Author: James

Democrats defy Christie by delaying tax cut in $31.7 billion budget

Defying Governor Christie’s veto threats, Senate Democrats took the first steps to approve a $31.7 billion budget that does not include an immediate tax cut and to impose a new millionaire’s tax in order to increase property tax credits for senior citizens and low-to-middle-income homeowners.

The Senate Budget Committee voted 8-5 along party lines to approve the budget bill, which sets aside $183 million in a special property tax relief fund that would be used to enable an additional property tax cut next April, but only if the Christie administration is on track to meeting its projected revenue growth of 7.2 percent, said Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen).  (Magyar, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0622/0211/

file photo

Fewer Than Half Now Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Paid for It
Friday, June 22, 2012

For the second survey in a row, fewer than half of U.S. homeowners believe their home is worth more than when they bought it.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of homeowners now say their home is worth more now than when they bought it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s just below April’s finding of 49%, the first time that figure dipped below 50% in over two years of regular surveying. By comparison, in October 2011, 62% reported that their home was worth more than when they bought it, and in June 2008, 80% thought their home was worth more than when they bought it.

https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/housing/june_2012/fewer_than_half_now_say_their_home_is_worth_more_than_what_they_paid_for_it

Cottage Place Gallery features neighbor and artist Nancy Petrie’s artwork

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

“I’m having a wonderful life,” said artist Nancy Petrie. This amazing 94-year-old is exhibiting her watercolor and pastel paintings at the Cottage Place Gallery of the Unitarian Society, where she has been a member since 1958.

“Cottage Place is a lovely street and it’s home – right across from my church,” said Petrie. She lives at the nearby Cottage Place Senior Residence, one of the two S.H.A.R.E. (Shared Housing Association for Ridgewood and Environs) houses in the village.

Petrie’s husband Carl died five years ago and two years later she moved to her current home. “It was almost like coming home,” she said. “It never occurred to me that I would be part of the S.H.A.R.E. community.”

“It’s half way between living in your own home and assisted living,” she explained. “It’s a home for independent seniors in Ridgewood.”

https://www.northjersey.com/arts_entertainment/159153325_Cottage_Place_Gallery_features_neighbor_s_artwork_.html

file Photo Saddle River near Parmus Rd /Ridgewood Ave intersection

Ridgewood residents question much-ballyhooed highway commercial zone (HC) district 
FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

A handful of Ridgewood residents protested the adoption of a pair of ordinances that will ultimately impact the future of two separate and undeveloped properties in the village.

The village appropriated funds last week to purchase a vacant lot that abuts the Schedler property.

The Village Council last week approved the much-ballyhooed highway commercial zone (HC) district and the appropriation of $100,000 for the purchase of the vacant lot that abuts the 7-acre Schedler property.

Both moves were made by the governing body after years of discussion and consideration of the potential changes each might make on Ridgewood’s face along the Route 17 corridor, as well as the impact on residents.

The HC zone encompasses two parcels along Route 17, a vacant lot known as the Burroughs property and the current Ridgewood Commons area. Property owner Malvern Burroughs last year applied for rezoning to develop the 2.4-acre wooded lot, which is located near the intersection of Paramus Road and Linwood Avenue and adjacent to Route 17 south.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/159974385_Moves_on_two_properties_questioned.html

Congratulations Bob lets hope we can all move forward to make the BCRO an effective organization once again !

PJ Blogger 

 

Yudin wins the BCRO chairmanship again with 58% of the vote over Rottino

Bob Yudin won the chairmanship of the Bergen County Republican Organization tonight.

He defeated challenger Anthony Rottino in a runoff election to gain another four year term.

438 votes for Yudin; 315 votes for Rottino.

“I look forward to making a tremendous amount of progress in the coming months,” Yudin said. “We have to close ranks. We have to win in November. What’s most important is to get past the rancor and to move forward as one.”  (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/57932/yudin-wins-bcro-chairmanship-again

Summer Shipment of Viaje is now in stock at Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood

Summer Shipment of Viaje has arrived!

C4
TNT
Summerfest
Roman Candle

all available now at
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood!
~Gary, Barbara and Collin
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood | 10 Chestnut Street | Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM

Jimmy “JJ” Walker at Bookends ,Wednesday, June 27th @ 7:00pm
Star of television show: Good Times, James Walker, will sign his new book, Dyn-o-mite
Book available June 26th

Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.

While we try to insure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.

Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726

Teacher tenure changes pass unanimously in NJ Senate

Many of the last hurdles were removed yesterday from what now seems like all-but-certain passage of a tenure reform law for New Jersey that would make it harder for teachers to gain tenure and easier to lose it.

The Senate passed the bill sponsored by state Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) with a remarkable 39-0 vote, the Republicans’ unanimous support virtually assuring that Gov. Chris Christie will support it as well.

There remains a different Assembly version, but Ruiz met yesterday for a half-hour with state Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan Jr. (D-Middlesex), the Assembly’s education chairman and sponsor of that bill, to work out differences.   (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0621/2225/

 

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce reorganizes for 2012-13

THURSDAY JUNE 21, 2012, 3:07 PM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, currently celebrating its 85th year, held its annual Installation, Networking and Recognition Dinner on June 19 at Tre Voci restaurant on Chestnut Street.

The event included the installation of officers and members of the Board of Directors for 2012-13.

Chamber officers include: Tom Hillmann of Hillmann Electric, president; Walter Boyer of Bookends, vice president; Aaron Galileo of ISB Mortgage, secretary; Diane Friedman of Alexandrite Group, treasurer; and Ed Sullivan of Sullivan Associates, past president.

Members of the Board of Directors include: Doug Seiferling (The Ridgewood News), Megan Fraser (The Valley Hospital), Zvia Barlev (LaPiazza Bistro Italiano), Michael Velicu (Mediterraneo Restaurant), Jim Parks (Parks Wealth Management), Guy Margolin (Ridgewood Chiropractic), Paul Vagianos (It’s Greek to Me) and Eileen Smith (Smith Brothers).

https://www.northjersey.com/news/159910595_Ridgewood_Chamber_of_Commerce_reorganizes_for_2012-13.html

July 1 Reorganization Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council

And some say Ridgewood officially becomes part of Hudson County 

The Reorganization Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council will take place on Sunday, July 1, 2012 beginning at 12 Noon in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room on the fourth floor of the Ridgewood Village Hall.

During this meeting, the Village Council will recognize the departing members of the Village Council and new Village Councilmembers, as well as a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, will be sworn in. United States Senator Robert Menendez will perform the swearing-in ceremonies.

Immediately following the Reorganization Meeting, there will be a reception on the patio area between the Village Hall and the Ridgewood Public Library. All members of the public are welcome to attend the Reorganization Meeting and the reception. In case of rain, the reception will be relocated to the auditorium of the Ridgewood Public Library.

Jeremy Kleiman named acting OEM coordinator

FRIDAY JUNE 22, 2012, 4:28 PM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Jeremy Kleiman has been named acting coordinator of Ridgewood’s Office of Emergency Management, Village Manager Ken Gabbert announced on Friday.

Kleiman has served as deputy OEM coordinator since 2006 and was “highly recommended by the Village Council, village manager and the emergency services community,” the release said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/160053735_Ridgewood_names_acting_OEM_coordinator.html