>Ommegang Hennepin- 7.7%ABV As you pour this rich golden ale into your glass, consider your surroundings. Are you in a restaurant? Outside on the deck? Is it hot and humid? Cold and brisk? Take a drink. Feel the way Hennepin is bright and lively in your mouth with a warming mix of spicy gingersnap and citrusy hops. Refreshing. Relaxing. It’s true: no matter where you are, Hennepin is the perfect ale for all seasons.
Omeegang Abbey Brown Ale- 8.5% ABV Meditate on this dark ruby elixir. Breathe in its deep emanations of fruit and spice. Is that clove you smell? Licorice? Fig? Sip serenely as revelations of honey, toffee, chocolate and dark dried fruit delight your senses. Can a beer be holy? you wonder, and Where can I get a grail on-line?
John P Gray “Son” Patrick & Sons Super Cellars 32 South Broad St Ridgewood,NJ 07450 (p) 201-444-0012 (f) 201-444-3070 (e) [email protected]
As I was saying, you can forget about those predictions of a state shutdown over the budget this year; it will pass on time. The fight is over Gov. Christie’s proposed constitution-backed 2.5 percent annual property tax cap. The governor’s proposed constitutional amendment, which needs to be passed by the Legislature by mid-July to be put on the ballot in November, would limit property tax growth to 2.5 percent with only two exceptions — debt service and voter override, the latter meaning we the people can say if we want to pay higher taxes. (Ingle, Gannett)
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (June 22, 2010) – Ridgewood resident Steve Wellinghorst is announcing his candidacy for the Ridgewood Village Council to fill the open seat left vacant by the late Councilwoman Anne Zusy.
Ridgewood conducts non-partisan council elections. “Recent events in the village have motivated me to step up and participate in the electoral process,” said Wellinghorst, who describes himself as a fiscal conservative. “There appears to be a need for basic common sense to be applied to the administration of the village.”
Wellinghorst, a 10-year resident of Ridgewood, is a partner in the Woodland Park, N.J. law firm of Wellinghorst & Fronzuto. A lawyer for 22 years, Wellinghorst represents various insurance companies. While never having been elected to public office, Wellinghorst has a long history of public service.
Wellinghorst served as a member of the Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment from 2007-09 and was the municipal court judge in West Paterson, N.J. from 2002-06; prior to that he was West Paterson’s public defender for two years. He also served as the Planning Board attorney in West Paterson from 2006-09. From 1992 to 2006, he was a member of the law firm Braff, Harris & Sukoneck in Livingston, N.J. He also held the position of assistant prosecutor for Asbury Park, N. J. from 1990-92. He began his legal career in 1988 in the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
He has served as a guest legal commentator for numerous national and local cable networks/stations such as MSNBC, Fox, CNN, Court TV andNews 12 New Jersey. He hosted his own legal show “Case in Point” for two years on News 12 New Jersey.
He is a graduate of Montclair State University, where he earned a BA degree in political science and a law degree from The Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. During college, Wellinghorst served as an intern with the late Ridgewood Congresswoman Marge Roukema.
Wellinghorst resides in Ridgewood with his wife, Liz, and two children, who both attend Travell Elementary School. Wellinghorst, 47, is a life-long New Jersey resident and grew up in Brielle, New Jersey.
“I will be meeting with many of you as I complete my Petition to be placed on the November ballot and to discuss the vital issues affecting the Village,” said Wellinghorst. Feel free to contact Wellinghorst at [email protected].
RIDGEWOOD INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Ridgewood July 4th Committee Ridgewood will observe Independence Day on Monday, JULY 5th…this will be Ridgewood’s 100th Celebration! For up-to-date details go to https://www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org/
Fireworks Tickets for July 4th Celebration Celebration is on Monday, July 5
Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Evening Activities and Fireworks Tickets Monday, July 5th, 2010 Alternate Date – Tuesday, July 6th Veteran’s Field, Ridgewood, New Jersey July 4th in Ridgewood is a very special day that our entire area looks forward to all year.
In 2010, the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee will sponsor its 100th anniversary with our flag raising, parade and fireworks. This year’s theme is “100 Years of Supporting the Tradition.” The committee is an all-volunteer community group that coordinates the day’s events and does not receive direct funding from the Village of Ridgewood. July 4th is a Sunday this year, but the national holiday is on Monday, July 5th. Therefore, our celebration will be on Monday, July 5th. We are actively preparing for what we know will be a spectacular 100th celebration, it is vital that we have community support. Please consider helping to “Support the Tradition”. Because of generous support from the community, we have one of the best small town Independence Day celebrations. While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Vet’s Field. Donations for Fireworks Tickets is one of the Celebration’s largest sources of income. Tickets to the Evening Entertainment and Fireworks will be on sale June 1 at the locations below. Buy your tickets in advance for $5.00 and save 50% off the gate price of $10.00.
1. Backyard Living- 235 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-689-9111 2. Daily Treat- 177 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-652-9113 3. Goffle Brook Farm- 425 Goffle Road, Ridgewood, 201-652-7540 4. Harding Wines and Spirits- 305 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-445-7122 5. Herold’s Farm & Garden Center- 909 Prospect Street, Glen Rock, 201-445-0069 6. Hillman Electric- 133 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, 201-652-1045 7. Hogan’s Restaurant Diner- 20 Central Avenue, Midland Park, 201-445-2849 8. Hoskins Propane, 523 Goffle Road, Ridgewood, 201-444-1950 9. Irish Eyes- 1 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, 201-445-8585 10. JT’s Wines and Spirits- 607 N. Maple Avenue, Ho-Ho-Kus, 201-652-2220
Van Dyk Manor Ridgewood, 304 S. Van Dien Avenue June 28th– August 31st (Any time frame) Cost: $10.00 Benefits: Healthcare experience and training Van Dyk Logo T-Shirt A certificate and letter for school verification. Participation in fun events. Call: Denise Rieser @ 201 445-8200 ext. 7965
>Senator: School choice bill should let lawmakers opt out
A proposed law aimed at promoting school choice needs a legislator choice provision in order to pass the state Legislature, a key sponsor said Tuesday. Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, said his bill that would provide scholarships to low-income students in poor-performing school districts — so that they can attend schools in better performing districts — is likely to be altered so that scholarships would be awarded only in areas represented by legislators who support the measure. (Method, Gannett) https://www.app.com/article/20100622/NEWS03/6220328/Senator-School-choice-bill-should-let-lawmakers-opt-out
If you were OUTRAGED at the Planning Board meeting last night and are wondering what you can do please consider the following.
Donate to the fighting fund The next phase of this battle needs to go beyond fliers and public meeting attendance. The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood are building a more substantial fighting fund and would like your support. We are looking for donations of $50, $100, $200 or more to Concerned Residents of Ridgewood, P.O. Box 150 Ridgewood, NJ 07450. You will receive a receipt from the CRR Treasurer. Your decision to donate could be time critical.
Register CRR sends out a regular Newsletter to its members. To stay informed please register with CRR at https://www.stopvalley.com/Register.html. Registration is free and your name will NOT be given to any 3rd parties without your express permission. If you are already a member of CRR and are not receiving newsletters, please re-register as your email might be out of date.
First let me start by saying that it rumored that some members of the planning board ,not all conspired with Valley to change the venue in an effort to disenfranchise the opposition and turn public opinion on them by forcing an angry “storm the Bastille” response which in turn let to overwhelming response by local police which led to even more anger . Well played by Valley and its supporters I might add especially with the aid of County Mounties. Interesting how all the Police arrived simultaneously .I must not have noticed the bat signal.
But Valleys old Nemesis Hackensack Medical Center had other ideas and sent interlopers to raise hell in hopes on tarnishing Valley’s already sullen image. Well no doubt that worked .Looks like once again Valley may have won the battle but lost the PR war big time . Now not only does every town in the Pascack Valley hate Valley Hospital but so does almost everyone in Ridgewood ,well ,well best laid plans for mice and men or shall I say unintended consequences.
On other fronts much of the anti-Riche sentiment strikes of the landslide losers Cronk and Dowd looking to settle a score and weaken the Richie position with his followers ,but not so fast;the Planning Board is not the Village Council and has an entirely different charge. Richie did say it was important to protect the neighborhood but he also repeated time and time again that because he was on the planning board and it was an open item on the agenda he couldn’t comment on Valley . This was in fact told to the CRR people who still decided to endorse him . I stll wish he would have just said “NO “,but at the end of the day it would not have mattered.
As for David Pfund folks continue to take bets on weather he will turn up working for the BOE or Valley ,Mayor Pfund’s gaff was to omit the small detail that his father was a Valley Trustee and his law frim represented Valley; though now conveniently erased from the firms website.
As for the BOE its no secret they were all for the Valley renovation despite the fakery to the contrary . Remember the ‘dope “deal over the BF field some years ago? It has been rumored an email went out over a month ago looking forward to cooperating with Valley . While it seems ,”think of the children” is only done when it comes to teacher raises and huge bond referendums but what else is new.
>Proudly they stand! United in voice and determined to the core! Not since I moved to this town prior to getting married in 1997 have I felt so proud to live here. Proud of the fact that the great people of our village came out in force last night to let the Planning Board know that the majority of tax paying residents of this village are against Valley Hospital’s expansion plans. The spirit of the people, fighting for what is right, was evident by the vocal disgust at what Valley Hospital has planned.
But it was all in vain. The planning board had already made its decision and its individual members turned their backs on the people that they supposedly represent in favor of Valley Hospital’s plans to expand. May the planning board members woe the day that they ignored the cries of their neighbors and friends. The tar and feathers await them.
The planning board has now clearly shown evidence that something is corruptly wrong. Against the voices of the residents of our village, the planning board has clearly highlighted their underhandedness in last night’s vote against the desires of the tax-paying residents of Ridgewood. There is no point highlighting the double cross of one individual member of the six who voted in favor of Valley’s plans, together the six quislings who sold out their friends and neighbors in favor of Valley must now face questions as to their reasons for doing so. It is not enough that they answer to the tax paying residents of our village, but they must now answer to state or federal authorities (as I have stated in a previous blog).
Last year, undercover FBI informant Solomon Dwek worked with federal authorities to expose statewide corruption in New Jersey which resulted in the arrest of 46 mayors, deputy majors, council people and others. Does Valley Hospital have its own Solomon Dwek, only he is operating quite successfully in paying off the Planning Board without any fear of retribution from the Feds? What promises and financial enhancements have been offered to the members of the planning board? These are some questions that only a state/federal investigation can answer and I am sure that there are many more.
The good news is that it will take a number of years before ground is broken on the expansion plans at Valley, but the fight must go on as never before. We must rally to the tune of the civil rights marches across the world “we shall over come” and we must protest at Valley itself – they brought their employees (non-residents of Ridgewood) to our town’s planning board – we must bring our fight to their customers – yes, their customers because every patient that passes the gates of Valley Hospital is a customer that makes money for Valley, the numerous insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies, etc. We must start putting a dent in the pockets of these entities to let them know that Valley’s underhanded tactics can backfire.
>The Planning Board’s vote was improperly conducted and there should be an investigation, not only of the proceedings, but also of the “incentives” Board members most certainly received from Valley.
In his preamble, Nicholson claimed that all deliberations were based upon “fact” and “exhaustive testimony” from experts.
Here are just some of the “facts” cited by Board members:
“…8 out of 9 Ridgewood residents support the hospital…”
This is simply made up! I’d like to see documentation that proves otherwise.
“…the State mandates single-patient rooms for all NJ hospitals…”
This is a lie.
This horrible vote should be rescinded, and Board members investigated. Obviously they were “greased” three years ago. The meeting was a true farce, and an insult to Ridgewood taxpayers.
>Planning Board alienates entire Village of Ridgewood
from the inside: Valley employees were from all over and very few from Ridgewood. One person from Wood-Ridge and another from Orange County NY. One from Pennsylvania and another from Suffern. This was a disgrace. It was clear the Valley people knew the vote already.
highlights of the vote include anne ward saying the testimony of the nurses, that they could provide better care, was credible because they had no financial gain. HUH? I think anne ward also stated (contrary to counsel stating only testimony could be considered when voting) that she supported the renewal because if she didn’t Valley might become a third-rate institution. HUH?
this was a sham and i have to admit being chastised by Ms. Price was a hoot. “Ridgewood residents, who are so concerned with their kids well being, are certainly setting a very bad example” was most comical. She had no business making that comment! so much for legal counsel! Valley employees got to clap at this but for me i want my kids to know in this country we have free speech and civil discourse. Lest we all roll over for politicians with special interests who trample the voice of the taxpayers and voters!
“I charge any reporter out there to further investigate this. There must be some reason that the board would sell out our village to have it become a city. Someone is getting something out of this and it isn’t the taxpayers. If I wanted a high-rise next to my kids school and in my neighborhood, I would have moved to a city. How come people in the lawns on pleasant can’t even add a porch to their houses but the board will approve a high rise next to a school in a residential area.”
One person arrested already. All Ridgewood on duty police officers deployed at scene. Additional police officers from Midland Park, Glen Rock, Wyckoff, and the County of Bergen are responding at this time.
UPDATE#2 Ridgewood PD has now closed South Monroe Street between Godwin Avenue and Washington Place. Record crowds; no meeting in Ridgewood’s history has ever drawn such a public response.
UPDATE#3 Six Bergen County Police units are now being staged at the intersection of North Monroe Street and West Ridgewood Avenue. Police Patrol Captain Thomas Landers is responding to the scene to assume command and control. The individual arrested was an adult male. Protesters are now reported to be attempting to gain access to the building via fire exits.
UPDATE#4 Just came from the inside….They are not letting anyone else in, although there are seats. Many are standing in the back. So many Stop Valley people on the outside. The parking warning was a joke. The was no event at the church and the parking was not an issue. Unfortunately they are not televising it, so those on the outside will not get to hear or see the Planning Board. I exchanged my children’s seats for 5 on the outside and even had some difficulty with that. It is not a pretty scene.
UPDATE#5 Situation outside of GW Middle School is calming down. Shouts from crowd outside of building have subsided. Officers from Bergen County PD and Bergen County Sheriff’s Department have moved into the perimeter and relieved units from neighboring municipalities.
*the Ridgewood blog would like to thanks all of its corespondents for a job well done
Planning Board Votes In Favor of H-Zone Amendment 6-1 with only Morgan Hurley sides with the overwhelming majority of Ridgewood Taxpayers .
Location: Village hall – 131 N. Maple Ave – Third Level
Hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday Barbara K. Carlton Phone: (201) 670-5500 x240 Fax: (201) 670-7305
Planning Board Members: David Nicholson – – Chairman Albert Pucciarelli – Vice Chairman David Pfund – Mayor Ann Zusy – Councilwoman Morgan Hurley James Bombace Anne Ward Nick Tsapatsaris Charles Nalbantian Richard Barclay – Alt. 1 Thomas Riche – Alt. 2
Staff: Gail L. Price, Esq., Board Attorney Blais L. Brancheau, PP, Planner Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE, Village Engineer Barbara K. Carlton, Board Secretary
