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New Poll Puts Hugin Nearly Tied With Menendez for New Jersey Senate Seat

Robert Hugin

May 26,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

MOUNTAINSIDE NJ , A new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released Friday shows proven New Jersey job creator and former Marine Bob Hugin nearly tied with “ethically challenged”  career politician Bob Menendez in the race for U.S. Senate.

While 28 percent of voters still supported Menendez, 24 percent back Hugin. An additional 46 percent were undecided.

“It’s no surprise the race has tightened. When given the choice between a proven job creator and former Marine like Bob Hugin, and a corrupt ineffective career politician like Bob Menendez, voters will continue to move steadily in our direction,” said Hugin Communications Director Megan Piwowar. “Our campaign is encouraged by the momentum so far, and Bob looks forward to continuing to meet with voters all across New Jersey to discuss how we can bring positive change and bipartisan problem-solving to Washington.”

Bob Hugin, a Marine Corps Veteran and business leader who has created thousands of New Jersey jobs, is seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate to challenge incumbent Democrat Senator Bob Menendez.

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Forest Ave Near Bergen Town Center will be closed in both directions from 5:00 AM on 5/29 to 6/4

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May 26,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, the Paramus Police Department have warned that Forest Ave in the area of the Bergen Town Center will be closed in both directions from 5:00 AM on 5/29 to 6/4. Detours will be in place and posted. Anyone traveling in the area should plan an alternate route.

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The River Vale Police Department has issued a Car Theft Advisory for The Pascack Valley Area

Rivervale police

Advisory : Car thefts active in area

May 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Vale NJ, the River Vale Police Department have issued an advisory on Monday the 21st .The Pascack Valley area is again experiencing an increased number of stolen cars. In the vast majority of incidents, the owners left keys and/or key fobs in the vehicle – making the car an easy target for thieves. Organized car thieves are believed to utilize technology that detects vehicles with key fobs inside.

Residents are strongly encouraged to always remove key fobs and keys from their vehicles – even when the cars are parked inside a garage. In addition, residents should be sure to remove valuables from their vehicles and remember to lock car doors and activate the alarms where applicable.

As always, residents are asked to remain alert and contact your local police promptly regarding suspicious persons or incidents.

Address/Location
River Vale Police Department
334 Rivervale Rd
River Vale, NJ 07675

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BREAKING NEWS: NJ DEP to Send Investigators to Toll Brothers Site in Upper Saddle River

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photo Derek Michalski of GreenUSR and CBS

May 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, On the one-month anniversary of the infamous discovery of the pumping of runoff consisting of a suspension of carcinogenic toxic soil by Toll Brothers directly into Pleasant Brook—a practice that has been apparently ongoing now for more than four consecutive months—at 6:19 PM tonight GreenUSR Attorney Gart Molander received the following text message from the NJ DEP:

“I work for the NJ DEP and have no information on what the locals did or how they have handled this issue. Today is the first time my office (Bureau of Emergency Response) was notified of this ongoing issue. As mentioned, I am sending someone from the County to investigate. They will advise me if there is any action necessary by the State. Thanks“

Apparently neither Mayor Minichetti, her Council, the Borough Administrator, nor Boswell Engineering deemed it necessary to report these ongoing erosion control problems, including the pumping of muddy runoff containing high levels of arsenic and lead directly into our precious waterways, from the biggest construction site in the history of Upper Saddle River to the NJ DEP Emergency Management Program.
We are now on the NJ DEP’s radar screen and let’s hope that finally reasonable minds will prevail to shut down this unprecedented environmental disaster.

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Bicyclist Struck and Seriously Injured Thursday afternoon on Paramus Road

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

May 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, An adult male bicyclist was struck by an SUV and seriously injured Thursday afternoon, 05/24, on Paramus Road just south of West Midland Avenue in Paramus. The victim, who was knocked off of this bike and thrown against the SUV’s windshield, was rushed by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus. The visibly distraught driver of the SUV remained on the scene and was also transported by ambulance to an undisclosed hospital. A flatbed tow truck lifted the SUV off of the damaged bicycle and removed the vehicle from the scene. Paramus Police and EMS, responded along with an ambulance from Hackensack University Medical Center, and a paramedic team from The Valley Hospital. Police at the scene were observed interviewing several witnesses to the incident, including an individual who was waiting for a bus at a nearby bus stop.

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Bear Chased Through Dozens of Yards by Ridgewood ,Midland Park and Waldwick Police

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

May 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Waldwick NJ, Police from Midland Park, Ridgewood, and Waldwick chased a young black bear through dozens of yards on Thursday morning, 05/24. The bear was finally treed behind home on Evergreen Street in Waldwick where it was last seen by this photographer perched there awaiting the arrival of NJDEP Fish and Wildlife Division personnel.

The bear was resting in a tree near Evergreen and Hemlock in Midland Park. Animal Control arrived at the scene to monitor the situation….

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Collision at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and South Maple Avenue in Glen Rock resulted in a non life threatening injury

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photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook Page

May 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, A Wednesday afternoon, 05/23, collision between a Mustang convertible and a commercial pick up truck at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and South Maple Avenue, Glen Rock, resulted in a non life threatening injury to the Mustang’s adult female driver. Glen Rock Police and EMS personnel responded to the incident.

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New Jersey Bureau of Securities Fines Bergen County Man for Defrauding Investors and Spending Their Funds on Food, Drink, Limos and a “Gentlemen’s Club”

stripper

May 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Vale NJ, The New Jersey Bureau of Securities today ordered a Bergen County man and his company to pay a $100,000 civil penalty for selling unregistered fraudulent securities and misusing at least $82,000 of investors’ funds on steak dinners, limousine service, visits to a “gentlemen’s club,” and other personal expenses.

Eric J. Bruno, of River Vale, and his company Mirakill Brands, LLC, (“Mirakill”) misled at least eight investors – including at least seven from New Jersey – into buying unregistered securities in the form of membership interests and warrants to buy membership interests in Mirakill. Bruno represented Mirakill to investors as a start-up business that would be developing an antimicrobial agent for industrial use.

In a Summary Order issued today, Christopher W. Gerold, Chief of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities, found that from at least July 2013 to June 2014, Bruno and Mirakill fraudulently raised approximately $137,000 from investors by falsely claiming that the money they invested would be used to bankroll the Mirakill venture, including securing office space; paying salaries and professional fees; funding research and development; and purchasing production materials and packaging.

“Investors thought they were getting in on the ground floor of a legitimate business venture and that they would profit from its success. Instead their money was used to finance Eric Bruno’s lavish lifestyle,” said Attorney General Grewal. “New Jersey has laws to protect investors from such predatory tactics and we will vigorously enforce them to hold violators like Bruno accountable for their actions.”
Mirakill was a Nevada limited liability company formed in July 2013 and dissolved in June 2014, with offices located in Old Tappan, NJ. Bruno controlled Mirakill through his ownership of another entity he created in connection with his scam.

Bruno and Mirakill, through Bruno, represented to investors that Mirakill was a start-up business that would be developing an improved, proprietary antimicrobial additive to prevent the growth of harmful microorganismswith industrial uses, including plastics, paints, and filters (the “Mirakill Product.”) They also represented to investors in marketing materials that included a private placement memorandum that investment funds would be used for business purposes.

In the fall of 2013 Bruno, along with two other officers of Mirakill, held an event for prospective Mirakill investors. During the event, Bruno provided the 30 to 40 attendees with an overview of the Mirakill Product and its potential applications, and discussed the amount of funds that would be required to bring the product to market. After the event, several of the attendees purchased the Mirakill Securities.
The investors were provided the Mirakill private placement memo describing the Mirakill Securities, the nature of Mirakill’s business, risks, executives, consultants, projected revenues, use of funds, and other material information that would be helpful to investors. The private placement memorandum led investors to believe that their funds would be used for legitimate business purposes, and did not disclose that Bruno would use the money for his own extravagant personal expenses instead.

“Investors received documents that lent a patina of legitimacy to Bruno’s scam and helped convince them that he and the investment were on the up and up,” said Kevin Jespersen, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “In reality, Bruno was not registered with the Bureau as an agent of Mirakill, and the Mirakill Securities were not registered to be offered for sale in this state, as required.”
As president of Mirakill, Bruno countersigned investors’ purchase agreements. He also personally met with certain investors, received and deposited investment checks, and received wire transfers into the company’s accounts, which he controlled.

Bruno then misused at least $82,000 of investor funds for personal expenses that included cash withdrawals at ATMs and banks ($46,000), debit card charges at grocery stores, liquor stores, restaurants ($20,000), debit charges at a New York strip club ($8,800), and limousine services ($2,300.)

“Bruno was living high on the hog at the expense of the investors he fleeced,” said Bureau Chief Gerold. “This case is a prime example of why the Bureau of Securities strongly recommends that investors verify and review the registration records of anyone claiming to be an investment professional or a seller of securities before handing over any money.”

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The “Jaws of Life” were Required to Free the Victim from Paramus Crash

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

May 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, One (1) adult male driver was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital following a two (2) vehicle collision in front of the New Bridge Medical Center, 230 East Ridgewood Avenue, Paramus, on Wednesday morning, 05/23. Paramus Police, EMS, Fire department Companies 1 & 2, and Paramus Rescue Squad personnel responded. The “Jaws of Life” were required to free the victim from his 4-door sedan. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. The victim’s injuries were reported to be non life threatening in nature.

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NJTP is offering a double feature tonight by hosting Brian Goldberg, Republican Candidate for Senate and Joe Connor a frequent guest on Fox News

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May 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Teaneck NJ, NJTP is offering a double feature tonight by hosting Brian Goldberg, Republican Candidate for Senate in the Republican Primary Election at 650 American Legion Drive, Teaneck NJ – 7PM
(Don’t forget to bring a pantry item for the American Legion food drive-support our veterans’ good works).

Brian Goldberg was born in Brooklyn, New York, Goldberg grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey, graduating from Freehold High School in 1991. He then earned a B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from UCLA in 1995.
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Following graduation, Goldberg worked as an IT Professional until 2001. He then began working as a construction company executive in 2002, a position he still holds today.
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Goldberg has been politically active in New Jersey for nearly 20 years. In 2004, he began serving as an elected member of the Essex County Republican Committee. He served on the West Orange Municipal Budget Advisory Committee from 2009 to 2011. He also founded The Empowerment PAC in 2010. In 2011, Goldberg served as Treasurer for a Freeholder campaign, and in 2014 ran in the NJ Republican Primary for the United States Senate.
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He currently lives in West Orange (Essex) with his fiancée and his two daughters from his previous marriage. His leadership activities include: NJIT Concrete Industry Management Patrons’ Committee, Bomanite International Society (past Board of Directors and Deputy Treasurer), and the Advisory Board for Republican Friends of Israel. He has made it his mission to #GrowTheGOP, unite New Jersey Republicans, and spread a fresh, new, positive image of conservatism across the country.

As part of the double header Joe Connor a frequent guest on Fox News will talk about his book , Shattered Lives

January 24, 1975, six young businessmen were enjoying lunch in lower Manhattan’s historic Fraunces Tavern when a bomb placed inside the restaurant exploded, tearing through the building. It had been planted by a group claiming support for Puerto Rican independence known as the “FALN,” the most active domestic terrorist organization in American history. Among those businessmen were two sons of immigrants and only children – Frank Connor, with a wife and two young boys, and Alex Berger, whose wife was six months pregnant. Both were murdered, along with two other men, while dozens were injured, many horrifically.

Shattered Lives, co-authored by Jeff Ingber and Joe Connor, Frank Connor’s son, chronicles the origins of the Puerto Rican independence movement, its transformation into a Cuban-led Marxist cause, the FALN’s decade-long reign of murder and destruction that was a precursor to future domestic terrorism, the hunt for the terrorists directed by a group of dedicated FBI agents, the inexplicable escape from prison by the FALN’s chief bomb-maker who eventually received asylum in Cuba, and the political maneuvering that led to Presidents Clinton and Obama granting clemency to FALN members.

 

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Preferential Business Treatment to the LGBTQ community ?

gay flag ridgewood

May 22, 2018

the staff of the Ridgewood Blog

River Vale Nj, Holly Schepisi New Jersey State Assemblywoman for District 39 voiced her concern over set aside programs, “I am not a fan of set aside programs in general but I have consistently voted in favor of programs that help those with disabilities and our country’s veterans. I also am supportive of our LGBTQ community and have crossed party lines to not only support, but also to sponsor, initiatives to ensure equality for members of this community. However this Thursday we are being asked to vote on a new set aside program which will give financial assistance to businesses owned by members of the LGBTQ community above all others except for veterans and the disabled.

While I understand giving financial assistance to veterans and those who are disabled, I honestly do not understand the correlation of providing preferential business treatment to being a member of the LGBTQ community. Indeed we recently passed laws in New Jersey which specifically preclude all governmental agencies from inquiring about someone’s sexuality/gender identity, etc. and now we are passing a program which is solely contingent on someone reporting their sexuality and/or gender identity? Moreover, all recent studies that I have seen indicate that LGBTQ couples (both married and unmarried) have higher incomes than straight couples. I am willing to listen to my friends on the other side of the aisle on this but I see no practical reason for this legislation.”

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/A3500/3162_U1.HTM

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The Bergen County Historical Society Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony

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May 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, At 10 am on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018, the Bergen County Historical Society honors the veterans of all wars with a wreath-laying at the grave of General Enoch Poor in the burial ground of the First Dutch Reformed Church on the Green, 42 Court Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Excerpts from chaplain Israel Evans’ graveside funeral oration will be read at the ceremony, followed by a tour of the historic cemetery and Church on the Green!

Brigadier-General Enoch Poor, of New Hampshire, died at 44 years of age from either typhus fever or diptheria on September 8, 1780, while about 14,000 Continental troops were encamped on “a high Ridge of land in a place called Steenrapie,” the old name for the high ground extending from northern River Edge through Emerson. The main cantonment was situated between River Edge Avenue in River Edge to the vicinity of Soldier Hill Road, where Oradell, Emerson and Paramus intersect. While encamped at Steenrapie between September 4 and 20, 1780, the Continental army lost no fewer than twenty-three soldiers to disease. General Poor’s body was brought from “Paramus” to the Brower House on Main Street, River Edge, where it was placed in a mahogany coffin for burial in the churchyard of the Dutch Reformed Church-on-the-Green in Hackensack on September 10, 1780. Six generals served as pallbearers while officers of the New Hampshire Brigade followed the coffin, together with officers of the new light-infantry brigade, which General Lafayette assigned to General Poor’s command shortly before his death. General George Washington, who made headquarters in the Zabriskie-Steuben House at New Bridge, marched with other generals in the funeral procession. On July 14, 1825, General Lafayette stopped at General Poor’s grave in Hackensack on his return tour of the United States as the Nation’s Guest and last living Major General of the American Revolution.

Monday, May 28 at 10 AM – 11 AM
Next Week · 64–79° Rain Showers

First Reformed Dutch Church, Hackensack
42 Court St, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601

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Latest update from Toll Brothers site in Upper Saddle River : Mud is back in Pleasant Brook 

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May 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Upper Saddle River NJ, Latest update from Toll Brothers site tonight. According to immediate neighbor of Toll Brother they were pumping mud all day today (Sunday, May 20, 2018). After documented Thursday (May 17 mud discharge) Pleasant Brook was starting to clear up this morning but and now it’s FULL of MUD again at 9:30pm .

At this point we don’t care if Toll Brothers is discharging this mud intentionally or that they simply can’t cope with the amount of storm water gushing from 100 plus acres of soil which was contaminated with high level of arsenic and lead.
Allegedly the soil was tilled with huge bulldozers – tillers and now it’s considered “remediated”. However no soil was removed from the site just spread around. Now the question remains what happens with that arsenic and lead after 5 months of being discharged (intentionally or unintentionally) to Upper Saddle River aquafire? So far not one water test was produced by neither Toll Brothers, Boswell engineers or our famous building director James Dougherty. Police officers called to the scene advised me that they were advised not to touch anything which might came in contact with that water due to alleged arsenic and lead contamination. If it’s bad for police officers how on earth can it be safe for GreenUSR residents. Since GreenUSR members lost confidence in ability of our local government to handle this situation we will be asking feds for assistance. 

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Bergen County Historical Society : Celebrate Prinkster

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May 19,2018

the staff of the ridgewood blog

Riveredge  NJ, Experience history in one of the storied places where it was made! Pinkster is celebrated with a Maypole Dance at 1:30 & 3:00 pm with a participation session during the country dances. Ridley and Anne Enslow are featured on fiddle and hammered dulcimer.

This event features fun children’s activities including flower seed planting in clay pots to take home and lawn games in front of the Demarest House.
The 3 houses including the Steuben House a state-historic site and the barn are open for tours.
A new exhibit of 4 large historical paintings by B. Spencer Newman will be in the Steuben House. The Chariot Painting, 1830, by Marageta Van Wagoner of Oradell will be on exhibit. Broom making in the barn. Pinkster cake and raspberry punch are available in the Campbell-Christie House Tavern along with other refreshments.
Illustrated Talk at 2:30 pm: Treasures Through Time – The BCHS Collections

For well over one hundred years, the Bergen County Historical Society has been collecting artifacts of the famous and infamous, the exceptional and the everyday. Past President and Museum Collections Chairperson, Deborah Powell, takes us on a visual tour through centuries of Bergen life via its artifacts.

The Outkitchen cooks are demonstrating natural egg dyeing using vegetables and spices, and dyeing fabric and yarn with onion skins. If our weather is fair, we will make authentic old style onion rings, oliebollen (Dutch fried dough) and fried chicken legs using recipes from the outkitchen collection of 18th century recipes.
Event with something for everyone!

All 3 sandstone houses, including the Steuben House, a state historic site, are connected by an ADA compliant gravel walking path. Weather permitting the Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” train stop. Walk one block north & east. By car, HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB.
Refreshments in the 18th century tavern (additional cost). Some folks come just for the cider and cider donuts!

Historic New Bridge Landing: American Revolutionary War Battleground including 3 Jersey-Dutch Sandstone Houses, exhibits of BCHS collections, tavern, gift shop, outkitchen & barn. $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. (Become a member and support our efforts!, $20 individual / $30 household).
HNBL, 1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ.

Traveling by carriage from Newark to view the Passaic Falls in Paterson on June 6, 1797, William Dunlap noted in his diary, “The borders of the Pasaick [River] are colour’d by the Iris now in bloom. On the rocks near the [Great] Falls was the Kalmia [or mountain laurel], the wild Columbine & wood pink. The settlements along the river are Dutch, it is the holiday they call pinkster & every public house is crowded with merry makers & waggon’s full of rustic beaus & belles met us at every mile.”

The name of the holiday derives from the Greek word, Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth day,” which originally signified the ancient Jewish celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, arriving seven weeks after Passover. On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The English identified this holiday with the white garments of baptismal candidates, calling it Whitsunday or “White Sunday.” Among the Jersey Dutch, a rose-colored Azalea blossom, known as the “Pinxter blomachee,” was the May bush.

Bergen County Historical Society
May 17 at 6:50am ·
Join us this Sunday for our next event!
Pinkster Fest
A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring
May 20, 2018, Sunday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm