John Mitchell with Fair Lawn Council Candidates John Gil and Marc Zharnest with my Freeholder running mate Daisy Ortiz-Berger and Fair Lawn Mayor John Cosgrove. — withJohn Gil, Daisy Ortiz Berger and John Cosgrove at NJ TRANSIT-Radburn.
By Paul Nichols
Thursday, Oct 29, 2015
Republican candidates for Bergen County Freeholder John Mitchell, Ken Tyburczy, and Daisy Ortiz-Berger launched a campaign video debunking Democrat’s claims of millions in savings and tax cuts.
Last month Democrats aired a commercialfeaturing Freeholder Chairwoman Joan Voss in a make-believe classroom. Voss credits candidates Tanelli, Zur and Sullivan with $200 million in savings by consolidating Bergen County’s law enforcement. The spot also says the candidates created a budget with “no tax increase” and cut “$8 million” in spending.
It is apparent that the classroom Joan Voss was filmed in was not a math class.
OCTOBER 29, 2015, 6:19 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015, 11:22 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
The weeks leading up to the Oct. 22 stabbing death of Suzanne Bardzell of Midland Park were marked by a fearful series of events as alleged killer Arthur J. Lomando was charged repeatedly with threatening, terrorizing and harassing the mother of two, according to police records released Thursday.
The files document nearly a dozen alleged incidents — several leading to criminal complaints filed by Bardzell and police in Midland Park and in Teaneck, where the victim worked as a private-school teacher — that preceded the killing of the 48-year-old in the driveway of her Godwin Avenue home.
The records were released by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office as a result of an Open Public Records Act request by The Record.
OCTOBER 28, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
WALDWICK — A developer whose plans for an assisted-living facility were rejected by the borough’s Zoning Board of Adjustment in July has sued the board, claiming its decision was “arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable,” and should be reversed.
The lawsuit filed in state Superior Court last month asks that the site plan for Formation-Shelbourne Senior Living Services’ proposed 79-unit, 94-bed facility at Wyckoff and Crescent avenues be approved because the board “did not follow the guidelines and mandates of pertinent case law” in regard to issuing variances on conditional-use requirements.
Also, it claims the decision was “contrary to the standards, criteria and requirements” of New Jersey municipal land use law, and “inconsistent” with the evidence presented during the application’s 16 hearings.
Mitchell criticised the Democrat-controlled freeholder board who ignored the scandal until OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch forced the issue.It’s an interesting story you can find linked here.
After the Bergen Dispatch broke the story Mitchell called for his Democrat opponents on the Freeholder Board to ask New Jersey’s Attorney General to step in. OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch were answered with no communications to the Attorney General from the Democrat Freeholders as existing , but mysteriously, days later, undated letters were provided to the Dispatch containing the Freeholders’ request to the Attorney General. (Bergen Dispatch, 10/23/15
Why did Christie pick now to replace Bergen County prosecutor?
OCTOBER 27, 2015, 8:38 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015, 11:19 PM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD
It was no secret that Governor Christie wanted someone else leading the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The question at hand is: Why now?
A little more than two years ago, Christie thanked Prosecutor John Molinelli for his many years of service and said he looked “forward to a swift confirmation for his successor.”
Embattled LD38 assembly candidate Anthony Cappola has issued a letter to the Secretary of State in order to ensure that any votes cast for him on November 3 will be counted. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Hackensack NJ, Former Freeholder Chairman and current Freeholder candidate for the Bergen County Board of Freeholders, Republican John Mitchell, released a statement following news that County Prosecutor John Molinelli confirmed reports he will be resigning from office.
Mitchell states , “I’m happy that the pressure I helped bring in this situation worked, and only wish the Democrat Freeholders had joined my call for action long ago,” Mitchell said. “Even though the Democrat Freeholders tried to hold onto the last vestiges of the corrupt Ferriero days, the public interest has prevailed.”
Mitchell,is running with fellow Republicans Ken Tyburczy and Daisy Ortiz, and has made a campaign issue of the scandal over Molinelli’s controversial handling of the case of a Teaneck doctor accused of sex crimes relating to his patients. Mitchell criticised the Democrat-controlled freeholder board who ignored the scandal until OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch forced the issue.It’s an interesting story you can find linked here.
After the Bergen Dispatch broke the story Mitchell called for his Democrat opponents on the Freeholder Board to ask New Jersey’s Attorney General to step in. OPRA requests by the Bergen Dispatch were answered with no communications to the Attorney General from the Democrat Freeholders as existing , but mysteriously, days later, undated letters were provided to the Dispatch containing the Freeholders’ request to the Attorney General. (Bergen Dispatch, 10/23/15)
“The Democrats refusal to act in this situation – despite overwhelming evidence of the need to do so – extended this disgraceful situation much longer than it should have,” Mitchell said. “I would have immediately called for the Attorney General to step in and correct this situation. Thankfully, it looks like this cloud will be lifted from our justice system and we can begin to rebuild the trust of the people of Bergen County.”
“The fact that the Democrat Freeholders refused to act in this situation until it began to threaten them politically is inexcusable. As Freeholder, I will never put the integrity of our courts, or the safety of our citizens, in danger,” Mitchell concluded.
OCTOBER 27, 2015, 9:39 AM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2015, 10:39 AM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN AND JEAN RIMBACH
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said Tuesday that Gov. Christie’s office has signaled its intent to replace him and name an acting prosecutor.
“I’m not resigning today,” Molinelli said in a brief voice mail message.
In a subsequent email, the veteran prosecutor wrote, “I have been advised by the Governors office of his intent to appoint a replacement and have been asked to provide a timeline for my retirement but that’s all.”
He referred further questions to the Governor’s office, but he added, “I plan on being here for a time yet but not in a position right now to say when I will retire,”
It was not immediately clear who would succeed Molinelli in the post.
The action comes amid a series of high-profile setbacks for Molinelli and questions about possible political influence in his office over the case of a Teaneck doctor accused of sex crimes who was permitted to sidestep prosecution.
The two chairs of Bergen County’s primary political organizations—Bergen County Republican Organization Chairman Bob Yudin and Democratic Committee of Bergen County Chairman Lou Stellato—have a lot riding on the November 3 elections. While some are saying that Yudin’s time as chairman will be deeply impacted by the results of this election, it seems that Stellato is thriving in the position he has held since 2011. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more
Sources: Bergen County Prosecutor Molinelli Likely to Resign Tuesday
There is considerable speculation about the fate of Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli. According to sources, Molinelli will likely announce his resignation on Tuesday. PolitickerNJ Editor, PolitickerNJ Read more
OCTOBER 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY MARINA VILLENEUVE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
SADDLE RIVER — A newly introduced ordinance would lift the borough’s ban on hunting and, if adopted, would let officials move forward with plans to allow limited bow hunting of deer.
The measure, introduced last week, came after borough officials and residents spent the last year discussing what to do with what the local Board of Health has deemed a public health risk: the borough’s growing deer population. At recent public forums on the issue, members of a borough study committee discussed allowing limited bow hunting of deer on property with landowners’ written, prior permission.
“I think deer impose a high risk and health hazard, and hunting is the only way we have of dealing with that,” Board of Health President Duncan Carpenter said in an interview Friday.
OCTOBER 24, 2015, 11:20 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2015, 12:59 PM
BY JEAN RIMBACH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
One doctor won his medical license back after he served time in prison for sexual crimes against female patients. He is a registered sex offender on lifetime parole supervision.
Another physician accused of sexual impropriety is restricted from having patients remove their underwear during exams — or be alone when treating girls age 10 or older — under a confidential agreement that hides his name from the public.
And a third, who pleaded guilty to sexual contact with three female patients, was barred from treating women but allowed to see male patients in the presence of a chaperone — until he violated that requirement and lost his license again.
The state’s system of handling accusations of sexual misconduct by doctors was called into question by revelations early this year about the case of Gangaram Ragi, a Teaneck dermatologist who continues to practice despite a dozen allegations of groping patients.
Now a review by The Record shows it to be a system that is at times porous, inconsistent and opaque, one that allows physicians to resume their practice despite evidence of serious improprieties.
Even convicted abusers, who have violated their positions of trust in disturbing ways, have been returned to work by the state Board of Medical Examiners.
Who these doctors are — and the limits placed on them — may not always be apparent to patients.
The District 40 State Assembly Candidates forum will be held on October 26th 7:30pm -9:30 pm in the Village Hall Courtroom.
The ILO of Bergen County ( LWV’s of Glen Rock, Ridgewood, Fairlawn, Teaneck and Northern Valley) is holding a District 40 Candidates Night for The State Assembly at The Ridgewood Court Room in the Municipal Complex.
We have Paul Vagianos a Democrat and an Incumbent David Russo Republican who both live in Ridgewood who are running. The State Assembly is currently dealing with property taxes, funding for The Transportation Trust Fund, Pension reform and Economic climate of Atlantic City.
OCTOBER 24, 2015, 4:28 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015, 11:53 PM
BY NICOLE WINFIELD AND DANIELA PETROFF
ASSOCIATED PRESS
VATICAN CITY — Catholic bishops called Saturday for a more welcoming church for cohabitating couples and Catholics who have divorced and civilly remarried, endorsing Pope Francis’ call for a more merciful and less judgmental church.
Bishops from around the world adopted a final document at the end of a divisive, three-week synod that exposed the split in the church between conservatives and progressives over how to better minister to Catholic families today.
In a win for the progressive camp, the document emphasized the role of discernment and individual conscience in dealing with difficult family situations, especially the vexing issue of whether civilly remarried Catholics can receive Communion.
Conservatives had resisted offering any wiggle room on the issue, since church teaching holds that such Catholics are committing adultery and are therefore barred from receiving the sacraments. While the document doesn’t chart any specific path to receiving Communion as originally sought by the liberals, it opens the door to case-by-case exceptions.
“We are so happy that we could give this to the pope,” said German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who spearheaded the progressive camp on the issue. He called the document a “historic step.”
Through a spokesman, Newark Archbishop John J. Myers declined to comment on the synod document, saying he had not yet read it Saturday evening. The final report was released by the Vatican in Italian and will be translated later into other languages.
“When bishops have had a chance to look at it, he’s going to give it a lot of thought,” said Jim Goodness, an archdiocese spokesman.
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno Joins Republican Freeholder Campaign focusing on Reducing Property Taxes
October 25,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Park Ridgewood NJ, John Mitchell and the Republican Bergen County Freeholder team was joined by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno at our District 39 headquarters. Her straightforward message was this: Stay on point about reducing property taxes and continue to work hard until the polls close on November 3rd.
As for reducing property taxes ,it’s interesting that the Democrats claim to have saved The Bergen County Taxpayers $200 Million on the Police Merger when it was then Freeholder John Mitchell who started the wheels moving on that project.
The 4.3% Budget Passed yes at 7-0 but if not for the efforts of Republicans John Felice and Maura McMahon DeNicola that number would have been closer to 6%. Easy to call it a Bi-partisan Budget Solution when you outnumber 5-2.
OCTOBER 22, 2015, 5:36 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 11:34 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO AND ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
A former New York City police officer who fatally stabbed his former girlfriend with a machete at her Midland Park home previously threatened her with scissors, violated a restraining order at least twice and was the subject of two massive manhunts this month, authorities said Friday.
Arthur J. Lomando, 44, was charged with murder and related offenses Friday and remained in a New York City hospital where both of his feet had been amputated after he jumped in front of a Manhattan subway train Thursday night. Hours earlier, Suzanne Bardzell, a 48-year-old mother of two, had been found dead in her SUV in the driveway of her Midland Park home, the vehicle’s engine still running.
The killing culminated a monthlong series of events that included police showing up at Lomando’s Centereach, N.Y., home in the early morning of Oct. 10, only to leave when he refused to turn himself in to authorities for violating a temporary restraining order, said Midland Park Police Chief Michael Powderley. Police launched a manhunt hours later after a borough police officer on patrol saw Lomando’s unoccupied car near Bardzell’s home, Powderly said.
