James - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG. - Page 3251 of 3729

Posted on February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Email: IRS’s Lerner, Treasury Department secretly drafted new rules to restrict nonprofits

Email: IRS’s Lerner, Treasury Department secretly drafted new rules to restrict nonprofits

The Obama administration’s Treasury Department and former IRS official Lois Lerner conspired to draft new 501(c)(4) regulations to restrict the activity of conservative groups in a way that would not be disclosed publicly, according to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The Treasury Department and Lerner started devising the new rules “off-plan,” meaning that their plans would not be published on the public schedule. They planned the new rules in 2012, while the IRS targeting of conservative groups was in full swing, and not after the scandal broke in order to clarify regulations as the administration has suggested.

The rules place would place much more stringent controls on what would be considered political activity by the IRS, effectively limiting the standard practices of a wide array of non-profit groups.

Posted on February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Concert Band Concert Saxophone Spectacular!

Ridgewood Concert Band Concert Saxophone Spectacular!

Soloists Lois Hickes-Wozniak & Kenneth Tse will perform with the Ridgewood Concert Band on Friday, February 7th at 8PM Westside Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Strreet, Ridgewood.

Prelude at 7:30PM – Paramus HS Wind Ensemble. Program highlights – George Gershwin, Morton Gould and Giuseppe Verdi. Tickets: $20 Adults; $15 Seniors; $7 Students. www.ridgewooband.org

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan Responds to Democrats attempt to tie lane closures on the George Washington Bridge to her administration

file photo County Executive Donovan hosted a conference call with officials from around the county preparing for snow

Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan Responds to Democrats attempt to tie lane closures on the George Washington Bridge to her administration
Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan
Together, we have always put public service and the interests of taxpayers, families, seniors, and young adults before politics. Sadly Democrats, who now control the Bergen County Board of Freeholders, do not.

Instead, Democrats on the freeholder board choose to put politics before common sense. Recently, these same Democrats have tried and failed to somehow tie my administration to what now appears from recent news reports to be politically motivated lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. These lane closures are truly troublesome. I have always contended these attacks against me and my administration are totally inappropriate, a waste of time, and little more than political grandstanding.

Now the Record editorial on this topic agrees with us. Their calm, thoughtful narrative supports our position. Here are several excerpts from that editorial: “Now the board’s attempt to get top officials of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to come to Bergen County to discuss the scandal clearly has more to do with politics than anything else.” It is also worth noting that I, as Bergen County Executive, have no jurisdiction over the Port Authority.

The Record editorial also states: “The freeholders have no jurisdiction over the Port Authority. Additionally, there now are ongoing investigations into the matter by a joint legislative committee, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Port Authority inspector general.”

As your County Executive, I will not let politically motivated attacks distract me from my dedication to serving you, the citizens of Bergen County.

Thank you for your time, support, and well wishes. You can find the full Record editorial here.

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 6 Comments

Willard School Physical Education Teacher Craig Mahler has received the 2014 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award

Willard School Physical Education Teacher Craig Mahler has received the 2014 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award

Ridgewood NJ, The district has received word that Willard School Physical Education Teacher Craig Mahler has received the 2014 Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award from the New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (NJAHPERD).

Craig was nominated for the award by his colleagues, who validated his professionalism in several areas, including his commitment to his students and to quality physical education. Craig will be honored at an NJAHPERD banqueton February 23.

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 22 Comments

UPDATE: Reader says Great Job Plowing the Streets but somebody forgot the Ridgewood Park & Ride

UPDATE : F.Y.I.

Additional snow will be cleared out of the Park and Ride this evening.

Heather A. Mailander
Acting Village Manager/Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Reader says Great Job Plowing the Streets but somebody forgot the Ridgewood Park & Ride

First to say, it appears the plowers did a very good job on Wednesday. By the Travell School, they must have come by over two dozen times.

Of course, after cleaning up my sidewalk by mid afternoon, they were still out there pushing slush to the curb, and on to my sidewalk.

With all that, no one plowed the Ridgewood Park & Ride on 17. What a mess this morning.Somebody goofed.

Posted on February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 by James — 6 Comments

Readers Question Effectiveness of Mayor’s Robocall

Readers Question Effectiveness of Mayor’s Robocall

Just got the robocall from Village Hall. Could Aronsohn have sounded any less optimisitc? What a doom and gloom message.

No praise for our great police, fire, EMS, and Emergency Services groups and how they are there to help.

Just a very down message about the high chance of losing power and no salt for the roads. I think the Devil himself would have been able to come up with a more upbeat message. Next time let Jeremy or Brian give us the news Mr. Mayor. We’re all tired of hearing your voice anyway.

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Village Council ,Boards and Committee Meetings

Village Council ,Boards and Committee Meetings

02/11/14 7:30PM Board of Adjustment Regular Public Meeting
02/18/14 7:30PM Planning Board Public Meeting
02/19/14 8:00PM Village Council Public Meeting
02/25/14 7:30PM Board of Adjustment Regular Public Meeting
02/26/14 7:30PM Village Council Public Work Session
03/04/14 7:30PM Planning Board Public Meeting
03/05/14 7:30PM Village Council Public Work Session

BOE MEETING RESCHEDULED TO NEXT MONDAY, FEB. 10

Due to Monday’s inclement weather, the Board of Education will hold their Regular Public Meeting, originally scheduled on Monday, February 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m., on Monday, February 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

Board of Education meetings are held on the third floor of the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ. The public is welcome to attend, or to watch live via the district website’s “Link in Live” tab. Live streaming is also available on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77.

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 10 Comments

Reader Questions BOE judgement on delayed opening ,school closed flip

Reader Questions BOE judgement on delayed opening ,school closed flip

Why would the BOE call for a delayed opening when the Village OEM has made the following statement of the Village facebook page :

A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for our area from midnight tonight through 6 pm Wednesday.

We are expecting 4-8 inches of heavy, wet snow, and up to 1/3 inch of ice. Heavy snow and ice creates a significant risk of downed trees and power lines, and potential power outages. Prepare now for possible loss of power.

Due to a severe state-wide shortage of road salt, we cannot guarantee enough salt to treat secondary roads. Our priorities are the major arteries, and those roads leading to Valley Hospital. Therefore, we anticipate extremely hazardous driving conditions on most village streets.

The Office of Emergency Management urges all residents to stay off the roads tomorrow for your own safety. If possible, do not drive, stay indoors, and stay away from downed trees and power lines.

Posted on February 6, 2014February 6, 2014 by James — 12 Comments

Before we had ‘snowpocalypse,’ it was just called ‘winter’

Before we had ‘snowpocalypse,’ it was just called ‘winter’
Wednesday February 5, 2014, 11:45 PM
By VIRGINIA ROHAN
RECORD COLUMNIST

Disruptive snow! Polar vortex! Thundersnow! Extreme weather event!

Whatever happened to the plain old winter snowstorm? If you grew up, say, in the 1960s, there was a simple drill when it snowed: Your parents listened to the radio to see if your school was closed. If it was, you proceeded accordingly — and with so little event that, as an adult, you probably don’t remember any individual snow day of your youth.

Today, television treats every advancing storm as if it’s the “snowmageddon” (or “snowpocalypse” or “snowzilla”). Meteorologists deliver forecasts — referencing American and European models as if it’s a competition — with the kind of gravity news operations once reserved for, say, the Cuban Missile Crisis.

With multiday forecasts, TV weather people start banging the drums days in advance of an approaching storm. Last winter, The Weather Channel even started naming major winter storms — mainly for hashtag purposes.

All this can seem excessive, especially in cases like the storm that hit us Tuesday going into Wednesday, which turned out to be far less severe than predicted with a range of 4.5 inches in Paramus to 7 inches in Ringwood, according to Bob Ziff, spokesman for North Jersey Weather Observers.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/weather/Rohan_Before_we_had_snowpocalypse_it_was_just_called_winter.html#sthash.9yp7Tigo.dpuf

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Garrett: CBO Report Highlights Need to Tackle Our Spending Problem Now

Garrett: CBO Report Highlights Need to Tackle Our Spending Problem Now
Feb 4, 2014

Washington, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), senior member of the House Budget Committee and Chairman of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises, issued the following statement regarding the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Budget and Economic Outlook for 2014-2024:

“Today’s CBO report again highlights America’s very serious financial problems. Despite President Obama’s big talk about tackling our deficit last week, CBO estimates that our deficit will once again top $1 trillion within eight years. Over the next ten years, interest costs alone will be $5.8 trillion—the third largest expense in the federal budget. And, by 2021, ObamaCare will cause a ‘reduction in full-time-equivalent employment of about 2.3 million.’

“Though we are racing against time, if Washington takes swift action to cut spending, reform our entitlement programs, and overhaul our broken tax code, we can save our children from a future rife with debt and devoid of opportunity. With a healthy dose of courage from elected leaders, we can get America moving on the right track again.”

To read the full report: https://cbo.gov/publication/45010.

Posted on February 6, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 2 Comments

Village Sanitation Update Due to Weather – February 5, 6, 7

Village Sanitation Update Due to Weather – February 5, 6, 7

Due to the impending snow and ice storm predicted to begin late this evening and into Wednesday, Bulk Pick Up for February 5th on the West side is cancelled. In order to ensure the safety of our employees, please place your refuse containers at the end of your driveway before 6:00AM on Thursday, February 6th and Friday, February 7th. Sanitation for West Side and East Side February 6th and 7th will only be collected at the end of your driveway.

For further information, please continue to visit our website www.ridgewoodnj.net and share this information with your neighbors.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we all deal with continued winter weather events.

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014 by James — 15 Comments

Police Recruit Scandal : Reader says Village Council showed a shear lack of ethics

Police Recruit Scandal : Reader says Village Council showed a shear lack of ethics

Its not that simple. It not just like getting a regular job… you have a certain window of time that if they miss will jeopardize them getting the job at all.

Also the most important thing…. the offered them a promise of employment… they left …lost health care…. they went through extensive testing and purchased equipment all at the taxpayers expense. All of which the vc approved… that dosnt bother you?

Even if you could care less about the two kids. Your no appalled by the shear lack of ethics and responsibility the Village Council showed by doing this?

Posted on February 5, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 7 Comments

Ridgewood Schools Food delivery ban: NO MENTION of a non-compete clause in his letter

Ridgewood Schools Food delivery ban: NO MENTION of a non-compete clause in his letter.
mom with a POV

I’m not personally affected by Dr. Fishbein’s decision, but I am disgusted that Dr. Fishbein can send a letter to every parent in the district LYING about why he was putting an end to outside vendor deliveries. There was NO MENTION of a non-compete clause in his letter. He claimed student safety and too much staff time being used as the reasons. He then said that he was happy to listen to solutions proposed by the vendors. Now we hear:

Superintendent Daniel Fishbein said no vendors proposed a solution that addressed his concern about the non-compete clause with Pomptonian Food Service, the district’s contracted food management service provider since 1987.

“Each of the proposals that have come to me, I believe, had to do with leaving lunches behind, and that doesn’t work,” said Fishbein, whose decision was first announced in a letter earlier this month, about a week before the ban began.

Which is it, Dr. Fishbein? Student safety? Administrative time? Potential loss of money? The parents deserved to hear the TRUTH from our superintendent, not patronizing lies.

And speaking of patronizing, the last time I checked #1,#2 & #4, people are allowed to spend their money as they see fit. No one asked you what kind of car you drive or how big your TV is. Parents have the right to make their kid’s lunch, have the kid make their own lunch or have it bought and delivered (until recently). It’s not your money to spend.

Posted on February 5, 2014February 5, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Amid Ethics inquiry, South Jersey Democrat Is Giving Up House Seat for a New Job

Amid Ethics inquiry, South Jersey Democrat Is Giving Up House Seat for a New Job

WASHINGTON — Representative Robert E. Andrews announced on Tuesday that he would resign from Congress after more than two decades, but said it had nothing to do with a bleak outlook for Democratic chances of retaking the House or with an ethics investigation into alleged misuse of his campaign funds.

“I love Congress, but I love my family more,” Mr. Andrews, who represents part of southern New Jersey, said in an interview.

Mr. Andrews said at his Haddon Heights office that he would leave office on Feb. 18 to lead the government relations practice of Dilworth Paxson, a law firm that once employed his wife and is run by partners who attended his wedding.

“It’s an offer that won’t be there at the end of my term,” said Mr. Andrews, who added that he joined the firm, which has offices in Washington, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, to “help my family be financially secure.”

He has two college-age children, but the resignation also coincided with a sinking feeling among Democrats that their chance of recapturing the House is slipping away. His move comes in the wake of the decision to retire by Representative George Miller, Democrat of California and another key ally of the House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi. (Horowitz/New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/05/us/politics/rob-andrews-to-resign-from-congress.html?_r=0

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