>Christie poised to unveil education reforms today
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to announce a series of proposed educational reforms today at a town hall meeting in Old Bridge. (Method, Daily Record)
Category: Village of Ridgewood
>NJ Assembly advances Christie’s property tax reform measures
>NJ Assembly advances Christie’s property tax reform measures
TRENTON — An Assembly committee Monday advanced four bills designed to chip away at property taxes, including a proposal sought by Gov. Chris Christie that could expand the use of a potentially powerful state Council on Local Mandates. (Symons, Daily Record)
>SKATEBOARD – Best Trick Contest ! October 9, 2010
>SKATEBOARD – Best Trick Contest ! October 9, 2010
Ridgewood Recreation Program Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Announces, “The Best Trick Contest,” at Ridgewood’s Skate Park On Saturday, October 9th Ridgewood Parks and Recreation is sponsoring, “The Best Trick Contest,” at the Ridgewood Skate Park. This event is open to all skateboarders who have pre-registered. The rain date is October 10th. The event hosted by Ketan Malhotra will begin at 11:00 a.m. The contest schedule is as follows: Beginner Level 11:00-11:30 Intermediate Level 11:30-12:00 Advanced Level 12:15-12:45 Prizes will be awarded to top contestants. The cost to enter the contest is $20. All entrees must be received by September 22. Stenciled tee shirts are included in the price of registration and must be noted in the registration application in sizes: Child Medium, Child Large, Adult Medium or Adult Large. Registration is in person or by mail at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information or assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560. (photo by ArtChick.biz)
>thank you for reading ….
>If your looking to run ads or get in touch with the Ridgewood Blog please send all correspondence to onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
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>Ridgewood Traffic Advisory – FULL CLOSURE of Goffle Road – September 27 – 30
>Ridgewood Traffic Advisory – Goffle Road – September 27 – 30
FULL CLOSURE of Goffle Road between Wyckoff Ave and Rock Road. The closure will start Monday, September 27th at 6:30am and will continue until Thursday, September 30th at 6:30pm.
This is a an update for the planned FULL CLOSURE of Goffle Road between Wyckoff Ave and Rock Road. The closure will start Monday, September 27th at 6:30am and will continue until Thursday, September 30th at 6:30pm. Once closed, both northbound and southbound traffic will be detoured. The southbound detour will remain the same as it is right now (Wyckoff Ave to Layfette Ave, to Ravine Ave – all in Wyckoff). The northbound detour will start at Rock Road and will continue to Lincoln Ave to Godwin Ave to Goffle Road.
Limited through access on Goffle will be allowed for both the school buses and NJ Transit buses. (During this time, the work will be stopped and the crane will be lowered so the outriggers can be brought in).
Local traffic for residents and businesses on Goffle will be allowed, but through traffic will not be possible.
>Village Council Elections: Thanks to all who attended this Saturday’s meeting at The Stable
>Village Council Elections: Thanks to all who attended this Saturday’s meeting at The Stable
Ridgewood Meet the Councilors
Thanks to all who attended this Saturday’s meeting at The Stable. It was a great opportunity to meet the current council members and discuss the current issues with them.
I did not see anyone with Anonymous on their nametags, but I suspect I know who a few of you are now.
Oliver Train
oliver.train@gettheretech.com
>DEMOCRAT BURT ROSS WHO SYMBOLIZES HONEST GOVERNMENT ENDORSES KATHE DONOVAN
>DEMOCRAT BURT ROSS WHO SYMBOLIZES HONEST GOVERNMENT ENDORSES KATHE DONOVAN
Former Mayor who ignored mob death threats and rejected $500,000 bribe denounces McNerney, Democrat corruption
Burt Ross, the one-time Democrat Mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey who drew national attention and fame when he ignored death threats from organized crime figures, rejected their $500,000 bribe and played a key role aiding the FBI in their apprehension and conviction has endorsed Republican Kathe Donovan for Bergen County Executive.
In his endorsement statement Ross said, “The choice is simple-do we want an honest, independent, and intelligent leader who has served all of us for decades without a blemish on her record or do we want to reelect a person who has helped the Democratic Party Machine feed itself at the expense of the people? Do we want somebody who will serve us or somebody who will keep the patronage flowing at our expense. It’s as simple a choice as that.”
A full copy of Ross’s statement follows.
Donovan said that she was overwhelmed by Ross’s endorsement. “I was in awe of Burt Ross’ incredible courage and dedication to the principles of good, honest government then and remain so today. He is the standard by which all public officials should be measured. I am truly humbled by his support.”
Donovan has also been endorsed by the Bergen County Police Chiefs’ Association, Bergen Grassroots the good government activist organization, The New Jersey Laborers International Union and the Sierra Club.
Burt Ross Endorsement of Kathe Donovan for County Executive
As a life-long Democrat who has held both elected and appointed office in this State, I have never endorsed a Republican for public office until now, but the culture of pay to play in our county government is so pervasive, the stench of corruption so overpowering, that my decision is easy – I am wholeheartedly endorsing Kathe Donovan for Bergen County Executive.
The choice is simple – do we want an honest, independent, and intelligent leader who has served all of us for decades without a blemish on her record or do we want to reelect a person who has helped the Democratic Party Machine feed itself at the expense of the people? Do we want somebody who will serve us or somebody who will keep the patronage flowing at our expense? It’s as simple a choice as that.
Kathe Donovan is a Republican and I continue to believe the Democrat Party best represents the needs of all citizens. Kathe and I do not agree on every issue. But on the critical issue of intellectual and practical honesty we are in total agreement. Kathe Donovan is a public servant who has earned the public’s trust and support.
We in Bergen County are well educated and well informed. We do not want nor do we deserve the kind of political machine for which Jersey City was known in the 1930’s and 1940’s. We want our elected officials to represent us, not themselves and their cronies.
I have watched with pain the County Democratic Party which used to represent our highest ideals gradually become a Tammany Hall like machine more interested in taking care of its own than the public at large. I will continue to be a Democrat and I truly believe that most elected officials regardless of party affiliation try their best for the public good, but a relatively small group of individuals has taken control of the County Democratic Party these past several years and the public has suffered the consequences.
I personally regret having remained silent for so long, but the indictments and convictions of key Democrats who controlled the County government and the corruption emanating from the Bergen County Improvement Authority whose key players were appointed by the incumbent are impossible to ignore. Enough is enough. I am voting for Kathe Donovan
>New Jersey’s pension system crisis is sinking
>Can NJ keep its pension promises? No way, many officials concede
Jack Curtis was driving with his wife to the grocery store recently when the 63-year-old elementary school principal from Morris County announced they needed to downsize their retirement dreams. Why? Because the state’s pension system is so far in arrears that Curtis doesn’t think he can count on it anymore. The reality of New Jersey’s pension system crisis is sinking in. (Method, Gannett)
>Healthcare Rationing something to look fiorward to in the USA
>Healthcare Rationing something to look fiorward to in the USA
Axe falls on NHS services
NHS bosses have drawn up secret plans for sweeping cuts to services, with restrictions on the most basic treatments for the sick and injured.
Some of the most common operations — including hip replacements and cataract surgery — will be rationed as part of attempts to save billions of pounds, despite government promises that front-line services would be protected.
Patients’ groups have described the measures as “astonishingly brutal”.
An investigation by The Sunday Telegraph has uncovered widespread cuts planned across the NHS, many of which have already been agreed by senior health service officials. They include:
* Restrictions on some of the most basic and common operations, including hip and knee replacements, cataract surgery and orthodontic procedures.
* Plans to cut hundreds of thousands of pounds from budgets for the terminally ill, with dying cancer patients to be told to manage their own symptoms if their condition worsens at evenings or weekends.
* The closure of nursing homes for the elderly.
* A reduction in acute hospital beds, including those for the mentally ill, with targets to discourage GPs from sending patients to hospitals and reduce the number of people using accident and emergency departments.
* Tighter rationing of NHS funding for IVF treatment, and for surgery for obesity.
* Thousands of job losses at NHS hospitals, including 500 staff to go at a trust where cancer patients recently suffered delays in diagnosis and treatment because of staff shortages.
see full story : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/7908742/Axe-falls-on-NHS-services.html
>Smart Girl New Jersey Summit
>Smart Girl New Jersey Summit
August 12, 2010
9:30am to 3:30pm
The Molly Pitcher Inn
Red Bank, NJ
The Smart Girl New Jersey Summit will bring together conservative activists along with some of the most prominent conservatives in the state of New Jersey. This event is being held in the beautiful historic Molly Pitcher Inn.
Join activists from around the region, for a day of socializing, training, and motivating speeches.
Debra Burlingame-Keep America Safe
Laura Drain-National Hispanic Republican Coalition
Steve Lonegan-American For Prosperity
Anna Little-Congressional Candidate District 6
Pastor Herbert Lusk-Former Faith Based Leader for George W. Bush
Betsy McCaughey-Healthcare Advocate and Former Lt.Governor of NY
Christine O’Donnell-Senatorial Candidate for Delaware
Katie O’Malley-Human Events Magazine
Grassroots Candidate Panel (Alan Bateman, Bruce Baker and David Corsi)
Constitutional Panel (Leigh-Ann Bellew and Bill Miller)
The Leadership Institute –Washington, DC
Ticket can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/526906993
Limited Seats available
Bagel reception and Lunch will be served
****proceeds from the events are designated for SGP
>Stay in Touch…
>If your looking to run ads or get in touch with the Ridgewood Blog please send all correspondence to onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
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Speak Your Mind ……………………..
>Ridgewood Police: I am very leery of any reduction in their numbers be it through attrition or layoffs.
>Like most residents I have had little interaction with the police. I suspect is not the case with the person who entered this post. No doubt there might be some other motive at work here.
None the less, I don’t see the problem with a 12 hour shift. Some quick math will most likely tell you that the police are still working the same number of hours a year. While I do not know the specifics as to how the RPD operate, I do know that many industries which maintain a 24/7 work staff do operate on 12 hours shifts. In my industry we support public utilities throughout the country and in Canada. It is very common for public utility line staffs to work 12 hour schedules. It has been seen as a benefit in that industry and I suspect the use of 12 hour schedules for police staffs were brought about due to the same line of reasoning. Perhaps larger departments like Paterson do the same thing, I am not sure. I doubt that the Ridgewood PD is the first and only police department to work this schedule.
What I am sure of is that any reduction in personnel will have little to do with an 8 hour schedule or a 12 hour schedule. Productivity will not be a key factor either. The police are not a revenue producing service, they are not out there to make money for a private for-profit corporation. As a citizen I do not see any benefit in a police department that is nothing more than a squad of uniformed revenue collectors.
Ridgewood does have a low crime rate, I feel safe walking the streets. If Ridgewood were Paterson I would not live here. A low crime rate does not just occur naturally, there are many factors that keep the crime rate low and the police are a key element. That is true anywhere, not just Ridgewood.
When I lived in a tree lined suburban community in California community 15 years ago that was not the case, gang related crime was a major concern. I did not live in the hood, I lived in a upper middle class suburb. You never saw an officer on patrol and they took 45 minutes to respond when you called (or so my fellow residents maintained in their letters to the editor). My small city refused to hire more officers due to the cost, yet my taxes were high there also.
Reducing the number of personnel means reduced service, plain and simple. If we want to contain costs then we are going to be forced to accept less service from all branches of government. The questions is what are we willing to give up and what will the true cost be in the long run? I suspect my answer to that question will be far different from that of the poster of this thread who appears to be motivated by some sort of a grudge.
I don’t see any big raises in the future for any public employees or increases in their numbers, the police included. However, I am very leery of any reduction in their numbers be it through attrition or layoffs. To do so would be in open invitation to the criminal element from within and outside or borders. A couple of soccer moms talking on their cell phones while driving and difficulty crossing the street will become the least of our problems.
>Ridgewood Police :Being proactive might just save your job. Remember, we all read the police blotter. This isn’t Paterson or NYC.
>12;03 your scare tactic comment won’t cut it. We have an ample staff on the PD. Actually overstaffed. If I was a PBA member, I would be trying to do the best to show my employer *THE TAXPAYER* the value they received for the taxes they paid.
The pay scale is very generous, as are the benefits. The work rules permit you to have more free time than the residents. 3 days one week? 4 days the next? Do tell us how those 12 hour shifts add up. It was conceived by the PBA PURELY to benefit the officers, and they convinced the ‘the Chief’ at that time that it would work. How you could fight off an old lady after working 9-10-12 hours is beyond me(especially observing the gut hanging over the beltline of most) To expect automatic raises, to expect no layoffs, to expect no furloughs is fantasy land. Be thankful you have a job…. so “IF” you want to convince your employer of your worth, perhaps now is a time to show how to better make use of the current level of staffing. Work 5 days a week like the rest of us. Have varying shifts so that there is adequate coverage at peak times. Get the brass off their ass and out on the street. (I actually noticed a superior in a white shirt walking Ridgewood ave on Saturday.-take a hint from him) We do not need multiple levels of Seargents, Leuitenants to supervise every single detective, juvenile, crime prevention etc.
Too much BS. For all the BS I read about cops having to make split second life or death decisions, one would expect that for what you are paid you can think and do some actual police work other than answering a 911 call and typing it into the computer and dumping onto the detective bureau. Nobody expects BS ticket blitzes but to whine about ‘not enough cops’ to those of us who have watched you ‘protect’ the coffee shops and van neste square won’t be very convincing. Being proactive might just save your job. Remember, we all read the police blotter. This isn’t Paterson or NYC.
Field Lighting : We’ll shake down various village sports groups
>PJ Can someone please explain how:
· We had a bond referendum shoved down our throats under the specter of vanishing funds from state grants
· We had or state school aid eliminated this year
· We had 2 years of multi-million dollar school budget deficits
· After the school budget was defeated, the Village Council reduced it by a whopping 1/10 of a percent
· We laid off or retired around 30 town workers and more may follow
After all the angst and tumult in this past year, now we’re getting LIGHTS for our artificial fields?!?
During the dog days of summer, our geniuses at the Board of Ed decide that gadfly Jack Carroll’s idea to add field lights to RHS was a good idea. But don’t worry, sez Big Jack – he’ll shake down various village sports groups (like was done for Maple Field) to offset the cost. If that’s not enough, we’ll take come of the overbudgeted funds from the bond referendum. (Remember, Laurie said that they added a little (10% – our money) extra padding to the referendum – just in case!!)
Carroll has been playing puppetmaster for almost 20 years and this is his latest act. The Board of Ed decided it was cool to “roll the dice” (especially when few were watching – or so they thought). The Village has be mostly against turf fields and now we’ll have 3. And lights now too that will illuminate the new Staduim field and bleachers? How do they pull that off when the state New Jersey won’t even allow a bloody concession stand to be built? Ask the Vandevender Foundation about that one.
This whole process stinks to high heaven. I bet you didn’t realize that when you signed your kids up for a rec sports team, you’d be paying for lighting a field you may never set foot upon. You probably thought that the Board of Ed may want to take it easy with the spending and scheming considering they are staring down new state budget rules and regs – not to mention a possibly explosive REA contract negotiation.
>Pedestrian Hit : KUDOS to the moms (and dads) who do take the time to teach their kids how to cross the street.
>I walk to the train every morning regardless of the weather. At my age I need the exercise.
You cross the lane of traffic that stopped for you and make it safelty to the center of the street. You then wait for a clearing in the other lane and finish crossing the street. 7 out of 10 times cars going in the other direction stop. Other time you have to wait a second or two. Paying attention to what you are doing, which includes not talking or texting on your cell phone also helps.
Using a cross walk or crossing an an intersection also helps. Set out from between two parked cars in the center of the block and no motorist has to stop for you. They can’t run you over, but they have no legal obligation to stop for you either.
My source for this comment in both my life experence of 63 years and my last AAA newsletter which contained information on the new pedestrian law. But the best lesson on the subject was what my mother taught me as a little kid. Unfortunetly the little kids I have seen being tugged into the middle of the street while mom is talking on her cell phone are not learning that lesson! And KUDOS to the moms (and dads) who do take the time to teach their kids how to cross the street.
As for police enforcement, nice when it can happen. However, with what I am reading in the papers about police cuts state-wide I expect there will be less traffic enforcement in the coming years, not more.
