photos courtesy of Boyd Loving
September 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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
September 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
September 4,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
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.
September 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Hope you are all enjoying your summer. I wanted to let you know about the Racefaster 5K and Half Marathon coming up on Sunday, September 10. This is going to be a great event — bringing residents from all over Bergen County together. The 5K is a walk or run hosted at Garden State Plaza and the Half Marathon will begin and end at Garden State Plaza but will primarily be hosted in the Saddle River County Park up to the Glen Rock Duck Pond.
Also, we still have opportunity for you to sponsor the event and promote your business! There are many different ways that we can get you in front of all of the participants. Please let me know if you are interested and we can go over the different opportunities available. You can always email me at [email protected] or call 201-727-3135.
by Melissa Quinn | Aug 31, 2017, 3:04 PM
The Justice Department alleged this week that Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., pushed his colleagues and the Obama administration to change federal policy in order to help a man that authorities charge lavished him with gifts.
In a brief filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the department said Menendez asked then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to pressure the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reverse a decision that hurt Florida ophthalmologist Salomon Melgen. Melgen is thought to have plied Menendez with lavish vacations, and authorities are trying to show those gifts influenced Menendez’s actions in the corruption case they are bringing against him.
Special Properties Lifestyle Magazine Now Part of a Partnership with North Jersey Media Group
September 12,2017
the staff of the Ridewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate and the fastest growing real estate brokerage in northern New Jersey, officially launched Special Properties Lifestyle Magazine at a debut event held on September 7 at its Mahwah offices. The magazine represents an expansion of the partnership between the growing real estate brokerage and North Jersey Media Group, publishers of The Record and (201) Magazine.
“We are pleased to be able to bring this extension of the Special Properties and Christie’s International Real Estate brand to an even larger North Jersey audience through our partnership with North Jersey Media Group,” said Ilija Pavlovic, President and CEO of Special Properties Real Estate Services. “Special Properties Lifestyle Magazine brings readers, throughout the northern New Jersey region, the latest lifestyle and real estate stories and information, while reinforcing the power of the Christie’s International Real Estate brand and the advantages it brings to those looking to buy or sell a home.”
This current issue features a collection of unique stories, including the expert opinion of Christie’s auction house on how to start a vintage jewelry and watch collection, a brief tour of 10 of the world’s most stunning beach destinations, an introduction to one of the Hudson Valley’s most charming resorts, and an in-depth look at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the world’s top annual display of historic and beautiful automobiles.
The magazine also takes a detailed look into the latest interior decoration trends and includes stories on prominent agents that are making a difference in the lives of their clients and the community. Each issue will also feature property listings from Special Properties collection of homes, as well as select listings from across the country and around the world available through Christie’s International Real Estate Affiliate Network.
Special Properties Lifestyle Magazine represents the latest value-added service that Special Properties is bringing to the regional marketplace as it continues to expand and reach more areas of northern New Jersey and the surrounding region. Recently, the brokerage opened a new real estate office in Ridgewood and will open offices in both Hoboken and Montclair in the coming months.
September 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, according to Glen Rock Police a non profit organization called “Clean Water Action” an anti Trump , anti energy independence leftist activist group will be conducting neighborhood canvassing over the next few weeks. This organization is engaging in constitutionally protected political activity that neither the Police Department nor the Borough can prohibit. This is in no way an endorsement of the political views of this organization. Residents not wishing to speak with a representative of this organization must communicated that message with them directly. The organization has provided us with a list of individuals canvassing and will check in with us each day as to the area of town they will be in. Police will not respond to calls about unwanted soliciting regarding this group, however any unlawful activity or disputes should be directed to our attention.
Waldwick needs to take this problem much more seriously, for as great as this original infiltration was, it is highly likely that it will get much worse and infinitely more dangerous as the colder months force them to take even more residence in homes. Rats carry all kinds of disease and are notoriously rabid. Their urine and feces leave disease-borne microbes everywhere, including in air ducts, children play areas and other areas where it becomes an incessant threat to human health, young and old alike! Rats are very adaptable and are very opportunistic, not to mention, their prolifate reproductive rate. A female can breed at 5 weeks-old, gestation is only 21 days, liters can be as high as14, or more simply put, 2 rats can become as much as 15,000 in less than a year.
These rats being dislocated from there past community now probably means the threat they represent has grown 100-fold, as did the chance of ever reducing the threat to what was once manageable to the neighbor hoods in Waldwick. I wish these citizens my hopes and prayers in dealing with a potentially tragic problem for their beautiful community.
photo by Dana Glazer
August 31,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Vale NJ, In this interview the founder of Fair Share Housing stares that municipalities aren’t being forced to allow builders to build 5 market rate units for an affordable unit and that the narrative is “totally false.” For my friends around the State facing lawsuits from builders and Fair Share, are his claims accurate?
“Municipalities that don’t want to do their fair share claim that they’ll have to do five units for every affordable unit,” said Fair Share Housing Center Founder Peter O’Connor. “So, if their fair share were 200, they’d have to do 1,000 units. If it were 500, they have to do 2,500 units. That is totally false. The Supreme Court has given great deference to municipal decision making. And towns have a laundry list of 10 categories they can choose from to implement fair share. Only one is the development of market rate housing.”
NJ’s affordable housing crisis: how are towns meeting demand?
BY Briana Vannozzi, Correspondent | August 30, 2017, 3PM EST
The State Supreme Court’s Mount Laurel decision on affordable housing has confounded municipalities and complicated urban planning since it was handed down. There is still widespread dispute over the number of homes each municipality is required to provide. In the meantime, towns are finding creative solutions for those still Chasing the Dream. In the final part of our series, Correspondent Briana Vannozzi went to Mount Laurel where it all began.
Fair Share Housing Center’s Rev. Eric Dobson showed NJTV News cameras a newly constructed road to see the latest housing development inside the original Ethel Lawrence neighborhood of Mount Laurel. The affordable units of single family and town homes will be ready within a year.
“Many aren’t aware this affordable housing facility exists. So it seamlessly integrated into the town,” said Dobson.
NJ’s affordable housing crisis: how are towns meeting demand?
August 30,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the CDC and multiple states are investigating a multistate outbreak of human Salmonella infections linked to contact with pet turtles.
Thirty-seven people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agbeni have been reported from 13 states.
Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 1, 2017 to August 3, 2017
Of 33 people with available information, 16 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Twelve (32%) ill people are children 5 years of age or younger.
Epidemiologic and laboratory findings link the outbreak of human Salmonella Agbeni infections to contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat.
In interviews, ill people answered questions about contact with animals during the week before becoming ill. Fifteen (45%) of the 33 people interviewed reported contact with turtles or their environments, such as water from a turtle habitat, before getting sick.
In interviews with 9 ill people about where their turtles came from, 6 reported buying a turtle from a flea market or street vendor, or receiving the turtle as a gift.
In 2015, state and local health officials collected samples from turtles at a street vendor. Whole genome sequencing(https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens/wgs.html) showed that the Salmonella Agbeni isolated from ill people in this outbreak is closely related genetically to the Salmonella Agbeni isolates from turtles. This close genetic relationship means that people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection.
Do not buy small turtles as pets or give them as gifts.
Since 1975, the FDA has banned selling and distributing turtles with shells less than 4 inches long as pets because they are often linked to Salmonella infections, especially in young children.
All turtles, regardless of size, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. These outbreaks are a reminder to follow simple steps(https://www.cdc.gov/Features/salmonellafrogturtle/) to enjoy pet reptiles and keep your family healthy.
This outbreak is expected to continue since consumers might be unaware of the risk of Salmonella infection from small turtles. If properly cared for, turtles have a long life expectancy.
August 30,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Waldwick NJ, Wanamaker Avenue, a middle-class neighborhood that according to residents has recently become infested with rats. After finding them all over their property some Waldwick residents say rats are taking over their neighborhood.
According to neighbors the first signs of the rats was in the spring, since then, the issue has begun to tailspin, with more and more neighbors reporting sightings of the animals, both dead and alive. Some have even set traps.
Residents claim the sudden invasion started with nearby construction of Waldwick Station a Russo Development and Terminal Construction Corporation project that began building an 111-unit apartment complex on Zazzetti Street, along the NJ Transit rail, last summer .
August 30th 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, Glen Rock native Olivia Cecoltan, a Moldovan-born New Jersey girl attending Bergen County Academies, noticed the differences between the lives of children in Moldova and the United States began. In Bergen County pizza dinners and Toys-R-Us trips are a common part of a child’s life, it is difficult to understand that there are many places worldwide where other children do not have basic necessities.
Unlike many Olivia decided yo do something about the plight of children and set up the Hand in Hand Project (HIHP) a not-for-profit organization committed to improving the lives of underprivileged children in Moldova.
Moldova is known as the poorest country in all of Europe, so you can imagine the struggles children endure there. Moldova is a nation sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine in Eastern Europe. The area was occupied by several tribes until it was officially under Roman rule. The medieval Principality of Moldavia was constantly invaded and taken over by various European powers; it was eventually part of Bessarabia and then part of Greater Romania until World War II. It became part of the Soviet Union until the Moldovan people declared independence in 1991. It is now known as the poorest country in Europe. The median income is about 4909 Moldovan Lei, or $249 US Dollars. The Moldovan median income is less than the average monetary value of gifts each American child receives each Christmas, or $271.00!
This summer, Hand in Hand Project held the “Hand in Hand Project Summer Camp” for children exposed to domestic violence at “Mary’s House” in Moldova! The also set up a crowd funding and raised $2000 to aid in their efforts .
The Hand in Hand Project is currently partnering with several organizations in Moldova, including the Orphanage of Straseni which currently serves 58 children from ages 7 to 16.With almost no publicity due to the country’s small size and little impact on the world, orphans in Moldova are in dire need of assistance.
Another goal of this project is to spread awareness of the cause that the Hand in Hand Project stands for among students, faculty, and staff at the Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, NJ. In such a highly competitive school, in which it seems like getting a 4.0 GPA is the goal in life and anything lower makes a student a second-class citizen, many children need to take a step back and be more appreciative of the grand opportunities afforded them and the amazing lives they already lead by the age of 18.
https://handinhandproject.org/blog/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/handinhandprojectmoldova/about/?ref=page_internal
https://www.youcaring.com/hand-in-hand-project-661012
I have always loved our country for the opportunities it provides. I am the child of parents who did not come from wealth but came from blue collar workers, a first generation American roofer on my dad’s side and a sea captain on my mom’s. From an early age I was pushed to succeed, to learn and to work hard. I stumbled along the way, almost failing out of high school at one point but managed to turn myself around becoming the first woman in my immediate family to graduate from college and transitioning into the person I am today. My life has not been an easy one. I have overcome many obstacles and failures but the things that always stayed with me were my work ethic and my willingness to learn from my mistakes. I have held every job a person could, from being the neighborhood babysitter to the shrimp de-veiner girl at a fish market to a successful lawyer and elected official. I have had money and I have had no money. I have traveled to and worked in other countries and have seen first hand how much we take for granted in our own country. I see the anger and hatred that people currently have and it candidly confuses and saddens me. Should our country work harder to ensure everyone is treated equally regardless of skin color, sexual preference, religion, gender, etc.? Absolutely. Have awful things occurred against people of color or in the name of religion throughout mankind’s history? Yes. Should we have more open and real dialogue on current issues involving race and religion? Yes. Are most people in today’s society racist, bigots, anti-Semites, Nazi’s, white supremacists or any of these items? No. I have been in public office for 5 years and I have prided myself on listening with an open heart to differences of opinion on all topics and issues. I am not someone who views issues as black or white but rather sees most issues are inherently grey without a right or wrong option. But this is the first time in 5 years that I fear for the future of our society as well as my own safety. We must stop the ramping up of hatred and labeling everyone who may not agree on every issue as racist, bigoted, Nazi, snowflakes, Antifa, etc. In the current climate it is dangerous and will result in violence if we continue down this path. I speak with hundreds of people each week. Almost everyone I meet or speak with falls on a bell curve with respect to their own beliefs. While not everyone will agree on all issues I find that most people ebb and flow on certain items depending upon their own life experiences. Very rarely do I encounter those who are the outliers that the press tries to make us believe are the norm and not the exception. Let us make a vow as Americans to respect one another, to bring back the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue on even the toughest of issues, to agree that people have the right to have a difference of opinion and to stop the labeling and name calling. Our country and our children deserve better from all of us
