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Time to Put and End to Forced Overdependent of Bergen County

CBD high density housing

Reader, “If people just read this and don’t share the information, nothing will change. Do people think change comes by people sitting on their duffs in the living room and doing nothing more? Go to the event and support her at this event, otherwise, leaving it to someone else just won’t cut it anymore. Progressives who want to change the face of all the communities are working to make it happen…what are YOU DOING? If you can’t go, call your legislator even if it’s Pascrell and tell him this will lead to blighted areas in your town, overbuilding which perhaps including taking people’s homes through eminent domain if you are in the area they want, higher taxes due to more schools being needed, more traffic and of course road repairs and infrastructure costs – sewer, water, etc.”

June 14,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ,  Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi will initiate a series of statewide legislative hearings to address New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis. The first will be held on June 15 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bergen Community College’s Technology Education Center room 128.

Schepisi will be joined by other invited guests, including fellow legislators, mayors, town officials and planners, engineers, traffic experts, board of education members, environmental groups and other interested parties.

She said the hearings will examine ways to provide a better way toward affordability for the residents of this state while protecting towns from a recent state Supreme Court ruling that could force the construction of up to 1.5 million unneeded housing units to satisfy a fictitious population increase of 3.35 million in the next nine years – while Rutgers projects a population increase of only 219,000.

“We have reached a critical juncture in the State of New Jersey. We are the most costly, the most densely populated with the highest number of outmigration because people can no longer afford to live here. Instead of smart discussions regarding how to implement change to reduce living costs for all of our residents, the legislature’s inaction is forcing communities to potentially double their housing population in just the next nine years, destroying all existing housing prices while increasing property taxes,” said Schepisi. “We need to stop the court’s action and fix this issue while we still can.”

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Beloved orchestra teacher dies in cycling crash

Jocelyn Gertel

Updated on June 13, 2017 at 5:17 PMPosted on June 13, 2017 at 4:37 PM

BY ANTHONY G. ATTRINO

NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

PARAMUS – The public school district was devastated this week by news of the sudden death of Jocelyn Gertel, a long-time middle-school orchestra teacher, a school administrator said Tuesday.

Gertel, who lived in Ridgewood, died last week following a bicycling accident in Hawthorne.

A spokesman for the Hawthorne Police Department was not available to comment Tuesday on details of the accident.

According to online tributes from friends, Gertel was riding her bike downhill when she lost control and pitched over the handlebars. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, where she later died.

“The school community is very devastated by her loss,” said Michele Robinson, superintendent of schools. “She was very well-respected, very well-liked and she will be greatly missed.”

https://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2017/06/beloved_orchestra_teacher_dies_in_cycling_crash.html

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Local Politicians Noticeably Absent From Anti-Sharia Pro LGBTQ Marches Across the USA

gay flag

June 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, so the “Rainbow flag of Gay Pride Flag is flying in Ridgewood and on June 10th a group called ACT for America is had “March Against Sharia” events in cities across the nation , but none in New Jersey.

Noticeably absent from the marches were Rep .Josh Gottheimer, NJ Assemblymen Tim Eustace, any members of CRAB(Community Relations Advisory Board) , Jan Philips and Alfred Doublin from the Bergen Record .

When it really counts these politicians, activists and editors are no where to be found .  Maybe they should wave a more appropriate flag instead of the “rainbow’ ,of just solid yellow.

The nationwide marches were in support of basic human rights for all ,and against the horrific treatment of women, children, and members of the LGBTQ community that is sanctioned by Sharia law.

The Prophet … said: “Kill the one who sodomizes and the one who lets it be done to him. May Allah curse him who does what Lot’s people did. Lesbianism by women is adultery between them.”

Gays were clearly targeted by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old American citizen and devout Muslim from Fort Pierce, Fla., the son of immigrants from Afghanistan in the jihadist attack at that popular gay club in Orlando.

The inspiration for Muslims to brutalize and mass murder gay people does not come from ISIS, but is deeply rooted in Islamic law, affirmed by many of Islam’s most renowned scholars and Islamic Sharia law. This is why, wherever sharia is the law, homosexuals are persecuted and killed. The Washington Post in a 2014 report listed ten Muslim countries where homosexuality may be punished by death (Yemen, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, and Iraq.

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Black Bear Seen Roaming Near Jefferson Middle School in Hawthorne Monday

Hawthorne bear

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

June 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hawthorne NJ, A black bear likely to have been the same one seen early Monday morning, 06/12, roaming around outside of the Jefferson Middle School in Hawthorne, was spotted perched (and eating) in a tree of a Goffle Hill Road, Hawthorne home late Monday afternoon, 06/12. Hawthorne PD units along with a representative of Tyco Animal Control Services responded to assess the situation. It was determined that the bear presented no immediate danger to residents of the home, who were asked to stay inside in the hopes that the animal would come down from the tree and wander off if it did not feel threatened by the presence of a human.

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A mall in the midst of a makeover

The Shops at Riverside

Joan Verdon , Staff Writer, @JoanVerdon

The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack is in the midst of a tough challenge. The task? Keep luxury tenants such as Tiffany and Louis Vuitton — and their affluent shoppers — happy while construction crews are ripping open ceilings, removing escalators, and cutting through floors and walls.

The result is the 40-year-old mall has been living a double life. From 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, commerce continues uninterrupted and much of the experience is similar to the pre-renovation Riverside. The floors are polished to a shine, the storefront windows are gleaming, and the mood is quiet and serene.

But after the mall closes at 9 p.m., construction crews take over, unroll plastic tarps, plug in their power tools, and work until the early morning, when the cleaning team arrives to sweep, dust and polish before the shoppers arrive.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/money/2017/06/07/mall-midst-makeover/365646001/

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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air quality alert from 10 AM Monday until 10 PM Monday

hot-sun-cooling1_Content

June 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, once again we have  an Air quality alert is in effect from 10 AM Monday until 10 PM Monday(tonight).

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality action day for the following counties…

Eastern Bergen…Eastern Essex…Eastern Passaic…Eastern Union… Hudson…Western Bergen…Western Essex…Western Passaic…Western Union.

An Ozone Action Day has been declared! Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category across New Jersey due to hot and humid conditions with adequate sunshine. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

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Driver transported to The Valley Hospital after Striking a Utility Pole in Glen Rock

Glen Rock police

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings’s Facebook page

June 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, The driver of a silver colored 4-door Nissan Altima sedan was transported to The Valley Hospital by a Glen Rock EMS ambulance following a Sunday morning, 06/11, collision with a utility pole on Ackerman Avenue near South Maple Avenue, Glen Rock. Injuries to the victim appeared to have been non life threatening. The damaged Nissan was removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Glen Rock Police is investigating the incident. A paramedic team from The Valley Hospital also responded to the scene.

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ICE Newark arrests 113 criminal targets in 5-day enforcement surge

ICE Arrests
June 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Newark Field Office arrested 113 criminal targets during an operation Jun. 5-9, as part of the agency’s ongoing public safety and national security efforts. The operation was supported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s New Jersey Field Office, the New Jersey State Parole Office, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations.

All of the targets in this operation were criminal in nature. 93% of those that were arrested were convicted criminals and 87% of them had prior felony convictions.

“The continued results of our Fugitive Operations officers and their law enforcement partners underscore ICE’s ongoing and steady commitment to public safety,” said John Tsoukaris, field office director of ERO Newark. “As part of this operation, we continue focus on the arrest of individuals who are criminal and are a threat to public safety and national security. Because of the tireless efforts of these professional officers, there are 113 fewer criminals in our communities,” he added.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is extremely proud to have assisted in this operation,” said Leon Hayward, Acting Director New York Field Office. “It is through collaborative efforts, such as the one leading to today’s arrests, that law enforcement agencies can combat illegal acts and apprehend criminals who pose a threat to the Homeland.”

“The State Parole Board is pleased to have been able to take part in this very successful fugitive operation. Cooperative efforts with other state and federal agencies serve as a force multiplier resulting in a significant public safety benefit. We are proud of the efforts of our parole officers and all that took part in the operation.” said James T. Plousis, chairman of the NJ State Parole Board.

The individuals arrested throughout New Jersey were nationals of Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iraq, Ireland, Jamaica, Jordan, Korea, Latvia, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, Slovakia, Trinidad and Uruguay.

These individuals range from age 18 to 74 years old and all were previously convicted of a variety of offenses. Some of the convictions included sexual assault on a minor, child abuse, possession of narcotics, distribution of narcotics, robbery, trespassing, damage to property, DUI, crimes against person, fraud, sex offense against a child/fondling, threaten to kill, sexual exploitation of a minor, domestic violence, battery, theft of us government property, possession of a weapon, illegal use of credit cards, burglary, larceny, aggravated assault and illegal reentry.

Among those arrested during this operation include:

A Iraqi citizen convicted of possession of narcotics
A Honduran citizen wanted by Honduras for the offense of double Homicide
A Latvian citizen convicted of heroin sale  
A El Salvador citizen convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor
A Ecuadorian citizen convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor
A Jordanian citizen convicted of synthetic narcotic possession
A Dominican citizen convicted of cocaine sale
A Bangladesh citizen convicted of aggravated assault with a weapon

In fiscal year 2016, ICE conducted 240,255 removals nationwide. Over ninety percent of individuals removed from the interior of the United States had previously been convicted of a criminal offense.

ICE is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that targets serious criminal aliens who present the greatest risk to the security of our communities, such as those charged with or convicted of homicide, rape, robbery, kidnapping, major drug offenses and threats to national security.

ERO Newark works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to enforce federal immigration laws as part of its homeland security mission.

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BERGEN BURGLARY TASK FORCE INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN ARREST OF BURGLARY DUO

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S

June 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the arrests of TYRONE GOINS (DOB: 02/14/80; single; and unemployed) of 90 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey and his brother, TRAVIS GOINS (DOB: 01/25/85; single; and employed as a driver) of 44 Brookway Avenue, Englewood, New Jersey. The arrests are the culmination of a three-month-long investigation by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, along with a multi-jurisdictional burglary task force comprised of detectives from Fort Lee, Paramus, Cliffside Park, Tenafly, Saddle River, and Teaneck police departments.

In response to a reported increase of residential burglaries in the eastern part of Bergen County, detectives from the affected towns met and shared information about the burglaries. As a result, a task force was formed and a joint investigation began.

On the evening of June 8, 2017, task force detectives were conducting physical surveillance in the Borough of Cliffside Park. TYRONE GOINS and TRAVIS GOINS were observed in a vehicle that circled the same blocks for a period of time. Shortly after the vehicle left the area, detectives confirmed that a burglary had been committed to a residence on Washington Avenue in Cliffside Park. Detectives were able to locate the suspects’ vehicle and conduct a motor vehicle stop.

TYRONE GOINS and TRAVIS GOINS were each charged with one count of Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C18-2A(1), a crime of the 3rd degree, for the Washington Avenue, Cliffside Park burglary along with an additional count of Burglary, for an April 27th, 2017 residential burglary to a Cliffside Park residence on West End Avenue. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are expected.

Tyrone GOINS and Travis GOINS are currently lodged in the Bergen County Jail, pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Grewal states that the charges against the defendants are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Fort Lee, Paramus, Cliffside Park, Tenafly, Saddle River and Teaneck Police Departments for their assistance with this investigation.

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Saturday Afternoon collision at the intersection of Park Avenue and South Maple Avenue in Glen Rock

Glen Rock Police

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

June 11,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, A two (2) vehicle collision at the intersection of Park Avenue and South Maple Avenue in Glen Rock on Saturday afternoon, 06/10, resulted in ambulance rides to The Valley Hospital for both adult female drivers and heavily damaged two (2) black colored sedans. Injuries sustained by the two (2) victims appeared to have been non life threatening Glen Rock PD and EMS responded to the incident. A flatbed tow truck removed both wrecks from the scene.

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Overdoses are more deadly than guns, and we’re flying blind | Editorial

opioid and heroin epidemic

Posted on June 10, 2017 at 6:27 AM

BY STAR-LEDGER EDITORIAL BOARD

[email protected]

More Americans died of drug overdoses last year alone than in the entire Vietnam war, according to Vox and the New York Times. More than ever died of guns or car crashes in a single year, even at the peak of those epidemics.

That’s according to a chilling Times investigation based on preliminary data collected from 2016. Overdose deaths rose 19 percent over the 52,404 recorded in 2015, to somewhere between 59,000 to 65,000.

The final numbers aren’t out yet, since drug deaths take a long time to certify. You see why timely data is crucial. So far, all evidence points to 2017 being even worse, but by the time the boxes are checked and the final reports are filed, thousands more will be dead.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/06/overdoses_are_more_deadly_than_guns_and_were_flyin.html#incart_river_home

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ACT for America is having March Against Sharia Saturday, June 10, 2017

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June 10,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday, June 10, 2017, ACT for America is having March Against Sharia events in cities across the nation.

This is a march against Sharia law and for human rights. Our nation is built on the freedom of religion — a pillar of our democracy — which we must always respect, protect, and honor. However many aspects of Sharia law run contrary to basic human rights and are completely incompatible with our laws and our democratic values.

We, at ACT for America, are committed to protecting women and children from Sharia Law and its impact on Muslim women and children including honor killing and Female Genital Mutilation. We must ensure that every woman and child enjoy the protection afforded by the U.S. Constitution.Sharia is incompatible with Western democracy and the freedoms it affords.

We stand firmly opposed to any actions by individuals or organizations that seek to attack or intimidate based on race, religion, or sexual orientation.  Our June 10th nationwide marches are in support of basic human rights for all – and against the horrific treatment of women, children, and members of the LGBTQ community that is sanctioned by Sharia law.

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Where is Alfred P. Doblin of  the Bergen Record on this and all the “Gay Pride ” flag wavers  , maybe its time to come out of the closet  and really support the issue?

Please share this information with your family, friends, and mark your calendars for Saturday, June 10. #MarchAgainstSharia

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Reader says Ramapoughs Must Find balance

teepees

I have read several articles about the Ramapoughs. The Pollution of their land by Ford was a crime that caused and still causes health problems. They need superfund cleanup and healthcare screening for this.

Their fights with neighbors will not win them many friends.. A few years ago three Ramapough members were arrested for arson for setting fire to a home (empty) that a tribe member had lost in foreclosure.

Assimilation is the name of the game. You can keep your culture alive and still participate in the life of the outside community. Education and jobs are the future. If you chose to live totally as a tribe member your opportunities will be limited. Find balance

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Ramapough leaders charged with criminal mischief

teepees

Tom Nobile , Staff Writer, @TomNobile

MAHWAH — Two leaders of the Ramapough Lenape Nation have been charged with criminal mischief after an investigation into vandalism at the Polo Club, a residential development next to the tribe’s property.

Tribe member Steven D. Smith, 29, is accused of tampering with a neighborhood surveillance camera by trying to turn the lens to a different view, according to police. He was driven to the scene by Chief Dwaine Perry, police said.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/mahwah/2017/06/08/ramapough-leaders-charged-criminal-mischief/382460001/

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Kelly: In Comey’s hometown, a mix of emotions as ex-FBI chief testifies

FBI  Director James Comey

Mike Kelly , Record Columnist, @MikeKellyColumn

Ed O’Connell, a contractor and loyal Republican, dropped by the Allendale Bar and Grill just before noon on Thursday to check on one of his town’s favorite sons.

It wasn’t that James Comey, the recently fired FBI director, had suddenly returned in person to the intimately connected North Jersey community where he grew up. But Comey’s presence was hard to miss.

As O’Connell sat on a barstool, sipping a ginger ale and munching on chicken tenders, Comey’s face peered down from two TV screens. And as Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee in Washington, his calm, methodical voice seemed to fill every corner of the restaurant that he occasionally visits when he returns to Allendale.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/columnists/mike-kelly/2017/06/08/kelly-comeys-hometown-mix-emotions-ex-fbi-chief-testifies/376048001/