N.J. aims to get tougher on first-time DWI offenders
New Jersey lawmakers Thursday will take the first step toward requiring all motorists convicted of drunken driving to use a device that prevents their cars from starting if they have alcohol on their breath.
The bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee would beef up the state’s driving-while-intoxicated laws by mandating an ignition locking device — similar to a Breathalyzer — for all first-time offenders.
Right now, the law requires it only for repeat offenders or those who are at nearly twice the legal limit. (Spoto, The Star-Ledger)
$9 Billion in ‘Stimulus’ for Solar, Wind Projects Made 910 Final Jobs — $9.8 Million Per Job
By Michael W. Chapman and Fred Lucas
June 20, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration distributed $9 billion in economic “stimulus” funds to solar and wind projects in 2009-11 that created, as the end result, 910 “direct” jobs — annual operation and maintenance positions — meaning that it cost about $9.8 million to establish each of those long-term jobs.
At the same time, those green energy projects also created, in the end, about 4,600 “indirect” jobs – positions indirectly supported by the annual operation and maintenance jobs — which means they cost about $1.9 million each ($9 billion divided by 4,600).
Combined (910 + 4,600 = 5,510), the direct and indirect jobs cost, on average, about $1.63 million each to produce.
Too Hot: You just can’t make this stuff up!
Boyd A. Loving
12:16 PM (1 hour ago)
Ridgewood NJ, Shortly before noon today, the Ridgewood Fire Department received a 911 telephone call reporting smoke coming from the chimney of a home in the 900 block of Andover Terrace.
A full “box alarm” assignment consisting of four (4) fire trucks and the tour commander’s SUV was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Arriving personnel determined that the smoke was resultant from wood burning in the home’s fireplace.
The unofficial recorded temperature in Ridgewood at time of dispatch was 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fairway Market’s 2nd Annual Firefighter Food Face-Off Challenge on Sunday,held on June 17
June 21,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, Firefighter Food Face-Off Challenge is made up of local fire fighters team up by department for a food face-off! Each team was supplied by Fairway Market with eleven racks of ribs, ground beef for one dozen hamburgers, ground turkey for up to six more burgers, buns, salt and pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and other staple Fairway spices.
As an added challenge, Fairway gave the teams a “secret” ingredient that they must incorporate into their dishes at the event. Participating teams are expected to bring their own grill and grilling supplies, such as coal, gas, tools, and anything else that Fairway is not providing for their foods that they may want. The competing teams will plate dishes for the 4-5 judges and the judges will decide based on all three dishes. The winning team receives an engraved trophy and a $500 Fairway gift card. All other teams receive a $100 Fairway gift card for their participation.
Firefighters from Park Ridge faced off against those from Ridgewood and West Paterson (Woodland Park) This year saw Park Ridge Fire Department take home the “Best Overall” title. The department had captured its first title in 2010, when Fairway held its inaugural cook-off challenge at its Paramus store.
The winning firehouse, Park Ridge selected a charity The Mary Therese Rose Fund that to recieve a percentage of Fairway’s sales for the day. when Fairway hosts “Shopping Day” to benefit the charity selected by Park Ridge – The Mary Therese Rose Fund, which supports newborns who suffer a stroke shortly after birth.
Ridgewood YMCA Bolger Fitness Center to Offer Special Summer Membership for Students
Join before July 15th and receive a three-month BFC membership for just $185!*
You get it all!
• BFC cardio and strength machines
• Guaranteed lap swimming
• Free weights
• Free group fitness classes including Group Spinning, Yoga, Pilates and Zumba
*Valid Student ID required for membership
For further info or to register, contact Matt Bansch, BFC Director at (201) 444-5600 x306 or e-mail [email protected].
Teachers Union and Democrat Politicians set to block teacher ratings’ release in New York State
By ERIK KRISS Bureau Chief
Last Updated: 12:33 PM, June 20, 2012
Posted: 12:24 AM, June 20, 2012
ALBANY — The public be damned! The state Legislature is likely to pass a last ditch bill that would prevent the release of teacher evaluations, while letting parents see the ratings only of their kids’ instructors.
The measure, introduced by Gov. Cuomo just before midnight Monday, could pass before lawmakers head home for the year tomorrow, sources said yesterday.
EXCESSIVE HEAT UPDATE: COOLING CENTER OPEN AT RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
Due to excessive heat today through Friday, the Office of Emergency Management reminds residents that the Ridgewood Public Library is air conditioned and open to the public today and Thursday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, and Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Residents without air conditioning are invited to visit the library located at 125 N. Maple Ave. and avail themselves of the cool air.
During periods of excessive heat, residents are reminded of the following quick tips for staying cool and safe:
Do
• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun
• Stay hydrated – regularly drink water or other nonalcoholic fluids
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads
• Wear loose fitting, light-colored clothes
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat
• Know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.
Don’t
• Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°f
• Leave children and pets alone in cars for any amount of time
Supreme Court could reveal healthcare ruling Thursday
By Timothy M. Phelps
June 20, 2012, 11:40 a.m.
WASHINGTON — Television cameras will surround the Supreme Court on Thursday morning, as they did Monday, anticipating something that may, again, not happen.
The momentous healthcare decision could be announced Thursday. Or not. All we really know is that it is extremely likely to be handed down by the following Thursday, June 28, when the court is expected to end its current term.
The court works in secrecy as it prepares its opinions, and outsiders might be surprised to learn that some of its work is done at the last minute. The justices would have voted almost immediately after three days of oral arguments last March on whether President Obama’s healthcare overhaul is constitutional. Although that vote would normally have determined the outcome of the case, there is a lot of back and forth before the majority opinion and the dissents, if any, are finished.
“NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” the largest state land grab in history
June 21,2012
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
It’s called A.2168 – “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” ,and despite huge fiscal and emotional opposition at Monday’s New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing from Eagle Forum of New Jersey, multi-New Jersey Tea Parties and taxpayers, A2168 or the “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” passed out of Committee via strictly partisan votes. A.2168 – “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” has now been hurriedly scheduled for a vote Thursday, June 21 , in the NJ State Assembly.
The Bills opposition cited: the huge cost of the Bill and the ” indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government” .The Office of Legislative Services; cited the Bill (known as both A2168 and S1566) as just another bank bailout .
“NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” is the largest state land grab in history, The state will manage property in your neighborhood ; a serious, and growing threat to neighborhood stability considering the rapidly expanding mortgage foreclosures and the questionable, broad-based use of such properties.
The “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” turns the State into a realtor who can purchase foreclosed and market rate houses in ANY neighborhood, and turn the foreclosed houses into ‘affordable’ housing for 30 years. In addition to low and very low income households, the affordable housing will include ex-offenders, AIDS/HIV patients, the homeless and ‘individuals in other emerging special needs groups identified by State agencies’. Look for decreased property values, increased local taxes, neighborhood transformation and less local autonomy. .
Unfortunately market based solution to sell these very affordable priced homes at auction via private, responsible buyers and without big government involvement would create a huge loss of local tax revenues which doesn’t sit well with Trenton .
Contact info here:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ members/roster.asp
Governor Christie: 609.292.6000
A little Tired of Jon Stewart mocking Mitt Romney for being rich
Mike Huckabee
The Daily Caller got a little tired of the liberals’ favorite “Everyman,” Jon Stewart, constantly So they did a little calculating. They estimate that at his current $15 million salary, Stewart must be worth at least $80 million. If that holds up, by the time he’s Romney’s current age of 65, he should be worth $320 million, or $70 more than Romney. And that’s not even including appreciation on his assets, like two mansions in New Jersey and a 6,000-square-foot Manhattan penthouse. But to be fair, they note that those properties aren’t owned by Jon. They’re owned by private trusts named after his pets, presumably to avoid taxes. Wow, can you just imagine the hilarious jokes Jon Stewart would tell about this story – that is, if it were about Mitt Romney?
Sorry we missed it , Happy Birthday Lou Gehrig June 19, 1903
Of all the players in baseball history, none possessed as much talent and humility as Lou Gehrig. His accomplishments on the field made him an authentic American hero, and his tragic early death made him a legend.
Meeting 7 pm, Tuesday, June 26 at the Larkin House
Now’s the time to get active, West Bergen Tea Party
Time to Regain control of your Government , “THEY WORK FOR US”
Join us 7 pm, Tuesday, June 26th
at the Larkin House 380 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff
(1/4 mile North of Stop & Shop) More information: 201 891-5918 [email protected] https://www.westbergenteaparty.com/
Solar in NJ not so dim after all, as installations boom
Despite all the gloom and doom talk about the solar sector, New Jersey installed more solar systems in the first three months of the year than any other state in the nation.
New Jersey installed a total of 174 megawatts of solar systems in the first quarter of 2012, or nearly one-third of the total arrays put in across the country, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight, a publication put out by the Solar Energy Industries Association, an industry trade group. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
5PM HEAT UPDATE: The Bergen Record is reporting that 4 ambulances responded to treat family members who passed out due to the high temperatures in Bruins Stadium in Braddock Park. Several other schools have moved their graduation indoors due to the heat including Palisades Park Junior/Senior High School which will hold its graduation in the school’s auditorium Wednesday evening, Teaneck High School’s Thursday graduation has been moved to the Rothman Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University, River Dell High School’s graduation ceremony remained scheduled for Thursday; but members of the public will be able to view a live broadcast of the ceremony in the air conditioned rooms of the high school’s auditorium, library and cafeteria.
Heat: No plans to move Graduation Day Ceremony from RHS Stadium Field
June 20,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ Thursday just may just be the hottest day of the year ,with temperatures expected to reach just south of 100 degrees weather conditions not exactly ideal for a high school graduation on a turf field.
Near record temperatures have not deterred School officials and according to Superintendent Daniel Fishbein there are no plans for last minute changes.
In an email Superintendent Daniel Fishbein detailed the steps being taken to prepare for the extreme heat assuring all that there will be plenty water available for the graduates and invited guests.(https://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/ridgewood-preparing-for-extreme-heat-on-graduation-day)
Among the common sense suggestions and information are : make sure you stay hydrated and bring water.,carefully decide whether to bring elderly and health impaired relatives or friends to the ceremony.,dress appropriately for the heat, there will be tented areas for graduates who feel they need to get out of the sun, and the Village is prepared with emergency services .
We all remember the flash flooding, last year so ably handled by the former RHS principle Lorenz .
According to Dr. Fishbein ,”This year it will be heat. All part of the graduation experience people will talk about for years.”(https://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/ridgewood-preparing-for-extreme-heat-on-graduation-day)
The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. this Thursday at Ridgewood High School Stadium Field .
