Author: James

NY Times does hatchet job on Chris Christie
August 15,2012
PJ Blogger

Ridgewood NJ, The NY Times does hatchet job on Chris Christie while omitting the McGreevey / Corzine follies that proceeded Christie , looking to lay all the blame for New Jersey’s down fall on the current Governor .While this blog has issues from time to time with the Governor the NYT piece is so one sided and so inaccurate it almost boarders on offensive.

While criticizing New Jersey’s 47th place in economic growth the author ignores all the effort since the Kean administration by incompetent ,clueless and corrupt state politicians that has killed the golden goose for job growth in the state . New Jersey now ranks last of near last in almost every business environmentally survey .

Some years ago this blogger had the opportunity to meet with Tome Kean Jr. and while I told him of my fears that North Jersey had become too Wall Street dependent with no home grown private sector job growths , Tom was focused an banning smoking at the time .

The truly scary fact is that New Jersey had not created one new private sector job since before McGreevey untill recently and the state was left perilously insolvency by the ethically challenged Corzine. How is that for candor.

Little candor from Gov. Christie before keynote

It didn’t take long for the watch-it, buster, I’m-a-bodacious-truth-teller verbiage to start flowing.

Mitt Romney publicly tapped Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey as the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention, and within hours, Mr. Christie promised to deliver “very direct and hard truths” to the American people.

“Fixing these problems is not going to be easy for any of them,” he warned USA Today.

If the governor is in a mood for genuine candor about the economy, he could make one hell of a speech. His once prosperous state has lately become a national laggard.

Last year, New Jersey ranked 47th in economic growth, and as The Record newspaper noted, its economy shrank by 0.5 percent, even as the economies of 43 other states grew. State employment figures also do not offer much comfort.   (Powell, The New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/15/nyregion/expect-little-candor-from-gov-chris-christie-in-keynote-speech.html?_r=1

Garrett move to Prevent the Spread of “Too-Big-To-Fail” to Non-Bank Financial Institutions
Aug 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises and Senator David Vitter (R-LA), member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs today introduced the Terminating the Expansion of Too-Big-To-Fail Act, which would prevent the spread of “Too-Big-To-Fail” to non-bank financial institutions. In particular, the bill would remove the government’s authority to designate non-bank financial institutions as “systemically important financial institutions” as outlined in Title 1 of the Dodd-Frank Act. Garrett issued the following statement after introducing the bill in the House:

“I believe we have a virus in our banking system that is stifling competition and innovation. It protects incompetent management and insulates antiquated business models from market discipline. It incentivizes the largest banks to grow even larger and makes these mega-banks captive to government influence. This “Too-Big-To-Fail” virus is now poised to spread beyond banks to other types of financial firms. Not surprising, it is the government that is preparing to label other financial firms “Too-Big-To-Fail” by designating them as systemically important and spreading these market distortions.

“This is why today I am introducing the Terminating the Expansion of Too-Big-To-Fail Act. This would remove the authority for the government to designate non-bank financial institutions as “systemically important financial institutions” as contained in Title 1 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), created under the Dodd-Frank Act, published a rule setting forth the procedure for designating non-bank companies as systemically important that is unclear and provides no understanding about what standards will be used to make these designations. Chosen companies will be subjected to enhanced regulation by the Federal Reserve System.

“While the Federal Reserve proposed a rule that would apply the same regulations for the largest banks to the designated non-banks, in testimony before the Financial Services Committee last week, Treasury Secretary Geithner also indicated that the designations of non-bank financial institutions would happen this year. It is now time for Congress to act.

“We cannot allow “Too-Big-To-Fail” to take root in our non-bank financial institutions. These institutions must not be allowed to be captured in the same regulatory scheme that will protect them from market forces, stifle innovation and creativity in the broader financial sector, and ensure taxpayers remain on the hook for their failure. We have seen in our banking system the impacts of “Too-Big-To-Fail” over the last several decades. Consolidation of our banking system into fewer and larger institutions continues and has accelerated during the last crisis. And as we saw in the last crisis, these institutions become the tools of government intervention at the behest of the Treasury and Federal Reserve.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to prevent the spread of “Too-Big-To-Fail” and I thank Senator Vitter for all of his hard work on introducing this legislation in the Senate.”

Where does Bob Menendez stand on Judges’ pension?

Putting politics first: Bob Menendez tries to block efforts to force judges to pay what others do into their pension plans

Another day and still no answers. Senator Menendez needs to explain to New Jerseyans why he opposes commonsense reform that would save taxpayers money. According to news accounts, Senator Menendez became enraged that a bipartisan resolution allowing voters to decide whether state judges should pay the same amount as other state employees toward their health and pension benefits would be placed on the November ballot. One day after Senator Kyrillos called on him to explain why, the people are still awaiting his response…..

“It was a crass, disgraceful political maneuver that would have hurt taxpayers across New Jersey all in the name of political expediency,” said Kyrillos Campaign Manager Chapin Fay. “Bob Menendez owes us an explanation.”

Firm plan is sought for Ridgewood shade tree policy
Tuesday August 14, 2012, 10:07 AM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

Ridgewood will hire a senior tree climber as a stopgap measure as the Village Council continues to craft a new shade tree policy and weigh the options of replacing several employees who are slated to retire this fall.

The last of three retiring shade tree workers is expected to leave the village payroll at the end of October, and Ridgewood officials have pushed and pulled with the idea of hiring new staff or outsourcing those jobs.

Following the recommendation of Village Manager Ken Gabbert, the governing body struck an accord over the first hiring during last Wednesday’s work session, with council members agreeing that having a senior staff member is ultimately necessary.

“We spent about six months finding the right tree climber, and we have that person identified. It’s not that easy to find that person,” said Gabbert, whose advice was seconded by Tim Cronin, director of the recreation department.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/166109746_Firm_plan_is_sought_for_Ridgewood_shade_tree_policy.html

Romney slams Obama in tough new speech
By Emily Goodin and Justin Sink – 08/14/12 08:16 PM ET

Mitt Romney used a tough new campaign speech to personally blast the Obama campaign on Tuesday, saying comments earlier in the day from Vice President Biden are “what an angry and desperate Presidency looks like.”

“Mr. President, take your campaign of division and anger and hate back to Chicago,” Romney said while campaigning in Ohio.

Romney was responding to Biden’s suggestion that the GOP ticket’s economic policies would “put y’all back in chains.”

The vice president made the remark while campaigning in Virginia, during a discussion of Wall Street regulation.

“They’ve said it. Every Republican’s voted for it. Look at what they value and look at their budget and what they’re proposing. Romney wants to let the — he said in the first 100 days, he’s going to let the big banks once again write their own rules — unchain Wall Street,” Biden said. “They’re going to put y’all back in chains. He’s said he’s going to do nothing about stopping the practice of outsourcing.”

Romney repeatedly and harshly criticized Team Obama for the remarks.

https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/243697-romney-comes-out-swinging-against-obama-in-tough-new-speech

Currency’s Days Feared Numbered Investors Prepare for Euro Collapse

By Martin Hesse

Banks, companies and investors are preparing themselves for a collapse of the euro. Cross-border bank lending is falling, asset managers are shunning Europe and money is flowing into German real estate and bonds. The euro remains stable against the dollar because America has
debt problems too. But unlike the euro, the dollar’s structure isn’t in doubt.

https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/investors-preparing-for-collapse-of-the-euro-a-849747.html

Ridgewood Chamber 19th Annual Car Show
Fri, September 07, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Memorial Park at Van Nest Square and E. Ridgewood., Ridgewood, NJ

This event is always fun for anyone who loves cars of all ages.

FREE to the public

Please click the download below for a car registration form. For more information, please contact the Ridgewood Chamber office at 201-445-2600 or email: [email protected]

www.experienceridgewood.com

Trenton looks to pick Winner for states lottery
August 14,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The state of New Jersey looking for bids for the right to run the state’s massive lottery .

The winning bid could fetch over $120 million up front and a share of profits annually, according to The Asbury Park Press, which first reported on the plan. The winner could see potential profits of over $1 billion for the length of the contract that would run from next year until 2029.

The NJ Lotter is the 8th largest in the US . Former Gov. Jon Corzine’s administration had explored the idea of letting a private company run the lottery previously . Last years a task force recommended the change to Gov. Chris Christie . Several other states like Illinois have outsourced their lottery operations and more states are also looking into privatization.

Reminder – Village of Ridgewood Electronics Waste Must be Recycled!

New Jersey has significantly revised its regulations to enact a disposal ban on electronics as solid waste. Effective January 1, 2011, the Electronic Waste Management Act (NJSA 13:1E-99.94 et seq.) requires that all “used covered electronic devices” be recycled. The law defines a “used covered electronic device” as a desktop or personal computer, computer monitor, portable computer, or television sold to a consumer.

Electronic equipment is accepted at the Ridgewood Recycling Center at 205 East Glen Avenue. The computer and electronic recycling program provided at the Recycling Center, is at no cost to the Village, and provides an easy option for residents to recycle their computers and electronics. Upon arrival at the Recycling Center, each resident may place their computer components and electronic devices into our convenient walk-in container.

Accepted items (which must NOT be setout for curbside pickup, nor placed in household trash) include:

• Computers (Desktop or Portable) • Printers

• Televisions • Keyboards

• Monitors • Scanners

• Fax Machines • Keyboards

• Televisions • Speakers

• Stereo Equipment • Modems

• Electronic Mouse • Cell Phones

• Desktop Copy Machines • Power Sources

• Hard Drives • VCRs

• DVD players • Video Game Consoles

The Recycling Center at 205 East Glen Avenue has the following, convenient hours:

Monday – Saturday 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ridgewood residents have always embraced recycling for its cost avoidance and environmental benefits. As a result, Ridgewood has enjoyed a savings of over $12.8 million, since New Jersey mandated recycling in 1987. As a community, may all continue to work together towards the goal of responsible environmental practices and greater reductions in solid waste.

If you’d like more information about this topic, please call Frank Moritz at 201/670-5500 x272 or [email protected],or Johanna Luttrell at 201/670-5500 x266 or [email protected]

Youth driving laws limit even the double date

It is a rite of American teendom, celebrated in popular culture by “American Graffiti” and “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”: a teenager with a driver’s license piling as many friends as will fit into the car for a ride.

But increasingly, states are legislating away that carefree cruise, passing laws that restrict when, how and with whom teenagers can get behind the wheel.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia now prohibit teenagers from driving with another teenager, and all but seven states forbid them from driving with more than one. In South Carolina, teenagers cannot drive after 6 p.m. in winter (8 p.m. in summer), and in Idaho, they are banned from sundown to sunup.   (Zernike, The New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/nyregion/teenage-driving-laws-stiffened-in-many-states.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Obama Campaign disses Newark Mayor Cory Booker

After miscue, refined role for Booker

Since Mayor Cory Booker called attacks on private equity “nauseating,” he hasn’t appeared once on national television as a surrogate for President Barack Obama. At the Democratic National Convention next month, one of the party’s rising stars won’t have a headlining speaking role.

Mr. Booker has moved to a mostly off-camera role for the president’s campaign after his unscripted remarks on May 20 about ads Mr. Obama was running about Bain Capital, the former company of presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

But the Newark mayor also remains a force for Mr. Obama, campaigning for the president in Michigan last week, hosting Democratic fundraisers and helping to draft the party’s platform for the convention in Charlotte, N.C.  (Haddon, The Wall Street Journal)

https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444184704577587572165259022.html?KEYWORDS=jersey

Chris Christie to give RNC keynote

Chris Christie, the sometimes abrasive but always entertaining governor of New Jersey, is set to be announced Tuesday as the keynote speaker for the Republicans’ national convention later this month.

Christie, who considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, is already at work on his speech to the convention in Tampa, Fla. His record of cutting his state’s budget, curtailing public sector unions and dealing with a Democratic legislature with disarming and combative confidence all were expected to be on display as he looked to fire up his party’s base.

The scheduling decision was first reported online by USA Today early Tuesday and confirmed by Republican officials directly involved in convention planning. The Republican officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was not planned until later Tuesday.  (Associated Press)

https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79699.html

 to give RNC keynote

Chris Christie, the sometimes abrasive but always entertaining governor of New Jersey, is set to be announced Tuesday as the keynote speaker for the Republicans’ national convention later this month.

Christie, who considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, is already at work on his speech to the convention in Tampa, Fla. His record of cutting his state’s budget, curtailing public sector unions and dealing with a Democratic legislature with disarming and combative confidence all were expected to be on display as he looked to fire up his party’s base.

The scheduling decision was first reported online by USA Today early Tuesday and confirmed by Republican officials directly involved in convention planning. The Republican officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was not planned until later Tuesday.  (Associated Press)

https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79699.html

to give RNC keynote

Chris Christie, the sometimes abrasive but always entertaining governor of New Jersey, is set to be announced Tuesday as the keynote speaker for the Republicans’ national convention later this month.

Christie, who considered a 2012 presidential bid of his own before endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, is already at work on his speech to the convention in Tampa, Fla. His record of cutting his state’s budget, curtailing public sector unions and dealing with a Democratic legislature with disarming and combative confidence all were expected to be on display as he looked to fire up his party’s base.

The scheduling decision was first reported online by USA Today early Tuesday and confirmed by Republican officials directly involved in convention planning. The Republican officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the formal announcement was not planned until later Tuesday.  (Associated Press)

https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/79699.html