Category: Bergen County

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CSX railroad to discuss pedestrian tunnels with Haworth after Congressman Scott Garrett’s Inspection

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whats in those tanker cars ?

NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 10:44 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 10:45 PM
BY SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

HAWORTH — CSX engineers will meet this month with town officials to discuss the condition of two pedestrian tunnels under the company’s rail line that have become a concern now that millions of gallons of crude oil pass through the town on trains, Mayor John Smart said Friday.

Smart had been trying for months to get inspection reports on the condition of the Crocker Place and Park Street Playground tunnels, but a federal loophole in railroad regulations prevented him from getting any meaningful information. Smart said he recently secured a meeting with CSX executives and hopes to meet with them regularly.

Officials from Teaneck to Harrington Park have often complained that CSX, which operates the largest rail system in the eastern U.S., has been slow to address local concerns since railroads are regulated almost exclusively by the federal government.

Bogota officials famously issued a summons in 1999 to a CSX train for disturbing the peace by idling noisily even though railroads are exempt from municipal ordinances under federal interstate commerce law.

They say Florida-based CSX should be more responsive especially now that 15 to 30 trains, each carrying as much as 3.6 million gallons of volatile Bakken crude oil, pass through 11 towns each week on the company’s River Line. The oil has been involved in several fiery derailments across North America in recent years.

In Bergen County, the trains pass thousands of homes and businesses on their way to a Philadelphia refinery. They cross dozens of small bridges, some of which appear pristine and others that are heavily rusted with cracked foundations.

Among them are the two pedestrian tunnels in Haworth, one of which has cracked and crumbling concrete just under the railbed, and the other near the playground.

Smart was unable to get inspection reports because railroads are not required to submit them to their primary regulator, the Federal Railroad Administration, unless the FRA asks for them.

A spokesman for CSX said this summer that the tunnels were inspected in January and deemed safe, but would not make inspection reports public.

“Those tracks are inspected visually several times weekly, and are subjected several times annually to internal, ultrasound inspections and examination with a geometry car that measures physical characteristics to affirm compliance with engineering specifications,” Rob Doolittle, a CSX spokesman, said this week.

On Friday, Rep. Scott Garrett toured the Haworth site as well as a section of the rail line that goes over the Oradell Reservoir. Last month, Garrett called on the FRA to obtain inspection reports on all spans through the region and share them with local officials. He said Friday he is still waiting for them.

“I want to see what [CSX] thinks of the chipping concrete here,” the Wantage Republican said. “Is it something that lasts six months, six years? I’m no expert. That’s why we need those reports.”

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/csx-railroad-to-discuss-pedestrian-tunnels-with-haworth-1.1450561

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Mountains to climb: North Jersey lawmaker tells of her road back after brain aneurysm

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi

“Today the Bergen Record covered the road from my illness through my recovery. I shared my story in part to bring awareness to the public of brain aneurysms. Towards that goal, I am announcing my newest endeavor. I have agreed to join the board of The Lisa Colagrossi Foundation. The newly formed Foundation was started by Todd Crawford who lost his wife Lisa Colagrossi, a popular newscaster, after she suffered a brain aneurysm earlier this year. The Foundation’s focus will be to raise awareness and educate individuals to warning signs and treatment options for brain aneurysms.

The Foundation recently launched the “Lucky 7” challenge. The effort is a one-of-a-kind national fundraising campaign that will directly fund brain aneurysm awareness, education, research and support initiatives across the country. “Lucky 7” encourages individuals and businesses to make donations that include the number 7, Lisa’s favorite number and the network she worked for in New York City.

For more information about The Lisa Colagrossi Foundation, Holly Schepisi’s board announcement, the “Lucky 7” challenge and information about brain aneurysms please visit www.LisasLegacy7.org. “Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi

Mountains to climb: North Jersey lawmaker tells of her road back after brain aneurysm

NOVEMBER 8, 2015    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015, 12:59 AM
BY LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

On a Saturday in March, Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi  felt her left arm go numb. It was cold out, and she’d just given a speech at a rally to oppose oil trains crossing the Oradell Reservoir. Soon she felt like her tongue was swelling. She quietly excused herself.

At home, she felt “as if the synapses in my brain were misfiring,” she said. It was like “someone was pressing Bubble Wrap in my brain.” As she sat with her young son, her left side went numb.

“I felt like I was in the movie ‘The Matrix,’ popping in and out of reality,” she said. She jumped out of her chair. “Something is really wrong,” she told her husband.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/mountains-to-climb-north-jersey-lawmaker-tells-of-her-road-back-after-brain-aneurysm-1.1451094

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Exterminator succumbed to bee sting in Franklin Lakes

Franklin Lakes Bee Sting

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

November 7,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Franklin lakes NJ,  Franklin Lakes PD, EMS, and FD, along with a paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital, responded to a 911 report of a man lying unconscious on the roof of a synagogue located at 375 Pulis Avenue sometime around 12 noon on Wednesday, 11/04. The victim, an exterminator, was pronounced dead on the scene by the paramedic team. He apparently succumbed to a bee sting.

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Glen Rock Hudson City Savings Bank branch held Up in Broad Daylight

Glen Rock Hudson City

photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook
November 6,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

GlenRock Nj, A Hudson City Savings Bank branch located at 897 Prospect Street, Glen Rock was held up shortly after 10:00 AM on Friday, 11/05. The actor escaped with just under $2,000. Glen Rock PD was assisted at the scene by officers from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K9, Bureau of Police, and Bureau of Criminal Investigation units.

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Drug Overdoses Killed More Americans Than Car Crashes or Guns

prescription-drugs

46,471: Drug Overdoses Killed More Americans Than Car Crashes or Guns

By Susan Jones | November 5, 2015 | 7:52 AM EST
More than half of the 46,471 drug-related deaths in 2013 were caused by prescription painkillers and heroin, the DEA says.

(CNSNews.com) – “Drug overdose deaths are the leading cause of injury death in the United States, ahead of motor vehicle deaths and firearms (deaths),” the Drug Enforcement Agency announced on Wednesday.

In 2013, the most recent year for which data is available, 46,471 people in the United States died from drug overdoses, and more than half of those deaths were caused by prescription painkillers and heroin.

That compares with the 35,369 who died in motor vehicle crashes and 33,636 who died from firearms, as tallied by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Sadly this report confirms what we’ve known for some time: drug abuse is ending too many lives while destroying families and communities,” Acting DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg said as he released the 2015 National Drug Threat Assessment.

“We must stop drug abuse before it begins by teaching young people at an even earlier age about its many dangers and horrors.”

https://cnsnews.com/news/article/susan-jones/dea-drug-overdoses-kill-more-americans-car-crashes-or-firearms?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=marketing&utm_campaign=n-drug-overdoeses

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Citing four years of losses, GOP officials call on Bergen chairman to step down

Bob_yudin_the ridgewoodblog

Bergen County GOP Chairman Bob Yudin
Citing four years of losses, GOP officials call on Bergen chairman to step down

NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 9:20 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 10:30 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Citing four years of losses by their party in Bergen County elections, three Republicans officials Wednesday called on County Chairman Bob Yudin to step down, including one – Wyckoff Mayor Kevin Rooney – who announced plans to challenge him for the job.

Yudin dismissed the critics, saying that such comments were to be expected after a defeat. He blamed the party’s losses in Tuesday’s freeholder election largely on being outspent 7-1 by the Democrats.

“It’s almost impossible for us to win county wide because of the huge sums that are coming in,” Yudin said Wednesday, citing support the Democrats got from labor unions.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/citing-four-years-of-losses-gop-officials-call-on-bergen-chairman-to-step-down-1.1448461

 

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The definitive recap of Bergen’s Election 2015

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Posted by Matthew Gilson On November 04, 2015 1 Comment

By Matthew Gilson | The Save Jersey Blog

Let’s dive right in, Save Jerseyans…

#1 – District 36 Got Even More Republican Locally

While things were dicey across the county, Republicans once again exceeded expectations in District 36, sweeping all the competitive races.  The surprise of the night came in Wallington where two Republican challengers will join Chris Sinisi andSharon Robie on the council in January to create the first Republican majority in the town in decades.

In Carlstadt, though not unexpected Councilman Craig Lahullier scored a landslide victory along with his running mates to keep the town in firm Republican hands. Rutherford proved another solid victory for Mayor Joe DeSalvo and his team who now hold a 4-2 advantage on the council.  While expected, it is nonetheless amazing that North Arlington, a town where Democrats outnumber Republicans 3-1, will now be completely Republican controlled as top vote-getter Brian Fitzhenry and his team clobbered the Democratic incumbents.

District 36 GOP’ers cleaned-up on a night with not a lot to be excited about elsewhere. They are the model for which the entire county should be running elections.

#2 – John Cosgrove Did More Than Enough to Cement Himself to Take on Bob Gordon

He may not have carried his running mates, but Mayor John Cosgrove was hundreds of votes ahead of his nearest Democratic competitor. I noted earlier that a big victory would set up Cosgrove to take on Gordon in 2017, and he put on a show made even more impressive by the fact that it was a dismal night for many in towns near him.

Republicans lost in the neighboring District 38 towns including Paramus and Glen Rock. While the lost Republican seats will be our top targets in 2017, Cosgrove gives Republicans a top-flight candidate to take on Gordon. Much like the “Scarpa or bust” chants of this year, the discussion of who should take on Gordon begins and ends with Cosgrove. But speaking of popular mayors in the swing district….

#3 – Popular Candidates Can Still Beat Machines

Nothing put on a smile on my face more than the re-election of Norman Schmelz in Bergenfield. Norman is truly one of the good guys and a dedicated mayor, but he faced an onslaught of dirty attacks by his opponents including a full-blown attack website. Knowing the overwhelming Democratic tilt of the town, Democrats tried to tie Norman to Chris Christie, Scott Garrett, Anthony Cappola and stopped just short of portraying him as a patsy of Nucky Thompson. Through the onslaught, through the excessive spending gap, through the bad night for everyone else, Norman Schmelz still eeked out a victory and proved good guys and popular candidates can still win.

 

https://savejersey.com/2015/11/bergen-county-election-results/

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Bergen PBA, Local Police Make 11th Hour Push For Bergen Dems

look_4_the_Union_label_theridgewoodblog

 

After an event that drew the likes of Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, gubernatorial hopeful Phil Murphy and state Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-36), members of the Bergen PBA descended on the streets of Bergen County to make a final plea to voters to get out there and vote for Democrats. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

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Bergen County Democratic freeholder incumbents reelected

Bergen_county_court-House _theridgewoodblog

NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 11:40 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015, 11:50 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD.

Bergen County voters swept three Democratic freeholders back into office Tuesday, ensuring that their party will control county government for at least the next two years.

Incumbents Steve Tanelli and Tracy Zur easily defeated Republican challengers John Mitchell and Ken Tyburczy and Green Party candidate Richard Siegel for the pair of three-year seats that were up for grabs.

And Thomas Sullivan Jr. outpolled Republican Daisy Ortiz-Berger and Libertarian Peter Rohrman for the one-year unexpired term that was created when former Freeholder James Tedesco resigned to become County Executive in January.

With all precincts reporting, Zur was the top vote getter with 63,114 tallies. Tanelli was close behind, with 63,059 votes.

Trailing them were Mitchell with 50,805 votes, Tyburczy with 48,879 and Siegel with 4,085.

In the contest for the one-year term, Sullivan led with 62,746 votes, followed by Ortiz-Berger with 45,748 and Rohrman with 4,496.

Reached Tuesday night, Mitchell said he was preparing to call the Democrats to congratulate them on their victory.

“It doesn’t mean that we didn’t get out and work as hard as we can in getting the vote out,” he said. “But clearly, the Democrats have done a better job in doing that.”

Zur said the victory meant that voters approved of the work done by the Democratic majority on the freeholder board over the last three years, including consolidating the Bergen County Police force with the Sheriff’s Office.

“I think we put forward a vision of where we want to move this county and I think that resonated with the voters,” Zur said.

All three Democrats said their biggest challenge will be steering the future of the county-owned Bergen Regional Medical Center, where the contract with the current operator expires in March 2017.

Their victory means the Democrats will maintain a 5-2 majority on the board. The two incumbent Republicans are up for election next year, so county government will remain under Democratic control at least through January 2018.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-democratic-freeholder-incumbents-reelected-1.1447657

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North Jersey ringleader convicted in $3.4M multistate burglary spree

crime-scene

Called,  “a menace to the residents of North Jersey”

NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 7:13 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 8:55 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
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The reputed head of a North Jersey burglary ring that targeted affluent homes and a New York City accomplice were found guilty Monday of multiple counts of transporting stolen property across state lines related to dozens of burglaries that netted millions of dollars in cash and other items, federal prosecutors said in a news release.

Daniel “Tokyo” Gatson, 43, of North Bergen, and Anthony “Big Country” Hanks, 36, of Brooklyn, and their gang took part in 27 burglaries in six states, stealing $3.4 million in cash and property, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Law enforcement authorities have called Gatson, who previously lived in Teaneck and Cliffside Park, one of Bergen County’s most prolific burglars.

In 1999, he famously scored $300,000 in jewelry, luxury cars and other items from the Englewood Cliffs home of former New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing.

State Superior Court Judge William Meehan once called Gatson  and someone who had been committing burglaries since he was 18 years old and “has no intention of stopping.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-ringleader-convicted-in-3-4m-multistate-burglary-spree-1.1447041

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Christie: Decision to replace Bergen County Prosecutor Molinelli ‘long overdue’

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NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 2:11 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 10:32 PM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD

After a full week of not talking about the decision to end the 14-year tenure for Bergen County’s top law enforcement official, Governor Christie said Monday that the move was “long overdue.”

But Christie’s brief comments did little to answer questions about why Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli was told to leave, and why that move came amid mounting questions about the prosecutor’s decision-making and motivations in recent cases.

And also still unclear is who will replace Molinelli and when, a process that could take months unless Bergen County’s delegation of five state senators reaches an agreement with Christie.

Christie made his first comments on the matter Monday, one week after Molinelli was notified that he wouldn’t be renominated for a third term.

“The fact is that it’s time for a change in Bergen County. It’s long overdue,” Christie said after a meeting in Camden where he was highlighting police reform. “When that change is officially made, I’ll give you all the reasons why.”

Christie also said he wasn’t influenced by a letter sent by the Bergen County freeholder chairwoman referring complaints made against Molinelli at recent public meetings.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/christie-decision-to-replace-bergen-county-prosecutor-molinelli-long-overdue-1.1446932

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For Bergen County Freeholder: Mitchell, Tyburczy and Ortiz-Berger

FREEHOLDERS

We would like to add good luck today for

Bergen County Freeholder: Mitchell, Tyburczy and Ortiz-Berger

Assemblyman Robert Auth  New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District.
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi New Jersey’s 39th Legislative District.

The Cosgrove Team for Fair Lawn Council

from the staff of the Ridgewood blog

 

By Paul Nichols
Friday, Oct 30, 2015

When thinking of who to vote for in the 2015 election for Bergen County Freeholder we must look ahead. This year three seats on the board of seven are on the ballot, all three are currently held by Democrats who make up a 5-2 majority.

In 2016 voters again will choose three people to represent them on the board however two of those seats include the two republicans who currently make up the minority. Simply put, a victory for the Democrats in 2015 means two years of Democrat control of the Freeholder Board as well as the office of County Executive.

To operate properly government requires a system of checks and balances. The Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders is an important and necessary means of oversight in our form of government in Bergen County.

While the Freeholder Board has little control over the day-to-day operation of our county’s government it acts as a financial backstop overseeing the County’s purse.

https://bergendispatch.com/articles/37538333/For-Bergen-County-Freeholder-Mitchell-Tyburczy-and-Ortiz-Berger.aspx#.VjZUIjexOU8.facebook

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ELEC Report Shows County Party Coffers Suffering at The Hands of PACs

vote for me

 

A preliminary report from New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission reveals that county party coffers during state elections have seen a continuing slump during this year’s elections. The release cites the growth of independent PAC spending, limitations on contributions from public contractors, and overall contribution limits that have not kept pace with the rate of inflation. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more

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10 Must-Watch Bergen Races on Tuesday night

cosgrove team

First Responders are my Heroes……and that certainly applies to this brave group from Fair Lawn. The Cosgrove Team hosted a wonderful event recognizing their fabulous EMS personnel, fire fighters and other stand outs for the life saving work they do. Bravo! — with Ken Tyburczy, John Gil andJohn Cosgrove at Fair Lawn AC.

 

Posted by Matthew Gilson On November 02, 2015 0 Comment

By Matthew Gilson | The Save Jersey Blog

#1 – Freeholder Race

The main attraction county-wide is yet another annual Freeholder Board control battle. The race for two three-year terms is growing increasingly competitive with former Freeholder John Mitchell looking to return to the post he held for three years and Ramsey CouncilmanKen Tyburczy mounting a strong showing. For the Democrats, Steve Tanelli is the stronger of the two incumbents and will be challenge to beat, but look for Republicans to pick off at least one of the two with Tracy Zur being exceptionally vulnerable. For the one-year term, union strongman Tom Sullivan takes on Daisy Ortiz-Berger. Ortiz-Berger would bring desperately needed diversity as the five old white Democrats currently on the board do little to address the needs of the county.

#2 – District 38

What can be said that has not been said? All that aside, District 38 remains our strongest opportunity to pick up a seat north of the Atlantic City Expressway. It is unknown what kind of impact Anthony Cappola remaining on the ballot will have in the race to replace Assemblymen Timothy Eustace and ‪Joe Lagana, but a strong showing even in a loss could set Mark DiPisa up nicely for a rematch in 2017. Which brings us to our next race…

#3 – Fair Lawn

Mayor John Cosgrove and his team can take complete control of local government with a sweep on Tuesday. Cosgrove himself is a heavy favorite to win re-election, and his team of John Gil and Marc Zharnest has made an aggressive push to incumbents Kurt Peluso and Lisa Swain. The signs say “The Cosgrove Team” for a reason; he is incredibly popular and has a tremendous record as the mayor and decades of community service. Looking ahead to 2017, Cosgrove, the favorite to take on Senator Bob Gordon, would be hard-pressed to pass on a run with a strong victory tomorrow.

https://savejersey.com/2015/11/10-must-watch-bergen-races-on-tuesday-night/

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Ridgewood Vote Smart : Parking ,NJ Assembly and Bergen County Freeholder

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

Candidates for North Jersey municipal elections

NOVEMBER 1, 2015    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2015, 1:21 AM
THE RECORD
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Here are the candidates running for municipal and county office in Tuesday’s elections across Bergen, Passaic and Morris counties. (D) denotes a Democrat; (G) Green Party; (I) independent; (L) Libertarian; (R) Republican. Asterisks indicate an incumbent. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

BERGEN COUNTY

Bergen County

Board of Freeholders (two terms)

Steven A. Tanelli (D)*

Tracy Silna Zur (D)*

John D. Mitchell (R)

Kenneth P. Tyburczy (R)

Richard A. Siegel (G)

(unexpired term)

Thomas J. Sullivan (D)*

Daisy Ortiz-Berger (R)

Peter J. Rohrman (L)

Ridgewood

Question: Build downtown parking garage?

https://www.northjersey.com/news/candidates-for-north-jersey-municipal-elections-1.1446133
District 40 Assembly

Democrats

Paul Vagianos
Christine Ordway

Republican

David Russo  – Incumbent Russo was first elected to the chamber in 1989.
Scott Rumana  – Incumbent Rumana was first elected to the chamber in 2007.