Category: Village of Ridgewood

>It has nothing to do with project managment or mismanaging YOUR tax dollars. It is entirely due to how flawed the system is and how out of control government has become. Government used to be something that individuals would get involved with for a time. It has now become a full time career path and a big business. In order to justify government as a full time job our elected officials have enacted regulations and mandates for almost everything they can think of with no idea of the costs or how anything will get paid for. And if you think I’m exaggerating consider the fact that The State of NJ a few weeks ago was contemplating banning bikini waxing!! That’s right they were going to forbid women from having hair removed. We don’t have any other problems to worry about, do we? It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad and we weren’t all paying for it.

The bathrooms at Vet’s are turning into a disaster because the State mandates that jobs like that get spec’d out to a degree that not even NASA would have thought of years ago. Most reputable large construction firms deem the job too small to jump through all the hoops and fill out all the paperwork and pass on it. The small local guys can’t deal with the paperwork and the bonding so they pass and we end up with a bunch of bidders from out of the area who are bidding the job because they can’t get other work. The kicker to the whole thing is the work ends up going to the low bidder, not the best builder! And when you go with the low bidder you usually get the lowest level of work. It’s pretty simple, sad, but true.

The same thing happened on the last RHS renovation, the same thing happened at Village Hall, the same thing is happening at The Band Shell and the same thing will happen at the schools should the referendum pass. Now the Village is between a rock and a hard place. They should fire the contractor, find him in default on his bond, take the bond money and hire another contractor to finish the job. Unfortunately we’re heading into colder weather and it might be difficult to finish the job and more importantly it might be next to impossible to get another contractor to take over a job at this point because then his reputation is on the line should the initial work be so substandard that the facility has problems down the line. Hopefully the Council learns that the low bidder is not necessarily the right bidder. BOE, are you listening?

>Citing a need to consider the potential loss of parking revenue, Councilwoman Anne Zusy expressed her objection to the creation of an additional handicapped parking space in the newly redesigned Chestnut Street Municipal Parking Lot. Zusy’s comments were made openly during Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session.

The Fly is surprised that Ms. Zusy had the unmitigated gall to publicly admit that she’s more concerned about revenue generation than accommodating patrons with serious disabilities. Her comments come only four days after the Village hosted a successful disability awareness event in the Central Business District. Councilman Paul Aronsohn was the Council’s liaison to that event.

Way to go Annie; foot in mouth disease at its best!

>I agree with you that it will be very difficult to fire teachers due to tenure. What makes thing even more difficult is that the secretary making $100,000 in salary costs the BOE closer to $225,000 a year in benefits, pension, taxes, etc.

As more and more towns in NJ face the problem of out of control taxes in the face of challenging economic times, things are going to change drastically. Pension plans for all state employees are going to change drastically and retirement plans will look closer to 401k benefits from the private sector. Health Care costs will become a shared expense, as the public sector cannot no longer rely on the tax-payers to pay for everything.

These benefits were once a necessity in order to make public jobs more attractive, since the pay grade was generally much lower than white and blue-collar private sector jobs. That is no longer the case, as public sector jobs pay on the same level as private sector jobs.

On top of all of this, administrators are definitely abusing the system in order to give cushy jobs (paying 6-figures) to friends and former colleagues and call them consultants, administrators, bull-shit, bull-shit, bull-shit.

We need accountability in our children’s education. I suggest that the Village Council oversee all hirings by the BOE in order to add a layer of accountability. It will make things much tougher for Regina to hire her $100k+ consultants if she actually has to prove that she needs them.

>
Village Council members learned last night that their $375K bathroom project at Vets Field is so far behind schedule that Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser has ordered new portable toilets delivered in anticipation of additional, and extensive, construction delays.

Furthermore, Rutishauser and Deputy Mayor Keith D. Killion revealed that the quality of workmanship on the project is so poor that each of them is concerned about how long the structure will last.

And they wanted to build a parking garage . . .

>New Jersey’s median household income declined by $7,214 between 2006 and 2008; the largest decrease in the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents a 10.1% decline in median income (as opposed to Pennsylvania which had a 1.1% decline). Despite being an economic basket case, our elected representatives raised taxes by over $1.2 billion dollars during a recession.

New Jersey taxpayers pay $7,000 a year on average in property taxes, twice the national average. Under the budget just passed by our elected representatives, the property tax rebate was limited to households earning less than $75,000. About 1 million homeowners no longer get rebates, thereby increasing their property taxes AGAIN.

The budget just passed also increases the top personal income tax rate to 10.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Two thirds of small businesses pay this tax rate. Since 2002, New Jersey raised taxes on each resident by $2,601 — the highest in the nation. Taxpayers spent 211 days a year working to cover the cost of government. New Jersey has the highest state and local tax burden, the second highest business tax burden, and the highest property tax burden per capita. The budget even raises taxes on health insurance premiums!!

In the end, what does this accomplish? New Jersey had a massive exodus of residents every year for the past 10 years. The state lost 335,000 people since 1997 — one of the highest outflows in the nation. The top destination for these Garden State exiles is low tax Pennsylvania and Florida and along with them $13 billion in income and wealth. The death spiral of ever increasing taxes causes taxpayers to flee and businesses to relocate, thereby destroying jobs.

Assemblyman Greenwald, D-Camden, Burzichelli, D-Gloucester and Riley, D-Cumberland, mockingly challenge voters “if you don’t like the budget vote us out.” That is the best suggestion coming from our elected representatives. TAXPAYER ALERT TO THE GARDEN STATE: WE ARE NO LONGER YOUR ATM MACHINE!!! For your own good, VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE.

Doctor Bob Villare– District 3 Assembly Candidate

856-423-4515 559 Mantua Avenue Paulsboro, NJ

https://votedoctorrobertvillare.wordpress.com/

>The sevice department and body shop are still open…. both have a good reputation for quality repairs by Ford trained technicans with many years experience. The only thing that has changed is there is no longer a Ford franchise. Some dealers in the area directed a portion of their advertising to Village Ford clients advising them not to panic, that they would service their cars in the absense of Village Ford, trying to lead people to believe that the business is closed.

People are too quick to write properties off as a ball field or for low income housing. Long time employees are fighting hard to keep their jobs and in this economy does the Village of Ridgewood really think they need to lose another business? Many other businesses are affected by the closures due to the “domino affect”, not the just the business that has closed…. luncheonettes, coffee trucks, tool suppliers, not to mention other local establishments who are patronized by the employees working at Village Ford , their families and by clients who take their vehicles there for repairs. Work something out to help save local businesses and the jobs they provide in this tough economy.

>James,
I’m not saying I’m an expert at debates on healthcare, but I really could help Chris Christie craft a better healthcare message. I have some ideas from the real world that can resonate with the patients! Everyone in NJ is a potential patient. The mandate free message is just an opener. He needs the “knock out’ punches to put Corzine in his place. Sometimes the little mouse can truly help the lion.

Mandates are a farce and failure of the Democrat leaders way of thinking that results in harm to the very people they proclaim to help. No transparency in health benefits. The people are duped as some politicians get rich on commissions selling insurance at higher rates! Wonder why no one in Trenton is screaming about the 21% plus increase planned by Horizon for all government workers, including teachers. Guess who sells insurance to a huge number of government entities and public workers? The name Codey ring a bell!

Corzine made Chris look like he didn’t care (about mom’s delivering babies and mammograms). chris then tried to defend himself and thereby lost that round. He needs to attack and disgrace them. They TAX health insurance! They TAX goods and services at hospitals! They TAX GROSS receipts on health facilities and plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The TAX radiology/imaging GROSS receipts at 3%. Democrats from Corzine to Burzichelli (my opponent) are responsible for the poor and underinsured not being able to afford health insurance. NJ is ranked 50th in the nation in their health delivery system. The worst! It is because of a decade of THEM. They are to blame for the Obstetrics crisis in this state. They don’t help moms. They help moms go thru an entire pregnancy with no prenatal care, as a result they help drive up the % of learning disabilities and birth defects in this state, which drives up the ongoing costs associated with the health disparity that those Democratic leaders helped to create. Their regulations drive up cost on those who struggle while yielding no benefit! Shame on them!

They are driving the union labor workers out of business!!!! The industry/companies that hire them are being driven out of business by global competition, yet the leaders don’t get it. Yes, these Democrat leaders are hurting unions while professing to support them for jobs. They drive the jobs out of this state with all the mandates and regulations. Thier own county operated nursing home, run by the county government in Salem was shut down for deficiencies and problems!

I could write a book and all Chris said was to remove mandates!
Come on guys…..time to communicate with one of your own. Chris needs to disgrace them on healthcare if given another chance. I can help him.

More info when, and if, we talk.
Respectfully,

—
Robert C Villare, M.D.
District 3 Assembly Candidate
MS in Public Administration and Health Policy
Global Medical Informatics, Inc
(Ph) 856-423-4500 (Fax) 856-423-4594
https://votedoctorrobertvillare.wordpress.com/

>Ridgewood Police and Fire Departments a family run business?

Ridgewood Police Officer Sean Amoruso reports to a Ridgewood Police Sergeant, who in turn reports to Sean’s brother, Ridgewood Police Lieutenant William Amoruso. Duh? What’s the likelihood that Sean will ever be disciplined by his Sergeant?

And things aren’t much better down the road at the Ridgewood Fire Department, where it’s rumored that Firefighter Matthew Bombace’s Tour Commander is his father, Captain Mark Bombace. Double duh?

These sorts of reporting relationships would not be allowed in the private sector (exception, of course, a family run business); so why are they permitted by the Village of Ridgewood?

>hello,,Of Course, if I recall, the new computers were on the last Big 84 Mill budget! or prior big budget.

“yr after year the budget gets passed”;,, property values are tied to the strength of school system”..

,,of course, if it gets defeated or not, it goes to the council for trim and approval. Remember – Budgets that have been defeated before, send a message.

,,ALL property values everywhere skyrocketed during the ‘real estate Bubble’, and then we all got hit with the new assessments, higher taxes, followed by the ‘Bust’ dropping all real estate values everywhere. But no correction in assessments or taxes my friend.

Taxpayers have reached their ‘bubble limit’ and its time to say Education is Academics First. Let us cut out the waste and trim the fat!

VOTE on Our Poll : Can Ridgewood Really afford a $48 million School Referendum?

>Saturday, September 19, 2009
VFW Program of Outstanding Law Enforcement, Firefighter, and EMT Recognition for 2009-2010
News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 17, 2009
CONTACT: Stanley A. Kober

The Washington Elm VFW Post 192 is one of the oldest organizations in Ho-Ho-Kus and Ridgewood. The Post members have enjoyed a log-standing relationship with many organizations in both communities such as the Police Department, Ambulance Corps, and the Fire Department. In fact, some of the members of these agencies have been or are VFW Post 192 members.

As we near the 70th anniversary of the Post on September 23, 2009, we are reaching out to you as the head of one of the Ho-Ho-Kus or Ridgewood Law & Safety organizations to provide us with an individual or individuals who you believe should be considered as outstanding in your organization and who should be considered for recognition by the VFW according to the guidelines below.

Eligible candidates for each award are as follows:

Law Enforcement National Award
Any individual who serves in a municipal, county, state, or federal unit tasked with enforcement of the laws pertaining to their area of responsibility. This award does not apply to individuals employed by private companies or security services.

Firefighter National Award
Any individual who actively fights fires as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to fight fires and give assistance to our nation’s citizens.

Emergency Medical Technician National Award
Any individual who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service or civil disaster assistance as a member of any public or volunteer company organized to give emergency medical care, provide rescue and civil disaster assistance to our nation’s citizens.

Criteria for all National Awards:
Candidates must have demonstrated:
• Recognition by their colleagues or those they serve.
• Consistent excellence in the performance of their duties.
• Consistent dedication to their official responsibilities over a period of years and continuous growth in responsibilities and skills within their profession.

The following documentation required for all candidates needs to be sent to: Commander, Washington Elm VFW Post 192 at the above address NO LATER THAN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009:

• Nomination letter containing the candidate’s name, title, address, telephone, and identification of the award for which the individual should be considered.
• One page resume of the candidate’s overall background.
• One page resume of the candidate’s background in their field.
• One page listing of the candidate’s accomplishments and awards in their field.
• Photograph (preferably a head shot) of the candidate.

All of us in VFW Post 192 thank you for your professional services to us and our communities as well as your continued cooperation and assistance in supporting and encouraging our troops and their families locally and throughout the world.

If you have any questions regarding this VFW program or any VFW matters such as membership, needy veterans or their families, etc., please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned at 201-445-1121.

May God continue to Bless America,

/s/ Stanley A. Kober
Stanley A. Kober
Commander

TEL: 201-445-1121 FAX: 201-445-2091 E-MAIL: [email protected]

>This may be sound, or it may be bloated. How are we to know? Who among the elves at Cottage Place put it together?

Look at the shoddy, unsupervised work we got at RHS when we approved the last bond referendum. Will anything be different this time?

Is it possible that instead of giving this money to our hapless BOE, we hire a private entity to get the job done and to come in under budget.

I just don’t see voting yes to further empower Angelo and Daniel. They’re not just up to it and never will be. Yes, we’re stuck with them but do we have to give them 48 Mil?

VOTE on Our Poll : Can Ridgewood Really afford a $48 million School Referendum?