>As if the last-minute change of venue wasn’t bad enough to jerk residents around…now the village says parking will be unavailable. This from the Record:
“Parking will be extremely limited tonight at the middle school where the Ridgewood Planning Board is voting on Valley Hospital’s expansion plans.
The Planning Board secretary announced this afternoon that the village just discovered that parking will not be available at the large church lot across from George Washington Middle School.
The school itself has only a small lot and legal parking is scarce on the major streets around the school.
The Planning Board changed the meeting location from Benjamin Franklin Middle School, which has ample parking, late last week.
Board Secretary Barbara Carlton suggests that people carpool to the meeting. “
It’s bad enough the meeting was moved to a smaller venue off site but now parking is suspiciously absent
Pre-empted this week by U.S. Rep. Jon Adler’s (D-Cherry Hill) invocation of “Washington insider” to describe the Republican challenger, Jon Runyan as expected hit back with his first formal general election brand association for Adler: “career politician.” The candidate announced his support for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, and proposed requiring a two-third supermajority of both the House and Senate to pass any tax increase and “a ‘Red Ink Taskforce’ that would be charged with a thorough review of all federal spending.” (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
>Alongside Christie on Monday, Booker set to endorse property tax hard cap concept
Embroiled in a city budget crisis and trying to close a $180 million budget deficit, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is scheduled tomorrow to endorse Gov. Chris Christie’s general concept of a hard cap on property taxes, according to multiple sources. The Christie administration Sunday evening released the governor’s updated schedule, which includes the appearance with Booker in Newark set for 11 a.m. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
>Governor Christie: “Now is the time to not ignore the problems but to confront them.” A lot of the things that these difficult trying times are bringing into focus for all of us as citizens, as elected officials – that accountability is important now more than ever. And your point that when we appoint people, and I appoint lots of people, by the time I get done with four years I’ll probably appoint thousands of people to different things – boards and commissions and authorities around the state, members of my cabinet, judges – a lot of people that I’m going to be responsible for that are going to have my name next to them, for better or for worse for the rest of my life. (Governor Christie, PolitickerNJ)
New Jersey’s Tea Party movement soon will have its chance to truly announce its presence in the state’s political landscape. The primary election June 8 offers the Tea Parties — peopled mostly by energized conservatives and others fed up with government — the opportunity to translate their websites and slogans into actual votes. (Baldwin, Gannett)
>Valley Hospital’s neighbors have expressed fears for some time that their property values will decline during Valley’s massive “Renewal” construction project .
It is pointed out on many occasions and particularly by the Concerned Citizens Group that the Village’s own land use and development laws set forth guidelines that should be followed when officials are considering building design and placement. A consultant was even brought in to make recommendations and tone down the project and make it both usable for Valley yet not overwhelm the neighborhood.
As it stands current Village code calls for buildings that “promote a desirable visual environment which is harmonious with the character of existing development and which enhances the character of the surrounding neighborhood and the Village as a whole, and avoids adversely affecting the value of adjacent or nearby properties.”
Neighbors have voiced several main concerns including increased traffic and congestion, a huge construction project near a large middle school and the overwhelming of the neighborhood buy such a huge building not in fitting with the Village of Ridgewood’s character.
To many neighbors its seems obvious that the area will for sometime become a less desirable place to live so when resident Edward Markus asked the board if they were considering whether depressed property values, due to the effects of construction, would entitle residents in the area effected to receive reductions in their property tax assessments. The Board responded with the standard “I know nothing” made famous by Sergent Schultz in the TV series Hogans Hero’s.
That is not good enough. Clearly the neighborhood will be taking the brunt of the “Valley Renewal ” so perhaps its time to consider that, face facts and act accordingly.
>72% Are Not Confident Congress Knows What It’s Doing When It Comes to The Economy
Saturday, May 22, 2010 Even as Congress puts the finishing touches on legislation asserting more government control over the U.S. financial industry, most U.S. voters continue to believe the legislators have little idea what they’re doing when it comes to the economy.
The latest national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that just 27% are at least somewhat confident that Congress knows what it’s doing when it comes to addressing current economic problems. An overwhelming majority (72%) are not confident in Congress to address these problems. These figures include six percent (6%) who are Very Confident and 43% who are Not at All Confident.
These findings show little change from surveys dating back to late September 2008, just after the Wall Street meltdown that included the collapse of the Lehman Brothers financial firm. Supporters of the new bill say it is intended to prevent another such meltdown.
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is offering a special edition T-Shirt to commemorate it’s 100th anniversary. The shirts are imprinted with art work from the cover of the 1910 Ridgewood Independence Day program. These attractive T-Shirts also gain the wearer entrance to the 2010 Evening Entertainment and Fireworks. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts will help fund the 100th Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration. The shirts can be purchased from our website, https://www.ridgewoodjuly4th.org/ .
Build your own cheese platter…..figure ¼ lb of cheese per person..add some dried fruit or favorite spread…we can help…
Joel’s Malibu Kitchen……Take out Dinners!…….now available only….$10.95 Joel has decided to get back in the “game” by creating frozen dinners for you to enjoy in your home. We’re starting out with five completely cooked, different, colorful, balanced, all natural selections created by Joel from his former menu. Stock up for those late work nights we all seem to have these days. Easy reheating instructions, delicious results!
Chicken Malibu Tender pieces of chicken breast, lightly egg battered and sautéed in a Malibu lemon wine sauce with a touch of half and half, served w/julienne of veg and potato
Salmon w/Champagne Dill Sauce Alaskan King salmon filet poached to perfection in a champagne dill sauce, julienne of vegetables, and rice
Chicken Stir Fry Tender pieces of chicken breast, sautéed till golden brown with an array of vegetables in a ginger-teriyaki-hoisin sauce, sprinkled w/brown sugar and stir fried.
Fettuccini in Silly Sauce w/Shrimp Homemade fettuccini in a zesty pink tomato sauce with wild mushrooms, tiger shrimp, grand marnier, Romano cheese and a touch of cream.
Toasted Almond Tilapia Fresh Tilapia filet encrusted with almonds, pan seared in a Chardonnay citrus beurre blanc sauce.
A MILLIONAIRES TAX is a one-shot budget fix. Forget whether the 16,000 New Jerseyans who make more than $1 million a year should be taxed at nearly an 11 percent rate. Forget whether the more than $600 million in anticipated revenue is an accurate number. And forget whether that revenue would really be used for senior citizens. In plain New Jersey English, just fuhgeddabout the whole thing. (Doblin, The Record)
It took about two minutes from the time Senate President Steve Sweeney certified the passage of the millionaires tax package for Governor Christie to veto the bills at his desk. (Friedman, Fleisher, The Record)
>434 BERKSHIRE ROAD – RIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY THIS SATURDAY MAY 22nd. 9AM – 4PM YARD SALE — GI……………NORMOUS!!!!!!!! MULTI-FAMILY, VINTAGE, DOLLS, FISHING LURES, HO– USEHOLD ITEMS, DEPRESSION GLASS, RUG, TOO MUCH TO LIST.
GIANT GARAGE SALE—— THIS SATURDAY , MAY 22 , 10-3 NO EARLY CALLERS! 43 N. Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood NJ Most items only $1 a piece!
Something for Everyone!! Yard Sale Friday, May 21, 10 to 4 and Saturday, May 22, 9 to 3. Fine jewelry, lots of household items, chandeliers, Waterford, Burberry, wedding dress, furs, old records, garden items, sports items. Location: 155 Mountain Ave, Ridgewood, N.J.
Tons of toys, baby items, books, cameras and more for sale at this multi-family garage sale. NO EARLY BIRDS. Saturday, May 22. 9 am to 3 pm. Location: 453 Cherry Ln, ridgewood, nj
Teachers Encouraged to Apply for PSEG Environmental Education Grants
(May 19, 2010 – Newark, NJ) – New Jersey teachers are encouraged to apply for funding through PSEG’s Environmental Education Grant Program, which provides funding to educators who can link their students’ understanding of math, science, computer science, and technology with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment.
“We’ve long been committed to education and the environment, and this program, which provides direct funding for hands-on environmental education, is one we’re particularly proud of,” said Vaughn McKoy, president of the PSEG Foundation. “Now in its 20th year, this program is a prime example of PSEG’s commitment to sustainability, and of the ways in which we’re working to improve the communities in which our employees live and work.”
Teachers of grades K-9 are encouraged to apply. The grants, which may be as large as $3,500, can be used to purchase materials and equipment, fund field trips, and develop curriculum-related activities. Applications that focus on the development of one or more classroom units, the expansion of an existing course or curriculum, or the extension of classroom work to community or after-school activities will be considered. Projects must be conducted over at least two years.
Teachers from schools in PSE&G’s utility service area, PSEG’s estuary enhancement program area and PSEG’s emergency planning zone may apply. Applications, which are available online, must be postmarked by Wednesday, June 30th. For more information on the towns, and to download an application, visit www.pseg.com/eegrants.
PSEG has awarded more than $335,000 to 143 project grantees since the program began twenty years ago.
Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with three principal subsidiaries: PSEG Power, PSEG Energy Holdings, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G). PSEG has a long tradition of caring for New Jersey’s people and communities. Each year, the company and its employees invest millions of dollars and thousands of hours to improve the quality of life in New Jersey. The company’s culture dictates that service to customers and community go hand-in-hand
>The New Jersey Association of Realtors Governmental Research Foundation released a report detailing the migration patterns of people moving in and out of New Jersey.
The study shows that in 2007 alone, New Jersey lost over 38,000 residents a loss of almost 14-thousand households. In the previous report, New Jersey lost more than 135,000 residents between 2001 and 2006. NJAR GRF President William Hanley says New Jersey having the highest taxes in the nation makes this a continuing problem.
“The loss of population is startling. It is not hard to deduce why residents are leaving the state. The report found that property tax payments were 2.5 times higher for households entering New Jersey than those leaving the state. This is an increase over the previous report’s findings, which showed them as 2 times higher. It is evident fundamental property tax reform is needed to not only attract new residents but keep our existing residents from moving to more affordable locations.”The study also shows that households moving to New Jersey had incomes over 37 percent higher than those leaving New Jersey.
“It is clear many residents are being priced out of New Jersey. It would be truly devastating if New Jersey becomes a place where only the high-income earners can thrive. This report should serve as a wake-up call that, as a state, we clearly need to do more to attract and retain middle-class residents,” Hanley said.
>Ridgewood Sports: LAX Parents claim Coach Pounds punished the team by losing on purpose
Many RHS lax parents angry at coach Pounds. #6 Ridgewood played the #11 team in the states and lost. The coach refused to start his senior goalie (would not give a reason). He passed over all the other goalies in the program and started his inexperienced freshman son – IN THE STATE PLAYOFF!!! We were missing 3 sophomores but in this game it would not have mattered. It was easily winnable.
The opponent scored 6 times on 8 attempts. A freshman on the West Windsor team scored his first goal of the year. In an interview on the Ridgewood Patch the player from West Windsor said “Luckily, the ball went through the keeper’s legs, but I’ll take it anyway…. It’s a great feeling.”
Pounds was unhappy with the team all year and was looking to end the season. He shamed himself in an attempt to punish the team. Many seniors did not even get to play in the last game.
When you go to a game you should play to win. We have a loser for a coach and RHS deserves better. Tell the wellness director to place the “help wanted” ad. We need a leader for a coach.
More bad news for the state and the Christie administration. Income tax collections in April were more than $550 million below even Gov. Christie’s expectations. And apparently they haven’t recovered in May. Residents in 12 counties got an automatic income deadline extension until May 11 because of storms and floods. (Ingle, Gannett)
