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Rabies found in another coyote as hunt in Bergen County continue

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APRIL 22, 2015, 11:45 AM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 12:01 AM
BY SCOTT FALLON AND LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

A coyote that was killed by a state wildlife officer this week after it attacked the tires of a police car in Norwood has tested positive for rabies — and the hunt continues for another coyote that could also have the disease, state officials said on Wednesday.

Officials say the coyote with rabies may be the same animal that bit a man in the borough on Sunday, but they noted they can’t be sure.

“There is no guarantee that we got the right coyote, which is why we’re still out here,” David Chanda, director of the state Division of Fish and Wildlife, said at a news conference in Norwood.

It is only the seventh time that rabies has been confirmed in a coyote since 1989, when the variant of the disease that spreads through raccoons first entered the state from Pennsylvania, said Colin T. Campbell, the state public health veterinarian.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/coyote-that-attacked-norwood-police-car-tests-positive-for-rabies-1.1314726

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Wyckoff fields complaints of underpayment surcharges issued by Ridgewood Water

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APRIL 23, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY REBECCA GREENE
CORRESPONDENT |
WYCKOFF SUBURBAN NEWS

Wyckoff — Dozens of residents have complained to the Township Committee after receiving bills from Ridgewood Water containing surcharges for what are alleged to be under-paid quarterly billing cycles going back several years.

Paul Coppola of Birchwood Drive told the governing body on April 14 that he was “shocked” when he received a bill labeled as a “surcharge” for $1,071.

“Ridgewood Water has been less than forthcoming, have operated in less than good faith, and have participated in what I would call questionable business practices,” Coppola said.

Coppola said he failed to get an explanation of why he received the extra bill, although Ridgewood Water said it may have been that he changed over his telephone service.

“I have not changed my phone lines, I have not upgraded to FIOS and I have not done any construction,” Coppola said. “They could not explain why they were not reading my meter.”

The surcharge is for four years and Coppola said Ridgewood Water offered him four years with no interest to pay the debt.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/complaints-of-underpayment-surcharges-pour-in-1.1315475

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Report: IRS Deliberately Cut Its Own Customer Service Budget

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9:00 AM, APR 22, 2015 • BY JOHN MCCORMACK

If you tried to contact the IRS with a question about your taxes this year, chances are you didn’t get a response. The IRS estimated that it would only answer 17 million of the 49 million calls received this filing season. Taxpayers lucky enough to have the IRS answer their calls waited an average of 34.4 minutes for assistance–nearly double the wait time last year (18.7 minutes).

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen has blamed the IRS’s “abysmal” customer service on congressional budget cuts–funding is down $1.2 billion from its 2010 peak–but a new congressional report points the finger back at the IRS. While congressional funding for the IRS remained flat from 2014 to 2015, the IRS diverted $134 million away from customer service to other activities.

In addition to the $11 billion appropriated by Congress, the IRS takes in more than $400 million in user fees and may allocate that money as it sees fit. In 2014, the IRS allocated $183 million in user fees to its customer service budget, but allocated just $49 million in 2015–a 76 percent cut.

Commissioner Koskinen will appear before the House Ways and Means Committee this morning, one week after the federal tax filing deadline, and he can expect to be asked why the IRS cut its own customer service budget and continues to spend money on other questionable activities.

The report notes that Koskinen reinstated bonuses weeks after his appointment, has allowed IRS employees to spend roughly 500,000 work hours on union activities, and failed to collect delinquent taxes owed by federal employees. The tax agency has also been strained by Obamacare. According to the report, the IRS has spent “over $1.2 billion on the President’s health care law to date, with a planned expenditure this year of an additional $500 million.”

https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/report-irs-deliberately-cut-its-own-customer-service-budget_927141.html

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Why doesn’t New Jersey have any 5-star hospitals?

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By Kathleen O’Brien | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on April 21, 2015 at 7:38 AM, updated April 21, 2015 at 1:22 PM

The federal government recently debuted an online tool that lets consumers compare the patient experience at hospitals around the country through its “star” ratings.

A quick stroll through the spreadsheet shows that New Jersey has not a single five-star hospital. It has four four-star hospitals (Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Deborah Heart & Lung Center in Browns Mills, Virtua West Jersey Hospitals, Berlin, and Inspira Medical Center in Elmer), while the other 58 facilities get just one, two or three stars.

By contrast, the good people of Iowa are blessed with 11 five-star hospitals.

And the world-renowned Mayo Clinic gets only four stars.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services unveiled its star system for rating hospital patient experience, based on patients’ ratings of a hospital’s cleanliness, communication from staff, and attentiveness to patients, and whether it was sufficiently quiet at night.

Those attributes, while admirable, are not necessarily the same as what goes into to providing top-notch care, said David Knowlton of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute.

https://www.nj.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2015/04/are_iowas_hospitals_really_better_than_new_jerseys.html

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The New House Call: Paramedics And Nurses Making Home Visits To Reduce Hospital Readmissions

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April 22, 2015

RIDGEWOOD, N.J., As part of an innovative program aimed at reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital stays, teams comprised of a paramedic, critical care nurse and EMT have begun making house calls on heart patients soon after their discharge from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ.

Continue reading The New House Call: Paramedics And Nurses Making Home Visits To Reduce Hospital Readmissions

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Ridgewood Receives NJDOT Paving Grant

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file photo By Boyd Loving

Village of Ridgewood Street Resurfacing and Repair Program – 2015

Ridgewood Receives NJDOT Paving Grant 

Ridgewood has been selected to receive funding from the New Jersey Department’s (NJDOT) Fiscal Year 2015 Municipal Aid Program for Morningside Road in the amount of $149,000.

NJDOT’s Municipal Aid Program is a very competitive program. This year the Department received 630 applications requesting more than $253 million. There is $78.75 million available in funds from the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).

Streets and Schedule  – 2015

For the 2015 street paving list

Click Here

For the criteria for paving and maintaining streets

Click Here

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Ridgewood Spring Animal Sightings

Smalfut

April 21,2015
Ridgewood NJ, We have received a few reports of random daytime sightings of raccoons. We have no reason to believe they are rabid. Usually raccoons are nocturnal but during this time of the year they are breeding and are often looking for food or drink for themselves and their babies from dumpsters, garbage cans, pools or other water sources.

Tyco, our Animal Control expert, suggests that there should only be concerns if an animal looks like they are drunk or intoxicated; if they are lying around and not responding to loud noises; attack inanimate objects (trees/rocks); or other types of weird behavior. In these cases you are encouraged to call the Police Department who will contact the animal control service.

We recommend that you do not feed feral animals or leave food out or stagnant water for them.

Big Foot https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-blog-to-promote-night-out-for-big-foot-for-earth-day/

Coyote https://theridgewoodblog.net/coyote-advocate-defends-the-predators-presence-in-suburbia/

Bears https://theridgewoodblog.net/in-ridgewood-we-wrestle-bears-we-dont-hunt-them/

 

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Willard School has received a report from parents of a possible coyote sighting near the school

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August 21,2015

the Ridgewood Police Department

Ridgewood NJ, Willard School has received a report from parents of a possible coyote sighting near the school. Patrol has checked the area and no coyotes have been found. The Police Department has not received a direct complaint from any residents of a coyote sighting. The school has taken the precaution of alerting parents to the possible sighting. If you see a coyote near the school please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.

For more information about Coyotes in New Jersey visit the Division of Fish and Wildlife Web Site

https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/coyote_info.htm

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Michael Thurston of Ridgewood High School Male Athlete of the Week

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Michael Thurston of Ridgewood High School Male Athlete of the Week

APRIL 21, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 7:00 AM
BY CHUCK O’DONNELL
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

You couldn’t blame Michael Thurston for being tired after running in three races during the Jack Yockers Bergen County Relays in Oradell.

Michael Thurston

Sport: Track Class: Junior Age: 17

Accomplishment: Thurston helped Ridgewood win two events and take second and third in two others during the Jack Yockers Bergen County Relays.

But two things managed to put a little spring back in the Ridgewood junior’s stride Saturday as he got ready to run his fourth and final event, the 4-x-400.

First, he wanted to do his best. He knew his teammates were counting on him to help them hold on to second place in the Division A standings.

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/athlete-of-the-week/h-s-male-athlete-of-the-week-michael-thurston-of-ridgewood-1.1313649

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Saylestock is Sunday, April 26 from 12–7 p.m. at Van Neste Park

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Honoring the memory of a former RHS graduate, Matthew Sayles (Class of 2003). Matt lost his battle with salivary duct cancer in November, 2011, at the age of 27. His family has created this musical/artistic event in his memory.

One of the bands (Alex Bleeker and the Freaks) features Alex Bleeker (Class of 2004) who is also in another band, Real Estate, which performed on the David Letterman show last year. Also in the Alex Bleeker and the Freaks band is Nick Lenchner (Class of 2003).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP9XEcOtjbc (Real Estate on David Letterman show). And, Hot Fries is a current Ridgewood High School band.

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GREEDY: NJEA breaks with Christie on pension and benefits changes

A dunce's cap is no longer a reliable indication of a person's intelligence

APRIL 21, 2015, 1:45 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 10:08 PM

BY MELISSA HAYES
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD

The New Jersey Education Association will no longer work with Governor Christie on revamping pension and health benefits for public employees, ending what the governor had called an “unprecedented accord” at the heart of his plan to reform the system.

Instead, the NJEA said on Tuesday that it would focus on a lawsuit filed by more than a dozen unions that challenges Christie’s decision to significantly cut the state’s pension contributions. A Superior Court judge has sided with the unions, ruling Christie must make the larger payments, and the state Supreme Court will hear the governor’s appeal next month.

“If we had it to do over again, we would never have signed the memo describing concepts we discussed with the commission,” NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer said in his statement, referring to the panel the governor appointed to make recommendation shoring up the pension system. “It was misrepresented by the governor, and that distracted everyone from the real priority: requiring the state to fund the pensions for which our members have paid their share on each and every payday throughout their careers.”

Christie, who had trumpeted the deal with his biggest political foe, turned to social media to respond to the union and to attack Democrats who joined the unions’ lawsuit and called for him to make larger pension payments.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/njea-breaks-with-christie-on-pension-and-benefits-changes-1.1313853

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Coyote sightings spur patrols in North Jersey

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APRIL 21, 2015, 8:59 AM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 9:59 PM
BY SCOTT FALLON AND STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

State wildlife staffers armed with guns patrolled a Norwood neighborhood in search of at least one coyote that may be rabid as reported sightings of the animals across Bergen County on Tuesday forced some schools to keep children indoors and animal control officers to set traps.

The heightened attention on coyotes comes as two men in the county were attacked by the animals in separate incidents this month — a rare occurrence that state officials say is likely due to a rabies infection.

“They typically would not be approaching people unless they are sick,” said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection.

A coyote that bit a Saddle River man on April 6 has tested positive for rabies, only the sixth coyote identified as rabid in New Jersey in the last 25 years, according to state records. Another coyote that bit a Norwood man Sunday is being tested for rabies. Results are due back today.

State wildlife officials believe that another aggressive and possibly sick coyote is on the loose in the wooded Fox Hill section of Norwood.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/coyote-sightings-spur-patrols-in-north-jersey-1.1313732

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Paul Vagianos of “Its Greek to Me ” has announced his candidacy for State Assembly – District 40.

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April 21,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In an interesting turn of events Ridgewood ‘s own Paul Vagianos of Its “Greek to Me ” has announced his candidacy ,running as Democratic for State Assembly – District 40.

The campaign will host a major fund raiser on May 9th , Vagianos is relative unknown outside of Ridgewood. So the question is why didn’t our Mayor throw his hat into the ring? He has more name recognition and political background and he has developed a strong friendship with State Senator Kevin O’Tool . Could it our mayor Paul Aronsohn has other plans or is there some other issues like his unenthusiastic support for the Roy Cho campaign against Congressmen Scott Garrett or maybe even some potential fallout from the Bob Menendez  blow up with President Obama ?

To many the town question remains if he win will he take his planters to Trenton?

May 9th Event: Vagianos & Ordway for N.J. Assembly

Thank you for supporting the Vagianos & Ordway for N.J. Assembly May 9th Fundraising event with Special Guest Brendan “Tom” Byrne, Jr.!

The event is on Saturday, May 9th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Home of Christine and Ed Ordway, 102 Evergreen Court, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Cocktails and a Dinner Buffet will be served.

You may make your contribution online on this page, or you may mail with your contribution via check to:

Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly, Finance Office, P.O. Box 370, Ridgewood N.J. 07451

Check contributions should be made payable to: Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly

Paid for By Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly, 717 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, N.J. 07432

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Ridgewood to introduce 2015 budget, $47 tax increase

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APRIL 21, 2015    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 9:22 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Village Council is getting ready to introduce its spending plan for the 2015 fiscal year after a final discussion last week pertaining to some items contained in the 2015 operating and capital budgets.

All five council members stated at least some support for the staff recommended budget, which calls for a 1.2 percent tax increase. A home assessed at the village average of $690,672 would see a $46.72 increase.

The budget is scheduled for introduction on April 22, while village officials are targeting May 27 for a public hearing and adoption.

One of the changes proposed in the budget is increasing the hours for senior human resources professional Sharyn Matthews from 29 to 35 hours, making her position full-time.

Councilman Michael Sedon questioned Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld as to why it was necessary to increase Matthews’ role from part-time to full-time.

Sonenfeld responded that the full-time human resources professional will work on an organizational redesign with the significant retirements the village is facing in the coming years, as well as putting a strong process in place for a performance evaluation system.

There will also be a general savings to the village in having Matthews handle responsibilities currently borne by other professionals such as the labor attorney, Sonenfeld said.

Treasurer Steve Sanzari noted that the village budgeted $60,000 for labor attorney fees, but actually spent $96,210 last year. With a full-time human resources staffer on board, $50,000 needed to be set aside.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-municipal-budget-to-be-introduced-1.1313737

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Economists have discovered how bad the economy really is

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Economists have discovered how bad the economy really is

By Matt O’Brien April 21 at 8:00 AM

Unemployment is almost back to normal, but the economy isn’t.

That isn’t because the unemployment rate is a conspiracy to make things look better than they really are. It’s because even though the unemployment rate tells us the most about the labor market, it doesn’t tell us the full story. All it does is show us how many people who are actively looking for work can’t find it. But that leaves out the “shadow unemployed” who want full-time jobs but have either given up looking for them or can only find part-time ones. That usually doesn’t make that big a difference, but it does now, because, even six years after the crisis has ended, there still isn’t much that’s usual about this economy.

Now if you add it all up, this shadow unemployment means our jobs hole is more than three times as big as it looks. That, at least, is what economistsDanny Blanchflower and Andrew Levin found when they looked at how low the unemployment rate is versus how low we think it could go, how high the participation rate is versus how high we think it could go, and how many people can only find part-time jobs. That first part tells us how much further unemployment itself could fall, the second how many discouraged workers could come back, and the last how many people would work more if they could. In other words, it shows us the gap between how many full-time jobs we have and how many full-time jobs we need. The result, as you can see above, is that instead of being a million full-time jobs short, like the unemployment rate says we are, we’re about 3.5 million short.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/04/21/economists-have-discovered-how-bad-the-economy-really-is/