My hat goes off to her but she seems to be lonely in this fight. I don’t see any uproar from anybody else on the Republican side at least. Democ-rats agenda will continue the path of destruction in the name of socialism. Socialism tries to narrow the gap by destroying the rich so they can come come closer to the poor levels instead of trying to bring up the poor and increase their standards. In the end Bergen County and Ridgewood in particular will suffer terribly. We live in times of sadomasochism. These libs don’t care that even their living standards will go down and that of their children as long as their brain is happy with bringing “equality” to the world.
Hillsdale NJ, we have to laugh Congressman Josh Gottheimer gathered local business leaders for a roundtable on the Export-Import Bank with Former Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank, Fred Hochberg. Hosted by Fornazor International, Inc., the group shared Export-Import Bank success stories and discussed ways that small- and medium-sized New Jersey manufacturers can leverage the opportunities afforded by the bank to expand their businesses .
Perhaps no one told Congressman Gottheimer that the Export-Import Bank is one of the most corrupt organizations in Washington and often referred as nothing more than corporate welfare .
A Gottheimer press release In New Jersey, this program has supported, $4,039,300,000 in exports, 25,811 jobs, and 219 companies — without costing the Treasury a single nickel. Congressman Gottheimer views Ex-Im as a great return on investment for the district, state, and country.
The reality is far different the Export Import Bank is nothing but corrupt corporate welfare. The 81-year old, government agency, the Export Import Bank cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year and it overwhelmingly benefitted big corporations and big banks. (Beware, incompetent government protocols allow for wild variations in costs). Recently, 42 Republicans and 176 Democrats forced a vote in the House of Representatives to reauthorize the bank.
Originally, the Export Import Bank (ExIm) was created in the 1930’s to assist small businesses unable to acquire private, bank loans. In 2012, Boeing received 83% of its loan guarantees through the Export Import Bank. Not to mention, Chase, Citibank and other big banks are essentially receiving risk-free loans from our government bank. What happened? Inevitably, a government subsidy attracts big businesses with powerful lobbyists to convert the program to their advantage. This happened and was the reason small government conservatives demanded an end to the ImEx.
Thus, upon losing their enormous government subsidies, big businesses and well-paid lobbyists are working hard to convince Members of Congress to reauthorize and fund the bank. According to Veronique de Rugy of the Mercatus Center, between 2007 and 2013 the Bank subsidized:
· $66.7 billion in sales by Boeing
· $8.3 billion for General Electric
· $5.2 billion for Bechtel
· $4.9 billion for Caterpillar and its subsidiary Solar Turbine
· $3.2 billion for CBI Americas
· $3.0 for Exxon Mobil
· $2.1 billion for Applied Materials
· $2.0 billion for Westinghouse
· $1.4 billion for Noble Drilling
In 2014 the left of center “HILL” wrote a very critical article on the banks dealings with Russia and what it called rampant fraud at the bank, ” In late July, the bank scrambled to halt their dealings with Russian companies, a week after the awkward news that the Obama administration had sanctioned some of the Bank’s previous Russian “customers” with close ties to Vladimir Putin.
Around the same time, the bank’s president, Fred Hochberg, was hauled before Congress to address concerns about rampant fraud at his institution after three employees were dismissed following allegations of corruption. Also called to testify was Johnny Gutierrez, himself one of the recently-dismissed bank officials. Gutierrez pled the Fifth Amendment and Hochberg’s testimony was less than illuminating. In addition, a recent report in The Daily Caller found several instances of conflicts of interest among members of the bank’s own advisory committee.”
The Export-Import Bank is backed by powerful corporate interests and corrupt politicians who make a living off of all the dirty deals .
Listening to Wall Street based business reporting you would believe that the nation’s foreclosure crisis is in the nation’s rear view mirror. Yet, in New Jersey in places like Newark, East Orange, Paterson and Atlantic City foreclosures are hollowing out entire primarily African-American neighborhoods. Go to any on line real estate tracking site like Zillow and you can see the carnage depicted graphically. Atlantic City has the highest foreclosure rate in the country.
On the ground in these places it has meant vacant zombie homes, where families were pressured out, and banks have failed to re-market these distressed properties, and they continue to depress local property values. Sometimes the derelict properties catch fire and threaten the lives of those left behind. For those remaining families in these places, that are desperately trying to hold on to their homes, this downward spiral makes holding on even harder, as they find their mortgages sinking deeper and deeper underwater.
But that is not the only economic force drowning these folks, as they tried to hold on to their piece of the American dream that often has been in their family for a couple of generations. The local governments have tried to make up for the slide of their ratable base by raising property taxes. In some cases like Atlantic City by double digits as in 2014 when that City’s property levy spiked by 29 percent in one year.
Ridgewood NJ, Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) introduced a bill in June 2016 that would allow New Jersey Police officers to survey drivers’ cell phones using an “electronic scanning device.” The device is called the ‘Textalyzer’ . , but the bill currently sits in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
Under the Codey bill, a driver could be fined anywhere from $300 to $1,000 and have their license revoked for up to 10 years if they refuse to give their cell phone to an officer, depending on the number of past offenses.
Very similar to the states “Breathalyzer” ,where motorist are not free to refuse it.
Civil liberties groups worry the ‘textalyzer’ violates motorists’ privacy and the Fourth Amendment and is an other opertunity for police to conduct warrant-less searches .The device is plugged into a driver’s smartphone and time-stamped information is downloaded about apps used prior to an accident.
Skeptics point out that the “textalyzer” seems to be another opportunity for police to run tax collection services for the state of New Jersey ,with little or no impact on public safety . Like the states DWI or DUI laws skeptics insist likely suspects will be targeted by their ability to pay the fine .
Ridgewood NJ, In New Jersey you don’t need a fishing license if you are under the age of 16.
Anyone age 16 and older must have a valid license (see Exceptions) to fish the fresh waters of New Jersey with handline, rod and line, or longbow and arrow. This includes privately owned lakes and other waters. New Jersey does not require a general saltwater fishing license but there are a limited number of saltwater licenses and permits required. Additionally, most saltwater anglers need to register with the free New Jersey Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
HAMMONTON — New Jersey peach farmers are reaping a bounty this summer with one of their largest crops.
New Jersey, which is the fourth-largest producer of peaches in the nation behind California, South Carolina and Georgia, is projected to produce between 55 million and 60 million pounds of peaches over 5,500 acres in 2017, according to the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council.
In 2015, farmers grew 42.2 million pounds on 4,700 acres valued at $27.6 million.
What says Jersey in July more than a Garden State blueberry?
Its sweet, tart purple pop is as much a part of summer as peaches, beaches and lightning bugs.
New Jersey’s state fruit is a longtime favorite, but the market for organic blueberries is particularly ripe, strengthened by a growing number of customers who don’t mind forking over the extra money — often at least a dollar more — for fruit grown in an environment free of most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that compiles information on potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides in food and consumer products, maintains a list of 48 fruits and vegetables for which the group analyzes pesticide residue testing data from the USDA. Domestic blueberries were ranked as the 17th most contaminated type of produce. Imported blueberries followed close behind, at No. 20 (strawberries and spinach, at No. 1 and 2, are the worst offenders).
But ever pull up to the supermarket to find it’s clean out of organic blueberries? Or, when you do find them, do you ever notice that not many have been grown here?
The Organic Trade Association says in 2016, 13.6 percent of all fruits and vegetables bought in the U.S. were organic, with sales for all organic products in the country reaching almost $50 billion in 2016, way up from from $3.6 billion in 1997.
Ridgewood NJ, no surprise here that state Democrats are funding over building in Bergen County and looking to destroy the quality of life ,turning the county into another borough of Manhattan .
“Anyone who follows me knows I have been fighting to bring rational discussion to the over development crisis impacting most of our communities. As a result I have been labeled a racist, xenophobe and a whole host of awful and untrue things by a non profit organization Fair Share Housing Development. Imagine my surprise today when I saw that their top donor list includes gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy! And we wonder why our communities are receiving no help from their representatives in Trenton.” , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi .
In Ridgewood this blog has long warned of over development , even warning residents to not vote for a Hudson County Mayor .
Unfortunately the warnings went unheeded and after the “3 amigos ” reign of terror in the Village is now faced with 4 major high density housing developments that will deplete the Village of Resources , pressure water,sewer, fire ,police and education as well as lower property values and increase tax rates.
Mahwah NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal issued a warning to the Township of Mahwah over the enforcement of Township Ordinernce 1806 limiting access to Mahwah’s recreational facilities .
Yesterday ,Grewal sent a strongly worded letter to Mahwah Township Police Chief James N. Batelli, directing him not to enforce Mahwah Township Ordinance No. 1806. Copies of the letter were also delivered to Mahwah Mayor William Laforet, members of the Mahwah Township Council, and the Mahwah Township Attorney.
In the Letter Grewal spelled out problems he had with the ordinance including saying , enforcement raises serious legal issues such as “racially influenced policing ” and “violations of individual constitutional rights”.
The Township of Mahwah had passed the ordinance, which took effect Thursday hopping it would provide protection against what residents have called an organized incursion from Rockland County of Hasidic families who’ve recently swarmed parks in Mahwah, Montvale, Ramsey and Upper Saddle River by the busload.
Here comes Dino Don – one of the few living people with a dinosaur named after him!
July 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Leonia, NJ , This week’s Super Star of Science is “Dino” Don Lessem, the world’s leading popular presenter of dinosaurs– via his movie and theme park collaborations, exhibitions, expeditions, books, and television documentaries. Don will share the stories of his adventures and dinosaur excavations from around the world! From Mongolia, China to the Arctic Circle, Don has explored for dinosaurs and made major discoveries. In Patagonia, he dug up and reconstructed the world’s record-sized plant-eating and meat-eating dinosaurs!
In recognition of his support of paleontology, “Dino” Don had a giant plant-eating dinosaur named after him —Lessemsaurus. “It has a huge belly and a tiny brain, like its namesake,” says Lessem.
Don will also share the story of his experiences as an advisor to Steven Spielberg on the film Jurassic Park, to Universal Studios for its Jurassic Park ride and to Walt Disney Productions for its Animal Kingdom Dinoland attraction and Dinosaurs film.
In addition to his more than 50 books for adults and children ,“Dino” Don has answered more than 11,000 letters to his “Ask Dino Don” column in Highlights Magazine, the nation’s largest-circulation children’s magazine. He’s hosted and written NOVA and Discovery Channel documentaries and his pioneering Microsoft CD,Dinosaurs sold 1 million copies.
“Dino” Don will be wowing the crowds at Field Station: Dinosaurs this Saturday, 7/29/17 at 11:30am, 1:15pm and 2:30pm. His presentations are included in the price of park admission.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park | Leonia, NJ
Phone 855.999.9010 | Fax 973.748.3010 | [email protected] |
FieldStationDinosaurs.com
Glen Rock NJ, A tractor trailer hauling an over sized load through Glen Rock on Thursday afternoon, 07/27,was unable to successfully clear a grade level NJ Transit railroad crossing on Rock Road before warning gates lowered and hit the tractor. Two (2) Glen Rock Police uniformed patrol supervisors who were escorting the vehicle ordered the truck driver to back up off of the tracks to avoid a potential train vs. truck collision. The damaged warning gate was repaired by a NJ Transit Maintenance of Way technician, at which time train traffic was resumed. The over sized vehicle was backed westward on Rock Road to Main Street in order that it could continue on its way to Paramus. A NJ Transit Emergency Services Unit also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported by the truck driver. At least two (2) NJ Transit Bergen Line trains were significantly delayed due by the incident.
Midland Park NJ, Midland Park Police, Ridgewood Police, and Wyckoff Police officers were dispatched to provide traffic control duties while construction crews worked to repair a potentially dangerous sinkhole on Lake Avenue in Midland Park that was identified on Thursday afternoon, 07/27. A crew performing a closed circuit television inspection on a sewer trunk line belonging to the Northwest Bergen Utilities Authority discovered a defect and immediately recommended that the roadway be closed. A repair crew supervisor told Ridgewood PD that work could take as long as 24 hours to complete. Lake Avenue is closed to motor vehicle traffic between Godwin Avenue in Ridgewood to Goffle Road in Wyckoff. A nearby lumber yard and supermarket located on Lake Avenue both remain accessible via alternate routes.
Paramus NJ, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs today announced that pet shop owner Vincent LoSacco and his “Just Pups” Stores have agreed to permanently stop selling animals in New Jersey and pay $326,000 to settle allegations they misled customers about the health of the puppies they sold, failed to reimburse consumers for animals that got sick or died, and committed dozens of other acts of consumer fraud.
Under a settlement with the Division of Consumer Affairs, Just Pups is permanently prohibited from conducting business in New Jersey, and LoSacco is permanently barred from advertising or selling animals in the state in any capacity, including, among other things, as an owner, employee, consultant, or independent contractor at a pet store, kennel, or breeding establishment, either in a paid or unpaid position.
“We’re pleased to finally close the book on Vincent LoSacco’s long and troubled history of selling puppies in this state,” said Attorney General Porrino. “By permanently banning him from New Jersey’s pet sales industry, we are not only protecting consumers from fraud, we are shielding families from the heartache of unwittingly purchasing a sick puppy and then being forced to choose between paying costly vet fees or losing their pet.”
“Buying a puppy is an emotional investment as well a financial investment. We will not allow unscrupulous pet stores to deliberately deceive consumers in this very important purchase,” said Steve Lee, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “As this action shows, we will vigorously enforce the laws in place to protect consumers from suffering the emotional and financial cost of purchasing a puppy suffering from an undiagnosed or undisclosed illness.”
The settlement resolves allegations contained in the First Amended Complaint filed by the State in September 2016. The Complaint alleges that Lo Sacco and Just Pups violated New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act (CFA), Pet Purchase Protection Act (PPA), the Pet Regulations and the Advertising Regulations, by among other things:
Selling sick or defective animals to consumers from stores in East Brunswick, East Hanover, Emerson, and Paramus. Misrepresenting as healthy and selling dogs suffering from Kennel Cough, Parvo, Bronchitis, and Giardia. Failing to reimburse consumers for veterinary fees associated with the treatment of sick or defective dogs, even after receiving veterinary certifications that the animals had been unfit for sale. Failing to refund the purchase price plus sales tax of an animal that died due to congenital or hereditary cause, within six months of delivery to consumer. Misrepresenting that dogs are healthy when such was not the case. Failing to have an animal that was examined more than 14 days prior to purchase reexamined by a veterinarian within 72 hours of delivery, as required by law. Misrepresenting on the Just Pups website that Just Pups can prove that all of its puppies are free from adverse health symptoms, when such was not the case. Selling an animal within the State of New Jersey without a completed animal history and health certificate.
The settlement also addresses the State’s concern that LoSacco violated the PPA in connection with his East Hanover store by accepting deposits and/or other payments from numerous consumers prior to Just Pups and LoSacco having the puppies examined by a New Jersey-licensed veterinarian.
In addition to permanently enjoining Just Pups and LoSacco from any involvement in the sale, advertising, breeding or kenneling of animals in New Jersey, the settlement requires them to pay a civil penalty of $290,000, $30,163 in restitution to consumers, and $5,876 in reimbursement of investigative costs. Under the terms of the settlement, the $290,000 civil penalty will be suspended if the defendants meet the terms of the agreement.
The allegations against LoSacco and Just Pups stem from the Division’s statewide inspections of pet shops to ensure compliance with the PPA, which took effect in June 2015.
Just Pups stores in East Brunswick, East Hanover, Emerson, and Paramus were among 26 pet stores cited for noncompliance.
In the months following the Division’s inspections, LoSacco came under fire from authorities in the towns where his stores were located.
State and local authorities charged him with more than 400 counts of animal cruelty and neglect in connection with his stores in Paramus and East Brunswick, including charges investigators found a gravely ill, emaciated puppy in a cage in the East Brunswick store that later died, and that he left 60 puppies unattended in small crates inside a cold van parked outside his Paramus store in April. LoSacco was also charged with hundreds of health code violations in connection with all four stores.
In March 2016, the Just Pups store in East Brunswick was closed permanently when the town council revoked LoSacco’s shop owner’s license. Just Pups in Paramus closed permanently in May 2016 when LoSacco did not attempt to renew his business license there. The Emerson store was permanently closed in July 2016 when the borough council voted against renewing his business license. The final Just Pups location, in East Hanover, was permanently closed in March 2017 when the town council voted not to renew LoSacco’s business license. The vote came a month after the store was placed in quarantine by the East Hanover Board of Health amid allegations that LoSacco had illegally transported puppies to his store from out of state without medical clearance.
THANK YOU Mr. Bramnick. I know chances are minimal that anything will come out of your effort but it is a nice feeling to know that someone really cares.
It’s almost a forgone conclusion that Phil Murphy will be elected New Jersey’s next governor come this November. So prepare yourself for our version of “Murphy’s Law”.
“Any tax than can go up, will….and at the worst possible moment”.
Our current governor has a dismal approval rating of just below 15 percent. It’s the lowest in the country and maybe of all time. It’s very easy now to deride Governor Christie for any number of missteps and insults to us citizens over the last few years.
No matter who becomes governor, accountants worried about NJ economy
But as I’ve said many times, once “Chubby” pulls his fat little thumb out of the dyke, the torrent of taxes and fees coming our way to pay for what the Democrats want, will drown us all.
