Bergen County - Page 204 of 225 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on October 11, 2015October 11, 2015 by James — 1 Comment

Ho-Ho-Kus bistro’s future hangs on a thread two months after auto crash

OCTOBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015, 9:56 AM
BY ELISA UNG
RESTAURANT CRITIC |
THE RECORD

Janice Tinari, a longtime stay-at-home mom who turned her devotion to the Betty Crocker cookbook into a culinary career, has spent the last 14 years building a Ho-Ho-Kus neighborhood spot known for its breakfast tacos, moist short ribs, creamy risotto and striking flourless chocolate cake.

Just Janice defied many of the odds of the notoriously risky restaurant business: It managed to remain popular and in business for many years as a small, non-chain, family-run bistro with no liquor license.

Then in the early-morning hours of Sunday, Aug. 2, a driver careened through the front of the restaurant, breaking the front windows, causing structural damage and destroying outdoor furniture and some indoor tables. The 55-seat restaurant was closed at the time and no one was seriously injured.

More than two months later, the once-lively dining room still sits empty and dusty as Tinari struggles with insurance companies that, she says, paid her less than she needs to reopen. The 60-something owner had been counting on one day selling the restaurant to fund her retirement. Now she’s just hoping she can keep it in business.

“At my age, I’m scared to death. If this doesn’t work out, after this, what do I do?” she said.

Tinari’s situation illustrates the risks of running a small business in an industry with thin profit margins: She and her son and manager, David, say they made less than 10 percent profit (the National Restaurant Association says the national average is 3 to 6 percent). Tinari adds that she had been living paycheck to paycheck since getting divorced in 2013 and buying out her ex-husband and partner, John.

https://www.northjersey.com/food-and-dining-news/dining-news/bistro-s-future-hangs-on-a-thread-two-months-after-an-auto-crash-1.1430164

23 Sheridan Ave

Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jerse

(201) 445-2666

Posted on October 11, 2015October 11, 2015 by James — 5 Comments

Police Deploy Drone in Search for former Police Officer

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facesbook

Police Deploy Drone in Search for former Police Officer

October 10,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Midland Park NJ, A Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force responded to Midland Park on Saturday afternoon, 10/10 to aid in the search for a former police officer wanted in connection with the issuance of several warrants who went missing at approximately 1 AM the same day. Police officers from more than a dozen departments throughout the County were a part of the search team.

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The search was focused along the New York Susquehanna and Western railroad line, which parallels Greenwood Avenue in the borough. A drone was launched to assist in search efforts. The search was called off at approximately 3 PM with negative results.

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Posted on October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Garret Demands Federal Railroad Administration share information on safety for trains carrying crude oil through district

October 09,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , According Rep Scott Garrett , “This week in Bergen County we saw a train derailment. While thankfully there were no injuries or environmental damage, it’s obvious that we need to know that the train lines carrying hazardous materials through our towns are safe and reliable. Today I requested that the Federal Railroad Administration share information about the safety condition of train tracks and infrastructure carrying crude oil through New Jersey’s Fifth District.”

Furthermore Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) today called upon Sarah Feinberg, Acting Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), to share information about the safety condition of train tracks and infrastructure carrying crude oil through New Jersey’s Fifth District. The letter asks FRA to acquire the most recent inspection reports from CSX and Norfolk Southern Railway and establish a time for the Congressman and local officials to review the reports.

“Just this week in Bergen County we saw a train derailment,” said Garrett. “While thankfully there were no injuries or environmental damage, it’s obvious that we need to know that the train lines carrying hazardous materials through our towns are safe and reliable.”

Specifically, Garrett requested the following information for the time period covering January 1, 2013 to the present as it relates to rail infrastructure within the Fifth District of New Jersey:

All safety inspection reports currently in the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) possession
Any recommendations made to the rail industry to improve the condition of the rail infrastructure
Any findings of structurally deficient rail infrastructure
The schedule of future FRA safety inspections
Notices from the rail industry on scheduled maintenance and infrastructure upgrades

“We have a right to know if the rail infrastructure in our communities meets or exceeds safety standards and, if it does not, what action is being taken to address any deficiencies,” wrote Garrett in the letter. “This is information that my constituents should not have to wait long to receive.”

Posted on October 9, 2015October 9, 2015 by James — 5 Comments

Freeholder Candidate , Removal Of Bergen Prosecutor Molinelli,

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Wednesday, Oct 07, 2015

Candidate for Bergen County Freeholder, Peter Rohrman released the following statement in response to recent a call to the Board of Chosen Freeholders to execute its authority under New Jersey law (NJSA 52:17B-106) to have the state’s Attorney General supersede Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ – Oct 6, 2015: In recent years, there have been numerous allegations reported by several news agencies that have cast a dark shadow over the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The list of allegations include bribery, illegal wiretapping, judicial intimidation, abuse of office, destruction of evidence, fraud, waste, no bid contract, and MURDER!

For a summary of a description of the allegations, I refer you to the BergenDispatch.com columnist Bill Brennen’s article: https://www.bergendispatch.com/articles/37035898/Brennan-Let-us-not-talk-falsely-now-the-hour-is-getting-late-.aspx.

Beyond those allegations, our state’s Appellate Division and Supreme Court have repeatedly admonished the Bergen County Prosecutor’s behavior and actions.

I have previously raised these concerns in a recent interview with Alyana Alfaro of PolitickerNJ.com in an Aug 31 published interview. This issue needs to be at the forefront of this November’s election.

https://bergendispatch.com/articles/37357125/Freeholder-Candidate-Calls-For-Removal-Of-Bergen-Prosecutor-Molinelli.aspx

Posted on October 7, 2015October 7, 2015 by James — Leave a comment

Bergen GOP effort to replace Anthony Cappola’s name on the LD38 assembly ballot Continues

Bergen County GOP goes to court in bid to replace Assembly candidate

The Bergen County Republican Organization went to court Monday in an effort to replace an Assembly candidate who suspended his campaign last week over a controversial self-published book that contains racial slurs and stereotypes. John C. Ensslin, The Record Read more

Yudin: Cappola Incident Nobody’s Fault

Last week, a book written by former LD38 assembly candidate Anthony Cappola that featured offensive and bigoted writings led him to drop out of the race. Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin said the situation is a “contrary reflection” on the GOP and on the chairman himself. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

Court Hearing Possible Today Over LD38 Ballot

The GOP effort to replace Anthony Cappola’s name on the LD38 assembly ballot may be heading to court as early as today according to Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

LD38 Case File ‘Pending’ In Judge’s Chambers

According to an source, the LD38 case file is currently pending and is being held in the chambers of Judge Ernest Caposela. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

Posted on October 7, 2015October 7, 2015 by James — 9 Comments

Beware of the ticket blitz: Bergen County eyes drivers, pedestrians in safety push

October is Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month

OCTOBER 6, 2015, 11:10 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015, 6:54 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD

After 45 pedestrian deaths in two years, the Bergen County sheriff, prosecutor and dozens of other public officials gathered in Hackensack on Tuesday to put walkers as well as drivers on notice:

Starting this month, whether on foot or behind the wheel, obey pedestrian laws or expect a ticket.

“I’m asking all police departments to issue summonses even for jaywalking,” Sheriff Michael Saudino announced to a crowd at a news conference on the steps of the county Justice Complex.

The reason: “A week doesn’t go by that I don’t get a phone call about a citizen being struck and killed in our county,” added Prosecutor John Molinelli.

Death counts explain much of this rationale:

A total of 21 lives were lost while crossing county thoroughfares in 2013 (more than double the 2012 count of 9) and 24 more deaths were added in 2014 — the most in at least 16 years, according to state police records. The percentage increases accounted for a higher rate of carnage than the statewide pedestrian death toll, which reached 170 last year, the most since the 2002 count of 176.

“We have to do better,” Saudino said in an interview. “Drivers and pedestrians both need to be better educated, and our engineers have to look closely at some of our roadways to make them safer.”

For two weeks starting now, motorists will begin seeing “Focus here” billboards that picture a family at a crosswalk alongside a photo of a phone that accompanies this slogan — “Not here.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/road-warrior-beware-of-the-ticket-blitz-bergen-county-eyes-drivers-pedestrians-in-safety-push-1.1426649

Posted on October 6, 2015January 21, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

John Mitchell just Might be the Hardest Working Freeholder Candidate this County Has Ever Seen

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October 5,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Unlike past years this years Freeholder contest is all about meeting and getting to know Bergen county. Candidate John Mitchell has been making the rounds non stop from months listen to what people in the county are concerned about .

It was a “Win-Win” at the Ridgewood train station this morning…

…It was a “win” that I was able to help a commuter understand the intricacies of the unfair school funding formula and how it impacts his ever rising property taxes. And it was also a “win” that I had a chance to meet hundreds of residents in this beautiful town.

“I’m always nervous when speaking to a large group of women and particularly beautiful women”…

…was my quote at the Republican Women’s Annual Candidates Showcase. In all seriousness though, the Bergen County Republican Women are the BCRO’s heart and soul and I very much appreciate their tireless hard work and support!

What is a Freeholder?…

…That was the operative question of the morning at the Oradell train station. When I explained that the The Board of Chosen Freeholders acts as the legislature for Bergen County and controls what county government can spend, things became a bit clearer…and certainly the commuters were happy to hear that my running mates and I have specific plans on how to reel in the ever burdensome property taxes hoisted on the backs of our hard working citizens.

…The Oradell train station also accommodates surrounding towns including the great town of New Milford. I was joined by New Milford Council Candidate Matt Seymour along with Oradell Council President Donna Alonso. Our tag teaming of commuters from the various towns was very productive indeed

“The Junior Statesmen of America”…

…were NJ Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s and my audience at Dwight Morrow High School. The subject today was how state and county government works followed by a rapid fire Q&A covering everything from the presidential election, Planned Parenthood, to how we entered politics. They kept us on our toes but is was very enjoyable for all.

“I love Bergen County but I know when I retire I will no longer be able to afford to live here.”…

…This has been a common sentiment as I campaign across the county, and River Edge was no exception. For that very reason my running mates and I have made it our top priority to tackle this problem, with property tax reduction at the top of the list.

“Paramus is a great place to live but please help us keep it that way!’…

…That was what I heard from the hard working commuters/voters at the Paramus Park & Ride this morning. Business attraction, business retention and the elimination of unnecessary business regulations summarizes the conversations I had. Will do!

Posted on October 6, 2015January 20, 2019 by James — 6 Comments

Cresskill businessman accused of racketeering in mortgage business

OCTOBER 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015, 9:42 PM
BY HUGH R. MORLEY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A federal lawsuit filed against David Kushner, the prominent Cresskill businessman charged with stalking and harassing his son’s basketball coach, accuses him and others of racketeering and conspiring to defraud investors in a mortgage business.

An attorney representing Kushner and others named in the suit dismissed the allegations Monday as “utterly without merit.”

The suit, filed by a Suffolk County, N.Y., investor, claims that Kushner, several businesses of which he is part-owner, and two other owners engaged in “a widespread criminal enterprise” and a “pattern of racketeering activity” in a business that solicited investments to be lent as mortgages.

The investor, Arnold Rosenshein, says in the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan that he invested just over $4 million with the Kushner companies after he was assured that the deals would be “conservative” and short term, and that his money would be just a small part of the mortgage granted. Rosenshein also said he was told that in the event of a default, the properties would be foreclosed upon and sold at a profit.

But several of the mortgages soon went into default, and the properties remained unforeclosed upon for years, because company executives wanted to wait until the property gained in value, Rosenshein alleges. Meanwhile, Kushner and two other company principals, Jeffrey Meshel and Wayne Sturdman, both of New York, made millions from the loans by taking “origination” and “servicing” fees, the suit alleges.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/cresskill-businessman-accused-of-racketeering-in-mortgage-business-1.1426041

Posted on October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 by James — 1 Comment

District 40 Candidates Forum in Ridgewood Village Hall

Candidate Forum in Village Hall Courtroom

Saddle River’s quandary: To hunt or not to hunt deer

OCTOBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015, 9:55 AM
BY MARINA VILLENEUVE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

SADDLE RIVER – No one’s sure how many deer live in the borough, but the more than 50 residents, officials, out-of-towners and state wildlife staffers at Borough Hall on Thursday night largely agreed there are too many, posing problems that need solving.

Where they differed was on what to do – and whether a hunt is feasible in a 5-square-mile borough of about 3,000 people, whose homes sit on at least two-acre lots.

To shed light on an issue the borough has explored for more than a year, the local wildlife management committee invited representatives of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife to speak to the public.

Some attendees called for more attention to non-lethal methods, such as sterilization. But the state biologists said experience shows only lethal methods will affordably and effectively reduce deer populations.

Councilman Paul Schulstad has been drafting an ordinance that would allow limited bow hunting of deer on private lands and also “allow the municipality in the future to hunt on its land,” he said.

That could mean private landowners would be allowed to give written permission to hunters, who would then alert police.

Schulstad said the committee may hold a public forum in late October on non-lethal methods.

To the surprise of some attendees, the state biologists said the overseeing Fish and Game Council would allow a municipality to try a contraceptive approach only if it first allows hunting.

Several residents questioned the practicality of allowing hunting in a suburban neighborhood.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/environment/too-many-deer-in-saddle-river-borough-s-quandary-to-hunt-or-not-to-hunt-1.1425263

Posted on October 4, 2015October 4, 2015 by James — 4 Comments

Bergen GOP freeholder candidate says bankruptcy taught him hard fiscal lessons

Ramsey Councilman Ken Tyburczy and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.

OCTOBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY MARINA VILLENEUVE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RAMSEY — A Republican candidate for Bergen County freeholder, campaigning on the importance of fiscal management, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2011.

Ramsey Councilman Ken Tyburczy said his failed coupon business taught him the “importance of debt management.”

“I took a risk, and it didn’t work out,” he said in a phone interview Friday evening. “I filed for bankruptcy. It was a rough period for my family.”

He is one of three Republican candidates running for freeholder. Democrats currently hold a 5-2 majority on the board. Three seats currently held by Democrats are up for election, and that gives the GOP an opportunity to regain control of the Freeholder Board.

Tyburczy said he was sole proprietor of the Hudson County business Super Coups, which tried to help small businesses deliver discounts by mail.

According to the bankruptcy filings, Tyburczy reported $538,598.85 in assets and $581,045.12 in liabilities.

He reported $163,720 in credit card debt, including $56,408.65 in a student loan and more than $79,000 in business debt. He reported taking out a first and second mortgage on his home and that creditors Bank of America Corp. and BAC Home Loans/Countrywide held $417,324.49 in secured claims.

He listed the current value of his interest in a home at 133 Orchard Place in Ramsey as $440,000. He reported $98,598.85 in personal property including cash on hand, a 2003 Toyota Highlander, a 2000 Ford 150 pickup truck, two watches, a wedding band and $68,425.06 in an IRA.

With his $500 stipend as a councilman and his wife’s income, the couple reported an average monthly net income of -$1,073.16.

“Basically, to sum it up, I never had the good fortune of being given anything,” Tyburczy said.

He framed the experience of filing bankruptcy as an important life lesson he can use in county government, where he hopes to reduce debt.

“It’s something that’s a primary focus and concern of mine, and I keep bringing it up in my campaign,” he said.

Controlled spending

https://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/bankruptcy-taught-fiscal-lessons-1.1425067

Posted on October 4, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 11 Comments

Bookkeeper from Dumont nine-year sentence for embezzling $500K but Ex-Ridgewood inspector gets Probation?

Bookkeeper from Dumont draws nine-year sentence for embezzling $500K from Ramsey company

OCTOBER 2, 2015, 5:56 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015, 5:58 PM
BY PETER J. SAMPSON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A bookkeeper who authorities said embezzled more than $500,000 from a Ramsey flooring company and lost most of it gambling at casinos was sentenced Friday to nine years in state prison.

Monica P. Arencibia, 51, of Dumont told state Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti that she has been living “under the control of a dark secret” — a gambling addiction — and that she wished she could “undo” the harm she had caused.

She acknowledged that she had “violated the trust” of her employer, Gary Perazzo, the owner of Modern Floor Co., Inc., and said she had wanted to tell him what she was doing, but felt “too ashamed.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/bookkeeper-from-dumont-draws-nine-year-sentence-for-embezzling-500k-from-ramsey-company-1.1424418

Ex-Ridgewood inspector apologizes for stealing nearly half a million dollars in quarters

JULY 9, 2014, 2:39 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014, 2:57 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

HACKENSACK — Ridgewood’s former public works inspector repeatedly apologized on Wednesday for stealing nearly half a million dollars in loose parking meter quarters from the village.

“I am sorry for what I have done,” Thomas Rica told Judge Patrick Roma moments before being sentenced to five years’ probation. “I am very sorry. I’m…I’m just sorry.”

Rica, who lives in Hawthorne, was employed by the village for 10 years before his arrest early last year.

As part of a plea deal accepted by Roma Wednesday, Rica plead to four counts of third-degree theft, and will pay back a little more than half of what he admits he stole from his former employers.

Rica admitted in March to taking the coins over more than two years from a storage room within Village Hall.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ex-ridgewood-inspector-apologizes-for-stealing-nearly-half-a-million-dollars-in-quarters-1.1048475#sthash.KjdspT3o.dpuf

Posted on October 2, 2015October 2, 2015 by James — 2 Comments

Paramus School bus Involved in Accident on Paramus Road

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

October 1,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Six (6) children who were passengers on a mini school bus owned & operated by the Paramus Board of Education escaped injury after the bus was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on Paramus Road near Bergen Community College on Wednesday afternoon, 09/30.

Two (2) of the four (4) vehicles involved were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck, including a pickup truck that mounted a concrete center divider, knocking down a traffic control sign in the process. One (1) person involved in the incident complained of chest pains related to the crash impact, but refused to be transported to a hospital. Paramus PD and EMS responded.

Posted on October 2, 2015October 2, 2015 by James — 1 Comment

Critics of Bergen County prosecutor told to take issues to N.J. attorney general

OCTOBER 2, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2015, 12:24 AM
BY JEAN RIMBACH AND JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

The day after a tumultuous county freeholder meeting attended by critics seeking the ouster of Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli, Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss said those concerns should be taken to the state.

“If they have an issue, they should go to the attorney general,” Voss said Thursday, noting the attorney general oversees all county prosecutors.

“The Freeholder Board can’t do anything,” she added. “It’s the prerogative of the attorney general.”

Bill Brennan — a former firefighter who runs a Facebook page critical of Molinelli — and several others attended Wednesday’s meeting to call on the board to pass a resolution requesting the attorney general take over the Prosecutor’s Office due to a crisis in public confidence. Brennan said Thursday that state law would allow it; Voss said she has not had a chance to talk with the board attorney.

“Their stubborn refusal to act is myopic,” said Brennan. “They must know they have this authority and if they didn’t know there’s ample opportunity to investigate it. I want them to act in accordance with the law.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/critics-of-bergen-county-prosecutor-told-to-take-issues-to-n-j-attorney-general-1.1423519

Posted on October 1, 2015January 20, 2019 by James — 2 Comments

Pedestrian Hit Crossing Rout 17 in Mahwah

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

September 29,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mahwah NJ, Police, fire, and EMS personnel working at the scene of a serious accident on Route 17 southbound near Route 202 in Mahwah. A medevac helicopter landed on the closed highway to evacuate one (1) victim from the scene.

At the time there were conflicting reports regarding the nature of the incident. Some broadcast radio reports indicated that a passenger vehicle had collided with a motorcycle, while bystanders at the scene said that a pedestrian trying to cross Route 17 had been struck by a passenger vehicle. A crew cab Dodge Ram pickup truck with driver’s side damage was observed being examined by police officers in the parking lot of a nearby Super 8 Motel.

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