Author: James

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Reader says Village Council’s response to assault at the town council meeting simply atrocious

Village Council Assult

photo by Boyd Loving

“I find the Village Council’s response to tonight’s assault at the town council meeting simply atrocious.  It is also beyond vile that one of the council members attempted to find reason for why the council took no responsibility to address the assault.  To request that we find a better time to call the police?  Yes, it was a shame it occurred during a feel good ceremony, but I certainly hope you are not insinuating that the attack was planned for that time.  A town council with a sense of responsibility and care for its residents would have addressed the incident after the ceremony, not turn a blind eye.   Nor would they try to find reason for turning a blind eye.  

Let’s also remember that the alleged victim is someone who has been attacked repeatedly during these meetings for recording public meetings.  Lead by example – what you have done is open the gates up to give others the sense of right to attack those who wish to record.  

Shame on you.  I hope your children and grandchildren weren’t watching – you certainly taught them an interesting lesson tonight.  

Bonita “

“I totally agree.  The Village Council should have called to have Don Delzio removed and banned from all future meetings.  They clearly sent a message that this type of behavior is acceptable.

I had high hopes for Albert and Gwenn when I helped run a grass roots campaign to get them elected.  Now they have not only turned their backs on residents by moving forward with this mammoth garage structure, they are allowing people like Don Delzio to intimidate other residents.

Hopefully, our new VC that will be voted in next summer can overturn the debacle that has been caused by poor representation.  Look forward to getting a new VC and possible new VM who are more responsive to resident’s needs.

 Ed”

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Irene Habernickle Family Park : Gwen failed to save the turtles

turtles
February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Councilwomen Hauck just finished responding to a neighbor on the Irene Habernickle Family Park issue and in defense of the Health Barn stated that the town paid 11 million dollars for the property and when the pond was dredged all the turtles died but it was”for the greater good.”

Ridgewood is all about the environment except when it comes to turf fields , destroying Graydon Pool , destroying eagle habitats or  massive over development in the CBD.  As for the turtles there are many companies as well as animal friendly organizations that routinely come in to relocate animals( turtles) to a new habitat.
A reader stated , “I don’t know why she said this.  It makes me sick that nothing was done to save the turtles.”  The Habernickle family ( Glenn’s family) made a small fortune on the sale of the property.  It would have been a drop in the bucket to save the turtles.

Yes we know there are bigger issues but this just confirms to me how little she understands the people she was elected to represent.

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The world can’t afford another financial crash – it could destroy capitalism as we know it

wall-street-bull

A new economic crisis would trigger a political backlash in Britain, Europe and the United States which could drag us all down into poverty

By Allister Heath

10:24PM GMT 10 Feb 2016

They bounce back after terrorist attacks, pick themselves up after earthquakes and cope with pandemics such as Zika. They can even handle years of economic uncertainty, stagnant wages and sky-high unemployment. But no developed nation today could possibly tolerate another wholesale banking crisis and proper, blood and guts recession.

We are too fragile, fiscally as well as psychologically. Our economies, cultures and polities are still paying a heavy price for the Great Recession; another collapse, especially were it to be accompanied by a fresh banking bailout by the taxpayer, would trigger a cataclysmic, uncontrollable backlash.

The public, whose faith in elites and the private sector was rattled after 2007-09, would simply not wear it. Its anger would be so explosive, so-all encompassing that it would threaten the very survival of free trade, of globalisation and of the market-based economy. There would be calls for wage and price controls, punitive, ultra-progressive taxes, a war on the City and arbitrary jail sentences.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/12151115/The-world-cant-afford-another-financial-crash-it-could-destroy-capitalism-as-we-know-it.html

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Rail strike against NJ Transit gets blessing of union members

lasttraintoclarksville_theridgewoodblog

By Larry Higgs | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 10, 2016 at 11:58 AM, updated February 11, 2016 at 7:50 AM

Rail unions officials said today that their members have authorized a strikeagainst NJ Transit, but are hoping the agency returns to the bargaining table.

“We are certainly hopeful that NJ Transit gets back to the negotiating table,” said Stephen Burkert, general chairman of the SMART Union transportation division, which represents conductors. “We have no official date.”

Members of 17 rail unions have taken a vote and the result was “100 percent” to strike.

An increase in medical premiums that would negate a wage increase, recommended by a federal labor board, is among the major hurdles, he said.

Another negotiating session has been scheduled, said Dennis Martin, interim NJ Transit executive director. Burkert said the unions haven’t been notified of a date for new talks.

The unions have been working without a contract for five years. The unions are looking at a proposal that calls for an 800 percent increase in health insurance premiums and an overall 6 percent pay raise, which Burkert said means workers would pay between $400 and $700 a month.

“We’ve done everything in our power to avert a strike,” Burkert said. “Half of our coalition members would take a pay cut on day one (of a new contract).”

NJ Transit insiders said earlier this month that there was a 75 to 85 percent likelihood of a “soft strike” over the weekend of March 12.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/rail_strike_against_nj_transit_authorized_by_union_members.html

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VILLAGE HALL CLOSED – FEB 12TH AND FEB 15TH

16_abraham_lincoln[1]

February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Hall and all Village Departments will be closed on February 12th and February 15th in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day. There will be no garbage or recycling pickups on these days, and the Recycling Center will be closed.  The Recycling Center will be open on Saturday, February 13th.  All Village offices and Departments will re-open on February 16th.

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Ridgewood man charged in marijuana-dealing case

marijuana

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:55 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:57 PM
BY JIM NORMAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A 25-year-old village man has been charged with possession of a half–pound of marijuana with the intent to distribute the drug, authorities said Wednesday.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said police had seen Joel T. Schwartz selling marijuana on multiple occasions from his home on Hunter Road, and as a result of the observations a search warrant was obtained. When detectives executed the search warrant at Schwartz’s residence on Tuesday, Grewal said in a release, they discovered and seized the marijuana, which he said was valued at more than $13,500.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-man-charged-in-marijuana-dealing-case-1.1509347

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Third man arrested in connection with robbery, kidnapping of Paterson taxi driver

Ridgewood _police_theridgewoodblog

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:20 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:23 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A third man has been arrested in connection with the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping of a Paterson taxi driver in December, Ridgewood police said Wednesday.

Guillermo Carrillo-Iraheta, 18, of Suffern, N.Y., who was arrested in Mahwah on Tuesday afternoon, is accused of participating with two men from Bergen County in the carjacking of a taxicab in the early morning hours of Dec. 26, according to a press release.

Police had announced on Tuesday the arrest of the other two men in connection to the case, both 20 years old — Wilber Jonathan Barahona of Ridgewood and Jostin Vidal Soriano Reyes of Waldwick. Barahona was arrested at his home on Monday morning and Reyes was arrested in Waldwick on Monday afternoon, authorities said. All of the arrests were made by a multi-agency task force involved in the investigation, they said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/third-man-arrested-in-connection-with-robbery-kidnapping-of-paterson-taxi-driver-1.1509339

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Critics Hit Democrat Fulop on $1million Super PAC donation

Mayor Steven Fulop

Democrat Fulop critics slam $1M ‘dark money’ donation to super PAC

Local activists who worked with Mayor Steve Fulop in 2008 to enact the city’s pay-to-play ban are blasting a super PAC with ties to Fulop for accepting a $1 million donation from a company whose leadership is all but anonymous. Terrence T. McDonald, The Jersey Journal Read more

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With Trump and Cruz Still Strong, Some Predict Rare Competitive NJ Primary

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

 

With the campaigns of Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) riding high after first and third-place showings in New Hampshire, some Republican insiders believe that this spring’s New Jersey primaries could see a substantial rise in conservative turnout from independents and the undecided. As Trump and Cruz maintain their leads against the GOP establishment’s deep bench, June could bring surprises in a primary that typically serves as a late stepping stone for candidates who have all but sealed up the nomination. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more

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UNREAL® LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION UNREAL LOVE VALENTINE’S DAY TINS WITH RIDGEWOOD WHOLE FOODS MARKET®

UNREAL
UnReal answers consumer trend to give chocolates that are delicious and all-natural, made without unhealthy ingredients or excess sugar, as a show of real love

February 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  UnReal announced today that it has partnered with Whole Foods Ridgewood at 44 Godwin Ave and other regional Whole Foods Market stores to offer two of its all-natural chocolate candies in limited edition tins and bags for Valentine’s Day. Available in stores, and online through UnReal, the limited edition tins and bags feature unique artwork designed by world-renowned illustrator Steve Simpson and are fun for all types of Valentines – friends, family, co-workers, and lovers, alike.
Ridgewood families to purchase at the Whole Foods Market store located at 44 Godwin Ave. UnReal, the unjunked food company, has partnered exclusively with Whole Foods Market stores to offer better-for-you alternatives to share with all types of Valentine’s this season – with 40% less sugar and no artificial ingredients. Whole Foods Ridgewood is also offering a free bag of candy coated milk chocolate gems with any e-store order placed by Friday, February 12th.

“The reason for giving Valentine’s Day chocolates is to celebrate those we love in a sweet way. The chocolates we give reflect our own values, so more of us want to give something that tastes delicious, but is not made with unhealthy ingredients or mass-produced. UnReal shows our real love by giving chocolates that taste unreal and are made without artificial ingredients, preservatives, GMO’s, or excess sugar,” said UnReal’s 18-year-old founder, Nicky Bronner.

UnReal is re-inventing America’s favorite candy using sustainably sourced, fair trade, non-GMO ingredients, and less sugar than their traditional counterparts. This Valentine’s Day, the company created two limited edition UNREAL LOVE tins. One features 16 ounces of red candy coated milk chocolate gems, made with organic cacao and dairy, without any artificial ingredients, and naturally colored with beetroot juice. The second tin features 16 rich, dark chocolate peanut butter cups. The price of each limited edition, UNREAL LOVE tin is $9.99. UnReal is also offering an 8-ounce bag of its red candy coated milk chocolate gems for $4.99. Both tins and the bags are available at all Whole Foods Markets in NY, NJ, CT, MA, NH, RI and ME.

Whole Foods Market Ridgewood and other NJ locations are also offering a free bag of candy coated milk chocolate gems with any e-store order placed by Friday, February 12th, including any of the floral offerings.

“UnReal has once again outdone themselves this holiday, creating an exciting and unique gift option for Valentine’s Day,” said Kimberley Rose, Vice President of Purchasing for Whole Foods Market’s North Atlantic region. “Between the beautiful, limited edition packaging and the delicious, high quality chocolates, what’s not to love? Pairing it with our double dozen roses is about as easy and fail-proof as Valentine’s gift giving can get!”

To get your own UnReal chocolate candies, visit Whole Foods Market Ridgewood at 44 Godwin Ave- or to purchase online, visit https://www.getunreal.com.

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Ridgewood district, teachers remain locked in contract battle

BOE_theridgewoodblog

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:49 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:57 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The Board of Education and the Ridgewood Education Association remain locked in their inability to come to terms on a new teachers’ contract, despite the efforts of a state-appointed fact finder.

Members of the REA, cloaked in red to show solidarity, crowded into a school board meeting Monday night for the second time this month to decry the lack of progress in negotiations. Although there are numerous points of contention, the sharpest disagreement has come over how much REA members must contribute to their health-insurance premiums.

REA President Michael Yannone, a 19-year veteran of Ridgewood High School, said Monday the board’s position in a Feb. 3 fact-finding meeting was reduced to two points: The district had no additional money to spend on teacher salaries, and no other New Jersey school district had agreed to a reduction in healthcare contributions, because that would be “unaffordable.”

Yannone said neither was true. A number of districts had negotiated reductions in healthcare contributions, he said, and an influx of state aid and health contribution money — combined with under-budgeting in certain areas — had led to a sizable surplus in the local school budget.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-district-teachers-remain-locked-in-contract-battle-1.1509346

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Referendum petition to repeal the BCIA Funding ordinance Circulating in Ridgewood

garage new design

Hi James,
As expected, the council voted 3-2 on ordinance 3519, which allows them to  enter into a lease purchase agreement with the BCIA for the Hudson Street parking garage.

There are a group of residents that started a referendum petition to repeal the ordinance. We need to get about 1000 signatures in 20 days. Then a binding referendum question would go on the May ballot asking if the ordinance should be adopted?

People can go to [email protected] to find out where they can go to sign the petition.

Thanks

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Village of Ridgewood Plans Parking Ticket Blitz to Fund Parking Garage on Hudson Street

parking_enforcement_theridgewoodblog

Walker study update

https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/20160203revwalker.pdf

•   Construction to start in May 2016, with the garage opening in February of 2017.

•   Non-resident permit rates adjusted to be the same as resident permit rates.

•   The first set of rate increases going into effect in July of 2016. These include extension of the

meter hours to 9 p.m. as well as increasing on-street meter rates in the core area to 75¢ per

hour.

•   The second set of increases – core meters to $1 and all other on- and off-street parking to

75¢ per hour – is projected to begin in February of 2017 when the garage opens.

•   It will be imperative that enforcement schedules are extended for the new meter hours and that enforcement is active. Weak enforcement will have a significant negative impact on the revenue stream from the extended meter hours; once people note that they never see people writing tickets in the evening and/or they “get away with it” once or twice, word will get out and the extended meter hours will not produce the level of revenue they should.

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Police summoned to disturbance at Ridgewood Council meeting

village council meeting assult

photo by Boyd A. Loving
Police summoned to disturbance at Council meeting
February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridhewood NJ, resident Dana Glazer had his cell phone knocked out of his hand by a meeting attendee.  Police investigation underway.  No charges pressed as of this writing.

Witnesses state that it happened when Jim Griffiths was being honored and was especially disturbing especially with so many small children in the room. But, it did happen, “and the choice of timing was fully in the hands of the person who hit the man with the camera. I saw the entire thing because it had caught my attention that one resident was inches from another,bothering him, so I was watching. When the “aggressor” hit the man with the cell phone and knocked the phone to the ground, that was when I ran to get the police.”

The witness went on , “By the time I got to the police desk, one flight down, an officer was already radioing in to get to the courtroom, so either someone else called the police or the police saw on closed circuit camera I counted four officers that came up. What was even more shocking was that at the end, was that Councilwoman Hauck had the audacity to suggest that “no one saw it happen” (you can watch the tape tomorrow, I don’t want to put words in her mouth) – so if she didn’t see it then does that mean it did not happen? And the suggestion that I could have handled it differently, really? So if I see one person hit another, but something nice is going on at the same time, I should just sit back and do nothing.”

A long time resident who did not witness the attack said ,” I think it a sad day for Ridgewood when members of the pubic are afraid to come to meeting for fear of possible assault   or harassment by other members of the public.. This was all fueled by the council majority who berated this same member of the public in recent council meeting for video taping them,  We have sunk to a new low here in Ridgewood. Never in all my years in town have I see such distrust, in fighting,berating of the public by council members and i’ve been here a long time.  ”

The victim Dana Glazer is also someone who has been threatened repeatedly for recording public meetings. This has now opened up the gates for others to attack those who wish to record.

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Paterson cancels this week’s payroll direct deposits over budget crisis

Paterson Falls

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:08 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:10 PM
BY JOE MALINCONICO
PATERSON PRESS

PATERSON – City officials sent municipal employees a notice on Wednesday warning them that they would not be getting their biweekly pay through direct deposits to their bank accounts on Friday.

Instead, all Paterson employees would get old-fashioned paychecks this week – but only if the City Council approves a $7.9 million payroll appropriation at hastily scheduled special meeting on Thursday night.

“There won’t be any release of payroll without the council’s approval,” said Business Administrator Nellie Pou.

Pou said that in order to make the direct deposit payment on Friday she needed to wire the money to the bank on Wednesday. “I can’t do that,” she said.
The city’s payroll process was knocked off schedule when the council in a 4-4 vote on Tuesday rejected the administration’s proposed $22.5 million budget appropriation for February. Opponents said the administration had not implemented enough budget cuts.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/paterson-cancels-this-week-s-payroll-direct-deposits-over-budget-crisis-1.1509338