Christie says vouchers are needed to repair poor schools
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said school vouchers are needed to repair a public-education system that has left students unprepared for college and work.
Al-Qaida Praises US Television Networks ABC and CBS
Al-Qaida memo to Bin Laden warns of ‘cunning methods’ of US news networks
Al-Qaida spokesman Adam Gadahn a fan of 60 Minutes but said Fox News ‘lacks neutrality’ and CBS is ‘close to being unbiased’
Chris McGreal in Washington
Osama bin Laden pondered the merits of US television news channels as he considered how to extract the best propaganda benefit from the tenth anniversary of 9/11 last year, and concluded that CBS was “close to being unbiased”.
But an American-born media adviser for al-Qaeda warned Bin Laden to beware of the broadcasters’ “cunning methods” as he described Fox News as a channel in the “abyss” that should “die in anger”, CNN as too close to the US government and MSNBC as questionable after it fired one of its most prominent presenters, Keith Olbermann.
In a memorandum made public by the US military’s Combating Terrorism Center on Thursday, Bin Laden asked for advice on exploiting the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Gov. Chris Christie renewed his call Thursday for lawmakers to pass school choice legislation this spring and heaped more criticism on those who oppose his efforts, at one juncture using civil rights-era imagery to emphasize his point.
“We have people standing in the schoolhouse door saying, ‘Your future is going to be defined by your ZIP code and by your parents’ economic wherewithal,’ ” he said. “To me, that’s an obscenity.” (Porter, Associated Press)
Village Council Elections: I hope Aronsohn is NOT re-elected. I used to be for him
hope Aronsohn is NOT re-elected. I used to be for him, but after studying and reviewing a lot he has said and done, I no longer support him. I based my change in position not on what went on the other night alone, but on looking at many other things during his current term of service.
But I very much favor repealing those H Zone amendments and have said so many times before, including on this blog.
There must be a way to do that without endless lawsuits and legal wrangling. Why can’t the PB simply conclude that its predecessor members made a mistake in approving the amendments in the first place?
It should be easy to demonstrate grounds for that, since when the very same experts were queried by the VC, a lot of impt. new information sure came to light.
So why can’t the current PB simply cite that as proof its predecessor board did not get the full info as to the impact on the Village, and then decide based on those grounds that it should rescind the Amendments the previous Board passed?
Keith and several others were NOT on the PB that adopted those amendments, by the way. Tom Riche was however.
I don’t know the legal ramifications or procedures. I do know though that often what seems common sense and simple logic does not always work like that within the legal system, which can impose all kinds of other hurdles to something that ought to be relatively simple.
And by the way, I am not against Valley expanding or modernizing though I am against it’s current plan. With another plan that’s more modest, I might support that — depends on the details.
Maybe Aronsohn says he’s for rescinding the amendments because he knows there’s some legal problem with doing that? After all, he’s on the VC and has been privy to any internal discussions they’ve had about all this– along with the Vill Attorney etc.
So if he knows there’s a reason it can’t be done legally… but it’s popular in some circles to have that position — well, that seems like vintage Aronsohn to me based on looking at how he’s handled other things during his time in office.
Given his new endorsement of Hauck, who clearly supports Valley’s current plan, that sure gets me thinking… otherwise why would he say he’s opposed to Valley’s plan –yet endorse others for the VC who clearly have the exact opposite view and have said so?
I’ve lost any real trust in Paul after doing a lot of homework and I’m sad to say I feel his agenda is not really Ridgewood– it’s him — and only him.
Could an attorney -or maybe one of our highly paid Village officials pls tell the rest of us what exactly ARE the impediments legally to the current PB rescinding those amendments? Why can’t it work (for instance) like poster #4 above describes?
FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012
BY MARY JO LAYTON AND EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
The proposed expansion of The Valley Hospital divided Ridgewood, sparked passionate public hearings and dominated the Village Council’s agenda last fall – and it might not be over.
“In politics, nobody can talk about anything except the hospital,” said Gwenn Hauck, a newcomer who is running for office. She supported Valley’s plans at public hearings.
The council overwhelmingly defeated the hospital’s $750 million plan to double in size last year. But a new council could take another vote because a change in the master plan that would allow the expansion still exists.
The looming possibility of a vote guarantees the hospital’s proposed expansion remains a divisive campaign issue – as it has in the last two municipal elections when council hopefuls who pledged to defeat the “Renewal” overwhelmingly won office.
Obama administration urges freer access to cellphone records
(Reuters) – The U.S. Congress should pass a law to give investigators freer access to certain cellphone records, an Obama administration official said on Thursday, in remarks that raised concern among advocates of civil liberties and privacy.
Jason Weinstein, a deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s criminal division, argued that requirements for warrants at early stages of investigations would “cripple” prosecutors and law enforcement.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this year that a warrant was needed to put a GPS satellite tracking device on a suspect’s vehicle, prompting questions about other instances where probable-cause warrants should be needed to obtain information in the rapidly changing world of mobile devices.
Ridgewood veterans seek support to repair village flagpole
Thursday May 3, 2012, 4:19 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
American Legion Post 53 is hoping for village and community support as its members embark on a mission to replace the flagpole at Veterans Field. Post member Chris Stout appealed to the governing body last week, asking for the mayor and council’s permission to begin the project, as well as minimal financial assistance.
Mother Nature and Father Time have taken their tolls on the flagpole, which has fallen into such a state of disrepair that Stout referred to it as an “eyesore” in “sore need of rehabilitation.” Deterioration of the structure is evident from top to bottom.
New legislation would abolish government involvement in airport security
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Senator Rand Paul has issued a press release in which he vows to lead the charge to “end the TSA” and put a stop to the needless and humiliating groping of toddlers and grandmothers.
Earlier this year, Paul was detained by the TSA after refusing to submit to an invasive pat down after already having passed through a body scanner. The incident prompted national headlines and caused the Senator to miss his flight.
Andrew & Susan finally admit they are James Bombase , and support Paul Aronsohn
Andrew & Susan Ridgewoodblog.blogspot.com 174.226.201.196 Submitted on 2012/05/02 at 8:20 pm
Wrong! Unlike this blog we post opposing views. Many posters have told us that this blog will not post anything against Killion or for Arohsohn. You PJ have been bought and paid for by Killion and his lapdogs and that is so obvious it is sickening.
Andrew and Sue?? Ha ha!! finally Jim Bombace reveals himself in his reply to the post. Hey Jim, the James referred to is the James from the Patch not you James Bombace. Everyone knows that “Andrew and Sue” is Jim Bombace and that you have such venom for Keith. How dare you knock Keith and what he has given back to Ridgewood over the years. At least he took a shower and showed up to work in a clean shirt.. yuck!! You really need to find a hobby and get a life. Your obsession with Village affairs is over the top. You should have had that much energy when you were on the job. Small minded individuals like yourself perpetuate the negative image of Ridgewood to others, Do something positive for the Village. Volunteer your time and talent. Take your $100K plus pension and enjoy life!
“Andrew/Susan” post: Sorry, I don’t think that’s true. I have posted things both against Killion and also for Aronsohn on this blog before.
I’ve certainly read many opposing views on this blog on a wide variety of topics.
And at least for me — I’m nobody’s lapdog, thank you. I often disagree with people on one issue who I might completely agree with and support on other issues. To me, it’s not about personalities but issues.
I’m not the moderator nor owner and this isn’t my blog. Personally I try to read info from many sources, including your blog too. And the fact is, the moderator posted YOUR post here too– did he not?
I don’t expect any blog to have completely “unbiased” views since by nature people on all sides (many with agendas all their own) are going to post on them. What is wrong with that? I certainly have many times perceived a def. point of view and agenda over at your blog too.
People can read your stuff and agree or disagree. And if they feel you consistently have a viewpoint or agenda they really can’t agree with, they can decide NOT to read your stuff, too. The choice is theirs.
It’s like an editorial page or letters to the ed section. Do you expect that to be strictly a “just the facts” news report? I hope you don’t.
Many times the REAL facts are not very clear with many issues, and questions need to be asked and info uncovered about the story behind the story and how often there are other agendas and forces at work that are not at first blush apparent.
Blogs can be a great way the little guy can have a voice in that, and help raise awareness and ask the questions that many news sources don’t ask.
Ridgewood Board of Education names summer school principal
Wednesday May 2, 2012, 7:13 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Board of Education (BOE) last month named Keith Cook as principal of the Ridgewood High School (RHS) 2012 summer school program. Cook will receive an $11,000 stipend to manage the school’s day-to-day operations.
Cook is currently a social studies teacher at RHS and is head coach of the Maroons’ boys and girls swimming teams as well as the coach of the freshman boys lacrosse team. He also has principal certification.
Editors Note: We had to laugh when we saw this headline ‘surprisingly weak’ so we republished it for your amusement and yes there are people who are surprised , not understanding the simple face that bigger government merely consumes resources and produces none . PJ
Private-sector nonfarm employment grew by 119,000 jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, according to the national employment report released today by Roseland-based Automatic Data Processing, which revised its March numbers down to 201,000, from the initial report of 209,000.
The number of jobs added, which came in below expectations, was “surprisingly weak,” said Joel Prakken, chairman of Macroeconomic Advisers LLC, which co-authors the monthly report with ADP. (Tarbous, NJBIZ)
N.J. governments face risk on ‘backup’ debt, Moody’s says
New Jersey local governments may be exposed to more credit risk as they guarantee the debt of other entities, a strategy that led to default in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Moody’s Investors Service said.
Local governments that pledged their full faith and credit to guarantee the general-obligation debt of enterprises and other municipalities was 7.9 percent of all Moody’s-rated New Jersey local-government issuance in 2008. In 2011, that figure increased to about 29 percent, Moody’s said in a report today. (Young and Chang, Bloomberg)
GIANT FLEA MARKET – GREAT BUYS! SATURDAY, MAY 5, 10AM-4PM Ridgewood’s Old Paramus Reformed Church Barrier-Free Education Building 660 E. Glen Ave. at Rte. 17 South Bake Sale/Refreshments/ Lunch available
Arts and Craft Street Fair – Sunday, May 6th
Sunday, May 6th from 12 Noon to 5PM (Rain or Shine), the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce will sponsor an Arts and Crafts Street Fair on East Ridgewood Avenue starting at Maple Avenue and ending at Oak Street. Lots of activities for children and families. Enjoy the CRAFTS, MUSIC and FOOD!!!
RIDGEWOOD MUNICIPAL ELECTION – TUESDAY, MAY 8th
The Municipal Election, to be held on May 8, 2012, will elect three Councilmembers to the Village Council. There are six candidates running for the three open seats. The polling hours are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Any questions concerning the Municipal Election should be directed to the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 201 or by email to: hmailander@ridgewoodnj.net
TOUCH A TRUCK – May 10th
Thursday, May 10th – 9AM to 2PM Memorial Park at Van Neste Square.
Treat your kids to a day of hands-on adventure, featuring an opportunity to climb on board to explore the trucks that touch our lives. They’ll also have the change to learn directly from Ridgewood’s emergency and public works workers about the exciting work they perform every day. Am added bonus, they’ll be a Big Wheel Rodeo among the planned interactive activities throughout the park for children of all ages. Don’t miss this great opportunity to Experience Ridgewood!
Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days – May 10, 11,12
Chamber of Commerce Sale Days in Ridgewood – Thursday, May 10, Friday, May 11 and Saturday May 12…Shop in Ridgewood for bargins and enjoy the wide variety of foods offered in the restaurants! Experience Ridgewood!
Ridgewood Concert Band Featuring Bucky Pizzarelli – Guitar and Dana Nix
A Spring Fling – May 11 at 8PM at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 south Monroe St, Ridgewood, NJ. Program Highlights – Stomp, Donald Grantham, Irish Tune (Danny Boy), Percy Grainger; Country Gardens, Percy Grainger, Roma, Valerie Goleman; Selections from Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber; and El Capitan March, John Philip Sousa. Tickets at the Door $20; $15; $7 Information call 201/493-9030 or www.ridgewoodband.org
Project Pride Day – May 12th
Project Pride Committe will plant the large containers with a wide variety of colorful flowers for the summer season on Saturday, May 12th starting at 9am at the Clock tower at Van Neste Square. If you are able to volunteer and help, please call 201/670-5560 for more details.
Mayfair at Travell School Calling all Kids!
Don’t miss this year’s Mayfair at Travell School Saturday, May 12th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Fun for kids of all ages! Games, prizes, inflatables, food and more! Watch 5th graders get soaked in the Dunk Tank or maybe win a treat in our popular Cake Walk! New games added every year! Don’t miss this fun-filled annual Spring Event as we help raise funds for our school.
New Jersey’s High School Graduation Rates Drop
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
By Colleen O’Dea : NJ Spotlight
The New Jersey Department of Education Tuesday released 2011 graduation rates for high schools that were largely lower, in some cases significantly lower, than prior years.
Statewide, the rate calculated using the “four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate” formula now required by the federal government was 83 percent for last spring’s high school seniors. For the Class of 2010, the graduation rate — largely self-reported by schools — was 94.7 percent for New Jersey.
Last year, nine of the state’s 392 schools had perfect graduation rates. That’s almost 90 percent fewer than the 82 schools that reported all seniors had graduated in 2010. Similarly, four schools reported that fewer than half of students graduated in 2010, while last year, that number had risen to a dozen.
