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Posted on May 2, 2014May 2, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

GOP foolish to think ObamaCare is fixable

GOP foolish to think ObamaCare is fixable
By Betsy McCaughey
April 30, 2014 | 10:37pm

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the No. 4 House Republican, is walking back comments attributed to her that ObamaCare can’t be repealed. But she’s not the only one suggesting Congress merely make changes within the framework of the health law. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says the goal is to get the law “fixed.” It seems many GOP lawmakers still haven’t read the law, or they’d know the framework is corrupt.

Even Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) speculated Friday that repeal is unlikely because it will be “difficult to turn the clock back.”

Nonsense. Even by the most inflated administration claims, some 8 million people have signed up for exchange plans, out of a nation of 318 million. ObamaCare is repealable, and should be replaced with a plan to cover the uninsured and reduce costs.

ObamaCare’s authors paid lip service to these goals but had an ulterior motive: forging a permanent Democratic majority. The law creates a huge infrastructure for enrolling millions of people not just in insurance but also for food stamps, housing assistance and other welfare programs — and registering them to vote.

https://nypost.com/2014/04/30/gop-foolish-to-think-obamacare-is-fixable/

Posted on May 2, 2014May 2, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Bergen County freeholders roll out 2014 county budget with no tax increase

Bergen County freeholders roll out 2014 county budget with no tax increase

MAY 1, 2014, 8:37 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2014, 9:45 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The Bergen County freeholders unveiled a 2014 budget Thursday that would result in no increase to the county tax rate and would trim $6.8 million from County Executive Kathleen Donovan’s proposal.

The final budget, to be introduced by the board on Wednesday, calls for nearly $504 million in spending. Besides the $6.8 million in cuts, it includes an additional $712,900 in anticipated revenue compared with Donovan’s proposal.

The plan would result in a $117,077 reduction in the county’s overall tax levy, meaning that the average homeowner’s tax bill would remain close to flat.

“It would be disingenuous to say it’s a lot of money,” said Freeholder Chairman David Ganz, chairman of the board’s budget committee and the longest-serving current freeholder.

But Ganz said the total cuts are about 10 times greater than the average amount the freeholders have imposed during his 12 years on the board.

“We all think as taxpayers that we’re paying too much,” Ganz said. By keeping the tax rate close to flat, he said, the budget will provide some relief.

“It’s a small amount, but it’s a start,” he added

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-freeholders-roll-out-2014-county-budget-with-no-tax-increase-1.1007221#sthash.HyysbCXy.dpuf

Posted on May 1, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Happy May Day Comrades

Happy May Day Comrades

Posted on May 1, 2014January 21, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

66 year old Waldwick woman critically injured in Wyckoff crash

Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

66 year old Waldwick woman critically injured in Wyckoff crash
May 1, 2014
Boyd A. Loving
3:20 PM

Ridgewod NJ , A 66 year old Waldwick woman driving a Mazda Protege northbound on Goffle Road in Ridgewood, crossed the double yellow line into Wyckoff and collided head on with a Overnight Trucking/UPS tractor trailer on Thursday afternoon just after 2 PM. The point of impact was in front of 545 Goffle Road, Wyckoff. Emergency responders from both Wyckoff and Ridgewood rushed to the scene. The victim pinned in her vehicle; Wyckoff firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” to free her. She was transported by Ridgewood EMS to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson with severe traumatic injuries. A paramedic unit from The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood assisted Ridgewood EMS with treatment and transport. The crash is being investigated by Wyckoff PD.

Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving

Posted on May 1, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RIDGEWOOD RESIDENTS

MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RIDGEWOOD RESIDENTS – Saturday, May 3rd

Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall. The next session is Saturday, May 3rd .

For an appointment to meet with the Mayor, please call the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 206. You may come to the Mayor’s office hours without an appointment, but those with appointments will be given priority.

Posted on May 1, 2014May 2, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Edward Snowden: NSA Spies More on Americans Than Russians

Edward Snowden: NSA Spies More on Americans Than Russians

“We watch our own people more closely than anyone else in the world.”

Edward Snowden told a crowd of fans Wednesday that the government’s surveillance programs collect more data on Americans than any other country.

“Does the NSA know more about Americans in America than Russians in Russia?” Snowden said, appearing by live video during an awards ceremony in Washington. “We watch our own people more closely than anyone else in the world.”

Snowden also took several shots at the National Security Agency and its top officials, and criticized the agency for wearing two contradictory hats of protecting U.S. data and exploiting security flaws to gather intelligence on foreign threats.

“U.S. government policy directed by the NSA … is now making a choice, a binary choice, between security of our communications and the vulnerability of our communications,” Snowden said, suggesting the government was biased toward the latter activity.

The former NSA contractor was awarded the Ridenhour Award for Truth-Telling along with Laura Poitras, one of his chief confidants. The 30-year-old fugitive remains in Russia, where he fled and earned temporary asylum following his disclosures of classified information about the NSA’s bulk data-collection practices.

Poitras also beamed into the ceremony from Berlin. The documentary filmmaker is believed to be one of only two people—along with journalist Glenn Greenwald—to possess the entire cache of Snowden files.

https://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/edward-snowden-nsa-spies-more-on-americans-than-russians-20140430

Posted on May 1, 2014May 2, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Ridgewood streets to be repaved

Ridgewood streets to be repaved

APRIL 30, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2014, 2:36 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER

A number of factors are considered when Ridgewood constructs its annual street paving plan, and the impact of harsh winter conditions is typically represented in the final list of roads slated for repairs. This year, the village intends to resurface several main arteries that were battered by Mother Nature and snowplows just a few months ago.

There are more than 30 jobs listed on the 2014 proposed street paving list, but many residents have expressed disappointment, both publicly and privately, that other roadways in need of repair failed to make the cut. In addition, some homeowners have been irked by the selection process, saying their streets have not been properly treated in nearly 20 years.

Officials contend that the municipality does not have adequate funding and manpower to repave every street in need of repair at once. As a result, the village uses a multi-tiered method to determine which roads wind up on the repaving list.

A list of streets slated for paving is available on the Village of Ridgewood website (ridgewoodnj.net) and is current as of last Wednesday.

In response to the abundance of questions and emails that her office has received, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld explained how Ridgewood targets streets for its repaving program. The municipality’s first step, she said, is to seek funding from the state.

“We look at the Department of Transportation (DOT), because we get grants from them every year. Those grants are based on certain criteria and they’re based on certain roads,” she said.

For this spring, Ridgewood has received approximately $270,000 in DOT grants to repave South Van Dien Avenue and the Garber Square area.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/ridgewood-streets-to-be-repaved-1.1005901#sthash.z2M4lRlh.dpuf

Posted on May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

US economy slowed to 0.1 percent growth rate in Q1

US economy slowed to 0.1 percent growth rate in Q1

Apr 30, 9:38 AM (ET)

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy slowed drastically in the first three months of the year as a harsh winter exacted a toll on business activity. The slowdown, while worse than expected, is likely to be temporary as growth rebounds with warmer weather.

Growth slowed to a barely discernible 0.1 percent annual rate in the January-March quarter, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. That was the weakest pace since the end of 2012 and was down from a 2.6 percent rate in the previous quarter.

Many economists said the government’s first estimate of growth in the January-March quarter was skewed by weak figures early in the quarter. They noted that several sectors — from retail sales to manufacturing output — rebounded in March. That strength should provide momentum for the rest of the year.

And on Friday, economists expect the government to report a solid 200,000-plus job gain for April.

(AP) In this March 26, 2014 picture, Jon Wyand works on a truck engine assembly line at…
Full Image
“While quarter one was weak, many measures of sentiment and output improved in March and April, suggesting that the quarter ended better than it began,” said Dan Greenhaus, chief investment strategist at global financial services firm BTIG.

Still, the anemic growth last quarter is surely a topic for discussion at the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting, which ends Wednesday afternoon. No major changes are expected in a statement the Fed will release. But it will likely announce a fourth reduction in its monthly bond purchases because of the gains the economy has been making. The Fed’s bond purchases have been intended to keep long-term loan rates low.

https://apnews.myway.com/article/20140430/us-economy-gdp-09b1567225.html

Posted on April 30, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Two members step down from advisory panel on Bergen County police merger

Two members step down from advisory panel on Bergen County police merger

APRIL 29, 2014, 8:40 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2014, 8:40 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

A panel picked to advise the Bergen County freeholders on a contested police merger has lost two local law enforcement officials to a standoff between the board and the County Police Chief’s Association.

Cresskill Police Chief Edward Wrixon and Paramus Deputy Chief Robert Guidetti had been tapped to be part of the eight-member group that was asked to advise the freeholders on how to implement a contested merger that would move the 89-member County Police as an intact division into the Sheriff’s Office.

But both men have indicated to the freeholders that they will not be taking part in the panel after Mahwah Chief James Batelli, the current president of the chief’s association, questioned why his group was not consulted on the makeup of the panel.

The departure of Wrixon and Guidetti leaves the panel without any active-duty municipal police chiefs, although it does have a retired chief plus law enforcement officials from other agencies.

“I was sorry to hear that the chiefs association has asked these gentlemen to step down and not serve,” Freeholder Tracy Zur, head of the board’s shared services committee said Tuesday. “They brought a dynamic that would have been very helpful.”

“I find it unfortunate that they are forced to choose between the president of the chiefs’ association and public service,” Zur added. “We will move forward with other experienced law enforcement officials who are not active chiefs to stop the politicization of the process.”

Batelli, who has criticized the proposed merger, disputed Zur’s claim.

“That’s not the case,” he said. “There wasn’t any pressure put on the chiefs to not participate. What was said was that we wanted to do it as an association.”

Batelli said he understood Zur’s position that the committee is simply there to help the freeholders implement the details of a merger and that a large group of chiefs would prove unwieldy and unworkable. He also noted that within the association, the opinions of chiefs vary on the merits of the merger.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/two-members-step-down-from-advisory-panel-on-bergen-county-police-merger-1.1005379#sthash.xayjDy90.dpuf

Posted on April 30, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 3 Comments

Seeking Residents to Volunteer for Ridgewood Boards and Committees

Seeking Residents to Volunteer for Ridgewood Boards and Committees

TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER ADVISORY BOARD, PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, RIDGEWOOD ARTS COUNCIL, AND RIDGEWOOD SHADE TREE COMMISSION.

The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Community Center Advisory Board, the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Financial Advisory Committee, the Ridgewood Arts Council, and The Shade Tree Commission.

The Community Center Advisory Board develops policies and procedures for the operation of the Community Center facility and assists in the fulfillment of the County Municipal Alliance Grant requirements. Membership includes: Senior Citizen residents; adult residents with children in the school system; and adult residents with no children in the school system.

The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment hears variance applications and appeals from rulings and determinations arising from the enforcement of Village zoning ordinances.

The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.

The Ridgewood Arts Council will assist in the promotion of and encourage artistic and cultural programs and will provide for educational opportunities in the areas of art and culture. The Ridgewood Arts Council will also provide advice, guidance, and recommendations to the Village Council, as needed.

The Shade Tree Commission works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Green Team to promote awareness and education of the residents as well as advise and provide recommendations to the Village Council in promoting and sustaining a safe and productive shade tree resource. Members will preferably have forestry or tree backgrounds or hold the designation of a certified Arborist.

All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board(s) the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:

Heather Mailander, Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Deadline for submissions is May 16, 2014

Posted on April 30, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 2 Comments

China poised to pass US as world’s leading economic power this year

China poised to pass US as world’s leading economic power this year

By Chris Giles, Economics Editor

High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email [email protected] to buy additional rights. https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d79ffff8-cfb7-11e3-9b2b-00144feabdc0.html#ixzz30MANB8ou

The US is on the brink of losing its status as the world’s largest economy, and is likely to slip behind China this year, sooner than widely anticipated, according to the world’s leading statistical agencies.

The US has been the global leader since overtaking the UK in 1872. Most economists previously thought China would pull ahead in 2019.

https://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/d79ffff8-cfb7-11e3-9b2b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz30MADL0WC

Posted on April 30, 2014April 29, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Welcome to the Finger-Wagging Olympics

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Welcome to the Finger-Wagging Olympics

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar @kaj33
April 28, 2014

It’s time to look at ourselves — and our collective moral outrage — in the mirror, says former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Moral outrage is exhausting. And dangerous. The whole country has gotten a severe case of carpal tunnel syndrome from the newest popular sport of Extreme Finger Wagging. Not to mention the neck strain from Olympic tryouts for Morally Superior Head Shaking. All over the latest in a long line of rich white celebrities to come out of the racist closet. (Was it only a couple days ago that Cliven Bundy said blacks would be better off picking cotton as slaves? And only last June Paula Deen admitted using the “N” word?)

MORE

Los Angeles Is Too Weak to Make Donald Sterling RepentSoccer Star Dani Alves Eats Banana That Was Thrown At Him As a Racist TauntMen Charged With Toppling Ancient Rock Formation Avoid Jail Time Huffington PostHere’s An Updated Tally Of All The People Who Have Ever Died From A Marijuana Overdose Huffington PostIt’ll Be Another Girl for Joe Nichols People

Yes, I’m angry, too, but not just about the sins of Donald Sterling. I’ve got a list. But let’s start with Sterling. I used to work for him, back in 2000 when I coached for the Clippers for three months. He was congenial, even inviting me to his daughter’s wedding. Nothing happened or was said to indicate he suffered from IPMS (Irritable Plantation Master Syndrome). Since then, a lot has been revealed about Sterling’s business practices:

2006: U.S. Dept. of Justice sued Sterling for housing discrimination. Allegedly, he said, “Black tenants smell and attract vermin.”
2009: He reportedly paid $2.73 million in a Justice Dept. suit alleging he discriminated against blacks, Hispanics, and families with children in his rentals. (He also had to pay an additional nearly $5 million in attorneys fees and costs due to his counsel’s “sometimes outrageous conduct.”)
2009: Clippers executive (and one of the greatest NBA players in history) sued for employment discrimination based on age and race.

And now the poor guy’s girlfriend (undoubtedly ex-girlfriend now) is on tape cajoling him into revealing his racism. Man, what a winding road she led him down to get all of that out. She was like a sexy nanny playing “pin the fried chicken on the Sambo.” She blindfolded him and spun him around until he was just blathering all sorts of incoherent racist sound bites that had the news media peeing themselves with glee.

They caught big game on a slow news day, so they put his head on a pike, dubbed him Lord of the Flies, and danced around him whooping.

https://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

Posted on April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Let’s Stay Acquainted…Ridgewood Seniors Invited….Thursday, May 1!

Let’s Stay Acquainted…Ridgewood Seniors Invited….Thursday, May 1!

Let’s Stay Acquainted…

Thursday, May 1st

All Ridgewood resident seniors are invited to join Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck for an opportunity to meet, share thoughts, participate in an activity and enjoy a light lunch.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2014 at 12 noon in the Anne Zusy Youth Lounge in the Community Center, located at 131 N. Maple Ave. The “North Jersey English Country Dancers”, complete with live musicians, including a fiddle player, a pianist and a caller, will be here to play and get you up dancing to some English Country Dance tunes. Participation is expected. English Country Dance is a form of regency through socialization, interaction, history and entertainment. Please come join us!

There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required and bus transportation is available. Registration can be done in person, by mail, or by calling The Stable at 201-670-5560 or The Community Center at 201-670-5500, ext 301. Bus reservations can be made by calling 201-670-5500, ext 200, but please call by Tuesday, 4pm.

Posted on April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Old Paramus Reformed Church : T’ai Chi Chih Course Starts May 12

Old Paramus Reformed Church : T’ai Chi Chih Course Starts May 12

T’ai Chi Chih Enhances balance, redistributes energy, has been helpful in lowering blood pressure

T’ai Chi Chih Course Begins at OPRC A new 8 week session of T’ai Chi Chih will begin Monday, May 12, running through June 30, 2014. This form of 19 gentle movements is beneficial in a variety of ways. It enhances balance, redistributes energy, has been helpful in lowering blood pressure and in general strengthening. The practice is led by certified instructor, Bill Moore, who is well known locally for his skilled teaching.

The class is from 7 to 8 p.m. The cost for the entire course is $40, payable on or before the first session. The location is Old Paramus Church’s Education Building, located at 660 East Glen Ave., at Rt. 17 South in Ridgewood. Members of the community are welcome to participate. To register, call the church office Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at 201-444-5933.

Posted on April 29, 2014April 29, 2014 by James — 12 Comments

Candidates Night for Municipal Election Is Tonight !

Candidates Night for Municipal Election Is Tonight

Tuesday, April 29th at 7:30PM

Meet the 3 candidates for Village Council and hear their views!

The League of Women Voters is holding Candidates Night for the Village Council on Tuesday, April 29 at The Village Hall , Fourth Floor, 131 North Maple Avenue at 7:30.. There are three candidates vying for two open Village Council seats: James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon. There will also be television coverage on Channel 77 for Cablevision users and Channel 34 for Fios users. The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood is a NON PARTISAN, yet political organization whose members become active and informed participants in government.

The Ridgewood Municipal Election will take place Tuesday, May 13.

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