Ridgewood NJ , the Ridgewood Guild’s 6th Annual International Film Festival got off to according to the Ridgewood Guild’s Facebook page , “best turn out ever! ” filling the theater!
Opening night at The Bow Tie Warner Cinema, The Ridgewood Guild Film Festival. We welcomed our youngest film maker to date, 11 year old Corbin Brito, “The Waiting Room.” With Debbie Philips, Jeff Muhlstock, RJ Konner, Corbin Brito, and Celia Austin.
The Park West Loft for hosted the After Party.This week promises great fun. A full week of Ridgewood Guild Film Festival events.
WASHINGTON — Suicide in the United States has surged to the highest levels in nearly 30 years, a federal data analysis has found, with increases in every age group except older adults. The rise was particularly steep for women. It was also substantial among middle-aged Americans, sending a signal of deep anguish from a group whose suicide rates had been stable or falling since the 1950s.
The suicide rate for middle-aged women, ages 45 to 64, jumped by 63 percent over the period of the study, while it rose by 43 percent for men in that age range, the sharpest increase for males of any age. The overall suicide rate rose by 24 percent from 1999 to 2014, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which released the study on Friday.
The increases were so widespread that they lifted the nation’s suicide rate to 13 per 100,000 people, the highest since 1986. The rate rose by 2 percent a year starting in 2006, double the annual rise in the earlier period of the study. In all, 42,773 people died from suicide in 2014, compared with 29,199 in 1999.
Instead of raising the gas tax, could New Jersey collect tolls on interstate highways in order to fund transportation? Mike Davis, Asbury Park Press Read more
Gov. Chris Christie was on the presidential campaign trail last fall and didn’t show interest at the time in standing with the nearly 14,000 citizens who signed Asbury Park Press petitions calling for a property tax cut. Bob Jordan, Asbury Park PressRead more
Ridgewood, NJ – Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) is pleased to announce that we will be endorsing Jeff Voigt, Bernadette Coughlan-Walsh and Ramon Hache for VillageCouncil in the May 10th municipal election.
CBR is committed to ensuring that Ridgewood engages in inclusive and comprehensive
planning that will promote reasonable and appropriate growth and progress, while preserving the character, size and scale of our Village for generations to come. “We believe Jeff, Bernadette and Ramon will make decisions that protect and improve the quality of life of Ridgewood residents, as the next Village Council addresses opportunities and challenges that will impact us all,” said Trustee Amy Bourque.
CBR met with all six candidates and chose to endorse Voigt, Walsh and Hache because they support CBR’s goal of comprehensive planning for the future of Ridgewood. These three candidates are dedicated to community engagement that allows residents a voice in their future, and will exercise independent judgment always in the best interest of Village residents. Lori Weil noted, “we feel these three candidates will work hard to thoughtfully address the many issues facing Ridgewood, and trust they are best prepared to move toward the future while still maintaining the charm and character of our Village.”
Ridgewood NJ, a recent spat of criminal activity at or near Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood has left many wondering in the Church has become a target of unsavory politics do to its objections to the proposed Hudson Street Garage?
On Thursday, April 14 at 10pm, a person reported that her purse was stolen while inside Mount Carmel Church. She reported she had left it unattended while inside the church and someone removed it. Patrol searched the surrounding area of the church and located the purse in a garbage can next to the bus stop a short time later. The matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.
On Monday, April 18, a resident reported she had parked her vehicle outside Mount Carmel Church between 3am and 4am. When she returned to her vehicle she discovered the front window was smashed. The matter is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.
The Ridgewood blog also reported in March that the Ridgewood Police had responded to physical altercation outside of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-police-respond-to-physical-altercation-outside-of-the-our-lady-of-mount-carmel-church/
Long time residents smell some dirty politics or is it just a coincidence ?
Ridgewood Nj, Council Candidate Jeff Voigt reflects on the League of Women Voters Candidates . Jeff told the Ridgewood blog ,”Night It was great to see so many residents turn up for the debate. It really shows how concerned and involved we all are in our Village on where we are headed. Secondly, the questions posed by the LWV provided to us and; as well those asked and not revealed were spot on – they hit all the key issues. It was a great opportunity for us to state our positions and how we think about these issues.”
Jeff went on ,”I would personally say hats off to both Bernie Walsh and Ramon Hache – they both did a really nice job.They would represent the interests of our Village well. If all three of us were elected, we would think about issues independently and critically and; come up with solutions that were best for the Village. As well we would complement Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon on the council.”
Summing up evening Jeff said ,” I found it almost fitting that at the end of the night Mayor Paul Aronsohn was not allowed to ask a question – almost as if this current Council majority was being silenced. I know this was not intentional by the moderator, but it sent a rather strong message to the audience and those listening – that it is time for our Village to move on. This also means our moving on from the policies and ways of doing business that have existed and; unfortunately would be replicated if Evan Weitz, Janice Willet, and Richard Brooks replaced them (and who are all actively supported by Paul Aronsohn).”
Ridgewood NJ, the Bergen Record is reporting that the class action lawsuit trial involving Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park and the Ridgewood Water utility is delayed through at least mid-June.
Originally scheduled to begin April 5,the dispute was assigned a go ahead trial date following the failure of two mediation attempts earlier this year, held in Ridgewood and presided over by retired Superior Court judge Peter E. Doyne.
As previously reported on this blog the class action by municipal water customers Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff alleges some $3.3 million in past overcharges, and that the Village of Ridgewood improperly comingled water company revenues to other areas of the Ridgewood municipal budget.
Other issues also effect Ridgewood water including onerous EPA regulation, massive up keep in infrastructure , summer water restrictions and water quality issues .
Reader says Ridgewood Water is nothing but a black hole for money;
“Ridgewood water is nothing but a black hole for money. Resident have forgotten all the trouble we resident have had with this utility and that BS the Queen Bee gave us last night about the Ridgewood Water Dept head is just that BS . If you believe her you probably voted for the 3 Amigos and their BS. Ridgewood Water cannot keep up with the new EPA and future regulation. Do you enjoy being on water restriction while your neighboring towns that are not served by Ridgewood Water are not? Do you enjoy getting tickets for violating those restriction? . Prospective Council Candidates talk about shared services with other towns or the county to save money but what to retain control of a failing water system. Ridgewood Water has lost their creditability. Get ride of it or privatize it and that goes for the other black hole our very own Ridgewood Sewerage Plant. Oh wait I guess some residents want to retain control of our sewerage.”
Over the past few weeks a number of the Schedler core members have had theopportunity to observe and evaluate the perspectives and agendas of the six candidates in the upcoming village council election. Based upon our meetings we hereby express oursupport for the candidacy of Jeff Voight, Ramon Hache and Bernadette Walsh.
Jeff, Ramon and Bernadette provide an honest, pragmatic, and hopeful insight into ourcommunity’s problems and needs. Their willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public’s questions and concerns, sets them apart from the other candidates’expected techniques and decisions. These candidates provide independent voices, but they have demonstrated that they will run a government of inclusion not just on the Schedler issue which impacts our neighborhood, but on all of the issues that impact the entire Village.
We are writing you to express our support for Jeff’s, Ramon’s and Bernadette’s respective campaigns, to encourage you to vote for them in the upcoming election and to spread word to others of the value of their policies and abilities. As a reminder, the election is on May 10.
Paul D’Arpa posted a more detailed response on the Friends of Schedler Facebook page
Dear Neighbors,
Over the past few weeks a number of the Schedler core members have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the perspectives and agendas of the six candidates in the upcoming village council election. Based upon our meetings we hereby express our support for the candidacy of Jeff Voight, Ramon Hache and Bernadette Walsh.
Jeff, Ramon and Bernadette provide an honest, pragmatic, and hopeful insight into our community’s problems and needs. Their willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public’s questions and concerns, sets them apart from the other candidates’ expected techniques and decisions. These candidates provide independent voices, but they have demonstrated that they will run a government of inclusion not just on the Schedler issue which impacts our neighborhood, but on all of the issues that impact the entire Village.
We are writing you to express our support for Jeff’s, Ramon’s and Bernadette’s respective campaigns, to encourage you to vote for them in the upcoming election and to spread word to others of the value of their policies and abilities. As a reminder, the election is on May 10.
Would you approve the construction of a 90-foot baseball diamond on the Schedler property? Why or why not?
Coghlan-Walsh: I have never been nor will I ever be in favor of a 90 foot baseball field on the Schedler property. The dangers of those balls going into the highway far outweigh the need for another baseball field.
Hache: As a father of three small children, I have serious concerns regarding the safety of a 90-foot baseball diamond on Schedler. We also have to consider the adverse impact on noise levels the clearing of the trees would have on nearby residences. Although I would prefer to have a passive park area on the site, I am willing to support the 60-foot diamond as proposed by Schedler residents. I would also support directing part of the $670,000 accumulated through the open space tax to repair and preserve the Schedler house. It could perhaps be used as a facility for community programs and activities, similar to how The Stable has been used next to Graydon.
Voigt: No. And you’d say no, too, if you realized that the only way a 90-foot diamond gets built there is if home plate is on Route 17. But more to the point is that all of this has an impact on the people who live there. We’re really a Village of neighborhoods and; respecting those neighborhoods and the people in them is important.
Ridgewood, NJ, The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR) is delighted to endorse Jeff Voigt, Bernie Walsh, and Ramon Hache for Councilpersons in the May 10th, 2016 Village elections.
“This election is about residents regaining control over the big decisions in our town, rather than falling in line behind applicants and institutions like Valley Hospital, which has sought to replace our Village planning with threats of litigation. As we embrace positive change in Ridgewood, our Council and Planning Board can no longer let applicants lead the discussion on the appropriate scale and intensity of new building and land use in our village,” said Pete McKenna, president of the CRR.
“We think Jeff, Bernie and Ramon will challenge a recent trend in Ridgewood government where bigger is always presumed to be better and where applicants for changes in land use are treated as higher authorities than our own residents. We
chose to endorse these three independent candidates because we feel they each will listen to residents on matters of village governance before reaching a conclusion. ,” added Mr. McKenna said.
“We have interviewed all the candidates and feel that Voigt, Walsh and Hache are best suited to restore a positive vision of the Village of Ridgewood’s future. Please get to know them and mark your calendar for Tuesday May 10th to vote as you see
fit,” a. Added Mr. McKenna.
The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood, Inc. (CRR), a grassroots organization that has sought moderation and sound land use planning at the H-Zone site, and opposes the expansion as currently exerted by Valley Hospital through its ongoing
litigation against the village.. A group of CRR members met individually with each candidate for Council in April of this year, to discuss their views and priorities for the village prior to their endorsement.
Science has taken a back seat at the United Nations.
On this Earth Day 2016, there is a great deal of frenzy about how our Earth is going to become uninhabitable, as the civilized activities of man allegedly trigger unstoppable global warming and climate change.
With the Obama administration set to commit the U.S. to the Paris climate agreement by signing our nation onto the document Friday, it is obvious that science has taken a back seat at the United Nations.
The environmentalists, bureaucrats and politicians who make up the U.N.’s climate panel recruit scientists to research the climate issue. And they place only those who will produce the desired results. Money, politics and ideology have replaced science.
U.N. climate chief Christiana Figueres has called for a “centralized transformation” that is “going to make the life of everyone on the planet very different” to combat the alleged global warming threat. How many Americans are looking forward to the U.N. transforming their lives?
A mid rising drug and health care costs and roiling market dynamics, the spokesperson for the nation’s health insurers is predicting substantial increases next year in Obamacare premiums and related costs.
Without venturing a specific percentage increase, Marilyn Tavenner, the president and CEO of America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), said in an interview with Morning Consult that the culmination of market shifts and rising health care costs will force stark increases in health insurance rates in the coming year.
“I’ve been asked, what are the premiums going to look like?” she said. “I don’t know because it also varies by state, market, even within markets. But I think the overall trend is going to be higher than we saw previous years. That’s my big prediction.”
If Tavenner is right, Obamacare will jump dramatically—last year’s premium for the popular silver-level plan surged 11 percent on average. Although Tavenner didn’t mention deductibles, in 2016, some states saw jumps of 76 percent, while the average deductible for a 27-year-old male on a silver plan was 8 percent.
RIDGEWOOD WATER FORUM – APRIL 21 @ 9AM AND APRIL 25 @ 7:30PM
April 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood is hosting a Municipal Information Forum for Ridgewood residents regarding Ridgewood Water. The intent of this forum is to educate the public on how water is delivered to your faucet. It will deal with current issues in the news as well as discussing the quality of our water, sustaining water for the future, budget and capital investments and our short-term and long-term strategies.
The Information Forums will be held on two separate dates. The first on will be Thursday, April 21 from 9 to 11 am. The other is Monday, April 25 from 7:30 to 9:30pm. These Forums will take place in the Youth Center at Village Hall.
To let us know you are attending or if you have any questions, please call 201/670-5500 x203.
Following the Democratic majority’s rejection of changes to New Jersey’s school funding formula in the legislature last month, DOE Comissioner David Hespe saidWednesday that he believes lawmakers are better suited for making changes to the formula than the department in addressing the uneven distribution of money to under and over-funded schools. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the department and the administration of Governor Chris Christie for their inability to effect the necessary changes to the formula since Christie issued an executive order on school funding in 2012. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
A computer glitch that shut down the PARCC testing system on Wednesdaymorning was still being fixed as of 5 p.m., said the testing company, but state officials said they expected testing to resume Thursday morning. Staff Reports, The RecordRead more
