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Posted on May 20, 2014May 20, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

He KNEW! Obama told of Veterans Affairs health care debacle as far back as 2008

He KNEW! Obama told of Veterans Affairs health care debacle as far back as 2008

The Obama administration received clear notice more than five years ago that VA medical facilities were reporting inaccurate waiting times and experiencing scheduling failures that threatened to deny veterans timely health care — problems that have turned into a growing scandal.

Veterans Affairs officials warned the Obama-Biden transition team in the weeks after the 2008 presidential election that the department shouldn’t trust the wait times that its facilities were reporting.

“This is not only a data integrity issue in which [Veterans Health Administration] reports unreliable performance data; it affects quality of care by delaying — and potentially denying — deserving veterans timely care,” the officials wrote.

The briefing materials, obtained by The Washington Times through the Freedom of Information Act, make clear that the problems existed well before Mr. Obama took office, dating back at least to the Bush administration. But the materials raise questions about what actions the department took since 2009 to remedy the problems.

In recent months, reports have surfaced about secret wait lists at facilities across the country and, in the case of a Phoenix VA facility, accusations that officials cooked the books to try to hide long wait times. Some families said veterans died while on a secret wait list at the Phoenix facility.

Read more: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/18/obama-warned-about-va-wait-time-problems-during-20/#ixzz32FCzso7K

Posted on May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

No links between autism and vaccinations: study

No links between autism and vaccinations: study
By News.com.au
May 19, 2014 | 6:40am

Whether to vaccinate children has sparked fiery debate among parents for decades.

Many parents feel immunization is unnatural, and there are fears about a link between vaccination and autism.

But a new report led by the University of Sydney appears to have settled that argument.

A review of available data from around the world has found that there is no link between vaccination and the development of autism or autism spectrum disorders.

The study examined seven sets of data involving more than 1.25 million children and concluded that there was no evidence to support a relationship between common vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough and the development of autism.

The paper’s senior author, Associate Professor Guy Eslick from the Sydney Medical School, said he was inspired to look into the issue after watching some documentaries on the medical debate.

https://nypost.com/2014/05/19/no-links-between-autism-and-vaccinations-study/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=NYPFacebook&utm_medium=SocialFlow

Posted on May 19, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Sounding like a Union Stoge New York State Education Commissioner Says Opposing Common Core Is Racist

Sounding like a Union Stoge New York State Education Commissioner Says Opposing Common Core Is Racist

Via Times Union:

On the 60th anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that led to school desegregation in the U.S., State Education Commissioner John King on Wednesday spoke about the struggles that minorities and low-income students still face in the nation’s educational system.

In his remarks at the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany, King said racial and socioeconomic disparities among students have an effect on academic achievement. He said only 15 percent of black and Latino high school graduates are ready for college-level work, while half of white students are sufficiently prepared. “Equality is central to our identities as Americans,” King said. “But for all its power as an idea, equality remains elusive for far too many people of color in New York and across the country.”

King cited a study by the Civil Rights Project at the University of California at Los Angeles that named New York as home to “the most segregated public schools in the country” -— racially and economically. He said while schools are no longer overtly segregated by race, district lines often divide children along racial or socioeconomic boundaries.

“We should not be able to point to neighborhoods in New York where one public school serves mostly poor students and achieves painfully discouraging results while another public school just a few blocks away serves mostly affluent students and puts them on the path to success,” he said.

King said Common Core educational standards are an attempt to close the achievement gap between minority and low-income students relative to their peers. He urged parents and educators to not back off from their commitment to Common Core.

“This is about taking responsibility for educating every single child no matter what his or her race, background or economic status,” the commissioner said. “By retreating from accountability and allowing children at risk to slip through the cracks, advocates of lower standards deny us the talents of all Americans.”

Posted on May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by James — 5 Comments

New Jersey bicyclists could get 3 foot buffer zone from cars

photos by Ridgewood PD

New Jersey bicyclists could get 3 foot buffer zone from cars
MAY 19, 2014

A bill attempting to make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists would require drivers to keep at least three feet between their car and a bike rider was moved out of its state Assembly committee on Thursday.

It was just one of three total bills released last week that attempt to address bicycle and pedestrian safety. Another would fine drivers $500 if they commit a road violation that causes an accident with a cyclist, and a third would require cars to slow down or move over when approaching a cyclist or pedestrian.

All three bills carry a maximum $500 fine.

These laws would be the first of their kind in New Jersey. Right now, drivers are required to be vigilant of cyclists and to observe basic motor vehicle rules, but New Jersey’s Title 39, which focuses most closely on cyclists, does not contain specific rules for drivers to follow when interacting them. These bills would provide these laws.

All three bills were moved out of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee on Thursday; Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto will next decide whether to bring them forward for a floor vote.

Assemblyman Christopher J. Brown (R-Burlington, Atlantic, Ocean), who sponsored the bill that would fine drivers for hitting a cyclist, said a constituent’s call moved him to push the law forward. The state’s congested roads, Brown said, were further impetus.

The laws are well intentioned, according to bicycle safety advocates. But they said they must be regarded as a first step.

“A three-foot (passing) rule is a good starting point,” said Trenton Cycling Revolution Chairman Dan Fatton, whose organization promotes bicycle safety and ridership in the New Jersey city. “It sounds like a positive step. But it’s not quite far enough.”

https://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/68111-new-jersey-bicyclists-could-get-3-foot-buffer-zone-from-cars

Posted on May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

A Retiree Digitizes 27 Million Old Newspaper Pages in His Living Room (and Libraries Fight to Catch Up)

A Retiree Digitizes 27 Million Old Newspaper Pages in His Living Room (and Libraries Fight to Catch Up)

Jim Epstein|May. 18, 2014 1:00 pm

Last March, I profiled Tom Tryniski, an eccentric retiree who has digitized (so far) about 27 million newspaper pages working alone in his living room and has made them free for anyone to search. (Click above to watch the video or click here to read the article.) The story offered an example of Tryniski’s prowess: In 2003, the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)spent $400,000 digitizing the first 62 years of theBrooklyn Daily Eagle, which was among the most widely read and influential papers in 19th century America. A decade later, the library was still raising money to finish the remaining 52 years of the Daily Eagle’s run. In the meantime, Tryniski digitized all 115 years of the paper in about five months working alone.

The BPL has caught up. The entire run of the paper is now digitized and the library just launched a beautiful new portal that makes it easy to search. The BPL Daily Eagle site is far more limited than Tryniski’s—he’s digitized 639 newspapers including several other Brooklyn titles—but it’s quite a bit faster and easier to use.

So how much did the BPL pay to finish the job? Absolutely nothing.

https://reason.com/blog/2014/05/18/a-retiree-digitizes-27-million-old-newsp

Posted on May 19, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — 1 Comment

Analyst says politicians who oppose Common Core are being rewarded at the ballot box

Analyst says politicians who oppose Common Core are being rewarded at the ballot box

May 13, 2014

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Opposition to Common Core is proving politically beneficial, at least in the states of Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina.

PJMedia.com’s Tom Blumer writes in his latest blog, “At least a half-dozen victorious candidates in GOP state legislative contests in those three states … discovered that the key to motivating voters on their behalf was expressing genuine and vocal opposition to the federal government’s stealth imposition of the Common Core and testing regime in their schools.”

Blumer cites “a reliable longtime” activist who says Common Core opposition helped four Ohio Republicans win their primary races for the state House of Representatives last Tuesday.

“In the Buckeye State, Common Core polled as the number one issue of concern in the GOP primaries, even ahead of Gov. John Kasich’s authoritarian expansion of Medicaid,” Blumer notes.

The most stunning example of Common Core leading to political success was Tom Brinkman’s seven-point victory over incumbent Peter Stautberg.

“Brinkman’s trump card over the wishy-washy incumbent was his vocal opposition to Common Core,” Blumer writes. “Stautberg claims to have not taken a position (on the nationalized learning standards). My source calls BS on that; but in any event, convenient neutrality doesn’t cut it. It instead allows force-fed ‘Fed ed’ to become a permanent fixture of the educational landscape.”

https://eagnews.org/analyst-says-politicians-who-oppose-common-core-are-being-rewarded-at-the-ballot-box/

Posted on May 19, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Readers Question Dr Fishbeins push to increase Beauracracy

Readers Question Dr Fishbeins push to increase Beauracracy

Removing middle managers was a good fiscal move. Painful, but they are gone. Best to let it alone. Three more is plenty.

This is a town of 25,000, not 25,000,000. We can’t afford to replace them now–the logic is very thin. These salaries, benefits, and pensions are very high.

Is Dr. Fishbein looking to list more underlings on his CV when job hunting in Connecticut?

Please…DO WITHOUT.

Posted on May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

Architects detail designs for proposed housing developments in Ridgewood

Architects detail designs for proposed housing developments in Ridgewood

MAY 16, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER

Though planning and school impact considerations, among other areas of concern, have stimulated more scrutiny than building design, the architects of three downtown multifamily housing proposals were put through cross examination and public questioning at last week’s Planning Board meeting.

Board members are currently hearing three developers’ combined application to amend Ridgewood’s master plan to essentially rezone portions of the Central Business District and permit high-density apartment complexes as an acceptable use of land.

Last Tuesday’s hearing was the latest meeting in a process that stems back more than two years. It also bridges the course to a June 3 meeting, where traffic experts for each proposal are expected to begin testimony.

Enclave design

Architect Bruce Englebaugh explained the details of the Enclave, which his firm Minno and Wasko Architects designed for developer 257 Ridgewood Avenue LLC. The Enclave, as proposed, includes 52 dwelling units and approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space built along North Maple Avenue on property currently occupied by the Hallmark Floor Company and Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

“We tried to go through downtown Ridgewood and analyze the architectural vocabulary. We took that, analyzed it and put it in our building,” Englebaugh said, explaining the varied design elements. “We started with a homogenous façade. Through feedback, we started to subdivide the façade to make it look more like buildings in downtown Ridgewood.”

According to Englebaugh, one of the key elements was the reduction of the Enclave’s fourth story. The adjustment, he said, makes the building’s top level unnoticeable when viewed from the ground level on North Maple Avenue.

Property owner John Saraceno and Englebaugh reviewed the site’s projected parking layout. Both testified that the proposed plan incorporates 134 parking stalls, 56 of which will be reserved for public use. In comparison, the site currently boasts 74 parking spots with roughly 14 of those reserved, Saraceno said.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/building-designsdetailed-1.1017442#sthash.mZd0RU8f.dpuf

Posted on May 19, 2014May 19, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Obama Grapples With Growing Dissent From Democrats on Capitol Hill

Obama Grapples With Growing Dissent From Democrats on Capitol Hill

Disunity Grows in Run-Up to Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama is encountering an increasingly resistant Democratic caucus on Capitol Hill, as lawmakers in his party break with him on a series of issues in the run-up to the November elections.

On issues such as judicial nominees, the Keystone XL pipeline, taxes and trade, the fraying party unity is a sign that individual Democrats have reached a point where their own re-election needs take precedence over Mr. Obama’s goals.

It is a common election-year posture for lawmakers from the same party as the sitting president, especially one whose popularity has waned, as Mr. Obama’s has. But Democrats’ recent moves to demonstrate their independence are forcing Mr. Obama to compromise on an agenda already largely opposed by Republicans. And it comes at a point in his presidency when time is running short to accomplish his goals.

In the past week, Democrats have diverged from the White House over its insistence that the cost of extending certain tax breaks due to expire should be offset with tax increases and other measures, so as not to add to the deficit.

https://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304908304579566281371120624?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304908304579566281371120624.html

Posted on May 19, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Christie calls for more aggressive foreign policy

Christie calls for more aggressive foreign policy

By STEVE PEOPLES

NEW YORK (AP) — Courting powerful Jewish donors for the second time in two months, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called Sunday for a more aggressive foreign policy that defends American values abroad — even in “in some very messy, difficult places.”

“The rest of the world watches in desperation and hope that America will realize and act upon once again its indispensable place in the world,” Christie, a prospective Republican presidential contender, said in a keynote address Sunday at the Champions of Jewish Values International awards gala in New York. “We must lead.”

He charged that America must represent the strongest military and economic power, but also “the strongest moral power for what is good and what is right in the world.”

The appearance offered Christie a second chance to impress deep-pocketed Jewish donors after stumbling in a recent speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition. Sunday’s event also featured Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and major political donor Sheldon Adelson.

The gathering comes as donors — none bigger than Adelson — begin to size up the crowded field of potential Republican presidential candidates ahead of the 2016 contest. While billed as a nonpartisan affair, there were political references throughout the evening.

Asked if he was running for president, Perry told reporters: “I’m being governor for the next nine months. To be real honest with you I don’t know what I’m gonna do after that.”

https://news.yahoo.com/christie-calls-more-aggressive-foreign-policy-005146068–election.html

Posted on May 18, 2014January 20, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

Rep. Scott Garrett Announces 2014 Congressional Art Competition Winners

Rep. Scott Garrett congratulates Old Tappan Resident Soyoung Park for taking first place in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition with her piece, “Seeking For True Happiness.”

Rep. Scott Garrett Announces 2014 Congressional Art Competition Winners
May 14, 2014

MAHWAH, NJ – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) announced the winners of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition. This year’s top honor went to Old Tappan resident Soyoung Park of Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan for her piece, “Seeking For True Happiness.” This year’s competition, which boasted 79 entries from 33 Fifth District towns, was hosted by the Ramapo College in Mahwah and was judged by Eva Fazzari from Ramapo College, Gregg Biermann from Bergen Community College, and Meagan Khoury from Sussex Community College. The winners were announced at a ceremony on Saturday, May 10th.

“Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition, this year’s work is both creative and inspired,” said Garrett. “I commend the students, teachers and parents for encouraging these wonderful pieces of art, and I thank Ramapo College and the group of volunteers who helped to make this year’s competition one of the best we’ve ever had. I’m looking forward to seeing the winning piece hanging in the U.S. Capitol.”

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual event held in congressional districts across the country. The first place winner from each congressional district will have his or her artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning artwork from other high school students across the country. The second, third, and fourth place winners will have their submissions displayed in Congressman Garrett’s Glen Rock, Newton, and Washington, D.C. offices. Click here for more information about the nation-wide contest.

2014 Congressional Art Competition Winners

1st Place
Student: Soyoung Park
Title: “Seeking For True Happiness”
School: Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan
Hometown: Old Tappan

2nd Place
Student: Laura David
Title: “Alex”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Hometown: Hamburg

3rd Place
Student: Mark Bastidas
Title “My Mother”
School: Bergenfield High School
Hometown: Bergenfield

4th Place
Student: Kamille Gomez
Title: “Easy Breezy”
School: Bergen County Academies
Hometown: Teaneck

5th Place
Student: Sofia Mirante
Title: Untitled
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Hometown: Allendale

6th Place
Student: Julianna Scionti
Title: “Self Portrait”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Hometown: Allendale

7th Place
Student: Adrian Dela Cerna
Title: “Midnight Winter Walk”
School: Bergenfield High School
Hometown: Bergenfield

8th Place
Student: Alyaa Elsaadany
Title: “Jane Doe Thinks Liberty Is Dead”
School: Newton High School
Hometown: Andover

Honorable Mentions

Student: Rachel Young Seo Yoon
Title: “A Thirst for Beauty”
School: Saddle River Day School
Hometown: Norwood

Student: Hannah Kim
Title: “Portrait”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Hometown: Upper Saddle River

Student: Emma Brennan
Title: “Torched”
School: Bergen County Academies
Hometown: Ridgewood

Student: Haine Cho
Title: “Lovebirds”
School: Bergen County Academies
Hometown: Northvale

Student: Jessica Zhu
Title: “Kiss of a Dolphin”
School: Bergen County Academies
Hometown: Montvale

Student: Nico Tolinski
Title: “Whisper”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Hometown: Allendale

Posted on May 18, 2014May 18, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Steve Lonegan Honoring Those Who Serve on Armed Forces Day

Steve Lonegan Honoring Those Who Serve on Armed Forces Day

National Anthem Performed By Elijah Morman of the Philadelphia Boys Choir
Invocation By Carole H. Hare, Honorary State Regent National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Benediction By Pastor Don Knott Dobbins Memorial Methodist Church

Posted on May 18, 2014May 18, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

REGISTER NOW FOR RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT SUMMER PROGRAMS

Elementary Summer Enrichment Program (Summer Adventure 2014) for Pre-kindergarten through Grade 5 students. Classes to be offered include reading, writing, mathematics, science, children’s theater, dance, computers, cooking, sporting activities, and art. The program will run five days a week from 8:30 a.m.-3p.m. for six weeks, June 30 through August 8. There will be three two-week sessions. The program is offered through the Ridgewood Community School and is tuition-based.Click here to go the the Summer Adventure 2014 web page.

Preschool Special Needs Summer Program for students currently in the Preschool Special Needs Program. The summer school will be held four hours per day, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., four days per week, for four weeks, from June 30 through July 24. The program will be held at Glen School and is tuition-free.

Elementary K-5 Special Needs Summer Program for students who are currently in Kindergarten through Grade 5 in self-contained programs during the school year at Hawes, Travell and Willard Schools. The summer school will meet from 8:30-11:30 a.m., five days per week for four weeks, June 30 through July 25. This program will be held at Ridge School and is tuition-free.

Summer RISe Program for students who are currently in the RISe Program. Classes for the elementary program will meet at Ridge School five days per week from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., for four weeks, June 30 through July 25. Classes for the George Washington Middle School RISe Program will meet at Ridgewood High School five days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for four weeks, June 30 through July 25. Classes for the Glen Pre-K RISe Program will meet at Glen School four days per week from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for five weeks, June 30 through July 31. This program is free for Ridgewood residents.

New Players Summer Program, an intensive theater experience for students in Grades 5 through 12. The program will run from June 30 through August 3. The Senior Company, a group of over 50 high school students, will produce two plays and one musical production. The Junior Company, a group of 90 students in Grades 5 through 8, will produce five plays, all written by alumni of the New Players Program. In addition, the Summer New Players Program provides employment for 25-30 students, who work as lighting and set technicians, costume and sound assistants, and directors for the Junior Company. This is a tuition-based program.Click here to download the Junior New Players enrollment application for 2014.

Ridgewood High School Summer School Program. Summer School will run from June 30 through July 31, 2014. There are two class periods. The first period will be held from 8-11a.m.; the second period will be held from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. This is a tuition-based program.Click here to go to the RHS Summer School web page.

Boys Varsity Basketball Camp Runs July 14-17

Click here for the flyer.

Boys Basketball Camp Runs June 30 – August 14

Click here for the flyer.

Summer Music Academy Runs July 1 – August 1

The Summer Music Academy provides lessons and performing opportunities for beginning, intermediate and advanced level musicians. Students from all districts are welcome! Program highlights include string orchestras, jazz bands, woodwind, brass and percussion ensembles, drum set classes and the 2014 Guitar Camp. All students are encouraged to join this dynamic program.

Click here for the brochure and registration form.

Sign Up for Space Camp at Hawes School
Two sessions: June 27 – July 11 or July 14 – July 25

Is your son or daughter interested in Space? Have they completed grades 2-4? Sign them up for summer space camp where they learn astronomy by going into a planetarium, build and launch model rockets, learn about the history of flight, solve problems in groups, play space games, enjoy physical fitness (rope climbing, zip lining, and more), perform experiments and make art projects. It’s going to be a blast!

Click here for the flyer and registration form.

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