>To all you “what until traffic stops” commentators here, would you like to take a shot at a question I posted previously about this. No-one yet has had a go. Here it is:
Traffic runs in both directions. Remember that. If I wait for traffic to stop, this often only means one lane of traffic stops. The other lane is still running. If I keep waiting, the driver of the stopped car, and the cars behind it, start getting pissed as I’m still standing there, waiting for the other side to stop. After a few seconds of horn honking and a look from the first car driver’s face as if I’m some kind of idiot, he then pulls away. I’m still standing there!
I get the impression that many of you drivers don’t get out and walk much.
I do not believe people march out into crosswalks. I don’t, and I don’t see others doing it. What I do see are drivers not paying attention, and walkers start crossing because they safely assume that cars, still some distance away, will stop. These drivers, who aren’t focused, see the pedestrians at the last moment, and have to brake sharply, come away with this impression that the pedestrian “marched into the crosswalk”.
Just like exessive speed, crosswalk violations are woefully under-enforced by the Ridgewood PD.
>75% Say Free Markets Better Than Government Management of Economy, Political Class Disagrees
Friday, July 23, 2010
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely Voters prefer free markets over a government managed economy. Just 14% think a government managed economy is better while 11% are not sure. These figures have changed little since December.
Polling released earlier this week showed that Americans overwhelmingly believe that more competition and less regulation is better for the economy than more regulation and less competition.
Not surprisingly, America’s Political Class is far less enamored with the virtues of a free market. In fact, Political Class voters narrowly prefer a government managed economy over free markets by a 44% to 37% margin. However, among Mainstream voters, 90% prefer the free market.
Outside of the Political Class, free markets are preferred across all demographic and partisan lines. This gap may be one reason that 68% of voters believe the Political Class doesn’t care what most Americans think. Fifty-nine percent (59%) are embarrassed by the behavior of the Political Class.
>THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN UPTON NY HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR… PASSAIC COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY… NORTHERN ESSEX COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY… SOUTHERN BERGEN COUNTY IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…
* UNTIL 815 PM EDT…
* AT 735 PM EDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO 8 MILES WEST OF WEST MILFORD…MOVING SOUTHEAST AT 45 MPH.
* OTHER LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO BLOOMINGDALE…POMPTON LAKES…WAYNE…FAIRFIELD…HAWTHORNE… CALDWELL…RIDGEWOOD…PATERSON…PARAMUS…BLOOMFIELD…PASSAIC… HACKENSACK…MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS…TETERBORO…RUTHERFORD… RIDGEFIELD…LYNDHURST…FORT LEE…ENGLEWOOD AND BERGENFIELD
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
WHEN A TORNADO WARNING IS ISSUED BASED ON DOPPLER RADAR…IT MEANS THAT STRONG ROTATION HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE STORM. A TORNADO MAY ALREADY BE ON THE GROUND…OR IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP SHORTLY. IF YOU ARE IN THE PATH OF THIS DANGEROUS STORM…MOVE INDOORS AND TO THE LOWEST LEVEL OF THE BUILDING. STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF DRIVING…DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS.
THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE…SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. — USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS.
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>PJ… Why no story on how Ridgewood has been screwing over Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff on the water rates?
How come no story on how the new bathrooms on vets field are non ADA compliant and have to be redone?
How about the storm drains on Crest that were filled in and now the water runs into the residents homes..
How about all the white powder that was all over the road in the rain storm the other day out of the water tank? Where have ya been my friend… we all count on you!
> Donovan Defends Support for Investment in “White Elephant” Xanadu
An Open letter:
Dear Dennis:
There you go again. Trying, clumsily I might add, to misrepresent my positions. But this time you’ve shown that you don’t know the difference between a bailout and an investment. Let me help you.
What I have tentatively endorsed for Xanadu is a tightly controlled public investment in a project which has already received more than $2 billion of private investment with more on the way. This investment would be unlike the deal you and your Democrat friends made with your cronies at EnCap. You remember. The deal which resulted in the public loss of tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. The deal which generated a scathing report from the Inspector General and is now rumored to be under investigation by the US Attorney.
The investment in Xanadu will create thousands of construction and full time jobs and be repaid by revenues generated by the development. Dennis, do you oppose investing in job creating projects? Don’t you want to help unemployed Bergen County residents?
You said that the investment I support is a “bailout” for billionaires. Dennis, if you’re referring to Steve Ross of the Related Companies I’ll bet he’s surprised he needs a bailout–he’s not even there yet, is he?
Dennis, no wonder the County’s finances are in such bad shape. But now that you know the difference between a bailout and an investment I hope that you’ll join with me in supporting economic growth and job creation at Xanadu. Working families in Bergen County are hoping that you’ve seen the light.
Thursday, July 22, 2010 BY JASON BRAFF The Ridgewood News STAFF WRITER
The Board of Education (BOE) is going to get by with a little help from its friends.
About a dozen local parent-based sports organizations have committed to help fund a lease-purchase agreement for field lights at Ridgewood High School’s (RHS) Stadium Field and Stevens Field.
The groups have pledged to the BOE a payment of $106,000, which would cover the first year of the lease-purchase agreement, and would subsequently pay no less than 40 percent of the full payment for each of the four remaining years of the lease.
The BOE voted to accept a bid costing about $500,000 to install both sets of lights at a meeting on Monday night.
“In the development of the bond referendum, the idea of lights being put in the fields was discussed and was a part of the planning, but it was made clear that without assistance we would not be able to afford this,” Fishbein said at the meeting.
The private groups will donate about $40,000 a year to the board in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 to help offset the annual cost of $105,000. The total project will cost $498,500, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Angelo DeSimone. The $65,000 a year that the board will be responsible for will come out of its budget for those four years. According to DeSimone, however, the board hopes to subsidize those costs through another fundraising effort from private groups that offered to help raise money for naming rights on the new turf fields.
“We’re going to be looking at other ways to raise money to defray the costs of the lease payment,” DeSimone said in an interview after the meeting. “But right now the board is committed obviously to the full financial obligation. The right answer as we sit here today is that we’ll have to put the next payment in the school budget.”
In December, voters passed a $38 million bond referendum, which will cost the average taxpayer about $300 a year for the next 25 years, by less than 100 votes; the money will help fund major renovations and additions across the district. Fishbein said the bond referendum bids accepted for the first rounds of referendum projects have come in favorable to the district, and district officials hope the savings may be able to help subsidize the final years of the lights payment if it has not been already paid for through donations.
>California Official’s $800,000 Salary in City of 38,000 Triggers Protests
Hundreds of residents of one of the poorest municipalities in Los Angeles County shouted in protest last night as tensions rose over a report that the city’s manager earns an annual salary of almost $800,000.
An overflow crowd packed a City Council meeting in Bell, a mostly Hispanic city of 38,000 about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles, to call for the resignation of Mayor Oscar Hernandez and other city officials. Residents left standing outside the chamber banged on the doors and shouted “fuera,” or “get out” in Spanish.
It was the first council meeting since the Los Angeles Times reported July 15 that Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo earns $787,637 — with annual 12 percent raises — and that Bell pays its police chief $457,000, more than Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck makes in a city of 3.8 million people. Bell council members earn almost $100,000 for part-time work.
City Attorney Edward Lee said the council members couldn’t discuss salaries in public without advance notice. The council then adjourned for a private session. About an hour later, the council members returned, and Hernandez read a statement saying the city would prepare a report on the salaries and seek public comment at the next council meeting, scheduled for Aug. 16.
Residents shouted in protest. Lee said he would have the room cleared if people continued to speak out of line. Police Chief Randy Adams said the fire department wanted to end the meeting because the crowd outside was blocking the door.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. – The co-owner of Ridgewood, New Jersey mortgage brokerage firm Diversified Financial Group, d/b/a Residential Mortgage Corporation, and a former firm employee, both pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme. In the process, the broker named the firm’s co-owner, Bergen County Improvement Authority Chairman Ronald J. O’Malley, as a co-conspirator in the fraud scheme.
Edward Olimpio, 47, of Boonton, New Jersey, and Rachell Fischbein, 28, of Hillsdale, New Jersey, both entered guilty pleas before United States District Judge Susan D. Wigenton, admitting that they conspired with each other and others – including a co-conspirator who during the relevant time period served as the Chairman and a Commissioner of the Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA) – to commit wire fraud in connection with fraudulent mortgage and home equity loans brokered by Residential Mortgage between 2006 and 2009.
According to an unnamed source, the BCIA commissioner named in court today was current Chairman Ronald J. O’Malley.
The federal court Information identifies the co-conspirator as “CC-1”, who “was a co-owner and principal of Residential Mortgage” along with Olivio. According to online sources of corporate information, such as Dunn & Bradstreet’s Hoovers service, O’Malley is on record as an owner and officer of Residential Mortgage.
Things are getting so bad in Newark that the mayor has ordered the government to stop buying toilet paper.
It’s part of Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s belt-tightening plans that include reducing most city workers to a 4-day work week and shuttering city pools. Booker estimates that the pool closures alone would save $250,000. He also says that no gas will be purchased for municipal vehicles that are not deemed critically important.
Police officers, firefighters and sanitation workers would not be affected by the furlough plan. City workers were already bracing for furloughs starting in August. The number of unpaid days would increase from 11 to 19 with Booker’s plan.
The city budget shortfall is $70 million and Booker plans to meet the revenue shortfall with budget cuts instead of property tax increases.
“Taxes can not be the answer,” Booker said.
Booker says property taxes in Newark have gone up 76 percent in last decade and 19 percent in the past five years.
>Christie- Parochialism could kill Meadowlands – A.C. overhaul
Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday that parochialism among factions in and out of Trenton could derail his ambitious plans for an overhaul of the Meadowlands and Atlantic City.The governor was referring to a study issued by his advisory commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment that recommends massive changes to both areas including public private partnerships and the possible privatization of some state owned venues, the creation of a “Clean and Safe” Tourism District in Atlantic City potentially run by the state and aid to the Xanadu shopping and entertainment complex to help the troubled project come to completion. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
The Kasschau Memorial Shell is an outdoor amphitheater located on Veteran’s Field, behind Village Hall
at 131 N. Maple Avenue. It was dedicated in 1958 as a tribute to Frank Kasschau, an accomplished and
beloved musician in Ridgewood.
The Kasschau Memorial Shell operates under the auspices of the Village of Ridgewood, Department of
Parks and Recreation, to provide a variety of free quality family entertainment twice weekly from early
June through mid-August. In addition, many local organizations and businesses provide much needed
funds to support these programs.
2010 Schedule of Programs – 8:30 p.m. performances
7/22/2010 McVey Family and Friends Broadway and Beyond Sponsored by A.M. Rotary and Boiling Springs Savings Bank Bring a chair and enjoy this free concert under the stars! Begins at 8:30PM on Vets Field.
7/27/2010 Rio Clemente – Bishop of Jazz Sponsored by Hudson City Savings Bank Bring a chair to Vets Field and enjoy a free concert under the stars! Begins at 8:30PM.
7/29/2010 Yester Daze Doo Wop Sponsored by the Ridgewood News
8/3/2010 Marlene VerPlanck Sponsored by Valley National Bank and Village of Ridgewood Tuesday, august 3 at 8:30PM on Vet’s Field enjoy American and Popular Jazz at a free concert under the stars! Bring a chair and enjoy!
Rewards Card Wednesday Deals of the week 3/24/2010
Spring has arrived and not a moment to soon. The new season has kicked off a flurry of activity here at the Shop with lots of new, interesting, incredibly delicious, not to be missed, unique finds that just happened to arrive this week. So…… what’s new…
New Cheese…. From England we just acquired a stunning pair of imported cheeses from Bath, England, both winners of British cheese awards. There’s always room for quality! Introduce your guests to your newest great finds!
Old Smales…………………………………………………………..1/2 lb $11.99 The cheese is matured for 12+ months. With hints of aged Gouda or even young parmesan, the cheese is truly flexible. Perfect on a cheeseboard but also great for cooks. Best modern British Cheese 2006 British Cheese Awards.
Cornish Blue………………………………………………………1/2 lb $11.99 A creamy cow’s milk blue cheese made by the Cornish Cheese Co. in Liskeard, England. It is mild to medium in strength with a subtle, but delicious sweetness. Best English & Blue Cheese, 2006 British Cheese Award.
New Cracker…We carry a good number of crackers (go figure) and even have the Carr’s line as a continuing deal this month but couldn’t resist these. Read on….
Bella Rustico Crostini & Croccole….Italian snack crackers……7oz only……. $4.99 These crunchy little bites of heaven are offered in 6 flavors. traditional, rosemary, garlic, tomato & basil, garlic & herb, and 3 cheese & onion. Directions…Place in a bowl in front of guests with or without a dip,… start a conversation……wait 5 minutes….refill bowl!
Chocolate Alert…We are on a mission! We are on the prowl! I just read once again that somehow dark chocolate has positive medical benefits. From the net… ………………… Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy? “Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.” Ok I’m convinced…..let’s give it a whirl….the following are so good..they should be eaten every day! I feel healthier already! Chevaliers D’ Argouges Mondiants………………………….4.5 oz………$8.99 These French dark chocolate Mondiants, each have a raison and two small nuts embedded on their surface, are packed approximately 15 pieces to the bag, and can keep me healthy for just about half a day…… as long as I can keep them hidden from Tim! Chevaliers D’Argouges Chocolats Noirs Lait Blancs Les Classiques 6.8 oz…$14.99 If you want the best health care money can buy these are your ticket. This 21 piece assortment is just what the doctor ordered. Praline, pistache, noisette, café, coeur, fromboise, and feuille are the flavors married to the mostly dark 70% cocoa mixed among these Bonbons de chocolat. They are beautifully designed pieces, excellent quality, and the right size. Chocolate Cheese Cake BonBons…………………..…………box of 12…..$11.99 Santander Columbian Chocolates……………..bag of 20 mini bars……….$4.99 Sourced as fairly traded with small farmers these dark chocolates are GMO free and made with 53% to 70% cocoa and natural ingredients. Three flavors..53% semi dark, 70% dark chocolate and 70% Colombian espresso coffee will serve your health care needs well. Kosher to boot. Deli Deals Return………. Carolina Turkey Breast……. braised in oil…………………$3.99 lb Black Forest Ham…………..not a misprint………………….$4.99 lb Macroons for Passover…………..store made……………..get your orders in early! H & H Bagels…….Like no other bagels in the world………….available this weekend! Dirty Chips……….assorted types……………………………….available this weekend Deals that continue ——————————–CHEESE REWARD COUPON————————— Take $1.00 OFF
Any pound of fresh cut cheese Present at cheese counter Valid thru March 31, 2010
Carr’s Water Crackers all types…………………….4.5oz…….$2.99 w/reward card This cracker has been exported from England since 1892, (our inventory is fresh) and is famous as the perfect complement when entertaining.
Robert Rothschild Farms…………….……Save 10% with your reward card Robert Rothschild Farm, a family-founded company in Urbana, Ohio, is the purveyor of award-winning specialty foods including preserves, mustards, dips, salsas, sauces, dressings, gourmet mixes, and sweet toppings. Recognized for bold flavors and expert blending, our open and serve products are ideal for busy, yet discerning hosts and cooks. We carry about 30 products from this great portfolio…..check ‘em out ONE DAMN GOUDA DEAL! The” Black Wax” 3 year Gouda Only $8.99 per lb Still a great price for a 3 yr Gouda!! We cut as close to weight as possible, but hey cut us a break if we’re a couple of ounces off one way or the other. Reg price $14.99 No limit while supplies last! Valid Thru March. 2010
Tate’s Cookies…….Full 8oz package……only……$3.99 w/reward card Could it be true? Does a little specialty cheese & artisianal marketplace in Ridgewood, NJ have the lowest price in the country for these incredibly delicious award winning cookies from the Hamptons? How could that be? The gourmet supermarket chains are now offering the new and improved 7oz size (bigger package,14.3% less cookie) for a dollar or two more! More cookies, (it’s all about the cookie)..Lower price…go figure…..size matters!
Midnight Moon…………………reg$27.99……………sale..$15.99 Aged six months or more, this pale, ivory cheese is firm, dense and smooth with the slight graininess of a long-aged cheese. The flavor is nutty and brown-buttery, with prominent caramel notes. The wheel is finished in a beautiful black wax. Made in Europe for Cypress Grove and patrons of the CHEESE SHOP.
Reg Sale Lucini Parmigianino Reggiano………$29.99/22.99……………$14.99 Buy two only…….……….…………….$20.00 Buy three…… get four w/100 points…..$30.00 Buy four………get six w/200 points……$40.00 As we said before the best parm money can buy! Aged, organic, ask for a taste!
—————————–RESTAURANT COUPON—————————-
THE STABLE RESTAURANT 20 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood Our neighbor The Stable restaurant down the street is offering something a little different, a Tango Show on Sunday and Monday nights starting this Monday March 22. They are generously offering our reward card members a gift certificate for a return visit to their restaurant after the show.
$20 Please Visit Us Again Gift Certificate (Validate when you check out after the show)
Live Tango Shows starring Bandoneon’s living legend Tito Castro with Pancho Navarro on guitar. Has performed for actor and tango enthusiast Robert Duvall. Tito’s music can be heard in De Niro’s film ‘Flawless’ and Ang Lee’s ‘Lust’ and ‘Caution’ . Show times 6pm and 8pm. Reservations 201.444.1199 info www.thestablerestaurant.com Coupon not valid for Friday, Saturday or Holidays valid thru June 30, 2010 ————————————————————————————————————
Watch for our Saturday Food Demo and Wine Tasting e-mail on Fridays..sign up on the web site if you don’t receive them. Discovering good wine and food together!
>While I’m not sure of the accuracy of the posts on this blog,it also saddens me to hear that music and the arts will be cut while athletics are barely touched.
I’m also a bit miffed at when given the choice of not getting a raise one year in order to save some jobs, the union voted no. (Actually, that decision will save the taxpayer more money in the long run. Ask anyone in the private sector about losing headcount and then trying to replace it. Oh, silly me – I forgot – different rules apply.) Private sector workers are told, “No raises this year, the match to your 401K has been eliminated, your contribution to health insurance has increased while the co-pays have also increased.
Teachers who post on this blog seem to think that most of the taxpayer resentment is aimed at them. I don’t think that’s true at all. The really good teachers are worth twice their salaries; unfortunately tenure has kept some really poor teachers in the system so the whole system should be reconsidered.
An old friend who was an excellent teacher and retired from a principal’s post told me that she became anti-tenure. She said tenure forced her to keep poor performers who could have been replaced by two enthusiatic teachers who would be grateful to get their chance to inspire children.
Joe and Mary Taxpayer are up against some challenging times requiring some tough choices and positions. Public employees are also unfortunate consquence of the times. It just took longer to affect them.
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