file photo by Boyd Loving
Saddle River to hear from state staff on lethal control of deer population State wildlife-management staff will explain lethal methods of controlling the local deer population in a public presentation Wednesday evening arranged by borough officials. (Mariana Villaneuve, The Record) Read more
Clinton pulls plug on testy presser over server questions
August 18, 2015, 06:22 pm
By Ben Kamisar
Hillary Clinton dismissed the controversy surrounding her private email server and defended her conduct as legal during a press conference Tuesday in Las Vegas.
A visibly aggravated Clinton repeatedly insisted that she had done nothing wrong and seemed frustrated by questions about the issue.
“What I did was legally permitted, number one, first and foremost,” the Democratic presidential candidate said in response to a question from Fox News reporter Ed Henry. “We turned over everything that was work-related, every single thing.”
She added that in “retrospect,” it had not turned out to be convenient to have the private server during her years as secretary of State.
“I regret that this has become a cause celebre. But that does not change the facts, and no matter what anybody tries to say, the facts are stubborn,” she said.
“I know there is a certain level of anxiety or interest in this, but the facts are the facts.”
Asked if the server, which has been turned over to the Department of Justice, had been wiped clean, Clinton initially shrugged and later joked: “Like with a cloth or something?”
By Jonathan Easley – 08/19/15 06:00 AM EDT
Donald Trump is steamrolling the competition in the fight for the Republican presidential nomination.
On Tuesday, a second national poll conducted in the wake of the first GOP debate found Trump with a double-digit lead over the next closest contender.
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Trump is not just attacking his rivals, he’s seeking to embarrass them, and he’s having fun doing it.
The businessman and reality TV star is also shaping the policy discussion, forcing other contenders to weigh-in on the far-right proposals in his immigration plan.
When Trump’s rise first began to register in the polls in early July, his ascendance was met with mild bemusement and the near-universal belief among Republicans that the he was a temporary, media-driven phenomenon likely to burn out by the end of summer.
Now, Republicans wonder how far he can go.
“Can he win? He sure can win,” said former Iowa Republican Party political director Craig Robinson. “He’s running roughshod over the rest of this field because the other candidates have allowed him to. This is a high stakes poker game and you have a guy playing aggressively, owning the table and dictating how everyone else moves.”
Two new national polls show Trump increasing his lead over the GOP field.
A Fox News survey released over the weekend showed Trump with a more than two-to-one lead nationally over Ben Carson, who placed a distant second.
Meanwhile, a CNN/ORC survey released Tuesday showed Trump’s lead spiking to double-digits after the same survey from late July showed him leading Jeb Bush by only 3 points. He has had double-digit leads in nine of 13 national polls since mid-July.
In Iowa and New Hampshire, Trump has led in every poll since late July.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/251384-trump-flattening-gop-rivals
Irvington loses bid to reverse ruling on mayor’s recall A Superior Court judge has rejected Irvington’s bid to overturn her previous ruling directing municipal officials to approve a document that would allow a group of four township residents to begin the process of recalling Mayor Tony Vauss. (Bill Wichert, NJ.com) Read more
AUGUST 18, 2015, 12:32 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015, 5:40 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
WYCKOFF — Former “American Idol” contestant Constantine Maroulis will face charges in court next week that he allegedly attacked his girlfriend in their township home and then violated a restraining order, according to the woman’s attorney and and an Us Weekly report.
Maroulis, a Ramapo High School graduate who grew up in Wyckoff, is accused of beating up Angelina Reed on Aug. 11 after she confronted him about an affair, her attorney, Steven J. Mandel, said in a statement. The couple, who met while performing in the musical “Rock of Ages,” have a 4-year-old daughter.
Reed called 911 and police, seeing her injuries, arrested Maroulis, Mandel said. She was granted a temporary restraining order that prohibited Maroulis from contacting her or their daughter, and barred him from their home, he said. Mandel also claimed that Maroulis has failed to pay child support for 15 months.
Maroulis, the sixth-place finalist in the fourth season of “American Idol,” broadcast in 2005, allegedly violated the restraining order with an email, which his representative told Us Weekly was sent to Reed by accident.
N.J.’s credit rating may fall more if court rules against state in lawsuit challenging Christie’s pension-reform law New Jersey’s low-end credit rating could continue to fall if the state Supreme Court rules that retired public workers are entitled to yearly increases in their pensions, according to Moody’s Investors Service. (Salvador Rizzo, The Record) Read more
August 18,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Any of readers notice the giant steel structure being erected next to the Ridgewood Park & Ride?Also, what are they doing at the Ben Franklin Middle School? They ripped up most of the grass around the front and side of the school.
In case you are unaware This bus stop is extremely convenient for anyone who commutes into work, or just wants to go into NYC for the day. The Shortline bus will pick you up here, and drop you off right at Port Authority, which is located in Midtown on 42nd St. and 8th Ave. The trip takes exactly 35 mins from Ridgewood Park & Ride to Port Authority, and vice versa as long as there isn’t heavy traffic.
If you take a bus before 7 AM it is a 35-40 minute ride on the shortline, however, if you leave even half an hour later at 7:30 AM you can probably tack another 10 minutes onto that (and probably another 5-10 minutes more if you leave around 8 AM). These times are for the bus ride only.
During rush hour buses going into the city have their own dedicated lane into the tunnel so you don’t have to deal with the traffic that someone driving a car does, but there is traffic at the entrance to the bus lane off of the turnpike as all of the buses merge into that lane. Hence the later you leave the more likely you are to get caught at the entrance to the bus lane and the additional time I quoted above. For what it is worth accidents in the bus lane are very rare so large delays are unusual if you are on a 7 AM bus .
You can find the link to the bus schedule online (coachusa.com/info/shortl…) or at the little trailer located at the Park & Ride, which is also where you can buy tickets. The tickets are $9 either way, though you can buy a month’s worth of tickets that amount to $6 per ticket. If you want to park your car here, you need a pass which I believe you can purchase at the same trailer. Otherwise, you can just opt to do metered parking with quarters. Either way, get here early in the morning on weekdays, since most of the parking spaces get taken before morning rush hour is over.
Also, we recommend you arrive at least 5 minutes earlier than the expected time on the bus schedule, because the drivers don’t always match the time correctly. Sometimes they run a bit late, but worse is when they get here early and decide to leave early. Just account for that if you’re on a tight schedule.
The AirBrook shuttles to Newark Airport also run from the park and ride there is the ticket trailer all the way in the back behind the parking lot.
Please note to be careful when you’re driving in to the Park & Ride, because the entrance is also right next to the Park & Ride exit; and just before that, is another ramp that leads onto route 17. People often dart out onto Route 17 without even checking so be very careful when entering/exiting.
One more note ,the helix that approaches the Lincoln Tunnel is going through a multi-year construction project. The delays magnify during construction periods which is thankfully not often rush hour . Rush hour for NYC is traditionally thought of as 6:30 am to 9:30 am.
file photo by Boyd Loving
PLEASE mark your calendar for the MOST IMPORTANT meeting to date:
Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm – VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING before ordinances are approved allowing multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre
Please take time to read this important message from CBR Trustees:
For over two years, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) actively participated in the Ridgewood Planning Board’s review of a Master Plan Amendment that would allow several large, high-density housing projects to be built downtown. CBR enlisted the help of a professional planner and an expert Land Use attorney to give residents a voice in the process, and to urge caution and advocate for proper planning. Unfortunately, our voices were not heard.
On June 1st, CBR circulated an online petition advocating for responsible planning and densities lower than the 35-units per acre that was before the Planning Board. The petition gained more than 1,000 signatures in just a few short hours, demonstrating that many Ridgewood residents oppose the jump from 12 to 35 units per acre. This petition was decidedly ignored. Despite our calls for visionary planning and densities more appropriate for Ridgewood, on June 2nd the Planning Board approved four separate amendments to the master plan that pave the way for high-density, multifamily housing projects at 35 units per acre.
On August 10, a group of concerned residents enlisted the service of CBR’s attorney to file a complaint in the Superior Court in Bergen County appealing the Planning Board’s decision. The Complaint seeks a Judge’s order to reverse the Planning Board’s June 2 decision based on several counts, including spot zoning violations, procedural irregularities during the master plan proceedings, violations to the Open Public Meetings Act, conflicts of interest among Planning Board members, inappropriate admittance of a threatening letter regarding affordable housing that wrongly swayed some votes, and insufficient comprehensive studies and evidence to warrant a substantial change in zoning.
As you return from your summer break, please know that our cause is strong and alive. Since the June vote, we have a new influx of dedicated and impassioned residents and donors leading the CBR charge. As such, we feel the time is right to change CBR’s leadership to energize this new chapter in our efforts. In the next few weeks, the CBR will have a new set of trustees and the current group will be stepping down. We are fortunate that we have zealous supporters ready to take over and embark on this next stage. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact us and you can join them!
WE WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7:30 PM when the Village Council holds a public hearing in advance of approving four ordinances that will amend the master plan and allow multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre. This may be the last chance residents will have to speak out about zoning changes that will negatively impact our Village. Given the speed with which the Council accepted the Planning Board’s decision without meaningful discussion, we are concerned the Council may try to effect a premature final vote that same night!
We want to thank all of you for your support over these last two years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
CBR’s new leadership will continue to keep you updated. Please stay tuned… we need you!
Best Regards,
Amy Bourque, Lori Weil, Carol Bicknese and Jen Ditommasso
NOTE: To be clear, CBR has always favored development in downtown Ridgewood. CBR is not against change, but rather favors VISIONARY (not reactionary) planning that considers the impact zoning changes will have on Ridgewood’s severe parking deficit, traffic issues, lack of open space, and overcrowded schools. CBR continues to advocate for a density limit that is more in line with what currently exists in downtown Ridgewood (approximately 20-24 units per acre.) CBR is in favor of providing alternative housing choices and meeting affordable housing obligations, but believes these objectives can be achieved at a much lower density than 35 units per acre.
Citizens for a Better Ridgewood
[email protected]
AUGUST 18, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015, 9:54 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
In an effort to supply the governing body with more financial and budgetary information on a regular basis, the village conducted the first of what will be a quarterly review of Ridgewood’s finances earlier this month.
Village Chief Financial Officer Bob Rooney, in keeping with his goal of providing timely financial information to the council, was on hand at the Aug. 5 council meeting to update the dais on the municipality’s financial state.
In the future, such financial reviews will be given on a quarterly basis, Rooney said.
“Part of the goal is to give you a balance sheet and statement of income on a quarterly basis by fund and, at least annually, give you an update as to our fixed assets – the flow, the acquisition, the disposition – providing you as much as possible,” Rooney said. “Since it is a work in progress, I’m going to ask for your input. Whenever you see there’s something you want or you feel is important, by all means reach out to me.”
Rooney said village officials had already met with some departments, such as the police, building and fleet, to get a better understanding of their needs going forward and had planned meetings with other departments in the near future.
For this report, the financial team looked at line items with deviations that were higher than expected, said Rooney. Charges were evaluated against prior history and known budget requests by the department. Explanations from department heads, where applicable, were also provided.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/cfo-keeping-tabs-on-spending-1.1394056
file photo by Boyd Loving
AUGUST 18, 2015, 3:36 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2015, 3:36 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The village and its Zoning Board of Adjustment are named in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the owners of the Exxon Mobil station on Route 17.
The suit, filed in Bergen County’s Superior Court, seeks a court order “restraining” the development of a nearby parcel of land.
The land being developed is now the site of a Shell filling station, but the owners want to raze the property and install updated gas pumps and construct a 2,000 square-foot 7-Eleven convenience store.
Those plans received approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment seven months ago. The suit seeks to reverse the board’s decision.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Will vote no
BY: Adam Kredo
August 18, 2015 12:59 pm
Sen. Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) came out against the recently inked Iran deal on Tuesday and said he would vote to reject it, dealing a major blow to the White House, which has been aggressively lobbying key Democrats to support the accord.
“I have looked into my own soul and my devotion to principle may once again lead me to an unpopular course, but if Iran is to acquire a nuclear bomb, it will not have my name on it,” Menendez said in a major address Tuesday afternoon, according to an advance copy of the text obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
“It is for these reasons that I will vote to disapprove the agreement and, if called upon, would vote to override a veto,” Menendez said.
Menendez joins a growing list of Democratic lawmakers expressing opposition to the deal. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) also has come out against the deal.
The senator, who has led the charge to impose harsh economic sanctions on Iran, said the deal would do little to rein in Iran’s nuclear weapons program and went on to lash out at President Barack Obama’s portrayal of the deal.
https://freebeacon.com/national-security/sen-menendez-comes-out-against-iran-deal/
Democratic White House front-runner used Platte River Networks of Denver, Colorado, to maintain her controversial ‘home brew’ server
Up to 60 emails with classified material have been found in a sample of those she did not delete – meaning there could be many more
Now Daily Mail Online reveals new questions over security of her emails when Platte River was involved in maintaining server
‘Mom and pop’ firm used converted residential apartment and had its own servers in a bathroom closet
Links between ‘local’ IT company and Clinton remain unclear but its VP of sales and marketing, who was sued for ‘fraud’ is said to be ‘big Democrat’
By HUGO DANIEL IN DENVER, COLORADO, FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 08:12 EST, 18 August 2015 | UPDATED: 12:03 EST, 18 August 2015
The IT company Hilary Clinton chose to maintain her private email account was run from a loft apartment and its servers were housed in the bathroom closet, Daily Mail Online can reveal.
Daily Mail Online tracked down ex-employees of Platte River Networks in Denver, Colorado, who revealed the outfit’s strong links to the Democratic Party but expressed shock that the 2016 presidential candidate chose the small private company for such a sensitive job.
One, Tera Dadiotis, called it ‘a mom and pop shop’ which was an excellent place to work, but hardly seemed likely to be used to secure state secrets. And Tom Welch, who helped found the company, confirmed the servers were in a bathroom closet.
It can also be disclosed that the small number of employees who were aware of the Clinton contract were told to keep it secret.
The way in which Clinton came to contract a company described as a ‘mom and pop’ operation remains unclear.
However Daily Mail Online has established a series of connections between the firm and the Democratic Party.
Practicing what Pope Francis preaches, Catholic Charities on Monday unveiled an effort that culminates with the papal visit to Philadelphia and draws attention to issues of poverty among local parishioners. (Greg Adomaitis, NJ.com)https://www.nj.com/camden/
Large crowds at a weekend beach concern have a state lawmaker more convinced than ever that his bill to give tax breaks to A-list performers that commit to multi-night stands in Atlantic City would give the struggling city a financial boost. (Wayne Parry, Associated Press) https://www.philly.com/philly/
More than 9,000 homeowners in New Jersey are getting much-needed extra time to finish construction projects that are designed to protect their homes from coastal flooding. (Russ Zimmer and Jean Mikle, Asbury Park Press) https://www.app.com/story/news/
