>State cuts back aid to 225 municipalities
The state has cut a total of $100,000 in aid to 225 municipalities because some are operating inefficiently, a top state official said Wednesday. (Method, Courier-Post)
Category: Village of Ridgewood
>NJ Transit may turn to private operators
>NJ Transit may turn to private operators
In what some fear could lead to higher parking costs for commuters, NJ Transit is weighing a plan that could privatize parking at 81 of the cash-strapped agency’s sites — including the Hamilton, Princeton Junction and Trenton train stations. (Duffy, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2010/11/nj_transit_may_turn_to_private.html
>N.J. Supreme Court to decide whether effort to recall Sen. Menendez can proceed
>N.J. Supreme Court to decide whether effort to recall Sen. Menendez can proceed
New Jersey’s Supreme Court is expected to rule today on whether a citizens group has the right to try to recall U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez. (The Associated Press)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/nj_supreme_court_to_decide_whe.html
>TSA Police State
>EDITORIAL: Big Sister’s police state
TSA’s tyrannical tactics threaten American freedoms
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has crossed the line. As if subjecting millions of Americans to X-rated x-ray scans and public groping sessions weren’t bad enough, the agency now threatens $11,000 in fines against anyone refusing to submit to humiliation at the airport.
Oceanside, Calif., resident John Tyner found this out after he posted on YouTube a video of his degrading encounter with TSA screeners. Mr. Tyner’s catchy phrase, “If you touch my junk, I’ll have you arrested,” spread quickly, thanks to attention provided by the Drudge Report. TSA was not amused, and an official announced Monday that Mr. Tyner faces punishment for leaving the airport without submitting to the high-tech or low-tech molestation options.
The term is not used lightly. Under 18 U.S. Code Section 2244, ” ‘sexual contact’ means the intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh or buttocks of any person with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade.” It’s no coincidence that TSA initiated sexual-contact pat-downs after fliers began to refuse the pornographic scanners. There can be no question that when threats of civil punishment are used to ensure compliance, those encounters with the TSA lose their status as a voluntary transaction. It’s even more outrageous that these unnecessary searches are being conducted on children.
MORE:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/nov/16/big-sisters-police-state/
>Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses
>Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses
Low-tax states will gain seats, high-tax states will lose them
By: Barbara Hollingsworth
Local Opinion Editor
11/17/10 10:00 AM EST
Migration from high-tax states to states with lower taxes and less government spending will dramatically alter the composition of future Congresses, according to a study by Americans for Tax Reform
Eight states are projected to gain at least one congressional seat under reapportionment following the 2010 Census: Texas (four seats), Florida (two seats), Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah and Washington (one seat each). Their average top state personal income tax rate: 2.8 percent.
By contrast, New York and Ohio are likely to lose two seats each, while Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania will be down one apiece. The average top state personal income tax rate in these loser states: 6.05 percent.
The state and local tax burden is nearly a third lower in states with growing populations, ATR found. As a result, per capita government spending is also lower: $4,008 for states gaining congressional seats, $5,117 for states losing them.
And, as ATR notes, “in eight of ten losers, workers can be forced to join a union as a condition of employment. In 7 of the 8 gainers, workers are given a choice whether to join or contribute financially to a union
Read more at the Washington Examiner: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/low-tax-states-will-gain-seats-high-tax-states-will-lose-them-108681159.html#ixzz15aTdzCXY
>The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood : PINAR PRE-EMBARGO CUBAN CIGARS HAVE ARRIVED!
>
PINAR PRE-EMBARGO CUBAN CIGARS HAVE ARRIVED!
We have just received a shipment of these extremely rare pre-embargo cuban cigars.
Quantities are very limited.
The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood | 10 Chestnut Street | Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Phone: 201-447-2204 | Email: info@tobaccoshop.com
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00AM – 5:30PM and Thursday Night 6:30PM – 8:30PM
>Bank of the Cascades gets third extension
>Bank of the Cascades gets third extension
Published: July 21. 2010 4:00AM PST Bank of the Cascades once again received an extension from two investors who have offered to buy $65 million of stock if the bank raises an additional $85 million in other private investment, now by July 30.
The extension is the third since December, when Bank of the Cascades withdrew its public offering of $93 million in stock because of bad market conditions. Instead, the bank said in February it would raise the $85 million in private offerings by May 31, which was later extended to June 30 and July 15.
The bank first entered into a purchase agreement with the investors, a New York-based hedge fund and the company’s largest investor, in September 2009, according to a previous article in The Bulletin. If Bank of the Cascades raises the $85 million, the hedge fund, known as Two-Forty Associates LLC, agreed to invest $45 million. David Bolger agreed to add in $20 million, according to the article.
>N.J. Gov. Christie plans takeover of Atlantic City casino district, sale of Meadowlands Racetrack
>N.J. Gov. Christie plans takeover of Atlantic City casino district, sale of Meadowlands Racetrack
Gov. Chris Christie will announce plans for an unprecedented overhaul of New Jersey’s troubled gaming industry Wednesday — including a complete takeover of the Atlantic City casino and entertainment district, and the sell-off or shutdown of the struggling Meadowlands Racetrack. The Atlantic City takeover removes virtually all local control from the gaming district, from police protection to garbage pickup. (Margolin/Sherman, The Star Ledger)
>New Jersey Governor Chris Christie won’t raise taxes to close a $10.5 billion deficit next year
>Christie Won’t Raise New Jersey Taxes to Fill $10.5 Billion Budget Gap
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie won’t raise taxes to close a $10.5 billion deficit next year, a gap almost matching the record hole he and lawmakers filled in the current $29.4 billion budget, his spokesman said. The fiscal 2012 deficit estimate by David Rosen, chief budget officer for the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services, is based on using existing revenue sources to fund all state programs and obligations. Christie, a Republican who took office in January, cut services and spending to close a $10.7 billion gap in this year’s plan without raising taxes. (Dopp, Bloomberg)
>Fair Question: Is Rep.Steve Rothman (D) a Socialist ?
>
A fair question was asked during last week’s Englewood meeting with Rep.Steve Rothman’s (D): since Rep.Steve Rothman’s (D) own Congressional voting record is as far-left as that of Vermont’s self identified “socialist” Bernie Sanders, does Rothman also consider himself a card-carrying socialist?
Enquiring minds want to know ?
>Advocates of tax and public salaries reforms will shed few tears over Gov. Chris Christie’s recent proposal to cap school superintendents’ salaries.
>Super Salaries
Advocates of tax and public salaries reforms will shed few tears over Gov. Chris Christie’s recent proposal to cap school superintendents’ salaries. Many have broken the $200,000 mark and an elite few have salaries approaching $300,000. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/back_room/super-salaries
>Shop Ridgewood : Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Rewards Card
>Your questions about the Chamber Rewards Card, answered!
-How can I get a card?
Visit us at 27 Chestnut Street or ask any participating vendors for a card. If you would like the card mailed to you, please contact the Chamber Office at 201-445-2600 or info@ridgewoodchamber.com.
-Does it cost anything to get a card?
No. The Chamber Rewards Card is absolutely free!
-Do I have to be a Ridgewood resident to receive a card?
No. The Rewards Card is offered at no cost to anyone who would like one.
-How do I use my card?
Simply present the card to participating vendors to receive your discount or free offer!
-Must I have the card on me when I visit participating businesses?
Yes. You must present the card at the time of purchase; otherwise, the offered promotion is not valid.
-What are the benefits of the card?
Each participating business offers their own unique and exciting deal! Get the reward you deserve for shopping and dining locally.
-What businesses participate in the card?
Look for a “Rewards Card Accepter Here!” poster in the windows or doors of participating businesses throughout town. All of these businesses are current Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce members. If you would like a complete list, click on the link below:
https://experienceridgewood.com/directory/rewards-card-offers.php
>Apollo 11 : the "Eagle" has landed
>
On July 20, 1969, the human race accomplished its single greatest technological achievement of all time when a human first set foot on another celestial body.
https://history.nasa.gov/ap11ann/introduction.htm
Six hours after landing at 4:17 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (with less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining), Neil A. Armstrong took the “Small Step” into our greater future when he stepped off the Lunar Module, named “Eagle,” onto the surface of the Moon, from which he could look up and see Earth in the heavens as no one had done before him.
He was shortly joined by “Buzz” Aldrin, and the two astronauts spent 21 hours on the lunar surface and returned 46 pounds of lunar rocks. After their historic walks on the Moon, they successfully docked with the Command Module “Columbia,” in which Michael Collins was patiently orbiting the cold but no longer lifeless Moon.
https://history.nasa.gov/ap11ann/introduction.htm
>Adds New Meaning to the term, "Rent a Cop"
>Cities Rent Police, Janitors to Save Cash
By TAMARA AUDI
Faced with a $118 million budget deficit, the city of San Jose, Calif., recently decided it could no longer afford its own janitors. So the city’s budget called for dropping its custodial staff and hiring outside contractors to clean its city hall and airport, saving about $4 million.
To keep all its swimming pools open and staffed, the city is replacing some city workers with contractors.
“These are cases where the question is being asked, ‘Is this a core service at the city level?’ ” said Michelle McGurk, senior policy adviser to the San Jose mayor.
After years of whittling staff and cutting back on services, towns and cities are now outsourcing some of the most basic functions of local government, from policing to trash collection. Services that cities can no longer afford to provide are being contracted to private vendors, counties or even neighboring towns.
see the rest of the story in today’s https://www.wsj.com/
>Mike Bloomberg hits an all time new low with his cowardice endorsing plans to build a new Mosque 2 blocks from ground zero .
>
Mike Bloomberg hits an all time new low with his cowardice endorsing plans to build a new Mosque 2 blocks from ground zero .
So I think we all need a simple reminder what happened on 9/11 .Let’s face it to build a Mosque 2 blocks from ground zero is purely provocative and for no other reason.
And no amount of calling everyone else a racist can justify your cowardice !
PJ Blogger and the staff of the Ridgewood blog
