Author: James

photo by Boyd Loving

Policy on trees ready to take root in Ridgewood
Wednesday July 3, 2013, 2:24 PM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

After years of debate and discussion, Ridgewood officials expect a new shade tree ordinance will be introduced before the end of this summer.

The draft ordinance still requires further review by village staff members, but Ridgewood Manager Ken Gabbert indicated they should complete their evaluation within several weeks. If all goes accordingly, he said, the ordinance can be ready for council introduction in August.

Village Council members and representatives from the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) combed through the generalities of the proposed policy last week, with most consenting to the drafted provisions that are unique to the municipality as well as the language and conditions borrowed from other towns’ ordinances.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/214171251_Policy_on_trees_ready_to_take_root_in_Ridgewood.html#sthash.Ai1aonJD.dpuf

Tax Facts for Independence Day 2013

Washington, D.C., July 3, 2012—Taxpayers across the country will celebrate the 237th anniversary of American independence on July 4th this year. As students of history will remember, one of the chief complaints of the American colonists against the British government in 1776 was unfair and burdensome taxation (including 18th century tax breaks for big business). With that in mind, the Tax Foundation presents a few facts for Independence Day that highlight the changing American tax system.

Top marginal income tax rate in 1913, the first year the modern income tax was levied: 7%

Inflation adjusted annual income (2012 dollars) to qualify for the top rate in 1913: $11,595,657

Top marginal rate for tax year 2013: 39.6%

Annual income needed to be subject to top rate in 2013: $400,000

Highest-ever marginal tax income rate: 94%

Years during which highest-ever marginal rate was levied: 1944-1945

Level to which it was lowered in 1946: 91%

Number of days from the beginning of the year until Tax Freedom Day in 1900: 22

Number of days from the beginning of the year until Tax Freedom Day in 1956: 97

Number of days from the beginning of the year until Tax Freedom Day in 2013: 108

Inflation adjusted income (2010 dollars) required to be in the top 1% of earners in 1980: $210,402

Income required to be in the top 1% of earners in 2010: $369,691

Percentage of federal income taxes paid by the top 1% in 1980: 19.05%

Percentage of federal income taxes paid by the top 1% in 2010: 37.38%

Percentage of federal income taxes paid by the bottom 50% of all taxpayers in 1980: 7.05%

Percentage of federal income taxes paid by the bottom 50% of all taxpayers in 2009: 2.36%

Sources: IRS and Tax Foundation publications.

Dear Friend,

As we reflect on our nation’s birth, we must always remember that our freedom and liberty are owed to a remarkable group of men and women who had the courage to stand up against the tyranny and injustice of King George III and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain.
 
More than 235 years ago, fifty-six men—representing thirteen states—signed a document that denounced the “repeated injuries and usurpations” of our forefathers’ rights and liberties.  This bold and courageous act was not self-serving, but instead a selfless pursuit to establish a new way of life wherein all men, created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
 
This Fourth of July, in the spirit of our Founders’ commitment to an honorable and transparent government, I invite you to join me in reflecting on their great sacrifices.  We must always remember that the political and economic freedom that they secured for us have made us the greatest, wealthiest, and most influential country on earth.  

I wish you and your family a very happy Independence Day!

Sincerely,

Rep, Scott Garrett

Governor Chris Christie is in the House!

Susan Enderly ,  Judith Joan Sullivan and Judith Joan Sullivan

Stephanie Jo Shellenberger and Freeholder Maura McMahon DeNicola

Freeholder Maura McMahon DeNicola and  Judith Joan Sullivan at the at Park West Tavern after party

Freeholder Maura McMahon DeNicola  and ??? at Park West Tavern after party

photos by Freeholder Maura McMahon DeNicola , Judith Joan Sullivan and Stephanie Jo Shellenberger

Patrol Officer Mark Butler chats with Marie and Paul Aronsohn

Photos Taken Outside of July 3 Fund Raiser for Chris Christie in Ridgewood
July 3,2013
all Photos By Boyd Loving

Police Chief John Ward exits building after performing a security check

Patrol Officer Mark Bulter chats with Detective Peter Youngberg

Michael and Bernadette Walsh

Councilman Thomas Riche arriving with his date

Bill and Sharon Gilsenan

Village Manager Ken Gabbert enters the event

The flag is now up thanks to Ridgewood FD

The 103rd annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration on July 4th, 2013!

The theme this year is “Honoring our Declaration of Independence”.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee is pleased to welcome Governor Chris Christie and his family to our 103rd parade.  As an elected official who represents the citizens of the Village of Ridgewood, our community committee is happy to have the Christie family join us.

The Chairs are out!

Safety and security are always important when there are large crowds gathered.  The Ridgewood Police Department continues to assess and improve safety protocols for our Celebration.  Please remember that patrons and belongings will be subject to security checks by Police Department personnel when entering Veterans Field for the Fireworks. Alcohol is not permitted.  There will be two lines at the gates, one for those with bags and one for those without bags.  Delays are possible.  All gates will close at 9:00 PM.

While the celebration is fun – we all keep safety as our number one priority.  One dangerous aspect of the day is the personal use of fireworks.  Please leave fireworks to the trained professionals, we are very lucky in Ridgewood to have an amazing display each year. We hope you can join us with this priority in order to keep the “safe and sane” celebration continuing for years to come.

Each year the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration begins with a flag raising ceremony.  It is the one part of the celebration that has always taken place even when the parade or fireworks did not.  This year the flag raising ceremony will take place at 9am at the flag pole at Wilsey Square near the westside train station.

Were you born on the 4th of July? Be in the Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade on our Yankee Doodle Dandy Float. This year’s committee float will feature a birthday cake. The first fifteen people to respond will be able to ride on the float. The others can walk along side. If you or someone in your family has a July 4th birthday, please send an email to [email protected]. Please include name, age if the person is a child and contact information. Our committee will contact you in late June to give you the details for the parade.

The Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee is proud to announce its inaugural house decorating contest! The idea is simple, whoever decorates their house with the most patriotic pride in the month of June and has the most likes on our Facebook page will win a gift basket with an American Flag, four Veteran’s Field tickets to the 2013 Ridgewood Fourth of July Fireworks and a flower arrangement from The Little Flower Shoppe.

While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Vet’s Field. Donations for Fireworks Tickets is one of the Celebration’s largest sources of income. Tickets are available for advance purchase at stores for $8. Tickets are on sale at the gates for $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Buy your tickets in advance for big savings! Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

Flag Raising 9:00 am – Wilsey Square
Parade begins 10:00 am (Rain or Shine) – North Monroe and Godwin:
Evening Celebration and Fireworks – Veterans Field:Alternate Date- Thursday, July 5th , Gates open – 6:00 PM , Gates close – 9:00 PM

FBI Still Hasn’t Contacted IRS-Targeted Tea Party Groups About Investigation
July 2, 2013 – 4:48 PM

More than a month and a half after it was announced that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would launch an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) targeting of conservative groups, the groups and their legal representatives are still waiting to hear from the FBI.

Cleta Mitchell, an attorney representing nine tea party groups who were targeted by the IRS, told CNSNews.com that she has not heard from the FBI regarding the case and questions whether an investigation is actually underway.

– See more at: https://cnsnews.com/blog/joe-schoffstall/fbi-still-hasnt-contacted-irs-targeted-tea-party-groups-about-investigation#sthash.foZTgiQz.dp

Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (REUTERS/Jim Bourg)

The Insiders: Democrats are trying to suppress the confusion and hide the cost of ObamaCare
By Ed Rogers, Published: July 1, 2013 at 6:45 pm

I don’t know if Members of Congress will be hearing about it in town hall gatherings and other meetings back home over the Fourth of July recess, but the rolling thunder of the approaching ObamaCare train can be heard in the distance.  Smart Democrats are beginning to get frantic about the need to suppress the confusion and hide the cost of ObamaCare between now and the 2014 midterm elections.  We are just three months away from the October 1st enrollment start date and so far, nothing about the ObamaCare implementation process should be politically encouraging for Democrats.  In fact, the more people learn about ObamaCare, the more frightened they become.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/07/01/the-insiders-democrats-are-trying-to-suppress-the-confusion-and-hide-the-cost-of-obamacare/?hpid=z2

photos by Boyd Loving

Last Minute Building Repairs for Chris Christie Fund Raiser
July 3,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood with some help from our friends

Ridgewood NJ, East Ridgewood Avenue between Oak Street and Broad Street was closed to vehicular traffic for approximately 25 minutes on Tuesday morning in connection with fire department activity at 58 East Ridgewood Avenue, corner of Prospect Street.

The fire department appears to have been assisting with the repair of a roof mounted flagpole located on top of a privately owned building.

According to the Village Manager Ken Gabbert the issue of replacing the flag came up during a fire inspection of the building.

photos by Boyd Loving

The suggestion was made for the use of a truck  (FD or perhaps Signal) to check the cable so the flag could be put back in place.

This came to me  July 1, via the property owner John Saraceno, Jr. and I asked the FD to advise if there was any activity that could assist with this effort.  The owner agreed to any costs associated with the work.  This was considered an if possible, request and subject to the plans of the FD.The FD was told to advise me of any costs associated with the work if it was possible.

The timing of the 4th of July Parade and the extensive work our crews have done on E. Ridgewood with tree trimming, general cleanup, and flags posting clearly was a factor. The flag and all of E. Ridgewood looks great.

The Chief has already sent a time charge and that will be paid by the property owner.   The Chief advises the work was done in conjunction with a drill for the ladder truck- Fire Fighters Ladder Placement and Operations.

photos by Boyd Loving

 

Photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood preparing for Christie’s visit
Wednesday July 3, 2013, 9:54 AM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Gov. Christie’s anticipated appearance Wednesday night at a private fundraiser in Ridgewood is causing a stir, and it’s not all related to this year’s gubernatorial race.

Several village residents and motorists were surprised Tuesday morning when a portion of East Ridgewood Avenue, which cuts through the heart of the Central Business District, was closed to vehicle traffic for nearly 30 minutes. In the middle of the closure was a Ridgewood Fire Department truck, its ladder fully extended to help workers affix an American flag to the pole atop the former Bank of America building.

The building has remained vacant for several years but was recently purchased by Onyx Equities LLC. John Saraceno, a Ridgewood resident and Onyx co-founder, is listed as the host of Wednesday’s fundraiser.

Some residents were concerned that the village fire department and its equipment were being used to work on private property.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/214131751_Ridgewood_preparing_for_Christie_s_visit.html#sthash.FmdorElE.dpuf

Winners Announced for 4th of July house decorating contest!!

Ridgewood NJ, A big thank you to everyone who participated in our first ever house decorating contest!! And the winners areeeeee…….

First Place – 309 Meadowbrook – 223 likes

Second Place – 135 John Street – 184 likes

Third Place – 65 North Van Dien – 123 likes

Congratulations to our winners! Prizes will be dropped off at your homes this evening by members of the committee.

A special thank you to our sponsor of the house decorating contest – The Little Flower Shoppe! Don’t forget to support the tradition and all our local sponsors!