DUI the culprit in Route 17 South Bound Crash early Sunday Morning in Ridgewood
December 13,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , The adult female driver of a 4-door Ford Taurus was charged with driving under the influence in connection with a crash on Route 17 southbound in Ridgewood early Sunday morning. The crash occurred just prior to the Linwood Avenue overpass and shut down two (2) lanes of traffic on Route 17 southbound, plus an on ramp to the highway southbound from Linwood Avenue, for almost one (1) hour beginning at approximately 1 AM. No injuries were reported in the incident. HoHoKus and Paramus PD units assisted Ridgewood PD officers at the scene; Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a crash related fluid spill. A flatbed tow truck removed the Taurus from the roadway. The incident reportedly involved two (2) vehicles. One (1) of the vehicles was said to have fled the scene and was later involved in another crash on Route 4 westbound near the Garden State Parkway in Paramus. No word as to whether the driver of that vehicle was charged in connection with the Ridgewood incident.
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno today visited Ridgewood High School to launch a “Rock Your Socks” competition to benefit the Covenant House, an organization that provides food, shelter, and other services to homeless, runaway and trafficked youth between the ages of 18 and 21. Socks are often overlooked during donation drives, so Lt. Governor Guadagno asked three area high schools to engage in a friendly contest to raise awareness for the charity and get involved in their community.
“Part of being a good citizen means participating in your community or your country as a whole to make it a better place,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “Volunteer at a food bank, at a library, at a soup kitchen. You’d be amazed how good it feels to give back to the community and you have no idea just how much people appreciate the help.”
The “Rock Your Socks” initiative is part of the Christie Administration’s annual “Season of Service” program. The goal of “Rock Your Socks” is to collect as many pairs of new socks as possible for the Covenant House. Students are encouraged to use social media to take pictures of interesting or unique socks to spread awareness of the campaign and challenge others to join.
I know this is not my usual position. But this is a war. Therefore I have come to believe there should be no immigration or visa waivers until the U.S. adopts a completely new system to stop radical Islamic terrorists from entering the country. A wartime lockdown. And a big change in my thinking. ISIS and related Islamic terrorists are already here. More are coming. We must stop them. Until FBI director James Comey gives us the green light, I say seal the borders.
Here’s what we must do: Completely reform the vetting process for immigrants and foreign visitors. Change the screening process. Come up with a new visa-application review process. Stop this nonsense of marriage-visa fraud. And in the meantime, seal the borders. I agree with Jessica Vaughn, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, who argued many of these points in excellent detail on the National Review website on Friday. Again, why am I taking this hardline position? In the past I have been an immigration reformer, not a restrictionist. But we are at war. That changes everything. Let me emphasize that my support for wartime immigration restrictions is not based on religion.
I think Donald Trump made a big mistake here. Instead, I agree with this Rupert Murdoch tweet: “Complete refugee pause to fix vetting makes sense.”
By MATT APUZZO, MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and JULIA PRESTONDEC. 12, 2015
WASHINGTON — Tashfeen Malik, who with her husband carried out the massacre in San Bernardino, Calif., passed three background checks by American immigration officials as she moved to the United States from Pakistan. But none uncovered what Ms. Malik had made little effort to hide — that she talked openly on social media about her views on violent jihad.
She said she supported it. And she said she wanted to be a part of it.
American law enforcement officials said they recently discovered those old — and previously unreported — postings as they pieced together the lives of Ms. Malik and her husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, trying to understand how they pulled off the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001.
Had the authorities found the posts years ago, they might have kept her out of the country. But immigration officials do not routinely review social media as part of their background checks, and there is a debate inside the Department of Homeland Security over whether it is even appropriate to do so.
Washington (CNN)A new intelligence report shared with law enforcement warns of ISIS’ ability to create passports utilizing seized Syrian government assets, according to a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the intelligence report’s contents.
The report warned that, based on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s intelligence sources, ISIS has access to passport printing machines and blank passport books, raising the possibility the documents could be faked, according to the source.
The source noted that, beyond the report, there’s concern that this capability coupled with ISIS access to government buildings in Syria that contain valid biographical data and fingerprint info on Syrian citizens give rise to the threat of identity theft.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said government officials are “mindful” that terrorists could be making false passports.
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 3:23 PM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A local temple will give residents a fun opportunity to celebrate the last night of Hanukkah at a party scheduled for Sunday evening.
The event, which is to occur at Reconstructionist Congregation Beth Israel (RCBI), will feature food and refreshments for attendees, according to Caryn Starr-Gates of RCBI.
“Pizza, potato pancakes, salad and jelly doughnuts are on the menu,” she said via e-mail, explaining that the latkes and doughnuts are part of the Jewish holiday’s traditional.
“They are cooked in oil,” she said, stating that this method ties “into the Hanukkah miracle story about the scarcity of available oil when the Jews re-entered the pillaged temple, but there being enough for eight days to light their way as they reclaimed and rededicated the temple.”
The event will be suitable for residents of all ages.
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Conservancy to continue work
To the Editor:
This time of year gives us a chance to reflect on the recent past. The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands is extremely grateful for the community support we have received. Without this, we never would have been able to accomplish all that we have in 2015. Our tasks have been numerous, from continuing the plantings at North Broad Street, running a Second Annual Daffodil Festival in conjunction with the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, placing a large decorative planter at the train station plaza, planting 5,000 more daffodil bulbs towards our ultimate goal of one for each resident, to organizing a cleanup at Twinney Pond Park with the Ridgewood Wildscape Association.
Twinney Pond Park is a unique ecological gem, a kettle pond dating back to the ice age. Ridgewood native and Rutgers ecologist Jean Epiphan has completed a thorough report on the vegetation. It has been determined that by removing the worst of the invasives and replanting with natives in the spring, that we will be able to help preserve this extraordinary park. We are making this project an ongoing educational opportunity for our Ridgewood students. Our Dec. 6 cleanup was a huge success and brought in countless community volunteers of all ages.
Our goal is to keep working on projects throughout the village, to enhance and improve our wonderful and varied parks. As we embark on our Annual Membership Drive, we urge you to look at our website to find out more information on our projects and to sign up to help: cfrpl.org.
Our sincere thanks for your support and our best wishes for the holiday season.
Meet the Manager – Wednesday, Decelber 16th- 4:30PM – 7:30PM
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld will hold office hours for Ridgewood residents and business owners every month. The next session will be Wednesday , December 17th between the hours of 4:30PM to 7:30PM. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and provide input to Roberta. These sessions will be scheduled at 15 minute intervals and will be held in the Court Room – on the Fourth Level of Ridgewood Village Hall. Please contact Beth Spinato at 201-670-5500, ext. 203 to make an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome but should realize that the schedule may already be booked. We will announce the schedule for these meetings on a monthly basis.
Senior Survey – Residents 55 + Please Complete the Survey
Share your thoughts with us! The Ridgewood Community Center Advisory Board needs your input to determine the priorities, needs and concerns of the Village’s eldest citizens. We are committed with maintaining and improving the Community Center and serving the broader Ridgewood community. The survey is anonymous and intended for ages 55 and older. Please click the following link to access and print survey. Once completed, it can be returned to the Stable, the front reception desk at Village Hall or the Circulation/Reference Desks at the Library. If you would like to receive a copy by mail please call the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560.
Survey of Ridgewood NJ Residents 55 Years and Older
Updated Information on Leaves from Ridgewood DPW:
• Collection: We are still running three to four days behind. With the recent damage to the pusher catching up is going to be unachievable.
• Schedule: We are recommending a shift in the leaf schedule based on the following new dates:
Scandal: The administration says there just wasn’t enough time to send military help for the four Americans murdered by terrorists in the Benghazi attacks. Newly released emails show that’s another lie.
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta swore during congressional testimony in 2013 that “without an adequate warning, there was not enough time given the speed of the attack for armed military assets to respond” to Benghazi.
Killed by terrorists in the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks were U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith, and CIA contractors Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty.
In a televised interview, also in 2013, Panetta, who served as the Obama defense secretary for nearly two years, said “you cannot just simply call and expect within two minutes to have a team in place. It takes time.”
So the administration’s official line has been that no help was sent because events happened too quickly.
But the facts are catching up with the story. Emails released this week by Judicial Watch show that a Defense official offered armed intervention that could in the official’s opinion have provided help. “We have identified the forces that could move to Benghazi,” chief of staff Jeremy Bash said in an email sent to State Department leadership. “They are spinning up as we speak.”
Read More At Investor’s Business Daily: https://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/121015-784759-military-support-offered-in-benghazi-but-administration-did-not-want-it.htm#ixzz3u3bHtfoY
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E Ridgewood Ave and Oak St
Meet Santa at his house in Memorial Park at Van Neste Park Weather Permitting
Art of Motion is offering Teacher Holiday gift cards
Art of Motion is offering Teacher Holiday gift cards, $10.00 for a Pilates/Yoga, Dance or Conditioning Class in lieu of $20.00 drop in or two classes for $20.00.
Art of Motion
Chestnust St
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
DUXIANA Holiday Offer
DUXIANA is giving 20% off all down pillows and comforters through 12/31/15
Graham Elliot Saturday, December 12th @ 12:00 Noon
Star from the television show Master Chef and Junior Master Chef, Graham Elliot, will sign his new book:
Cooking Like a Master Chef
Richard Multi Saturday, December 12th @ 2:00pm
Former Mayor of Ramsey,
Richard Multi,will sign his new book: Sinatra at 100
Cookbook Launch Party Hoover Sunday, December 13th @ 2-4pm
Come celebrate the release of ALWAYS ADD LOVE: Real Food for Picky Eaters, written by Ridgewood author (and mom) Deidre Goehnert
This rich tapestry of family recipes offer clear, straightforward kid-freindly recipies and makes a great holiday gift.
A Merry Happy Noel
Music Launch Event
Sunday, December 13th 4-6pm
Come meet the artists, pick up a copy of the new CD, and have a cup of cheer
A new holiday (CD) album featuring:
Kristen Plumley, Soprano
Patricia Lazzara, Flute
Michael Caldwell, Piano
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print
Neighbors request more experts for best possible park
To the Editor:
Your reporter concludes in his article on Dec. 4 (“Officials face open space shortage,” The Ridgewood News, page A1) that one group or another will be unhappy by the council’s ultimate decisions regarding the development of the Schedler property. As a Schedler neighbor, I respectfully disagree with the conclusion.
The Schedler neighborhood is seeking the best possible design and development of the Schedler property for the benefit of all Ridgewood citizens. Specifically, the Schedler neighborhood has asked the council to hire an expert landscape architect to design the best park possible for all citizens. The current design was prepared by our village engineer, who has limited experience designing parks.
The Schedler neighborhood has also requested the hiring of a traffic safety engineer to design a safe park for the benefit of the players, their families and the neighborhood. The Schedler property is next to Route 17, where over half a million cars travel daily. Let’s be safe and hire the proper experts.
Finally, all of those cars are noisy. Players need to communicate with each other, with their coaches and with the officials. Spectators also want to converse in a comfortable environment.
The Schedler neighborhood has asked the village to hire a noise expert in order to recommend appropriate noise abatement strategies. We want to avoid spending several million dollars on a park, only to discover that it’s too noisy and unsafe.
A reputable dentist is perfect for a toothache, but you wouldn’t call him if you were experiencing chest pains. The Schedler neighborhood advocates hiring genuine experts in order to obtain the best possible park for all Ridgewood citizens. That’s a win for the players, a win for their families, a win for the neighborhood, and a win for all citizens of Ridgewood.
Ridgewood News Letter: Will parking deck pay for itself?
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Will parking deck pay for itself?
To the Editor:
The results of the recent election have indicated that there is a need for a parking garage. The village website provided inadequate information. Of the three designs only one was shown.
The consultants have stated that the bond can be retired from the projected revenues. However, there is no evidence of the reliability of these projections.
The design that is favored by many is one that has brick panels. It is pleasing aesthetically. The design is more expensive to build and more expensive to maintain in this climate. No financial considerations appear to have figured in this design. In addition, there is only a small building in the vicinity that has some brick exterior. If the construction bids come too high, will the architect redesign the project at no additional fee?
The revenue projections are based on increased meter fees. When fees are raised, occupancy tends to go down. The financial report cites one case where this happened. If sufficient revenues are not generated, the town residents will be left holding the bag. The consultants and the council members will be long gone.
There is no urgency to build a large deck given the uncertainty of revenue projections. I therefore suggest that the project be built in two phases.
DECEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Teachers deserve praise; taxpayers deserve a break
To the Editor:
We will try this again as what one hears cannot be generalized due to individualization. Here is my rebuttal to Michael Yannone’s letter in last week’s Ridgewood News:
1. Ridgewood teachers are paid in the upper percentile/s in the U.S. The starter salary accelerates due to various degree/s, and additional credits, etc. Fine; they are appreciated for a job well done and deserved. My point is: this is an expensive benefit paid for by the taxpayer.
2. About 10 to 15 percent of private company employees receive a traditional pension as the teachers. Calculated individually (as all pension), it “significantly exceeds” the corporate-sector pension. Fine, it is earned so enjoy. My point is: this is an expensive benefit paid for by the taxpayer.
3. U.S. companies offer lower-cost healthcare provider plans than the state teacher’s plan/s. Their “premium” plan/s have always been more generous so private company employees married to NJ teachers use the NJ state plan as their primary provider for themselves and their families both before Medicare or with Medicare as their secondary provider. Fine; my point is: this is an expensive benefit paid for by the taxpayer.
4. NJ teachers receive two paid days in November for a teacher convention whether they attend or not. Fine; this is built into their compensation/time calendar. A minimal amount of teachers attend the state convention repeatedly and not the majority. My point is: this was not the intention when this was originated.
5. U.S. companies are diligently saving money by eliminating employee benefits by contracting out work, outsourcing, mergers and down-sizing. Employees in the private sector pay for their annual escalating healthcare costs as do retirees before and with Medicare. My point is: teachers are not getting slighted by having to pay higher healthcare costs; this is the new norm due to Obamacare, designer drugs, and an aging population. This is not a one-time deal.
6. Companies get rid of older workers when they become too expensive unlike education. Fine; thank you for your continued, dedication. It is appreciated due to number of years worked. My point is: this is an expensive benefit paid for by the taxpayer.
7. The NJ taxpayer cannot afford to pay teachers their annual percentage raises along with their escalating healthcare costs as a benefit as was done in the past. Teachers are significantly more highly compensated with their benefit package than non-state, non-unionized workers.
8. NJ is going bankrupt due to pension and other obligations. People are leaving this state and purchasing out-of-state properties and claiming those places as their primary residence so they can eliminate the “choking” taxes of NJ. They then move to those second homes to retire.
9. The New Jersey Education Association and some (not all) of its members have been very vociferous about their hatred for Gov. Christie. I am not his fan but I do feel he did what was a long overdue necessity. He did a “reality check.”
BOE Meets on December 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, December 21, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting may also be viewed on FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.
Click here to view the agenda for the December 7,, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the November 16, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.
11.23.15: Board of Education Writes Letter to the Editor
Click here to read a Letter to the Editor of the Ridgewood News, which was published on November 20, 2015
By IAN LOVETT, JACK HEALY, MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT and JULIE TURKEWITZDEC. 11, 2015
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The regulars did not take it seriously when Enrique Marquez mused about terrorism at Morgan’s Tavern, a dank dive bar where Mr. Marquez hauled ice, cleaned bathrooms and checked IDs at the door. After a few drinks, he would just start talking — about his money woes, trying to lose weight, wanting to join the Navy. News reports about terrorism were just fodder for more bar talk.
“He would say stuff like: ‘There’s so much going on. There’s so many sleeper cells, so many people just waiting. When it happens, it’s going to be big. Watch,’ ” said Nick Rodriguez, a frequent patron who had known Mr. Marquez on and off for the past two years. “We took it as a joke. When you look at the kid and talk to him, no one would take him seriously about that.”
But nine days after a husband and wife slaughtered 14 people in a terrorist attack at a county health department meeting, Mr. Marquez, 24, a childhood friend of the husband, Syed Rizwan Farook, has become a crucial if unlikely figure in the investigation of the attack — which was just the kind he discussed when terrorism news reports flashed onto the tavern’s television.
