One of the most advertised and yet under-analyzed themes of this presidential campaign is President Obama’s slogan “Forward”.
It’s been said that Karl Marx used a similar phrase to generate support for his worker’s movement in the 1800’s that resulted in the formation of the Communist Party. Whether Obama and his campaign managers sought to mirror Marx, consciously or unconsciously, is unknown.
However, what we do know is that President Obama is urging voters to support his re-election because “we’ve come too far to turn back now.”
The question is “too far to what?” In what direction are we traveling and what is our ultimate destination? Perhaps more importantly, does the driver have any idea how to operate the vehicle?
Over the past four years, unemployment has hovered above 8% while the federal debt has grown by almost $5 trillion. More Americans are in poverty and on food stamps today – and fewer are gainfully employed – than when Mr. Obama took office.
Despite these troubling trends, the president wants us to give his agenda more time to work. Casting blame on his predecessor, he argues that no one could have cleaned up the economic mess he inherited in just four years…although he promised to do exactly that in 2008.
And so, America stands at a crossroads of sorts. Do we give a man who never ran as much as a lemonade stand in the private sector another term to see if his failed policies will eventually work? Or do we apply the brakes and head in a different direction…even if that direction is reverse?
Election preview: 2 Democrats, 2 Republicans seek 2 slots on Bergen County Freeholder board
By S.P. Sullivan/NJ.com
on November 04, 2012 at 7:00 AM, updated November 05, 2012 at 7:10 PM
BERGEN COUNTY — With two open seats on the Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Republicans stand to lose their 5-2 majority on the board if the Democrats sweep the freeholder election on Tuesday.
But the board’s party makeup belies the politics of county governance, with members of the Republican party split on issues like police consolidation and the county’s stringent pay-to-play restrictions.
The Ridgewood Public Schools will be open this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 7, 8 and 9.
11.05.12: UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
3:30 P.M.:
Dear RPS Parents and Guardians,
The Ridgewood Public Schools will be open this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, November 7, 8 and 9. Depending on the progress that is made by PSE&G over the next few days, we will implement a plan that includes an alternative school schedule and probable alternative school locations.
The alternative school schedule, or split sessions, will run from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. All students will be assigned to attend either the morning or the afternoon session on each day that a split session is necessary.
The detailed schedule and locations will be made public on Tuesday, November 6, but will be subject to change based on progress made by PSE&G.
Unfortunately, regular bus service will not be operative during this time. However, we will provide in and out of district special education bussing. If your child’s special education bus does not arrive, I suggest that you call the contact information you have been given, or perhaps you will be able to transport your child independently. We will not be serving lunches. Principals will inform you if they want your child to bring a snack. In addition, the “Y” before and afterschool care programs in our schools will not be open. I apologize for these inconveniences.
Although these interim learning conditions and schedules may not be ideal, I believe that we have come up with a plan that reflects the best way to get students back into the classroom under these unique circumstances. I know that you share my concern about our students losing any more school days that will have to be made up at a future date. It’s also important for everyone’s well-being that we attempt to resume our routines as best as we can.
I hope this message reaches more people as power is slowly being returned to our homes. Please share this information with neighbors and friends who may still be without Internet service.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent
Ridgewood Public Schools
PATH Partial Service Restoration
November 5, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Following Hurricane Sandy, PATH will resume limited rail service on Tuesday, November 6, beginning at 5 a.m. Trains will run from Journal Square in Jersey City to 33rd Street in Manhattan and in the return direction until 10 p.m.
Stops will include:
Journal Square
Grove Street
Newport
14th Street
23rd Street
33rd Street
Limited PATH Service beginning November 6, 2012
For real-time status information, subscribe to PATH Alerts:
https://www.pathalerts.com/alertsignup.aspx
Election Day: Due to loss of power at a number of our regular polling sites, the Bergen County Board of Elections has approved the following changes to polling sites:
Normal Voting Location ——– Voting Location For This Election
BF Middle School ——–Hawes School
Glen School ——– Fire Department Headquarters – E. Glen Ave.
Hawes School ——– Hawes School
GW Middle School ——–GW Middle School
Library ——– Fire Department Headquarters – E. Glen Ave.
Orchard School ——– Orchard School
Ridgewood High School ——– Somerville School
Somerville School ——– Somerville School
Travell School ——– Hawes School
Willard School ——– GW Middle School
Also, residents may vote in person at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office located at 1 Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack. Voting hours are Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM, and Monday 9 AM – 4 PM.
If your Power is Back on ,thank a Lineman
November 5.2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, I know this has been very frustrating but sometime around 6 pm November 5th we began getting more and more reports of more Village residents getting there power restored. Lets take time to thank the thousands of lineman from as far as Utah and California that are spanned out across the Garden State.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie should take the time to heap the same amount of praise in the direction of the many electric linemen working tirelessly to restore power to hard-hit areas of New Jersey as he did for President Obama .
Thousands of lineman from as far as Utah and California are spanned out across the Garden State, are working feveriously in terrible conditions to get the power back up for residents still without electricity, down from at peak of at least 2.4 million after Sandy first hit.
Their job is tough. PSE&G CEO Ralph LaRossa referred to it as “hand-to-hand combat” as crews work diligently on specific towns. Since Tuesday, most lineman have been working 16 hour days removing thousands of downed trees, replacing hundreds of damaged poles and running miles of wire in brutal conditions.( https://www.newsworks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/item/46514-%20electric-linemen-deserve-our-praise?Itemid=248 )
Today is Day 7 since Hurricane Sandy devastated much of our community
Good morning. This is Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn
Today is Day 7 since Hurricane Sandy devastated much of our community, and we remain focused – like a laser – on our number one post storm priority: getting everyone’s power restored.
Yesterday, some progress was made. We estimate that about 50% of Ridgewood now has power — a 16% increase since yesterday. That is good. That is promising. But that clearly is not good enough.
In fact, it won’t be good enough until every single Ridgewood resident has power restored.
Yesterday, there were PSEG and out-of-state utility crews working in certain sections of town.
We are not only expecting much more of that today; we are demanding it.
My first phone call today at 6:30am was with PSEG’s regional director. We reviewed the work that remains to be done. My second call, only moments later, was with our State Senator, who has been working closely with us to get PSEG to do its work here in Ridgewood.
On a related subject, I am pleased to note that Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been serving as 24 hour warming center and shelter since Friday, is back up and running after having its power temporarily turned off yesterday by PSEG. Anyone needing shelter should head to the church.
Again, more generally, please know that we are doing anything and everything to get power restored throughout all of Ridgewood. As stated, we are focused like a laser on this very important, very necessary goal.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or call me on my cell phone at 201.213.1811.
Thank you. Be safe. And please remember – we will get through this together.
Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren Counties Eligible for FEMA Disaster Assistance
A short while ago, after I requested additional FEMA assistance from the governor and the president, it was announced that Bergen, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties are now all eligible for disaster assistance for damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy. This means individuals and families whose uninsured property has been damaged or destroyed as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy may qualify for financial or direct assistance from FEMA.
How to apply:
You can apply for disaster assistance a number of ways. If you have access to the Internet, you can apply online at disasterassistance.gov. There you will find an application that will guide you through the entire process. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can apply by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Additionally, FEMA often opens Disaster Recovery Centers in disaster areas where you can speak to someone in person about available disaster programs. There have not been any Disaster Recovery Centers announced yet in the 5th District, but if any are announced, your local townships and I will have information about where they are located.
What to Expect After Applying:
Here is some information direct from FEMA’s website: Applicants who register with FEMA will be given a personal application number. This number will be used to provide later to a FEMA Housing Inspector. So it’s important that you write this number down, and keep it secure and handy for future use. A FEMA Housing Inspector will contact you to make an appointment to visit your property within 14 days after you apply. The inspector will assess disaster related damage for your real and personal property. Please visit FEMA’s “The Next Step After You Register for Disaster Assistance” section of their website for complete details.
My offices are here to help:
My offices are here to help with any FEMA questions you may have throughout the application process. Please don’t hesitate to call:
Hurricane Sandy delivered New Jersey a devastating blow, but together we will get back on our feet and begin to rebuild the Garden State. May God bless and comfort the people of New Jersey and everyone who was put in harm’s way during this storm and may God bless the United States of America.
PROOF: OBAMA REF– USED TO CALL BENGHAZI ‘TERROR,’ CBS COVERED UP
by JOEL B. POLLAK 5 Nov 2012, 8:04 AM PDT
In an astonishing display of media malpractice, CBS News quietly released proof–two days before the election, far too late to reach the media and the public–that President Barack Obama lied to the public about the Benghazi attack, as well as about his later claim to have called the attack “terrorism” from the beginning.
CBS unveiled additional footage from its 60 Minutes interview with President Obama, conducted on Sep. 12 immediately after Obama had made his statement about the attacks in the Rose Garden, in which Obama quite clearly refuses to call the Benghazi an act of terror when asked a direct question by reporter Steve Kroft:
KROFT: Mr. President, this morning you went out of your way to avoid the use of the word terrorism in connection with the Libya Attack, do you believe that this was a terrorism attack?
OBAMA: Well it’s too early to tell exactly how this came about, what group was involved, but obviously it was an attack on Americans. And we are going to be working with the Libyan government to make sure that we bring these folks to justice, one way or the other.
Diabetes Foundation and Ridgewood YMCA To Host “Everything Diabetes” Health Fair
On Saturday morning, November 10th, the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. and the Ridgewood
YMCA will hold an informational health fair titled “Everything Diabetes”. The event will
provide information, advice, and resources for those living with diabetes, and those who are
looking to prevent it. The morning will offer free health screenings, include eye health, foot,
blood pressure and blood sugar screenings; fitness and BMI assessments; and other types of
testing, all free of charge. Certified diabetes educators, dietitians and other medical
professionals will be available to discuss nutrition, weight loss, diabetic medications and
supplies, physical activity, behavior change, complications, and signs and symptoms for those at
risk. Hourly educational seminars on nutrition and other related topics will be presented by
various professionals in the field, including the Valley Hospital. There will be plenty of
opportunities to ask the experts if you have a particular concern. Attendees will enjoy giveaways,
cooking demonstrations, and refreshments from vendors and local businesses and healthcare
professionals. Admission is free. The fair will be held from 9:00am to 1:00 pm at the Ridgewood
YMCA, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood, NJ.
Since 1990, the Diabetes Foundation, Inc, located in Paramus, has been improving the
care and quality of life for people living with diabetes throughout New Jersey and the tri-state
area. The Foundation serves a population that lives day-to-day with this serious chronic disorder
and needs help “now” in managing their disease. Programs of the Foundation include: assistance
with medications and supplies to those in financial need; camp sponsorships for diabetic
children; and, free public education programs on diabetes-related topics.
The Ridgewood YMCA welcomes and supports children and families by teaching the
values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. There are programs of interest to everyone-
girls, boys, men and women, of all ages, races, religions, incomes and abilities. The YMCA
builds strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. Membership is open to all.
For further information about the event, contact the Diabetes Foundation, Inc. at 201-444-
0337 or [email protected].
DISPLACED VOTERS MAY MAIL IN BALLOTS – EMAIL OR FAX
Under Executive Directive from the Lieutenant Governor the Bergen County Clerk’s Office will be accepting mail-in ballots from any voter who has been displaced from their primary residence due to Hurricane Sandy or a first responder.
These voters may submit a “Mail-In ballot” application to the County Clerk in the county where they live. These voters may submit their application by e-mail or fax.
Upon receipt of the application, the County Clerk’s Office will determine if the applicant is a qualified voter.
If so, the County Clerk’s Office will electronically send the ballot to the voter by their chosen method (Fax or email).
The County Clerk’s office shall accept such electronic applications through 5pm on November 6, 2012.
4 Yrs at Private College = $130,468; Median-Priced Existing Home = $173,100; U.S. Debt Per American Under 18 = $218,676
By Terence P. Jeffrey
November 4, 201
(CNSNews.com) – If Americans under the age of 18 were required as a group to pay off the entirety of the federal government’s debt in equal shares, each would now need to pay about $218,676.
That is more than the $130,468 average price tag for four years at a private college or the $173,100 median price for an existing one-family home in the United States.
During the time Barack Obama has been president, the U.S. government debt has increased from approximately $143,255 per American under 18 to approximately $218,676 per American under 18–a climb of $75,421 or about 53 percent.
Port Newark Container Terminal and Global Terminal to Open for Business on Monday
November 4,2012
Trenton, NJ – The Port Authority’s Port Newark Container Terminal and Global Terminal in Jersey City will open for business on Monday morning, continuing the restoration of the region’s maritime business following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Both Port Newark and Global will open their gates for truckers at 7 a.m. Monday. The first ship is expected to arrive at the Global Terminal at 7 p.m. Monday. Port Newark Container Terminal also is expecting vessel traffic to resume Monday night.
Today, Port Elizabeth Terminal opened for business. Four cargo vessels were expected at Maher Terminal and one cargo vessel was expected at APM Terminal. Longshoremen were back to work and unloading cargo at approximately 8:00 a.m. today. Today’s shipments are expected to provide a wide array of products and materials to the area.
Restoration of power continues to be a key requirement in returning the port to full operations. All roadways are cleared for safe passage and PAPD will direct traffic for all port employees.
The port has faced unprecedented challenges as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The storm surge caused nearly four feet of water throughout the port. Round the clock cleanup efforts have repaired damaged roadways, hundreds of displaced shipping containers, fixed rail lines, damaged electrical systems and other port cargo.
Clean up of the port is continuing around the clock to ensure that all port partners are brought back to full operation. All employees should check with their respective employers for reporting to work assignments.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the gateway to one of the most concentrated and affluent consumer markets in the world. It is the largest port on the East Coast, and the third largest in the nation. With quick access to major population centers, the Port industry from the New York Harbor has the ability to reach approximately 20% of the US population in fewer than 8 hours. The port industry is responsible for more than 269,000 jobs in the region.
In 2011, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey handled 5.5 million TEU’s (20-foot equivalent units), a record and nearly 4 percent more than 2010’s volumes. The port’s on-dock rail system – known as ExpressRail – also set a new record in 2011, handling 422,144 containers, or 12 percent more than in 2010. In 2011, the Port’s major import commodities included furniture, beverages and apparel. The dollar value of all cargo that moved through the port exceeded $185 billion.
The Port Authority manages Port Newark, the Elizabeth-Port Authority Marine Terminal, the Howland Hook Marine Terminal, the Brooklyn-Port Authority Marine Terminal, the Red Hook Container Terminal, and the Port Jersey Port Authority Marine Terminal.
New Jersey National Guard Working with FEMA to Provide Fuel to First Responders and Utility Crews
November 4th 2012
Trenton, NJ – The New Jersey Army National Guard is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New Jersey State Police to provide fuel to vehicles supporting first responders, critical infrastructure workers such as gas and electrical crews, and personnel who are critical to the recovery and aid for the state of New Jersey.
From National Guard Armories in West Orange and Freehold and from an Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management in Egg Harbor Township, a fleet of 17 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) filled with fuel are making deliveries to agencies across the state in an operation that launched Thursday using seven New Jersey Army National Guard trucks. The fleet expanded on Saturday evening with the arrival of 10 Pennsylvania Army National Guard trucks and their crews.
At the West Orange armory, where a small fleet of commercial tanker trucks were operating as part of a broader FEMA effort and National Guard Soldiers were filling their HEMTTs and planning routes, 1st Lt. Zhao Chen described the operation.
“We are currently managing 8 vehicles which contain either or both unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel” said Chen, the Officer in Charge, Task Force North Emergency Re-fueling Mission. “Six of the 8 vehicles are dual containers meaning the carry both types of fuel. The other two only contain diesel.”
“There are also 7 FEMA contractors working the distribution activities” said Chen.
“The FEMA sponsored refueling mission is two refuel missions happing simultaneously” explained Maj. Andrew Hague, 50th Brigade Special Troops Battalion Executive Officer. “There is stationary or static refueling that is happening for first responders and other folks that are critical to state recovery. There is also a mobile refueling operation which is a convoy style mission.”
Both missions which began November 1 are driven and sustained by FEMA contracted fuel trucks which deliver bulk fuel drops and fuel truck swaps.
“Over 400 vehicles came through the facility on November 2” said Hague. “The day before that we were only open half the day and took care of over 200 vehicles. So we are expecting to take care of between 400 to 450 vehicles each day.”
The static refueling mission relies on National Guard Military Police to man entry control points 24 hours following vehicle criteria guidance directed by FEMA.
Hague explains that the criteria are first responders in their official vehicles, vehicles that support the servicing, repairing, or rebuilding of the infrastructure through public services such as electric and gas for example, and State Police, ambulances, fire trucks, and contractors who have been hired by those agencies who need fuel to work on recovery from Hurricane Sandy.
Personnel from hospitals are able to get refueled as well so they can get back and forth to the hospital to do their missions.
People who think they can sneak into line are out of luck.
“There is 100% ID check” Hague said “Medical personnel are pre-screened and must have identification showing which hospital they work for with a badge or some form of ID issued by the hospital. If there is a question or grey area, like if a pharmacist meets the criteria during the screening, there is a FEMA rep who will make the ultimate decision on whether a person is considered critical personnel.”
The convoy style mobile refueling missions are assigned from the Regional Operations Center through the NJ State Police who are consolidating the bulk fuel requests.
The mobile mission takes care of assignments such as the refueling of a generator bank at a waste treatment facility. Soldiers take HEMTTs filled with diesel from the FEMA tankers and drop it where it needs to go.
“So far we have accomplished 16 of those types of missions” said Hague “We contact the civilian authority and come up with the route to get there and ensure we are able to link up to do drops. We have been doing that 24 hours a day as well with sleep plans in place.”
The leadership of the missions have nothing but praise for the personnel carrying out these very important missions.
“The soldiers have been doing a great job” said Hague “ It’s all junior non commissioned officers that are out there. The teams are made up of enlisted people who are truck drivers and fuelers who are qualified to run the pumps. “
“We give them the mission, but it is the enlisted soldiers who roll out execute the job. In all their missions, the enlisted people are the National Guards direct liaison with the civilian authorities and they are doing an excellent job.”
Be assured that Cablevision is prepared for Hurricane Sandy and is doing everything possible to maintain the best service experience for our customers.
If you currently have electrical power and are experiencing service interruption for Optimum TV®, Optimum Online® or Optimum Voice®, related to Hurricane Sandy, please know that we are working around-the-clock to restore your services as quickly as possible.
If you would like to submit an online request for support or to notify us of a cable service outage in your neighborhood, use the link below to e-mail us your service issue. Be sure to include the name on the Optimum account, the telephone number associated with the account and your address.
Click here or simply e-mail us at [email protected] to submit an online support request or click here for chat support.
If you are inquiring about service credit for a loss of service, please contact us within 30 days of your Optimum service being restored and you will be credited for your regular monthly charges during the period when Optimum TV, phone or Internet products were unavailable, including periods when there was no electricity to the home or business where the services are received.
