“The Water Has Nowhere to Go”: Assemblyman Robert Auth & Mayor Mike Ghassali Challenge Trenton’s Overdevelopment Mandates
photo courtesy of Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Every time a heavy rain hits Northern New Jersey, local residents face the same frustrating reality: flooded roadways, backed-up drainage systems, and costly property damage.
photos courtesy of Borough of Montvale
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Following a tragic incident on Lexington Lane where two residents died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning, Montvale borough officials and fire leaders are issuing an urgent safety reminder to all homeowners and renters: inspect and test your carbon monoxide detectors immediately.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, A quiet New Jersey community is mourning following a tragic accident over the weekend. An elderly couple was found dead from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning inside their Bergen County home on Saturday night, July 11, officials confirmed.
Continue reading Tragic Accident: Elderly Couple Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Montvale Home
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, A controversial piece of legislation is quietly moving through Trenton, and local officials are sounding the alarm. Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has issued an urgent warning to New Jersey residents regarding Bill S1836, calling it the “scariest bill” he has ever seen due to its potential to completely bypass local zoning laws and dramatically increase housing density.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Get ready to turn your weekend plans up a notch. The Montvale Chamber of Commerce is officially launching its 14th Annual Street Fair, transforming Paragon Drive into a massive, open-air festival. Known as one of Bergen County’s most anticipated seasonal events, this year’s fair is packing the street with over 150 vendors, live entertainment stages, dedicated family zones, and two massive food courts.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, A quiet Saturday evening in Bergen County quickly turned into a high-stakes rescue operation after a severe multi-vehicle collision.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale, NJ — The race for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District has suddenly taken a highly controversial turn. Dr. Adam Hamawy, a prominent plastic surgeon currently leading the Democratic primary, is facing fierce condemnation from victims and survivors of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale, NJ — A major legal battle is brewing in Bergen County over the future of the historic 44-acre KPMG property. What was supposed to be a straightforward plan to meet New Jersey’s strict affordable housing mandates has now devolved into a high-stakes courtroom showdown over data centers, special tax breaks, and the local “overdevelopment madness.”
Continue reading Overdevelopment Madness? Inside Montvale’s High-Stakes KPMG Land Shakedown
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Montvale, New Jersey is facing a pivotal decision about its commercial real estate and local zoning future. To clear up growing community rumors, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has issued a definitive statement outlining the borough’s official stance on industrial tech development: AI data centers are not welcome in Montvale.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, New Jersey’s ongoing debate over affordable housing is heating up, and Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali is sounding the alarm on a piece of state legislation that he warns could radically change local neighborhoods.
The legislation in question is NJ Bill S1836, inspired by the national “Yes in God’s Backyard” (YIGBY) movement. While the movement traditionally aims to help religious and faith-based organizations convert underutilized land into housing for low-income families, Mayor Ghassali warns that New Jersey’s version opens a dangerous backdoor for high-density, for-profit overdevelopment.
Continue reading Montvale Mayor Warns NJ Bill S1836 Is a Loophole for 80% Luxury Overdevelopment
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, The white-picket-fence dream of the New Jersey suburbs is hitting a harsh reality: it’s becoming more expensive than New York City. As home prices skyrocket and political tensions over affordable housing reach a boiling point, many residents are asking: Where will the next generation live?
Continue reading Is the NJ Dream Dead? Why Your Kids Can’t Afford to Live in Their Own Hometown
file photo courtesy of Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
MONTVALE, NJ — A significant ruling has been issued in the ongoing legal battle regarding digital access and local government. On March 16, Judge O’Dwyer denied an application for an emergency temporary injunction that sought to immediately reinstate resident Howard Fredrics’ access to Mayor Mike Ghassali’s Facebook page.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, In a recent deep-dive analysis of New Jersey’s real estate landscape, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali raised a question that has every resident from Bergen County to Cape May talking: Who is Trenton really building for?
Data from 2020 to 2024 reveals a staggering disparity between the national housing trend and what is actually happening on the ground in the Garden State. While the rest of the country is finding ways to balance growth, New Jersey seems to be stuck in a “Luxury-Only” loop.
Continue reading Is New Jersey’s “Affordable” Policy Actually Working?
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, a grassroots rebellion is sweeping across New Jersey. What started as a personal outreach by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has exploded into a powerful coalition of 36 municipalities—crossing party lines and county borders—to challenge the state’s current affordable housing policies.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, In a major development for New Jersey municipalities fighting state-mandated development, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Alito has officially ordered the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to respond to an emergency application seeking to halt the upcoming March 15 housing deadline.
Continue reading Will the Supreme Court Halt NJ’s Massive Housing Mandate? Justice Alito Steps In
