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>Update: the fly on the wall

>The fly on the wall has learned that another village employee got into a bit of a tiff with another motorist and did some serious damage to themselves and the other car….

Rumors continue to fly that the story has been suppressed by higher powers and the county paper has dropped the ball, let’s see when the editor at large returns from her vacation will she be willing to put it on the line at the local level….

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>Garage Sale’s for Saturday July 29th

>Garage Sale at 54 Washington Place 8am to 2pm Saturday July 29,2006 ,Nikon Cool Pix Camera,Marrantz receiver 2215b,Gate Way Computer with Monitor and key board, glassware ,octagon wood coffee table , chairs ,binoculars, Movodo watch , an official Jetzen Jacket and much more …….NO EARLY BIRDS PLEASE

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>Sports Emergency?

>How could Mayor Pfund, Deputy Mayor Wiest, and Councilmen Harlow and Mancuso have possibly classified the need to complete a study of recreational fields as an emergency, and accordingly have voted yes to authorize a “Special Emergency Appropriation” in the amount of $42K to hire an external consultant for such a study? What is the big emergency? We’re talking about sports here. Do they really think the public is gullible enough to buy such an argument? A sports related emergency? How absurd!

Regardless of Village Attorney Matt Roger’s opinion, the legality of such an action based on existing NJ Municipal Funding Laws is clearly in question. In light of opposing comments voiced by a taxpayer at the ordinance’s Public Hearing, wouldn’t it have been more appropriate, and respectful of the taxpayer, to have requested a ruling from Trenton prior to the Mayor’s call for a vote? Oops, I forgot; they had an emergency at hand; no time for such a consultation. Excuse us.

Undoubtedly, one of the first official actions undertaken by Mayor Pfund’s recently reorganized Council was highly suspect, to say the least, in nature. Hopefully, their consultant’s report (which is hopefully made available for public review) will be worth every penny of the $42K in tax dollars Mayor Pfund personally signed off on.

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Events Around the Village….

>8/1 Bucky Pizzarelli
Sponsored by Daily Treat Restaurant and Ulrich, Inc.
Kasschau Shell will feature Bucky Pizzarelli, Jazz Guitarist, on Tuesday, August 1 at 8:30pm on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776

8/3 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by Village of Ridgewood
David Cedeno and his Orchestra will play salsa music at *8:30pm at the Kasschau Shell on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776

8/3-5 Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale

8/8 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by The Valley Hospital
The John Lesko Orchestra will perform swing music at 8:30pm on Veteran’s Field, behind the Library. Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy the music under the stars! Recorded message at 201/444-1776.

8/10 Kasschau Shell
Sponsored by Brogan Cadillac & Buick Inc., and Feeney Funeral Home
Andy Cooney and His Band will perform Irish music and more a the Kasschau Shell, Veteran’s Field, behind the Library at 8:30pm. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy this free music under the stars! For recorded information call 201/444-1776.

9/8 Fall Car Show
Chamber of Commerce Car Show from 6 to 9PM at Van Neste Square at E. Ridgewood Avenue. Call the Chamber for more details.

9/17 Fall Craft and Art Street Fair
Organized through a vendor by the Village of Ridgewood Recreation Department. Booths of crafts and food will be set up along E. Ridgewood Avenue from Noon to 5PM

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>Ridgewood’s own water …hummmm

>Ridgewood Water – Consumer Confidence ReportFederal regulations require that water utilities report specific information about the quality of the water they supply to their consumers and the general public. Ridgewood Water has published and mailed the report for 2006 to all of its customers. Copies of the report are also available at the public libraries and municipal buildings within the service area. To read the report, Click Here

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>Water Water Everywhere ? hummm here we go again…

>New Jersey90day
Stage II Water Restrictions Now in ForceDue to high temperatures and lack of sufficient rain, Ridgewood Water has imposed Stage 2 mandatory water restrictions. Irrigation of properties with odd-numbered addresses is allowed on odd-numbered dates, and irrigation of properties with even-numbered addresses is allowed on even-numbered dates. No irrigation of any kind is allowed on Mondays. Irrigation using a hand held hose is allowed on any day except Mondays.

Some would suggest there is a leaky pipe somewhere perhaps running near Linwood Ave. across the Ho Ho Kus brooke …well they say just another mess from Floyd…dont fool with mother nature..

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>lesson learned with the Village Hall fiasco

>Citing their desire to avoid the commonplace delays & cost overruns associated with municipal construction projects (lesson learned with the Village Hall fiasco, thankfully), Village Council members last night informally approved plans to have a private corporation build and operate the proposed downtown parking garage.

An as yet to be created municipally managed redevelopment agency would designate the area intended for garage construction, and take whatever steps are necessary to acquire needed property (hint: eminent domain). Following the assembly of all required parcels, the designated private corporation would build and operate the garage. Funding/leasing arrangements have not been finalized.

At this time, Village Council members want the garage constructed on the west side of Walnut Street, between Franklin and Ridgewood Avenues. Property said to be under consideration for “redevelopment” includes lots occupied by The Town Garage, Just Our Shoes, and a strip of land behind stores along the east side of Oak Street.

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>The Ridgewood Blog Speaks

>I ask, would it not be better for the Village Council along with the Chamber of Commerce to encourage and lobby merchants to move into town instead of spending all this time money and energy trying to prohibit and chase business out of town. The whole thing seems somewhat convoluted to me. Given the empty stores and the amount of merchants in town that never seem to be opened it would appear that Ridgewood would be a very good place to do business unless the Village Council continues to attempt to run other people business the way they renovated the Village Hall. I know this idea doesn’t cost very much and we won’t have to hire up a bunch of people but it would be a simple solution and would enhance the quality of the shopping in the Village.

readers speak out:

Despite overwhelming public condemnation of the “no banks” and “change of use” ordinances, Mayor David T. Pfund has continued to push for their adoption, in one form or another. Perhaps the Mayor’s persistence can be best explained by comments he made during a recent public hearing regarding the “change of use” ordinance.When asked if he ever had the opportunity to present before either Ridgewood’s Board of Adjustment or Planning Board, Mayor Pfund replied: “No; as a member of Council I am prohibited from doing so. However, I wish I could because I’d make a lot of money.”In actuality, the question posed to our Mayor was done so with the intent of determining whether he had ever presented to one of the aforementioned Boards as a property owner, not as the attorney for a property owner. But, his answer was extremely revealing.That is, Mr. Pfund is clearly aware of the convoluted and burdensome nature of building & zoning regulations in Ridgewood. Very few property owners go forth without hiring an attorney and/or professional planner. Clearly, attorneys and planners benefit the most from complex and arduous regulations.Now, what does Mayor Pfund do for a living? Oh, that’s right – he’s an attorney. Duh! Thus the explanation of why he continues to push for the adoption of “no banks” and “change of use” ordinances. Remember his line: “I could make a lot of money.” Perhaps he has friends who are either planners or attorneys and they all want to make a lot of money too?

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>Highlights from 7/12/06 Village Council Work Session:

>Council members gave tacit approval for an additional $150K in funds to turf Maple Park. Projected costs are now $710K. An additional $100K was requested by the Ridgewood Sports Council; i.e., capital required to complete this project could eventually exceed $800K. Costs for the turf at Maple Park were to be provided entirely by grants and Sports Council raised monies. However, only $110K of Sports Council funds are on deposit as of now; grant funds authorized to date total $100K. Thus, taxpayers are currently at risk for $500K, with the possibility of this number reaching $600K.

Only one bid was received to lease the top floor of Pease Library. Wells Associates, an architectural firm now based in Oradell, submitted a proposal to provide all professional services, labor, and materials necessary to restore the building in lieu of making rent payments for 10 years. That’s right, no rent for 10 years if they restore the building to its 1920’s condition. Council members agreed to consider the proposal.

Citing concerns over costs to erect fencing required for display purposes, the Council rejected a request made by the Ridgewood Cultural Council to conduct art exhibits at the Ridgewood train station on days when the Farmer’s Market is in operation.

The purchase of two new 8-cylinder police vehicles was approved. Three police vehicles will be retired, resulting in a drop of the Village’s overall fleet size by one.

Mayor David T. Pfund requested that revised versions of the recently defeated “Change of Use” and “No Downtown Financial Institutions” ordinances be drafted by Village Attorney Matthew S. Rogers and presented to Council members for discussion.

A bandstand/gazebo will be constructed on the Walnut Street side of Van Neste Park. It will be similar in appearance to one located near the train station in Westwood. Funding will be provided by private donations.

Costs to construct a comfort station/concession stand at Vets Field are now estimated to be in the ballpark (no pun intended) of $550K. Council members asked that the project be advertised for bid immediately. A portion of the $550K will be provided by private donations.

$42K was authorized for the development of a comprehensive “Parks & Recreation Master Plan.” A public hearing on this “Special Emergency Appropriation” will take place at the Council’s 7/19/06 public meeting.

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>Free Seminar July 11, Tuesday 6 – 8 pm

>ralph2.0
INVITATION :

Free Seminar July 11, Tuesday 6 – 8 pm

“Invest In New Jersey”

At the Renaissnance Plaza located in Flemington ,On Route 12 next to Liberty Square .>>off the Flemington Circle<<

Refreshments and Free Handouts!

Invited speakers from Capital Mortgage, James Foytlin Horwitz Associates (Ridgewood) and RE/MAX Signature Properties present strategies and other investment possibilities for home buyers, small business, retirees and other investors. Learn how today’s interest rates (cost of money), the marketplace trading of equities (stock market) and real estate (purchasing “real” property) together affect financial decisions when and how to invest.

FREE REGISTRATION:

https://www.hunterdoncountyhome.com/

call Kathleen Paige, Realtor 908 730-8282 ext 20.

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>Important Police Notice

>Ridgewood Police Department detectives were called out twice so far this
weekend to investigate burglaries in the Village’s Old Country Club area. A
burglary took place in the 300 block of Mountain Avenue on Saturday night,
and a resident returning Sunday to a home in the 100 block of Lincoln Avenue
on Sunday reported missing jewelry. An alarm was triggered at the Mountain
Avenue home, but the perpetrators escaped prior to the arrival of police
officers. A dog from the Bergen County Police Department was brought in to
search the area of Mountain Avenue, but no trace of the burglars was found.

If you have any information that might help lead to the capture of these burglars, please call Ridgewood Police Capitan of Detectives Keith Killion at 201-251-4535 immediately.

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>Time to Enlarge the School Board

>Note form the Editor :

The recent debate in the comment section has once again brought to center stage the large budget of the BOE and the small size of the school board .It was noted the Mr. Bombase and Ms Gilman were not present with the rest of the BOE members during the 4th of July parade and that the burdens of work and life make it very hard for board members to meet all there various duties. Let’s face it the Board members need the help and perhaps it is time to enlarge the size of the school board there by spreading out the work load. I think it would also be invaluable by adding new talent and different points of view. What do you think?

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>Like a Village Restaurant Let us know…

>The Ridgewood Blog wants to add restaurant reviews, so if you find a spot in the Village to your particular liking please feel free to mention it the us and we will run with it and see if your neighbors agree or disagree.

7/17/2006 Latour in Ridgewood was wonderful. The food was excellent, service was spectacular and the decor was very cute.Chef was very nice and came out and spoke to each customer