By Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on May 04, 2016 at 7:25 AM, updated May 04, 2016 at 9:02 AM
WYCKOFF – The Township Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to suspend police Chief Benjamin Fox as the state investigates an email he sent in 2014 appearing to condone racial profiling, according to Township Mayor Kevin Rooney.
Rooney said in a statement the suspension was necessary “to allow for the investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and their appointed monitor to continue without any chance for interruption.”
The Township Committee met in closed session April 19 to discuss issues related to the suspension. Fox was notified of the meeting but declined to attend, the mayor said.
Fox’s attorney, Arthur G. Margeotes, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Wednesday.
In the Dec. 2014 email to the police department, Fox stated he was concerned that misguided complaints about police would cause officers to react slowly in threatening situations.
YWCA Bergen County Celebrating 95 Years of Walking the Talk
Mon, May 09, 2016
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Location: Seasons, 644 Pascack Road, Township of Washington, NJ Cost: $125 per person
YWCA Bergen County Celebrating 95 Years of Walking the Talk Honoring Extraordinary Bergen County Women Including Two Ridgewood ResidentsYWCA Bergen County has announced on May 9, 2016 the organization will mark its 95th anniversary with “95 Years of Walking the Talk: A Celebration of YWCA Bergen County,” at Seasons in Washington Twp., NJ.
This will be a unique event for YWCA Bergen County and for its supporters. “We are planning an elegant, full-scale celebration,” says CEO Helen Archontou. “We want to draw in the entire community—members past and present, young families, with a special focus on welcoming men—as we take this moment to celebrate all that we’ve been, all that we are, and all that we will be.”
At the heart and center of the celebration are four incredible women:
• Joan Groome, Executive Director of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and former YW Development Director will be honorary legacy host. “Joan’s dedication to YWCA Bergen County helped build our organization and she continues to inspire us,” says YW CEO Helen Archontou.
• Ridgewood’s own Charlotte Samuels will receive YWCA Bergen County Young Leader Award. “Charlotte is an incredible young woman. Her achievements as an athlete and swimmer only begin to showcase her power and integrity.”
• Gina Plotino, a member of Women United in Philanthropy, and VP of Operations at Bergen County United Way will receive our YWCA Bergen County Beacon of Light Award for her dedication to lifting up and mentoring women and girls.
• Assemblywoman Valerie Vaineri Huttle will receive our YWCA Bergen County Woman of Action Award for her courageous work around key individual rights issues including ending campus sexual violence. Archontou says, “Valerie has been a friend to the YW and to all women as she courageously takes on the most meaningful battles.”
The program will also feature five “stand out” men from our community who will be there to “stand up” for Bergen County women.
Tom Toronto, President of Bergen County United Way; Anthony Cureton, President Bergen County, NJ NAACP; AJ Luna, Director of Bergen County, NJ Veterans
Services; Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director of the Teaneck International Film Festival; and Anthony Johnson, WABC-TV News journalist.
We will also take time out to “cut loose” on the dance floor. Arthur Murray Ridgewood has generously agreed to lead a special “Dancing through the Decades” feature.
Ridgewood resident Nell Doremus started the YW back in 1920 as a way to support single women who wanted to work and live on their own. Her dream has given way to a profound local legacy of service and support as YWCA Bergen County has pursued its mission of eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, dignity, and freedom for all, spreading its work beyond Ridgewood and throughout Bergen County.
“We are so very excited about honoring these remarkable women and about this fundraising and awareness building celebration,” says Archontou. “It’s a chance to open the community’s eyes to the full range of our programs and services.”
Providing free or affordable parking within walking distance of the shoreline is a key goal of a group studying ways to improve access to New Jersey’s beaches and waterways. Associated Press Read more
At a Cherry Hill fundraiser last Thursday, George Norcross, the Democratic power broker, sounded out Bergen County Democratic Party Chairman Lou Stellato on a politically sensitive gambit. Charles Stile, The Record Read more
Volunteers in Hackensack at a project sponsored by Oritani Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. National #RebuildingMonth
April 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Rebuilding Together is a Ridgewood based organization that helps neighbors who have worked all their lives and have been physically and financially able to maintain their homes in good condition. Now, due to illness, aging, economic hardships, or the loss of a spouse, they are unable to handle the repair work themselves. Their homes deteriorate or become unsafe. That’s where Rebuilding Together Bergen County can help.
Rebuilding Together brings together corporate and individual donors, skilled trades individuals, community organizations, and hundreds of general volunteers each year.
Together we transform the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing our communities. Our vision: A safe and healthy home for every person
One of 167 Rebuilding Together affiliates across the nation, Rebuilding Together Bergen County serves homeowners throughout the county and has made more than 500 homes safer and healthier since our founding in 1998.
Our programs include National Rebuilding Day (the last Saturday in April), Fire Safety (smoke- and CO-alarm installations and fire-safety education), and Critical Needs (primarily accessibility ramps and, if emergency funding permits, assistance with roofs, heat/hot water, and appliances).
Our volunteers include employees of our local and national corporate sponsors, members of faith-based or civic groups and organizations, as well as individuals from the community.
To volunteer, visit our “Get Involved” page.
For assistance with critical repairs and home modifications, go to the “Who We Help” page.
The announcement earlier this year by state Senator Kevin O’Toole that he will not pursue reelection promptly altered the political landscape in LD40, setting in motion the emergence of a new GOP establishment ticket that surfaced fully formed this morning. Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ Read more
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mayor Lizette Parker. Mayor Parker was a committed and principled advocate for the town she served and the people of Teaneck. Lizette’s role in our community leaves a bright legacy that will shine forever. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends, her family, and her beloved town during this difficult time.” Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
Funeral to be held Saturday for Teaneck mayor
Arrangements have been scheduled for the township’s mayor, Lizette Parker, who died Sunday. Mary Diduch, The Record Read more
Teaneck Mayor Lizette Parker dies at 44
Township Mayor Lizette Parker, the first African American female mayor in Teaneck and in Bergen County, died on Sunday, her family said. She was 44. Jeff Green and Jim Norman, The Record Read more
We live in a world of constant entertainment – but is too much stimulation boring?
Sandi Mann
Sunday 24 April 2016 01.00 EDT
It amazes me when people proclaim that they are bored. Actually, it amazes me that I am ever bored, or that any of us are. With so much to occupy us these days, boredom should be a relic of a bygone age – an age devoid of the internet, social media, multi-channel TV, 24-hour shopping, multiplex cinemas, game consoles, texting and whatever other myriad possibilities are available these days to entertain us.
Yet despite the plethora of high-intensity entertainment constantly at our disposal, we are still bored. Up to half of us are “often bored” at home or at school, while more than two- thirds of us are chronically bored at work. We are bored by paperwork, by the commute and by dull meetings. TV is boring, as is Facebook and other social media. We spend our weekends at dull parties, watching tedious films or listening to our spouses drone on about their day. Our kids are bored – bored of school, of homework and even of school holidays.
There are a number of explanations for our ennui. This, in fact, is part of the problem – we are overstimulated. The more entertained we are the more entertainment we need in order to feel satisfied . The more we fill our world with fast-moving, high-intensity, ever-changing stimulation, the more we get used to that and the less tolerant we become of lower levels.
Past practices are what got us in to the mess we’re in now in the state. Nothing about the status quo is acceptable. NJ and Bergen need clearer thinking and smarter decision making, not payments based on “past practices” without written policy or contractual obligation.
When taxpayer funds are involved, the process should be transparent. Let’s remember this man let Tommy Boy Rica walk free after the theft of at least $500,000 in quarters (and most likely much more) from the Village of Ridgewwod, and now his friend Mordaga, who resigned from Hackensack PD, has an unsealed case to deal with.
Ridgewood NJ, Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) today called upon U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy and EPA Region 2 Administrator Judith Enck to re-evaluate their decision to place a barrier over the 166,000 tons of contaminated materials at the Ringwood Superfund Site instead of pursuing complete removal of the toxic substances.
Recent discoveries of significant levels of 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen that may result in liver, kidney, and upper respiratory damage, at levels close to 100 times the state maximum standard, raises new concerns about the EPA’s decision to cap the site. Congressman Garrett demands that the EPA identify all potential toxic substances that may be present at the Ringwood Superfund Site and ensure that a new cleanup plan rectifies the presence of all hazardous substances once and for all.
“As you know, the Ringwood Superfund Site is a decades old and continued concern for New Jersey residents,” said Garrett in his request to the EPA. “The discovery of an additional toxic substance has increased public concern about the EPA’s decision to approve the plan to cap the site. New Jersey residents deserve to know that a plan to mitigate hazardous substances in their communities will be successful and will permanently remove the public health threat posed to them.”
The Congressman is also demanding answers from a February 2016 letter where he requested information about groundwater tests when it came to light that they had knowledge of the presence of 1,4-dioxane. To date, the EPA has not responded to these requests.
Congressman Garrett’s Specific Requests from the EPA:
1. Is the EPA reevaluating the decision to cap the site instead of a full cleanup due to the discovery of a new toxic substance and the possibility that other toxic substances may be present?
2. What were the reasons behind approving the plan to cap the site despite the EPA initially supporting a full cleanup?
3. What are the criteria for pursuing the plan to cap the site and does the presence of a new toxic substance affect these criteria?
It could be well into the summer shore season before New Jersey residents and out-of-state drivers have any certainty on whether the state’s gas tax is going up to pay for road and bridge work. Associated Press Read more
Bergen County gave former Prosecutor John Molinelli a day’s pay for every full year he served in the job and he continued on the payroll for two weeks after a new prosecutor came onboard — collecting more than $14,000 as his tenure drew to a close, documents show. Jean Rimbach, The Record Read more
Don’t let your prescription costs get you down this allergy season. Save up to 75% on your prescription medications with New Jersey Drug Card.
April 24,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, As a resident of New Jersey, you and your family have access to a statewide Prescription Assistance Program (PAP). Create and print your FREE discount prescription drug card coupon on www.newjerseydrugcard.com. This pharmacy coupon card will provide you with Rx medication savings of up to 75% at more than 68,000 pharmacies across the country including A&P, Pathmark, SuperFresh, Drug Basics, Kmart, Sav-on, Walgreens, CVS/pharmacy, Genuardis, Stop and Shop, Target, ShopRite, Walmart, Wegmans, Weis, and many more. You can create as many coupons as you need. We encourage you to create and send to friends and family members via one of the many available options. This Coupon/Card is pre-activated and can be used immediately!
Ridgewood NJ, Auditions to take place in May-June for Bergen County’s only community youth chorus
open to boys and girls in grades K-5
Ars Musica Chorale announces the formation of the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus for children in grades Kindergarten through five. Auditions for the NJSCC’s inaugural season will take place in the after school and evening hours on Tuesday, May 17th, Thursday, May 19th, Tuesday, May 24th, Thursday, May 26th, Monday, June 6th and Wednesday, June 8th at First Presbyterian Church, 722 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, NJ. Requests for auditions can be submitted via the chorus website at www.njstatechildrenschorus.org. Weekly rehearsals will begin in September.
The only community youth chorus in Bergen County, NJSCC will consist of two ensembles. The Apprentice Choir is open to boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through two, and the Intermediate Choir is open to boys and girls in grades three through five. Both ensembles will feature approximately 40 singers. A third ensemble designed for middle school students is planned for the future.
The chorus will be led by Artistic Director Dusty Francis, accomplished choral singer, conductor, teacher, and current Music Director of Ars Musica Chorale. “Singing in a children’s chorus is a transformational experience, and it’s an opportunity Ars Musica believes every child should have,” said Francis. “Bergen County is fortunate to have many wonderful activities for children, but there is no community children’s chorus in the area. We saw the need and felt we were able to fill it with the formation of the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus.”
While auditions for the chorus are required, any child with an interest in choral singing is welcome to participate in the audition process. “I truly believe every child can sing, so our auditions are primarily designed to give children an opportunity to let their personalities and unique musical gifts shine through,” Francis explained. “We’re looking for children with an interest in music and the maturity necessary to participate fully in a weekly choral rehearsal.”
Rehearsals for both the Apprentice and Intermediate choirs will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 722 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ on Tuesday afternoons from September through June. The Apprentice Choir rehearses from 4:00–5:00pm. The Intermediate Choir rehearses from 5:30–6:45pm. Two performances are planned for the inaugural season.
Francis appreciates the value that school and religious choirs bring to the community and hopes NJSCC members would continue their involvement in these programs. “There are some truly wonderful existing music programs in Bergen County, and we’re working very hard to position ourselves not as a competing choir but a complementary choir,” said Francis. “Singers in NJSCC will learn valuable skills that can be transferred to their church and school music programs and to the rest of their lives.”
According to Francis, parent organization Ars Musica lends to NJSCC a depth of expertise, experience, and leadership with fifty years of successful artistic and financial operations. “We’re very fortunate to have Ars Musica as a resource as we launch our inaugural season,” he said.
Tuition for the full season (September through June) is $650 for the Apprentice Choir and $750 for the Intermediate Choir. Tuition includes all vocal instruction, rehearsals, music, staff, and applicable facility rental fees. A $50 non-refundable registration fee is due once a spot in the chorus is offered and accepted. Payment plans and financial assistance are available for those who qualify.
About the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus
The New Jersey State Children’s Chorus, an initiative of Ars Musica and based in Ridgewood, New Jersey, is Bergen County’s only community children’s chorus, fostering camaraderie and leadership through choral singing. Its mission is to achieve choral excellence through musicianship training, community building, and performance, empowering young people from every cultural and economic background to become leaders in their classrooms and their communities. The NJSCC consists of two ensembles. The Apprentice Choir is open to boys and girls in grades Kindergarten through two, and the Intermediate Choir is open to boys and girls in grades three through five. The inaugural 10-month season of the NJSCC will kick off in September, 2016 and auditions are scheduled for May and June. Weekly rehearsals for both the Apprentice and Intermediate Choirs will be held in Ridgewood, NJ on Tuesday afternoons/evenings under the leadership of Artistic Director Dusty Francis.
For more information about the New Jersey State Children’s Chorus, including rehearsal and performance schedules, audition details and/or to request an audition, visitwww.njstatechildrenschorus.org.
