the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in an October 10th article in the “Tap into Ridgewood” titled , “Meet the Candidates for Ridgewood Village Council” candidate Evan Weitz stated , “It is critically important that we bring back the pedestrian plaza and clean up our downtown, to retain that vibrance. It is also equally important that we protect that same character that my family and I fell in love with by preventing over development of our community. Any proposed development in Ridgewood must be carefully measured against the community’s needs and preserving why so many of us moved here in the first place.” Is this the same Evan Weitz that was supported by developer John Saraceno in 2016 and backed by high density proponent Rurik Halaby. Was not Mr. Weitz a member and Chair of the infamous “Financial Advisory Committee” or Tiger Team that rubber stamped all former Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s ill planned high density projects , leaving the Village short on water, parking, police, fire, sewage, road infrastructure and don’t forget the schools? The same Financial Advisory Committee populated by puppets of Mayor Aronsohn with no financial background or expertise what so ever . Could this be the same Even Weitz who donated to the Paul Vagianos’ “build more parking garages” campaign for Village Council ?
As for “same character that my family and I fell in love with ” , Mr Weitz last campaign single handedly created the need to change the now debated sign ordinance. His campaign signs littered the streets of the central business district and the Borough of Paramus , yes Paramus .
History would suggest that Evan Weitz is one of the most pro “over development “ people running for council right after Siobhan Winograd , aka the two “Saraceno wannabes” .
Our suggestion is for Mr. Weitz to forgo his run for Village of Ridgewood Council and concentrate on comedy were he seems to excel . Perhaps a career in standup is in the offing ?
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All facts. And there will be several open spaces coming available where more development is possible. Just say no to Winograd and Weitz. Or, since they are friends they would need to recuse themselves along with Pauly on every resolution or ordinance related to land use down town. Why vote for someone that will not be able to vote at a council meeting? Why??
Welcome to Montclair.
Weitz also want to put back dining in the streets. All eyesores and takes up much needed street parking.
Can we get a pic of Weitz…?
Parking? Is there any independent financial data to show what kind of a deficit our parking business is running? It would be good to hold those who were in favor of that white elephant parking garage accountable for the losses we all assume through higher taxes. Needed parking? If you think there is a parking shortage, just take a look anytime (especially during the day) at the open spaced in our overpriced and poorly run municipal garage.
‘Independent’ being the key word.
I have NEVER driven past the garage when the “Available Spaces” was LESS THAN 206.
who should we vote for them
who should we vote for then?
I’m not sure why the above contributor feels that Weitz and Winograd would have to recuse themselves from anything that comes before the Council. Paul has to recuse himself because he owns a business in the downtown area and thus could be influenced by how it could be affected by various laws. People may well laugh at my next comment, but is it possible that Weitz has realized how much his previous positions have seriously damaged the Ridgewood that was and does not wish to be responsible for any further unnecessary development? Things that sound helpful can turn out to be a monster once they throw off their disguise. One apartment complex was great, even two was acceptable, but the town went way overboard in their approvals for the builders who later jumped on the bandwagon. I realize they had basically no choice as they had not previously announced a limit for construction and thus could have been sued for favoritism. However, now is a chance to refuse any further development of that sort. This is apparently where he and Winograd stand. Susan was on the Council for much of this over-expansion. Why not question her current motives? Especially about the massive expenditures on Schedler–a useless waste of town money even if some was “grants”.
It was Paul Aronsohn aka the 3 amigos who destroyed the town with help from Weitz , winograd and halaby ,Susan was the one sane voice on the council, but the 3 amigos voted in locked step and two of them were sleeping with each other . Weitz’s is whole presentation is totally disingenuous and ridiculous , it saddens me that you would think anything other, you saw it you know better . Aronsohn and the 3 amigos left Ridgewood with generations of tax increases for water, sewers police fire, roads and schools because of no planning . Ridgewood went from being “they town” to being a nice town , that’s a big difference and making the town into Hackensack 2.0 is not a step in the right direction .
I am guessing you have not lived here very long and/or have a very short memory. The high density housing was brought to you by the three amigos, Saraceno, Winograd, Weitz, Halaby, Perron, Jan, and friends. Susan fought hard AGAINST the high density housing, was able to whittle down some of the density/acre and got stuck with the least adversely impactful garage. She inherited a sh*tshow from the Three Amigos. Perron and Paulie are advocates of high density … add in Weitz and/or Winograd and it is game over for Ridgewood. Winograd actively advocates for PILOT for some of the low income housing. If Valley leaves, I dont doubt that the Perron/Vagianos/Weitz/Winograd team will advocate low income/high density housing there.
the entire neighborhood around Valleyon had issues with the potential expansion. Just wait til you see what is coming next. Vote for Weitz/Winograd and your neighborhood will be over-run with years of construction and ultimately an entire newly constructed neighborhood.
“Who should we vote for then?”
Susan Knudsen and Jim Van Goor.
Like them or not, there are four candidates for two spots. The other two are INSANE.
Agree. I am not in love with Jim and Susan, and disagree on several things Susan has advocated, but I truly believe they have Ridgewood’s best interest at heart. A vote for Weitz and Winograd IS a vote for their interests and not mine. It would be insane to elect these two and return to the days of the Three Amigos.
I see a lot of my democrat neighbors with Weitz and Winograd lawns signs who are only doing this to hold the partly line (yes, I know there are no political parties in Ridgewood on paper, but there most certainly are) but IN private, they have indicated that they are voting Van Goor and Knudson.
I’ll take insane over DESTRUCTIVE any day.
Please elaborate on anything destructive Susan or Jim have done. Susan held a hard line on the ginormous garage, she fought for lower density housing. Schedler could be further along but at least Susan didn’t plow it down and make it into a stadium that Winograd wants.
Destructive would be the low income high density housing that Chevron and whites are advocating. Now that’s insane!
Please let’s not make this Dem vs. Rep even though it’s kind of tempting. As a lifelong Democrat I am deeply embarrassed by the behavior of many NJ politicians, including here in town for the past decade or so and ongoing.
Many Dems who know very well that voting for Weitz and/or Winograd would be a disaster for the town, possibly its swan song as a nice place to live (and who have no intention of doing so), allowed signs to be placed on their lawns when bullied into it by local fixers on the D. committee and at the county level. They should be ashamed of themselves for capitulating.
Really, it’s time to end the sign thing altogether. Means zip. In some previous elections the candidates with the most signs, plastering the town and beyond, lost big. Will happen again.
You might not like all of Susan’s decisions but she is not rude. It’s a disgrace to watch halaby, Jan, Hans, Siobhan and that group start childish fights every single village council meeting. They can themselves professional, I think Winograd cried a few times
Winograd shameful censorship of the Ridgewood Mom and Dad FB page should be enough to note vote for her. I think she’s blocked about 1/2 of Ridgewood resident already. Yes, it’s here page but don’t shw should rename it “Ridgewood Mom and Dads Who Always Agree with Winograd”
Hope I don’t get sued like soccer mom did….
Susan may not be perfect, but she cares deeply about this village and deserves to continue on the council. She is approachable and helpful when you need her! She’s got my vote.
Vote for Knudsen but also vote for Van Goor unless you want another “council majority” eager to tip the scales and make our suburb a city. Each of five council members, mayor or not, gets only one vote, and for almost everything, a simple majority of three wins–as we learned with Aronsohn, his girlfriend who voted however he said, and his pal Pucciarelli. He had personally invited both of them to run for council, by the way.
Three out of five, folks, and we are DONE. They already have two and are very eager for one more. Vagianos and Perron cannot wait to sell us out.
If you don’t think Aronsohn and crew are waiting breathlessly in the wings and orchestrating this, you don’t understand how Ridgewood politics has changed over the past ten to fifteen years.
Knudsen is knowledgeable. Knudsen and Van Goor will have our family vote.
I know Siobhan well. Bad news.
She will be a disaster for Ridgewood.
Don’t know the other man.
Weitz is trying to buy the election. He has ridiculous ads running 24/7 on youtube.
THE GUY IS DANGEROUS
And Winograd is lawsuit crazy. Sh’d never get y vote.