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Remember all that “Stimulus Money”…..

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Remember all that “Stimulus Money”…..

Are You Out There, Stimulus? It’s Me, The Taxpayer.
Nick Gillespie|Mar. 28, 2013 8:39 am

Columnist Ron Hart asks a question that’s answered by the cover story of the current issue of Reason (and perfectly summarized by the cover image of same): Where did all that sweet stimulus money go?

Of the money spent in swing state Wisconsin, 80 percent went to public sector unions – those with already locked-in jobs. In fact, right-to-work states got $266 less per person in stimulus money than heavily unionized states. Where Democrats had a vast majority of representatives, their states got $460 per person more.

More pointedly, Hart writes,

Remember when Obama got his trillion-odd dollars of “stimulus money” which he and the Democrats breathlessly said we needed for “shovel ready” jobs to re-build roads and infrastructure? Please e-mail me if anything of the sort got built in your town. Nothing got built in the cities where I spend time….

Peter Suderman’s article in the May issue – which you’d be reading right now if you subscribed for just $14.63 under our special Sequestration Offer – lays out exactly where stimulus spending went and why it didn’t work as advertised.

Yes, tens of millions of dollars literally went to install new toilets in parks Alaska, New Mexico, Washington state, and elsewhere. If only we could have flushed our way to recovery.

More important, Suderman writes (and this can’t be underscored enough), “The economy’s performance continues to be far worse than the White House’s worst-case projections for what might happen if there had been no stimulus at all.”

https://reason.com/blog/2013/03/28/are-you-out-there-stimulus-its-me-the-ta

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N.J. pays highest cost per mile for some of the country’s worst state roads, study finds

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file photo Boyd Loving

N.J. pays highest cost per mile for some of the country’s worst state roads, study finds

By Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 18, 2014 at 7:00 AM, updated September 18, 2014 at 6:05 PM

New Jersey spends by far the most money per mile on its state roads, even though they rank near the bottom in terms of their overall condition, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study by the California-based Reason Foundation concluded that New Jersey spends $2 million per mile to maintain and operate its state roads.

In terms of the cost-effectiveness of the state’s highway system, that is, the overall condtion of its roads as measured against the cost of maintaining and operating them, New Jersey ranked 48th in the nation, behind Hawaii and Alaska, according to the Reason’s 21st Annual Highway Report.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/study_ranks_new_jersey_roads_high_in_cost_low_in_performans.html

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Reader says I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point

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Reader says I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point

I’m relatively certain that it’s not within the Mayor’s power to advocate for amending the Master Plan at this point. Nor is it within the power of his 2 running mates Mrs. Hauck and Mr. Pucciarelli – both of whom seem to have already made up their minds on the subject.

How about these 2 developers apply for variances just like anyone else that wants to build anything in this town. You want to be a little lenient with them, fine. Just keep it within the scope of the existing Master Plan. There’s your compromise.

Don’t allow 3 people who think they know better than the rest of us make such permanent changes to our town.

A little history lesson. We owe this master plan craziness to former Mayor Pfund and his desire to help out Valley bypass everyone in its over-expansion plan. Had he not pushed the change that allowed the hospital and developers to push for amendments, we would not be in this morass. I believe that if the master plan had not been changed to allow these cases, then Valley would have instead asked for exemptions on a building-by-building basis. They would have had something built by now. Smaller, yes. But one new building is better than nothing and looking like a fool in the process. Greed is getting the best of all of them.

And for this fine effort, Pfund was appointed our municipal judge for life.

 The problem as i understand the ordinance that exists is that we will be dealing with this over and over again even if we approve one or all of these proposals. That is the great fear…that if any of these projects is approved it will open the floodgates for other projects…all using what i will call the brother/sister argument (you let her/him do it so why can’t i?). And given that this has became such a legalized process, no one can assure that won’t sue to try to push through their proposals. I agree that something needs to be done but not with potentially open-ended litigation risk.

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Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

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Complaints spur parking restrictions in Midland Park

SEPTEMBER 25, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LYNN BRUGGEMANN
CORRESPONDENT
MIDLAND PARK SUBURBAN NEWS

MIDLAND PARK — The Borough Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Sept. 25, on an ordinance that would restrict parking on Maltbie Avenue and Busteed Drive.

The ordinance, which was introduced Sept. 11 in response to residents’ complaints about parking by parents dropping off and picking up their children from Ridge Elementary School in Ridgewood, would prohibit parking between 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

The restrictions on Maltbie would apply to both sides of the road north of Franklin Avenue to Busteed Drive. Restricted parking on Busteed would be from the eastern and western curbs of Maltbie.

Maltbie begins at Godwin Avenue and continues north, crossing Franklin Avenue, which becomes West Ridgewood Avenue, before ending at Busteed. Ridge Elementary School is at 325 W. Ridgewood Ave.

“I am happy the council has taken action to resolve the issue and make it safer for residents and school children,” said Lorraine DeLuca of Franklin Avenue.

A resident for 30 years, DeLuca said she has seen an increase in traffic in the last five years.

“It has been unbearable to get in or out of my driveway,” said DeLuca. “I avoid West Ridgewood Avenue from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m. It is dangerous. “

Residents of Maltbie, many of whom live north of Franklin Avenue, attended the March 27 council meeting to share their experiences and frustrations with blocked driveways, illegal parking near stop signs and unsafe road conditions that had been occurring on a regular basis.

Resident Arthur “Skip” Marchetti brought the matter to the attention of Mayor Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan during a monthly “Coffee With the Mayor.”

“Maltbie Avenue is a danger zone,” Marchetti.

“I am concerned about our children and Ridgewood students,” Joan Skudera said. “Someone is going to get hurt.”

“There are no sidewalks and people have to walk in the road,” said James Canellas. “Children are running up and down the road.”

Resident Mark Schaefer said his biggest concern was parking too close to intersections.

“They are parking at the stop sign on all four corners,” Schaefer said. “This is a safety issue.”

Police Chief Michael Marra said signs would be installed to advise motorists of the parking restrictions and violators would be fined up to $100.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/complaints-spur-parking-restrictions-on-two-streets-1.1095531

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How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

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How to restore an iPhone after the botched iOS 8.0.1 update

A bug in Apple’s release of iOS 8.0.1 has broken iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. Here’s how you can fix them.

by Dan Graziano
and Zack Whittaker
September 24, 2014 11:41 AM PDT

Apple issued an update on Wednesday to fix various bugs in its iOS operating system. The iOS 8.0.1 update, however, appeared to do more harm than good for some users. Numerous iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus owners complained that they were no longer able to make calls, send texts, or use Touch ID after updating their devices.

Apple has since pulled the iOS 8.0.1 update from its servers. If you have already updated your device, here’s how you can downgrade it back to iOS 8.

By downloading the final build of iOS 8 as it was released as an IPSW file, you can restore your iPhone to the latest stable version. To begin downloading the IPSW file, head over to this site and select your device from the drop down menu. This is an official copy from Apple (check the URL to be sure) that we are being pointed to from a third-party site. We used this method to restore our own iPhone and can confirm it works. The download may take a few minutes depending on your Internet connection.

Once the file has been downloaded, connect your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus to your computer and open iTunes. Select under the backup options “this computer,” then hit “Back Up Now.” This takes a full snapshot of your contacts, email, apps, and settings, and stores it on your computer.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-restore-an-iphone-after-the-botched-ios-8-update/

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Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports

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Reporters say White House sometimes demands changes to press-pool reports
By Paul Farhi September 23 at 7:06 PM

White House press-pool reports are supposed to be the news media’s eyes and ears on the president, an independent chronicle of his public activities. They are written by reporters for other reporters, who incorporate them into news articles about President Obama almost every day.

Sometimes, however, the White House plays an unseen role in shaping the story.

Journalists who cover the White House say Obama’s press aides have demanded — and received — changes in press-pool reports before the reports have been disseminated to other journalists. They say the White House has used its unusual role as the distributor of the reports as leverage to steer coverage in a more favorable direction.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/reporters-say-white-house-sometimes-demands-changes-to-press-pool-reports/2014/09/23/e5e6fec8-42d9-11e4-9a15-137aa0153527_story.html

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Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

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Cho Hasn’t Moved Beyond Photo Ops

Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog

We’re already grappling with a selfie presidency, Save Jerseyans.

Why would we want another selfie congressman?

NJ-05 Challenger Roy Cho apparently hopes you’re willing to give it a try. He’s a committed liberal, no doubt about it, but I’ve also said that he’s a “false choice” because he either (1) stakes out positions to make himself seem more palatable – like backing Israel and demonstrating it with a visit – but his rhetoric won’t amount to anything given his party’s growing anti-Israel orientation, or (2) he goes radio silent altogether.

Even as our men and women head into harm’s way?

https://savejersey.com/2014/09/cho-garrett-isis-isil-russia-air-strikes/

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The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

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The PolitickerNJ Interview: Bell on Fox: ‘If you get Jamie Fox out of Democratic Party strategizing, that’s a service for the Republican Party’

Jeff Bell knows Jamie Fox. The Republican nominee for U.S. Senate met the new Department of Transportation (DOT) commissioner over a decade ago. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/82431/politickernj-interview-bell-fox-if-you-get-jamie-fox-out-democratic-party-strategizing-s-servi

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Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner

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Conservative lawmakers secretly plot to oust John Boehner
By Scott Wong – 09/24/14 06:00 AM EDT

For months, several clusters of conservative lawmakers have been secretly huddling inside and outside the Capitol, plotting to oust John Boehner from the Speaker’s office when House Republicans regroup after the November elections.

The strategy — for now — seems disorganized and fluid: Find a way to push the Speaker’s race to a second ballot, create turmoil in the conference, portray Boehner as highly vulnerable and offer up an alternative.

The behind-the-scenes effort is taking place as Team Boehner is projecting confidence he will coast to a third term as Speaker, pointing to his unrivaled fundraising prowess and ability to corral his rowdy caucus, for example, to keep the government open and provide arms to moderate Syrian rebels.

Boehner is “back on top,” The Wall Street Journal declared.

Yet behind all the chest-thumping, the picture is less rosy for the 64-year-old Ohio Republican.

A number of conservative lawmakers, both in interviews on the record and on background, described enormous frustration with Boehner and his top lieutenants for taking too safe a political route ahead of the 2014 elections.

“In tough times, it doesn’t mean you play timid, it means to play bold, and I don’t see that. And you know what? Time’s up,” Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who vowed to vote against Boehner, told The Hill in an interview. “I’m tired of the status quo of what’s going on in Washington, D.C. America’s tired, America’s angry and they’re scared, because they don’t have leaders in Washington, D.C.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) was more succinct: “I’ll give him every bit as much support as I did last time.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/218725-conservatives-plot-to-oust-the-speaker

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

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Community pitches in on Ridgewood schools planning

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 9:29 AM
BY JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Like excited learners, adults invited to the Board of Education’s (BOE) community planning session readily shared their hopes and dreams for the Ridgewood school district, collaborating with officials and administrators in a way that’s rarely possible at 49 Cottage Place.

The first task as part of the four-hour strategy session on Sept. 13 split the group of 50 or so individuals into smaller clusters to draw a representation of their goals for the schools.

Under the direction of former state school board members Cathie Sousa and Nancy Stern, of Sousa and Stern Educational Consultants LLC, the groups got to work literally coloring their vision of the future.

In the casual atmosphere, enhanced from the standard public BOE meetings by a cheese plate and other snacks, everyone had equal input alongside the school board members, principals and administrators, public safety officials, clergy persons, parents, and other community leaders.

“Some strategic planning processes can take months,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. “This really works.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/public-pitches-in-on-planning-1.1094194#sthash.nnNQjGzF.dpuf

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State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

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State senator Kevin O’Toole holding up renomination of Board of Public Utilities member

A state senator is holding up the renomination of a utility regulator in a political fight that echoes the one stalling judicial nominations and backlogging courts in Bergen County. Sen. Kevin O’Toole, R-Cedar Grove, is refusing to support – at least for the moment – another term for Joseph Fiordaliso on the state Board of Public Utilities. (Sheingold/The Bergen Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/state-senator-holding-up-renomination-of-board-of-public-utilities-member-1.1094559

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Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins

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Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Chevrolet Traverse vs. tree – tree wins
September 24,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:05 PM

Ridgewood NJ, The driver of a silver colored Chevrolet Traverse escaped injury after crashing her vehicle into a tree at the intersection of Frederick Street and North Pleasant Avenue in Ridgewood on Wednesday morning, 09/24.  The incident occurred shortly after 0915 hours.  Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS all responded to the scene.  The driver refused medical treatment.  Ridgewood Police Department Lieutenant William Amoruso indicated via phone that the driver reached down to retrieve a soft drink and lost control of her vehicle.  No summonses were issued in connection with the incident.

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Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

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Calming harps serenade at Valley Hospital

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Calming harps serenade at Valley Hospital

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 11:22 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

In the frenzied halls of The Valley Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), Janice Hogrefe might not seem to fit in, at first.

After all, her job is more typically associated with angels and rolling white clouds than the ED’s rushing white coats, anxiety-ridden faces, and beeping machinery. Hogrefe is a therapeutic harpist who strums a custom-made miniature harp through Valley’s hallways.

“It took a bit of getting used to, but now it’s part of the culture,” said ED Manager Chris Robertson, who was being serenaded by the harp during a recent workday. “You can have a crazy day in the ED and you hear the harp, and it’s a little bit soothing.”

The harpists are provided by Bedside Harp, a Pennsylvania-based business that Valley has worked with for 10 years.

Since 2004, harpists like Hogrefe (who jokes that her last name rhymes with “no grief”) have strolled the halls and different departments of The Valley Hospital at staggered times, soothing doctors and families as much as patients.

Bedside Harp works in other hospitals, too, including in Philadelphia, Hamilton, Rahway and Paterson. A contract costs about $30,000 a year, according to Bedside Harp founder Edie Elkan.

Four professionals play at Valley, including Elkan herself, plus Bedside Harp student-interns, like Hogrefe, a mastery level harpist.

By the accounts of Valley’s staff and patients, Bedside Harp has made a big difference at Valley, albeit one that can be hard to explain to someone who has never experienced live harp music before.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/calming-harps-serenade-at-valley-1.1094193#sthash.eTDSuiXI.dpuf

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West Milford police seeking two hikers who encountered group before fatal bear attack

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West Milford police seeking two hikers who encountered group before fatal bear attack

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 1:03 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 10:00 PM
BY JEFF GREEN AND MINJAE PARK
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

Police on Tuesday appealed to the public for help in identifying two hikers who were among the last people to have seen Darsh Patel alive on Sunday before he was mauled to death by a black bear in a West Milford nature preserve.As the authorities searched for clues about the 22-year-old Patel’s death, the first fatality by a bear in New Jersey in 150 years, a portrait of the Rutgers student began to emerge. Friends remembered him as a generous person as they prepared for his funeral, which a friend said is scheduled for today.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/west-milford-police-seeking-two-hikers-who-encountered-group-before-fatal-bear-attack-1.1094387#sthash.IvNcxYWx.dpuf

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Ridgewood police: Bus driver transporting child with autism arrested on warrant

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Ridgewood police: Bus driver transporting child with autism arrested on warrant

SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 5:25 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2014, 5:31 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The driver of a mini-van ferrying a child with autism to school was arrested on Monday on an outstanding warrant.

Hansel De Lo Santos, 25, of Clifton, was stopped by Ridgewood Police Monday morning after he allegedly failed to yield to a pedestrian.

De Lo Santos, the police would learn, has no license. He also had an active warrant out for his arrest, police said.

De Lo Santos was directed by police to drive the boy to the Mt. Carmel School as officers trailed him. They then arrested him in the school’s parking lot.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-police-bus-driver-transporting-child-with-autism-arrested-on-warrant-1.1094544#sthash.Ekma9ew2.dpuf