Author: James

photo by www.artchick.biz

Ridgewood Water same old song
July 13.2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

According to James Kleimann of the Patch Ridgewood Water Director Frank Moritz told the Ridgewood Village Council that dwindling tank capacity and a fear that fires could not be fought prompted the decision to declare Stage II water restrictions. (
https://wyckoff.patch.com/articles/ridgewood-water-chief-details-reasons-for-stage-ii-restrictions)

Mortiz went on with the usual diatribe about Ridgewood Waters inability to pump water fast enough to fill its present storage tank capacity . The tanks are spread around the Ridgewood Water service area from Ridgewood to Wyckoff . Additional water is also brought in from United Water Resources.

Our deepest sympathies go to Frank Moritz for have to reexplain this issue ever year for say the last 15 ? However its does not excuse the fact that the Ridgewood Water service area faces the type of water restrictions once though to only belonging in the 3rd world. And it does not explain how during the 60’s and 70’s when built in pools were all the rage that there was seldom a need to curtail water use.

One wonders with all the new building and urbanization of Ridgewood’s business district ,expansion of Valley Hospital and new developments springing up all over town whether anyone has taken water usage into account ?

If we can go by the history of the last 15 years ,the answer is surely a resounding “NO” .

While Ridgewood water is willing to tell anyone who will listen that they have plans for new tanks and more capacity with each passing year the problem seems to only get worse and each fix seems to only lead to high water rates and more excuses.

Energy efficiency program means no more dim bulbs in Jersey schools

The Christie administration is setting aside $6 million to help public and private schools in New Jersey reduce their energy bills by replacing antiquated lighting.

The initiative, financed out of the state’s clean energy program, will be available to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. It will cover the entire cost of the upgrades, including materials, labor, permitting, and proper disposal of the lights, known as T-12 fixtures. Incentives range from approximately $100 to $500 per fixture, depending on the type, and are offered in association with complete fixture replacement  (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0712/2215/

November school board elections : Claim that there would be a reluctant to run for nonpartisan school board on the ballot as partisan races like the presidency proves false 

When the Legislature last year allowed school elections to move to November, one of the worries was that people would be reluctant to run for the typically nonpartisan jobs on the same ballot as partisan races like the presidency.

Now that some early results are in, it looks as if a few of those fears may have been realized — although not to the degree expected. In fact, the slight dip may have more to do with a quirk in the filing deadlines than anything else.   (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0712/2226/

While Professor Raphael J. Caprio calls the net result correctly like all “Big Government” types he misses the point . The growth of government is driven by power lust and irresponsible spending . The needed high taxation coupled with the huge regulatory burden that goes with it has destroyed the private sector economy in New Jersey ie…”the golden goose” .

Central planning is an outdated and antiquated concept that has failed and proven historical disastrous .

As businesses and jobs move out of the state there are less and less people able or willing to pay the outrageous taxes or put up with Trenton trying to micro manage their lives. The Net result will be that municipalities will no longer be able to finance their insatiable apatite for cash and layoffs and drastic service cuts are their only out .

Government has grown enormously over the last 11 years .This unsustainable pace of government growth is now leading to a total collapse of the ‘modern welfare state” .

The welfare state has simply become a “white elephant” .

James Foytlin Founder of the Ridgewood blog

Rutgers Professor Raphael J. Caprio sees ‘tsunami’ coming to towns in a few years

While several towns were impacted during the “Great Recession”, forcing them to lay off and furlough workers, one expert predicts towns will go through another “municipal tsunami.”

Professor Raphael J. Caprio of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, said the reasons largely stem from severe state aid cuts to municipalities over the years. Also, many towns have exhausted much of their surpluses and there isn’t much hope other types of revenues will grow enough, such as hotel taxes and construction permit fees, to make up for the loss.  (Hassan, PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/58472/rutgers-prof-sees-tsunmai-coming-towns-few-years

 

NJ tech companies have trouble finding qualified workers

Are Potential employees “Stuck on Stupid” ? 

New Jersey technology employers say it’s tough to find skilled workers. Educators say they aren’t looking hard enough. And a survey released Thursday by an industry trade group pointed out the huge disconnect.

A survey by the New Jersey Technology Council found nearly six in 10 technology executives said their biggest employment obstacle is either finding qualified workers or training them.

But even more said they weren’t aware either of job fairs for veterans that could provide a key source of help or of government incentives that are available to them.  (Diamond, Asbury Park Press)

https://www.app.com/article/20120712/NJBIZ/307120083/NJ-tech-companies-trouble-finding-qualified-workers?nclick_check=1

file photo downtown Ridgewood

Construction on new Ridgewood housing may start next spring

THURSDAY JULY 12, 2012, 4:04 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Groundbreaking for one or more multi-family housing developments in downtown Ridgewood might begin as early as next spring and be ready for occupancy as soon as the summer of 2014.

The Dayton, shown in a rendering above, is one of two proposed housing developments in Ridgewood.
Village Planner Blais Brancheau last week revealed an estimated timeline, from start to finish, of two housing proposals for the Central Business District (CBD). He cautioned those present at the July 3 Planning Board meeting that the dates given were approximations and did not account for any application issues or public opposition.

Information provided by Brancheau was offered, in part, to appease resident Paul Levin, who complained to the board about what he perceived was a lack of progress on the proposals. Levin suggested that the fate of the development applications will likely determine his future residency.

“I want to know if I should stay [in town] or move out,” said Levin, who lives on Graydon Terrace. “I’m frustrated. This has gone on for six to eight months. There’s not one ounce of progress made.”

Preliminary testimony by planners for both proposals ended in February, giving way to the village to conduct its studies.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/154951965_Sunscreen_labels_to_get_stricter__but__not_this_summer.html

Village Council drops “bag it” policy
July 13, 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The new Village Council drooped the ball and reneged on its promise to improve leave clean up in the Village . At the Wednesday night council meeting the new council opted to scrap the proposed changes put forth just a month ago by Ridgewood’s Director of Operations Frank Moritz and Streets Department supervisor John Spano . The two had presented a plan to require homeowners to bag their leaves and small garden debris for village pickup or landscaper removal.

Over the last several years the Ridgewood leaf removal policy, has been a point of contention with critics citing everything from safety concerns to cost and timeliness of pick-ups. The new policy would have replaced the current procedure, of leaves piled up at curbside for scheduled pickup with the requirement that residents bag their debris.

The Moritz plan of bagging leaves for pickup was presented as a way to improve the overall safety for both pedestrians and village workers ,while cutting down on the needed man power for timely removal thus saving the Village some money .But at Wednesday’s work session, council members backed down and echoed concerns about the potential burden to residents if the changes were mandated and people were forced to “bag it’.

More than just the Friend Police : Facebook Monitors Your Chats for Criminal Activity [REPORT]
July 12, 2012 by Alex Fitzpatrick

Facebook and other social platforms are watching users’ chats for criminal activity and notifying police if any suspicious behavior is detected, according to a report.

The screening process begins with scanning software that monitors chats for words or phrases that signal something might be amiss, such as an exchange of personal information or vulgar language.

The software pays more attention to chats between users who don’t already have a well-established connection on the site and whose profile data indicate something may be wrong, such as a wide age gap. The scanning program is also “smart” — it’s taught to keep an eye out for certain phrases found in the previously obtained chat records from criminals including sexual predators.

If the scanning software flags a suspicious chat exchange, it notifies Facebook security employees, who can then determine if police should be notified.

https://mashable.com/2012/07/12/facebook-scanning-chats/

Huge Moving Garage Sale!!!July13&14 (Ridgewood, NJ)
Date: 2012-07-11, 11:55AM EDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]
Friday&Saturday, July 13&14, 2012
9AM – 1PM only (no early birds)
HUGE MOVING SALE!
On 537 Van Buren Street,
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

We’ll be selling items such as:

NEW CHILDREN CLOTHS (from previous closed store)$2~$4 each.
BIG NEW TENTS.
1 YEAR OLD Dehumidifiers.
Furniture,table, bed, night stand, dresser, mirror, outdoor furniture, folding chairs.
Toys, bike, holiday decoration, picture with nice frame,
Cloths racks, Store fixtures,
Frames,
HP printer,
Lighting,
Tools, Lawnmower, and more….

Come Early, Come All! After 1PM Saturday, these items will be GONE!

Looking to post your Garage or Yard Sales free to all Ridgewood Residents send details to [email protected]

 

Moving Sale In Ridgewood (438 Overbrook Road Ridgewood, NJ 07450)

Moving sale this Sat and Sun from 10-3 on both days. Please go to www.HassleFreeEstateSales.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click on the Ridgewood link to see all the items available for sale.

 

USDA uses Spanish soap operas to push food stamps among non-citizens, citizens
By Caroline May

The government has been targeting Spanish speakers with radio “novelas” promoting food stamp usage as part of a stated mission to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps.

Each novela, comprising a 10-part series called “PARQUE ALEGRIA,” or “HAPPINESS PARK,” presents a semi-dramatic scenario involving characters convincing others to get on food stamps, or explaining how much healthier it is to be on food stamps.

The majority of the episodes end with the announcer encouraging the listener to tune in again to see if the skeptic applies for benefits or learns to understand the importance of food stamps to their health.

“Will Claudia convince Ramon to apply for SNAP?” the announcer exclaims at the end of a standard episode titled “The Poet,” “Don’t miss our next episode of ‘HAPPINESS PARK.’”

Read more: https://dailycaller.com/2012/07/12/usda-uses-spanish-soap-operas-to-push-food-stamp-participation-among-non-citizens-citizens/#ixzz20RYkwaVv

file photo by www.artchick.biz

Summer start time will stay the same at Graydon Pool
Thursday July 12, 2012, 1:46 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

A number-crunching session and the belief that money was being well-spent helped the Village Council decide to keep Graydon Pool’s weekday operating hours, specifically its 10 a.m. opening time, through the final three weeks of the swimming season.

The anticipated $3,000 operating cost to rollback the pool’s start time to 10 a.m. from Aug. 15 to Sept. 3 is a worthy expense, council members determined after reading an enrollment and financial report presented to them by Parks and Recreation officials this week.

“I’m really reluctant to spend money. I guess I put this in the category of making maximum use of a wonderful facility,” said Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli. “I’m reluctant to see us not get the most use of the pool, especially now since it’s been so nicely improved.”

In May, the previous council voted on a 10 a.m. opening over a proposed noontime start through mid-August. At the time, the council decided it would evaluate the first three weeks of the season to determine the operating hours toward the end of the summer.

https://www.northjersey.com/recreation/162234885_Summer_start_time_will_stay_the_same_at_Graydon_Pool.html

For Third Year NJ Transit Budget Holds Fares Steady
July 12, 2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Transit’s Board approved a $1.904 billion operating budget and a $1.152 billion capital program for the fiscal year that started July 1.Transit (NJT) approved a Fiscal Year 2013 operating budget and capital program will keep fares steady for a third year in a row .
Almost  half of the capital budget comes from the Transportation Trust Fund, with the balance coming from federal and other sources.

NJ Transit officials are also reconsidering the very unpopular 2-year-old decision of  May 2010 that ended off peak discounts for weekend rail passengers and other off-peak hours. This decision was coupled with an average fare hike of 22 percent ,led off-peak riders to pay nearly 50 percent more and in come cases 64 percent more. According to NJT officials nearly 20,000 NJ Transit customers a day or 17 percent of rail customers  use round-trip tickets during off-peak hours,  Sources claim that off-peak ridership has risen about 2 percent since the fare increases , while overall rail ridership is down almost 2 percent during that same period.

In a cost-cutting move, the board adjusted service on six bus routes and discontinued four others with low ridership.The bus reorganization will save NJ Transit $2.5 million. NJT plans to reinvest $1 million of it into new projects, including 24-hour bus service between Newark Penn Station, Newark Liberty International Airport and Elizabeth.

The $1.15 billion capital program, supports fleet modernization efforts for NJT buses , including the purchase of more than 1,400 new buses, more than 400 multilevel rail cars and  50 electric and dual-power locomotives.

Penn State leaders disregarded victims, ’empowered’ Sandusky, review finds
By Susan Candiotti, Josh Levs and David Ariosto, CNN

State College, Pennsylvania (CNN) — Penn State’s most powerful leaders showed “total and consistent disregard” for victims of child sex abuse and failed to protect children, according to the findings of a long-awaited internal review over how the university handled a scandal involving its former defensive coordinator.

In fact, the report says several former officials “empowered” Jerry Sandusky to continue his abuse, and investigators say legendary head football coach Joe Paterno could have stopped the attacks had he done more.

In a statement released along with the 267-page report, Louis Freeh, the former FBI director and federal judge who spearheaded the review, blasted several top former officials at the school, accusing them of forging an agreement to conceal Sandusky’s attacks.

https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/12/us/pennsylvania-penn-state-investigation/index.html?hpt=hp_t1