Author: James

Ridgewood councilwoman Gwenn Hauck won’t recuse herself from Valley Hospital hearings
Thursday June 13, 2013, 4:16 PM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

At least one village resident believes the appearance of impropriety is enough for Ridgewood Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck to recuse herself from a master plan vote that could potentially pave the way to a large-scale expansion of The Valley Hospital.

The hospital has applied for an amendment to the Ridgewood master plan that, if approved, would fundamentally allow the facility to expand beyond 1 million square feet, including parking structures, on its 15-acre lot. The public hearing for Valley’s request is currently under way at the Planning Board.

Hauck, who was elected to the council last May, served as vice president of the Valley Hospital Auxiliary from 2008 to 2012. She is also a two-time chairperson of The Valley Ball, according to her campaign literature distributed last year.

The auxiliary is one of the hospital’s main fundraising arms, generating more than $15 million in donations over the past six decades. Donations are used to support hospital programs and services.

According to the hospital’s website, the organization has recently pledged to raise $1.5 million to help fund the expansion of the breast surgery program at the Luckow Pavilion, among other initiatives.

Despite her prior ties to the healthcare facility, all of which were performed on a volunteer basis, Hauck indicated at last week’s council meeting that she intends to sit through the expansion plan’s public hearing and vote on the matter, if it indeed reaches the council level

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/211447861_Ridgewood_councilwoman_won_t_recuse_herself_from_Valley_Hospital_hearings.html#sthash.JmEJbKcn.dpuf

photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood High School teacher in the running for a Grammy
Friday, June 14, 2013
BY  BETSY MURPHY
CORRESPONDENT
The Ridgewood News

The first thing Jeff Haas brings up when asked about his Grammy Music Educator Award nomination is the name of a former student.

“Gary Bernice,” he says, “has been nominated for a Grammy this year. He’s a 2001 Ridgewood High School (RHS) grad and he teaches band in Springfield, Mass. We talked last week and thought we should form a coalition.”

Haas, director of Bands at RHS, came to the high school 25 years ago after one year in Long Island. He began with the Marching Band and the Concert Band, with a half day spent at Travell School.

“The program started to grow immediately,” he says. “There were maybe 60 musicians then. Within a year, the number doubled. We added more bands and now we have about 200 musicians.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/211511461_Ridgewood_High_School_teacher_in_the_running_for_a_Grammy.html#sthash.4fTHzFVM.dpuf

RHS LEARNING COMMONS UPDATE

The current library is the most utilized room in the school, visited by more than 1,700 students each day. It is more than 48 years old and is no longer compatible with the way today’s students interact and learn. With your support, the vision of a new Learning Commons — with attractive and efficient research and study space — can become a reality for the students at Ridgewood High School. ( https://rhslearningcommons.com/ )

Through the generosity of parents and supporters, we exceeded our original fundraising goal of $850,000 – an achievement for which we excitedly and humbly thank the community. Your support has been tremendous! ( https://rhslearningcommons.com/2013/01/24/learning-commons-budget-update/ )

The project may be eligible for new state grant funding! Click below for more information from Superintendent Dan Fishbein.

links :https://tinyurl.com/l39vak2

Did the IRS Fire Holly Paz?
By  Eliana Johnson
June 13, 2013 6:14 PM

An IRS source says that the Internal Revenue Service has fired Holly Paz, the director of the agency’s Rulings and Agreements office. The source says Paz was fired last Friday, and a second IRS source tells National Review Online that Paz “dropped off the edge of the world” that day, and that her agency-issued computer, phone, and Blackberry show no activity since then. The IRS would not confirm or deny reports of Paz’s firing, citing her right to privacy as protected by federal law.

As of Thursday, the voice mail on Paz’s work phone remains active and callers are asked to leave a message for Paz, though nobody answered repeated calls placed to that number. Calls to the mobile phone number listed under Paz’s name in the IRS’s internal directory are sent straight to voice mail, and indicate her mailbox has not yet been set up.

As the director of Rulings and Agreements, Paz served as the first line of management in Washington, D.C., that oversaw both the tax-law specialists who provided guidance to agents in Cincinnati reviewing tea-party applications and the Determinations Unit in Cincinnati charged with processing those applications. Paz has served in that position since January 2011, reporting directly to Lois Lerner, with the exception of a four-month period between October 2011 and January 2012 when she reportedly was on maternity leave. Lerner, the director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations division was on May 23 placed on paid leave.

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/350990/did-irs-fire-holly-paz-eliana-johnson

The government is watching you

What you spend. Where you eat. Who you call. Where you travel. What you Google. What you give to charity.

Recent reports of government access to records from phone companies, Internet providers and credit card companies raise anew questions of just how much other people can know about you, especially in the age of the Internet and high technology.

They watch from the air, from cameras, from computers. And you help them, volunteering vast amounts of information about yourself in the magnetic stripe on the back of your credit card, the SIM card in your phone, the sites you visit on the Internet.

The government has access to some of it. And might have access to more from the vast corporations that compile it.

Read more here: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/06/13/193487/the-government-is-watching.html#.UbrVPNgvwuc#storylink=cpy

Steven Spielberg Predicts ‘Implosion’ of Film Industry
2:55 PM PDT 6/12/2013 by Paul Bond

George Lucas echoed Spielberg’s sentiments at an event touting the opening of a new USC School of Cinematic Arts building, saying big changes are in store.

Steven Spielberg on Wednesday predicted an “implosion” in the film industry is inevitable, whereby a half dozen or so $250 million movies flop at the box office and alter the industry forever. What comes next — or even before then — will be price variances at movie theaters, where “you’re gonna have to pay $25 for the next Iron Man, you’re probably only going to have to pay $7 to see Lincoln.” He also said that Lincoln came “this close” to being an HBO movie instead of a theatrical release.

George Lucas agreed that massive changes are afoot, including film exhibition morphing somewhat into a Broadway play model, whereby fewer movies are released, they stay in theaters for a year and ticket prices are much higher. His prediction prompted Spielberg to recall that his 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial stayed in theaters for a year and four months.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steven-spielberg-predicts-implosion-film-567604

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION PARTNERS WITH CABLEVISION TO OFFER WI-FI ACCESS FOR NJ TRANSIT CUSTOMERS

Board authorized public-private partnership for first wireless internet connection of its kind in the nation

June 12, 2013

NEWARK, NJ — As part of an ongoing effort to enhance the overall customer experience, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors today authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision to offer one of the top requested amenities to NJ TRANSIT customers:  high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains.  The Wi-Fi access will be provided to NJ TRANSIT customers via a dedicated, trackside Wi-Fi network —–the first of its kind in the nation—at no cost to the agency.

“Through customer forums and surveys conducted as part of NJ TRANSIT’s Scorecard initiative, we know that wireless internet service will be a welcome amenity for NJ TRANSIT customers, enabling those who wish to remain connected during their commute to do so continuously,” said Transportation Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman James Simpson.

“This public-private partnership will enable NJ TRANSIT to deliver on one of the top requests from our customers—wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains,” said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director James Weinstein.  “We are thrilled to work with Cablevision to further enhance the overall customer experience on our system by offering a dedicated Wi-Fi connection—which as designed will be the first of its kind here in the United States.”

“Providing NJ TRANSIT customers with access to an unparalleled Wi-Fi network is one of Cablevision’s strategic objectives,” said Cablevision President and CEO James L. Dolan. “We have already built the largest Wi-Fi network in the country to meet the surging demand from our own subscribers and now we look forward to working with NJ TRANSIT to deliver an exceptional Wi-Fi experience to its riders.”

Wi-Fi on the NJ TRANSIT system will be implemented in phases.  The initial phase will focus on outfitting major stations like Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal—which together serve more than 100,000 customers on a typical weekday on all transit modes—as well as Secaucus Junction, by the end of this year.  Subsequent phases will include equipping additional train stations and ultimately rail cars by line.  The project is expected to be substantially complete by yearend 2016.

photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood Police Annual Chief for a Day program : Michael Feeney

Ridgewood NJ, On Friday 6/14/13 The Ridgewood Police Department will be participating in the Annual Chief for a Day program in partnership with the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.

This year the Ridgewood Police Department is honored to have Michael Feeney as Chief for the day. Monitor the Ridgewood Police facebook page on Friday for updates on Michael’s special day.

Michael Feeney beating cancer https://www.northjersey.com/news/Unorthodox_testson_rodents_help_Ridgewood_9-year-old_beat_cancer_.html

Ridgewood Guild – Backwoods Movie in the Park is Postponed to August 16

Due to weather, the Guild Backwoods group has chosen to cancel tonight’s screening of Mean Girls, planned for Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. Please note, the rain date is Fri. Aug. 16.

July 4th Fireworks Ticket Information – Purchase in Advance for Discount

Thursday, July 4th, 2013

Alternate Date – Friday, July 5th

Veteran’s Field, Ridgewood, New Jersey

Entrance gates open at 6:00 PM and close at 9:00 PM

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.

Tickets will be on sale at the following vendors for $8 each. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Backyard Living- 235 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-689-9111

ConnectOne Bank- 171 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-670-8484

Chestnut Catering & Deli- 25 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, 201-445-3031

Daily Treat- 177 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-652-9113 – Open July 4th until 1:30 PM

Goffle Brook Farm- 425 Goffle Road, Ridgewood, 201-652-7540 – Open July 4th until 4:00 PM

Harding Wines and Spirits- 305 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-445-7122 – Open July 4th until 2:00 PM

Herold’s Farm & Garden Center- 909 Prospect Street, Glen Rock, 201-445-0069 – Open July 4th until 2:00 PM

Hillmann Electric- 133 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-652-1045

Hogan’s Restaurant Diner- 20 Central Avenue, Midland Park, 201-445-2849

Hoskin’s Propane- 523 Goffle Road, Ridgewood, 201-444-1950

JT’s Wines and Spirits- 605-607 N. Maple Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-652-2220 – Open July 4th until 5:00 PM

Ridgewood Auto Wash Co.

Ridgewood Cycle Shop- 450 South Broad Street, Glen Rock, 201-444-6037

The Wine Seller- 6 West Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-444-3300 – Open July 4th until 5:00 PM

Town & Country Apothecary- 60 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood- 201-652-0013 – Open July 4th until 1:00 PM

Thanks to our ticket vendors! All ticket vendors are volunteers and make no money for their efforts.

At the Ridgewood Library- Monday, June 24 – Saturday, June 29 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Sunday, June 30 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Thank you Hobbyist and HILT volunteers!

Tickets are available online for $9 each including postage and handling.

Serial Volunteer or avid Boosterism : Readers Debate Gwen Hauck’s relationship to Valley

Residents that put themselves out there as candidates for positions such as these tend to be serial volunteers by nature…..and I don’t mean that in a bad way. To expect them to have had no connection to groups or causes that are parties to the resolutions they vote on is a bit unrealistic. Those that would qualify as such are the ones that no one would vote for in the first place.

 

or…

Are we equating cleaning out a public pond with the Girl Scouts once a year with spending years raising millions of dollars for a (I don’t care what its legal category is) for-profit hospital at countless social events, including their biggest annual “do”s?

How come her avid boosterism about Valley was suddenly tempered, at least in public, once Aronsohn had personally tapped her to become his third vote for anything he wanted as a 3-2 majority? He personally called Pucciarelli, too. Yes, he is that devious and more.

Get her off the dais NOW for any upcoming meetings or hearings and especially the biggest council decision Ridgewood has seen in a very long time. Do residents understand that this vote would not just be to let Valley expand, but to CHANGE THE MASTER PLAN OF THE TOWN?

Is this the person you want as the deal breaker determining an epic change?

Yes, she came in third in the May 2012 election by a tiny number of votes. That is no mandate of the people, especially considering how relatively few residents vote at all (which is sad).

If the Planning Board says no, fine. But if they say yes again, things will proceed swiftly. Raising the recusal issue at that time would be too late.

Actually, Americans aren’t shrugging over NSA surveillance

Two new polls find that a majority of Americans disapprove of the NSA’s data-mining programs. The head of the NSA says he’s ready to provide evidence they’ve helped prevent terrorist attacks.

By Linda Feldmann, Staff writer / June 12, 2013

At first blush, it seemed, most Americans haven’t gotten too exercised about the revelation that the National Security Agency has been secretly tracking everyone’s phone data, in the name of protecting national security.

That was the take-away from a Washington Post/Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday. But two new polls out Wednesday – one by Gallup, another by YouGov taken for The Economist – paint a difference picture. Both find that a majority of Americans disapprove of the NSA data-mining programs.

In the Gallup poll, conducted June 10 and 11, 53 percent of Americans disapprove of the programs, while 37 percent approve. YouGov found that 59 percent disapprove of the programs, and only 35 percent approve.

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0612/Actually-Americans-aren-t-shrugging-over-NSA-surveillance?nav=87-frontpage-entryNineItem