Tom Nobile, Staff Writer, @TomNobile Published 6:25 p.m. ET Sept. 15, 2017 | Updated 12:24 p.m. ET Sept. 16, 2017
UPPER SADDLE RIVER — An Orthodox Jewish group that erected a controversial boundary known as an eruv is suing the borough to expand it farther, arguing doing so would accommodate Jewish families living near the New York-New Jersey border.
The amended federal suit, filed Thursday, claims the borough has unlawfully threatened the constitutional, civil, and contractual rights of the Bergen Rockland Eruv Association and five Orthodox Jewish residents of Rockland County by demanding the removal of the existing eruv and refusing to allow its expansion.
Ridgewood NJ, for the third time in the 14 months since the Borg family sold the North Jersey Media Group, Gannett has laid off workers .Gannett bought the Newspaper chain for $40 million in July 2016 and according to reports laid off a dozen people or so on Thursday at the Bergen Record and other papers. The Record which is the second-largest daily in the state.
Among those laid off were long time reporter , John Brennan; Heather Zwain, a fashion editor and one of the last full-time edit staffers on 201 Magazine; and two editors, Debra Lynn Vial and Carla Baranauckas.
In the two prior rounds of layoffs a total of 241 people lost their jobs and 20 of North Jersey Media Group’s weekly newspapers were shuttered. Many of the copy editing and production facilities were combined with the Asbury Park Press, which Gannett owned before it added the Bergen Record to its holdings.
THIS EVENT IS THE RIDGEWOOD STREET FAIR CRAFT SHOW ON EAST RIDGEWOOD AVENUE , THERE IS NO CRAFT WAR WE WEE MISSINFORMED
September 16 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho Ho Kus NJ, the Ridgewood Craft show will be held on September 17th on the grounds of the Hermitage in Ho Ho Kus. The Hermitage is a historic site located in Ho ho kus ( next to Ridgewood) . The Hermitage is a fourteen-room Gothic Revival house museum built in 1847–48 from designs by William H. Ranlett for Elijah Rosencrantz, Jr. Members of the Rosencrantz family owned The Hermitage estate from 1807 to 1970.
The fair features sixty exhibitor with arts & crafts set up on the tree shaded front lawn in front of the Rosencrantz House. Admission is $4. For more information go to www.pjspromotions.com or call 201-666-1340
Sunday at 10 AM – 5 PM
335 North Franklin Tpke, Ho ho kus, N.J.
Trenton NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced today that New Jersey has signed onto a multi-state letter calling on the credit reporting firm Equifax to disable web links for enrollment in its fee-based credit monitoring service in the wake of a massive data breach with potential to impact 143 million consumers, including nearly 4 million in New Jersey.
A multi-state investigation into the breach began last week as soon as Equifax publicly disclosed it. In the wake of the breach, Equifax has offered free credit monitoring services.
But in a letter to Equifax today, the participating attorneys general objected to Equifax “seemingly using its own data breach as an opportunity to sell services to breach victims.” Enrollment information regarding fee-based services has featured prominently on the Equifax website.
”We believe continuing to offer consumers a fee-based service in addition to Equifax’s free monitoring services will serve to only confuse consumers who are already struggling to make decisions on how to best protect themselves in the wake of this massive breach,” the letter asserts. “Selling a fee-based product that competes with Equifax’s own free offer of credit monitoring services to victims of Equifax’s own data breach is unfair, particularly if consumers are not sure if their information was compromised.”
The multi-state letter also notes that, although Equifax has agreed to waive credit freeze fees for those who would otherwise be subject to them, the other two credit bureaus — Experian and Transunion — continue to charge fees for security freezes.
The letter contends that Equifax should be taking steps to reimburse consumers who incur these fees while seeking to completely freeze their credit.
“This is one version of a consumer’s worst fear — having his or her sensitive financial and other personal information compromised by a cyber-data breach,” said Attorney General Porrino. “In New Jersey and across the nation, many people are angry, confused and stressed by the potential for harm in this breach. In our view, Equifax now has a duty to ensure that consumers don’t end up paying for credit monitoring, and Equifax also has a duty to reimburse consumers for the cost of a complete credit freeze – which will require paying fees to the other two credit reporting companies.”
“While the multi-state investigation remains active,” Porrino added, “one thing we know is that consumers aren’t at fault here. They had no hand in creating the cyber-security crisis now confronting Equifax. As such, consumers should have access – at zero cost – to the best available credit monitoring services and protections.”
In a letter sent to Equifax last week, the investigating multi-state group requested information about the circumstances leading to the breach, the reasons for a months-long delay between the breach and Equifax’s public disclosure, what protections the company had in place at the time of the breach, and how the company intends to protect consumers affected by the breach.
The attorneys general also have had communications with Equifax expressing concerns about terms of service relative to the offered free credit monitoring services, and the prominence of service enrollment information on Equifax’s Web page.
Assistant Attorney General John Falzone and Deputy Attorneys General Elliott Siebers and Russell Smith are handling the Equifax matter on behalf of the State.
Saddle River NJ, Saddle River Police warn of aggressive Coyotes . On Thursday 09/14/2017, we received a report of a dog walker on Oak Road being confronted by approximately five coyotes. The coyotes were circling them within a six foot radius attempting to take the small leashed dog. Thankfully, a passing motorist began honking their vehicles horn and got out to assist in disrupting the confrontation. The situation ended and they returned home. TYCO Animal Control and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife are aware of this situation and working with us to resolve it. No pets or small children should be left outside unattended. As per Fish and Wildlife, walkers, dog walkers and joggers should consider carrying a compressed air horn and or a walking stick in the event they experience a similar incident. Any confrontations with wildlife should be reported to the police desk (201)- 327-5300
Below is some information about coyotes from the State of NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife.
The coyote is a wild member of the dog family and closely resembles a small German shepherd with the exception of its long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Another key difference from a domestic dog is readily noticeable even from a distance: The coyote has a habit of holding its tail below a horizontal position while standing, walking and running.
Eastern coyotes differ from their western counterparts with a larger average size and various color phases, including blonde, red and black. Past interbreeding between wolves and coyotes may be responsible for the larger size and color variations in our eastern coyote. In New Jersey, adult coyotes range in weight from 20-50 lbs. and exceptionally large ones may be up to 55 lbs. Coyotes adjust well to their surroundings and can survive on whatever food is available. They prey on rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals, as well as young and weakened deer. They also consume carrion (decaying tissue). They are tolerant of human activities and rapidly adapt to changes in their environment.
Coyotes bear litters during April and May, with females delivering between three and nine pups. Conflicts between coyotes and humans are most likely to develop as adults forage for food for the pups in the spring and summer.
Coyotes primarily hunt rodents and rabbits for food, but will take advantage of whatever is available, including garbage, pet food and domestic animals that are left unattended. Allowing coyotes access to human food and garbage is irresponsible and can lead to problems.
Coyotes, along with foxes, are sometimes afflicted with mange which can result in significant hair loss. The loss of fur can result in making identification of a coyote difficult, resulting in reports of a “mystery” animal, or even a cougar.
In suburban and urban areas, coyotes have occasionally attacked small pets. Although attacks on humans are extremely rare in eastern states, as with any predatory animal they can occur.
Eastern coyotes differ from their western counterparts with a larger average size and various color phases, including blonde and black.
Past interbreeding between wolves and coyotes may be responsible for the larger size and color variations in the eastern coyote.
Coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, helping to keep rodent populations under control. They are by nature wary of humans. However, coyote behavior changes if given access to human food and garbage. They lose caution and fear. They may cause property damage and threaten human safety, requiring euthanasia. Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood.
Coyote Precautions:
The following guidelines can help reduce the likelihood of conflicts with coyotes:
• Never feed a coyote. Deliberately feeding coyotes puts pets and other residents in the neighborhood at risk.
• Feeding pet cats and/or feral (wild) cats outdoors can attract coyotes. The coyotes feed on the pet food and also prey upon the cats.
• Put garbage in tightly closed containers that cannot be tipped over.
• Remove sources of water, especially in dry climates.
• Bring pets in at night.
• Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
• Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, and other farm animals.
• Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
• Although extremely rare, coyotes have been known to attack humans. Parents should monitor their children, even in familiar surroundings, such as backyards.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house.
• Clear brush and dense weeds from around dwellings – this reduces protective cover for coyotes and makes the area less attractive to rodents and rabbits. Coyotes, as well as other predators, are attracted to areas where rodents are concentrated like woodpiles.
• If coyotes are present, make sure they know they’re not welcome. Make loud noises, blast a canned air siren, throw rocks, or spray them with a garden hose.
Ridgewood NJ, New estimates from the American Community Survey which is billed as the premier source for detailed information about the American people and workforce , suggest New Jersey lost about 13,000 people from 2015 to 2016, which would reverse several years of slow growth since the state was decimated by the housing crisis in the mid-to-late-2000s.
If this holds New Jersey may have lost population for the first time in a decade . Household formation is one of the key economic drivers . A loss of population could lead to further economic stagnation, a reduced tax base and a potential loss of a congressional district.
While many debate the issue analysis by NJ Advance Media (NJ.COM) shows about 226,000 people moved out of the state between 2015 and 2016, about 30,000 less than the total who moved to the Garden States from within the country and abroad.
With a historically low birth rate, New Jersey’s growth in recent years has hinged upon immigration . However the number of people leaving keeps growing, stagnating the state’s population on the cusp of nine million.
Poll after poll list New Jersey as the state most people want to leave . High taxes, particularly property taxes, estate taxes , high cost of living , state corruption and limited job opportunities are all sighted as reasons to flee New Jersey.
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi asks , “How and why does a not for profit entity have so much power over government in the State of New Jersey? Inquiring minds want to know. “
Posted on January 23, 2017 by walkableprinceto
Princeton Council members expressed anger and frustration at their regular meeting Monday night after being presented with a 200-signature petition urging a compromise in their ongoing affordable housing litigation. In front of a packed town hall, several Council members publicly blamed the Cherry Hill, NJ-based housing advocacy group ‘Fair Share Housing Center‘ for the lack of progress in agreeing a figure for how much affordable housing Princeton should build. But Fair Share hit back on Twitter, accusing the Council members of presenting ‘alternative facts‘, and offering a fully-public negotiation session.
Ridgewood NJ, Multiple injuries were reported in a two (2) vehicle crash on the Garden State Parkway northbound at mile marker 164.3, Paramus on Thursday afternoon, 09/14. Paramus Police and EMS responded along with a NJ State Trooper from the Troop D, Bloomfield based barracks. One (1) vehicle wound up off of the roadway in the grassy center median. A flatbed tow truck removed both wrecked vehicles from the highway.
Ridgewood NJ, Marking a decade of sustainability leadership, Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America for the 10th consecutive year.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) recognize forward-thinking companies based on an appraisal of the company’s strategy, management and performance in dealing with opportunities and risks deriving from environmental, social and governance factors. The DJSI tracks the performance of the 600 largest U.S. and Canadian companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index and recognizes the top 20 percent that lead the field in terms of sustainability. PSEG was one of seven American utility companies selected for the list.
“Our 13,000 employees work every day to build a sustainable energy future — one that fosters economically viable and environmentally advantaged solutions for people and our planet,” said Ralph Izzo, PSEG’s chairman, president and CEO. “Securing a position on the list of North America’s top sustainable companies for a decade is a strong endorsement of our efforts. We are well aware that our success depends on being responsive to the energy needs of our customers and the larger society around us.”
In 2016, PSEG continued its focus on providing reliable and cleaner energy. PSE&G, the company’s regulated utility, is in the midst of replacing 500 miles of aging natural gas pipe throughout New Jersey and has proposed accelerating the replacement of an additional 1,250 miles of gas lines. This important work not only enhances the safety and reliability of our energy infrastructure, it also reduces the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and creates hundreds of jobs.
PSEG’s commitment doesn’t stop there:
PSEG also has been recognized for expanding customer access to energy efficiency and clean renewable solar power.
The company has invested more than $1.5 billion to develop or finance solar power.
PSE&G is investing more than $400 million to help hospitals, apartment buildings and government facilities reduce their utility bills.
The company recently won approval to begin offering residential customers smart thermostats and data analytics to help them better manage their energy consumption.
In addition, PSEG is regularly recognized for the way it goes about its business, making the Forbes list of Most Admired Companies and Fortune’s Just 100 List, which celebrates America’s best corporate citizens.
A non-profit think tank wants New Jersey drivers to dig deeper into their pockets to help the state Department of Transportation and NJ Transit catch up on needed projects.
The organization, Fund for New Jersey, calling for putting tolls on interstate highways, leasing state toll roads to private operators and raising motor vehicle fees in a report called “Crossroads NJ” set to be released Wednesday.
The report ties a transportation system that’s in good repair to the state’s economic well being, but said the state doesn’t have enough funding to keep up with a backlog of needs, even with the 23 cent per-gallon state gas tax increase that took effect in November.
The report suggests some revenue raisers that proved to be unpopular suggestions in the past, including charging tolls to use interstate highways and privatizing the states toll roads. Leasing the toll roads to private operators to raise funds for transportation projects was proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine in 2007 and dropped when met with strong opposition.
The report also suggested raising motor vehicle license and registration fees to improve the state Motor Vehicle Commission. The MVC has been on a decades long effort to replace an aging main frame computer system, which has been blamed for long lines and wait times at agencies when it breaks down. In MVC’s fiscal year 2017 budget, it collected $489 million in revenue and sent $139 million to the state budget.
Advisory: ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: On 9/14 – 9/15 – 9/18 – 9/19 & 9/20 milling and paving will be done at 12 location
September 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, announces major road construction project .
Please note that this is a revised list:
The following roads will be milled on Thursday September 14th, Friday September 15th, and Monday September 18th:
• Cornelia Place
• Mortlock Place
• William Place
• Serafin Place
• Glen Boulevard
• Lowell Road
• Amherst Court
• Broad Street
• Sterling Place
• Valley Road
• 1 Glen Ave Senior Lot
• Garvey Place
The following roads will be paved on Monday September 18th, Tuesday September 19th, and Wednesday September 20th:
• Cornelia Place
• Mortlock Place
• William Place
• Serafin Place
• Glen Boulevard
• Lowell Road
• Amherst Court
• Broad Street
• 1 Glen Ave Senior Lot
• Valley Road
• Sterling Place
• Grove Street
• Garvey Place
All work will be done weather permitting.
Please observe the “No Parkin g” signs – they will be enforced. Any vehicle left within the work zone will be TOWED AT THE OWNER’S EXPENSE. Please have all vehicles removed from the street by 7:30am on each day. Per the contractor, all vehicles that are to be used should be removed from the driveway each day by 7:30am and again, there can be no on street parking.
If necessary, the DPW will work with homeowners for access during paving and can be reached at 201-670-3980 until 3:30PM on any weekday.
PVL train tickets will be cross-honored on Main/Bergen County Lines
September 13, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Due to grade crossing repairs and signal and track maintenance work, NJ TRANSIT is replacing trains on the Pascack Valley Line with buses on weekends and during midday hours on weekdays beginning on Sunday, September 17 and continuing through Saturday, October 28.
This does not effect Ridgewood Main line and Bergen line passengers , but will impact Montvale , Park Ridge , Woodcliff Lake, Hillsdale, Westwood, Emerson, Oradell , River Edge , River Edge New Bridge Landing , Hackensack Anderson Street, Hackensack Essex Street , Teterboro , and Wood Ridge .
Expect larger crowds on Main line and Bergen line during midday hours and late nights .
During this time, Pascack Valley Line tickets and passes will be cross-honored on the Main/Bergen County Lines trains. At Secaucus Junction, Coach USA buses – which are replacing Pascack Valley Line trains – will arrive and depart from Platforms 9 and 10. Bus times may vary from train times at some station stops. Customers should visit the NJ TRANSIT website for specific schedule times.
While busing is in effect, all Metro-North customers from Spring Valley, Nanuet and Pearl River may use their monthly/weekly commutation passes for travel on Metro-North’s Hudson Line between Tarrytown and Grand Central Terminal.
Monday through Friday, midday hours
On weekdays, during the midday hours, buses will operate in two sections:
Between Spring Valley and Secaucus: There will be several buses operating as express and local between Spring Valley and Secaucus. Customers should be mindful of the signage denoting whether they are express or local buses before boarding. Some buses will operate between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus, making all stops except Teterboro. Teterboro customers may use NJ TRANSIT’s No. 161 Bus, which stops at Industrial Avenue and Route 46.
Note: For Train 1622, buses will operate in three sections: New York State Express between Spring Valley and Secaucus (no local stops in New Jersey); between Montvale and Secaucus, operating express between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus; and between New Bridge Landing and Secaucus, making all stops except Teterboro.
While the busing is in operation during the midday hours, shuttle trains for Pascack Valley Line customers will operate between Secaucus and Hoboken.
Saturdays and Sundays
Local and New York State buses will operate between Spring Valley and Secaucus. Customers traveling between Secaucus and Hoboken should use Main and Bergen County Line trains.
NOTE: For You Night Owls :Bergen County Line Train 69, which operates to Port Jervis and normally departs Hoboken at 12:40 a.m., will depart Hoboken 5 minutes later, at 12:45 a.m. Pascack Valley Line customers traveling from Hoboken and connecting with the last substitute bus from Secaucus will use Train 69.
Teterboro Station customers should note that the last weekend outbound bus of the night will stop at Teterboro ONLY by request.
Public Interest Legal Foundation found numerous enforcement flaws for the National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter)
September 13,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) today released Garden State Gotcha: How Opponents of Citizenship Verification for Voting Are Putting New Jersey’s Noncitizens at Risk of Deportation.
After a six-month review of New Jersey county voter registration files, the Public Interest Legal Foundation found numerous enforcement flaws for the National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter) that unnecessarily expose noncitizens to future naturalization challenges and even deportation without clearly-justified reforms.
616 admitted and officially recorded noncitizens in 11 counties engaged on some level with the NJ voter registration system; Nine percent of aliens self-reporting their status also cast ballots prior; 76 percent of noncitizens found in the system admitted their immigration status at the outset; 75 percent of noncitizens were invited to register while receiving driver’s licenses or in other government transactions like community college admissions or public schools; and Six counties, including one “sanctuary county”, claimed to have never seen noncitizens registered or applying to vote.
“New Jersey offers eye-opening lessons,” PILF President and General Counsel J. Christian Adams said. “A limited inquiry found that hundreds of noncitizens are documented throughout voter records, typically because a bureaucrat offered them an application. Some were even asked after presenting a Green Card. That broken system is propped up by an honor code proven repeatedly to fail. Many illegally voted. Some claimed they didn’t know they were registered until an immigration agent called. All will likely face an inquiry if they decide to become Americans.”
“It’s time to have a serious discussion about modernizing our Motor Voter law and determine how we can verify citizenship in the process,” Adams added. “Anyone who disagrees exposes Americans to vote dilution and helps write one-way tickets for deportees.”
In the absence of regular data-sharing arrangements between federal officials and the State, the ability of election officials to identify aliens on the voter rolls in real time is almost nonexistent. Voter registrars are stuck waiting for noncitizens to contact them, usually in a panic, admitting to registering despite their ineligibility. Such reactionary maintenance was typically due to pending naturalization applications.
“New Jersey’s only defense to alien registration is the hope that aliens who get on the voters rolls will self-report,” the new PILF study notes. “Without proactive verification mechanisms built into the voter registration application process, cascading negative consequences are sure to follow for eligible and ineligible voters alike.”
After reviewing thousands of pages of voter records, Motor Voter arises as a contributing factor for why so many alien residents are getting trapped in the voter registration system.
Years of official and third party pressure on state agencies to register more voters has apparently driven some offices to become overly aggressive in offering applications to those that do not qualify.
No uniform protections were apparent for noncitizens to be shielded from voter registration after they presented identification clearly documenting their ineligibility.
The current, two-year voter record retention cap can create difficulties for naturalization applicants required to show proof of previous activity.
Ridgewood NJ, The body of an adult male was found inside of a recreational vehicle parked in the driveway of a Lincoln Avenue, Glen Rock home on Tuesday afternoon, 09/12. Glen Rock PD is being assisted in the investigation by members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office.
NEWARK, N.J. — Things to do for a busy US senator: “Cuba policy,” “Afghanistan” — getting a visa for a married pal’s Dominican bombshell girlfriend and her sister.
No way Menendez had enough reward points to pay for pricey Paris hotel: prosecutors
NEWARK, NJ — It would have taken 30 years for…
An ex-aide to Robert Menendez told Newark federal jurors Monday that the senator ordered him to call a US ambassador “asap” on behalf of Rosiell Polanco, a 22-year-old stunner who needed a tourist visa to visit the senator’s wealthy West Palm Beach friend for the Christmas holiday.
“Call Ambassador asap,” Menendez told Mark Lopes, his former senior policy advisor, in a Nov. 2008 email that was shown to jurors.
Menendez and Dr. Salomon Melgen, 63, are on trial on charges that the senator did official favors for the ophthalmologist in exchange for lavish gifts, including all-expense-paid vacations and $750,000 in campaign contributions.
In exchange, Menendez advocated for his married pal’s professional and personal affairs, including help securing visas for three of his foreign flings, prosecutors have said.
