Ridgewood NJ, Every time any of us look at our paycheck, we are painfully reminded that taxes are too high.
Since taking control two years ago, Bergen County Democrats have RAISED COUNTY TAXES (not even including school and municipal) by a STAGGERING THIRTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS — that’s more than FIVE TIMES THE INFLATION RATE!
While , CD5 Rep, Scott Garrett received both Club for Growth’s Defender of Economic Freedom award , the National Federation of Independent Business’s Guardian of Small Business Award and the National Taxpayers Union’s Taxpayers’ Friend award.
Garrett said , “I am proud to have received the Club for Growth’s Defender of Economic Freedom award, the National Federation of Independent Business’s Guardian of Small Business Award, and just this week, the National Taxpayers Union’s Taxpayers’ Friend award. These awards are given to Members of Congress that support policies to fix our broken tax code and revive our country’s economy. They also serve as a reminder that the fruits of your labor belong to you, not politicians or faceless bureaucrats that seek to reward special interests.”
Garrett continued , “Taxes should be designed to meet the legitimate needs of government and no more. That starts with fixing the broken tax code to make it should be simpler, fairer, and lower so that it is not only easy to do your taxes, but at critical moments in life – such as starting a family or buying a home – you have greater peace of mind. The tax code should encourage free enterprise so that wages can rise, jobs can be created, and opportunity for all Americans can be expanded. Simply put, the tax code should promote a vibrant American economy where all families can thrive.
Garrett concluded , “New Jerseyans are frustrated by bureaucrats who continuously waste tax dollars. You should not be forced to compete with powerful special interests over the money you earned. You deserve a tax system that puts the taxpayer first. That’s why I am fighting to keep more of your money in your own pocket instead of sending it to Washington to be wasted by bureaucrats.”
Ridgewood NJ, News has just broken that the FBI is reopening its investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails. Will Josh Gottheimer FINALLY denounce Clinton’s unscrupulous actions and the Clinton Foundation improprieties?
If Josh Gottheimer refuses to denounce Hillary Clinton, it shows that he is beholden to the Clinton network as a result of their efforts – documented in the Wikileaks email releases – to help him buy a seat in Congress. It also shows that he accepts their belief that some people are “above the law,” as shown by Josh’s own actions in refusing to pay his taxes and his lack of transparency relating to the settlement after his assault of a woman.
Josh Gottheimer cannot honestly say he is running to represent the interests of the Fifth District, when he still supports the Clintons and the $2 billion conflict of interest that is the Clinton Foundation.
$1.2 billion infrastructure upgrades are making New Jersey Energy Strong
October 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Hackensack NJ, Today, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joined PSE&G President and COO Ralph LaRossa at a Hackensack substation to highlight the infrastructure investments made since Superstorm Sandy left millions of people without power in the state four years ago tomorrow. Two-thirds of the equipment at the substation, which flooded during Sandy, has been raised 4.5 feet, and the remaining switchgear will be raised in the spring, ensuring more reliable service during future storms.
“Sandy was the second-worst natural disaster in American history that shook the lives of just about everyone,” Governor Christie said. “Unseen before in modern New Jersey, this superstorm interrupted 71 percent of New Jersey’s electric distribution system, cut power for 2.8 million residential and commercial customers and taught us difficult lessons about energy reliability and utility infrastructure. Over the last four years, under my administration, PSE&G has made significant progress raising and rebuilding switching and substations like Hackensack, as well as making other improvements, to increase the resiliency of New Jersey’s infrastructure and create a distribution grid that is far stronger and smarter than before.”
During Sandy, 2 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers lost power. “Hackensack is one of 29 switching and substations that are being raised or rebuilt to make them more resilient against storms,” LaRossa said. “Because of our infrastructure investments to date, if a Sandy-like storm were to occur today, about 225,000 customers impacted by flooded substations and switching stations during Sandy would not lose power. And customers who did lose power would be restored more quickly. We appreciate the support of the Governor and the BPU in getting this program started.”
LaRossa added, “This work is also benefitting New Jersey’s economy by creating thousands of jobs over the life of the program.”
The newly fortified stations are part of PSE&G’s $1.2 billion, multi-year Energy Strong program to make its infrastructure more reliable and resilient to severe weather. When the Energy Strong upgrades are complete, 460,000 PSE&G customers previously impacted would not lose power from flooding and all PSE&G electric customers would experience faster restoration times.
“When our Energy Strong program is complete, more than 250 hospitals and other critical customers who lost power during Sandy would either stay in service or have their restoration time greatly reduced,” said LaRossa.
Since Superstorm Sandy, PSE&G has invested $74 million in technology to reduce the number and duration of outages for hospitals and other critical customers. For example, when the Somerset Medical Center in Somerville experienced an outage during bad weather last year, the new technology enabled technicians to remotely switch them back into service in just 10 minutes – one-fifth of the time it would have taken without the upgrade. Also benefiting from this work are 400,000 customers and businesses in close proximity to critical customers where the technology has been installed.
In addition to Energy Strong electric upgrades, PSE&G has made great strides ensuring a more reliable and resilient natural gas system during flooding. The utility has installed 240 miles of new, sturdy and durable plastic natural gas pipes in flood-prone areas. Approximately 90,000 customers served by those pipes are no longer at risk of losing gas service from floodwaters seeping into these previously leak-prone mains. In addition, the danger of leaks of methane gas has been virtually eliminated in the new pipes.
The Energy Strong programs also provide the capability to remotely restore large numbers of customers. The program gives PSE&G the ability to remotely make changes on the circuits so they can be worked safely in the field, significantly improving crew productivity and restoration times.
Paramus NJ, Paramus PD, FD, EMS, and Rescue Squad personnel responded to a rollover motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Century Road East and Route 17 North on Thursday morning, 10/27. Two (2) vehicles were involved in a collision that resulted in one (1) rolling over on its roof. The crash resulted in a fluid spill that required DOT/Hazmat response. A flatbed tow truck removed both vehicles from the location. The number of victims and condition of same was not made available at the scene. A paramedic unit from Hackensack University Medical Center was also dispatched to the incident. One (1) access ramp at the Century Road East/Route 17 North interchange were closed while emergency crews worked.
Ridgewood NJ, After months of name calling Gottheimer is a no show . Despite claiming he would be available to debate “any day,” Josh Gottheimer conveniently accepted a competing invitation in order to avoid debating Rep. Scott Garrett. Garrett for Congress has now learned that this competing debate was canceled last week, and yet Gottheimer chose to hide from tonight’s debate at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun.
“Josh Gottheimer is a liar,” said Garrett for Congress Campaign Manager Sarah Neibart. “He claimed he would be willing to debate Congressman Garrett, but Gottheimer is obviously only interested in political posturing – not actually explaining to Fifth District voters where he stands on the issues.”
This latest attempt at obfuscation comes on the heels of Gottheimer’s attempted cover-up of allegations he aggressively intimidated and assaulted a woman. He’s repeatedly lied to reporters, saying, “there was no settlement,” when in fact, there was.
Josh Gottheimer is a political insider willing to lie and scheme his way into Congress. The Fifth District deserves better than that.
Ridgewood NJ, Josh Gottheimer is covering up allegations about a court case where he was charged with aggressively intimidating and assaulting a woman. He’s repeatedly lied to reporters, saying, “there was no settlement,” when in fact, there was.Now, Garrett for Congress has uncovered new information that Gottheimer failed to pay his property taxes – not once, not twice – but six times.
Intimidation? Tax evasion? What else is Josh Gottheimer hiding? Like his mentor Hillary Clinton, Josh Gottheimer clearly thinks he is above the law.
“Charged with aggressive intimidation and assault at his condo, Josh Gottheimer dismisses his victim’s ordeal as frivolous. But he settled out of court to hide the truth: Gottheimer bought her silence. And what else is he hiding? He failed to pay his property taxes on this same luxury DC condo six times, yet Gottheimer wants you to pay more in taxes. Josh Gottheimer thinks he’s above the law. Josh Gottheimer’s values aren’t New Jersey values.”
New Jersey workers paid an average of $4,900 for family health coverage last year, up from about $3,000 in 2006, a new report from the Commonwealth Fund said on Tuesday.
That increase came even though the growth of health premiums slowed in the years after the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — was enacted in 2010.
Gottheimer’s Clinton Tactics: Deny and Lie – To The Press
#WhatIsJoshHiding #ReleaseTheSettlement
October 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Josh Gottheimer has been inundating some say coordinating with the New Jersey press corps with a daily dose of emails for months calling Congressman Scott Garrett every name in the book. (You stay classy, Josh Gottheimer)
And yet when it comes to allegations about a court case where he was charged with aggressively intimidating and assaulting a woman, he issues awkward denials or just won’t answer questions. He’s repeatedly lied to reporters, saying, “there was no settlement.”
He probably thinks he doesn’t need the New Jersey press corps because his Burson-Marsteller and Clinton worlds have him in pretty tight with the DC press corps.
Why won’t Josh answer simple questions that the press has asked?
Why won’t Josh produce the settlement documents to show what really happened? What is he hiding?
How much money was the plaintiff paid to drop the lawsuit?
What other non-monetary settlement was reached?
Was the plaintiff threatened or harassed to settle?
Was the plaintiff offered political favors to drop the lawsuit?
If nothing happened why didn’t Josh take case to court rather than pay the plaintiff off?
Hillary Clinton has lied to the press and the American people because she thinks that the ends justify the means and she’s willing to do or say anything to get elected. Sound familiar?
Americans are more scared of clowns than they are of climate change.
According to a poll conducted byChapman University, 42 per cent of Americans are afraid of clowns, whereas only 32 per cent are afraid of climate change.
They’re also more scared of terrorist attacks (41 per cent), gun rights infringement (38 per cent), family members dying (38 per cent), economic collapse (37 per cent), Obamacare (36 per cent), and biological warfare (35 per cent).
Ridgewood NJ, Josh Gottheimer is covering-up information about a 2007 assault, according to accusations from concerned citizens in northern New Jersey. Court documents recently surfaced confirming that Gottheimer was sued for aggressively assaulting, discriminating against, and intimidating a tenant who lived in the same Washington, D.C. condo building.
“Why won’t Josh produce the settlement documents to show what really happened? What is he hiding?” said Assemblywoman Gail Phoebus. “If there’s no real scandal, Josh shouldn’t have an issue providing the voters of the Fifth District with answers.”
When asked about the lawsuit, Gottheimer’s team called it “frivolous,” but stopped short of denying the allegations. Gottheimer also said that the lawsuit was dismissed, but closer examination of the court documents reveal that the case was actually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
The terms of the settlement are not publicly available, and Gottheimer has refused to release them in the week since the documents surfaced. Calls for Gottheimer to share the details are growing, including questions about why he settled the case instead of having it heard in court.
We’ve repeatedly called on Gottheimer to answer for his actions, and asked: was the plaintiff was threatened or harassed to settle; what other non-monetary settlement was reached; and was the plaintiff offered political favors to drop the lawsuit?
Gottheimer says the lawsuit was simply dismissed but he conveniently leaves out the fact that it was settled out of court. He also refuses to say how much money the victim was paid and what else was offered to her in return for ending the lawsuit.
Gottheimer, a longtime Clinton ally and political strategist, has raised large amounts of money from around the country through his connections to the Clinton network and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s super PAC. He’s trying to use his D.C. connections and Clinton rolodex to buy a seat in Congress.
Gottheimer, who has run an almost entirely negative, mud-slinging campaign against Congressman Garrett, is also being called a hypocrite for claiming to stand with women while refusing to release details of the assault.
As is so often the case with Clinton cronies like Gottheimer, it’s clear that his actions don’t match his words.
N.J.Food & Clothing Rescue redistributes donated food, clothing, personal hygiene items and at times household items and other necessities in a rapid manner to people in crisis whether it be due to fire, homelessness or personal situations.
“WITH THE HELP of many generous people and volunteers over the past year our charity has helped in excess of 40,000 people we have rescued and redistributed at least 60,000 pounds of perishable foods.
We started and ran a pantry successfully helping an average of 40 families per week for 3 months prior to someone doing a hostile takeover over of it.
We have run roughly 40 street outreaches, mostly in Newark but also a couple in Paterson which provided food, clothes, and personal hygiene items to 1000’s of people living on the street and emergency shelters.
We did about 40 or so outreaches at HQ providing perishable foods to people in the local community.
We collected over 2000 cans of play-doh for the kids cancer center in Hackensack.
We collected 118 turkeys and received donations of other foods that we cooked and made 1000 heat and serve thanksgiving dinners, as well as cook it yourself thanksgiving meal “bags” and distributed them through 3 counties and 9 towns to veterans, seniors, pantries and many people that would not have had a thanksgiving dinner otherwise.
We assisted the city of Passaic with an outreach for seniors and we provided enough household necessities and personal hygiene items for roughly 60 seniors.
Between last year , and this year, we collected and distributed enough school supplies to help over 1000 students that might not have what they need to start the school year off with what they need.
We assisted about 300 families that had fires and lost everything.including many new clothes and hygiene items for the huge fire in Passaic and new school supplies and uniforms for a family that had a fire the day before school started and they lost everything.
We organized and ran a world homeless day outreach with 6 other groups in newark and helped in excess of 500 people in 4 hours, with clothes, hygiene items, and food.
We did an indoor outreach at a shelter that has hundreds of kids and provided at least 100 kids coats and winter footwear for them.
We collected many toys at Christmas and helped Santa make many kids Christmas a little happier. we worked with another group and provided several hundred pairs of shoes, sandals, flip flops for people in the DR that have no footwear.
Amazingly….we were able to help get a sick mom and her son off the street for about a week and give her time to feel better in a relaxed situation and buy her time to apply for services.
We have and continue to work with other charities and organizations, helping them to help others.
If you feel we are deserving…PLEASE SHARE this post so that SOMEONE in the Passaic/Garfield/Wallington area sees it that can help us find a new place to work from. if we don’t get a new place we will no longer be able to do all these things.”
Ridgewood NJ, Today, Independent Women’s Voice announced that Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) has signed the ObamaCare Repeal Pledge. Garrett currently represents New Jersey’s 5th Congressional district.
As it turns out, pretty much nothing that Obama and his healthcare “experts” predicted about Obamacare actually came true. With 2017 rates now finalized across the country, in fact, Obamacare premiums are expected to increase an average of 25% nationally according to data from the Kaiser Foundation. Meanwhile, the 10 hardest hit states will see premiums increase an average of 62% while Arizona is officially the biggest loser with rates in Phoenix soaring 145%
Reg. Scott Garrett’s signature on the Pledge is a clear demonstration of his commitment to the full and complete repeal of ObamaCare and to end the harm that it is inflicting upon American families,” said Heather R. Higgins, President and CEO of Independent Women’s Voice.
“Scott understands that ObamaCare is hiking insurance premiums, diminishing quality of care, and reducing our choice and control in health care decisions,” added Higgins. “He understands that ObamaCare means bigger government and less freedom. For these reasons, and many more, it must be repealed.”
“ObamaCare has unequivocally failed,” said Rep. Scott Garrett. “Many Americans have lost their health insurance, and premiums and deductible costs have increased for families. I believe healthcare choices need to be in the hands of patients and doctors. I want to encourage innovation and competition while giving people more freedom and flexibility to make their own healthcare decisions. I want to take concrete steps to replace ObamaCare to achieve these better results for all Americans.”
“The Repeal Pledge was designed as a litmus test to help the American public understand which candidates and office holders are serious about repeal, versus those who claim to be but won’t actually take action,” continued Higgins. “With this commitment, Cong. Scott Garrett passes that test.”
The Repeal Pledge is a project of Independent Women’s Voice, a 501(c)(4) nonpartisan, nonprofit organization.
For more information on The Repeal Pledge, including a complete list of signers, please visit www.TheRepealPledge.com.
By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 24, 2016 at 7:10 AM, updated October 24, 2016 at 8:35 AM
TRENTON — Eight state lawmakers ventured out to Colorado last week to see for themselves the impact legalized marijuana has had on the state’s economy, government and public safety.
The all returned impressed, and the state’s second most influential elected official, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said he sees it being a “game-changer” for job creation.
“I was on board before we went, but I am absolutely sold that this industry can be regulated. It’s safe, it’s well managed. Colorado has done an amazing job,” Sweeney said.
Here is a look at what likely needs to happen for New Jersey to legalize recreational pot.
Pictured are members of the Special Properties delegation along with executives of Christie’s International Real Estate, including (l-r) Sonja Cullaro, Director of Business Development; Dan Conn, CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate; Vicki Gaily, Marketing Director; Kathleen Coumou, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager of Christie’s International Real Estate; Christine Frosini, Sales Associate; Ilija Pavlovic, Chief Executive Officer; Grace Ann DeCrosta, Communications Manager; and Ferne Lambert, Mahwah Office Manager.
October 23,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Leading residential real estate associates from the world’s top luxury network gathered in Washington, D.C. for Christie’s International Real Estate’s 2016 Luxury Specialist Conference.
The two-day event, held September 22-23, gave select agents from the Christie’s International Real Estate network an opportunity to explore best practices and strategies, as well as gain competitive insights on ways to successfully maneuver in today’s ever-changing, high-end global property market. Upon completion, attendees received the designation of Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Specialist from Christie’s Education. Several members of the Special Properties team were in attendance and were awarded this prestigious honor.
Christie’s International Real Estate is the real estate arm of Christie’s, the world’s leading art business and the arbiter of luxury for 250 years. The invitation-only real estate network is composed of top brokerages from around the world, with more than US$118 billion in real estate transactions in 2015. Washington, D.C., was the ideal location for this event given its dynamic international flair.
“Our unique symposium offered a concentrated focus on techniques and tactics for marketing to buyers and sellers at the ultra-high-end, all while allowing attendees to explore new ways to increase their level of service to clients through their exclusive connection to Christie’s International Real Estate and Christie’s,” said Dan Conn, CEO, Christie’s International Real Estate.”
The conference included a myriad of panels, seminars, and presentations by luxury experts, including Christie’s specialists, focused on a range of topics — from selling strategies and marketing techniques to current trends in luxury goods and design. Approximately 200 professionals throughout the world took part in the conference.
“The conference offered members of our team an opportunity to network with Christie’s affiliates from around the country, and learn from some of the leading experts in luxury home sales,” said Vicki Gaily, Marketing Director. “Our team emerged from the conference with a host of new knowledge and enthusiasm that will translate into an enhanced level of service for our clients looking to sell or purchase higher-end properties.”
About Christie’s International Real Estate
Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, and approximately 135 global Affiliates with 32,000 real estate professionals in 45 countries. For additional information, please visit www.christiesrealestate.com.
About Special Properties
With offices in Saddle River, Mahwah, and Franklin Lakes and expanding, Special Properties has a staff of accomplished real estate agents who deliver customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call (201)962-9555.
Ridgefield, NJ , Valley employees walked for breast cancer at the American Cancer Society‘s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 16 at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield, NJ! Our sponsored team, “Valley’s Breast Friends Forever (BFFs)”, was led by Sobeida Santana-Joseph, Manager, Oncology Services at The Valley Hospital Cancer Center. Funds raised by Valley are going towards groundbreaking cancer research and free educational material and services for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
