Category: Bergen County

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Struggling swim clubs seek to buoy membership amid changing times

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JANUARY 18, 2016    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2016, 1:21 AM
BY DEENA YELLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Swim clubs around North Jersey are treading water against a wave of declining membership by reaching out to new members and retooling their programming to appeal to a broader demographic.

Club managers say they’re trying to counter the national trend of waning interest, which they attribute to changing demographics, alternative recreational venues and working parents who lack the time to sit by a pool all summer.

“There’s no question we’re seeing a decline,” said Lauren Syre, manager of the Harrington Park Swim Club, whose membership has dropped over the past decade from 350 families and a long waiting list to 280 families and no waiting list. To attract new members, Harrington Park has added a snack bar and more activities, such as family barbecue night and movie night.

Like other swim clubs, it also has opened membership to a wider audience, including out-of-towners and those who want to come on a part-time basis.

The Stonybrook Swim Club in Hillsdale, Brookside Racquet & Swim Club in Allendale and the Teaneck, River Edge, Alpine, Palisades and Leonia swim clubs and Woodside Swim and Tennis Club in Edison also have implemented promotional ventures such as yoga, adult-only lap lanes, paddle boarding, live band shows, campout parties, ice cream socials and lower membership fees.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/recreation/swim-clubs-fight-a-tide-of-falling-membership-1.1494087

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Maura DeNicola will seek Reelection as Bergen County Freeholder in November 2016.

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January 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, At County Committee Meeting Maura McMahon DeNicola announced her intention to run for reelection as Bergen County Freeholder in November 2016. Maura is the last one standing and ready to take on new challenges .

Maura said , “It’s hard to believe it’s already time to be a part of this great political process once again! “

For those that have not had the pleasure of meeting Maura has long list of local leadership positions :
Bergen County Freeholder
Trustee Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Mayor of Franklin Lakes
Councilwoman Franklin Lakes
Member Board of Trustees Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Former Member Board of Trustees Don Bosco Prep
Former Member Franklin Lakes Board of Education
Member Franklin Lakes Planning Board
Member Bergen County Mayors Association and Northwest Bergen Mayors Association

Maura’s was educated at Boston College, B.A., graduated magna cum laude and recieved and M.A. from Columbia University.

Maura has been Married to Philip, 29 years with 4 children,Philip, Graduate U.S. Naval Academy, Lieutenant U.S. Navy
Paul, Graduate Leonard N. Stern School of Business at the New York University,Conor, Automotive Mechanic
Lucia, Freshman, Villanova University

Maura commented of the the defection of Sheriff Saudino ,”I am disappointed that the sheriff chose to turn his back on his party, and his commitment to the people who nurtured his political career. I am disappointed that he chose political expediency, and self-interest ahead of the people’s interest.

I am sure the allure of the power of the Democratic Party in Bergen County is difficult to resist. I am sure Chairman Stellato made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. But there are those of us who believe in fighting for what is right and what we believe in regardless of the outcome.

Sheriff Saudino may want us to believe that his decision is about law enforcement, but we know it’s not. It’s about making a deal to secure his re-election. So let’s not for a moment pretend that this defection today has anything to do with differences with the past administration or the sheriff’s ability to carry out his duties.

It’s about nothing more than political ambition and succumbing to the allure of power and prolonging a political career.

I am prepared to work this year with the citizens of this county who want fair, honest and open government and I look forward to working with the Republican Party’s nominee for sheriff.”

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N.J. Rep. Scott Garrett: I have no malice toward gays

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By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 16, 2016 at 8:05 AM, updated January 16, 2016 at 10:17 AM

WASHINGTON — Under fire for reportedly refusing to contribute to a Republican group because it backed gay candidates, U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett said his opposition to same-sex marriage comes from his faith, and he does not “have malice” toward any group of people.

“My colleagues and my constituents know that I am a devout man of faith, and therefore I support traditional marriage,” Garrett said in a statement released by his campaign late Friday. “Calling me names or implying that I have malice in my heart for any person or group of people is false and completely disingenuous.”

Garrett (R-5th Dist.) has faced sharp criticism for reportedly telling fellow Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee that he was not contributing to the House GOP’s fundraising arm because it backed gay candidates. Garrett has never denied the reports. His statement was the first lengthy response since the controversy erupted last summer.

He and U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) are among 154 House Republicans — a majority of the conference — who are sponsoring legislation to allow groups and individuals to cite their religious beliefs and deny service to same-sex couples.

U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett’s reported remarks on gays has Democrats looking at winning the congressional district.

“Like all Americans who exercise their right of free speech and religion, I make contributions to people and organizations who share my beliefs on important issues, in this case traditional marriage,” Garrett said. “Since then, I’ve continued my support of the Republican Party and the ideals we represent on behalf of our country and every American.”

Garrett called the criticism an effort by the “Washington establishment” to “distract from my work to revive the economy and hold the government accountable by portraying me as something I’m not.”

He said that several prominent Democrats, President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hiilary Clinton, also initially opposed same-sex marriage.

Was Obama “a bigot before he changed his view on traditional marriage in 2012 when it was politically convenient?” Garrett said. “Or Hillary Clinton? Or President Bill Clinton?”

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/01/nj_rep_garrett_defends_position_on_gay_marriage.html

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Fair Lawn, N.J. Residents Baffled By Loud Noises In Night

ET

January 15, 2016 11:09 PM

FAIR LAWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Friday night was far from the first nervous one for residents of Fair Lawn, New Jersey, who have been plagued by loud booming sounds for about a week.

As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported, the source of the nuisance is a mystery.

“We were, like, looking at each other like, ‘What was that?’” said Danielle McManus.

It happened twice in the past week to McManus and her family. While inside their home in a usually very quiet Fair Lawn neighborhood, things went bump in the night.

“If we didn’t know any better, it almost sounds like a cannon,” McManus said, “It was so deep and just like, echoey.”

Elsewhere in the neighborhood along the Passaic River, residents say they have heard loud booms as early as 6 p.m. and as late as 2 a.m..

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/01/15/fair-lawn-n-j-loud-noises/

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Cycling Their Way to Better Health and Better Learning

DeskCycles

January 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, The Valley Hospital Department of Community Health and Community Benefit recently donated 10 DeskCycles to Parkway Elementary School as part of its health education partnership with the Borough of Paramus. “This school year, Parkway’s theme was healthy bodies and that works right into our departmental goals so we partnered up to support them,” said Valley health educator Danielle Cinnante.  “Our department has brought in nutrition and health education to the students and parents of Parkway and is so excited to help support the health of our young community!” In addition to supporting fitness, the cycles also help learning by enabling the students to focus on their classroom tasks without fidgeting or becoming restless.

 

Shown here with Parkway students are Parminder Savalia, Health Education Supervisor, The Valley Hospital; Elaine Palombit, school nurse, Parkway Elementary; Jean Mulholland, physical education teacher, Parkway Elementary; and Danielle Cinnante, health educator, The Valley Hospital.

 

DeskCycles to Parkway Elementary School
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Retail Sales in U.S. Decrease to End Weakest Year Since 2009

CBD Comeback theridgewoodblog.net

Sho Chandra

Sales at U.S. retailers declined in December to wrap the weakest year since 2009, raising concern about the momentum in consumer spending heading into 2016.

The 0.1 percent drop matched the median forecast of 84 economists surveyed by Bloomberg and followed a 0.4 percent gain in November, Commerce Department figures showed Friday in Washington. For all of 2015, purchases climbed 2.1 percent, the smallest advance of the current economic expansion.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-15/retail-sales-in-u-s-decrease-to-end-weakest-year-since-2009

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Moody’s: More N.J. casinos would hurt Atlantic City

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Expanding gaming to North Jersey could force more casinos to close in Atlantic City, Moody’s Investors Service warned Wednesday, adding that such a result would increase the likelihood that the ratings agency would downgrade the resort town’s credit. Andrew Seidman, Inquirer Read more

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Bergen County Top “Double Dipper”, rumored to be Changing Party Affiliation

Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino
January 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, sources say Bergen County Sheriff Mike Saudino aka the “double dipper in chief” is about to change his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat. This puts Saudino Bergen County’s top double dipper, $267,987 – $138,000 salary + $129,987 pension as an Emerson Borough police retiree in Democrat hands .

The anticipated party switch came as no surprise, given recent history. In 2014, Saudino back stabbed incumbent Republican County Executive Kathe Donovan and made known his preference for the Democratic candidacy of challenger James Tedesco.

Tedesco ultimately won the County Executive office and Democrats in Bergen armed with Union money have bucked national trends further consolidated power in Bergen under the leadership of Bergen County Democratic Committee Chairman Lou Stellato.

Early this year Saudino claimed “I think I have shown that I am not a political guy,” Saudino told PolitickerNJ. “I don’t intend to change. I don’t want to be a political guy. I understand that I am in an elected position but I want to keep politics as much as I can out of it. There is no place for politics in law enforcement. I try to maintain that attitude. To me, it is not about the party. It is about who the best people are, who has the best ideas.” ( https://politickernj.com/2015/12/bergen-sheriff-saudino-there-is-no-place-for-politics-in-law-enforcement/ )

Well I guess this proves there is room for Politics in law enforcement after all  and the question remains is will his new affiliation instill  confidence  from his new boss County Executive James Tedesco giving his disloyal history?

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Threatening message puts Waldwick Middle School-High School on Lock Down

Waldwick Middle School-High School on Lock Down
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

Threatening message puts Waldwick Middle School-High School on Lock Down

January 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Waldwick NJ, A threatening message found written on a bathroom wall at the Waldwick Middle School-High School triggered a response from several northwest Bergen County police departments on Thursday morning, 01/14. Personnel from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office also responded. The school was completely locked down while a search of the entire facility was conducted. No immediate threat was located. Anxious parents waited outside in the frigid weather for their children to be released from the building.

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Bicycle fatalities in N.J. defy overall drop in traffic deaths

car_vs_bike_theridgewoosdblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

JANUARY 13, 2016, 11:02 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016, 7:30 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD

New Jersey road deaths fell a bit less than 1 percent to 554 last year — a near record low — but those who rely on bicycles or let others drive for them won’t find much comfort in year-end fatality figures for 2015.

Cycling deaths ballooned 64 percent to 18 last year, the most since 2008, and passenger fatalities rose to 95, almost a 19 percent rise, according to preliminary New Jersey State Police figures. On a more positive note, motorcycle deaths dropped to a record low 49 and pedestrian fatalities fell to 163, but that figure remained well in excess of the previous 10-year average of 152.

“We’re pleased, but we think we can do even better,” said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety.

States like New Jersey and New York, where overall road fatalities have declined substantially since the 1980s, have been struggling to extend these safety benefits beyond drivers to walkers and cyclists, whose combined death counts have remained stubbornly high. Garden State totals showed 172 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in 2005 compared with 81 in 2014, a 5 percent increase. During the same period, all traffic deaths declined more than 25 percent — from 748 in 2005 to 556 in 2014.

This week, the Legislature sent a bill to Governor Christie that would focus on these mostly preventable incidents — the kind that killed 1,517 people on foot and 143 people on bicycles from 2005 to 2014. The legislation, which unanimously passed both houses, would create a 15-member commission to recommend strategies for making improvements in road design, laws and behavior that traditionally favor vehicles over people, said Cindy Steiner of Montclair, executive director of the New Jersey Bicycle and Walking Coalition.

“More people are walking and riding bicycles than ever,” said Steiner, whose group supports the bill — A-3888 in the Assembly and S-2521 in the Senate. “But for the first time, this commission would put all the parties together who have a stake in the problem — from bicyclists and drivers to police, motor-vehicle executives, transportation officials and even the health commissioner.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/road-warrior-bicycle-fatalities-in-n-j-defy-overall-drop-in-traffic-deaths-1.1490848

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2 Powerball tickets sold in N.J. worth at least $1M

Powerball

By Jeff Goldman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 14, 2016 at 6:45 AM, updated January 14, 2016 at 8:02 AM

While the three jackpot winning tickets sold for Wednesday night’s approximately $1.6 billion Powerball drawing weren’t sold anywhere near New Jersey, at least two Garden State residents will take a home a nice consolation prize.

Two tickets sold in New Jersey matched five numbers, but not the Powerball. One of those ticketholders plucked down an extra $1 to take the Powerplay option so his or her ticket is worth $2 million before taxes. The other ticket is worth $1 million.

State lottery officials will reveal where those tickets were sold later Thursday.

Other $2 million tickets were sold in Arizona, Florida Iowa, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Besides New Jersey, $1 million tickets were sold in New York, Pennsylvania and 20 other states.

The winning numbers drawn Wednesday night were: 8, 27, 34, 4, 19. The Powerball was 10 with a Powerplay of 2x.

The odds of a ticket matching five numbers (but not the Powerball) are 11,688,053.52 to 1.

 

 

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2016/01/2_powerball_tickets_sold_in_nj_worth_at_least_1m.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_stryheadline

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Powerball jackpot world’s largest ever at $1.3 billion

Powerball

JANUARY 10, 2016, 4:41 AM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2016, 12:48 PM
BY JOSH FUNK
ASSOCIATED PRESS

OMAHA, Neb.   — Disappointed you didn’t win the Powerball jackpot this weekend? Don’t be.

Lottery officials say the estimated $1.3 billion prize is the world’s largest. Ever.

No one matched all six Powerball numbers Saturday night, leading to the astronomical prize, which is all but certain to grow before the next drawing Wednesday as others buy tickets, said Kelly Cripe with the Texas Lottery.

The odds to win are one in 292.2 million, according to the Multi-State Lottery Association, which runs Powerball. Cripe said 75 percent of all 292.2 million combinations were bought before Saturday’s drawing.

The jackpot has ballooned since its Nov. 4 starting point of $40 million.

The winning numbers — 16-19-32-34-57 and Powerball number of 13 — did gain some people a little wealth: 25 tickets won $1 million by matching five numbers, and three other tickets won $2 million because they paid extra to multiply smaller prizes.

The record jackpot lured an unprecedented frenzy of purchases. Anndrea Smith, 30, said Saturday that she already had spent more than she usually does on Powerball tickets.

“I bought four yesterday, and I usually never buy any,” said Smith, manager of Bucky’s gas station and convenience store in Omaha, Nebraska.

Powerball is played in 44 states as well as the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/powerball-jackpot-world-s-largest-ever-at-1-3-billion-1.1488801

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New Book from Author Dewane Parker : Born Dead

Born Dead Dewane Parker

Dewane Parker has over 30 years of experience in Law Enforcement and as a Security Specialist. As a former Federal Agent and Personal Protection Commander he has exceptional knowledge and personal protection skills in various environments. Dewane Parker has served three U.S. Presidents (Reagan, Bush, and Clinton) and these unique experiences significantly enhanced his overall background to be a positive contributing member of Law Enforcement and around the world. He also volunteers and advocates for at risk youth to ensure that they are provided services to enhance their leadership, education and job opportunities in the future.

Dewane Parker is also an actor full-time and has been on Cable television shows and movies that includeLaw & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Persons of Interest, Elementary, Blacklist, Limitless, Mysteries of Laura, and Movies to date are Creed and Money Monster. He is also a full-time writer and resides in New Jersey.

BORN DEAD 

The Life and Times of Agent/Operative Stacy Mays
Book Synopsis

Born in a corrupted world full of sin, yet commissioned to restore order and bring peace to it. Harnessing the pain of being tattooed by Satan himself; this fuels his desire to bring justice to all who choose to engage in crime. This is the life and everyday struggle of Operative Stacy Mays. He is constructed by the government to inflict massive punishment with no fear of death. Yes, his life is not his own. After all, why should it be? He was Born Dead…

Connect with Dewane

Facebook: facebook.com/DewaneParker

               Facebook Like Page: facebook.com/OfficialDewaneParker

Twitter: twitter.com/DewaneParker

Site 3D Cover BornDead

ISBN: 978-0-9822796-6-3

Book Retail Price: $14.95

ORDER TODAY!

Order a signed copy directly from Author Dewane Parker.

Send your request to Dewane at [email protected]

https://www.creativeunitypublishing.net/dewane-parker

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Heads Up for Ridgewood Residents Linwood Ave in Paramus to be closed from 1/11-1/14 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM for utility work

Linwood Ave Closed
January 10,2016

 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Linwood Ave to be closed from 1/11-1/14 from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM for utility work. Expect delays; Follow posted detour.

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Linwood Avenue to be closed from 1/11/2016 to 1/14/2016 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm due to utility work. Traffic will be directed by detour signs. Expect heavy traffic delays during detour

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Voter disenfranchisement :N.J. plan for revamp of voting districts remains (Purposefully) vague

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JANUARY 9, 2016, 11:46 PM    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2016, 12:04 AM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD

Word bubbled up in November at a Democratic conclave in East Brunswick that state lawmakers were considering new rules on how to configure the state’s legislative map, but they offered no details and quickly moved on to other topics.

Then, just days before a harried year-end session in Trenton, a formal proposal to overhaul the process for redrawing New Jersey’s 40 legislative districts was circulated to Republican members of committees that would have to advance the plan. The proposal was to create at least 10 “competitive” districts using results from selected elections. An Assembly panel approved it in 20 minutes after hearing one public comment, and its chairman did not allow questions from any of its members.

The once-a-decade ritual required by the state constitution to redraw New Jersey’s legislative map has always been a political exercise. Democratic and Republican leaders each appoint five of their members to a commission to draw the maps; they always deadlock on which version is fairest and the deciding vote is cast by someone appointed by the state Supreme Court’s chief justice.

But this year’s push — the first in more than50 years — to significantly alter the process through a constitutional amendment has drawn the most criticism, if not sheer outrage, from the people who will be directly affected by any changes: the legislators themselves.

Depending on how it is drawn, the map could help to determine who is elected to the Legislature and which party holds power in Trenton. That would determine who controls what bills are posted, who gets assigned to what committees and who has final say over judicial and Cabinet-level nominations. Democrats have held the majority in the Legislature since 2004.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-plan-for-revamp-of-voting-districts-remains-vague-1.1488593