Ridgewood board begins hearings on proposed cell phone tower
APRIL 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 12:34 AM BY BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
A land-use attorney and radio frequency engineer for AT&T defended an application to place a temporary 75-foot cell tower behind the Exxon Mobil station at 490 Route 17, explaining that it is a short-term measure to ensure reliable service.
The company is designing needed modifications to the permanent 120-foot cell tower already located nearby.
Six concerned Ridgewood residents, who live near the permanent flagpole-type cell tower, attended the Ridgewood Zoning Board hearing on Tuesday night, where a civil engineer for AT&T was also present.
The proposed temporary equipment, which will sit on a trailer with wheels, requires a use variance and various bulk variances, such as side and rear yard setbacks, according to Bruce Whitaker, the attorney for the zoning board. AT&T is also requesting waivers from site plan and design standard requirements found in the village’s zoning code.
A temporary tower at the site has been the subject of some contention for several months.
Reader says A clear sign of who insiders support in Village Council Election
Residence of the Hauck family, 217 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood.
No signs were observed on the lawns either of Albert Puciarelli or Paul Aronsohn.Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh won’t be serving again next term, thus a moot point as to who they are each supporting.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Kitchen fire fills Ridgewood home with smoke April 28,2014 Boyd A. Loving 6:50 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A fire that originated in the kitchen of a home located at 511 North Monroe Street in Ridgewood did little damage beyond destroying a microwave oven and adjacent cabinet, but filled the entire house with smoke. The homeowner and her child had safely evacuated the structure prior to arrival of fire department personnel; no injuries to first responders were reported. Ridgewood FD, EMS, and Emergency Services personnel all rushed to the blaze, which was reported via a 911 telephone call shortly before 6 PM on Monday. North Monroe Street was closed between Morningside and Fairmount Roads while the blaze was extinguished.
It’s time to defy health-care mandates issued by bureaucrats not in the healing profession.
By DANIEL F. CRAVIOTTO JR. Updated April 28, 2014 7:34 p.m. ET
In my 23 years as a practicing physician, I’ve learned that the only thing that matters is the doctor-patient relationship. How we interact and treat our patients is the practice of medicine. I acknowledge that there is a problem with the rising cost of health care, but there is also a problem when the individual physician in the trenches does not have a voice in the debate and is being told what to do and how to do it.
As a group, the nearly 880,000 licensed physicians in the U.S. are, for the most part, well-intentioned. We strive to do our best even while we sometimes contend with unrealistic expectations. The demands are great, and many of our families pay a huge price for our not being around. We do the things we do because it is right and our patients expect us to.
So when do we say damn the mandates and requirements from bureaucrats who are not in the healing profession? When do we stand up and say we are not going to take it any more?
Men Who Work Full-Time Earn Less Than 40 Years Ago
April 28, 2014 – 12:48 PM By Terence P. Jeffrey
(CNSNews.com) – The real median income of American men who work full-time, year-round peaked forty years ago in 1973, according todata published by the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1973, median earnings for men who worked full-time, year-round were $51,670 in inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars. The median earnings of men who work full-time year-round have never been that high again.
Sterling, Media And The Race Card — A Confederacy Of Dunces By Larry Elder
By Larry Elder, Apr. 27, 2014
TMZ posted portions of a taped conversation between L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling and his girlfriend. The fit hit the shan. Magic Johnson called for Sterling to resign. Relinquish the team! ESPN is breathlessly covering this “major story.”
Magic Johnson said in a statement:
“It’s a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans. He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base.”
He later said:
“Something has to be done, and if that means him losing the team, then that has to happen,” Johnson said. “The league has to come down hard and make a statement.”
The Clippers’ statement read:
“We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or if it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even.’ Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him — both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”
LeBron James, before yesterday’s game, said:
“There is no room for Donald Sterling in our league. … Obviously, if the reports are true, it’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter, white, black or Hispanic — all across the races it’s unacceptable. As the commissioner of our league, they have to make a stand. They have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it will be, but we can’t have that in our league.”
Well, move over Cliven Bundy, who moved over after George Zimmerman. Meet America’s Next New White Bigot — Donald Sterling. The “racist” hires a respected, expensive championship-winning black coach, who happens to be married to a white woman. The “racist” pays his black starting point guard $18 million annually. Oh, and the “racist” Sterling’s girlfriend, with whom he’s seen in public, is a black Latina.
Yep, dude sounds just like a Klansman.
Now, can we please calm down?
An old guy has a verbal fight with his girlfriend, which she apparently — surreptitiously — records. They quarrel. The most eye-raising parts have to do with Sterling, 80, telling his girlfriend, 38, that he doesn’t want her attending games with black people. His reasons appear to be that his girlfriend, who describes herself as black and Mexican, would look — to others — more white if she sat next to white people. I guess. I really don’t know.
And care even less.
Despite his obvious anger, Sterling never says the “n” word, let along calls her a “c” word. He expresses admiration for Magic Johnson. He even asks her almost in disbelief or surprise, “You think I’m a racist!” Then the now ex-girlfriend, currently being sued by the Sterling family for embezzling almost $2 mil, delivers the recording to TMZ. And here we go again with America’s newest racist. Tiger Wood’s quarrel ended with his SUV smashed into a tree. Mel Gibson’s rant included a wish that his girlfriend be “raped by a pack of n–gers.” But this will do.
If Sterling is unfit to own a team now that he’s expressed racial animosity, what about Spike Lee? A courtside fixture at Knicks games, Lee once said he dislikes interracial couples: “I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street.” Should the NBA investigate the suitability of an expressed hater of interracial couples to have such a prominent perch at the Garden? Spike Lee hates interracial relationships. Donald Sterling hates being in one. Soul brothers! Bet Spike could score some courtside seats.
A certain beloved, foul-mouthed, Los Angeles ex-baseball manager privately swore and dropped non-PC words with ease and familiarity — but we laughed and considered the source. And, like Sterling, he had black and white players.
What about Bill Maher? He is a part-owner of the Mets — that is when not calling Sarah Palin the “c” word or Michelle Bachman “a dumb t–t” or when not joking about Palin’s son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. Should MLB investigate and monitor his stand-up for foul language?
Speaking of racist public figures, if Sterling ought not own a team, then the Rev. Al Sharpton ought not have a TV show. How does the race-hustling, anti-Semitic, non-tax paying, FBI would-be drug-dealing snitch, “civil rights” leader who lied his way to fame warrant a show on MSNBC?
As to the seriousness of Sterling’s comment, a little perspective. The beloved Lakers owner Jerry Buss once got busted for DUI. As always with drunk drivers, only good fortune stopped someone from getting hurt or killed. But this was quickly dropped from media attention.
Again, Buss … could … have … killed … somebody. Sterling had a verbal fight with a flirty girlfriend.
Back to the Sterling tape. Listening to the whole thing, it sounds like they’re meant for each other. He’s jealous and insecure, an old guy asking his girl not to make him into a bigger behind-the-back joke than he already is. She sounds shallow and manipulative, clearing trying to get him to say some really bad stuff.
As for Magic Johnson’s reaction, let me say this. Magic, love you, but your confessed behavior endangered your family, your team and others. Sterling quarreled with his GF. Martina Navratilova said if a woman did what you did, she would have been called a “slut.” Sterling should be shunned?!
Did Magic call for a Clippers boycott when, for years, its owner mistreated Elgin Baylor, stiffed players and twice settled housing discrimination lawsuits? Or when in 2000, Sports Illustrated named the Clippers the “worst” franchise in North American history? But now because Sterling says he doesn’t want his squeeze hanging with brothers — he’s unfit to own a team? Why the “racist” even gave her permission to “f–k” any black person she wants — provided she didn’t strut around Staples with the guy. A gold-digger’s dream. Old money, young sex. Such a deal! Some racist!
Can black and white victicrats take a day off from being “offended”? Dolts — whether Bundy or Sterling — who are incapable of harm, say stupid things. The real issues — under-education, irresponsible breeding and parenting, and lack of jobs — have nothing to do with Sterling’s jealously and will not be resolved by his public flaying.
Media Ignoring Democratic Donations of LA Clippers’ Owner Donald Sterling , Allegedly Caught on Tape in Race-Based Rant
By Tom Blumer | April 27, 2014 | 00:25
Donald Sterling Life long Democrat and NAACP Donner
In stunning audio posted at TMZ, Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling chides a person who is apparently his girlfriend for “taking pictures with minorities” and “associating with black people.” Sterling sees her as a “delicate” “Latina or white girl,” and as such doesn’t understand why she should “associate with black people.” He doesn’t want her bringing black people to games, including NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Assuming the audio is authentic — What kind of crazy, reactionary mindset would cause an owner who works in an industry dominated by black players to have such opinions and feelings? The evidence is admittedly thin and a bit dated, but to the extent it exists, that answer is, apparently, “one who supports and donates to liberal Democrats” (HT Gateway Pundit):
A reader reports hearing rumblings of “Sedon For Council” and “Knudsen For Council” lawn signs being stolen and replaced with “Albano For Council” lawn signs.
file photo Boyd Loving
Have any other readers heard these rumors and/or been the victim of such a theft/replacement?
Has Ridgewood PD received any reports of these rumored incidents?
Friends in the Business Concert Benefit for Friends of Music
Ridgewood NJ, The Friends in the Business concert will take place Sunday, May 4th at 4:00 pm at George Washington Middle School. This concert raises funds the Friends of Music, which supports the Ridgewood Public School music program.
All the performers are professional musicians who live locally, and will feature a mix of classical, jazz, and Broadway. The concert will also feature a special guest – Jodi DiPiazza, a 13-year-old singer/pianist from Rochelle Park. Jodi, who was diagnosed with autism at age two, became an internet sensation following her “Firework” duet with Katy Perry on Comedy Central’s “The Night of Too Many Stars”. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at the door.
Valley Health System and Westfield Garden State Plaza Partnership Kicks Off Contest to Give a Healthy Twist to Recipes
Submit the Name of Your Favorite Dish for a Chance to Win the “Recipe Makeover & A New Look for the Cook” Sweepstakes!
April 22, 2014
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Health System, Sur La Table, Tommy Hilfiger and Westfield Garden State Plaza recently kicked off the “Recipe Makeover & A New Look For the Cook” sweepstakes. Launched at www.valleyrecipemakeover.com, the sweepstakes invites participants to submit the name of a favorite dish for a chance to win a healthy recipe makeover and a “new look” for the cook.
On May 17, two lucky winners will cook their healthier dishes in front of a live audience with Food Network celebrity chef Michael V. Proietti in the Lord & Taylor Court. The Tommy Hilfigerstore will provide a personal styling session and head-to-toe look for each of the recipe makeover winners; the iconic American brand opened a store at Westfield Garden State Plaza last year.
The sweepstakes is the first event offered through a year-long partnership between Valley Health System and Westfield Garden State Plaza designed to promote community health and wellness through engaging events and thought-provoking messaging.
A second event will be held in October and details will be released later this year.
Reader questions whether the placement of these banners/signs at Vets Field constitutes advertising and as such, should require approval by resolution from the Village Council (and until such approval is received, should the banners/signs be removed?).
Also, if this is considered advertising, who is receiving the advertising revenue?
As many of you no doubt recall, the Council opposed placement of advertising on the scoreboard at Vets. Now this?
Readers say state worker entitlement promises have been too generous and that concessions need to be made
Interesting that municipalities across the country continue to file for bankruptcy protection after over-promising to their retirees. This is despite taxing our middle class to death. Middle income in the US is not keeping pace with growth in Canada, Britain and Sweden. The WHOLE story would also include admitting that entitlement promises have been too generous and that concessions need to be made to taxpayers going forward.
There have been at least 54 Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy filings just since 2006, with the largest being Detroit, followed by Stockton, San Bernardino, and Jefferson County. Central Falls, RI and Westfall, PA are some others. Harrisburg, PA filed for bankruptcy in 2011 but the judge denied their petition. NYC based hedge fund Bridgewater did a study suggesting that roughly 85% of public pensions will go bankrupt within three decades. US public pensions have $3 trillion of assets with which they are expected to make $10 trillion of retirement payments over the next 30 yrs. This implies a required annual return of roughly 9%, vs. the current 30 year US Treasury yield of 3.44%
Candidates Night for Municipal Election – Tuesday, April 29th at 7:30PM
Meet the 3 candidates for Village Council and hear their views!
The League of Women Voters is holding Candidates Night for the Village Council on Tuesday, April 29 at The Village Hall , Fourth Floor, 131 North Maple Avenue at 7:30.. There are three candidates vying for two open Village Council seats: James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon. There will also be television coverage on Channel 77 for Cablevision users and Channel 34 for Fios users. The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood is a NON PARTISAN, yet political organization whose members become active and informed participants in government.
The Ridgewood Municipal Election will take place Tuesday, May 13.
Readers continue to question Gail Prices Objectivity
It might also be time to start to examine what the Village pays for Gail Price’s services. She was supposed to have these hearing wrapped up by LAST June yet no end is in sight. By all appearances she plans to instruct the Planning Board to give Valley what they wanted last time or give them what they want this time. What do we pay her per hour? What financial motivation does she have to wind this process down?
On top of this conflict of interest, she is clearly not impartial and has allowed Valley and its disgraceful attorney to call all of the procedural shots.
Reader says Planning Board Proceedings are a “Sham”
If you haven’t actually been at a meeting then you cannot comprehend the absolute sham these proceedings are. The citizens of Ridgewood raised $10,000 to hire an urban planner to represent them and refute the one-sided view put forward by Valley’s experts. I don’t think he even uttered more than 10 sentences. Valley’s lawyer was up objecting to every word out of his mouth. He literally demanded FedEx receipts for a stack of documents from the state, every page of which was stamped by the state. We have come of age with movies like Erin Brockovitch or A Civil Action, where right overcomes money, inside interests and political power. These make good movies, but it is not what is happening in Ridgewood. People aren’t going to the meetings anymore, because it has become clear that the voice of the residents is not wanted, or heard, or even allowed to be spoken. But I think the large number of lawn signs for Sedon and Knudson, indicate that people are not happy with what is happening in our town. Hopefully, elections still remain relatively free of the mix of money and influence that appears to guide many of the regulatory proceedings in this town. And if anyone thinks that their vote doesn’t count – let me remind you that if 12 more people had voted for Keith Killion in the last election, we would be looking at a very different scenario for our town across a multiple of issues. So vote either way May 13th, but do vote.
