NJ utilities board plans hearing on concerns about taller electrical poles in Ridgewood
Wednesday August 28, 2013, 11:34 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — The state Board of Public Utilities has granted a request from the village, and will hear testimony next month about Public Service Electric & Gas Co.’s installation of taller electrical poles in town.
TARIQ ZEHAWI / STAFF WRITER
Buy or license this photo
Utility poles that appear to be at least twice the height of the original poles are being installed.
“Clearly, this is good news for the residents of Ridgewood, whose voices deserve to be heard,” Mayor Paul Aronsohn said Tuesday night by email.
Village Attorney Matt Rogers received a call this week from the Deputy Attorney General for the BPU, confirming the hearing.
“The Board has decided to provide the Village of Ridgewood with a public hearing regarding our petition,” Aronsohn said.
The BPU regulates utilities, including electricity, water, natural gas and cable television.
Lonegan Calls Booker to Task over Crime
August 28,2013
“Mayor Booker has failed to control the crime epidemic that has plagued his city. Violent crime continues to surge in Newark, as illustrated by three more fatal shootings between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the mayor attempts to shift the focus away from his failed record with his news conference today.”
METUCHEN, NJ – Mayor Steve Lonegan, Republican candidate for the United States Senate, today blasted his Democrat opponent, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, for attempting to shift the focus away from his failed record on crime.
“Mayor Booker has failed to control the crime epidemic that has plagued his city,” Lonegan said. “Violent crime continues to surge in Newark, as illustrated by three more fatal shootings between Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. Meanwhile, the mayor attempts to shift the focus away from his failed record with his news conference today.”
“Since becoming mayor, violent crime is up, and that trend will continue with the Mayor’s decision to make Newark the only city in New Jersey where illegal alien criminals will be given sanctuary status and kept from deportation,” Lonegan said. “Mayor Booker’s policy of classifying vandalism, shoplifting and other personal property crimes as ‘minor’ shows exactly why he has been unable to reduce crime.”
Lonegan served as Bogota Mayor for twelve years, winning three times in a town that gave Barack Obama 67.5 percent of the vote in 2012. He served for seven years as state director of Americans for Prosperity New Jersey, where he helped defeat liberal attempts to expand big government. Steve Lonegan is the conservative Republican candidate in the New Jersey special election for the United States Senate. Lonegan stands firmly on the bedrock conservative values of small government, fiscal responsibility and individual liberty.
Harvard Study: No Correlation Between Gun Control and Less Violent Crime
by AWR Hawkins 28 Aug 2013
A Harvard Study titled “Would Banning Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide?” looks at figures for “intentional deaths” throughout continental Europe and juxtaposes them with the U.S. to show that more gun control does not necessarily lead to lower death rates or violent crime.
Because the findings so clearly demonstrate that more gun laws may in fact increase death rates, the study says that “the mantra that more guns mean more deaths and that fewer guns, therefore, mean fewer deaths” is wrong.
For example, when the study shows numbers for Eastern European gun ownership and corresponding murder rates, it is readily apparent that less guns to do not mean less death. In Russia, where the rate of gun ownership is 4,000 per 100,000 inhabitants, the murder rate was 20.52 per 100,000 in 2002. That same year in Finland, where the rater of gun ownership is exceedingly higher–39,000 per 100,000–the murder rate was almost nill, at 1.98 per 100,000.
Looking at Western Europe, the study shows that Norway “has far and away Western Europe’s highest household gun ownership rate (32%), but also its lowest murder rate.”
And when the study focuses on intentional deaths by looking at the U.S. vs Continental Europe, the findings are no less revealing. The U.S., which is so often labeled as the most violent nation in the world by gun control proponents, comes in 7th–behind Russia, Estonia, Lativa, Lithuania, Belarus, and the Ukraine–in murders. America also only ranks 22nd in suicides.
The murder rate in Russia, where handguns are banned, is 30.6; the rate in the U.S. is 7.8.
CARSON: MLK would be alarmed by black-on-black violence, lack of family values Ben S. Carson is professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University.
It is hard to believe that 50 years have elapsed since the famous “I have a dream speech” of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Mall in Washington. I was an 11-year-old child in Detroit languishing in the midst of poverty, but very interested in the strides that were being made in the civil rights movement.
I was the only black kid in my seventh-grade class and over the previous two years had risen from the bottom of the class to the top. My mother had forced us to read, which had a profound positive effect on both my brother Curtis and myself. I was quite optimistic that things were getting better for black people in America.
If King could be resurrected and see what was going on in America today, I suspect he would be extraordinarily pleased by many of the things he observed and disappointed by others. He, like almost everyone else, would be thrilled to know that there was a two-term black president of the United States of America and a black attorney general, as well as many other high government officials, business executives and university presidents.
Perhaps just as thrilling would be the sight of black doctors, lawyers, airline pilots, construction foremen, news anchors, school superintendents and almost any other position imaginable in America. The fact that seeing blacks in such positions no longer raises eyebrows is a testimony to the tremendous progress that has been made in America over the last 50 years.
Obama fails to lead by blaming today’s black problems on the legacy of discrimination
Published by: Herman Cain
We can solve these problems, but not if we focus on blaming the past.
One principle of leadership is that the tone is set from the top. When the leader asserts that a problem can be solved, the troops will take on the mindset of solving the problem. When the leader’s priority is to assign blame for the problem but not to focus on solutions, blame becomes the rule of the day.
So the tone set by the president of the United States is crucial in determining whether we will solve long-term problems or just sit around pointing fingers at each other. A lot of black people thought that the election of the first black president would usher in a time in which we would finally embrace real solutions to the problems facing the black community. Barack Obama has been a huge disappointment there.
Rarely has this been so evident than in his recent comments at a town hall meeting in New York.
With black unemployment returning to double the rate of whites, the president told a town hall in New York that minority populations are struggling economically because of past discrimination, and because of anxiety over his vision of wealth redistribution.
A lot of people don’t like to hear this, but we have to be honest with ourselves: The lack of wealth in the black community has nothing do with the legacy of discrimination at this point. Are you going to blame the increase in babies born out of wedlock on the legacy of discrimination? Are you going to blame the high dropout rates on that?
The problem with focusing on such lame is that it does not help people feel the resolve that we can solve those problems. A leader who encourages you to take ownership of the situation is really telling you that it’s within your power to solve the problem, and that you have a responsibility to do it. A leader who tells you it’s all someone else’s fault might make you feel better, but he doesn’t put you in a position to take action and make things better.
As I said in my column yesterday about the 1963 March on Washington, I took inspiration from that event to embrace aresponsibility to do the right things and succeed. How could I do any less after Dr. King and those who struggled along with him gave their all to win us the rights that should have been ours all along? There are voices in the black community, particularly Bill Cosby, who are telling the black community to knock off the crime, knock off the drugs, knock off dropping out of school, knock off having babies out of wedlock – that it’s time to honor our legacy and heritage by making the most of what Dr. King gave us. Many do, of course, but far too many have become mired in the mentality of poverty.
He doesn’t deny the legacy of slavery and discrimination. How could anyone? He simply says that today we have the opportunity to take our lives in our own hands and do what’s right – and we must.
I welcome Mr. Cosby’s message and I echo it. But it would really be powerful if that message came from the first black president of the United States, instead of the same old story of why it’s always someone else’s fault. That’s the tone a real leader would set.
Funds secured for fixes at two Ridgewood fields
Wednesday August 28, 2013, 10:30 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Grants and gifts will pay for needed field improvements at both Maple Park Field and the Irene Habernickel Family Park.
The Ridgewood Council recently accepted a $20,000 grant from the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund to offset a portion of the cost to rehabilitate the turf at Maple Field. The total price tag hovers over $40,000.
“We were approved at 50 percent of the total cost for the matching grant,” said Village Manager Ken Gabbert.
The artificial surface has “taken a beating” in recent years and the turf has hardened significantly, creating poor playing conditions. Money already appropriated by the village, in addition to the county grant money, will pay to “redo” the turf field, Gabbert said.
Work Session & Public Meeting: Monday, September 23, 2013
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 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013, in the VILLAGE HALL COURT ROOM, 4th Floor, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 7:30 p.m
The Board may take official action during this Work and Public Meeting at which time the Board will have discussion regarding multi-family housing and mixed-use developments in and near the CBD.
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.
Ridgewood Parks and Recreation is now accepting registration for fall programs set to begin in September. There is something for everyone!
The following link will bring you to the Recreation Homepage where you will find all program details and registration forms which may be downloaded. You will also be able to link to Community Pass for online registration if it applies.
Recreation Homepage
Please call the Stable Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 with any questions or if special accommodations are needed. New program suggestions are always welcome.
Please be sure to bookmark the Recreation homepage on your computer for easy access to updated program and special event information.
Planning Board Amended Meeting Schedule – September 3 Cancellation
PLANNING BOARD
AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
CANCELLED: Work Session & Public Meeting: Tuesday, September 3, 2013
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2013, in the VILLAGE HALL COURT ROOM, 4th Floor, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 7:30 p.m. has been cancelled.
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.
Some school districts quit healthier lunch program
(AP) Some school districts quit healthier lunch program
By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press
After just one year, some schools around the country are dropping out of the healthier new federal lunch program, complaining that so many students turned up their noses at meals packed with whole grains, fruits and vegetables that the cafeterias were losing money.
Federal officials say they don’t have exact numbers but have seen isolated reports of schools cutting ties with the $11 billion National School Lunch Program, which reimburses schools for meals served and gives them access to lower-priced food.
Districts that rejected the program say the reimbursement was not enough to offset losses from students who began avoiding the lunch line and bringing food from home or, in some cases, going hungry.
“Some of the stuff we had to offer, they wouldn’t eat,” said Catlin, Ill., Superintendent Gary Lewis, whose district saw a 10 to 12 percent drop in lunch sales, translating to $30,000 lost under the program last year.
Ridgewood underpass to get a paint job
Tuesday August 27, 2013, 10:09 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
The Village Council awarded a $48,000 contract to a New Egypt-based company, which will be tasked with painting the pedestrian tunnel at the Ridgewood train station. The job to improve conditions at the underground walkway is the required first step before the commencement of another project, the installation of advertising frames.
Painting will likely create pedestrian detours or other alternative routes. Village Manager Ken Gabbert said that he hopes the company, Streetscape Services, can perform the work during off-peak commuter hours.
According to Janet Fricke, assistant to the village manager, the company was recently notified of its winning bid and contracts were not yet finalized. Ridgewood officials will meet with them to plan a schedule, she said.
“We will alert NJ Transit, commuters and residents to any impact or closures/detours that will be necessary to get this work completed,” Fricke said
Group says Schedler home in Ridgewood is worth saving
Tuesday August 27, 2013, 10:06 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
A group of curious minds braved damp conditions earlier this month and ventured inside the vacant, former home of the Schedler family, touring the interior of the building that has been the center of an ongoing debate.
DARIUS AMOS/THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Buy or license this photo
A leaky roof causes paint and plaster to fall from a second floor ceiling inside the former Schedler house.
While inside, many found that the structure is in dire need of cosmetic repair – paint had chipped off from ceilings and water stains colored white walls near a leaky ceiling – but there was an overwhelming conclusion: For being nearly 200 years old, the house has weathered its share of storms and withstood the test of time.
The house, built around 1823 by James Zabriskie, and its detached garage face West Saddle River Road and were both acquired by the village when the Ridgewood Council approved the purchase of the 7-acre Schedler property in 2009. The entire plot of land, which is currently covered almost entirely by trees and brush, has since been targeted for proposed development into playing fields and passive park space.
Reader says Thank God for CCR since the elected officials are doing nothing to protect the residents.
Thank God for CCR since the elected officials are doing nothing to protect the residents.
Let’s hope that residents understand how critical a time this is. If the Planning Board allows Valley to have its way, a rubber stamp awaits with Councilwoman (and former Valley VP) Hauck for the next step. She has no intention of recusing herself and it looks as though Councilman (and former Valley attorney) Pucciarelli may “unrecuse” himself to see that the dump trucks roll as quickly as possible.
Let’s hope that the CRR caught a break when the late August meeting was postponed until September 30 when more people are in town. Plan to show up at that meeting and be heard.
Anyone in town who has not made a donation to the legal fund of Concerned Residents of Ridgewood, the ONLY group in town advocating for ALL residents’ rights, or in fact anyone who has done so but not recently, please send one immediately, whether $50, $500, or $5,000.
This means you and your neighbors! Please do not assume that other people will handle it all. And guess what? Many or most residents who can write a check for thousands of dollars without thinking twice are more interested in their social life through Valley than in recognizing the significance of this decision to the future of the Village. (To rich people who do “get it,” apologies.)
The families living near the hospital must not be allowed to shoulder the financial burden alone. Spending 10 million hours on research etc. over 7 years is more than enough of a “donation.”
While you’re on the stopvalley.com site, after sending some money, keep reading. You’ll learn a lot. It is not too late to make a difference yet, but it will be soon!
Mark was shown where he made a mistake in stating in a footnote that delegates from Vermont belatedly attended the constitutional convention in Philadelphia in 1787. In reality, Vermont was not even a state until 1791. Before that it was a disputed territory between New Hampshire and New York. So Vermonters were not asked to nor were they qualified to attend the Philadelphia convention. He gave his challenger no credit for reading his book carefully and bringing this non-trivial mistake to his attention. He then refused to sign the book on the page where the footnote appeared and showed distinct signs of impatience and annoyance when he opened the front of the book and began to sign it.
At this point, Mark was challenged about Cruz’s eligiblity. But the challenge did not happen as Mark said it did. The challenger asked this: “Under what possible definition of the term natural-born Citizen does your friend Ted Cruz qualify to be president?” At this same time the challenger placed an annotated copy of an earlier TheRidgewoodBlog posting repeating CNN’s recent article questioning Cruz’s eligibility, and was pointing at the document. After cursing at the challenger , Mark replied: “I never said he was a natural-born Citizen.”, upon which his challenger said: “But you must be a natural-born Citizen to be President!”. Mark then said: “No you don’t!”, and the challenger said “Yes, you do. Read the Constitution.” Levin was showing no signs of changing his tune. The challenger then turned around and left the booksigning. There was no time during any of this dialogue for Mark to ruminate on the challenger’s motivations or talk about Canada or Cruz’s mother or anything like what he said on his Radio program
Readers debate what is adequate Policing for the Village
25 police officers and 15 upper level members. Maybe there really are too many chiefs. If you read the roster there is a friends and family special going on.
The supervisor # is not high the ptl # is low .Ridgewood has the lowest number of cops to residents ratio in all of Bergen county.To the best of my knowledge supervisors supervising relatives has not been allowed since chief Lipuma , and captain Landers, allowed Bill Amoruso to supervise his brother Sean. But that’s 5 years ago. Nepotism, is virtually impossible in the hiring process due to civil service rules and reg’s. The State police/FBI, UCR, report recommends Rwd pd carry 56 cops, the town paid a lot for a study several years ago that said no less than 44, cops believe me the dept. is thin ( manpower wise).
….
At least Chief Ward gets off his ass and participates, Ward is workin with a skeleton crew. down from 52 to 39 or 38. Can’t use a summer hire due to insurance regs, and possibility of injury. supervisors down from 14 to 10, calls for service up from 8500 to 24000 app over the past 10 years, so at least he’ll go out and do something. It doesn’t affect his job he’s always available on cell phone, maybe the new Village Manager will let him run his dept.
…
Sgt and Lt should get out there and maybe even the Captain. But just remember the upper management have other duties such as planing so overtime doesn’t go out of whack and training schedule, firearms reports and it goes on.
At least Chief Ward gets off his ass and participates, Ward is workin with a skeleton crew. down from 52 to 39 or 38. Can’t use a summer hire due to insurance regs, and possibility of injury. supervisors down from 14 to 10, calls for service up from 8500 to 24000 app over the past 10 years, so at least he’ll go out and do something. It doesn’t affect his job he’s always available on cell phone, maybe the new Village Manager will let him run his dept.
…
Sgt and Lt should get out there and maybe even the Captain. But just remember the upper management have other duties such as planing so overtime doesn’t go out of whack and training schedule, firearms reports and it goes on.