BY JOHN SEASLY AND MATTHEW MCGRATH
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
BERGENFIELD — An 11-year-old boy discovered the bodies of his parents late Saturday morning, after what authorities suspect was a murder and suicide, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir Grewal said.
The deaths, which took place at 268 West Clinton Ave., are being investigated as a case of domestic violence, Grewal said during a brief news conference at the scene late Saturday afternoon.
The boy — who like his parents was not identified by authorities pending notification of other family members — alerted a neighbor that his parents weren’t breathing Saturday morning and the neighbor placed a call to 911 about 10:21 a.m., Grewal said.
BY BRETT CARROLL
STAFF WRITER |
PASCACK VALLEY COMMUNITY LIFE
Elderly residents around Pascack Valley can eat well thanks to the efforts of their local “Meals on Wheels” program, a service that delivers food to their doorsteps.
Meals on Wheels is a national organization that delivers food to elderly citizens who cannot drive to get food on their own. It is one of the oldest national food programs and there are chapters across every state.
The Westwood House, the senior living facility in the borough, is the Meals on Wheels chapter for Pascack Valley, and Jeanne Martin is the woman who runs and operates the program.
“I’ve been doing this for 11 years now,” Martin said during a delivery run the morning of Tuesday, March 8. “I was at Pascack Valley Hospital doing [Meals for Wheels] until it closed. I’ve been here for 8 years now.”
Most of the program is paid for through private grants and subsidies from the government, she said.
New Jersey Congressman Scott Garrett accompanied her that day for his biannual checkup on programs in New Jersey.
He was pleased to see the dedication and enthusiasm of Martin, and applauded the benefits of the program.
“This is a program that is helping a lot of people,” the Garrett said “There are so many people in this area that need this. I’m glad we have people like Jeanne who want to help and serve.”
New Rutgers-Eagleton poll found that 56 percent of New Jerseyians oppose a gas tax hike.
Ridgewood NJ, Chanel 12 news reports that a new poll conducted by Rutgers-Eagleton Poll found that more than half of New Jersey residents are opposed to a gas tax increase. However, many of New Jersey’s lawmakers say that raising the gas tax is likely to happen.
New Jersey’s transportation fund is set to run out of money in June and the state’s legislators have not yet introduced a way to replenish the fund. Many have mentioned a gas tax hike as a way to increase revenue.
According to lawmakers ,the transportation fund pays more than a billion dollars each year for maintenance and repairs. Lawmakers have until June 30 to renew the fund.
Many political experts say that introducing the hike would be a politically unpopular proposal.
Critics of the increase in the gas tax point to the high cost of New Jersey road construction , the fact the New Jersey already allocates one of the high amounts of funding in the nation to roads and bridges thru tolls and gas tax . To many it appears that Trenton has used the (TTF) as a political slush fund to finance other state business ie … the TTF has financed everything but roads.
Many suggest an audit for the Transportation trust fund (TTF ) , and any money in the fund be specifically related to transportation projects only.
we had to repeat this Trenton , Ridgewood , they are just not listening
By Matt Friedman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
TRENTON — New Jersey’s state government would seek to better understand why companies are leaving the state under legislation approved by a Senate panel today.
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee voted 10-0 to approve the bill, which would require the state’s labor commissioner conduct a written survey of any major company that’s either moving out of state or laying off a large number of employees.
The legislation comes in the wake of Mercedes-Benz decision to vacate its Bergen County headquarters and take 1,000 jobs with it to the outskirts of Atlanta, citing the South’s lower cost of doing business.
Ridgewood NJ, Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05), a senior member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement after the House Budget Committee passed his amendment to encourage House leadership to find $30 billion in cuts in future fiscal bills. Garrett’s amendment was the only amendment that was adopted by the committee. The budget was ultimately reported out of committee with Garrett’s support.
“During the House Budget Committee markup, almost every one of my colleagues recognized that our national debt is approaching $20 trillion and we need to act now. That’s why I’m pleased that my colleagues on the committee and Speaker Ryan were supportive of my amendment to make sure that the House will vote on additional spending cuts. It’s an uphill battle, but these are the fights the American people are expecting us to have, and I’m proud to be at the forefront of this serious debate.”
Oakland Nj, On Tuesday, March 22 the Bergen County Municipal Alliance Program is hosting Hidden In Plain Sight, an interactive awareness event for parents, community members, educators, and caretakers to learn about where their children may be stashing their drugs and to discuss current trends. There will be a dynamic presentation by Tim Shoemaker, a Q&A with experts in the field, resource tables and a prescription drug drop box to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription medications, no questions asked. Due to the nature of this event all attendees must be 18 years or older. This is a county-wide event; registration is required by contacting Jamie England ([email protected] or 201-634-2757), or by visiting www.bergenhealth.org. The event will be held at Indian Hills High School, 97 Yawpo Ave., Oakland from 7-9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Click here for the flyer.
A judge on Tuesday shot down former Bergen County Democratic Party leader Joseph A. Ferriero’s bid to remain free while he appeals his federal corruption conviction, setting the stage for his surrender on Thursday to begin serving a nearly three-year prison sentence. Peter J. Sampson, The Record Read more
Oftentimes we miss opportunities in Trenton. Today New Jersey faces several major economic issues including pension funding and our transportation trust fund which is running out of money. Our only options to make the State fiscally sound are to 1. Increase revenues, 2. Cut spending and/or 3. Raise taxes. We are currently the highest taxed state in the nation and raising taxes is not a smart option. We have the potential to bring in additional revenue through expansion of casino gaming but as currently drafted NONE of that money will be able to be used to stabilize our pension system or to pay for our crumbling infrastructure costs. Instead, the legislature has handcuffed itself and is ensuring that taxes will rise again in the future. What are we doing? Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi
According to Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, SCR1, a constitutional amendment that would allow casino expansion outside of Atlantic City must be reshaped in order for additional casinos to be a worthwhile addition to New Jersey. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
The settlement of a prolonged contract dispute between NJ Transit and unions representing 4,200 of the railroad’s employees was reached only after provisions were made for recent retirees to receive retroactive pay increases, a published report said Sunday.
The unions had threatened to strike after five years of working without a contract, but on Friday night the two sides reached a tentative deal to avoid a shutdown of the commuter rail lines between North Jersey and New York City.
Ridgewood NJ, Joshua S. Gottheimer is a lawyer, speechwriter, and public policy adviser. He has been active within the Democratic Party as a speechwriter for Bill Clinton and an advisor for the presidential campaigns of Wesley Clark, John Kerry, and Hillary Clinton. He is currently running for the United States House of Representatives in New Jersey’s 5th congressional district.
The New York Times called Gottheimer a “Protégé of Clintons” saying , “few can claim as direct a connection to the former secretary of state as Mr. Gottheimer, who began his career as a young speechwriter in the Clinton White House and advised Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 campaign. Mr. Clinton and Chelsea Clinton have already quietly appeared at a Manhattan fund-raiser in late October, where Ms. Clinton introduced Mr. Gottheimer as something of a family member.” https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/nyregion/protege-of-hillary-and-bill-clintons-targets-us-congressional-seat.html
On February 8th the FBI disclosed in a federal court filing, that it is looking into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. On March 2nd the Justice Department granted immunity to a former State Department staffer, who worked on Hillary Clinton’s private email server, as part of a criminal investigation into the possible mishandling of classified information, according to a senior law enforcement official.
While the Ridgewood blog has already reported that Gottheimer is being funded by Wall Street interests looking to expand the current “too big to fail” policies and make Wall Street and Corporate bailouts even more frequent something Garret is vehemently opposed too. The NYT again reported ,”Mr. Gottheimer reported raising around $1 million for his campaign through September. A review of his filings found that about one dollar in six came directly from fellow alumni of the Clinton White House and campaigns — many of whom are scattered across powerful companies like Time Warner Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and Goldman Sachs — or from major donors and employees of consulting firms tied closely to the Clintons. “https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/26/nyregion/protege-of-hillary-and-bill-clintons-targets-us-congressional-seat.html
And all this before any mention of the Clinton foundation ,which the National Review called an , ” elaborate slush fund, includes numerous donors and even one-time board members with dodgy backgrounds, shady dealings, and even criminal convictions that should repel rather than lure a once and perhaps future president of the United States. Peter Schweizer’s meticulously researched new best-seller Clinton Cash” (complete with 635 endnotes) delineates this ultimate power couple’s sordid circle. https://www.nationalreview.com/article/419791/clinton-foundation-reeks-crooks-thieves-and-hoods-deroy-murdock
BY DAVE SHEINGOLD AND JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Reforms enacted in 2011 to keep the nation’s highest property taxes in check are showing signs of weakening as a growing number of New Jersey towns fail to stay within the 2 percent cap on increases that formed the cornerstone of the effort.
Three vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus
March 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, No injuries were reported in a three (3) vehicle crash at the intersection of Linwood Avenue and Pascack Road in Paramus that occurred late Friday afternoon, 03/11. However, Pascack Road was closed for over one (1) hour in both directions between Linwood Avenue and Ridgewood Road, Washington Township due to a unsafe utility pole that was damaged during the crash. Paramus PD officers responded to the scene along with Washington Township PD and FD units. Two (2) vehicles involved in the crash were heavily damaged and towed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks
Though the senate and assembly races in Republican-leaning LD40 won’t be held until 2017, a number of moving parts have made the district one to watch. When Senator Kevin O’Toole announced that he would not be pursuing reelection when his term ends, it opened the door for speculation on what would happen when his retirement came. Now, some are wondering who will eventually become the Republican nominee for his seat and what will happen to the assembly positions in the district.
O’Toole’s decision brings into question the fate of his district mates, Assemblyman Scott Rumana and Assemblyman David Russo. Some wonder if O’Toole’s decision to depart will entice either of the sitting assemblyman to pursue the LD40 senate seat. That move would open at least one spot in the assembly.
The mayor of Wyckoff is no longer pursuing the BCRO chairmanship.
Despite considerable speculation that Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney dropped from the race for Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman in order to pursue an LD40 assembly seat, the mayor said he is not planning on making the move at this time.
“I am happy where I am,” Rooney told PolitickerNJ. “We have two assemblymen who just got elected so why would I even try that?”
On Tuesday, Rooney announced that he would be exiting the BCRO race for chairman and would be endorsing current chairman Bob Yudin. According to his remarks, Rooney’s decision stems from a desire for Bergen County’s Republicans to move forward as a unified front to the November elections.
“If we are going to win this November and in the future we must unite and stop the interparty fighting,” Rooney said. “I know some of you will be disappointed by my decision, but now is not the time for a ugly divisive chairman’s race, this will only lead to a democrat victory.”
On Wednesday, Assemblyman Scott Rumana held a successful fundraiser in Little Falls. Over 130 guests were present and the event drew the likes of Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, Congressman Scott Garrett, Senator Gerald Cardinale, Conference Leader Dave Rible, Passaic County Chairman John Traier, Ocean County Chairman George Gilmore, and NJ Federation of Republican Women President Vanessa LaFranco.
According to one source, any speculation on what impact O’Toole’s departure might have is nothing more than conjecture. Because the LD40 races are not until 2017, the source said it is hard to know how the process will play out until after this year’s elections are no longer a main priority.
“Rumana is out there fundraising and, as far as I know, David Russo has not said that he is retiring,” the source said. “It is a rumor. Everybody is always looking for the curve behind the curve and, sometimes, there really isn’t just anything there. I think you are going to see a lot of candidates running for a lot of things depending on what happens in the next year.”
Even so, some insiders are saying that Rumana may be positioning himself to run for the Senate seat to be vacated by O’Toole in 2017. Others are saying that he might accept a judgeship.
ENGLEWOOD—The bank robbery occurred at the Citibank branch in a quiet North Jersey suburb.There were no alarms, no guns, no menacing notes and no threats of violence. More than $52,000 was taken and the bank in Englewood didn’t even know it had been robbed until long after the cash went out the door.
That same day in December 2012, just a week before Christmas, the same guys hit another Citibank in Florham Park. And over the next three weeks they would target additional branches of the bank in New Jersey and New York—walking away with more than $1 million in cash taken from Citibank ATM machines through hundreds of counterfeit bankcards encoded with personal information stolen from unsuspecting customers.
Kevin Rooney announced at a Tuesday Bergen County Republican Organization meeting that he would be dropping out of the race for BCRO chairman, according to a source.
Despite being critical of current chairman Bob Yudin in the past for his leadership of the group, Rooney also backed Yudin for reelection the source said.
Yudin’s leadership came under fire last year after Bergen County Republicans failed to win any seats on the freeholder board and because of a controversy in LD38 that crippled the Republican race in what was initially pegged as one of the most competitive districts in the state.
