James - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG. - Page 3084 of 3734

Posted on September 25, 2014September 25, 2014 by James — 8 Comments

Ho-Ho-Kus resident ignores borough’s demands to remove traffic strips from road

Ho-Ho-Kus resident ignores borough’s demands to remove traffic strips from road

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014, 2:28 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014, 11:51 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

HO-HO-KUS — Donna Cioffi said she was ignoring a letter from borough officials directing her to remove traffic-counting cables she paid an engineering firm to install across the street outside her home on Powderhorn Road.

The borough’s letter, delivered by a police officer Monday, threatened to remove the cables on Tuesday, yet they remained on the street Wednesday. The cables were eventually removed Wednesday evening.

Cioffi said Wednesday morning that she wasn’t at all concerned the town would intervene.

“Can you imagine the PR if they did?” Cioffi asked. “They would look like fools.”

Cioffi paid the engineering firm $600 to conduct the traffic study — the results of which will be forwarded to the borough, she said.

Cioffi maintains that traffic volumes on her street — a popular County Road 502 commuter cut-through — surpass the 4,000-plus vehicles that recent county estimates suggest traverse Powderhorn Road daily.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ho-ho-kus-resident-ignores-borough-s-demands-to-remove-traffic-strips-from-road-1.1095284#sthash.IU6KFa0J.dpuf

Posted on September 25, 2014February 4, 2015 by James — 21 Comments

Ptl Ward and Sgt John Chuck of the Ridgewood Police Department make daring arrest in Warner Theater

Ptl Ward and Sgt John Chuck of the Ridgewood Police Department make daring arrest in Warner Theater
September 25,2014

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On September 21, 2014 at 7:14 PM Ptl John Ward was flagged down at the end of the street fair on East Ridgewood Avenue. A juvenile male reported that a man had approached his friend attempting to get his phone and followed him into the movie theater.

Ptl Ward accompanied by Sgt John Chuck found a male party in the theater who had confronted the juvenile. Numerous witness confirmed the incident and the accused Darnell Dixon 30 of Paterson was arrested and charged with attempted robbery. The accused was remanded to the Bergen County Jail unable to post $75000.00 bail.

(information for the Ridgewood Police Blotter , All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.)

Posted on September 25, 2014September 25, 2014 by James — 6 Comments

Former ‘Jersey Shore’ star ‘The Situation’ pleads not guilty to tax fraud

Former ‘Jersey Shore’ star ‘The Situation’ pleads not guilty to tax fraud

SEPTEMBER 24, 2014, 12:56 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014, 11:35 PM
BY JEFF GREEN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

Reality TV star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and his brother, Marc, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal income tax evasion charges involving $8.9 million they earned over three years.

An indictment announced Wednesday by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman accused the Sorrentino brothers of filing false business and personal tax returns in 2010, 2011 and 2012. They failed to report some of their income, and they reported some personal expenses, like luxury cars, expensive clothing and personal grooming bills, as business expenses, prosecutors said. Mike Sorrentino filed no personal income tax return in 2011, according to the charges.

The brothers had not been “living in reality,” Jonathan D. Larsen, an IRS official in Newark, said in a statement. They “created the illusion that they earned less income by filing false and fraudulent tax returns,” he said.

The Sorrentinos turned themselves in to IRS agents Wednesday. After a brief court appearance in Newark, they were released on $250,000 unsecured bonds

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/former-jersey-shore-star-the-situation-pleads-not-guilty-to-tax-fraud-1.1095197#sthash.oA9xN0x2.dpuf

Posted on September 25, 2014September 25, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Remember all that “Stimulus Money”…..

Remember all that “Stimulus Money”…..

Are You Out There, Stimulus? It’s Me, The Taxpayer.
Nick Gillespie|Mar. 28, 2013 8:39 am

Columnist Ron Hart asks a question that’s answered by the cover story of the current issue of Reason (and perfectly summarized by the cover image of same): Where did all that sweet stimulus money go?

Of the money spent in swing state Wisconsin, 80 percent went to public sector unions – those with already locked-in jobs. In fact, right-to-work states got $266 less per person in stimulus money than heavily unionized states. Where Democrats had a vast majority of representatives, their states got $460 per person more.

More pointedly, Hart writes,

Remember when Obama got his trillion-odd dollars of “stimulus money” which he and the Democrats breathlessly said we needed for “shovel ready” jobs to re-build roads and infrastructure? Please e-mail me if anything of the sort got built in your town. Nothing got built in the cities where I spend time….

Peter Suderman’s article in the May issue – which you’d be reading right now if you subscribed for just $14.63 under our special Sequestration Offer – lays out exactly where stimulus spending went and why it didn’t work as advertised.

Yes, tens of millions of dollars literally went to install new toilets in parks Alaska, New Mexico, Washington state, and elsewhere. If only we could have flushed our way to recovery.

More important, Suderman writes (and this can’t be underscored enough), “The economy’s performance continues to be far worse than the White House’s worst-case projections for what might happen if there had been no stimulus at all.”

https://reason.com/blog/2013/03/28/are-you-out-there-stimulus-its-me-the-ta

Posted on September 25, 2014September 25, 2014 by James — 6 Comments

N.J. pays highest cost per mile for some of the country’s worst state roads, study finds

file photo Boyd Loving

N.J. pays highest cost per mile for some of the country’s worst state roads, study finds

By Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 18, 2014 at 7:00 AM, updated September 18, 2014 at 6:05 PM

New Jersey spends by far the most money per mile on its state roads, even though they rank near the bottom in terms of their overall condition, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study by the California-based Reason Foundation concluded that New Jersey spends $2 million per mile to maintain and operate its state roads.

In terms of the cost-effectiveness of the state’s highway system, that is, the overall condtion of its roads as measured against the cost of maintaining and operating them, New Jersey ranked 48th in the nation, behind Hawaii and Alaska, according to the Reason’s 21st Annual Highway Report.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/study_ranks_new_jersey_roads_high_in_cost_low_in_performans.html

Posted on September 25, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 12 Comments

Reader says I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point

Reader says I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point

I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point. Nor is it within the power of his 2 running mates Mrs. Hauck and Mr. Pucciarelli – both of whom seem to have already made up their minds on the subject.

How about these 2 developers apply for variances just like anyone else that wants to build anything in this town. You want to be a little lenient with them, fine. Just keep it within the scope of the existing Master Plan. There’s your compromise.

Don’t allow 3 people who think they know better than the rest of us make such permanent changes to our town.

A little history lesson. We owe this master plan craziness to former Mayor Pfund and his desire to help out Valley bypass everyone in its over-expansion plan. Had he not pushed the change that allowed the hospital and developers to push for amendments, we would not be in this morass. I believe that if the master plan had not been changed to allow these cases, then Valley would have instead asked for exemptions on a building-by-building basis. They would have had something built by now. Smaller, yes. But one new building is better than nothing and looking like a fool in the process. Greed is getting the best of all of them.

And for this fine effort, Pfund was appointed our municipal judge for life.

The problem as i understand the ordinance that exists is that we will be dealing with this over and over again even if we approve one or all of these proposals. That is the great fear…that if any of these projects is approved it will open the floodgates for other projects…all using what i will call the brother/sister argument (you let her/him do it so why can’t i?). And given that this has became such a legalized process, no one can assure that won’t sue to try to push through their proposals. I agree that something needs to be done but not with potentially open-ended litigation risk.

Posted on September 25, 2014April 11, 2020 by James — 9 Comments

Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LYNN BRUGGEMANN
CORRESPONDENT
MIDLAND PARK SUBURBAN NEWS

MIDLAND PARK — The Borough Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Sept. 25, on an ordinance that would restrict parking on Maltbie Avenue and Busteed Drive.

The ordinance, which was introduced Sept. 11 in response to residents’ complaints about parking by parents dropping off and picking up their children from Ridge Elementary School in Ridgewood, would prohibit parking between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The restrictions on Maltbie would apply to both sides of the road north of Franklin Avenue to Busteed Drive. Restricted parking on Busteed would be from the eastern and western curbs of Maltbie.

Maltbie begins at Godwin Avenue and continues north, crossing Franklin Avenue, which becomes West Ridgewood Avenue, before ending at Busteed. Ridge Elementary School is at 325 W. Ridgewood Ave.

“I am happy the council has taken action to resolve the issue and make it safer for residents and school children,” said Lorraine DeLuca of Franklin Avenue.

A resident for 30 years, DeLuca said she has seen an increase in traffic in the last five years.

“It has been unbearable to get in or out of my driveway,” said DeLuca. “I avoid West Ridgewood Avenue from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. It is dangerous. “

Residents of Maltbie, many of whom live north of Franklin Avenue, attended the March 27 council meeting to share their experiences and frustrations with blocked driveways, illegal parking near stop signs and unsafe road conditions that had been occurring on a regular basis.

Resident Arthur “Skip” Marchetti brought the matter to the attention of Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan during a monthly “Coffee With the Mayor.”

“Maltbie Avenue is a danger zone,” Marchetti.

“I am concerned about our children and Ridgewood students,” Joan Skudera said. “Someone is going to get hurt.”

“There are no sidewalks and people have to walk in the road,” said James Canellas. “Children are running up and down the road.”

Resident Mark Schaefer said his biggest concern was parking too close to intersections.

“They are parking at the stop sign on all four corners,” Schaefer said. “This is a safety issue.”

Police Chief Michael Marra said signs would be installed to advise motorists of the parking restrictions and violators would be fined up to $100.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/complaints-spur-parking-restrictions-on-two-streets-1.1095531

Posted on September 25, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

A bug in Apple’s release of iOS 8.0.1 has broken iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. Here’s how you can fix them.

by Dan Graziano
and Zack Whittaker
September 24, 2014 11:41 AM PDT

Apple issued an update on Wednesday to fix various bugs in its iOS operating system. The iOS 8.0.1 update, however, appeared to do more harm than good for some users. Numerous iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners complained that they were no longer able to make calls, send texts, or use Touch ID after updating their devices.

Apple has since pulled the iOS 8.0.1 update from its servers. If you have already updated your device, here’s how you can downgrade it back to iOS 8.

By downloading the final build of iOS 8 as it was released as an IPSW file, you can restore your iPhone to the latest stable version. To begin downloading the IPSW file, head over to this site and select your device from the drop down menu. This is an official copy from Apple (check the URL to be sure) that we are being pointed to from a third-party site. We used this method to restore our own iPhone and can confirm it works. The download may take a few minutes depending on your Internet connection.

Once the file has been downloaded, connect your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to your computer and open iTunes. Select under the backup options “this computer,” then hit “Back Up Now.” This takes a full snapshot of your contacts, email, apps, and settings, and stores it on your computer.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-restore-an-iphone-after-the-botched-ios-8-update/

Posted on September 25, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports

Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports
By Paul Farhi September 23 at 7:06 PM

White House press-pool reports are supposed to be the news media’s eyes and ears on the president, an independent chronicle of his public activities. They are written by reporters for other reporters, who incorporate them into news articles about President Obama almost every day.

Sometimes, however, the White House plays an unseen role in shaping the story.

Journalists who cover the White House say Obama’s press aides have demanded — and received — changes in press-pool reports before the reports have been disseminated to other journalists. They say the White House has used its unusual role as the distributor of the reports as leverage to steer coverage in a more favorable direction.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/reporters-say-white-house-sometimes-demands-changes-to-press-pool-reports/2014/09/23/e5e6fec8-42d9-11e4-9a15-137aa0153527_story.html

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

We’re already grappling with a selfie presidency, Save Jerseyans.

Why would we want another selfie congressman?

NJ-05 Challenger Roy Cho apparently hopes you’re willing to give it a try. He’s a committed liberal, no doubt about it, but I’ve also said that he’s a “false choice” because he either (1) stakes out positions to make himself seem more palatable – like backing Israel and demonstrating it with a visit – but his rhetoric won’t amount to anything given his party’s growing anti-Israel orientation, or (2) he goes radio silent altogether.

Even as our men and women head into harm’s way?

https://savejersey.com/2014/09/cho-garrett-isis-isil-russia-air-strikes/

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

Jeff Bell knows Jamie Fox. The Republican nominee for U.S. Senate met the new Department of Transportation (DOT) commissioner over a decade ago. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/82431/politickernj-interview-bell-fox-if-you-get-jamie-fox-out-democratic-party-strategizing-s-servi

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner

Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner
By Scott Wong – 09/24/14 06:00 AM EDT

For months, several clusters of conservative lawmakers have been secretly huddling inside and outside the Capitol, plotting to oust John Boehner from the Speaker’s office when House Republicans regroup after the November elections.

The strategy — for now — seems disorganized and fluid: Find a way to push the Speaker’s race to a second ballot, create turmoil in the conference, portray Boehner as highly vulnerable and offer up an alternative.

The behind-the-scenes effort is taking place as Team Boehner is projecting confidence he will coast to a third term as Speaker, pointing to his unrivaled fundraising prowess and ability to corral his rowdy caucus, for example, to keep the government open and provide arms to moderate Syrian rebels.

Boehner is “back on top,” The Wall Street Journal declared.

Yet behind all the chest-thumping, the picture is less rosy for the 64-year-old Ohio Republican.

A number of conservative lawmakers, both in interviews on the record and on background, described enormous frustration with Boehner and his top lieutenants for taking too safe a political route ahead of the 2014 elections.

“In tough times, it doesn’t mean you play timid, it means to play bold, and I don’t see that. And you know what? Time’s up,” Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who vowed to vote against Boehner, told The Hill in an interview. “I’m tired of the status quo of what’s going on in Washington, D.C. America’s tired, America’s angry and they’re scared, because they don’t have leaders in Washington, D.C.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) was more succinct: “I’ll give him every bit as much support as I did last time.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/218725-conservatives-plot-to-oust-the-speaker

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 9:29 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Like excited learners, adults invited to the Board of Education’s (BOE) community planning session readily shared their hopes and dreams for the Ridgewood school district, collaborating with officials and administrators in a way that’s rarely possible at 49 Cottage Place.

The first task as part of the four-hour strategy session on Sept. 13 split the group of 50 or so individuals into smaller clusters to draw a representation of their goals for the schools.

Under the direction of former state school board members Cathie Sousa and Nancy Stern, of Sousa and Stern Educational Consultants LLC, the groups got to work literally coloring their vision of the future.

In the casual atmosphere, enhanced from the standard public BOE meetings by a cheese plate and other snacks, everyone had equal input alongside the school board members, principals and administrators, public safety officials, clergy persons, parents, and other community leaders.

“Some strategic planning processes can take months,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. “This really works.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/public-pitches-in-on-planning-1.1094194#sthash.nnNQjGzF.dpuf

Posted on September 24, 2014September 24, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

A state senator is holding up the renomination of a utility regulator in a political fight that echoes the one stalling judicial nominations and backlogging courts in Bergen County. Sen. Kevin O’Toole, R-Cedar Grove, is refusing to support – at least for the moment – another term for Joseph Fiordaliso on the state Board of Public Utilities. (Sheingold/The Bergen Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/state-senator-holding-up-renomination-of-board-of-public-utilities-member-1.1094559

Posted on September 24, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 20 Comments

Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins

Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins
September 24,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:05 PM

Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a silver colored Chevrolet Traverse escaped injury after crashing her vehicle into a tree at the intersection of Frederick Street and North Pleasant Avenue in Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 09/24. The incident occurred shortly after 0915 hours. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS all responded to the scene. The driver refused medical treatment. Ridgewood Police Department Lieutenant William Amoruso indicated via phone that the driver reached down to retrieve a soft drink and lost control of her vehicle. No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.

Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

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