Category: Bergen County

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Porch Light Theater : Reasons to be Pretty

Porch Light Theater : Reasons to be Pretty
photo courtesy of Porch Light Productions
Reasons to be Pretty
Sat, October 08, 2016
Time: 8:00 PM

Location: Porch Light Theater, 555 Broad Street Glen Rock, NJ

Reasons to be Pretty
PERFORMANCES: Sep 30 to Oct 08
Fridays & Saturday @ 8PM, Sundays @ 2PM
A Play by Neil LaBute
In Reasons to Be Pretty, Greg’s tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his offhand remarks about a female coworker’s pretty face and his own girlfriend Steph’s lack thereof get back to Steph. But that?s just the beginning. Greg’s best buddy, Kent, and Kent’s wife, Carly, also enter into the picture, and the emotional equation becomes exponentially more complicated. As their relationships crumble, the four friends are forced to confront a sea of deceit, infidelity, and betrayed trust in their journey to answer that oh-so-American question: How much is pretty worth?
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Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch Needs a New Director

Ridgewood Police dispatcher Gypsy

file photo courtesy of Ridgewood PD

JOB POSTING – DISPATCH CENTER DIRECTOR

The Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch in Ridgewood, NJ, is searching for a Dispatch Center Director. Manage operations and administration of the communications center serving Ridgewood and Glen Rock, as well as other public safety jurisdictions.

Responsible for employee hiring, training, evaluation and disciplinary issues. Oversees all operational features of the Dispatch Center, including maintenance of equipment and records; develops and oversees center’s annual budget.

Minimum of a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Electronic Engineering, or other related field. 2 years prior experience in public safety dispatching, valid CPR cert., Emergency Medical Dispatcher Cert. and Basic Telecommunicator Cert. required. Previous supervisory experience required.

Ridgewood and Glen Rock are both EOE Employers

Send cover letter and resume, including salary requirements to:

Heather Mailander, Acting Village Manager/Village Clerk

Village of Ridgewood

131 North Maple Avenue

Ridgewood, NJ 07451

[email protected]

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No Injuries were Reported in a Two Vehicle Crash in HoHoKus

Ho Ho Kus Police

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving

October 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho Ho Kus NJ, No injuries were reported in a two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of East Saddle River Road and Bogert Road in HoHoKus on Wednesday morning, 10/05. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage and were removed by a flatbed tow truck. HoHoKus PD, FD, and EMS personnel responded. Ridgewood PD provided traffic control assistance.

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Gottheimer Tax, Favoring Washington Special Interests Not New Jersey Families

Joshua S

October 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Garrett for Congress released a new ad today exposing Josh Gottheimer’s support for outrageous spending and taxes.

“It’s Josh Gottheimer’s tax – outrageous Washington spending. Gottheimer supports spending millions of your tax dollars on studies to determine if a bumblebee is hairier than a squirrel, to monitor shrimp on a treadmill, and like wine tasting parties in India. All at your expense. Even worse, reports show the Gottheimer tax raises your taxes by thousands. Josh Gottheimer.  Bad on spending and bad on taxes. Wrong for New Jersey.”

Josh Gottheimer has repeatedly touted his support for outrageous spending, like that contained in HR 2029, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. In addition to this wasteful spending, which means higher taxes for Fifth District residents, Gottheimer’s “family member” Hillary Clinton’s tax rates are devastating for New Jersey families. Congressman Scott Garrett has consistently fought against wasteful spending, and has always advocated for lower taxes.

Here are just a few ridiculous spending items on which Josh Gottheimer wants to spend Fifth District tax dollars:

  • Daily Caller: Back To The Gym — Feds Pay For Shrimp To Hit The Treadmills Again! “Shrimp will once again run on a treadmill at taxpayers’ expense. A National Science Foundation funded-experiment that tested how sickness impaired shrimp mobility by putting the crustaceans on a treadmill made an uproar in the media and in Congress nearly five years ago. Yet the NSF has once again given tax dollars to the same researchers to put the would-be seafood on a cardiovascular workout regime.”
  • Sen. Jeff Flake: Government Studies That Will Leave You Scratching Your Head. Despite their size differences, a grey squirrel and a bumble bee both have about three million hairs. The researchers looked at microscope images to count the number and sizes of hairs of hundreds of animals.
  • Citizens Against Government Waste: India Wine Tasting. “[T]he report proposes eliminating the Market Access Program (MAP), which aims to help agricultural producers promote U.S. products overseas.  However, MAP is really a corporate welfare program that funnels millions of dollars to large, profitable corporations and trade associations that can well afford to pay for their own ads.  Eliminating MAP would save taxpayers $1 billion over five years.”

Under a Hillary Clinton/Josh Gottheimer tax plan, families will see tax increases no matter their income bracket.

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DESPITE TTF DEAL, IT’S STILL UNCLEAR WHEN ROADWORK WILL RESUME IN NEW JERSEY

garber_square_roadwork_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving
JOHN REITMEYER | OCTOBER 4, 2016

Christie’s executive order idled some 3,000 construction workers during the warm weather. Can it be lifted in time to make a dent in outstanding projects?

With the political impasse over transportation funding that has gripped Trenton for the past three months now settled, New Jersey lawmakers are scheduled to vote tomorrow on the legislation that will hike the state’s gas tax by 23 cents. The proposed increase already has Gov. Chris Christie’s endorsement and is expected to pass with bipartisan support.

But still uncertain is exactly when Christie will be willing to lift a hold on state-funded road, bridge, and rail projects that’s been in effect since July and how much that shutdown, which sidelined an estimated 3,000 construction workers, has impacted New Jersey’s economy and its residents. In some places, local officials simply ignored the construction freeze since the state money had already been promised, but others were concerned about possible fines and are now anxious to see the road crews return to work.

Christie, a Republican, announced on Friday that he is ready to sign off on the gas-tax increase needed to renew the state Transportation Trust Fund since Democrats who control the Legislature say they will authorize more than $1 billion in new tax cuts. If approved and signed into law this week, the gas tax increase isn’t expected to go into effect immediately, but officials say it would likely be in place by the beginning of November at the latest.

Still, the construction freeze remains in effect and Christie’s office offered no clear idea yesterday of when it will be rescinded.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/10/03/despite-ttf-deal-it-s-still-unclear-when-roadwork-will-resume-in-new-jersey/?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics

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Opponents call N.J. 23-cent gas tax hike deal ‘insane’ and ‘appalling’

gas tax nj

By Samantha Marcus | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on October 04, 2016 at 5:16 PM, updated October 04, 2016 at 7:52 PM

TRENTON — With the state Legislature poised to approve a 23-cent-a-gallon increase in the gas tax Wednesday — along with a decrease in the sales tax and the elimination of the estate tax — budget analysts and consumer advocates complained bitterly on Tuesday that the average New Jerseyan would pay a lot more at the pump while getting little in the way of tax breaks.

Various efforts by the governor and legislative leaders to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund have repeatedly brought these groups together to warn that the tax cuts will benefit a relatively few wealthy residents while undermining such Democratic priorities as environmental oversight, funds for education and aid for the state’s poorer residents.

The latest tax plan, the result of negotiations between Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and Democratic leaders in the Senate and Assembly, eliminates the estate tax, raises the Earned Income Tax Credit for the working poor, eliminates taxes on much pension and retirement income, slightly reduces the sales tax and creates a tax break for veterans.

The 23-cent-per-gallon increase on gasoline sold in the state will finance an eight-year, $16 billion transportation program that will draw another $16 billion in federal matching dollars.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/opponents_call_23-cent_gas_tax_deal_insane_appalli.html?utm_campaign=Observer_NJ_Politics&utm_content=New%20Campaign&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=New%20Jersey%20Politics#incart_river_home

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Speaker Paul Ryan Endorses Rep. Scott Garrett

220px Rep. Scott Garrett

October 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, In an odd turn of events Rep. Garrett has received an endorsement from Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

It has been well documented that Garrett has had a sometime contentious relationship in the GOP leadership .

“Throughout my tenure in Congress, Scott Garrett has been a consistent voice in Washington working to protect taxpayers,” said Ryan. “He has been a reliable ally in the fight to reduce wasteful spending and to balance the budget.”

Ryan’s endorsement emphasizes Garrett’s record as a consistent conservative leader who can get results in Washington D.C.

“I am proud to receive the support of Speaker Ryan,” said Garrett. “The Speaker is a principled leader on reining in our federal budget, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the future. There are many serious issues that need to be tackled in the next Congress, and I am eager to continue to help to solve problems to help the people of New Jersey and the Fifth District.”

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TONIGHT, Blue Moon Mexican Cafe will donate 20% of the check to the American Cancer Society

TONIGHT, Blue Moon Mexican Cafe , donate 20% ,American Cancer Society

TONIGHT, Blue Moon Mexican Cafe will donate 20% of the check to the American Cancer Society. Please share with family and friends and help support this cause.

Blue Moon Mexican Cafe

42 Kinderkamack Rd Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677

595 Broadway Norwood, NJ 07648

327 Franklin Ave Wyckoff, NJ 07481

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Bridgegate witness says Cuomo and Christie discussed cover story

GWB

By Ryan Hutchins

10/04/16 12:03 PM EDT

NEWARK, N.J. — Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie personally discussed how to handle the fallout from the George Washington Bridge lane closures, even agreeing to release a report covering up the incident, according to the admitted mastermind of the political revenge scheme.

Cuomo’s administration — referred to in testimony as “Albany” — told the top official at the bistate Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to “lay off” Christie following the incident, former Port official David Wildstein testified here in U.S. District Court.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2016/10/bridgegate-witness-says-cuomo-and-christie-discussed-cover-story-106056#ixzz4M9gXhVxG

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Reader says Gas Tax Deal , The only common sense was reduction in the estate tax

ridgewood real estste

The only common sense was reduction in the estate tax. It should be immediately eliminated if the full gas hike is immediate. Everyone I know has already changed their domicile to Florida and “self-exiled” for 182 days per year in order to preserve their money.
Forcing those with expendable income to go elsewhere for 6 months a year hurts nj economy but you can’t explain that to some moron democrat .
The gas tax massive increase will get pissed away by the democrats who control the state legislature.
The proper way to get more bang for the buck is to allow non Union construction companies to perform the work. I see the same 3 contractors doing the majority of the work.
That explains why it costs nj 2 million per mile, the most in the USA

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Garrett Hammers Fed Chairwoman on Political Conflicts of Interest

House Budget Panel Holds Hearing to Receive Views on Fiscal 2012

September 30,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, During a congressional hearing on Wednesday Rep. Scott Garrett (R., N.J.) questioned Fed Chairwoman Janet Yellen about alleged conflicts of interest on the board. The congressman asked specifically about Fed governor Lael Brainard and her donations and connections to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s defense of the central bank as non-partisan came under attack on Wednesday, as a Republican congressman cornered her on whether a key policy maker would have a conflict of interest in discussing a post in the next U.S. president’s administration.

Fed Governor Lael Brainard has donated to Clinton’s campaign and is widely viewed as a potential Clinton pick for Treasury secretary. Yellen hesitated and then demurred when Representative Scott Garrett of New Jersey asked whether Brainard would have a conflict of interest if she were indeed in talks with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign about a position

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Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Prieto reached a tentative agreement to finance the Transportation Trust Fund

Gas_prices_theridgewoodblog

September 30,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, late Friday while all eyes were on the Hoboken Train tragedy and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Prieto reached a tentative agreement to finance the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF).A special legislative session will be called next week to ratify this agreement so it is subject to change.

The following are some of the details that have emerged :

0.23-cent gasoline tax increase…bringing total to 37.5 cent/gallon tax on gasoline

Sales tax cut: On 1/1/17, the sales tax will go from 7% to 6.875% and in 2018 to 6.625%.

Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit for the working poor to 35 percent of the federal benefit amount beginning in tax year 2016

Tax Savings for Retirees: Increase the New Jersey gross income tax exclusion on pension and retirement income over four years to $100,000 for joint filers, $75,000 for individuals and $50,000 for married/filing separately

Eliminate the Estate Tax: Phase out the estate tax over the next 15 months, replacing the current $675,000 threshold with a $2 million exclusion after January 1, 2017 and eliminating the estate tax altogether as of January 1, 2018

Tax Savings for Veterans: Provide a personal exemption on state income taxes for all New Jersey veterans honorably discharged from active service in the military or the National Guard.

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New Jersey ranked dead last in 2017 State Business Tax Climate Index

Sweeney & Prieto

picture Steven Sweeney and Vincent Prieto and the Trenton gang
September 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, It’s that time of the year again! The Rax Foundation released their 2017 State Business Tax Climate Index, which allows you to compare you state’s business tax burden across 5 major categories and taking into account over 100 variables. New Jersey ranked dead last in business tax climate . The report credits Trenton leadership with, “some of the worst-structured individual income taxes in the country.”

This year, the states at the top of the pack are Wyoming (1), South Dakota (2), Alaska (3), Florida (4), Nevada (5), Montana (6), New Hampshire (7), Indiana (8), Utah (9), and Oregon (10).

The states at the bottom of the pack include Louisiana (41), Maryland (42), Connecticut (43), Rhode Island (44), Ohio (45), Minnesota (46), Vermont (47), California (48), New York (49), and New Jersey (50).

According to the Tax Foundation ;the states in the bottom 10 tend to have a number of shortcomings in common: complex, non-neutral taxes with comparatively high rates. New Jersey, for example, is hampered by some of the highest property tax burdens in the country, is one of just two states to levy both an inheritance tax and an estate tax, and maintains some of the worst-structured individual income taxes in the country.

See how your state ranks on the map below or by clicking the button at the bottom of this email for the full report: https://taxfoundation.org/article/2017-state-business-tax-climate-index?mc_cid=8afd5cb450&mc_eid=c834f22e2e