from Facebook, Left to Right: Mayor Douglas J. Christie, Township Committeeman Kevin J. Rooney, Officer Christopher, Township Committeemen Brian D. Scanlan, Haakon Jepsen, Rudy Boonstra and Benjamin C. Fox, Chief of Police.
BY STEFANIE DAZIO, STEVE JANOSKI AND JIM NORMAN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
The Wyckoff police chief agreed to temporarily step aside Tuesday night while the state Attorney General’s Office conducts an investigation into a complaint that an email he wrote to his officers in 2014 condones racial profiling.
The email, written by Chief Benjamin C. Fox, was anonymously sent to the New Jersey branch of the American Civil Liberties Union last week, according to a statement from the organization.
The ACLU said that, if the email was found to be genuine, authorities should “fire Fox, retrain officers, and conduct audits for both racially biased policing and use of force.”
Wyckoff officials were made aware of the email on Tuesday, a township press release said, and engaged in a “series of discussions” on the matter with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Township Committee convened an emergency meeting Tuesday night to address it.
Fox, who was present at the meeting, asked to go on immediate administrative leave while the investigation was pending, the release said, because he felt it was in the “best interest of the department since it would avoid unnecessary distractions.” It would also give Fox the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Prosecutor’s Office and “explain the contents of his email and demonstrate that neither he nor our police department has ever condoned or engaged in profiling.”
Ridgewood NJ, Parents of High Schoolers are concerned that the School system is not being forthcoming or consistent with its message on the PARCC tests . If you are going to “refuse testing for the PARCC test” do not have your child sign on to a computer for the infrastructure trial this Wednesday morning. There has been speculation thats students who signed on for trial purposes have then have accidentally been coded as a “zero” NOT as “refusal to test.”
This can be problematic for students in the future. In addition, you will not know until your student comes home what questions they will be asked during the trial – they may be asked sample PARCC questions which may be used by the PARCC folks to pre-screen test questions. They may also be asked personal questions like do you get extra help in school or what kind of student are you? The questions asked and what students will be asked to do is not controlled by the district, but by the folks that have a vested interest in the PARCC and in selling your data and curriculum materials.
Calling it a trial makes it sound harmless enough like a “see if your computer works” session, but I know from other districts that I work in that this is not the case in those districts. I was told by an administrator in a town close to Ridgewood regardless of what the district say, there is no reason for a student to do a trial if the student will not be taking the actual PARCC test. I was also told that the trial in that district was not anonymous and that he was “fairly certain” that PARCC sample question data as well as data on each student was sent to PARCC and to the NJDOE.
Ridgewood Nj, Candidate Jeff Voigt offered his view of tonight’s events, “While we may not be able to stop the vote for the high density housing – we need people to attend to demonstrate via a large turnout that the few should not benefit to the detriment of the many.
Unfortunately our process was hi-jacked by self-interests who used Ordinance 3066 to turn what should have been zoning issues into a planning issue. The planning board could have denied any of these applications but chose not to – resulting in a deviation from the original Master plan and a change in it. Each of these high density housing developments should have been decided individually and separately by the zoning board. Initially they were (i.e. the Enclave). However when the Enclave developers realized that there were too many variances that they were seeking and; that they were going to have major issues with the zoning board, they did an end around the zoning board and went to the planning board. The makeup of the planning board needs to be closely scrutinized by the new council to ensure it is non-partisan and holds Village interests of highest importance.
There is a case, decided by the 2008 NJ State Supreme Ct. – Riya v Township South Brunswick 2008 which ruled that if areas of a township/municipality are rezoned, they need to be consistent with the surrounding zones. It is my concern that what has occurred in Ridgewood goes against this ruling – as an example: commercial zones between the train tracks/Chestnut/Franklin Ave have been rezoned for residential use – which is inconsistent with these existing zones. Why the Council would expose us to potential lawsuits I believe is reckless on their part and smacks of favoritism for the few (e.g. developers) to the detriment of the Village.”
Ridgewood NJ, Readers say , “The only way to stop this is to fill up the room and let our Village Council know how we feel about this vote. It is important that everybody in town come out tonight. It is probably the most important vote in Ridgewood history because it is a question as to whether we want to continue living in a village or make it into a city. If the Village Council votes in favor of this high density master plan amendment, nothing will ever be the same again in our town.”
As Dave Slomin from CBR pointed out, “Ridgewood’s future held by the current powerholders in our Village Council and Planning Board, and that of a large majority of Residents. These powerholders see downtown Ridgewood as bigger scale, taller, denser, and much more bustling. They are planning a town center with a more urban look and feel, not a small town character. I don’t really know what is influencing them, as virtually every Resident CBR has spoken with – 1,000s of them over the past 4 years – wants Ridgewood to maintain its small town feel. Residents want to give their children and grandchildren the same wonderful town we enjoy.
Slomin went on , ‘Oddly, all three of the Council Members who support this over-scaled development are not running again. Why? We can only guess. But what we do know, is that in approving such unprecedented development as a Council Majority, but a Ridgewood Minority, they leave the mess to the next Council and to every Resident of this town… and to our children. Again, bad and unfair planning.”
Most readers find the idea that there will be No material impact? Really? These studies were hastily arranged at best and are not at all credible. If 70 units is so immaterial, why can’t you and your developer friends and family live without them?
The reality is that most residents for or against the planned development have no confidence in the Village Council majority aka the 3 amigos and do not think they are the people who should be making this decision . The current council majority has no overall vision of the future , and no plan just funding from special interests ,turning the Village into an urban environment .
Ridgewood NJ, A reader says that , “Valley has utilized deplorable tactics in its fight against Ridgewood to expand – and those tactics have failed miserably. Their “all or nothing” expansion plan hasn’t even broken ground yet and Hackensack has already beaten them. Valley spent all of this time fighting a rag-tag bunch of community activists and still haven’t prevailed despite having millions of dollars to spend on the fight and 2 insiders on the Village Council. They may ultimately get their way with Ridgewood but it will be far too little and way too late. A Hackensack takeover would be better for Ridgewood if it meant getting rid of the current Valley leadership team.”
But some praised the Hospitals financial IQ , “On an executive level, Valley is well run and very strong financially. A lot of that is due to Ms Meyers. The way they celebrated victory before the dust settled implied that there was an inside track to get this done. That was evident when she showed up at one meeting at the 11th hour in a panic. Fortunately they also fell under the svengali like influence of PR hacks who figured the village for a bunch of sheeple who would roll over. Remember the ads and the “poll” results? That tone-deafness is a characteristic of many successful executives in all fields of operations. Arrogant and tone deaf? absolutely. But that does not take away from the hospital’s successful track record.”
Still overs say it time to pay taxes , “Challenge Valley’s not for profit status in the courts based on the Morristiwn precedent – if they have cash to buy properties and pay huge CEO salaries, they have cash to pay municipal taxes in Ridgewood given all of the municipal services they consume. Would add at least $4.0mn in property tax revenues a year or 10% of the current Village budget. Where the heck are the four “non-beholden to Valley” Council members on this? Maybe we can get three new Council members who aren’t afraid to challenge Valley in the courts on their not for profit status?”
The Village Council Meeting of March 23rd will be held at the Campus Center of the Ridgewood High School, located at 627 East Ridgewood Avenue.
Match 23,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , The March 23rd Work Session meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. During the Work Session there will be a Special Public Meeting for the Public Hearings and vote on the multi-family housing ordinances as well as a public hearing and vote on the bond ordinance to appropriate money for the Hudson Street parking deck.
The meeting will be streamed live using UTube. This location is not equiped to broadcast the meetings live on the cable stations. The meetings will be filmed and available both on UTube and the Village Public Access Channel (Cablevision 77; Fios 37) the following day.
The Final Downtown Zoning Impacts Analysis that address the four multifamily housing study areas is now available. For the complete document Click Here
Click Here for the Reexamination of the Master Plan and Development Regulations adopted by the Planning Board February 2, 2016.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump renewed a call for tougher U.S. border security following Tuesday’s deadly attacks in Brussels, and suggested torture could be an effective technique to gain information to thwart future attacks.
Trump’s comments, in an interview on NBC’s “Today” program, came a day after he expressed skepticism about the U.S. role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and said the United States should significantly cut spending on the defense alliance.
“As president … I would be very, very tough on the borders, and I would be not allowing certain people to come into this country without absolute perfect documentation,” Trump said.
The billionaire businessman said waterboarding would be a “fine” way to gather information in an effort to prevent such attacks if it was legalized.
“If they could expand the laws, I would do a lot more than waterboarding. You have to get the information from these people,” he told NBC.
Waterboarding is the practice of pouring water over
someone’s face to simulate drowning as an interrogation tactic.
Critics say it is torture, and President Barack Obama banned use of the method days after taking office in 2009.
Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton acknowledged Americans have a right to be frightened after a spate of recent attacks but said military leaders have found techniques like waterboarding are not effective.
“We’ve got to work this through consistent with our values,” she said on NBC, adding officials “do not need to resort to torture, but they are going to need more help.”
Thirty-four people were killed in attacks on Brussels airport and a rush-hour metro train in the Belgian capital, according to public broadcaster VRT, triggering security alerts across Europe and bringing some cross-border traffic to a halt.
Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said the attacks “bear all the hallmarks of an ISIS-inspired, or ISIS-coordinated attack,” using an acronym for Islamic State.
HACKENSACK — The Bergen County Republican Organization on Monday night endorsed its candidates — including Donald Trump for president — for June 7 party primary nominations to the fall general elections.
More than 500 county Republican Organization committee members and elected officials cast their ballots at the party’s headquarters here.
Trump led with 332 votes, followed by John Kasich with 116 and Ted Cruz with 77.
U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett, R-Wantage, won the party organization’s nod for his re-election nomination campaign with 273 votes. Garrett faced challenger Michael J. Cino, who drew 44 votes. Cino said he would continue to run against Garrett in the primary.
At the county level six positions are up for election in November: sheriff, surrogate, clerk and three freeholder seats.
The county GOP has lost county offices in recent years. Democrats hold all county offices and five of seven freeholder seats. The Republicans have only one incumbent running in this year’s election, Freeholder Maura DeNicola.
Bergen County GOP Chairman Bob Yudin said he hoped that those candidates who won party organizational support Monday would not face continued challenges leading up to the June primary so that the party could focus on fundraising and defeating the Democrats in the November election.
Though the party won elections for freeholder, county executive and sheriff during his tenure, Yudin readily admitted that fighting the Democrats is an uphill battle.
Ridgewood NJ, Please watch this brief message from Jeff Voigt, Ridgewood Village Council candidate. Wednesday night’s meeting is at 7:30pm, Ridgewood High School – Student Campus Center. Hope to see you there! https://youtu.be/poBneHlVqtg
The Village Council Meeting of March 23rd will be held at the Campus Center of the Ridgewood High School, located at 627 East Ridgewood Avenue.
The March 23rd Work Session meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. During the Work Session there will be a Special Public Meeting for the Public Hearings and vote on the multi-family housing ordinances as well as a public hearing and vote on the bond ordinance to appropriate money for the Hudson Street parking deck.
The meeting will be streamed live using UTube. This location is not equiped to broadcast the meetings live on the cable stations. The meetings will be filmed and available both on UTube and the Village Public Access Channel (Cablevision 77; Fios 37) the following day.
Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian spoke at Monday’s meeting of the Assembly Budget Committee in Trenton to voice his opposition to the state takeover effort. The Assembly will be the determining factor now that the takeover package from Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) has cleared the Senate. Assembly Speaker Vince Prieto (D-32) has said that he objects to allowing the state broad powers in altering collective bargaining agreements and may not put the bill to a vote. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more
photo Garrett working to shut down corrupt Import Export bank
march 22,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce which favors corporate and Wall Street bailouts, Amnesty for illegals , the crony driven Export-Import Bank to name a few snubs Rep. Scott Garrett in favor of over favor driven politicians . Special interests have clearly put a target on Garrets back. The snub implies Garrett is the tax payers only friend in New Jersey
Which N.J. Republican was snubbed by Chamber of Commerce?
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce feted five of the six New Jersey House Republicans for supporting the business lobby’s positions on issues such as funding transportation, eliminating the tax on multimillion-dollar estates, and renewing the Export-Import Bank. The Auditor, NJ.com Read more
STATE SEN. Paul Sarlo is concerned about what he calls “nosy-bodies.” We are more concerned about transparency. And a bill Sarlo introduced early this year would greatly limit the public’s access to police videotapes. This is a misguided idea.
Sen. Paul Sarlo is concerned about what he calls “nosy-bodies.” We are more concerned about transparency. And a bill Sarlo introduced early this year would greatly limit the public’s access to police videotapes. This is a misguided idea. The Record Read more
Scott Mann, is a former Lt. Col and Green Beret. He is the CEO of Mission America and author of the best-selling novel “Game Changers”. He spent 23 years in the Army Special Forces Career involved in Foreign Internal Defense, Counter-insurgency, and Stability Missions. He served in the Special Operations for over 18 years and has been a Green Beret for over 15 years in combat deployments in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is one of the only former Lt. Col’s that is actively still involved in the day-to-day transition of Green Berets from active duty into civilian life.
Brussels needs to be a wake up call for America as we get distracted by political antics here at home
Let’s not wait for Brussels to come to America!
The attack that killed 26 innocent civilians in Brussels Belgium is a stark reminder that ISIS and other Islamist violent extremist groups are very much on the march in free society.
The game has changed and these terror groups are not messing around.
Multiple explosions of this caliber with these kind of significant casualties indicate several things:
1- even before knowing many details, it is obvious this was a complex attack that required significant planning and support.
2-Generally complex attacks of this kind also indicate that there was an inside job. Said another way, this likely indicates internal support within Belgium to facilitate this kind of operation taking place. My professional opinion is that we will learn that there was inside support from operatives living in side Belgium. Complex attacks of this nature are just too difficult to pull off in an external fashion. Time will tell on this one.
-There is some speculation that this was an attack of retribution for the arrest of Salah Abdelsalam, who helped mastermind the Paris attacks.
-Other security analysts like KT McFarland think this is more of a traditional political statement. She cited on Fox news this morning all of the multiple political targets inside Belgium
As a career guerrilla warfare expert, who has fought and studied these groups for many years, I disagree… I believe this is about social control.
ISIS is a new breed of terror group who want to demonstrate their ability to conduct horrific violence at very local levels to achieve societal paralysis.
This paralysis cows community and citizen action and draws Western powers into an emotional response and deeper fight in Syria where we employ traditional forms of warfare that bogs down and feeds the I SI S prophecy and narrative that Islam is under attack by the west.
In other words, the attacks in Belgium, Paris, and the ones to come are much more than political statements… They are a bait and switch designed to draw us deeper into a much broader manufactured holy war.
We must not forget the prophetic motivation of ISIS to usher in the “end of days”. They believe this prophesy and they will conduct these horrific attacks across Western Europe and eventually the US in order to draw Western powers deeper into their trap.
Right now, everyone is in a reactionary mode. This is very typical of these types of attacks.
Everyone stops their life briefly to gasp and then shake your head sadly for a few minutes at a violent attack going across their news screen.
While we mourn the loss of innocence in Belgium, we must wake up here in America.
As Americans get drawn into the political antics of our 2016 election year, it would be well advised for us to remember that ISIS is very much on the march and their temporary silence in America, as we’ve just seen in Brussels, does not equal inactivity.
If we want to see what is coming our way in the United States regarding ISIS, we only need to look at events like this in Western Europe. The same open societal systems and borders that enabled extremists to conduct this horrific attack in Belgium and Paris also enabled to ISIS operatives to conduct the San Bernardino shootings which was the worst Islam asked terror shooting event in American history.
This violent reality is not going away.
Let’s remember that the San Bernardino shooters had multiple explosive devices in their apartment.
A responsible planning assumption by politicians and law-enforcement is that ISlS are actively preparing complex attacks of the Belgium caliber here in United States.
If we are going to protect our freedom and our children we must change how we fight ISIS and these other extremists abroad and at home. Here are three significant steps we should take:
1-we should get very serious about addressing the narrative of ISI S. Our politicians and policymakers don’t even talk how these monsters recruit children and draw them into their false utopia known as their caliphate and mobilize them for horrific acts of violence. We must compete with this narrative on the world stage.
2-we must defeat ISIS and Al Qaeda in their safe Havens in rough places like Iraq, Syria, rural Afghanistan, and even north Africa.. This requires much more than drone strikes and night raids. We must empower local citizens in these rough places that were under the oppression of ISIS to stand up on their own. This means getting our warriors out from behind fences and living and working in these areas – Lawrence of Arabia style.
Our current administration and Congress currently does not allow this.
3-we must address the watt vulnerabilities here in our homeland that will likely be exploited just as they have been in France, Belgium, and other places in Western Europe. These are realities we must deal with.
Scott Mann’s mission America is actively promoting a “contract to protect America”. This is a contract between the American people and our politicians to get serious about fighting ISIS.
If people are watching the Belgium attack and want to know what they can do at home to take a stand against ISIS and demand political action, they can go to contract to protectAmerica.org and make their voice heard.
Let’s not wait until Brussels comes to America.
LTC (Ret.) Scott Mann
The Rules are for Everyone else : Politicians Seek to Carry Guns while residents are denied
Bergen Senator Seeks Gun Carry Permits for Judges and Legislators
Veteran Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39) wants New Jersey to allow legislators, as well as judges at the superior and municipal court levels, to obtain permits to carry handguns provided they complete at least eight hours of firearm safety training. Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Some Bergen County politicians reacted with surprise earlier this month when the Federal Aviation Administration announced it was moving a busy flight path to Teterboro Airport, apparently at the last minute.
