RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
Due to the severity of the winter storm forecast, the Ridgewood Public Schools will be CLOSED on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. All after-school activities are also canceled.
Daniel Fishbein, Superintendent
NJ Transit to shut down system Monday night at 10pm
UPDATE: The last service for NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus and light rail will depart from its point of origin at 8 p.m. tonight and scheduled to arrive at their final destinations by/at 10 p.m. due to worsening weather conditions.
Effective 10 p.m. Monday, January 26, NJ TRANSIT service will shut down service due to Winter Storm Juno. At this time, commuter service on NJ TRANSIT for Bus, Light Rail and Rail departing all major stations and terminals will end by 8 p.m. reaching their final destination by/at 10 p.m.
Rail: Service will remain shut down until Thursday morning January 29, depending on track/equipment and infrastructure conditions. The last train will make all local stops.
Bus and Light Rail: Service may resume Wednesday, January 28 depending on road and track conditions as well as snow-removal operations.
Saudi cleric condemns snowmen as anti-Islamic
Supporter of decree against snowmen: “It is imitating the infidels, it promotes lustiness and eroticism.”
DUBAI – A prominent Saudi Arabian cleric has whipped up controversy by issuing a religious ruling forbidding the building of snowmen, described them as anti-Islamic.
Asked on a religious website if it was permissible for fathers to build snowmen for their children after a snowstorm in the country’s north, Sheikh Mohammed Saleh al-Munajjid replied: “It is not permitted to make a statue out of snow, even by way of play and fun.”
Quoting from Muslim scholars, Sheikh Munajjid argued that to build a snowman was to create an image of a human being, an action considered sinful under the kingdom’s strict interpretation of Sunni Islam.
“God has given people space to make whatever they want which does not have a soul, including trees, ships, fruits, buildings and so on,” he wrote in his ruling.
That provoked swift responses from Twitter users writing in Arabic and identifying themselves with Arab names.
“They are afraid for their faith of everything … sick minds,” one Twitter user wrote.
Another posted a photo of a man in formal Arab garb holding the arm of a “snow bride” wearing a bra and lipstick. “The reason for the ban is fear of sedition,” he wrote.
A third said the country was plagued by two types of people:
“A people looking for a fatwa (religious ruling) for everything in their lives, and a cleric who wants to interfere in everything in the lives of others through a fatwa,” the user wrote.
Sheikh Munajjid had some supporters, however. “It (building snowmen) is imitating the infidels, it promotes lustiness and eroticism,” one wrote.
“May God preserve the scholars, for they enjoy sharp vision and recognise matters that even Satan does not think about.” Snow has covered upland areas of Tabuk province near Saudi Arabia’s border with Jordan for the third consecutive year as cold weather swept across the Middle East.
https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Saudi-cleric-condemns-snowmen-as-anti-Islamic-387479
Jimmy Hoffa
Union Membership Rate Falls to 100-Year Low
Melissa Quinn / @MelissaQuinn97 / January 23, 2015
New information from the federal government suggests workers’ interest in unions continues to fall, with union membership reaching its lowest rate in 100 years.
According to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics today, the union membership rate fell to 11.1 percent, with just 14.6 million wage and salaried workers maintaining membership.
In 2013, the union membership rate was 0.2 percentage points higher, at 11.3 percent.
The rate of union membership has been on a steady decline over the past three decades. It grew slightly from 12.1 percent in 2007 to 12.4 percent in 2008. During President Obama’s first year in office, however, it fell once more.
Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, said in a statement today that though there has been job growth over the past 58 months, many of the jobs created do not provide fair wages.
“A strong recovery must be built on family-sustaining, not poverty-level jobs,” he said. “Today’s news confirms what most of us already knew: workers are finding good union jobs despite political ideologues—and jobs are coming back as the economy slowly rebounds, but neither are nearly enough.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of union membership for public-sector workers last year was 35.7 percent, compared to just 6.6 percent for the private sector.
Of those working in the public sector, government had the highest union membership rate.
James Sherk, a labor economics policy economist at The Heritage Foundation, told The Daily Signal that the drop in the rate of union membership can likely be attributed to the antiquated union model.
“They’re selling a product that hasn’t changed that much since the 1930s when America’s labor laws were founded,” he said. “Today’s workers simply aren’t that interested in purchasing what unions have to sell.”
Sherk said that unions have failed to modernize over time and noted that workers are moving away from joining because their contracts are no longer relevant.
Trumka disagreed.
“Today’s release of the annual union membership numbers by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that in this economic recovery, people are either seeking out good union jobs or taking matters into their own hands by forming unions to raise wages and ensure that new jobs are good jobs,” he said in his statement.
Governor Chris Christie Declares State of Emergency As Winter Storm Hits New Jersey
Monday, January 26, 2015
Trenton, NJ – With Winter Storm Juno expected to impede transportation and travel throughout New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie today declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Commuters are asked to use extreme caution while traveling across the state. Governor Christie has authorized a staggered dismissal at 1:00 PM today as well as the closing of state offices on Tuesday, January 27th for all non-essential employees.
“The impending weather conditions over the course of the afternoon will produce a variety of dangerous travel conditions throughout the state,” said Governor Christie. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action in advance of the storm, and my Administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. I encourage all New Jerseyans to use every caution as they travel today and to remain off the roads whenever possible so that our first responders and public safety officials can safely respond to any emergency situations.”
Already affecting parts of the state, Winter Storm Juno is expected to continue into the evening, bringing heavy snow accumulations, mixed precipitation, strong winds and freezing temperatures.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Congestion, conditions and safety shortfalls cost NJ drivers $1,951 a year, says report
EDISON – Advocates for a long-term transportation funding plan in New Jersey have gained a new argument: You’re already spending the money, even without a gas tax hike.
You spend it on mechanics, due to repairs triggered by subpar roads. You pay it to gas stations, filling up more often after sitting in traffic. And you’re forking it over to insurance companies through higher rates that result from crashes on roads lacking modern safety measures.
The tab for such deficiencies, according to a report issued last week by Washington-based transportation research group called TRIP, is $11.8 billion a year. That comes to a sticker-shock average of $1,951 a year per New Jersey driver.
“The total number in New Jersey is a little bit higher than other states, and it’s basically because of congestion costs,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director, as the report was issued last week at the NJ Carpenters Funds offices. “New Jersey’s one of the most densely populated states, so the cost goes up when you’re sitting in traffic congestion both for your time and also the motor fuel that’s wasted as you sit there in traffic.”
N.J. commission urges school districts to reduce testing
JANUARY 23, 2015, 5:22 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2015, 5:35 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Gov. Christie’s commission on student testing on Friday called for school districts to review and to consider cutting back their own exams amid rising concerns about too much testing in schools.
But it appears unlikely that New Jersey will drop out or delay new standards-based state tests as other states have done amid public furor over a testing culture that critics say takes away from classroom learning. The commission, in its initial report released Friday, instead urges a larger look at the whole body of tests and quizzes that students get on a daily basis.
“We want every district, school and classroom to engage in this review to make sure all assessments are high quality and efficient and not redundant,” said David Hespe, the commission of education.
Hespe, who is leading the nine-member commission on student assessments, said there is far more local testing than state testing and that districts, schools and parents need to review and establish testing policies to suit their communities. That includes evaluating how they use tests in schools, the purpose of each test, and whether any are redundant.
“If that means a school might have to roll back assessments, by all means we would support that,” Hespe said.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-commission-urges-school-districts-to-reduce-testing-1.1239411
What did Super Bowl XLVIII cost? (How do you write 100 million in Roman numerals…)
EAST RUTHERFORD — The books still have yet to close on last year’s Super Bowl in New Jersey, but the latest accounting confirms it wasn’t a cheap date.
An examination of new financial filings shows the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee—which was responsible for organizing the NFL championship game at MetLife Stadium—took in and spent just over $81 million—more than twice the amount being raised in Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX next Sunday.
Separately, state and other agencies spent at least $36.9 million in public funds to help move fans, prepare for possible snow removal, and provide layers of security—costs that were not reimbursed by the committee or the NFL.
At well over $100 million, it was the most expensive Super Bowl ever played, the National Football League has acknowledged.
The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee says it expects to raise $30 million, said spokeswoman Kathleen Mascarenas. The game will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/01/what_did_super_bowl_xlviii_cost_how_do_you_write_1.html
In North Jersey, libraries of tomorrow are ready to turn the page
JANUARY 25, 2015, 9:24 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015, 10:05 PM
BY NICHOLAS PUGLIESE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
It looks like a scene from Google headquarters. A group of young inventors darts around the room, tackling a new experiment each week: build a flying machine, print a 3D object, design a new instrument, make an explosion with Popsicle sticks. The energetic buzz is punctuated by the occasional exclamation, “That’s so cool!”
But this is no Google headquarters. This is the Hillsdale Public Library, and its dedication to hands-on collaborative learning exemplifies a movement by libraries nationwide to redefine themselves in the digital age.
“Rather than it being a solitary place to come on your own, we’re seeing it now as a place for people to come together and share their expertise,” said Dave Franz, the library director. While libraries were created to give people access to information, he added, now they are being expanded to include access to tools.
Franz was among the first in the state to dedicate a section of the library to do-it-yourself endeavors — what he calls a “makerspace.” In 2011, he cleared out an unused office — about the size of a walk-in closet — and jampacked it with the most modern, sexiest gadgets he could find: an iMac video-editing station, a stop-motion camera, a digital fabric-cutter, a 3D printer, robotics kits, soldering tools, and a dizzying array of craft supplies.
Reader says with civility meetings our Mayor is looking to manipulate opinions and achieve predetermined outcomes
PJ:
I think we are “drilling down” on why our mayor and our most senior Board of Education Trustee are arranging and attending these very strange quasi-public meetings and how they are used to manipulate opinions and achieve predetermined outcomes.
The following is from an early critique of the tactics of the Obama administration and seems eerily similar to what is happening in Ridgewood today:
https://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message740164/pg1
03/02/2009 07:23 PM
WHAT ARE “THE DELPHI AND ALINSKY TECHNIQUES” ???
By Jack Ward
I was very curious when President Obama held a ‘Fiscal Responsibility Summit’ less than a week after signing a budget busting Stimulus Bill. Obama asked summit participants to break up into groups and to report back in a few hours with recommendations. The groups submitted their inputs but the results of the recommendations would come a few days later. Expecting serious responses within this short time period made the process suspicious.
The very next day the House of Representatives passed a $410 billion pork laden spending bill that contained 8878 ‘earmarks’. Either Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi didn’t get the word about ‘fiscal responsibility’ or Obama was speaking with forked tongue. After reviewing the inputs from the previously mentioned ‘Fiscal Responsibility Summit’, Obama submitted his $3.55 trillion budget for fiscal year 2010. This was done under the guise of ‘A New Era of Fiscal Responsibility’. Obama had promised to reduce the deficit and eliminate ‘earmarks’. But neither of those things happened. Saying one thing and doing another is common with politicians but this is so blatant I wonder how long it will fool the people. Manipulating small groups of people has been common place, but now we are seeing manipulation on a nationwide scale. Where would someone learn the techniques for such mass manipulation?
Knowing that Obama had spend considerable time as a ‘community organizer’ in the home town of Saul Alinsky , I was suspicious that the Delphi / Alinsky techniques to manipulate groups of people were being used. I am aware of these techniques because I have used these techniques and have been in groups where they were used.
The RAND Corporation developed the Delphi Technique for the U.S. Department of Defense as a psychological warfare weapon in the 50s and 60s. Saul Alinsky, noted Leftist and spiritual mentor of the youthful Barack Obama, noted the advantages of controlling the masses and adapted special techniques for teachers – it was called the ‘Alinsky Method’. Alinsky promoted his methods in his 1971 book called ‘Rules for Radicals’. ‘Rules’ has become the handbook for community organizers, change agents, and fellow travelers.
Bev Eakman wrote in ‘In Educating for the New World Order’ that the advantage of the Delphi / Alinsky techniques was to preserve the illusion that there is community participation and agreement in the decision making process. Eakman pointed out that these techniques are used to manipulate groups of people to agree to something they oppose. This slight of hand technique is used by many government agencies to defuse opposition. As a result, the Delphi or Alinsky techniques have become common when group ‘consensus’ is desired.
Richard Poe wrote that the youthful Obama was “trained by Alinsky’s Industrial Areas Foundation,” and that “Obama spent years teaching workshops on the Alinsky method.” “In 1985 (Obama) began a four-year stint as a community organizer in Chicago, working for an Alinskyite group called the Developing Communities Project.” “Later, Obama worked with ACORN and its offshoot Project Vote, both creations of the Alinsky network.”
So it is apparent that Obama had more experience as a community organizer and the Alinsky techniques of manipulating the masses than he does as a politician. It is only natural for Obama to fall back on what he knows and is comfortable with when faced with monumental challenges. So it not unexpected that Obama would revert to using his community organizing skills when addressing national problems.
Obama has mastered “the Delphi and Alinsky techniques” and it is apparent to me that these techniques will guide him throughout his presidency. Therefore, to understand President Obama and what guides him, I suggest that you read the works of Saul Alinsky.
1. Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus 02/10/10
2. The Delphi Technique 05/08/14
3. Is OBAMA employing the “DELPHI” Technique against America?11/14/12
4. Exposing the DELPHI TECHNIQUE in Public Meetings 03/28/12
5. Topics Discussed: “The Delphi Technique”, Clinton’s connections with the and the Bush’s,IQ play between Bush Jr. and Hillary 01/10/08
RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL HAVE EARLY DISMISSAL ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26
WINTER STORM ANNOUNCEMENT: RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL HAVE EARLY DISMISSAL ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26
The Ridgewood Public Schools will have an EARLY MINIMUM DAY on Monday, January 26.
All children will be dismissed at the closing times posted below. Cafeterias will not operate and lunches will not be provided. All afterschool activities and meetings are also canceled.
Students will attend school as follows:
RED Program: 9-11 a.m.
Kindergarten AM Classes: 8:45-11:20 a.m.
Kindergarten PM Classes: canceled
Grades 1-5: 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Grades 6-8: 8:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Grades 9-12: 7:47 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
file photo by Boyd Loving
PSE&G Prepares for Heavy Snow and Near Blizzard Conditions
January 25,2015
Additional crews and equipment on hand
(NEWARK, N.J. – Jan. 25, 2015) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is preparing for the approaching storm that could bring more than a foot of snow and near blizzard conditions for parts of its service territory Monday night and into Tuesday.
In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is taking the following steps to ensure that the utility is ready to respond to resulting power outages:
Scheduling all available personnel so they are ready to respond beginning Monday.
Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
Reaching out for 100 additional mutual aid assistance linemen.
Ensuring that additional supplies, such as poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
Refueling all vehicles.
Testing generators at utility locations.
Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration efforts.
“While snow by itself doesn’t normally pose a serious problem, heavy snow and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and power outages,” said John Latka, PSE&G senior vice president for electric and gas operations. “These conditions will also make it difficult for our crews to get around and safely respond to any outages. We ask for our customers’ patience and cooperation as we work to restore service as quickly as possible.”
PSE&G urges its customers to be cautious if they see downed lines. Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that the wire is contacting.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Customers can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account on www.pseg.com, PSE&G’s mobile-friendly website.
PSE&G offers the following tips to customers to prepare:
Charge your cell phones, tablets and other mobile devices.
Fill up your car’s fuel tank.
Ensure you have a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
Check your supply of flashlights, blankets, nonperishable food and bottled water.
Have matches and candles with holders on-hand.
If electricity is interrupted, keep refrigerator doors closed as much as possible.
Compile a list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCES FULL, SYSTEMWIDE CROSS-HONORING IN ADVANCE OF MAJOR WINTER STORM
Customers advised to check njtransit.com before traveling
NEWARK, NJ — As this season’s first major winter storm moves toward the region, NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel are taking steps to minimize delays, and ensure service reliability and safety due to the approaching winter storm. All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip.
NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Monday, January 26 through Wednesday, January 28, however due to the predicted severity of the storm, there is the potential for significant shutdowns of NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link service. Customers are advised to regularly check njtransit.com for the latest service information.
Additionally, Customers are strongly urged to exercise extreme caution traveling in and around all transit facilities and when boarding or alighting buses and trains due to the expected icy conditions.
Systemwide Cross-Honoring in Effect from Monday, January 26 through and including Wednesday, January 28: To give customers additional travel options during the expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will offer full systemwide cross-honoring from Monday, January 26 through and including Wednesday, January 28, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, light rail or bus—including private bus carriers.
For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station. Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge. Customers using their tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.
NJ TRANSIT will also continue to closely monitor the crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and make adjustments to service as necessary.
The corporation is preparing to minimize disruptions and delays to the extent possible. Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise. In addition, NJ TRANSIT will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.
Customers are advised of the following:
Systemwide: NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Monday, January 26 through Wednesday, January 28, however due to the predicted severity of this storm, there is the potential for significant shutdowns of NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus, light rail and Access Link service. Again, customers are advised to regularly check njtransit.com for the latest service information.
Travel Advice:
For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT prior to starting your trip. In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or
NJ TRANSIT staff.
If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.
NJ TRANSIT is prepared to handle the impending winter weather:
Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked with 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
More than 750 rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires have already been inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program.
Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars, light rail cars and locomotives.
Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses – from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.
The Cheapest Tax Prep Software for 2015 (Hint: It’s Not TurboTax)
By Ben Steverman January 23, 2015
For the second year in a row, TurboTax has raised its prices. At least that’s what it feels like to many customers. https://www.onlinecourserank.com/best-online-courses/for-accounting/ Continue reading The Cheapest Tax Prep Software for 2015 (Hint: It’s Not TurboTax)
PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB LEAFE
Bob Leafe, a reader from of Hackensack, recently spotted this large crack on the bridge near River Road in Teaneck.
Road Warrior: Route 4 bridge in Teaneck gets no respect
JANUARY 25, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015, 2:49 PM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
During a stroll along the Hackensack River walkway on the day after Christmas, Bob Leafe became intrigued by the geese taking shelter under the Route 4 bridge in Teaneck, so he pulled out his camera and started shooting.
But when he looked closely at his work, Bob realized he had shot something a bit less idyllic than wildlife. His photo, as shown here, depicts what appears to be a vertical gash that extends along one of the giant pillars holding up part of the span that carries more than 100,000 vehicles each day, according to the state Department of Transportation.
“I’m no engineer, but that does NOT look good,” he wrote in an email. “Pretty scary,” he said later on the phone, adding that he would look for other ways to cross the Hackensack River from Teaneck to his home in Hackensack.
DOT engineers insist the span is safe enough for traffic — safer certainly than the Route 3 bridge over the same river between East Rutherford and Secaucus, whose left eastbound lane had to be closed last week for at least a month to repair persistent deterioration. Such road conditions rarely attract much attention from Trenton policymakers. But the Route 3 one attracted reporters and photographers to a DOT yard about a half-mile from the bridge, where Transportation Commissioner Jamie Fox again made his pitch for a “revenue enhancer.”
This term is code for some sort of additional levy that Fox believes is necessary to replenish the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which has reached its bonding capacity. But the commissioner again avoided endorsing any hike to the hated 10.5-cent-a-gallon motor-fuels tax, which has always fueled most of the fund.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/nj-state-news/bridge-gets-no-respect-1.1251241
