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Posted on August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Ridgewood traffic expert says with any usage, upgrades are needed

Ridgewood traffic expert says with any usage, upgrades are needed

AUGUST 8, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 8, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Village traffic consultant John Jahr told the Planning Board on Tuesday that high-density residential housing would bring less additional traffic to the Central Business District (CBD) than most currently allowable commercial uses — including supermarkets, medical offices and retail stores — would if they were developed.

Jahr also emphasized that whether or not the master plan is amended, current traffic woes, including more than 30-year-old traffic lights and several stressful intersection “pressure points,” need to be addressed along with any future development.

“You already know you have to stay on top of this stuff,” Jahr said. “Very simply, depending on the land use, depending on how you make the changes here to the CBD, it appears to me that multifamily housing … would be a lesser traffic generator.”

If the housing developers’ projects were approved, Jahr said, they would have to contribute to CBD improvements, because “we can’t continue to maintain fixing things after other people come in and break them.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/traffic-expert-says-with-any-usage-upgrades-are-needed-1.1064470#sthash.smxTqYhV.dpuf

Posted on August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Ridgewood planner explains details of controversial ordinance

Ridgewood planner explains details of controversial ordinance

AUGUST 7, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014, 2:39 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

One Ridgewood ordinance – 3066 – has become known by many Ridgewood residents as the reason the village proceeded with Planning Board hearings on multiple controversial applications for master plan amendments at once this past year.

However, the reason may actually be village management more so than the ordinance, according to Village Planner Blais Brancheau.

Brancheau, who wrote the ordinance more than seven years ago, explained its history at Wednesday’s Village Council meeting.

The ordinance, which was adopted in July 2007, did not force the recent Planning Board hearings. State law implies that applicants are allowed to petition municipal governments for master plan amendments, he said, but boards do not have to go through a formal hearing.

“Nowhere does Ordinance 3066 commit either the Planning Board or this board to go to a hearing,” Brancheau told the council. “You would only go to a hearing if you’re done doing preliminary analysis, to say, ‘We think this has some merit.’ …We shouldn’t go to hearings unless we have that feeling.

“You don’t go to a hearing on a strip mall in the residential zone until you feel it has merit,” he continued. “There has to be an overwhelming, a compelling reason, a strong sense that this is something that can be good for the community as a whole.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-planner-explains-details-of-controversial-ordinance-1.1064179#sthash.Jr5frZUu.dpuf

Posted on August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 by James — 4 Comments

Issa: More Than 20 Obama Officials ‘Lost or Destroyed’ E-mails After House Launched Probes

Issa: More Than 20 Obama Officials ‘Lost or Destroyed’ E-mails After House Launched Probes
By Joel Gehrke
August 7, 2014 5:27 PM

The revelation that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Marilynn Tavenner did not retain her e-mails means that more than 20 witness in the Obama administration to lose or delete e-mails without notifying Congress, according to the top House investigator.

“The Obama administration has lost or destroyed e-mails for more than 20 witnesses, and in each case, the loss wasn’t disclosed to the National Archives or Congress for months or years, in violation of federal law,” House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) said ofTavenner’s lost e-mails.

“It defies logic that so many senior Administration officials were found to have ignored federal recordkeeping requirements only after Congress asked to see their e-mails,” he continued. “Just this week, my staff followed up with HHS, who has failed to comply with a subpoena from ten months ago. Even at that point, the administration did not inform us that there was a problem with Ms. Tavenner’s e-mail history. Yet again, we discover that this administration will not be forthright with the American people unless cornered.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/384906/issa-more-20-obama-officials-lost-or-destroyed-e-mails-after-house-launched-probes

Posted on August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

Fed survey: 40% of households show signs of financial stress

Fed survey: 40% of households show signs of financial stress

Four out of 10 American households were straining financially five years after the Great Recession — many struggling with tight credit, education debt and retirement issues, according to a new Federal Reserve survey of consumers.

The Fed study shows that the economy has made progress to the point where a majority of U.S. households said they were “living comfortably” or doing OK financially.

But almost 40% reported that their families were “just getting by” or struggling to do so. And more people reported that their financial situation was worse rather than better off compared to five years earlier. The survey was taken in September 2013.

Overall, the Fed’s findings, reported Thursday, are consistent with many other studies and data depicting the deep and lingering effects of the 2007-09 recession. The recovery has been slow and uneven, skewed toward the wealthy.

“It just shows that the recovery is not delivering for a huge chunk of Americans,” said Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the liberal-leaning Economic Policy Institute.

Because the Fed report captured a snapshot of households last fall, no comparable data from previous years was available to assess changes over time. The central bank conducts a far more extensive survey of consumer finances every three years, but the results of the most recent one, for 2013, won’t be released until early next year.

https://www.latimes.com/business/jobs/la-fi-financial-stress-20140807-story.html

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

IRS Abolishes Mandatory Expiration Dates For Illegal Immigrants’ Taxpayer Status

IRS Abolishes Mandatory Expiration Dates For Illegal Immigrants’ Taxpayer Status

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) quietly changed regulations to allow more undocumented immigrants to keep their taxpayer status through a program that is rife with fraud and abuse, and to delay deactivation of immigrant taxpayer status until 2016.

The IRS now prevents peoples’ Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from automatically expiring after five years as previously mandated. Now immigrants can keep their ITIN so long as they pay taxes at least once in a five-year period.

The ITIN program is primarily used by undocumented workers to follow the law and file income taxes in the United States. Reports came out during the IRS scandal linking ITIN fraud to billions in lost taxpayer dollars. The IRS was forced to reform the ITIN program at the start of 2013 – but this new regulation undoes that reform.

Posted on August 7, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 18 Comments

New Jersey Cop: “Obama has decimated the freak’in Constitution, … so we don’t have to follow the Constitution.”

New Jersey Cop: “Obama has decimated the freak’in Constitution, … so we don’t have to follow the Constitution.”

A shocking video shows a New Jersey cop responding to a complaint about corruption by asserting that law enforcement officers no longer need to follow the Constitution because it has already been decimated by President Obama.

Seeking to file a complaint about the Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter, Steve Wronko visited the Helmetta Police Department to air his grievances about the shelter falling prey to nepotism and corruption as a result of Helmetta Mayor Nancy Martin appointing her son Brandon Metz to head up the facility.

“I’ve made objections about what’s going on at the shelter over there,” Wronko tells the police officer, adding, “My first and fourth amendment rights were violated, my civil rights were violated.”

“Obama just decimated the freakin’ Constitution, so I don’t give a damn. If he doesn’t follow the Constitution, we don’t have to,” responds the cop, brazenly violating the oath he swore to uphold the Constitution.

The comment is self-evidently shocking, but it also provides an insight as to how corruption from the very top reaches all the way down to the bottom, providing law enforcement with a twisted form of justification for their unconstitutional activities.

At the end of the video, other police officers arrive to kick Wronko out of the building, with the cop who doesn’t give a “damn” about constitutional rights stating, “Either you get out or you’re gonna get locked up.”

“Maybe this instance, captured on film for the whole world to see, will serve as a wake up call to those who may still be asleep,” writes Matt Agorist. “Please share this so that it can help others to see the leviathan for what it is, a gang of thieves writ large.”

The only question that remains is if police officers feel they no longer need to follow the Constitution, should Americans be expected to obey the law?

Video link here:

https://www.infowars.com/cop-if-obama-doesnt-follow-the-constitution-we-dont-have-to/

Posted on August 7, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Former Professor Highlights a Little-Reported Fact About Gaza and 3 Moral Questions It Raises

Former Professor Highlights a Little-Reported Fact About Gaza and 3 Moral Questions It Raises
By Michael Hausam 16 hours ago

In an article yesterday, former Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz made a point about the ongoing Hamas attacks on Israel that is rarely covered in the media.

Despite the often-heard statement that the Gaza Strip is “densely populated” – a point repeatedly used to explain why Hamas fires rockets from busy civilian areas – the reality is that there are indeed parts of Gaza that are thinly populated. Take a look at this map:

The three moral questions that Dershowitz poses based upon this fact:

“Why don’t the media show the relatively open areas of the Gaza Strip?” He then poses a couple of answers. Firstly, it would reveal that Hamas could befiring rockets and building tunnels in these areas but has chosen not to. Or that Hamas won’t let the media access those areas. In either case, it would be something worth reporting.

“Why doesn’t Hamas use sparsely populated areas from which to launch its rockets and build its tunnels?” The answer here is crystal clear: Palestinian civilian casualties would decrease dramatically but the death of terrorist would do the opposite. Hamas uses civilians as shields – which their own battle manual mandates, completely the opposite of Israel. Simply put, this is a war crime and Hamas is therefore responsible for its own civilian deaths.

“Why does the United Nations try to shelter Palestinian civilians right in the middle of the areas from which Hamas is firing?” Why not use the sparsely populated areas for refuge? The result of this would be to deny Hamas the ability to use civilians as shields and lead to a dramatic reduction in the deaths of civilians. By not doing so, the UN supports precisely what Hamas intends: to force Israel to attack areas where UN-protected civilians are.

https://www.ijreview.com/2014/08/165097-alan-dershowitz-highlights-little-reported-fact-gaza-moral-questions-raises/

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Think the Supreme Court protected your cellphone from warrantless searches? Think again.

Think the Supreme Court protected your cellphone from warrantless searches? Think again.

By Brian Fung July 30

It was supposed to be a simple day trip to Niagara Falls. Little did he know the visit might land him in prison for the next 100 years.

Ali Saboonchi was returning from the Canadian side of the falls with his wife in 2012 when he was detained by customs agents at the U.S. border. The agents eventually let the Maryland man go, but not before seizing his electronic devices: an iPhone, an Android phone and a USB flash drive.

At a special facility in Baltimore nearly 400 miles away, officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement made a copy of the drives and performed what a judge later called an invasive forensic search using “specialized software.”

In the devices’ storage was what U.S. officials say is evidence of a plot to violate U.S.-Iranian trade restrictions, according to federal court documents. Now Saboonchi, who was allegedly involved in the plot, faces four counts of illegal export and one count of conspiracy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/07/30/think-the-supreme-court-protected-your-cellphone-from-warrantless-searches-think-again/

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days

Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days

Thu, August 07, 2014 – Sat, August 09, 2014

Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Central Business District, Ridgewood NJ

Mark your calendar!
Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. August 7, 8, and 9th.

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Memoire Guest Loyalty Program

Memoire Guest Loyalty Program

Memoire Guest Loyalty Program was launched in June & offers our guests dining points & rewards each & every time they dine with us. I hope you’ll sign-up the next time you dine with us.

Memoire, recently hired a fantastic Sous Chef named Carlos Hernandez. He comes to us with a great deal of experience in world cuisine and has already begun to make a positive impact with our menu.

Kids Eat Free*
12 And Under
must order from kids menu; one free entree; one free dessert

We know you’re busy and finding time to cook isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer “Kids Night” where kids eat free, every Sunday, from 5:00 -9:00 p.m.
“I have two young children, Ashley and Ethan, who I love very dearly. Children have a special place in my heart and I believe families should be able to go out and have a family meal together at a great restaurant. That’s why our restaurant is kid friendly.

Our Maitre d’, Frank, has a daughter of his own and is great with young kids. He often takes kids on a tour of the restaurant and encourages them to color pictures to display on our walls.

We offer a great children’s menu and although children are welcome on any night of the week, we believe in Sunday family dinners, which is why we offer a free entree & dessert to children under 12 on Sundays.

So come join us any night of the week and allow us to create a memorable dining experience for the whole family.”
– Tom Finnelli, Owner & Executive Che

16 Chestnut St
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Get Directions
Phone number(201) 857-8899

Posted on August 7, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

New Jersey school board reduces weight of test scores on teacher evaluations

New Jersey school board reduces weight of test scores on teacher evaluations

AUGUST 6, 2014, 7:40 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2014, 7:40 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The state Board of Education has taken steps to reduce the use of student test scores to judge teachers, weeks after Gov. Christie announced a compromise with educators outlining changes to teacher evaluations.

The board’s proposal came after lawmakers and educators argued it was unfair to use student scores because the online tests were based on new standards and schools needed time to adjust. The plan still must get final approval after a public comment period, but districts have been instructed to use the new evaluation system, officials said.

Under the new system, the impact of scores of the new standards-based tests will drop from 30 to 10 percent for math and reading teachers who give them.

Another 20 percent of evaluations will be based on “student growth objectives” — academic goals set by teachers with input from supervisors to measure their effectiveness. They can be based on a combination of measures, including final exams, advanced placement tests, and student projects and portfolios.

The weight of those measures was raised from 15 percent, but the board also made it easier for teachers to appeal those scores

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-jersey-school-board-reduces-weight-of-test-scores-on-teacher-evaluations-1.1063264#sthash.2ek5tpoB.dpuf

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

KILWINS GRAND OPENING-Saturday, August 9th

KILWINS GRAND OPENING-Saturday, August 9th

Join the celebration of Kilwins Grand Opening of Kilwins Chocolate, Fudge and Ice Cream Shop located across from Memorial Park at Van Neste Square,
121 E. Ridgewood Ave.,
Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
201-445-4837

Try the world’s best Mackinac Island fudge, original recipe ice cream lots of fresh caramel and chocolate treats and caramel
apples…”Sweet in every Sense since 1947.

Bring the kids and meet…KILWIN the MO– USE.
Philip and Mary Davis and the entire Kilwins
Ridgewood team.

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Schools Back to School Information

Ridgewood Schools Back to School Information

BACK-TO-SCHOOL INFO: Parents and guardians will be receiving a detailed letter on or about August 11 about updating emergency contact information, reviewing various district policies and granting certain permissions. This Mandatory Annual Online Re-registration process takes place through Skyward Family Access between August 11 and September 12

August 5, 2014 –In preparation for the start of the 2014-2015 school year, all parents and guardians of students in the Ridgewood Public Schools must complete the Mandatory Annual Online Re-registration process through Skyward Family Access between August 11 and September 12.

New this year is a section on the 1:1 Chromebook initiative, in which parents and guardians of high school students will be required to review the new Chromebook policy and procedures, complete the agreement form and fund the annual insurance fees.

Re-registration also involves updating emergency contact information; completing the All-Media Permission Form; reviewing district policies and codes; authorizing food service accounts and administration of over-the-counter medications; and applying for the optional NJ FamilyCare insurance program.

Detailed instructions on Mandatory Annual Online Re-registration will be mailed to homes on or about August 11. To re-register, parents and guardians should go to the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us, choose Skyward Family Access under the Parents tab, log in with their username and password and select Mandatory Annual Online Re-

Registration under Home. Anyone who has forgotten their login and/or password information may request a password reset by selecting the Forgot Login/Password link on the log-on page. Further assistance may be requested by sending an email to [email protected].

Posted on August 7, 2014August 7, 2014 by James — 9 Comments

Consultant expects increased traffic in Ridgewood

Consultant expects increased traffic in Ridgewood

AUGUST 7, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Print

RIDGEWOOD — Traffic in the village will likely increase with the development of three multifamily housing projects downtown, the Planning Board’s traffic expert testified this week.

Jahr testified at the Planning Board’s meeting Tuesday night that zoning regulations permit a myriad of commercial uses at the three properties being eyed by developers for high-density housing.

Jahr’s findings align with those presented previously by the developers’ traffic experts.

Jahr’s analysis on Tuesday will play into the board’s consideration of a master plan amendment that would potentially permit such developments in Ridgewood.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/expert-expects-ridgewood-traffic-to-rise-1.1063975#sthash.rnQfslnj.dpuf

Posted on August 7, 2014August 6, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

ROAD WORK, UTILITY EMERGENCY, ROAD CLOSURE OR CONSTRUCTION

ROAD WORK, UTILITY EMERGENCY, ROAD CLOSURE OR CONSTRUCTION

Below, please find the road details and permits, which could cause traffic delays, for today, August 6, 2014:

NJ Transit – West Glen Avenue Trestle Painting Project. NJ Transit anticipates the work will require alternating lanes of traffic (one lane closed to do the work). Each lane closure should take no more that 1 ½ weeks, for a total of 3 weeks of lane restrictions. Work will begin at 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday, though some Saturday work may be required to keep to the schedule.

Police officers will be used for traffic control.

PSE&G Energy Strong gas main work– Vesta Court/Meadowbrook (Crew 1) Starting at 7:30 am. (Ferriera Construction) This will be ongoing for many weeks.

PSE&G Energy Strong gas main work – and Rose Court (Crew 2) –

Cablevision starting at and meeting at the train station 8 am, corner of Franklin and North Broad.

PSE&G (Electric) East Ridgewood Ave/Duck Pond. Starting at 8 am

PSE&G (Gas) – 274 East Glen Avenue – 8 am – 3 pm. Two (2) police officers assigned.

Meter Closing:

Cottage Place – Meter Numbers: 198 and 199 (This is scheduled to go through August 15th).

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