New Jersey’s Economy Continues to Contract
December 22,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , NJ lost 8,100 jobs in the aftermath of Sandy, the issue continues to be the “anti_business ” climate that surrounds Trenton .
In a report issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development New Jersey unemployment rate dipped to 9.6 percent from 9.7 percent. The monthly jobs report is made up of a survey of employers to measure the number of jobs and a survey of households to measure the unemployment rate. They often tell two different stories, but economists lend more credence to the employers’ survey in part because it is far larger.
While Gov. Chris Christie, has been lauded by business groups for improving New Jersey’s business climate the fact is New Jersey is still not a desirable destination for business causing the state’s job market to lag the rest of the nation. The U.S., for example, added a paultry 146,000 jobs in November, and its unemployment rate was 7.7 percent also 2 percentage points lower than New Jersey.
A slow economy is also slowing revenue growth at state levels with the Office of Legislative Services’ preliminary examination of total revenue so far in fiscal year 2013 showing no appreciable growth after five months and the Office of Legislative Services’ is predicting the state needs an 11.9 percent revenue gain to meet year-end projections.
American Dream Fades for Generation Y Professionals
By Elliot Blair Smith – Dec 21, 2012 12:00 AM ET
After being dismissed from her job as a Midtown Manhattan securities attorney in October 2009, Christina Tretter-Herriger hitched a used horse trailer to her Dodge Ram pickup and drove 1,628 miles to Texas.
The 32-year-old lawyer sold skin-care products in Houston before finding work as the assistant general counsel of a futures-trading firm where an irate customer punctuated a recorded voice-mail message with gunfire.
“No one was left with the impression that he just happened to be phoning from a sporting clays range,” she says.
Eighteen months and two busted jobs later, the daughter of a retired physician and a former editor at Vogue circled back to upstate New York and hunkered down at a small legal office that pays about one-quarter of her former $165,000 salary.
Generation Y professionals entering the workforce are finding careers that once were gateways to high pay and upwardly mobile lives turning into detours and dead ends. Average incomes for individuals ages 25 to 34 have fallen 8 percent, double the adult population’s total drop, since the recession began in December 2007. Their unemployment rate remains stuck one-half to 1 percentage point above the national figure.
Three and a half years after the worst recession since the Great Depression, the earnings and employment gap between those in the under-35 population and their parents and grandparents threatens to unravel the American dream of each generation doing better than the last. The nation’s younger workers have benefited least from an economic recovery that has been the most uneven in recent history.
Fiscal Cliff solution up to Democrats
By Russell Berman – 12/20/12 09:51 PM ET
Short of votes, House Republicans pulled Speaker John Boehner’s “Plan B” tax bill from the floor late Thursday, testing the Ohio Republican’s hold on his conference and throwing year-end efforts to avoid the fiscal cliff into further chaos.
Party leaders had voiced confidence throughout the day they had enough Republican votes to pass the measure over unified Democratic opposition, but amid mounting defections, they announced shortly before 8 p.m. that the vote would be canceled.
Pulling the bill represents a major defeat for Boehner that will give significant leverage to Obama in talks on a deal to prevent looming tax hikes and spending cuts. It suggests Boehner lacks control over a conference that has bucked him throughout this Congress.
After a closed-door conference meeting, the Speaker said it was now up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and President Obama to find a way to avert the tax hikes and spending cuts set to be triggered in January that economist warn could start a recession. He told The Hill that the House would come back “when needed.”
Benghazi : A lot questions need to asked in Congress about why the US decided to oust the Colonel
Benghazi – what actually happened??? Well, the US and its Euro allies supported this group of crazy lunatics to help them in their mission to overthrow Colonel Gaddafii. By supporting this group of revolutionaries, the Western Allies thought (I don’t know why) that they could gain some greater influence in the North African / Middle East Region by supporting the groups that were fighting for political change – we were already well into the Arab Spring so, why not jump on the band wagon and help these lunatics get rid of the leaders in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, etc.
Did the Western allies actually know what they were doing and were they aware of what was happening within these crazy revolutionary groups that were being supported around the world by mass hysteria created by the media?
These revolutionary groups were foremost the underlings of some of the most radical Islamic thinkers in the world – the very same crazies that the Western Allies have been fighting against in their so called war, code-name Operation Enduring Freedom – otherwise know as Operation FOS – Full of Shit!
Ok – so the French decided to take a heavy handed approach in dealing with the Libyan Colonel and it was because of this action, by the French, that the US and the British jumped on board with the French. Why was this??? Well, the French identified the fact that US and the British were using the Colonel as a makeshift puppet, pulling his strings to increase the cost of Libyan fuel entering the market. For years, the Italians and the French had enjoyed free flowing, really cheap Libya fuel supplies and that was all about to change because of the directives being issued (subversively) by the US and the British administrations to the Colonel and his sons. They wanted to stop the supply of cheap fuel and bring it more into line with what the US and the Brits were paying – the funny thing was that the Brits were paying possible twice as much as the US in fuel costs on an annual basis.
The Colonel was “their man” in North Africa and a major influential figure in the Arab League and the African Union, a man that they could use to meet their own ends without anyone knowing about it – but the French did. Someone had let slip that the US/British relationship with the Colonel was a relationship that was becoming to comfortable for the French to accept so when the first smell of revolution in Libya reached Paris, the French saw their opportunity to throw the fuel of change onto that simmering revolution and oust the Colonel with the support of the global community, thought the use of the international media networks, that would bolster the voice of change through highlighting the corruption that existed in the Colonel’s family, that while millions lived in utter poverty, the Colonel, his families and those very close to the family lived in total luxury, in homes that would be televised only after the collapse of the Colonel’s regime to show the wealth that the family had and that it was in the best interests that Libya be cleared of these evil and self enriching people, who cared nothing about the Libyans that they purported to champion.
The trouble was, the main revolutionaries were those that the Western Allies had been trying to defeat in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, they were made up of Al Quada, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and other anti-western groups that continue to seek the destruction of the western way of life – they want a purely Islamic world and will incorporate what they need to in order to see that happen. That is why, today, there is little news about what is happening in Syria as president Al Said fights these same revolutionaries who are supported by the same anti-western groups. the West now understands what it is has gotten itself into – supporting revolutionaries that want their destruction – it is a no win situation for the US and its European allies, that is why they have instructed the media to play down the Syrian situation on its news coverage. The work is been left to the UN and the diplomats to find a way of of the situation and to stop the West from being dragged into another Libyan situation.
The West now calls these revolutionaries terrorists but are they really terrorists if they have been supported by the West and in particular by the US? That is why the Russians have been highly supportive of the Syrian regime because they have experienced for years the seriousness of pro-Islamic terrorism on its soil, and while Europe has been a breading ground for these terrorists and has seen its fair share of terrorist attacks, it is only a matter of time before the US sees an increase in terrorist attacks committed on its soil.
A lot questions need to asked in Congress about why the US decided to oust the Colonel – it is much bigger than Benghazi and not a lot of people know that. But will those that do actually tell the rest of us????
No Surprise Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn supports more unchecked government spending through “Sandy Aid”
Opinion: Garrett needs to come on board and back Sandy aid
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 19, 2012, 5:48 PM
BY PAUL ARONSOHN
THE RECORD
Paul Aronsohn, the mayor of Ridgewood, was the 2006 Democratic candidate for Congress in the 5th District.
IN TIMES of crisis, Americans pull together. We saw it after the 9/11 attacks. We are seeing it now in the wake of the mass murder in Newtown. It is what we do. It is who we are.
It is against this backdrop that President Obama has put forward a proposed post-superstorm Sandy aid package – one that has garnered support on both sides of the political aisle. Governor Christie supports it. N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports it. All members of the New Jersey and New York congressional delegations support it … with only one exception.
Despite the storm’s devastating impact on our state – including in the local towns of Moonachie and Little Ferry — our own congressman, Scott Garrett, is the lone holdout and is poised to be the only federal New Jersey official to oppose this all-important measure.
In fact, rather than throw the full weight of his office behind the president’s proposed $60 billion aid package, he has delayed consideration with accusations about “wasteful spending” and lack of accountability.
Rather than encourage his fellow Republicans to support the measure, he has given them political cover to oppose the much-needed assistance. This follows his decision last month to be the only New Jersey member of Congress – Republican or Democrat – not to sign a joint letter to congressional leadership urging bipartisan support for disaster relief.
Editors note: The Mayor seems to be in favor of of more taxpayer funded waste . Politicians love to use emergencies to pick the pockets of tax payers
The Bergen Record , Star Ledger , omitted to mention just like the Katrina Aid …
Budget watchdogs have dubbed the 94-page emergency-spending bill “Sandy Scam.”
“The pork-barrel feast includes more than $8 million to buy cars and equipment for the Homeland Security and Justice departments. It also includes a whopping $150 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to dole out to fisheries in Alaska and $2 million for the Smithsonian Institution to repair museum roofs in DC.
An eye-popping $13 billion would go to “mitigation” projects to prepare for future storms.
Other big-ticket items in the bill include $207 million for the VA Manhattan Medical Center; $41 million to fix up eight military bases along the storm’s path, including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; $4 million for repairs at Kennedy Space Center in Florida; $3.3 million for the Plum Island Animal Disease Center and $1.1 million to repair national cemeteries.”
Kayleigh from Mcmurphys is coordinating a great fundraiser. read below
Hello All!
I am reaching out because everyone was such a huge help with my initial donation collection when Sandy hit. I was just contacted by 2 motels in Pt. Pleasant beach and they need my help.
They are a FEMA sponsored and have numerous families that have been displaced by the storm. There are many children staying there that are not going to receive anything on Christmas morning. If anyone would be able to make a donation and drop off a new unwrapped toy, it would help ALOT. I can also come pick them up.
I will be driving down Saturday morning to make the deliveries. Here is the information for the children
7 girls ages 4-11.
9 boys ages 3, 4, 6,7,8,11,12,14
Most importantly there are 16 month old twins (boy and girl) that have nothing.
there is also a 1 yr old boy and a 4 month old girl.
The 1 yr old boy has a young mom who is 22 yrs old.
Thank you so much and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at (201) 538-9934.
Ridgewood YMCA offer School Vacation Camp
Wed, December 26, 2012 – Fri, December 28, 2012
Ridgewood YMCA, 119 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Vacation Camp for children grades K-8 from
December 26-December 28th.
School Vacation Camp will be open from 9am-5pm with extended hours available.
Cost is $75 per day for YMCA member and
$85 for non-members.
for more info contact Mike Rainere 201-444-5600 x339.
www.ridgewoodymca.org
After selling 7″ and 10″ cakes wholesale for almost 30 years, we decided that it’s time to branch out from the family bakery business, founded by our father in 1965, and open a sister company, Cupcakes by Carousel in Ridgewood, New Jersey to sell mini-versions of our 7″ and 10″ cake creations.
Show your library, student id, Y membership card, or JCC membership card on Sunday – Thursday to get free coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
Cakes By Carousel is located at 192 East Ridgewood Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 389-3090
Welcome to Ridgewood Culinary Studio. We are an exciting, year round cooking studio. Owned and operated by Nanci Gregory and Jo Marie Quinn two friends brought together by our passion for cooking. Each of us brings to the table a world of experience and talents. We have been trained by some of the top chefs from around the world in many exciting cities such as Rome, Paris and Madrid just to name a few. We hope that our dedication, talent and enthusiasm for cooking will shine through in you and your children. So let’s start cooking!
We offer sessions for adults and children and registration is continuous. Walk in classes are available. We offer a broad range of other services as well as community service, private parties, birthday parties and various private cooking demonstrations. Classes are kept small to maximize learning and hands on culinary experience. We are a 600 sq foot facility with a fully equipped cooking studio located in The Village of Ridgewood.
Are you looking for a space to produce your retail homemade food line? We rent out our fully certified commercial kitchen. Call the studio for details. 201-447-2665
Ridgewood Culinary Studio is located at 223 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 phone (201)447-2665
The Ridgewood Running Company, where we are passionate about your running. It is our mission to educate every customer on all aspects of running and do it with passion and a smile. We pride ourselves on supporting local running events as well as high school track and cross-country teams all year round.
We have earned the reputation of providing the very best knowledge about running, and we live up to that every day. Because our staff is full of experienced runners who have had the injuries, run the races, and established networks with local athletes. Our level of service is unmatched.
Getting you into the proper shoe is important to us, which is why we provide complimentary gait analysis for every customer. Your shoes should work with your natural stride, and when they do you will feel comfortable, fast, and confident. Our staff is trained to help you diagnose injuries, improve your training, and get you to your full running potential. We are able to provide you with the best products and service for your next 5k on the road or 50k through the trails.
GROUP RUNS:
Monday: 6:00pm – 3-5 miles @ 8:00-10:00min pace
Thursday: 6:30pm – 3-5 miles @ 8:00-10:00min pace
Saturday: 9:00am – 6-10 miles @ 7:00-9:00min pace
FLOOD ADVISORY: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
829 AM EST FRI DEC 21 2012
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED AN
* URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOOD ADVISORY FOR MINOR FLOODING OF POOR
DRAINAGE AREAS IN…
ROCKLAND COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…
BERGEN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…
* UNTIL 1000 AM EST…
* AT 825 AM EST…WHILE THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL HAS EXITED THE
AREA…RESIDUAL STANDING WATER AND CONTINUED RUNOFF WILL RESULT IN
MINOR POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING. IN ADDITION…SOME RIVERS AND STREAMS
ACROSS THE REGION ARE NEAR BANKFULL. WATERS LEVELS WILL GRADUALLY
FALL THIS MORNING.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE
ROADWAY. MOST FLOODING DEATHS OCCUR IN AUTOMOBILES. TURN AROUND AND
FIND ANOTHER ROUTE.
Ridgewood School District reassures parents after Connecticut tragedy
THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, 2012, 4:24 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Parents anxious over the specter of the gut-wrenching in Newtown, Conn., can hopefully rest easier knowing administrators have been taking security seriously long before the incident.
At Willard School, two days before the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that left six adults and 20 children dead, one parent learned that staff members have been trained to suspect even the most seemingly innocuous school visitors.
Stephanie Reynolds, a mother of two children at the school, said her mother entered the school last Wednesday afternoon during Reynolds’ scheduled library duty to pay her and her granddaughter a visit.
The visit was short-lived; she was followed to the library by Willard Principal Marianne Williams, who stopped her and politely asked her to leave, mentioning the fear of strangers with concealed weapons, Reynolds said.
Ridgewood superintendent, mayor respond to tragedy
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2012
By DANIEL FISHBEIN
COLUMNIST
Note: To underscore their community-wide commitment to protect your children and safeguard schools, this month Ridgewood Superintendent Daniel Fishbein is sharing this space with Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
The winter holiday season should be a time of joy, happiness and peace, but this year a veil of uncertainty has dimmed our outlook as we reflect on the tragedy and insanity that occurred in Newtown, Conn. At the heart of our thoughts, alongside our sorrow and disbelief, we all no doubt share a common concern that takes form in the following questions: Could this happen in Ridgewood? And can our children be really, truly safe at school?
As community leaders and as parents of children in the Ridgewood Public Schools ourselves, we want to assure you that our district’s students and staff are safe and that we are doing everything we can to protect them and keep them from harm’s way. In loco parentis: This phrase, which means that we assume the parental responsibilities for your children when they are in our care, is one that we take very seriously.
In the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy, from the White House on down, we’ve been reminded many times over that the first and foremost priority of any school system is to safeguard its children.
Ridgewood residents claim Village Hall violated New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act
THURSDAY DECEMBER 20, 2012, 4:19 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
An informal meeting organized by a Ridgewood councilman last month is now being questioned because some residents claim the gathering violated New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).
Points presented by Ellie Gruber at last week’s Village Council meeting raised the legal uncertainty of an information session on the Graydon Pool ramp that was called by Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli on Nov. 27. The concerns were the latest curveball in what has already been a controversial debate and discussion.
After nearly two years of reviewing site plans, expert opinion and public input, the Ridgewood Council voted, 3-2, on Nov. 28 in favor of the ramp design known as Option 1.
The design is considered by its proponents to be the most inconspicuous while using the least amount of concrete. Opponents previously argued that the ramp design is flawed as it leads into the facility’s spillway and only several feet away from the pool’s deep end.
Pucciarelli invited approximately 10 members of the public to his information session, held Nov. 27 at Village Hall. The invitees included members of the Preserve Graydon Coalition, a grassroots group that has spoken against Option 1, as well as some members of the Ridgewood professional staff.
No other member of the Village Council was invited to the session; however, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck was in the same building and eventually attended the session. Mayor Paul Aronsohn was not present at the meeting, and council members Tom Riche and Bernadette Walsh said they were unaware that it took place until the following day.
Tucked away in thick forest, an exquisite site of Mayan ruins began hosting winter solstice ceremonies on Thursday as the region’s indigenous people marked the end of an era.
Or perhaps the end of the world, depending on your point of view.
At the site, there were no signs that doomsday — the stark scenario conjured by proponents of one minority reading of the ancient Mayan calendar that underlies the festivities — was imminent.
At sunset, Guatemalan President Otto Perez was to kick off a long night of Mayan dance and other rituals, lasting until dawn, when Mayan natives will greet the rising sun on December 21, 2012 — a date feared by some.
Around the world, superstitious people have fretted over a quixotic, not to say apocalyptic, interpretation of the calendar — taking refuge in mountains or bunkers, with some stockpiling guns and survival rations.
In the United States, still in shock after a massacre at an elementary school, officials in one county of the midwestern state of Michigan sent thousands of students home early for the Christmas break.
The Lapeer County district said “rumors connected to the Maya calendar that predicted end of the world” had distracted students and teachers, even though they have been “thoroughly investigated and determined to be false.”
Still, classes were cancelled Thursday and Friday.
The mystery stems from a carved stone found in Tortuguero, a Mayan site in Mexico. The relief contains a cryptic allusion to something really big happening on Friday.
However, most experts interpret the calendar to mean December 21, 2012 is simply the end a 5,200-year era for the Maya and the start of another.
