>MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
Sponsored by American Legion Post 53
American Legion Post 53 invites everyone to attend the Memorial Day service at 11AM on Monday, May 31 in the park by the monument in Van Neste Square. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on. Also, the Americal Legion will be placing American Flags at the sites of all the veterans buried in Valleau Cemetary. American flags have been placed on sites of veterans at Valleau Cemetary.
>Christie Says N.J. ‘Careening Toward Becoming Greece’ (Update1)
May 25, 2010, 11:57 AM EDT
By Terrence Dopp
May 25 (Bloomberg) — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said the state is “careening our way toward becoming Greece” and can’t afford the cost of benefits and pensions for current workers.
The governor, speaking today to members of the Manhattan Institute, said his state must reduce its tax burden and control government spending. He has proposed a constitutional amendment to cap growth in property taxes, the main source of funding for schools and towns, at 2.5 percent a year.
“Higher taxes are not going to solve the problem,” said Christie, a Republican who took office Jan. 19. “We’ve got to change the course.”
New Jersey’s tax revenue will fall $767 million short of targets over the next 13 months, the state Legislature’s chief budget analyst told lawmakers today. The $29.3 billion spending plan Christie proposed in March for the fiscal year starting July 1 “will have to be modified to respond to this reality,” analyst David Rosen said.
Christie already proposed $10 billion of spending cuts to close a record $10.7 billion budget deficit. He declined to say following his speech how he plans to close the additional gap.
Pensions, Benefits
Greece agreed this month to cut wages for government workers, raise sales, fuel and alcohol taxes and overhaul the state-run pension system in return for 110 billion euros ($136 billion) in emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
New Jersey, like Greece, has a high proportion of public workers who have been entitled to benefits such as free health insurance that outstrip taxpayers’ ability to pay for them, Christie said. In the past decade the state added 11,000 public- sector jobs as it lost more than 120,000 private positions, he said.
Politicians in New Jersey have bowed to public unions for too long, failing to cut teacher benefits and enacting civil- service laws that have tied governments’ hands in trimming workforces, Christie said. Over the last decade, municipal spending has grown by 69 percent, and property taxes have climbed by 70 percent, according to the governor’s office.
The average New Jersey household paid $7,281 in property taxes last year, the highest rate in the nation, according to the state Department of Community Affairs.
“Things that used to be considered sacred cows, the third rails of politics, no longer are,” said Christie. “They’ve been replaced by the issue of affordability.”
–Editors: Stacie Servetah, Pete Young
To contact the reporter on this story: Terrence Dopp in Trenton at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Tannenbaum at [email protected]
>
ROCKY PATEL CIGARS WEEK-LONG PROMOTION
Tuesday, May 25th thru Saturday, May 29th
For every 3 Rocky cigars purchased you will receive 1 Rocky cigar FREE!
Get a chance to putt a Rocky golf ball on our putting green.
If you make a hole-in-one you get a chance to win a box of Rocky Patel
cigars or a Rocky Patel Decade Golf Gift Pack.
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
>First, I have no connection to the RHS lax team and I would not consider myself a friend or “supporter” of Coach Pounds. But, I am reasonably knowledgeable about lacrosse and the players on the team this year.
Secondly, Coach Pounds does many things that hurt his program. For example, Ridgewood teams have a bizarre tradition of “honoring seniors” by playing them over underclassmen, rather than putting the best players on the field (regardless of their class). Pounds has followed this “tradition” on the lax team. On ANY Varsity team, the best players should be the starters and team leaders, PERIOD! He also doesn’t have definitive cuts at the start of the season, so underclassmen float “in limbo” between the Varsity and JV. This has a negative effect on the moral and spirit of these players and fails to fully develop their skills. The JV program historically has mediocre coaching and a weak schedule, thereby, ineffectively preparing the boys for the Varsity, which plays a very tough schedule. These “limbo players” would be better off getting more playing time on the JV and stepping into leadership roles, in preparation for their time on the Varsity, particularly if the coaching and schedule could be improved.
With that said, I am astounded by the negative comments from people on this blog, who clearly have no idea what they are talking about. Make no mistake. Noah Pounds is the MOST TALENTED lacrosse goalie at RHS. I understand that Pounds did not start him earlier in the season because he was concerned about the negative perception that might be created behind his son’s back (I guess he was right). I am sure that Pounds felt he was helping the team by putting “the best goalie” in the game. As a former college goalie, Pounds is well qualified to evaluate the skills of that position. Unfortunately, by not giving him the necessary preparation on the Varsity throughout the season, he probably did his son and the team a disservice.
The truth about this year’s team is that this senior class is one of the weakest in many years. Perhaps many of these boys tried to balance baseball, soccer and lacrosse every spring as youth players (an impossibility) and they never developed the skills necessary to compete at a top level in lacrosse (or the other sports). Or, maybe they just never dedicated the personal time and effort to improve their skills outside of practice and to develop an understanding of the game’s nuances. Whatever the reason, their lacrosse skills are weak. In general, the best players on the team are Juniors and Sophomores. Furthermore, there is no clear leadership on the team and very few players, in any grade, play with the passion needed to have a great season, let alone win championships. My understanding is that the coaches tried to address this all season, with little success. Unfortunately, that is something that is not easily coached. Generally a player has a burning desire to compete or he doesn’t. In my opinion, it has a lot to due with whether the player is coddled at home as a child or is taught the meaning of commitment and responsibility at an early age and whether he has older brothers, who played sports or not. This team did not demonstrate 100% commitment on or off the field (as evidenced by the drinking issues). These are the reasons why this team had an unsuccessful season this year…plain and simple. Armchair coaches (parents), who never picked up a lacrosse stick in their lives, need to find a scapegoat to explain their son’s frustration (the blame could never lie with their son). But, this is the reality.
Anyone, who suggests that a coach would intentionally lose a game to end the season early or punish players, has never played on a truly competitive team in any sport in his or her life. No coach would ever do this. Besides, while the coach may take the responsibility, it is generally the players, who determine the outcome of a game, not the coach. Grow up people!
>Statewide NJ Tea Party continues to challenge incumbents
Facing three Tea Partiers, Lance campaign front-ends Christie’s support
An establishment Republican congressman facing Tea Party challengers is specifically burnishing support from Gov. Chris Christie as evidence that he has a strong conservative Republican on his side. Facing no fewer than three Tea Party-affiliated conservatives as he runs for his second term as the 7th Congressional District incumbent, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-Lebanon) turned to Christie for official fortification at a fundraising rally two Fridays ago at the Warren Somerset Hills Hotel. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
Tea Party candidate challenges Congressman Frelinghuysen
The 11th Congressional District, which starts in Raritan Borough and extends northward to Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties, is so reliably Republican, that the more important election of the year is the GOP primary on June 8. Whoever wins the GOP nomination in the primary is an overwhelming favorite to win a two-year seat in the House of Representatives in the November general election. (Deak, Gannett)
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100523/POLITICS/100523002/1098
>
>Ridgewood Junior Football Association Golf Fundraiser
>Amazingly few Democrat elected leaders bothered to attend the May 22nd union rally specifically orchestrated to influence the voting public’s perception of Governor Christie’s calls for wage freezes, pension changes, and benefits reforms. “Virtually none” is probably a more accurate account. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-Long Branch), LD-14 Assemblycrats Linda Greenstein and Wayne DeAngelo, and State Senator Shirley Turner (D-Plainsboro) were reportedly the only Dems of notable rank on hand. Four is hardly a quorum!
Speaker Sheila Oliver (an ideological liberal) and Senate President Sweeney (a backer of Governor Christie’s pension reforms) were also notably absent.
So what the heck happened this weekend, Save Jerseyans? Democrats primarily rely on two groups for GOTV: union thugs and collegiate liberals. Since student opposition to Christie’s cuts hasn’t exactly materialized on a grand scale, the Dems certainly can’t afford to take union muscle for granted. It’s therefore a little difficult to understand why not a single Democrat legislator addressed the crowd.
There’s always the possibility that Democrat leaders and union chieftains concluded their rally would be more effective if it wasn’t perceived as an overtly partisan affair. More likely, Democrats realized that locking arms and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with angry union members demanding pay raises wasn’t the best image to convey to taxpayers heading into another tough election cycle. “Chickening out” definitely seems like the most plausible explanation.
Whatever the reason for their no-show performance, the dearth of Democrat participants suggests trouble ahead for the Garden State’s liberal-labor coalition. A more than ironic result given the rally’s intended effect, Save Jerseyans!
Permalink: blog.savejersey.com/2010/05/24/democrat-caucus-chickens-out–skips-saturdays-union-protest.aspx
>Airing of Grievances will begin at 5pm
The celebration of Festivus begins with Airing of Grievances, which takes place immediately after the Festivus dinner has been served. It consists of lashing out at others and the world about how one has been disappointed in the past year. Every household has its own traditions; in one house, the Airing of Grievances consisted of writing the grievances on the fridge in marker.
add your Grievances in the comment section of this post!
>
Festivus was created as an alternative holiday in response to the commercialization of Christmas. Or perhaps it was created by cheap skates looking for a good excuse to duck present buying !
Festivus is traditionally celebrated on December 23rd.
Rituals
Festivus Pole
The tradition of Festivus begins with an aluminum pole. During Festivus, the Festivus Pole is displayed unadorned.
Festivus Dinner
A celebratory dinner is held on the evening of Festivus prior to the Feats of Strength and during the Airing of Grievances. The meal is to be some sort of meatloaf.
Airing of Grievances
The celebration of Festivus begins with Airing of Grievances, which takes place immediately after the Festivus dinner has been served. It consists of lashing out at others and the world about how one has been disappointed in the past year. Every household has its own traditions; in one house, the Airing of Grievances consisted of writing the grievances on the fridge in marker.
Feats of Strength
The Feats of Strength is the final tradition observed in the celebration of Festivus, celebrated immediately following the Festivus dinner. Traditionally, the head of the household selects one person at the Festivus celebration and challenges that person to a wrestling match. The person may decline if they have something else to do, such as pull a double shift at work
Festivus Miracles
Although it is not an official element of the holiday or its celebration, the phenomenon of the Festivus Miracle !
>Craig Hueneke said…
I propose we just put a Festivus Pole where they used to put the tree. God knows this Village can use a good Airing of Grievances! Then we all start the new year with everything off our chests!
Just putting it out there!
Craig
>B of A ,(Bank of America) has decided that it won’t do any more business with ACORN Housing Corp., “at least until the group can get its act together” sources tell us.
ACORN chief executive Bertha Lewis blames Republicans for BofA’s move: “The Republicans are trying to intimidate banks that have stepped up to help stop the foreclosure crisis.”
GOP , Reps. Spencer Bachus of Alabama,Darrell Issa of California, and Lamar Smith of Texas sent letters Friday to 14 banks, including BofA, asking them to fully disclosure to the House Financial Services Committee any financial arrangements they have with ACORN, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates.
ACORN many feel was the chief promoter of sub prime lending and is accused of voter fraud in several states.ACORN has recently been videoed encouraging alleged tax fraud,child prostitution, child porn,and illegal immigration . Both the US Census Bureau and the IRS have cut ties with ACRON.
the Ridgewood Blog Staff
>
$1780 / 791ft² – PEASE LIBRARY (RIDGEWOOD)
DISTINCTIVE PROFESSIONAL OFFICE LOCATED IN RIDGEWOOD LANDMARK BUILDING PEASE LIBRARY 791 SQUARE FOOT NORTH WING WITH WORKING FIREPLACE, ELEGANT PERIOD LIGHTING, ABUNDANT NATURAL LIGHT WITH PALLADIAN WINDOWS IN FRONT AND BACK OF SPACE. ALL ORIGINAL RESTORED CHESTNUT WOODWORK, BUILT IN BOOKCASES FACED WITH GLASS DOORS. TOTALLY RENOVATED WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY HEATING AND COOLING, FULLY HANDICAPPED ACCESS. MAGNIFICENT LOBBY WITH ORIGINAL RESTORED MURALS. TENANT TO PAY 20 PERCENT OF TAXES AND CAM CHARGES, 2 PRIVATE PARKING SPACES. A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY.
NO RENTAL FEE
30 Garber Square
Location: RIDGEWOOD
TELL THEM TO SAW THE AD ON THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG
>Washington, Sep 29 –
As many of you may know, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009, also known as the “Audit the Fed” bill. I strongly support transparency of the Fed, and wanted to take a moment to tell you about this important issue.
Preserving the Federal Reserve’s independence in conducting its monetary policy is cited by many as a reason to oppose the Federal Reserve Transparency Act. But Allan Meltzer, one of the most prominent academic experts on Fed policy and history, recently declined to join others in signing a petition to preserve the central bank’s independence because, as he said, “the Fed has rarely been independent and it strikes me that being independent is very unlikely,” in the current environment.
According to a recent Wall St. Journal article, Meltzer went on to explain that history is replete of instances when the Fed bended to political pressure, keeping interest rates low in the 1930s and 40s to help finance the New Deal and World War II, for instance, and in the 1960s to finance Great Society spending, which later led to inflation.
I’m looking to explore this issue more fully in the near future – How independent is the Fed in reality? Because if history shows that the Fed has never truly been an independent entity, then there’s no independence to protect. Which then leads us to ask, ‘What is it, actually, that some people are so interested in protecting?’
Additionally, growing the power of the Federal Reserve has been the center of many proposals for financial services regulatory reform. This greatly concerns me, and I have asked President Obama for an investigation of the Federal Reserve prior to contemplating expansion of its power.
In a bipartisan letter signed by 16 of my colleagues, I wrote, “the financial services regulatory reform proposal that your Administration put forward contains within it provisions that would grant the Federal Reserve considerable new powers and oversight over a broad swath of industry in this country in order to monitor and take action to reduce “systemic risk” in our economy. Before Congress, working with the Administration, moves forward on granting the Federal Reserve any additional power, however, the actions of the Federal Reserve related to the Bank of America/Merrill Lynch deal need to be fully investigated.”
Given the events of the last few years and the resulting financial and economic turmoil in which our country now finds itself, it is appropriate that the Obama administration, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, and many other public and private entities, engage in a wide-ranging debate about what reforms are needed for our financial regulatory system. Momentum is now beginning to form to enact legislation to implement reforms. No additional powers should be contemplated for the Federal Reserve, however, until this issue is thoroughly investigated and the Federal Reserve is cleared of any wrongdoing. As mentioned above, even if it is cleared, we must ask ourselves, and we believe the American people are asking themselves, do we really want to centralize even more power in this entity?
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
Member of Congress
>EDITORIAL: At the president’s pleasure
‘Safe school czar’ encouraged child sex with an older man
By THE WASHINGTON TIMES
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/28/at-the-presidents-pleasure/
A teacher was told by a 15-year-old high school sophomore that he was having homosexual sex with an “older man.” At the very least, statutory rape occurred. Fox News reported that the teacher violated a state law requiring that he report the abuse. That former teacher, Kevin Jennings, is President Obama’s “safe school czar.” It’s getting hard to keep track of all of this president’s problematic appointments. Clearly, the process for vetting White House employees has broken down.
In this one case in which Mr. Jennings had a real chance to protect a young boy from a sexual predator, he not only failed to do what the law required but actually encouraged the relationship.
According to Mr. Jennings’ own description in a new audiotape discovered by Fox News, the 15-year-old boy met the “older man” in a “bus station bathroom” and was taken to the older man’s home that night. When some details about the case became public, Mr. Jennings threatened to sue another teacher who called his failure to report the statutory rape “unethical.” Mr. Jennings’ defenders asserted that there was no evidence that he was aware the student had sex with the older man.
However, the new audiotape contradicts this claim. In 2000, Mr. Jennings gave a talk to the Iowa chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, an advocacy group that promotes homosexuality in schools. On the tape, Mr. Jennings recollected that he told the student to make sure “to use a condom” when he was with the older man. That he actively encouraged the relationship is reinforced by Mr. Jennings’ own description in his 1994 book, “One Teacher in 10.” In that account, the teacher boasts how he allayed the student’s concerns about the relationship to such a degree that the 15-year-old “left my office with a smile on his face that I would see every time I saw him on the campus for the next two years, until he graduated.”
Mr. Jennings’ denials about these events reveal a lack of remorse. He has not admitted that he made mistakes in this case, and he now refuses to answer any questions about the scandal. Don’t forget, this is a presidential appointee we’re talking about. Mr. Obama should make clear what his standards are for public servants serving at the pleasure of the president. Encouraging and covering up man-boy sexual activity are serious offenses. The White House should force Mr. Jennings to come clean.
Mr. Jennings has made extremely radical statements promoting homosexuality in schools and about his utter contempt for religion that render him unsuitable for a prestigious White House appointment. His job in the Obama administration is to ensure student safety, and this scandal directly calls into question his ability to perform that job. Mr. Jennings and Obama administration officials refuse to answer any questions about this newly discovered evidence. A lot of Americans want answers about this guy and how he was approved for a job in the White House.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/28/at-the-presidents-pleasure/
