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Ridgewood Mayor’s Corner: On the agenda for 2014

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Ridgewood Mayor’s Corner: On the agenda for 2014
Friday January 3, 2014, 2:56 PM
The Ridgewood News
Pages: 1 2 3 > display on one page | Print | E-mail

Happy New Year, and welcome to the January 2014 edition of the Mayor’s Corner – my monthly Ridgewood News column that aims to make village government more accessible, more transparent, more user-friendly.

Council agenda: The council will meet three times this month – Jan. 8, 15 and 29. On the agenda will be a school-related smoking ban, the municipal budget, the town garage, and a host of other important issues.

All of our meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend and participate. Please visit our website, ridgewoodnj.net, for more information.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/238627411_Ridgewood_Mayor_s_Corner__On_the_agenda_for_2014.html#sthash.IXH7A8L1.dpuf

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Please, Congress, Do Much Less

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Please, Congress, Do Much Less

Unpack the assumption behind the stories about congressional productivity, and you find a bias toward statism: the notion that government action is inherently good, and that more government action is inherently better.

A. Barton Hinkle | January 1, 2014

You can’t swing a dead cat by the tail these days without hitting a news story about the lack of legislation issuing from the 113th Congress. From CNN to McClatchy to NPR to the L.A. Times, the air is thick with pieces lamenting that the 113th makes “the infamous ‘do-nothing Congress’ of the late 1940s look downright prolific.”

Apparently we’re all supposed to feel really bad about that.

Before the holiday break, Congress sent just 70 bills to the president’s desk. That compares — unfavorably, we are given to understand — with the 395 bills passed by the 80th Congress, whose supposed indolence Harry Truman ran against. It even compares unfavorably to the 112th Congress, which led to only 231 new laws.

The censorious pieces never stop to explain precisely why Congress should be judged according to the number of bills it passes. That’s simply assumed. This is one of those telltale signs of media bias that are always cropping up, if you keep your eyes open. (Here’s another: Run a Google News search for the terms “economic inequality” and “economic liberty.” The former shows up more than 50 times as often. Guess why.)

https://reason.com/archives/2014/01/01/please-congress-do-much-less

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Health Law Challenge Opens Up New Front

Official Portrait of Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Health Law Challenge Opens Up New Front
By ADAM LIPTAK
Published: January 1, 2014

WASHINGTON — In temporarily blocking enforcement of the part of President Obama’s health care law that requires many employers to provide health insurance coverage for birth control or face penalties, Justice Sonia Sotomayor on Tuesday opened a second front in Supreme Court challenges to the provision.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a temporary injunction barring the Obama administration from enforcing the birth control requirement against an order of Colorado nuns.

The initial front opened in November, when the justices agreed to hear a pair of cases from for-profit companies challenging that provision. Now Justice Sotomayor has ordered the Obama administration to file a brief by Friday morning responding to a different kind of challenge, this one from groups affiliated with religious organizations.

https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/us/health-law-challenge-opens-up-new-front.html?_r=0

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Fending Off Progressive Fables

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Ridgewood’s elevator to nowhere

Fending Off Progressive Fables
By Joshua Einstein | The Save Jersey Blog

“You wouldn’t be here if not for progressive policy.”
– Unknown NJ mass transit commuter

At some point in November 2013, Save Jerseyans, I was handing out cards advocating against a NJ ballot initiative calling for a minimum wage amendment to the NJ State constitution that would require yearly minimum wage increases pegged to inflation.

It was part of an initiative by The Coalition to Preserve Jobs and Our Constitution to distribute literature about the job killing effects of the proposal at over 10 major commuter train stations across NJ.

As with all panhandling, political and otherwise, most people I attempted to engage responded with the verbatim forward march of purposeful ignorance. As in all things political activism it was a numbers game. Sift through enough empty ignoring stares and get a few people whose pangs of humanity beat their perturbed indifference to anyone slowing their commute by even only a second.

Most of those with whom I spoke had no notion of the initiative; a number were glad for the work the coalition was doing spreading the word of this amendments dangers to NJ’s teetering economy.  Naturally there were the naysayers and negative nellies, however there was one otherwise pleasant woman who said the above incongruous statement as she left for her train.

The statement, as historically ignorant and intellectual barbarous as it is, is illustrative of the liberal mentality that has a large swath of our nation in a mental headlock. There exists a strange breed of historical revisionist which has painted over American history as that of a progressive history solely of political liberal accomplishments. Gone is the intentionally limited government of the founding fathers, banished is the historical fact that abolitionism was a religiously inspired movement, exiled are the uncouth gun tooting Western frontiersmen who were the first to support women’s suffrage, scrubbed from history is the military desegregation and civil rights movement that was implemented and supported by the GOP.

In their stead is a dangerous world-historical view in which everything past was part of the onward march of progressivism. This ahistorical article of faith presents we on the right with a serious issue…

– See more at: https://savejersey.com/2014/01/fending-off-progressive-fables/#sthash.6iBGCtbJ.dpuf

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Frozen Out: 98% of Stories Ignore That Ice-bound Ship Was On Global Warming Mission

Antarctica Icebound Ship

Frozen Out: 98% of Stories Ignore That Ice-bound Ship Was On Global Warming Mission

By Mike Ciandella | January 2, 2014 | 12:43

A group of climate change scientists were rescued by helicopter Jan. 2, after being stranded in the ice since Christmas morning. But the majority of the broadcast networks’ reports about the ice-locked climate researchers never mentioned climate change.

The Russian ship, Akademic Shokalskiy, was stranded in the ice while on a climate change research expedition, yet nearly 98 percent of network news reports about the stranded researchers failed to mention their mission at all. Forty out of 41 stories (97.5 percent) on the network morning and evening news shows since Dec. 25 failed to mention climate change had anything to do with the expedition.

In fact, rather than point out the mission was to find evidence of climate change, the networks often referred to the stranded people as “passengers,” “trackers” and even “tourists,” without a word about climate change or global warming.

Chris Turney, the expedition’s leader, is a professor of climate change at the University of South Wales. According to Turney’s personal website, the purpose of the expedition is to “discover and communicate the environmental changes taking place in the south.”

Twenty-two crew members stayed with the ship for the time being, as the scientists and researchers were rescued. According to CNN, the ship has enough supplies for “a very long time.”

Read more: https://newsbusters.org/blogs/mike-ciandella/2014/01/02/frozen-out-98-stories-ignore-ice-bound-ship-was-global-warming-missi#ixzz2pKTGcY26

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Facebook Sued Over Alleged Scanning of Private Messages

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Facebook Sued Over Alleged Scanning of Private Messages

Facebook Inc. (FB) was sued over allegations it systematically intercepts its users private messages on the social network and profits by sharing the data with advertisers and marketers.

When users compose messages that include links to a third-party website, Facebook scans the content of the message, follows the link and searches for information to profile the message-sender’s Web activity, violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and California privacy and unfair competition laws, according to the suit.

The practice compromises privacy and undermines Facebook’s promise of “unprecedented” security options for its messaging function, two Facebook users said in the complaint filed in federal court in San Jose, California.

Lawsuits against Internet companies and social networks are multiplying as use of the Web balloons and users become more aware of how much personal information they’re revealing, often without their knowledge. Google Inc. (GOOG), Yahoo! Inc. andLinkedIn Corp. (LNKD) also are facing accusations of intercepting communications for their profit at the expense of users or non-users.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-02/facebook-sued-over-alleged-scanning-of-private-messages.html

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John Otterstedt the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Teacher Award.

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John Otterstedt the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Teacher Award.

The Mensa Education & Research Foundation has named Hawes School Teacher John Otterstedt the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Teacher Award.

John, who teaches third grade, was described as “a dedicated and zealous educator who demanded — and got — the very best from his students.” The Mensa Distinguished Teacher Award recognizes a teacher, professor or instructor at any educational level who has had an especially positive influence on the education or life of a Mensa member

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Ridgewood Police Department Reminder

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Ridgewood Police Department Reminder

• Please do not park vehicles in the street so that the plows can get through easily.

• Help us by blowing snow from the sidewalks onto your property instead of into the street.

• Assist the Fire Department by clearing the snow from the fire hydrant in front of your home.

Thank you for your help and be safe

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RHS Junior State of America (JSA) attended the Mid-Atlantic Fall State conference

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RHS Junior State of America (JSA) attended the Mid-Atlantic Fall State conference

Ridgewood NJ, RHS members of the Ridgewood Junior State of America (JSA) attended the Mid-Atlantic Fall State conference in Iselin in December.

Pictured above  is the Ridgewood group, consisting of Bradley Alsop, Carter Hartmann, Matthew Casale, John Ricatto, Ethan Sapienza, and Theo Hong (not pictured, Nikhil Mendiratta), which took first place in a jeopardy competition. Jenna Wilson is the group’s advisor. JSA is a national non-partisan organization focused primarily on promoting civic engagement and leadership, generally through political debates.

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Planning Board Special Public Meeting – January 7, 2014 – RHS Campus Center

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Planning Board Special Public Meeting – January 7, 2014 – RHS Campus Center

PLANNING BOARD AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2014

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014, in the RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CENTER, 627 E. RIDGEWOOD AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 8:00 p.m.

The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area including AH-2, B-3-R, C-R and C Zone Districts. The Board anticipates that the order of presentation to the extent known as of this date will consist of the following:

a) Comments by Ira Weiner, Esq., counsel for Concerned Residents for a Better Ridgewood.

b) Brief initial public comments concerning issue of multi-family housing and Master Plan amendment.

c) Commencement of expert testimony – professional planning (direct and cross examination of planners on behalf of any interested party – opportunity to ask questions after the conclusion of each witness’ testimony)

d) Announcement of next hearing date and other Planning Board business per the agenda.

The proposed master plan amendment and related exhibits are at the office of the Secretary of the Ridgewood Planning Board on the third floor of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey and are available for public inspection Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The amendment and exhibits are also posted as a courtesy on the Village’s website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

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Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan has ordered county offices closed to non-essential personnel

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Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan has ordered county offices closed to non-essential personnel

In anticipation of the severe winter storm expected to arrive in New Jersey beginning Thursday evening, Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Governor Christie also authorized the closing of state offices on Friday, January 3rd for all non-essential employees.

Therefore, Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan has ordered county offices closed to non-essential personnel tomorrow, Friday January 3rd. Those employees who have traditionally provided emergency services to the County are expected to make every effort to appear at their work-site during this weather episode.

Should any employee not know if they are essential, they should speak to their individual management, department or division heads, to gather that information

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STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED, NJ STATE OFFICES CLOSED 1/3/14

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STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED, NJ STATE OFFICES CLOSED 1/3/14

Governor Chris Christie Declares State of Emergency In Preparation For Winter Storm

Governor Authorizes Friday Closure Of State Offices for All Non-Essential Workers
Thursday, January 2, 2014

Trenton, NJ – In anticipation of the severe winter storm expected to arrive in New Jersey beginning Thursday evening, Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Governor Christie also authorized the closing of state offices on Friday, January 3rd for all non-essential employees.

“The impending weather conditions over the next several days will produce a variety of dangerous travel conditions throughout the state,” said Governor Christie. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action in advance of the storm, and my Administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. I encourage all New Jerseyans to stay off the roads if possible so that our first responders and public safety officials can safely respond to any emergency situations.”

Starting Thursday evening, the storm is expected to bring high winds, heavy snow, mixed precipitation, storm surges and sub-zero temperatures throughout the state. A potential mixture of hazardous travel conditions, fallen trees and power outages and coastal, stream and river flooding are anticipated.

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Ridgewood Police Department: Village Services Storm Update

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Ridgewood Police Department: Village Services Storm Update

Ridgewood NJ , With a snow storm in the forecast for the overnight hours of January 2nd and 3rd please note the following:

• All solid waste for the East side must be placed at the end of your driveway and away from the curb line. There will be no rear yard garbage collection for the East side tomorrow.

• All recycling in Area 4 is also to be placed at the end of your driveway and away from the curb.

• Do not place your Christmas trees out until after the storm and after the streets have been cleared, as they will interfere with snow removal.

• Do not park vehicles in the street so that the plows can get through easily.

• Help us by blowing snow from the sidewalks onto your property instead of into the street.

• Assist the Fire Department by clearing the snow from the fire hydrant in front of your home.

Thank you for your help and be safe.

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WINTER STORM UPDATE: NJ TRANSIT EXTENDS FULL, SYSTEMWIDE CROSS-HONORING THROUGH FRIDAY

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WINTER STORM UPDATE: NJ TRANSIT EXTENDS FULL, SYSTEMWIDE CROSS-HONORING THROUGH FRIDAY
Customers advised to check njtransit.com before traveling
January 2, 2014

NEWARK, NJ — NJ TRANSIT operations, customer service and police personnel continue to take steps toward minimizing delays and ensuring service reliability and safety in light of the impending winter storm.  All customers are strongly advised to check njtransit.com before traveling for up-to-the-minute service information before starting their trip

Systemwide Cross-Honoring Extended Through Friday, January 3:  To give customers additional travel options during the expected winter weather conditions, NJ TRANSIT will extend full systemwide cross-honoring through Friday, January 3, enabling customers to use their ticket or pass on an alternate travel mode—rail, light rail or bus—including private bus carriers.

For example, customers who normally take the bus from Rutherford to the Port Authority Bus Terminal may use their bus pass or ticket on the train from Rutherford to New York Penn Station.  Similarly, customers who normally take the bus between

Atlantic City and Lindenwold may use the Atlantic City Rail Line instead at no additional charge.  Customers using their tickets or passes to travel to a destination other than the destination printed on their original ticket will be subject to the appropriate additional fare if applicable.

Waiting Room Hours Extended Through Monday, January 6:  Due to the impending heavy snow and subzero wind chills, all NJ TRANSIT rail station buildings and waiting rooms will remain open, including evenings and overnight, through Monday, January 6.

Service Adjustments Possible:  NJ TRANSIT will continue to closely monitor the crowds at New York Penn Station, Hoboken Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and make adjustments to service as necessary.  Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change.  Updates will continue to be provided through broadcast news and traffic reports, as well as through NJ TRANSIT’s website and social media channels.

Consider Alternative Travel Plans:  NJ TRANSIT reminds customers to afford themselves ample time to get to their final destinations, and to utilize good judgment in their travels.  Service delays are possible.  Visit njtransit.com for further travel information.

The corporation has made preparations to minimize disruptions and delays to the extent possible.  Rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to quickly respond to downed trees, power outages or other issues that may arise.  In addition, NJ TRANSIT will be positioning locomotives at strategic locations across the rail system to rapidly respond in the event of a disabled train.

Customers are advised of the following:

Systemwide:  NJ TRANSIT plans to operate a regular weekday schedule on Friday, January 3.    Depending on the impact of the storm, it may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change.
Bus Service:  While every effort will be made to continue operating bus service throughout the state, customers may experience delays or detours on their routes in the event of extreme winter weather conditions.  Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to bus service.

Access Link Paratransit Service:    On Thursday, January 2, Access Link will discontinue pick-ups after 8 p.m.  On Friday, January 3, Access Link service will be suspended in Region 4 (Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and north Ocean counties), Region 5 (Essex, Union, Somerset and Morris counties) andRegion 6 (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic and parts of Essex counties), and will begin in Region 2 (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties) andRegion 3 (Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and south Ocean counties) starting at 12 noon.

Travel Advice:

For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJTRANSIT prior to starting your trip.  In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager.  (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit)  Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information. Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
If you park, ensure your car is stocked with a snow brush and ice scraper so you can clear your car upon returning to the lot.

NJ TRANSIT is prepared to handle the impending winter weather:

Snow plows and salt spreaders are ready for service and snow-removal contracts are in place with outside vendors.
NJ TRANSIT is well-stocked with 16,000 bags of snow-melting supplies, and hundreds of shovels and snow blowers.
NJ TRANSIT has performed maintenance and testing on its two rail-mounted jet snow blowers in the event they are needed to help clear train tracks of snow and ice, particularly in rail yards.
More than 750 rail switches, switch heaters and overhead wires have already been inspected as part of NJ TRANSIT’s preventative maintenance program.
Onboard heating systems, thermostats, weather stripping and electronic components have been inspected on NJ TRANSIT railcars, light rail cars and locomotives.
Bus maintenance personnel have inspected and performed necessary maintenance on a fleet of nearly 2,200 buses – from the heating and airbrake systems, to the engine fluids, tires, windshield wipers and doors.

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WINTER STORM ANNOUNCEMENT: RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

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WINTER STORM ANNOUNCEMENT: RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 3

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS, THE RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014. PLEASE CHECK THE DISTRICT WEBSITE ON FRIDAY FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING AFTER-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

Please stay safe and dry.

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools