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.
Amid the news coverage of hurricanes and all things President Trump, one could be forgiven for barely noticing that a corruption trial involving a sitting US senator began in New Jersey this week. In a few months, however, it might be the biggest thing we’re talking about — at least when it comes to politics.
That’s because the implications of the bribery case facing Democratic US Senator Bob Menendez could extend far beyond New Jersey. Why, you ask? Because it could ultimately affect the balance of power in Washington. Even stranger, it could lay the groundwork for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — the least popular governor in America — to appoint himself to the Senate.
Advertisement
Of course, many things could affect the balance of power in the Senate. The difference is this one could happen in a matter of weeks.
By Dr. Sean Stein Smith, September 8, 2017 at 8:14 AM
Dr. Sean Stein Smith.
As Labor Day recedes into our collective memory, and the warm glow of summer fades away, the collective New Jersey business community is faced with the following reality.
The current administration in Washington appears to have focused on comprehensive tax reform as a pillar for reform, and with Congress returning from recess, there is a real possibility this plan will become reality. Although many people from the NJ/NY area commute on Amtrak/Acela to Washington on an ongoing basis, the implications for small business may be overlooked in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Regardless of whether or not the current political environment is perceived as favorable, or what other issues are continually ongoing, the reality of the situation is that tax reform is a real possibility.
Washington machinations are more than just fodder for Happy Hour conversation – these are issues and topics that can have a definite impact on your bottom line. As a CPA who lives in, has worked in, and who has advised entrepreneurs in New Jersey, but now works in New York, this is an issue I hear about and think about on a daily basis.
Corruption: A sitting U.S. Senator is currently on trial for bribery, and if he’s found guilty it could have major political ramifications. Haven’t heard about this case? That’s because the Senator in question is a Democrat.
A CNN story this week about the opening of the trial against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez noted that “Democrats are eager to avoid the subject of Menendez’s bribery trial.”
That headline would have been just as accurate if it said “Reporters” instead of “Democrats.”
Menendez in on trial for allegedly having sold his office in exchange for luxury vacations, private flights, and piles of campaign cash. In his opening remarks, Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Koski said “this case is about a corrupt politician who sold his Senate office for a life of luxury he couldn’t afford and a greedy doctor who put that senator on his payroll. … The defendants didn’t just trade money for power, they also tried to cover it up.”
It’s the first time in 36 years that a sitting U.S. senator has been on trial for bribery, which you’d think would make it front page news.
New York NY, Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced today that CRAIG CARTON and MICHAEL WRIGHT were arrested this morning and charged with securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit those offenses.
As alleged, CARTON, WRIGHT, and another individual (“CC-1”) worked together to induce investors to provide them with millions of dollars, based on representations that the investor funds would be used to purchase blocks of tickets to concerts, which would then be re-sold on the secondary market. CARTON and CC-1 purportedly had access to those blocks of tickets based on agreements that CC-1 had with a company that promotes live music and entertainment events (the “Concert Promotion Company”) and that CARTON had with a company that operates two arenas in the New York metropolitan area (the “Sports and Entertainment Company”). In fact, neither the Concert Promotion Company nor the Sports and Entertainment Company had any such agreement with CARTON, WRIGHT, or CC-1, or any entity associated with them. After receiving the investor funds, CARTON, WRIGHT, and CC-1 misappropriated those funds, using them to, among other things, pay personal debts and repay prior investors as part of a Ponzi-like scheme.
CARTON and WRIGHT will be presented later today in Manhattan federal court.
Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Craig Carton and Michael Wright deceived investors and raised millions of dollars through misrepresentation and outright lies. Their schemes were allegedly propped up by phony contracts with two companies to purchase blocks of concert tickets, when in fact, Carton and Wright had no deals to purchase any tickets at all. As alleged, behind all the talk, the Wright and Carson show was just a sham, designed to fleece investors out of millions ultimately to be spent on payments to casinos and to pay off other personal debt.”
FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William F. Sweeney Jr. said: “Carton and Wright thought they could get off easy by allegedly paying off their debts with other people’s money. They then attempted to pay off investors with money that would eventually become future debt, as alleged. We see this time and time again, the rise and fall of a Ponzi scheme destined for failure. The truth is, the time will come when your luck runs out. Unfortunately for those arrested today, that time is now.”
According to the Complaint unsealed today Manhattan federal court[1]:
In the fall of 2016, CARTON, WRIGHT, and CC-1 exchanged emails and text messages regarding their existing debts. On September 5, 2016, for example, WRIGHT emailed CARTON and CC-1, “for the sake of our conversation tomorrow,” and outlined “the debt past due and due next week.” WRIGHT listed several apparent creditors, to whom he, CC-1, and/or CARTON were personally indebted for over a million dollars. WRIGHT listed eight possible options for repaying the debt, including “Run to Costa Rica, change name, and start life all over again – may not be an option.” CARTON responded to WRIGHT and CC-1, stating “don’t forget I have $1m coming tomorrow from ticket investor[.] will need to be discussed how to handle.” On September 7, 2016, CARTON emailed WRIGHT and CC-1, referenced a potential investor (“Investor-1”) in an upcoming holiday concert tour, and suggested “borrow[ing] against projected profits” on that investment.
Later in the fall of 2016, CARTON began negotiating with a hedge fund (the “Hedge Fund”) regarding a transaction in which the Hedge Fund would extend CARTON capital to finance CARTON’s purchase of event tickets, which CARTON would then re-sell at a profit. In early December 2016, CC-1 texted CARTON and WRIGHT and discussed using the Hedge Fund’s capital “to repay debts,” and not for the purchase of tickets.
The next day, December 7, 2016, CARTON emailed the Hedge Fund five agreements between (i) CC-1 and a company controlled by CC-1 (the “CC-1 Entity”) and (ii) the Concert Promotion Company. In each of the purported agreements, the Concert Promotion Company agreed to sell the CC-1 Entity up $10 million worth of tickets to different concert tours. However, as alleged, these agreements were fraudulent and had not, in fact been entered into by the Concert Promotion Company.
The following day, the Hedge Fund and CARTON executed the revolving loan agreement (the “Revolving Loan Agreement”), under which the Hedge Fund agreed to provide CARTON with up to $10 million, for the purpose of funding investments in the purchase of tickets for events. The Revolving Loan Agreement provided, in sum and substance, that the proceeds of the loan would be used only to purchase tickets pursuant to agreements for the acquisition of tickets, including the agreements with the Concert Promotion Company and for limited business expenses. The Hedge Fund would receive a share of the profits from the resale of the tickets.
The Hedge Fund then sent $700,000 to the CC-1 Entity to finance the purchase of tickets pursuant to the agreements between the CC-1 Entity and the Concert Promotion Company. CC-1, however, then sent this money to a bank account controlled by WRIGHT, who then, on December 12, sent $200,000 to CARTON’s personal bank account (the “CARTON Bank Account”), which CARTON then wired to a casino. Also on December 12, WRIGHT sent another $500,000 to an individual who had previously lent CARTON $500,000, which was due to be repaid that day.
Later in December 2016, the Hedge Fund sent an additional $1.9 million to the CC-1 Entity, to finance the purchase of tickets pursuant to agreements between the CC-1 Entity and the Concert Promotion Company. Once again, the Concert Promotion Company had not entered into any such agreements. CC-1, WRIGHT, and CARTON engaged in text messages regarding the disposition of these funds. Some of the money was used by CC-1 to repay two individuals who had previously invested with CC-1 in a related scheme involving the purported investment in the resale of tickets, and by CARTON to pay casinos and to pay Investor-1 a purported return on an earlier investment in a ticket-related venture.
CARTON also induced the Hedge Fund to wire $2 million to the Sports and Entertainment Company, based purportedly on an agreement he had with the Sports and Entertainment Company (the “Sports and Entertainment Company Agreement”). The Sports and Entertainment Company Agreement purportedly gave an entity controlled by CARTON (the “CARTON Entity”) the right to purchase $2 million of tickets to concerts at one of the venues operated by the Sports and Entertainment Company. CARTON, among other things, sent the Hedge Fund a copy of the Sports and Entertainment Company Agreement that purportedly had been signed by the chief executive officer of the Sports and Entertainment Company. However, this agreement was fraudulent and had never been entered into by the Sports and Entertainment Company or signed by the chief executive officer.
On December 20, 2016, when the Hedge Fund wired the $2 million to the Sports and Entertainment Company, CARTON contacted the Sports and Entertainment Company and told them, in sum and substance, that the wire had been sent in error and should be sent to the bank account for an entity operated by CARTON and WRIGHT, for which WRIGHT is the signatory. After the money was rewired to that account, WRIGHT wired $966,000 to WRIGHT’s personal bank account and $700,000 to the CARTON Bank Account. CARTON then wired approximately $188,000 from the CARTON Bank Account, including at least $133,000 in wires to several casinos.
* * *
CARTON, 48, of New York, New York, and WRIGHT, 41, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, one count of wire fraud, and one count of securities fraud. The conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The securities fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $5 million, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.
Mr. Kim praised the investigative work of the FBI and thanked the Boston Regional Office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which has filed civil charges against CARTON and CC-1 in a separate action. He added that the FBI’s investigation is ongoing.
This case is being handled by the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brendan F. Quigley and Elisha J. Kobre are in charge of the prosecution.
The allegations contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Ridgewood NJ, perhaps they forgot , but suddenly the New York Times omits party affiliation in article of ethically challenged New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez. The Times wrote a story that was 30 paragraphs and 1288 words yet amazingly the one word the was missing was DEMOCRAT.
Menendez 63, faces 12 charges stemming from accusations that he traded political influence for lavish gifts from Florida ophthalmologist Dr. Salomon Melgen. Menendez initially didn’t report the gifts included private flights and vacations. Melgen also donated $750,000 directly and indirectly to Menendez political campaigns. Dr. Salomon Melgen, a Florida eye doctor was found guilty of Medicare fraud.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Fire department, Paramus Rescue Squad, Parmaus EMS, Paramus Police, and Paramus OEM units responded to a working house fire in the 800 block of Alden Road on Monday morning, 09/04. No injuries were reported in the blaze but the structure sustained heavy fire and water damage. Initial reports were that the home was vacant and under renovation at the time of the fire.
Tomorrow begins the hard core campaign season in New Jersey. People oftentimes ask me, particularly in this current climate, why did I agree to run for office? I am an accomplished businesswoman, attorney, wife and mom. I have survived a bout of melanoma and a recent brain aneurysm. I have worked at the local truck stop flipping burgers and at a premier NYC law firm handling multi billion dollar transactions. I made more money prior to running for office than I do now. …I ran for office six years ago because I care. I grew up here and I chose, as an adult, to return. I am not a career politician. I became involved because I am passionate about trying to save our state from the bad fiscal policies enacted by mostly one party control over the past 15 years. I have watched my property taxes almost double, my take home pay shrink, our insurance premiums skyrocket but yet I stay because I love the state I grew up in. I have been the loud voice on difficult topics (and have subjected myself to horrible name calling as a result) because we must address a better way to govern this state. I am certain you will hear nasty, mostly untrue, things about me over the next 60 days but please remember leadership takes a spine of steel. Real leadership involves discussing and listening to all sides on the most sensitive topics. Leadership is voting no on bad legislation regardless of how much a special interest group may want it. If you ever have a question on why I voted a certain way or what my position is on a particular topic please reach out and ask. I also will be going door to door in all 23 of the towns I represent. I’m taking all volunteers for the journey.
Let me know if you’d like to help out.
Holly Schepisi New Jersey State Assemblywoman for District 39
Glen Rock NJ, like Ridgewood Glen Rock will be undergoing major street milling and repaving the next couple of weeks .
The first leg will begin on Thursday September 7th and 8th and the second leg will begin Thursday September 14th .
ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Gordon Pl, Gibson Pl, Godfrey Terr, Garret Pl, Garvey Pl, Grove St, Amherst Ct, Broad ST, Lowell Rd:
The following roads will be milled on Thursday September 7th and Friday September 8th, and paved on Monday September 11th and Tuesday September 12th:
• Gordon Place
• Gibson Place
• Godfrey Terrace
• Garret Place
• Garvey Place
• Grove Street
• Amherst Court
• Broad Street
• Lowell Road
All work will be done weather permitting.
Please observe the “No Parking” 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. Residents are responsible for making their own arrangements for alternate 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.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Glen Blvd, Cornelia Pl, Mortlock Pl, William Pl, Serafin Pl, Valley Rd, Sterling Pl, 1 Glen Ave Senior Lot
The following roads will be milled on Thursday September 14th and Friday September 15th, and paved on Monday September 18th and Tuesday September 19th:
• Glen Boulevard
• Cornelia Place
• Mortlock Place
• William Place
• Serafin Place
• Valley Road
• Sterling Place
• 1 Glen Ave Senior Lot
All work will be done weather permitting.
Please observe the “No Parking” 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. Residents are responsible for making their own arrangements for alternate 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.
Midland Park NJ, A downed tree blocked a section of North Monroe Street in Midland Park and Ridgewood on Sunday morning, 09/03. Midland Park Police and Ridgewood Police responded to the incident along with Ridgewood Emergency Services. The tree was removed by an employee of the Village of Ridgewood’s Shade Tree Division. No injuries, property damage, nor utility outages were reported,
Updated on September 3, 2017 at 8:02 AM Posted on September 3, 2017 at 6:30 AM
With an election coming up, we’re hearing a lot about consolidating towns and school districts as a means of solving our property-tax problem.
Before this goes any further, let me warn all involved about the nature of such transactions.
Consolidations are like weddings. There are two types: weddings of attraction, into which both partners enter willingly; and shotgun weddings, in which one party takes part only because of compulsion.
The latter describes one Monmouth County town that I covered in the waning days of the Corzine administration, Loch Arbour.
The elected officials of this charming little town by the sea entered into a mutually beneficial pact with nearby Ocean Township when they set up a shared-services agreement. They would send their kids to Ocean schools in return for a per-pupil payment of about $15,000 per year.
