Category: Bergen County

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Affordable housing contentious Issue in Bergen County

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March 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood is not the only town have both concerns and difficulties with the both the placement and quantity of court mandated affordable housing in the Village. The ongoing battle over how much court-ordered housing should be built in each municipality has grown particularly contentious in Bergen County, where the main issue is: Where does it go ?

While housing advocates, developers and even some local officials like our council majority in Ridgewood have what they think is an answer ; sites of all those aged, often vacant storefronts and corporate buildings that didn’t make it. Developers often call these “stranded assets”.

The answer in Ridgewood is derelict sites in the Central Business District that can hold multi purpose development . This site the old “Town Garage” , Brogan  and Ken smith as well as 599 South Maple offer developers and opportunity to meet affordable housing requirements along with other development needs .

While hundreds of municipalities are in court fighting proposed housing quotas which officials claim ignore the realities of the housing market and the pressing lack of vacant land as well as the quality of life and character of the town effected.

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North Haledon resident escapes Craigslist Ridgewood Rental Scam

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March 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on March 23 at 1pm, a North Haledon resident reported that she had been looking to rent an apartment in Ridgewood and located one using Craigslist.

The woman began to get suspicious when the contact person for the apartment began telling her that it would cost more than what was in the ad, that she could not see the apartment until after the security deposit and two months of rent was paid and asked her to wire the money to the contact person. According to Zillow Generally requests to wire funds are “Red Flags” that this is a scam.Fortunately the complainant realized this was likely a scam and did not wire any money or complete the transaction for the rental of the apartment. The Ridgewood Police would like to remind all residents to be wary of on-line or phone scams, especially those.

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Ridgewood Places 81st in List of Best Towns to Raise a Family

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March 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bloh
Ridgewood NJ , NJ Family magazine compiled a list of New Jersey’s Best Towns for Families . to come up with our ranking, they looked at the entire state of more than 500 towns and measured each municipality against a host of important factors, including school district quality, crime rates, affordability, commute times, percentage of families who live there, access to hospitals and general lifestyle factors.

Ridgewood’s (81) neighbor Oradell was named the number one place to raise a family in New Jersey and Hoboken which seems to be the model of our current council majority’s vision for Ridgewood’s future came in dead last at 508. Other towns that Ridgewood seems to be looking to for guidance Englewood came in 483, and Hackensack 422.

Along with Oradell other Bergen towns ;River Edge (13), Harrington Park (15),Closter (17), Old Tappan (18) , Upper Saddle River (29), and Glen Rock (30) all did quite well.

The Top 10 in the Ranking
1Oradell Bergen 7,997
2Montgomery Somerset 22,078
3Bethlehem Hunterdon 3,957
4Boonton Morris 4,311
5Fredon Sussex 3,392
6Pennington Mercer 2,591
7Mendham Morris 5,004
8MilltownMiddlesex6,916
9Mendham Twp.Morris 5,851
10Essex FellsEssex 2,125

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Porch Light Theater Present “Jerusalem is Beautiful

porch light productions

Fri, April 01, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Porch Light Theater, 555 Broad Street Glen Rock, NJ
Cost: $18 per person

Glen Rock NJ, Porch Light Theater Present “Jerusalem is Beautiful .The play revolves around two young peace activists—a Jewish-American male (Dylan), and a Palestinian-American female (Amal) – who unexpectedly cross paths. He is leaving his job at the “Coalition for Peace” to start a new life in Jerusalem and she has been hired to take over his position and his Brooklyn apartment. The two had arranged a meeting for the following day, but Amal arrives unannounced at the apartment in the middle of the night. During the visit, they debate politics, reveal personal tragedies and come to a surprising and romantic mutual understanding. “Jerusalem is Beautiful” is a charming and timely play with just the right amount of humor and pathos.

For more information, please visit: njplaywrightscontest.org

This production is presented through special partnership with the New Jersey Playwright’s Contest. Staged readings of the finalists for the 13th Annual NJPC will be held at Porch Light on Sunday, April 17.

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Ridgewood YWCA and YMCA Welcome Sen. Cory Booker

cory book ridgewood

Wed, March 30, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: YWCA Bergen County, YMCA of Ridgewood, 112 Oak St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: $33 per person

Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 pm
112 Oak Street l Ridgewood, NJ 07450

YWCA Bergen County and Ridgewood YMCA, in cooperation with Bookends Bookstore, is proud to welcome Senator Cory Booker to our YM/YWCA to discuss his new book, United.

Tickets are $33 each and include a talk, Q&A, photo op and a pre-signed copy of the book. Tickets and books are required and must be purchased in advance by visiting Bookends Bookstore at 211 Ridgewood Ave. in Ridgewood or by calling (201) 445-0726.

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Gas prices in North Jersey Continue to Surge

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March 27,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, after bottoming out in February gas prices have continued to raise with the arrival of spring. The average price of regular gasoline per gallon in the Bergen-Passaic market rose 2 cents Friday to $1.81, according to data from the daily fuel gauge report by the American Automobile Association or  AAA. The data also showed the average has surged  in recent weeks: one week ago the average was $1.73, and a month prior it was $1.58.

Prices historically start to rise in the springtime, when the refining industry transitions from winter heating oil  to summer gasoline and just ahead of the traditional summer driving season.

Tom Kloza, co-founder of Oil Price Information Service in Wall Township, said in a tweet on Thursday that the average price of gasoline in the United States rose above $2 per gallon for the first time since Dec. 31. He also predicted that the average would continue to creep higher in the next five months.

In New Jersey gas is still a bargain . By Friday, the national average for regular gasoline was $2.03, compared with New Jersey’s average of $1.81. Though the state average is significantly lower than the national rate, gas prices at both levels appear to rise and fall at a parallel rate. Both averages bottomed out in February – the national average at slightly below $1.73, and the state average near $1.63 – and have been steadily rising since.

Though the Bergen-Passaic average for regular gasoline was $1.81 on Friday, retail pumps offered gas at a wide range of prices.

According to GasBuddy.com, an online source for gasoline data, the lowest reported price in the Bergen-Passaic market on Friday was at a Power Fuel station in Woodland Park that sold regular gasoline for $1.57 a gallon. On the higher end, a Lukoil station in Wyckoff sold gas for $2.59, the highest in the state, according to GasBuddy.com.

Though gas prices are on the rise, AAA data showed that prices Friday were still significantly lower from one year ago, when the regular price of gasoline in the Bergen-Passaic market averaged $2.19. Last year’s average is still well below the highest recorded average of $4 a gallon on July 6, 2008.

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Republican” Norwood Councilman Allen Rapaport Decision to Back Gottheimer called ‘Betrayal’

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Rapaport may face expulsion from BCRO.

March 25,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Norwood NJ, “Republican” Norwood Councilman Allen Rapaport  demonstrated more of the cowardise that has so typified the GOP establishment. deciding to defect from his county party organization’s support of Scott Garrett (R-5), the incumbent Republican congressman in his district. Thursday morning, Rapaport joined Garrett’s Democratic challenger Josh Gottheimer in Paramus to declare his decision to endorse him over Garrett , finishing his political career.

With this move Rapaport joins and other failed politicians with Gottheimer in support of Wall Street bailouts , big banks .

Once again Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman Bob Yudin, can not seem to deliver the vote . Yudin told POLITICERNJ ,  that decision by Rapaport was a “betrayal.”and Yudin says he is looking at the bylaws to see how Rapaport’s decision will be dealt with by the BCRO. It seems that the councilman’s future is unclear. https://politickernj.com/2016/03/yudin-republican-councilmans-decision-to-back-gottheimer-was-a-betrayal/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=Wake%20Up%20Call%20NJ
“It is a betrayal of his office,” Yudin told PolitickerNJ. “He holds office as a Republican. Our Republican bylaws allow for his expulsion from the BCRO for endorsing the Democratic congress candidate and I am looking into that matter. He is no longer a Republican in good standing.”https://politickernj.com/2016/03/yudin-republican-councilmans-decision-to-back-gottheimer-was-a-betrayal/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=New%20Campaign&utm_term=Wake%20Up%20Call%20NJ

Rapaport’s decision to endorse Gottheimer comes hot on the heels of the January party switch of “Double dipper “Sheriff Michael Saudino. The once-Republican will now be running as a Democrat on the November ballot. Yudin’s challenger for the BCRO chairmanship Paul DiGaetano, like the rest of the BCRO, he is supporting Garrett.

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State Sen. Gerald Cardinale : Lawful citizens should be able to carry guns, not just Criminals

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March 25,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood  blog

Trenton NJ,  A veteran state lawmaker State Sen. Gerald Cardinale (R-Bergen) is at it again saying on Thursday he will soon launch another push to make it easier for law-abiding residents in New Jersey to obtain permits to carry a handgun.

On Tuesday Cardinale introduced a measure that sparked controversy . Measure (S1982) that would allow legislators and judges in the state to obtain carry permits if they complete at least eight hours of training.

Critics and proponents alike said it amounted to nothing more than the state bring “dueling” back to Trenton Dueling a time honored tradition in Politics  was made most notable in New Jersey by the Burr–Hamilton duel . The former secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and sitting vice president, Aaron Burr, dueled on July 11, 1804. The duel was the culmination of a long and bitter rivalry between the two men. The duel took place .in Weehawken, in New Jersey, Burr shot and mortally wounded Hamilton. Hamilton was carried to the home of William Bayard on the Manhattan shore, where he died the next day.

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Former Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano Formally Announces Bid for BCRO Chairmanship

Paul DiGaetano
March 25,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Former Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano will officially be challenging current Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman Bob Yudin. DiGaetano mailed a letter the members of the BCRO on Wednesday morning announcing his intentions to run during the party’s mid-June election.

DiGaetano said “After many discussions with County Committee members and leaders throughout the County, it has become clear that there is a strong desire to change the direction in which our beloved party is heading here in Bergen County,” DiGaetano said in the announcement. “Republicans across the County have wasted far too much energy on infighting, and the Democrats have capitalized on our disarray with increasingly regular wins and with increasing margins of victory. We need to come together and stop the bleeding now, before it is too late.”

Rumors had swirled and DiGaetano had previously made it clear that he was looking to pursue the chairmanship of the troubled BCRO. With Wednesday’s announcement he officially submited his candidacy.

Previously, the race for BCRO chairman was poised to become a three-person race between Yudin, DiGaetano and Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney.  Rooney dropped out of the race earlier this month and backed Yudin claiming that the party needed to be united in the face of a strong Democratic opposition and not waste energy on a race for chairman leaving just DiGaetano as the prime candidate to replace the often controversial Bob Yudin.

The challenge to Yudin’s chairmanship and leadership comes after a series of set backs and unsuccessful elections for Bergen County’s Republicans. Last year, Republicans failed to pick up any seats on the county’s freeholder board and lost in LD38, initially seen as one of the most competitive districts in the state . Earlier this year Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino, rocked party officials defecting to the Democrats . Yudin’s leadership has been under strain for years and to many the statesman like DiGaetano may be the one to right the ship and turn things around for the Bergen GOP.

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Rep. Garrett says his stance on gay candidates is being distorted by political opponents

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BY HERB JACKSON
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT |
THE RECORD

U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett said Wednesday that his position on gay candidates running for Congress is being distorted by his political opponents, and that the media are letting it happen.

In an interview in his Washington office, Garrett said he was not, as some critics have said, opposed to gay people seeking office. That is “everyone’s right,” he said.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/rep-garrett-says-his-stance-on-gay-candidates-is-being-distorted-by-political-opponents-1.1532077

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FBI offers reward for information on ‘Count Down Bandit’ in North Jersey bank robberies

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BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information about a man they have dubbed the “Count Down Bandit,” who has allegedly robbed seven banks in North Jersey since July.

In most of the robberies, the man approached the teller and demanded money, the FBI said in a statement. The man then counted from 15 or 10 to one and fled with the cash.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/fbi-offers-reward-for-information-on-count-down-bandit-in-north-jersey-bank-robberies-1.1531831

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Now Englewood Steps Up with Teaneck to challenge their local hospitals’ exemption from property taxes

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BY MARY DIDUCH AND LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

Both Teaneck and Englewood are challenging the tax-exempt status of their local hospitals, joining a growing list of municipalities who want non-profit hospitals to pay property taxes.

The councils of the two municipalities voted to file tax appeals against Englewood Hospital and Medical Center and Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck. Of 62 non-profit hospitals in the state, 17 others now face similar lawsuits.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/englewood-teaneck-to-challenge-their-local-hospitals-exemption-from-property-taxes-1.1532070

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Why smart people are better off with fewer friends

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By Christopher Ingraham March 18

Hell might actually be other people  — at least if you’re really smart.

That’s the implication of fascinating new research published last month in the British Journal of Psychology. Evolutionary psychologists Satoshi Kanazawa of the London School of Economics and Norman Li of Singapore Management University dig in to the question of what makes a life well-lived. While traditionally the domain of priests, philosophers and novelists, in recent years survey researchers, economists, biologists and scientists have been tackling that question.

Kanazawa and Li theorize that the hunter-gatherer lifestyles of our ancient ancestors form the foundation for what make us happy now. “Situations and circumstances that would have increased our ancestors’ life satisfaction in the ancestral environment may still increase our life satisfaction today,” they write.

They use what they call “the savanna theory of happiness” to explain two main findings from an analysis of a large national survey (15,000 respondents) of adults aged 18 to 28.

First, they find that people who live in more densely populated areas tend to report less satisfaction with their life overall. “The higher the population density of the immediate environment, the less happy” the survey respondents said they were. Second, they find that the more social interactions with close friends a person has, the greater their self-reported happiness.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/18/why-smart-people-are-better-off-with-fewer-friends/

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Teaneck to legally challenge Holy Name Medical Center’s exemption from local property taxes

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BY MARY DIDUCH AND LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

Teaneck’s township council voted Tuesday to file suit against Holy Name Medical Center’s exemption from local property taxes, as municipal governments around the state take aim at non-profit hospitals for potential tax revenues.

The council voted, 5-1, to authorize the action after two Holy Name executives spoke against the resolution.

“We can avoid all those legal expenses,” said Ryan Kennedy, the hospital’s chief financial officer, appealing to the council to work with the hospital to find a solution.

“It’s a silly route to go,” Michael Maron, the hospital’s president and CEO, said before the meeting. “We’ve had a reasonable relationship over the course of time. We should sit down and talk.” Once a tax appeal is filed, both sides have to hire lawyers and litigation takes years.

The town should wait and negotiate with the hospital, he said. “Worst case scenario, another year goes by,” he said. “Is that the end of the world?”

“We support the town, and we’re willing to consider supporting the town even more,” he said.

Emboldened by a recent state tax court decision, the council took action to “preserve its rights” to potential tax revenues as an Apr. 1 deadline for 2016 tax appeals looms.

Under the current tax rate, if Holy Name’s entire 20-acre property were to be taxed, the liability would be about $2 million. But Maron said the hospital already pays taxes on various smaller properties it owns. It provides free flu vaccines to borough employees, supplies to the ambulance corps, and funds to support special township initiatives, he said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/teaneck-to-legally-challenge-holy-name-medical-center-s-exemption-from-local-property-taxes-1.1531590