Category: Dumont

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Assemblyman Robert Auth never forgets he is a small business owner

Assemblyman Robert Auth

October 13,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Old Tappan NJ, Bob is an old friend of the Ridgewood blog and he is running for Assembly in District 39. Bob never forgets he is a small business owner . Bob is somone who can fight to set the balance right against ANTI-Business , ANTI-jobs Trenton.

District 39 is (Bergen and Passaic Conties)  Bloomingdale, Closter, Demarest, Dumont, Emerson, Harrington Park, Haworth, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Montvale, Norwood, Oakland, Old Tappan, Park Ridge, Ramsey, Ringwood, River Vale, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Wanaque, Washington (Bergen), Westwood, Woodcliff

Unlike most modern day politicians Bob entered into politics to help the everyday people of New Jersey, like himself. After graduating from New York University, Bob opened a small insurance company with my wife, Elsa. While it was prosperous at first, the state of New Jersey began to pass heavy regulations that placed a burden on insurance companies like his. After all but six of my competitors went out of business because of these new laws I realized that it was very possible that I might also lose everything I had worked so hard for. It was at that point that I decided to reach out to my friend Senator Cardinale to see if there was any way that he could help me. With a little negotiation Senator Cardinale was able to get Allstate Insurance to work with me which stopped me from having to go out of business. Through this experience, I witnessed firsthand the power of the government to both destroy and to aid.

After Senator Cardinale had helped him Bob decided to try and return the favor. Little by little, Bob started to do additional work for him until finally he became an unpaid volunteer aide for him in Trenton. After working for Senator Cardinale for 25 years a seat in the Assembly opened up; and while Bob was hesitant at first to run for office, he realized that this was my opportunity to help people, just as Senator Cardinale had helped him.

So in 2014, against all odds and very tough competition, I won a seat in the assembly. Even after all his time in the New Jersey Legislature I have kept one rule; before Bob votes on anything he must ask himself how would I feel as a taxpayer seeing my own vote? Bob is an Assemblyman because he has witnessed firsthand the power of the government to both impede and to aid, and Bob wants to ensure it will not impede again.

https://www.electrobertauth.com/

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Assemblywomen says she hopes to force change by guiding a movement of civil disobedience.

CBD high density housing

August 21,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

River Vale NJ , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi asks, “If the Democratic front runner for Governor boldly says NJ won’t comply with many federal laws he disagrees with, why can’t our suburban communities fight back against ridiculous NJ policies that the democratic controlled legislature refuses to change?”

Schepisi said she hopes to force change by guiding a movement of civil disobedience.

“We need more voices to be heard,” said Schepisi, an attorney. “No one I’ve spoken to is against affordable housing — everyone supports the idea,” she added. “What everyone objects to is high-density complexes thrust on small communities.”

Schepisi proposed legislation to impose a moratorium on lawsuits related to affordable housing and form a bipartisan commission to calculate the number of units needed to serve the state. Those bills have stalled.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/dumont/2017/08/19/dumont-voters-have-say-affordable-housing/566206001/

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Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi Forum Focuses On Overdevelopement and Affordable Housing in Bergen County

bergen county housing forum

June 18,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi hosted a meeting on June 15th at Bergen Community College to talk about OVERDEVELOPMENT, affordable housing and the biggest issues affecting Bergen County local communities.

The event was packed with legislators, mayors, engineers, planners, environmental experts, school superintendents, non-profit housing groups and others who joined Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi at the Thursday night legislative hearing to address New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis.

The hearing will provided the first significant legislative discussion addressing New Jersey’s affordable housing crisis in 5 years.

The meeting was very well attended given how little publicity from New Jersey main stream press .Senator Gerald Cardinale, Assemblymen Robert Auth and Kevin J. Rooney and the several hundred people took time to talk about overdevelopment and affordable housing.

The Speakers included Mayors and former Mayors from Closter, Haworth, Demarest, Dumont, Upper Saddle River and Montvale. Council members from Park Ridge, Ramsey and Dumont. Elected officials and representatives were also present from communities including Westwood, Mahwah, New Milford, Old Tappan, Emerson, Paramus, Allendale, Mountain Lakes, Montville, Hillsdale and Woodcliff Lake. Tom Toronto and Lynn Bartlett, the heads of non-profit affordable housing agencies United Way and the Bergen County Housing Authority, along with Bruce Young, the President of the Bergen County School Boards all provided great testimony.

Captain Bill Sheehan from Hackensack Riverkeepers for discussing environmental concerns. I was disappointed that none of our other Bergen County legislators chose to attend. This is an issue that every municipality is struggling with regardless of political party lines. We must work together to assist the communities we represent.

Joanne Minichetti, mayor of Upper Saddle River, told Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi and other state officials that the analysis leading to the obligations was “ridiculous” and “stupid.” The obligations were created by the Cherry Hill-based Fair Share Housing Center.

Derek Michalski also from Upper Saddle River recounted to the Ridgewood blog ,” in the case of USR two developers father and son “forced” rezoning Apple Ridge property on USR mayor and Council and after obtaining the “rezoning signature” re-sold the same property to Toll Brothers for $20-30milion quick gain. if the town did this deal for its own benefit(residents) we wouldn’t have to raise taxes for decades to come. Thus such chaos is creating enormous benefit to developers and leaving communities in fear.”

Schepisi has recently introduced two bills to freeze municipal affordable housing obligations through the end of the year, and establish a commission to study the issue and determine each town’s obligations. Over fifty municipalities throughout the state of New Jersey have passed a resolution urging action on Schepisi’s bills.

However NJ Housing and Development Chairman Jerry Green (D) is not going to release those two bill to the floor for vote (IMHO). They will die waiting…..in the meantime the town in fear of loosing this issue in court are marketing (horrible deals with developers). For instance in the case of USR two developers father and son “forced” rezoning Apple Ridge property on USR mayor and Council and after obtaining the “rezoning signature” re-sold the same property to Toll Brothers for $20-30milion quick gain. if the town did this deal for its own benefit(residents) we wouldn’t have to raise taxes for decades to come. Thus such chaos is creating enormous benefit to developers and leaving communities in fear.

And you guessed it Green is a major fund raiser for Murphy (he told me that himself in his office) so this issue is almoeast a dead issue.

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Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi Continues to Push for A Sensible Housing Policy for Bergen County

CBD high density housing

May 7,2017
by Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi

Rivervale NJ, I have been on the front lines fighting for the legislature to do its job and provide a legislative solution to recent Court opinions on affordable housing in the State. Even the NJ Supreme Court agrees that the legislature should do something, anything, on this issue.

As a result of recent court opinions, I drafted bills to stop the costly litigations currently taking place in every municipality so that all interested parties, including the NJ League of Municipalities, the Executive Director of the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, the Executive Director of Fair Share Housing, professional planners and members of the legislature can sit together and develop a better way to ensure affordability in this State for all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or gender. The current plan to have over 280,000 new affordable units or 1.5 million additional total units in a state that is already the most densely populated with a population growth rate of less than 0.3 percent, along with being one of the States that most people are fleeing, is irrational at best.

My bills have received support from Democratic mayors and councils, Republican mayors and councils and communities that are split between political parties. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, this is one of the most important issues affecting every community in the State and if we, as legislators refuse to address it, we do not deserve to be legislators.

Unfortunately, many times elected officials are unwilling to step up to the plate to address the more difficult issues for fear of the backlash. It is exceptionally unfortunate that in today’s political climate, the immediate “go to” for those who disagree on an issue is to insinuate the other person is a racist or a bigot or a whole host of other items. Today I found myself just in that place. As a result of my trying to bring all parties to the table to properly address an incredibly complicated and difficult topic, the head of the Bergen County NAACP, provided a letter to the Bergen Record today accusing me of “fear mongering”, “trying to advance my political profile” and alleging that I am affirmatively trying to keep minorities out of our communities. Anyone who knows me knows how totally off base his letter is with respect to how I operate or what I believe. I have reached out to the State NAACP President to request a sit down to openly discuss this issue. If we want our State to succeed we better start having the tough conversations now, while we still can. Wanting to figure out a better way to govern this State is a quality we want in everyone who represents us.

Please call your Mayors and your legislators and ask them to protect our State from ridiculous affordable housing court mandates (which may result in over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ) by supporting A-4666 and A-4667 to stop the Court actions and study the issue while we still can. If you don’t see your town below ask your elected officials why they aren’t fighting for your community.

Here is a current list of towns that have passed resolutions in support of my legislation to provide relief to our communities in the fight against the threat of over 1.5 MILLION new units of housing in NJ. If you don’t see your town on here ASK WHY. Many of our NJ residents are unaware that their communities will be forced to DOUBLE their housing population in just the next 9 years, destroying all existing housing prices.

Closter
Demarest
Dumont
Emerson
Franklin Lakes
Harrington Park
Haworth
Hillsdale
Mahwah
Montvale
Norwood
Old Tappan
Park Ridge
River Vale
Upper Saddle River
Westwood
Woodcliff Lake
Bloomingdale
Wanaque
Wayne
Saddle Brook
Fair Lawn
Oradell
Rochelle Park
Hackensack
Lincoln Park

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RIDGEWOOD DOCTOR JAMES COWAN ARRESTED FOR DRUG DISTRIBUTION

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March 1, 2017

the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrest of JAMES R. COWAN (DOB: 3/19/1944; widower; and formerly employed as a medical doctor) of 572 West Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, New Jersey for charges related to the distribution of controlled dangerous substances. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert ANZILOTTI, the Dumont Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael J. CONNER, the Ridgewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Jacqueline LUTHCKE, and the State of New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners under the direction of Attorney General Christopher S. PORRINO.

During the month of February 2016, law enforcement personnel initiated an investigation into the medical practice of Dr. James R. COWAN, a licensed Medical Doctor specializing in Psychiatry, located in his home office at 572 West Saddle River Road, Ridgewood, New Jersey.

During this investigation, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, in an undercover capacity, visited the office of Dr. COWAN, posing as new patients. During these office visits, the undercover officers received prescriptions for medications from Dr. COWAN in exchange for cash payments. The undercover detectives were not physically evaluated by Dr. COWAN or anyone else at his office, but instead were issued prescriptions for Xanax and Adderall.

During the month of March 2016, Dr. COWAN became medically ill, and was hospitalized for several months. While he was in the hospital, the investigation revealed that another individual, who was not licensed to prescribe medicine, continued to see patients and issue prescriptions to patients on New Jersey prescription blanks that were pre-signed by Dr. COWAN.

During the month of April 2016, while Dr. COWAN was hospitalized, a court-authorized search warrant was executed at the residence / office of Dr. James COWAN. During the execution of the search warrant, items including New Jersey prescription blanks, patient files, computers, and Controlled Dangerous Substances were located and seized, and office personnel were found to be in possession of numerous files for patients that were scheduled to come to the office throughout the week. It was learned that Dr. COWAN reviewed these patient files from a rehabilitation facility where he was located at the time. He then caused prescriptions to be issued to patients he did not examine for, among other things, Tylenol w/ Codeine, Adderall, Xanax, and Subutex to these patients. Additionally, while present in the rehabilitation facility, Dr. COWAN pre-signed numerous New Jersey prescription blanks.

During the month of May 2016, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners suspended the medical license and Controlled Dangerous Substances registration for Dr. James R. COWAN.

On Wednesday, March 1, 2017, Dr. James COWAN turned himself over to members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. He was charged with one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Adderall, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Prescription Legend Drug, namely Azithromycin, in an Amount of at Least Five (5) but Fewer than One Hundred (100) Dosage Units, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10.5(3), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Tylenol w/ Codeine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; six counts of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Xanax, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; six counts of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Adderall, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Subutex, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(13), a third degree crime; and one count of Knowingly or Purposely Distributing a Controlled Dangerous Substance, namely Oxycodone, in an Aggregate Weight Exceeding One Ounce, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(4), a second degree crime.

After arrest processing, James COWAN was released pending a first appearance court date at Central Judicial Processing.

Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would also like to thank the Dumont Police Department, the Ridgewood Police Department, and the Division of Consumer Affairs & State Board of Medical Examiners for their assistance in this investigation.

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Bergen County will be Brooklyn

CBD high density housing

State Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, who attended the meeting, said she is preparing new legislation that would potentially help towns, especially densely populated communities like Dumont, address their affordable housing obligations.

“Every municipality in Bergen County is struggling, having no idea how to address it,” Schepisi said. “My biggest concern is, if they have their way, if we don’t stop this now, by 2026 Bergen County will be Brooklyn.”

https://www.northjersey.com/…/action-stayed-dumont…/97846622/

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National Organization Awards YWCA Bergen County Summer Camps Official Endorsement

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January 3,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County’s CEO Helen Archontou announced this week that YWCA Bergen County’s two summer camps, Camp Ma-Kee-Ya at Mahwah’s Darlington County Park and Camp Orinda in Dumont, have received American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation, the nationally recognized “gold standard,” in camp certification.

According to the ACA, “ACA Accreditation means that your child’s camp cares enough to undergo a thorough (up to 300 standards) review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at your child’s camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.”

“We are so proud of our staff and organization,” said Archontou. “It’s gratifying to us that the ACA recognizes our camps deliver a summer experience that brims with fun, adventure, and friendship and that our outstanding, attentive staff is devoted to assuring that every child feels welcome and engaged.” YWCA Bergen County is absolutely committed to providing affordable camp tuition and flexible enrollment options. “We know there really is no ‘one size fits all’ camp program,” Archontou added.

The ACA Accreditation is the YW’s latest high-level accolade. Earlier this year the National Inclusion Project selected YWCA Bergen County as partner in its Let’s All Play program to create an inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities can play, learn and laugh TOGETHER. Research shows overwhelming evidence that the National Inclusion Project’s model helps children with disabilities improve self-esteem, social skills and confidence, while those without disabilities improved their leadership, problem solving and empathy skills.

“This collaboration has brought important inclusivity training to our staff and has helped us enhance our excellent camp and before and after school care,” said Archontou. “We see 2017 as a year of unprecedented promise and opportunity in all of our school age programming.”

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YWCA Bergen County October Vacation Day Program Includes Fun Trips for Kids

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September 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is offering its Vacation Day program for children in grades K-6 on October 3rd and October 12th. Trips and activities include FunPlex, Aqua Adventures and Lentini Farms. Transportation is included. For complete details, please visitwww.ywcabergencounty.org/mSIqO.

The YWCA Vacation Day program provides full day care from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on designated school holidays. Based at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility, the program is supervised by the YWCA’s trained child care staff. The fee is $70 per child per day for families that are currently participating in YWCA Before or After School programs, and $90 for non-participating families. Advance registration is required. To register call 201-444-5600, ext. 352 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org for details and registration forms.

YWCA Before and After School Programs are offered at schools in seven Bergen County districts: Allendale, Cresskill, Dumont, Old Tappan, Oradell, Ridgewood, and Westwood. An after kindergarten program is available in Oradell. All programs are licensed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Children & Families.

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ACTING BERGEN PROSECUTOR GURBIR S. GREWAL ANNOUNCES THE ARRESTS OF 40 INDIVIDUALS AS A RESULT OF “OPERATION HELPING HAND”

Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S
September 1, 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the arrests of 40 people from August 28, 2016 through Thursday, September 1, 2016, as the result of “Operation Helping Hand” – an innovative and collaborative law enforcement and public health initiative targeting the heroin and opioid crisis in Bergen County.

Ridgewood had two residents Christopher J. O’Brien and Lyndsay A. Paul, both 32, who were charged with possession of heroin.
This investigation was the result of a multi-jurisdictional task force consisting of local and county agencies coordinated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Chief Robert ANZILOTTI. Assisting in this investigation were members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael SAUDINO. These detectives and officers formed the backbone of the multiagency task force. The municipal police agencies participating in this investigation were: Bergenfield Police Department; Cliffside Park Police Department; Dumont Police Department; Englewood Police Department; Elmwood Park Police Department; Fort Lee Police Department; Lyndhurst Police Department; Mahwah Police Department; New Milford Police Department; Saddle River Police Department; Tenafly Police Department; and Upper Saddle River Police Department. In addition, valuable assistance was provided by Bergen County officials, including Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco, III, and Bergen Regional Medical Center.In 2015, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Intel Unit and Narcotic Task Force analyzed overdose data as well as deployments of NARCAN, the overdose reversal drug, in
Bergen County. That analysis revealed the following with respect to 2015:
288 total reported overdoses, 231 of which were heroin/opioid-related;
87 overdose fatalities, 71 of which were heroin/opioid-related; and
187 NARCAN deployments by law enforcement officers, resulting in 170 lives saved.In 2015, the hardest hit municipalities were:
Garfield with 23 overdoses;
Lyndhurst with 20 overdoses;
Fort Lee with 15 overdoses;
Lodi with 15 overdoses; and
Cliffside Park with 14 overdoses.Similar analysis of available data for 2016 year-to-date, revealed the following:
202 reported overdoses, 158 of which were heroin/opioid overdoses; and 48 total overdose fatalities, 40 of which are believed heroin/opioid-related.

In an effort to address this issue in a novel way, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office collaborated with Bergen Regional Medical Center to set aside a number of 5-day detox beds for a one-week period for individuals arrested on drug charges, who were battling addiction. Thereafter, on August 28, 2016, members of the multiagency task force described above began enforcement actions in areas known for narcotics sales, namely heroin sales. As a result of those operations, the task force arrested the individuals reflected on the attached spreadsheet. In addition to arresting them, task force members presented the option of participating in a voluntary detox program at Bergen Regional Medical Center that was available to them. The detox program was not in lieu of criminal charges. Approximately 12 individuals have afforded themselves to the detox option, and task force officers then either transported or are presently in the process of transporting those individuals to Bergen Regional Medical Center to enter into the detox program.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Grewal states that the charges against the defendants identified on the attached spreadsheet are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and would also like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bergen County Executive and Bergen Regional Medical Center, as well as all the municipal departments that participated for their assistance with this initiative.

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YWCA Bergen County Summer Camp Registration Going on Now

ridgewood_summer_camp_theridgewoodblog
July 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County summer camps are accepting registrations for campers ages 5 through 14 on a week-to-week basis. Weekly sessions run from June 27 through August 26 at fun YW day camps: Camp Orinda in Dumont, NJ; Camp Ma-Kee-Ya in Darlington County Park in Mahwah, NJ and Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center in Leonia, NJ. Pre and post-camp care is offered and CIT programs for boys and girls ages 13 to 16 are available in select locations. Summer job opportunities are available for Lifeguards age 15 years and older and Camp Counselors age 18 years and older.
YWCA Camps Orinda and Ma-Kee-Ya offer American Red Cross Swim lessons, sports, arts and crafts, nature, and more, as well as special events such as the Camp Carnival, Talent Show, and Camp Olympics. Specialty programs include TGA Premier Junior Golf and Tennis.
YWCA Camp Soquili at the Bergen Equestrian Center combines professionally trained staff, experienced horses and a convenient location to create a unique summer experience. Campers will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of riding while developing their riding skills, learning horse health and care and spending time with friends.
Interested families can visit www.ywcabergencounty.org/programs/camps/equestrian-camp/or contact Mary Agnello at 201-444-5600, ext. 352. YWCA Bergen County is a proud partner of the National Inclusion Project.

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Interfaith “Stop Violence & Promote Peace” service June 29

Calvary United Methodist Church

Calvary United Methodist Church
185 W. Madison Avenue
Dumont, NJ  07628

JUNE 29:

STOP VIOLENCE & PROMOTE PEACE INTERFAITH SERVICE
Clergy Representing Diverse Faith Communities Lead Special Service and Call to Action

Members of the media are invited to attend this event, which will include interview and photo opportunities (no flash photography during the service).

WHO:            Calvary United Methodist Church and Interfaith clergy including:

Rev. Elaine Wing, Calvary UMC, Dumont; Peggy Niederer, President, Bergen County Council of Churches; Rev. David Wehrle, Leonia UMC; Rev. Susan Kerr, Old North Reformed Church, Dumont; Rev. Cyndy Stouffer, Pearl River UMC; Rabbi Paul Jacobson, Temple Avodat Shalom, River Edge; Alka Chandra, Hindu Community, Bergen County; Ercan Tozan, Executive Director, Peace Islands Institute (Hasbrouck Heights); Imam Mohammed Charaf, Elzahra Islamic Center (Midland Park) and Rev. Jongln Lee, Good Shepherd UMC, Bergenfield

Special music by Calvary UMC’s Praise Band and Choir; Lauren D’ Imperio and Nancy Quinn, vocalists; and Pianist Nathan Pezzotti, graduate of The Julliard School and Music Director at Calvary UMC.

WHAT:       Will officiate an interfaith service of music, prayer and readings with a strong call for action; Information will be available about mental health and gun control options and organizations. There will be an opportunity to sign posters which will be delivered to victims, first responders, medical staff, and others who assisted victims in Orlando, Fl.

WHERE:      Calvary UMC, 185 W. Madison Avenue, Dumont, NJ
Parking is in the rear of the building off Cooper Street and the sanctuary is wheelchair accessible.

WHEN:           Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 7:30 PM

WHY:            To gather persons of all faiths for a message of hope and to encourage greater awareness and action promoting peace and reducing violence and homicide through the use of handguns  and assault weapons.

SIGNIFICANCE:
In response to tragedies including the shootings in Orlando, Charleston, Newton, Aurora and other acts of gun violence which occur daily, the Stop Violence & Promote Peace service brings together Christians, Muslims, Jews, and Hindus to promote peace, unity and understanding in a time of fear and divisiveness in our nation.

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The Fairness Formula and the Impact on Ridgewood Property Taxes

Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi

June 26,2016

Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi

Residents of Ridgewood , for the past 4 years I’ve proposed an amendment to our State’s constitution to end the patently unfair school funding formula. Under a new school funding plan which follows my proposal, the average home in Ramsey would see a reduction in property taxes of $2,411 per year. Call your Mayor, Council and Board of Education. Tell them to support the Fairness Formula! We can’t afford not to.

Join The Movement

The Fairness Formula: Equal Funding for Every Child, Our Path to Lower Property Taxes

Join Governor Christie’s Fairness Formula solution to New Jersey’s two most pressing crises that are hurting all New Jerseyans: the failure of urban education and property taxes. The Governor’s monumental Fairness Formula will provide equal education funding for every pupil throughout the state, valuing every child equally.

75% of all New Jersey districts would get more state aid than they do today. The biggest driver of New Jersey’s nation-high property taxes is the ineffective and unfair state school funding formula. The Fairness Formula will not only be equal for students it may also provide hundreds or even thousands of dollars in annual property tax savings for New Jerseyans in most communities. Join the movement today to being your path to lower property taxes.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: It’s time for your voices to be heard. It’s time for the people to take back control of this issue and apply common sense to it. Sign up to join the movement and begin your path to lower property taxes.

https://www.nj.gov/governor/taxrelief/pages/join.shtml

For every resident of Bergen County, this is the MOST IMPORTANT issue that directly impacts your property taxes. Bergen County residents on average contribute the MOST money to the State of New Jersey and receive the least school aid in the State. Under the Governor’s proposal, the average school district in Bergen County would see an increase in school aid from the State of over 1000%. Every representative from Bergen County who cares about his or her residents needs to support this proposal. Real numbers of increased aid would be:

Municipality Current Aid New Aid under proposal:

Ridgewood $389.40    $6,110.60   1569%
Closter $400.24 $6,099.76
Demarest $429.61 $6,070.39
Dumont $3,427.95 $6,001.53
Emerson $432.69 $6,067.31
Hillsdale $711.89 $5,788.11
Mahwah $787.46 $5,712.54
Montvale $513.78 $5,986.22
Oakland $463.90 $6,036.10
Park Ridge $488.73 $6,011.27
Ramsey $468.22 $6,031.78
River Vale $405.18 $6,094.82
Westwood $635.27 $5,864.73
Woodcliff Lake $477.13 $6,022.87

https://www.nj.com/…/how_christies_school_aid_proposal_could…

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Congressman Scott Garrett Hosts Model Congress At Ridgewood High School

Congressman Scott Garrett Hosts Model Congress At Ridgewood High School
May 15,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, N.J., Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) hosted young legislators from 35 New Jersey high schools in Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties at the third annual Model Congress Saturday in Ridgewood.

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This years turnout was significantly larger than last year . Students were well informed and thoroughly debated the issues .There were clearly some future statesmen and women in the room .

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The Model Congress is an educational event for students where they will replicate a day in the life of a Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives. It gave an opportunity for naive idealism to met reality of negotiation and compromise. The Congressmen’s very able staff helped organized and run the event.

The Model Congress gives students a first-hand opportunity to learn how Congress works by allowing them to research legislation currently being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives, break into committees to further examine and debate the legislation, and finally bring the legislation to the House floor for a vote.

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Students were assigned to represent different states, but not specific political parties. They stated their day by picking committee chairs and amending and voting on bills . Local boy scouts were brought in keep time and enforce time limits .

This is a nonpartisan event. Each school in New Jersey’s Fifth District sent two students for the Model Congress, and awards will be given for best debater, best consensus builder, best speaker, best research, best counterargument, and leadership at the end of the event. The congressmen made his usual low keyed entrance and keep the focus on the students ,letting his staff run the show .

Students from the Following Schools attended the event:

Bergen:

Bergen County Academies
Bergen County Technical High School
Bergenfield High School
Dumont High School
Fair Lawn High School
Glen Rock High School
Hackensack High School
Indian Hills High School
Lodi High School
Mahwah High School
Midland Park High School
Northern Highlands High School
Northern Valley Regional-Demarest
Paramus High School
Park Ridge High School
Pascack Hills High School
Pascack Valley High School
Ramapo High School
Ramsey High School
Ridgewood High School
River Dell High School
St. Joseph Regional High School
Teaneck High School
Waldwick High School
Westwood Regional High School

Passaic:

Lakeland Regional High School
West Milford High School

Sussex:
High Point High School
Kittatinny Regional High School
Newton High School
Pope John XXIII High School
Vernon Township High School
Wallkill Valley Regional High School

Warren:

North Warren High School
Warren Hills High School

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Model Congress for high school students to be held in Ridgewood on Saturday

scott garrett model congress

May 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) will be hosting young legislators from 35 New Jersey high schools in Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren counties (full list below) at the third annual Model Congress this Saturday in Ridgewood. The Model Congress is an educational event for students where they will replicate a day in the life of a Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives. The event is open to all media, but please observe an embargo on this information until Saturday at 9am.

About:  The Model Congress gives students a first-hand opportunity to learn how Congress works by allowing them to research legislation currently being considered in the U.S. House of Representatives, break into committees to further examine and debate the legislation, and finally bring the legislation to the House floor for a vote. Students will be assigned to represent different states, but not specific political parties. This is a nonpartisan event. Each school in New Jersey’s Fifth District was invited to recommend two students for the Model Congress, and awards will be given for best debater, best consensus builder, best speaker, best research, best counterargument, and leadership at the end of the event.

Address:          Ridgewood High School

627 E. Ridgewood Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450

 

When:             Saturday, May 14
9am – 12:30pm

Students from the following schools will be participating (by county):

 Bergen:

Bergen County Academies

Bergen County Technical High School
Bergenfield High School
Dumont High School
Fair Lawn High School
Glen Rock High School
Hackensack High School
Indian Hills High School
Lodi High School
Mahwah High School
Midland Park High School
Northern Highlands High School
Northern Valley Regional-Demarest
Paramus High School
Park Ridge High School
Pascack Hills High School
Pascack Valley High School
Ramapo High School
Ramsey High School
Ridgewood High School
River Dell High School
St. Joseph Regional High School
Teaneck High School
Waldwick High School
Westwood Regional High School

Passaic:

Lakeland Regional High School
West Milford High School

Sussex:
High Point High School
Kittatinny Regional High School
Newton High School
Pope John XXIII High School
Vernon Township High School
Wallkill Valley Regional High School

Warren:

North Warren High School
Warren Hills High School

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YWCA Bergen County April Vacation Day Program Includes Fun Trips for Kids

ChevyChase_Vacation_
April 4,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is offering its Vacation Day program for children in grades K-6 on April 11th through 15th from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Trips and activities include Bowling, FunPlex, Jump On In, Planet 301 and Movies. Transportation and lunch is included. For complete details, please visit https://www.ywcabergencounty.org/programs/youth-services/vacation-day-program/.

The YWCA Vacation Day program provides full day care from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on designated school holidays. Based at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility, the program is supervised by the YWCA’s trained child care staff. The fee is $65 per child per day for families that are current YWCA members, and $85 for non-members. Advance registration is required by Tuesday, April 5, 2016.

Forms not received by deadline cannot be guaranteed and will be charged a late fee of $25. To register call Mary Agnello at 201-444-5600, ext. 352 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org for details and registration forms.

YWCA Before and After School Programs are offered at schools in seven Bergen County districts: Allendale, Cresskill, Dumont, Old Tappan, Oradell, Ridgewood, and Westwood. All programs are licensed by the State of New Jersey, Department of Children & Families.