>After Security Lapses at Newark Airport, TSA Official in Charge Promoted to HQ Post Thursday, April 21, 2011 By Edwin Mora
More than 33 million passengers moved through Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in 2009.
(CNSNews.com) – The Transportation Security Administration appointed as a senior adviser at its D.C. headquarters an official who requested reassignment after quitting as federal security director of Newark Liberty International Airport, following a string of security lapses.
Barbara Powell, who served as TSA’s security director at the New Jersey airport since July 2007, has been promoted to the post of “senior adviser in the Office of Human Capital,” TSA said in a statement this week.
Before she left the Newark post, Powell was reportedly the subject of a blistering internal critique that found “inconsistent leadership” under her watch and “a work environment that is often fueled by fear of reprisal and retaliation.”
I’d like to see Bergen County Clerk Kathe Donovan, fix this issue in our County Parks…from today’s letters to the Editor:
April 9 was one of the first truly beautiful spring days of the year. My family, like many others that day, took advantage of the weather and headed to Ridgewood Duck Pond, ready to rejoice in nature and to try to put the miserable winter behind us.
As expected, the park was mobbed, and parking was at a premium. Since all the lots were full, cars were lined up along one side of the road on the grass. Since we didn’t see any signs (I have since returned and found none) and since even the spots on the grass were coveted, we grabbed one. We even passed a parked police officer as we walked our dog into the bike path. We didn’t realize at the time that he was waiting to pounce on all the unsuspecting people as he watched them leave their vehicles.
I find this setup despicable. It’s a very sad day when a family, many of which are suffering from financial hardships, can’t spend a day at their “free” county park (that their taxes support) without this kind of anguish.
Cell Tower: T-Mobile’s application is a complete disregard of the Village of Ridgewood’s (Village) Master Plan and zoning ordinances
On March 23, 2011, T-Mobile Communications presented its application to the Ridgewood Board of Adjustment (Board) for numerous and significant variances to construct a 120 foot cell phone tower on a lot zoned for residential use on the corner of Barnett Place and First Street. The enormous tower would be placed only 40 feet from the house of a fellow village resident and in the immediate vicinity of other residences. T-Mobile’s application is a complete disregard of the Village of Ridgewood’s (Village) Master Plan and zoning ordinances and the granting of such an application would set a dangerous precedent in our town as to the permissible use of residential lots. We urge the Board to stand-up to T-Mobile and deny this application.
The Board should not permit a Village property owner to completely modify the legally permissible use of his or her residential property simply because the owner would like to generate rental income from a wireless carrier. This is not a legally cognizable basis for the granting of such a variance and a slippery slope that will come back to bite Village residents if granted. If these towers are built they should be placed away from residential areas on Village owned property so that the Village can generate income from the wireless carriers. Indeed, in these economic conditions, the Village could utilize additional revenue sources.
In addition, this is not the only cell tower that the telecommunications carriers will try to construct in our Village. T-Mobile and other carriers will certainly seek out other locations in the Village, possibly on residential lots, which is why it is extraordinarily important for the Board to send a clear message to T-Mobile and other wireless carriers that the Village does not permit residential lots to be used for cell phone towers. In fact, we have learned that an application by Verizon to build a cell phone tower on another location within the Village was scheduled for late April but has now been rescheduled.
The Board is entrusted by Village residents with the duty to interpret and enforce the ordinances of the Village in accordance with the Master Plan so as to preserve the Village’s integrity, character and beauty. To fulfill its duty, it must be educated by independent experts as to the true merits of T-Mobile’s application. T-Mobile’s experts should be viewed by the Board with great apprehension and skepticism. T-Mobile retains the same experts over and over again who recite a script for each zoning Board they testify before. Indeed, Mr. Ben Shidfar, T-Mobile’s first expert witness, admitted that he has testified over 70 times on behalf of T-Mobile and approximately 90% of his business is derived from T-Mobile. We urge the Board to retain its own experts so as to ensure that the testimony of T-Mobile’s experts is independent, credible and valid.
The permissible use of residential lots is a very important issue in the Village that affects all Village residents. If T-Mobile is permitted to build this tower on a residential lot, T-Mobile or another wireless carrier will surely attempt to build on another lot close to your home in the near future. Show the Board you oppose such use of residential lots and attend the next Board meeting on May 24, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. We hope to see you there.
Eric and Christen Gross on behalf of concerned residents of Barnett Place, Mulberry Street and First Street.
>Gov. Christie’s legal team tells N.J. Supreme Court to keep hands off education dollars
Published: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 8:30 AM Updated: Thursday, April 21, 2011, 5:31 PM By Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — Back off.
That was the Christie administration’s message today to the state Supreme Court as New Jersey’s legendary battle over the state’s obligations to its poorest students was renewed in nearly two hours of arguments.
With former Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero leading the charge, the Christie administration basically told the state’s highest court it should step aside and let the other two branches of government handle school funding.
>Ridgewood to use grant funds to bolster pedestrian safety awareness Thursday, April 21, 2011 BY MICHAEL SEDON THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS Staff Writer display story on 1 page Page 1 2 >> Ridgewood’s $31,500 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant award will be used for “non-infrastructure” projects to bolster safety education and encourage activities while spreading safety awareness to the village’s youth.
In 2010, there were 20 reported crashes involving 23 pedestrians; 60 percent of these incidents happened while pedestrians were outside of marked crosswalks, and nine pedestrians hit were between the ages of 5 and 21, said Ridgewood Police Capt. Jacqueline Luthcke.
>Many parents may be appalled by the “condom field trip”
As a parent of two 14 year olds, I can tell you that the best approach to teaching them about sexuality is direct and honest discussion that begins at home, and is reinforced by their sex ed program at school.
It may not be comfortable for some, but it may mean everything in terms of fostering positive attitudes about their sexuality and self-esteem.
We are living at a time when teenagers are more mature and are becoming sexually active at a much earlier age. It’s a little late to try to determine where to place the blame and I seriously doubt that preaching abstinence is going to be very effective. Humans are sexual beings.
We talk about safe sex practices with our kids as often as they will listen. As parents, I can tell you it makes us cringe to think that at 14 years old they may be sexually active. Still, we have accept that this indeed may be a reality, if not now, at some point in the not so distant future. We can’t pretend otherwise simply because it makes us more comfortable.
To be blunt, kids have a low tolerance for bullshit. They don’t want to be confused by a lot of half truths or sugar coated explanations and quite frankly, that’s not going to help them to make intelligent decisions for themselves.
Many parents may be appalled by the “condom field trip”. It’s too graphic, too explicit, etc. But if your kids learned anything that might keep them healthy and safe, in the long run, being appalled may be a small price and you might be thankful for lessons learned.
>All parties seeking dismissal of charges in Graydon Pool lawsuit Friday, March 25, 2011 BY MICHAEL SEDON THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS STAFF WRITER
A web of litigation is still in Bergen County Superior Court relating to the 2008 drowning death of a 14-year-old boy at Graydon Pool.
“All the parties — Ridgewood, the Park family as third-party defendants and the Kim family as third-party defendants — have all filed motions to dismiss” all charges in the matter, said Neil S. Weiner, the Park family’s legal counsel. “A decision won’t be forthcoming until at least a couple of weeks, perhaps longer.”
Soo Hyeon Park, 14, drowned at Graydon Pool on July 15, 2008. The Park family was guests of the Kim family, who recently moved to Ridgewood at that time, and had joined Graydon Pool for the first year, according to the “factual and procedural history,” contained in court documents.
Initially, attorneys representing Park’s family filed an intent to sue, providing the village with notice that they intended to seek damages of up to $30 million. The boy’s family then filed a complaint in Bergen County Superior Court on Feb. 19, 2009, claiming the village was negligent in the drowning and sought judgment for “damages, punitive damages, interest, cost of suit and other such relief as the court deems proper,” according to the complaint.
It’s almost EASTER! This year give them what they really want
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>Montclair is reviewing a contract awarded to M. Disko Associates after an engineer who worked for the firm was charged with bid-rigging
Montclair reviews Edgemont Pond pact Thursday, March 24, 2011 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2011, 1:26 AM BY LINDA MOSS THE MONTCLAIR TIMES OF THE MONTCLAIR TIMES
Montclair is reviewing a contract, regarding Edgemont Pond improvements, after an engineer who worked for the firm the township retained was charged with bid-rigging in Union County.
Township Attorney Ira Karasick said that the municipality is reviewing a contract awarded to M. Disko Associates to do engineering work to prepare for $1 million in improvements to Edgemont Pond.
Last September the Township Council granted M. Disko Associates of Kenilworth, N.J., a $38,700 contract to provide engineering consulting services such as surveying, design, permit and construction inspection services, for the dredging and wall reconstruction of Edgemont Pond in Edgemont Memorial Park.
>Christie: We will challenge special master findings
Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday he will challenge the Special Master appellate court finding that his school funding formula was unconstitutional. (Staff, State Street Wire)
>Trim public worker benefits over 7 years, Sweeney urges
Senate President Stephen Sweeney outlined his take on what he calls the “public employee health benefits crisis” in New Jersey before the Courier-Post editorial board Wednesday. (Murray, Courier-Post)
>Christie says he’s confident about convincing N.J. Supreme Court the state can’t afford full aid for schools
Gov. Chris Christie said today he is confident his administration will be able to convince the state Supreme Court it doesn’t have the money to fully fund the state’s school-funding law. (Reitmeyer, The Star-Ledger)
Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney Wednesday said it was time to “seize the moment” and move toward regional public safety services. (Mast and Roh, The Courier-Post)\
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