Bergen County to cover $615K legal bill, months of back pay in 2 cops’ acquittal
A “win-win,” for everyone except taxpayers
AUGUST 22, 2014, 11:59 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014, 12:03 AM BY JEAN RIMBACH STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
Bergen County will be picking up $615,000 in legal fees and cutting a check for back pay to two county police officers found not guilty this year in a politically charged criminal case.The agreement with the pair signals an end to one chapter in a matter that began four years ago and took a turn in May when Officers Saheed Baksh and Jeffrey Roberts were acquitted of charges they lied to investigators and removed evidence from the scene of a police shooting following a high-speed chase. But controversy over their case is likely to continue.
County spokesman John Gil said Friday he could not answer several questions raised by The Record — including the payments due to the officers — until next week. The officers’ lawyers declined to reveal details about the agreement, citing confidentiality.
But Roberts’ attorney, Charles Sciarra, said it provides for back pay and calls for both officers to accept written reprimands. Bergen County Police Chief Brian Higgins confirmed that the settlement calls for reprimands in the officers’ files.
“Everything has been resolved,” Sciarra said. “There’s a back-pay amount, there’s a resolution of the disciplinary case.”
“I think it was fair to both sides and saves the county a lot of money and avoided litigation, so it’s a win-win,” said Louis DiLuzio, the lawyer for Baksh.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-to-cover-615k-legal-bill-months-of-back-pay-in-2-cops-acquittal-1.1072387#sthash.ABIGEVqp.dpuf
Senator Inhofe warns of potential terrorist attacks on U.S. soil
Posted: Aug 20, 2014 7:52 PM EDTUpdated: Aug 20, 2014 7:57 PM EDTBy: Phil Cross, Investigative Reporter
OKLAHOMA CITY -It is a serious warning coming from Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe as he warns of the potential of another attack on American soil. The senator sat down with Fox 25 to talk about a variety of topics, but as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the top issue was national security.“We’re in the most dangerous position we’ve ever been in as a nation,” Senator Inhofe told Fox 25’s Phil Cross.
“ISIS, they are really bad terrorists, they’re so bad even Al Qaida is afraid of them,” Inhofe said reflecting on the recent beheading of American journalist James Foley. Beyond the beheading, Inhofe said the current terror organizations are not going to stay contained to the Middle East. “They’re crazy out there and they’re rapidly developing a method of blowing up a major U.S. city and people just can’t believe that’s happening.”
Inhofe blames policy decisions from the Obama administration and cuts in defense spending for putting the country in what he calls a dangerous situation.
Ridgewood News letter: Luxury housing will keep people in village
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 12:31 AM Print
Luxury housing will keep people in village James D. Vaughan III
to the Editor:
Luxury apartments along the Ridgewood train tracks are good for Ridgewood.
Once the children grow and leave home, a luxury apartment in town is a very attractive alternative to Ridgewood residents. We raised our children here and our friends still live here. We would prefer to stay in Ridgewood rather than a neighboring town. However, we cannot justify the expense of the large home. Most of the readers of The Ridgewood News know a friend who moved to a townhome or apartment in a neighboring town.
The residents of the luxury apartments would be mostly Ridgewood residents who have sold their home, or young couples moving to Ridgewood. Many of the young couples would be our children.
Currently, the properties are industrial locations. A luxury apartment complex would bring new residents and pedestrian life to downtown. Adding ongoing Ridgewood residents to the sites along the train tracks would be tremendously beneficial to our town, our downtown and our property tax revenue.
So thinking about going to the Barclays this weekend
Visitor information for the Barclays being held at the Ridgewood Country Club
from the Ridgewood Police Tournament Address: The Ridgewood Country Club 96 West Midland Ave Paramus, NJ 07652
General Parking:
General parking for The Barclays 2014 will be at Bergen Community College, which is walking distance to the courese. Parking is $10 per car. For GPS purposes, please use: 400 Paramus Rd., Paramus NJ 07652.
Public Transportation:
The Barclays tournament will provide free shuttle service to and from NJ Transit’s Glen Rock Main Line Train Station.
Plese visit njtransit.com for further information regarding schedules, routes, etc.
Car and Taxi Service:
The drop off/pick up location for The Barclays 2014 will be located in the entrance to our VIP Lot 6 at The Garden State Plaza Mall. Please use the following address for GPS purposes: 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652.
PSE&G thanks you for your patience as we work to make Ridgewood Energy Strong.
PSE&G thanks you for your patience as we work to make Ridgewood Energy Strong. This requires closing streets while we install modern gas pipes that better withstand flooding and protect the environment. Please share this news with your friends and family who may be affected. For more about street closures: https://www.pseg.com/family/pseandg/energy_strong/gas_main/ridgewood.jsp
PSE&G to upgrade gas facilities in Ridgewood
With approval of its Energy Strong program, Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G) is upgrading gas facilities in Ridgewood on the following streets:
Allan Place, Entire Length
Burnside Place, Entire Length
Canterbury Place between Burnside Place and George Street
Cherry Lane between Canterbury Place and Burnside Place
Downs Street between Northern Parkway and Fairfield Avenue
Eldon Court, Entire Length
George Street between East Glen Avenue and Burnside Place
Libby Avenue between Downs Street and Graydon Terrace
Meadowbrook Avenue between Fairfield Avenue and Hohokus Brook
Northern Parkway between East Franklin Turnpike and Meadowbrook Avenue
Olivia Street, Entire Length
Pearsall Avenue between Downs Street and Graydon Terrace
Preston Place, Entire Length
Rose Court, Entire Length
Stuart Street, Entire Length
Thompson Place, Entire Length
Van Buren Street between Northern Parkway and East Glen Ave
Vesta Court, Entire Length
Sharyl Attkisson / @SharylAttkisson / August 21, 2014
For the first time, startling details are being made public about the millions of dollars funneled from Middle East charities to Islamic terrorists and their families.
Families of Islamic suicide bombers received a $5,300 payment.
The money was used to reward terrorists and their families after attacks on Israelis and U.S. nationals visiting Israel between 2000 and 2005 during the second intifada or Palestinian uprising.
The evidence was presented today in a landmark case in New York federal court. Three hundred U.S. nationals claim Arab Bank knowingly provided financial services to terrorists and their financiers in violation of the U.S. anti-terrorism law. Arab Bank contends it did not knowingly serve terrorists.
Palestinians shout as they follow an empty coffin for suicide bomber Wafa Idris. Middle East charities are under scrutiny for financially rewarding families for the suicide attacks. (Photo: Abbas Momani/Newscom)
Bank documents reveal an elaborate system for which Amman, Jordan-based Arab Bank served as the center point. Some Israelis refer to the bank as the “Grand Central Station of terrorist financing.”
Millions of dollars were funneled from Middle East charities to Islamic terrorists.
For example, bank documents allegedly show that a dozen Middle Eastern charities with links to the terrorist group Hamas and other radical Islamic groups transferred $32 million to Arab Bank during the second intifada. The money was then allegedly paid out to families of suicide bombers and other Palestinians who engaged in acts of terrorism against Jews.
An additional charity, the Saudi Committee for the Support of the Intifada al Quds, sent nearly $100 million through Arab Bank. The plaintiff’s analysis of bank records indicates $32 million of it ended up being distributed as cash payments to martyrs and their families, including the families of suicide bombers, and the rest was distributed to other Hamas-controlled charities.
According to evidence presented by the plaintiffs today, based on bank documents, families of suicide bombers received a $5,300 payment, or about four times the average annual Palestinian income at the time of $1,600. If a martyr was wounded but not killed, he received $2,655. If a martyr was arrested and jailed, the family received $1,325. The recipients simply showed up at an Arab Bank branch, presented identification, and received the cash.
>>> Arab Bank Accused of Helping Reward Hamas Suicide Bombers in Terrorism Case
Under anti-terrorism law, it’s illegal for banks to do business with designated terrorist entities or with groups that they know or have reason to believe are linked to terrorists or terrorist activity.
That’s where the two sides sharply differ.
Arab Bank’s main offices in the Jordanian capital, Amman. (Photo: Khalil Mazraawi/Newscom)
Arab Bank’s attorney told jurors in opening statements last week that the Saudi Committee was a legitimate humanitarian group that was never a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Arab Bank also claimed that any business it may have conducted with terrorists or terrorist groups was limited in nature and entirely unintentional, due to typos or mistakes in screening.
Under U.S. law, it’s illegal for banks to do business with designated terrorist entities.
In 2005, Arab Bank settled a U.S. Treasury Department investigation into alleged money laundering and terrorist financing by paying a $24 million fine without admitting wrongdoing.
The plaintiffs in the New York trial are seeking monetary damages and financial penalties from Arab Bank.
New Jersey Children’s Museum in Paramus to close its doors
August 22, 2014 Last updated: Friday, August 22, 2014, 10:26 AM
By Jodi Weinberger
Staff Writer
The New Jersey Children’s Museum will close on Sept. 1.
Tears were spilled at the New Jersey Children’s Museum on a recent summer day. Not from a fight over sharing toys, or a youngster protesting the trip home, but from the parents and grandparents who brought them there.
After 23 years, the Paramus play space will permanently close on Sept. 1.
“You’re going to make me cry,” said Lisa Grassi, just moments before her eyes turned watery as she watched her grandson, Cody, operate a stationary backhoe on what would be their last “Grandma Day” at the museum.
The Dumont resident said she had looked forward to bringing Cody’s 1-year-old brother when he was old enough on his next birthday.
“If it’s raining or too hot … where are we going to bring them?” Grassi wondered. “And it’s a chance for him to play with other kids.”
Anne and Elliot Sumers, the museum’s founders, shared the news of the closing with their 22-member staff last week and then posted an announcement on their website and other social media where fans of the space could commiserate.
“It’s just the saddest thing in the world,” said Anne Sumers on a phone call Aug. 19.
Ridgewood-based Valley Health Systems, which purchased the building including the 15,000-square-foot museum at 599 Valley Health Plaza, offered the Sumers the option to terminate their lease “a couple weeks ago,” said Elliot Sumers, when it otherwise would have expired in October 2016.
“We couldn’t continue to operate the museum under the current circumstances,” Elliot Sumers said, adding that it would have needed “considerable improvements” to the bathrooms and other areas.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/children-s-museum-in-paramus-to-close-its-doors-1.1072133#sthash.v8PAp7lE.dpu
Red light camera ticket? 17,000 violations in NJ to be thrown out
August 21, 2014, 4:34 PM Last updated: Friday, August 22, 2014, 12:07 PM
By MICHAEL PHILLIS
State House Bureau
The Record
About 17,000 violations issued by red light cameras will be thrown out because of what has been termed a technical glitch, offering a kind of second chance for drivers who now won’t have to pay.
Defendants in 17 municipalities were never notified that they had been cited by a camera for running a red light. Because of the oversight, the administrative office of the courts asked that local judges dismiss the violations en masse. Some of the soon-to-be dismissed tickets were issued in North Jersey towns, including Palisades Park and Wayne Township.
Such an oversight illustrates the inherent faults in the system, said Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, who has regularly criticized the use of red light traffic cameras.
“These companies incessantly tout the supposed accuracy and consistency of their systems – when the only thing consistent about the camera company representatives is their blatant misrepresentation of what the equipment does and how accurately it does it,” he said in a statement.
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 12:31 AM BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
The crowd knew they were Treble when they walked in.
At the finale to the Kasschau Shell’s summer concert series there was a crowd of about 200 people, all waiting to be serenaded by Treble, a cover band comprised mostly of Ridgewood residents.
Even as the audience members basked in the special opportunity to listen to music and, for some, picnic under the stars, the night was especially special for Treble’s five founding members.
And why wouldn’t it be?
They have all spent the past two years making time in their busy work and parenting schedules to take a chance on doing what they love.
“It’s really been very satisfying and fulfilling to rediscover my passion for music and reconnect with five or six other adults that are sort of on the same journey of rediscovery,” said founder Jerry Charles (bass and vocals).
Treble, according to Charles, started through his casual conversations with other Ridgewood school district parents with shared interests, who would play “for fun” at his house.
Ridgewood residents opposed to PARCC testing changes form group
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 12:31 AM BY JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER
A group of parents is growing the opposition to “Common Core driven changes in curriculum and the upcoming PARCC assessments” in the district through fact-finding committees and social media.
Ridgewood News letter: Resident unhappy with actions of attorneys
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 12:31 AM
Resident unhappy with actions of attorneys Nancy Currey
to the editor:
Frankly I was stunned while attending the Aug. 19 Planning Board meeting with the tandem display of incivility by the Mr. Bruinooge and Mr. Wells toward Open Space Committee chair Ralph Currey.
Currently, the Planning Board is considering amending the master plan so that developments such as The Enclave, The Dayton and Chestnut Village can be built in Ridgewood. In order to assess the widespread impact the addition of a significant number of new citizens would impose, the Open Space Committee was requested by the Planning Board to prepare a report.
The Open Space Committee is a largely all-volunteer citizen committee without funding. The report was prepared in the context of these limitations and posed as an advisory paper. We are fortunate, due in large part to the considerable efforts of these dedicated volunteers, to have Habernickel Park and the Schedler property.
Compared to surrounding towns, the Village of Ridgewood has far less recreational space even with the addition of Habernickel Park and the potential of the Schedler property. The essence of the report prepared by the committee is that Ridgewood is already lacking the fields and open areas that would be suggested for its current population using several guidelines. The addition of a significant number of new residents utilizing those same recreational facilities would only worsen the numbers.
This really is a matter of common sense. One does not need formulas to realize our parks are overcrowded and the competition for field space is fierce. Just drive to a park in our area and try to find a parking space. That is more telling than any stack of paper. The attorneys representing the developers harped on the calculus of the report and congratulated themselves on trying to humiliate the witness. The truth speaks for itself.
Ridgewood forum on downtown focuses on parking needs
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 1:21 AM BY CHRIS HARRIS STAFF WRITER THE RECORD Print
RIDGEWOOD — The lack of parking in the village needs to be addressed if the central business district is to thrive.
That’s the conclusion of about 50 business owners, officials, developers and residents who attended a forum this week on the viability of the downtown.
While some residents suggested the need for a master plan update with others calling for a comprehensive approach to downtown planning, most who spoke Wednesday had parking on the brain.
Those at the forum noted that for decades the Ridgewood Council has spent money commissioning study after study on the village’s parking shortage, never to follow through with any recommendations.
“Parking here has been a sin,” said Jim Griffith, adding that local officials have spent the past 50 years merely weighing ideas for increasing parking spaces downtown. “There has been no change. It’s criminal, the way they’ve been dealing with parking.”
AUGUST 22, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014, 12:31 AM BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
The Village Council approved two ordinances last week that officials hope will have a positive impact on the Central Business District (CBD) and customer experience.
One ordinance establishes rules for restaurant valet parking. The other is an amendment to an existing ordinance on site plan procedural requirements, which the village manager hopes will speed up the process of building approval for business owners, as well as homeowners, who are doing minor work.
In the case of the valet parking ordinance, the village manager was pushing for a speedy approval; valet parking is already being done in the CBD by Roots Steakhouse. The new high-end eating establishment on Chestnut Street valet parks at some of its other area locations.
The new ordinance, which allows valet parking operators to “utilize the streets and public parking lots of the village… for performance of their services,” lists detailed operating requirements.
Among them, valet parking operators will need to buy an annual permit and show a valid insurance certificate.
Part of the push for the valet parking ordinance is related to the village’s parking woes. The village’s resolution notes that valet parking is being permitted to “help alleviate and minimize parking congestion.”
Fmr resident George Bush taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Ridgewood accepts the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
AUGUST 21, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014, 4:41 PM BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
Ice-cold water has been raining down on Ridgewood this past month, but the drenched are all smiles.
Last Friday, 11 teachers at Sara’s Pre-School on Prospect Street in Ridgewood lined up with buckets in front of the playground. About 50 children, ages 3-7, watched excitedly as their grimacing-but-game teachers poured ice-cold buckets of water on their heads, one by one.
“Do it again!” “Do it again!” “Do it again!” chanted the children.
These teachers are just a few of those in the village who are eagerly participating in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the now-ubiquitous social media campaign that promotes awareness of the progressive neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly referred to as ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
At this point, anyone with a Facebook profile knows that the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has exploded since it began earlier this summer, thanks to a chain reaction of ice bucket “challengers” who have nominated their Facebook friends to either post Facebook videos of themselves pouring ice water over their heads or donate to the ALS Association (or both).
