since I cannot speak on their behalf. I would be more than happy to speak to your neighbor and answer any of her questions. Thank you also for your continued support.
Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 2:49 PM To: Matt Rogers; Heather Mailander; Donna Jackson Cc: Roberta Sonenfeld; Janet Fricke Subject: Re: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 6, 2015, at 2:45 PM, Matthew Rogers <[email protected]> wrote:
This should be shared with Heather/Donna because of the allegations of improper notice of the meetings.
From: Paul Aronsohn [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 1:52 PM To: Roberta Sonenfeld; Matt Rogers; Janet Fricke Subject: FW: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood
Roberta, Janet, Matt —
FYI
Paul
Paul S. Aronsohn, Mayor
Village of Ridgewood
@paularonsohn
From: Jacqueline Hone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 1:48 PM
To: Gwenn Hauck; Paul Aronsohn; Susan Knudsen; Michael Sedon; Albert Pucciarelli
Subject: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood
Mayor and Council Members:
In regards to the Schedler Park Project, I would like to file a complaint and draw your attention to the following for scrutiny and disciplinary action.
On 9/8/15 and 9/16/15 it was brought to your attention, that the applications used to obtain approximately $2 million in Open Space grants, were completed with intentional omission, false and misleading information, without municipal endorsement, and without public notification as required.
Village Manager and Counsel quickly diverted attention and dismissed the matter saying submissions of incomplete applications, to Bergen County, is acceptable and common practice. This is not a matter of submitting incomplete applications. The applications are fraudulent and were submitted with the intent to receive funds. If the facts were known, the site plan for Schedler would be in violation of County and State provisions. Thus, the Village should not proceed with the Schedler plan as is.
1) Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, submitted an application, on or about 9/1/15, seeking $100,000 of Bergen County Open Space Funds. This application was submitted with blatant, intentional, false and misleading information, without Council endorsement and public notification as mandated. The application shows the Village Manager committed $100k of municipal funds (tax payer’s money) without Council approval. What authority, if any, does the Village Manager have to authorize and commit tax payer’s money without Council approval? Under what authority was this done?
When confronted about the allocation of municipal funds, Village Manager stated the 100k would eventually come from the Ridgewood Baseball Association (RBSA) via gift donation. However, since the RBSA money was yet to be received, municipal funds were allocated in its place. Once the gift is received, it will be moved into the municipal funds account. What authority does the Village Manager have to front tax payer’s money and act as a temporary lender to the RBSA? This accounting practice is suspect and I believe also constitutes commingling of funds, which is prohibited. If this was done for the RBSA, why wasn’t this preferential treatment extended to the Friends of the Historic Zabriskie House.
2) Land Use Restriction: The State and County have strict provisions regarding Open Space, Green Space, Historic Preservation and full disclosure of threatened wildlife, vegetation and environmental impacts. As such, development at Schedler would have strict limitations, regulated land use and mandated historic, wildlife and vegetation preservation.
-Site Plan: The initial Open Space application, used to acquire the Schedler property, stated the land would be used for 60/40 active/recreation use and no lights. It was under this plan that the Village was granted Open Space funds. Violating the County Deed of Conservation Easement, the Village of Ridgewood revised and adopted a new plan showing 70/30 active/passive recreation area, lights, and a two-story concession building with recreation hall.
-Revenue/Profit: This park will generate a substantial amount of money…concession stand, hall rental, field time, uniforms, player enrollment fees, membership fees, field rentals etc. Additionally, site plan includes two-story building. Full second floor to be used as meeting room or rented for sports related functions (possible discrimination). RBSA involvement is an arguable breach of contract with the County and in violation of Open Space and Green Space guidelines.
-Historic Structure/Features /Elements:Historic house, features and elements were not fully disclosed to County. In some circumstances they were completely omitted. The preservation of the home and parcel was abandoned by the Village. Proper disclosure would mean strict preservation and limitations of park development and use. (See attached NJ DEP National Register of Historic Places, 2009, 2015 grant application).
– Environmental/Wildlife/Vegetation: Adverse environmental factors, threatened wildlife and threatened vegetation were not disclosed on applications. Full disclosure would mandate preservation and impose strict site limitations. This omission is how the Village is proceeding with Phase 1, demolition and clear-cutting of the last green acre parcel in our area (7 acres), which will expose hundreds of residents and wildlife to noise, pollution, Route 17, high volume traffic, dangerous conditions and irreversible damage.
– State and County Clearance: This property, directly on Rt. 17. North, within feet of an interstate commuter Park & Ride, is the last green space in the area. All this is being done without expert studies and without notification to or clearance from Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Historic Preservation.
3) Public Meeting Notifications: The Village has demonstrated a pattern of questionable omission and secrecy (see attached). Now, out of the blue, a meeting has been scheduled (10/7) to accept a second 100k donation form the RBSA and to present another revision of the Schedler Park plan. The agenda was just posted to the Village website. The general public has not been notified these matters will be discussed on this date. As such, again residents are being robbed of their right to participate, review the process, verify gifts and prepare for public comments/questions prior to the meeting. This matter must be tabled until all of the above is addressed. County Open Space Guidelines States:
As part of the application submission, the municipality shall hold a Public Hearing on a proposed park development project before it submits its application. The applicant shall publish a notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper of the municipality. The hearing must be advertised as a display ad at least 15 days before the hearing. The hearing notice must specifically reference the proposed Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Municipal Program Park Improvement application. The public hearing must be held in the evening, and may be held as part of a public meeting, as long as the hearing is properly advertised.
Council has a fiduciary obligation to cease and desist the Schedler Park Project, until this matter is investigated and cleared of wrong doing. Continued dismissal of the above, is gross negligence and an act against public good. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Failure to act and proceeding with Phase 1, intentionally permits irreversible damage to public health, safety, general welfare, public land and historic/vegetation preservation.
I believe State/County provisions and the Deed of Conservation Easement prohibits most of everything the Village is proposing at Schedler. We want due process, expert studies and a park which represents the true needs and desires of our neighborhood residents. Please allow us to present the facts before it’s too late.
We look forward to hearing from you and moving forward in the right direction. In the meantime, thank you so much for your attention.
May 4, 2016
Customer Care
The Ridgewood News
1 Garret Mountain Plaza
Woodland Park, NJ 07424-0471
To whom it may concern,
Please consider this note an official cancellation of my Ridgewood News subscription. I have received the Ridgewood News every Friday for the past 16 years, when I first moved to Ridgewood. I am canceling now because it has become very clear that the paper, and those who run it, are no longer attempting to be objective, as a true work of journalism should be. The paper is nothing but a one-sided promoter of very controversial issues in town at the moment. It’s unfortunate, because these issues will resolve themselves in time, but the Ridgewood News will forever be remembered for the way the paper “reported” them, be it the parking garage, the petition, high density housing, the campaign for Village Council. Our local paper comes out on one side every time. That side, it just so happens, is closely aligned with “big business” here in Ridgewood. I’m referring to developers, not Mango Jam, It’s Greek to Me, and the rest of our small shops and restaurants, although they’ve been drawn into the fight as well. Often the preference for the “big wigs” is subtle – the placement of an ad on the very page the opposition was told was “never used for ads.”
I don’t need “reporting” like this. I will miss the photos of my friends and their kids, the special events in town, the letters to the editor, which, when balanced, offer a much better perspective on what’s going on in town than your journalists are permitted to. I always thought the paper presented a kind of Mayberry, unrealistic, pollyanna shot of Ridgewood. Now I’m seeing how dark that approach can become. I will not be renewing my subscrition any time soon. I will let you know if I hear the Ridgewood News has decided to tell the truth, as objectively as possible.
Sincerely yours,
Donald Trump would probably replace Janet Yellen as Federal Reserve chair if he wins the presidential election, the presumptive Republican nominee said on Thursday.
The property developer turned politician told CNBC that Ms Yellen is “not a Republican” and that it would be “appropriate” to put someone new in the position when her four-year term expires in February 2018.
Nevertheless, Mr Trump also said that he agreed with Ms Yellen’s policy of keeping short-term interest rates low, saying that rate increases would push up the dollar and damage America’s competitive position with China, as well as making it harder to service US debt.
“I have nothing against Janet Yellen whatsoever; I think she has been doing her job,” said Mr Trump, describing her as “very capable”. However, he added: “She is not a Republican . . . when her time is up I would most likely replace her because of the fact that I think it would be appropriate.”
Ridgewood NJ, now two unions representing New Jersey Transit’s conductors and locomotive engineers have voted against ratifying recently negotiated labor agreements.The United Transportation Union’s C&T division and the NJ Transit Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen are the two unions that rejected the contracts.
The new contract reached March 13th ,averted a strike that would have shut down the agency’s commuter-rail system.The tentative agreements have both failed ratifications by narrow margins. Despite two rejections, 14 other unions ratified their contracts by significant majorities,and the 14 contracts have been approved by the board of NJ Transit and are now in effect
The two dissenting unions have the right, under the Federal Railway Labor Act, to request the resumption of negotiations, earlier agreements, have instituted an additional 60-day “cooling off” period currently in effect now that precludes strikes or lockouts. So it looks like for the time being that Ridgewood rail commuters are safe to assume trains will still be ariving at the station for the time being.
An Atlantic City bankruptcy:promising for taxpayers, bad for politicians!
By Matt Rooney
Doomsday predictions were leveled, Save Jerseyans, but over one year removed from the Detroit, Michigan bankruptcy – the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history –the Motor City is shaping up and making substantive progress. It can pay its bill and streets are being repairs. Sad as it is to stay, that’s huge.
You’re only surprised if you don’t trust the framework established by our Framing Fathers. Specifically, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution which authorizes Congress to enact “uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States.”
And, of course, if you’re a politician fighting over Atlantic City like lions or hyenas battle over the scraps of a rotting carcass… Continue reading…
New trucks for snow removal, upgraded voting machines and background checks for school-bus drivers are behind some of the cost increases in the county budget, members of the Board of Freeholders learned Tuesday during departmental hearings on the proposed spending plan for 2016. Todd South, The Record Read more
