No grant, but work to begin on Ridgewood High School library
Thursday December 12, 2013, 4:46 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Ridgewood High School (RHS) Learning Commons project will move forward this year, starting with a Board of Education (BOE) discussion next week. The project’s progression, however, is not following the path that the district and parents expected.
Project organizers believed a state facilities grant, which the district applied for last spring, would supply the last additional needed funds for the community-driven project, but that’s not happening.
Though grants have been awarded across the state, including $434,220 to Ridgewood to finance other work at the high school, the Learning Commons did not fall within the parameters of the grant requirements.
Still, the district is moving forward, and those leading the project remain hopeful that construction will begin soon so work can be finished by the start of the 2014-2015 school year.
Bergen County may join search for parking solution in Ridgewood
Thursday December 12, 2013, 4:49 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Village of Ridgewood is hoping to partner with Bergen County in solving some of the municipality’s parking woes, according to Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
The mayor revealed at Wednesday’s council meeting that he and other village officials have had preliminary discussions with members of the Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA) specifically to discuss parking and ways to remedy some of Ridgewood’s problems, namely the lack of adequate parking spaces.
“They are very interested in partnering with us. The bulk of our discussions have been [regarding] the Hudson Street lot,” Aronsohn said.
The Bergen County Economic Development Office, Ridgewood municipal attorney Matt Rogers added, also expressed interest in assisting the village.
Unions Paid MSNBC’s Schultz $177,000 in 2012, $75,000 in 2013
MSNBC host often touts “blue collar workers” and unionized “teachers” on his show.
A Department of Labor search shows that not only is liberal MSNBC host Ed Schultz paid for his TV show and radio show, but he is getting a hefty amount of money from labor unions. Schultz received at least $177,000 from labor unions in 2012; the average median income for an American family is around $44,000 a year.
Issa to Sebelius on Healthcare.gov Probe: Failing to Turn Over Info is Criminal Obstruction of Justice
Katie Pavlich | Dec 12, 2013
In a letter sent late Wednesday, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Darrell Issa reminded Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that obstructing a congressional investigation is a crime.
Issa’s Committee has been looking into the details of how Obamacare was implemented, along with the major problems with Healthcare.gov and has requested a number of documents from HHS, none of which he’s received. The documents requested pertain to companies hired by HHS to build and operate Healthcare.gov.
“The Department [HHS] subsequently instructed those companies not to comply with the Committee’s request. The Department’s hostility toward questions from Congress and the media about the implementation of Obamcare is well known. The Department’s most recent effort to stonewall, however, has morphed from mere obstinacy into criminal obstruction of a congressional investigation,” Issa wrote.
Displaying the award commemorating Valley’s third consecutive Magnet designation are Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System (fourth from right), and Ann Marie Leichman, Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer (fifth from left). Also shown are (standing, left to right): Albert Pucciarelli, Deputy Mayor of Village of Ridgewood; Warren Cooke, Esq., Trustee, The Valley Hospital; Joseph Marion, Chairman, The Valley Hospital Board of Trustees; Linda Lewis, Director, Magnet Recognition Program, ANCC; New Jersey Senator Kevin O’Toole; Paul Aronsohn, Mayor, Village of Ridgewood; and Karen Drenkard, Executive Director of the ANCC.
New Jersey Senator Kevin O’Toole and Other Elected Officials Visit The Valley Hospital to Celebrate the Hospital’s Third Consecutive Magnet Designation for Nursing Care
December 3, 2013 — Local and state officials joined employees, trustees and doctors from The Valley Hospital at a special celebration on Monday, November 25, at the hospital, to celebrate Valley’s third consecutive Magnet designation.
The Magnet program recognizes health care organizations that demonstrate excellence in nursing care. Magnet designations are conferred by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Speaking at the celebration, New Jersey Senator Kevin O’Toole commented on his own personal experience with Valley when his father was treated at the hospital. “When you enter Valley, you know you’re in a different kind of hospital,” he said. “You feel welcome immediately, and the quality of care is palpable.” Senator O’Toole continued, “On behalf of the Governor and the State Legislature, I congratulate you on your third consecutive Magnet designation and I thank you for what you do every day.”
Magnet designation is considered the highest honor an organization can receive for professional nursing practice.
“Receiving Magnet designation for a third time is a remarkable accomplishment that recognizes the inspiring work our nurses do every day,” said Ann Marie Leichman, Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer. “It is a reflection of the commitment our entire staff has made in providing the very best care to those who entrust their well-being to us. Magnet designation not only symbolizes excellence in nursing practice but it acknowledges the importance of a strong interdisciplinary team in creating a safe, patient-centered, healing environment.”
Hospitals that apply for Magnet designation must meet rigorous standards to prove that they have demonstrated various elements deemed essential to delivering superior patient care. These include the quality of nursing leadership and coordination and collaboration across specialties, as well as processes for measuring and improving the quality and delivery of care.
Bergen Republican Chairman Yudin: rift with County Exec Donovan “reparable,” hints at agreement
By Mark Bonamo | December 11th, 2013 – 1:23pm
HACKENSACK – After years of witnessing a demolition derby within the Bergen Republican Party, there appears to be a whiff of detente.
“Is the relationship reparable? Yes it is,” party Chairman Bob Yudin told PolitickerNJ.com on Wednesday regarding his relationship with County Executive Kathleen Donovan, who is up for re-election in 2014. “I’m just not prepared to say anything more, but within the next couple of days, something will be coming out that will be of interest.”
Donovan and Yudin have been longtime rivals for control of the Bergen Republicans, a battle amplified by the fact that Bergen, New Jersey’s most populous county, is seen as the bellwether county in statewide elections. The tension between the two was palpable four months ago, when Donovan, the county’s top Republican elected officeholder, was not listed on the host committee set to greet Gov. Chris Christie at a Bergen County Republican Organization fundraiser in August.
More recent battles have served to highlight the ongoing Bergen GOP civil war.
$1.2 Billion in PSE&G Transmission Improvements Approved by PJM
(December 11, 2013 – Newark, NJ) — PJM today approved a $1.2 billion 345-kV double-circuit transmission investment designed to resolve short-circuit concerns in northern New Jersey. The project, to be developed by PSE&G, a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG), will enhance the reliability of the transmission infrastructure and allow for handling of increased load over the next several decades. The upgrades will span from the Linden to Bergen power plants and include upgrading ties to Newark Airport, the Hudson Power Station and New York City connections. Planning work is underway and construction is expected to be completed within 48 months.
“This new project continues to place PSE&G at the forefront of efforts to enhance and upgrade our nation’s transmission infrastructure,” said Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and chief executive officer, PSEG. “The project will extend PSEG’s investment in transmission and underscores our disciplined approach to capital investment.”
The project was selected to overcome specific potential reliability issues in the transmission grid but the project will also negate the need for several projects that had been planned to solve other identified problems. The net increase in PSE&G’s planned capital expense will be determined based on the net projects completed. As a result, PSE&G’s capital spending will increase less than the $1.2 billion associated with the 345-kV project.
“PSE&G has a strong record of completing transmission projects effectively and efficiently and we look forward to adding this important reliability project to our plate. We have a strong, proven workforce and with this project will be adding more jobs for New Jersey’s economy,” said Kim Hanemann, vice president – delivery projects and construction, PSE&G.
PSEG (NYSE: PEG) is a diversified energy company based in Newark, NJ. PSEG subsidiaries include PSE&G, NJ’s largest and oldest combined gas and electric delivery company and PSEG Power, a merchant power generation company. For more information, visit www.pseg.com.
Democrats threaten budget deal
By Vicki Needham, Mike Lillis and Bernie Becker – 12/11/13 05:15 PM EST
The budget deal worked out by House and Senate negotiators is on the verge of unraveling over the exclusion of federal unemployment benefits, several leading Democrats warned Wednesday.
The lawmakers are outraged by a GOP move to add the Medicare “doc fix” to the package but not a continuation of unemployment benefits — a strategy they say could sink the entire package by scaring away Democratic votes.
Reps. Chris Van Hollen (Md.) and Sandy Levin (Mich.) said the move creates a “new dynamic” undermining Democratic support for the plan announced Tuesday by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.).
“I think it puts at risk the whole bill, and it surely puts at risk my vote,” said Levin, the top Democrat at the House Ways and Means Committee.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Ridgewood crash creates lunchtime gridlock in shopping district
December 12,2013
Boyd A. Loving
1:43 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A noontime crash at the intersection of South Walnut Street and East Ridgewood Avenue created temporary gridlock conditions for holiday shoppers throughout Ridgewood’s Central Business District early Thursday afternoon. No injuries were reported, but Ridgewood firefighters were summoned to control a minor fluid spill in the intersection.
While there, firefighters also assisted in safely moving one of the crash vehicles (a commercial van) out of the intersection in order that a flatbed tow truck could attend to the other (a Mazda). Ridgewood PD personnel on the scene reported that one summons was issued in connection with the incident. A second tow truck was required to remove the commercial van from the scene.
Is New Jerseyans’ pessimism good news for Chris Christie?
Property taxes continue to rise. It’s once again become more expensive to drive across the Hudson River. And New Jersey’s future budget obligations are still ominous and likely to be unmet.
Have Garden State residents given up on change?
A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll gives us hints of the low expectations we have for our future. And those low expectations may become yet another advantage for Gov. Chris Christie.
Whether their top issue was property taxes, jobs or the economy, 70 percent of those surveyed said they expected little to no progress from Christie on making things better. Those numbers were remarkably consistent over a variety of breakdowns — political party identification, gender and those living in the area hardest hit by superstorm Sandy.
Out of all those surveyed, Republicans — those most enamored with the recently re-elected governor — are the most optimistic, with 36 percent believing Christie will make a lot of progress on the state’s most pressing issues.
The poll provides a telling glimpse into the governor’s cult of personality. While he enjoys high approval ratings (65 percent in this latest survey), fewer than a quarter of those polled say they have a good idea of what Christie will do in a second term.
It also gives a good look at the pessimism of New Jerseyans, few of whom actually believe that anything to make their lives a little easier is coming down the pike. And is it any wonder?
As of Dec. 1, those with E-ZPass now pay $9 for a Hudson River crossing during off-peak hours. They will pay $11 for crossing during peak hours. Do you want to pay cash? That price didn’t change. It’s still $13. The price hike comes less than two years after a toll increase of more than 50 percent on the New Jersey Turnpike and a 50 percent increase on the Garden State Parkway. (Schoonejongen/Asbury Park Press)
With business leaders across the Garden State expressing optimism about expansion and higher profits next year, Jersey lawmakers are discussing how best to keep the positive momentum moving forward.
During a New Jersey Business and Industry Association Public Policy forum in Woodbridge, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said it’s important to remember that if we don’t get government out of the way and put business in a position where they can do business, we’re not going to have better jobs.
“We’re not going to have more jobs. I believe that if we let the private sector do their thing, jobs will be created,” Bramnick said.
Democratic State Senate Budget Committee boss Paul Sarlo disagreed.
“I’m proud of the bipartisan incentive bills passed by the legislature that focus on job creation and giving companies incentives to come to the Garden State,” he said. “But now we have to focus in on creating more jobs, continue to create more jobs, and not over-rely on property taxes
Assembly Speaker-elect Vinnie Prieto said optimism is great but you also have to build a strong foundation to be able to build that building.
“I come from the building trades,” he said. (Matthau/NJ101.5)
Many New Jerseyans stuck in health care limbo as Dec. 23 deadline nears
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 Last updated: Thursday December 12, 2013, 12:37 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS AND LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
With just 12 days to go before the first deadline to enroll in health plans under the Affordable Care Act, New Jersey residents are still having trouble getting on the federal website to purchase medical coverage.
Technical glitches with the website continue to stymie efforts by both individuals and the application counselors who are trying to help them. They have until Dec. 23 to enroll if they want coverage to begin on Jan. 1.
Counselors at the North Hudson Community Action Group, which has nine community health centers scattered across North Jersey, had been successfully enrolling about 50 clients a day using paper applications. But since federal officials told them recently to use the healthcare.gov website instead, they’ve been able to sign up only about a dozen each day, said Manny Diaz, the outreach supervisor for the group.
Developer’s senior housing plan puts Glen Rock committee on hold
Wednesday December 11, 2013, 11:35 AM
BY RICHARD DE SANTA AND DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITERS
Glen Rock Gazette
The ad hoc committee planning a second senior citizens complex in Glen Rock has been asked to suspend activity, pending the outcome of a private senior housing venture being proposed on Prospect Street, south of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Temple.
Mayor John van Keuren reported that request at the Monday, Dec. 9 council work session.
Last week, representatives of RIC Development appeared before the Ridgewood Village Council, presenting its plans to build 66 housing units, intended for residents 62 years of age and older, in three buildings on Prospect Street. The dwellings were described as large one- and two-bedroom apartments. The location is currently occupied by two private residences; RIC is the contractor purchaser of the location.
Although in Glen Rock, the project site is situated just west of the Ridgewood-owned sewage treatment facility and near the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, which is why the RIC representatives, including attorney David Rutherford, are vetting the plans with both Ridgewood officials and the state Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). Specifically, the developer hopes to use the right of way leading to the water treatment facility as an egress and ingress road to the proposed apartment complex
Department of Education denies Grant for Ridgewood Commons
RHS LEARNING COMMONS UPDATE
The district has received word from the Department of Education that the grant application for the RHS Learning Commons project was not approved. The School Development Authority did not rank the project as a health and safety need. Two other projects at RHS were approved, however.
Click here to read a letter to the RPS community from Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein.
Ridgewood Police Remind Everyone to drive Carefully today
RESIDUAL MOISTURE LEFT ON ROADS AND WALKWAYS FROM YESTERDAYS LIGHT SNOWFALL EVENT HAS FROZEN OVER WITH TEMPERATURES NOW BELOW FREEZING ACROSS THE AREA. A THIN SHEET OF ICE IS LIKELY ON ANY UNTREATED SURFACES RESULTING IN SLICK CONDITIONS. BE ALERT AND — USE EXTRA CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.
