Christie may cut budget to close growing shortfall, Treasury says
TRENTON — New Jersey’s budget shortfall will grow to a staggering $807 million at the end of April, state officials announced Monday while warning of a fiscal emergency that could force Gov. Chris Christie to make deep and unexpected cuts to several programs.
The state Treasury, in a rare announcement last night, said the Republican governor is bracing for a tough financial blow when the month wraps up tomorrow. Despite the setback, Christie “will take any and all actions necessary” to find the money to shore up his $32.2 billion budget — even if it means slashing property tax rebates or other programs, Treasury indicated.
An early look at major tax revenues by Treasury officials showed the state will be $600 million short of Christie’s estimates for April. (Rizzo/Star-Ledger)
Flood Watch for Bergen County – Wednesday PM to Thursday AM
Advisory: Flood Watch in effect for Bergen Co. area from Wed. Afternoon thru Thurs. Morning.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…IN SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY. IN NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…BERGEN…ESSEX…HUDSON…PASSAIC AND UNION COUNTIES. IN SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…ALL OF NEW YORK CITY…AND ROCKLAND…WESTCHESTER AND NASSAU COUNTIES.
* FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING.
* RAIN WITH AN APPROACHING FRONTAL SYSTEM SHOULD BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES BY LATE DAY WEDNESDAY. FLOODING OF URBAN…LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS IS POSSIBLE AS EARLY AS THE WEDNESDAY EVENING RUSH HOUR…WITH 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN EXPECTED BY THAT TIME.
* AS THE HEAVY RAIN CONTINUES WEDNESDAY NIGHT…STORM TOTAL RAINFALL WILL INCREASE TO 3 TO 4 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS…INCREASING THE THREAT OF WIDESPREAD…SIGNIFICANT URBAN…LOW LYING AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING…AS WELL AS FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS AND RIVERS.
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.
Ridgewood Municipal Alliance to host conference for parents
APRIL 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 12:32 AM BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
Should you friend your child on Facebook? What about knowing their social media passwords? Does “everybody” else let their child have a cell phone, drink or freely go on social media sites? Are most other parents really “more trusting” than you?
These are just a few of the questions facing parents today, and the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance believes “it takes a village” to tackle them.
Village leaders, including local parents, educators, religious leaders and the police chief, want the community to come together and establish new norms for raising young people in the modern world. As a start, the Municipal Alliance is offering its third dinner and conversation meeting in the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Campus Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. Called the “Community Wellness Conference: Keeping Connected, Healthy Families, Healthy Community,” the event is for parents of children in eighth grade through high school.
Forums offered to the community in 2007 and 2011 involved panels of experts; this conference will feature one keynote speaker, psychologist Tim Silvestri. Parents, who will be served a dinner catered by It’s Greek To Me, will be breaking off into groups for facilitated discussion led by local community leaders.
Parents of older children are being targeted for this discussion because their children are now “seeking more freedom,” said Municipal Alliance Chair Sheila Brogan, a mother of three who also serves as president of the Ridgewood Board of Education. And eighth grade parents may especially want to take note: Benjamin Franklin Middle School Principal Tony Orsini, another alliance member, pointed out that the “the most at-risk time for a lot of kids is that summer between eighth and ninth grade,” because of all of the free time, and increased freedoms, that students enjoy at that time.
Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward, an alliance committee member, said, “This is the first step of starting a positive dialogue.” As a parent himself, Ward noted that he understands what it’s like for a child to say “you don’t trust me” in response to rules. But “if we set up that this is the ‘new norm,’ that’s not a matter of trust,” he said.
And this is the purpose of the alliance: having the community work together to reduce negative behaviors.
According to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which provides grant money to local alliances, about 400 of these groups have been established by municipal ordinance in more than 530 municipalities in New Jersey with the aim of reducing local alcohol and drug use. Ridgewood’s committee, which has existed for at least 20 years, is represented by individuals from the Ridgewood Police Department, The Valley Hospital, Share House, Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, Renfrew Center, Juvenile Conference Committee, Federated Home and School Association and Ridgewood Guild, among others.
Agreement between American Dream developers and North Jersey labor unions announced
APRIL 28, 2014, 8:10 AM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 10:55 PM BY JOHN BRENNAN STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
More than three years after Governor Christie came to the Meadowlands Sports Complex to trumpet a new vision for the stalled McGreevey Xanadu shopping and entertainment project, he returned on Monday to unveil revised plans with officials from Triple Five, the new developer of the revamped project now dubbed American Dream Meadowlands.
The latest announcement came with plenty of new details, including a revised opening date target of fall 2016; the unveiling of a planned 20-story “drop ride” billed as the world’s tallest; and renderings of the proposed 639,000-square-foot indoor amusement park and water park that will feature 80-foot-high glass walls that allow drivers on nearby highways to see in — and park revelers to see out.
Joining Christie were countless construction workers, including more than 100 who stood behind the governor as he promised to make sure that Triple Five will prioritize “getting that ugly outside [color scheme] the hell off the building.”
The features
Key components of American Dream Meadowlands, according to the project developer’s website and previous announcements this year:
More than 400 retailers, restaurants, and services, including “global retail |influenced by high streets from Bond Street to La Rambla to Soho” 639,000-square-foot indoor amusement park and water park complex Indoor ski and snowboard park |12 stories high and 800 feet long Observation wheel similar to the |London Eye 200-foot “drop ride” similar to |bungee jumping Performing arts center that seats 2,400 to 3,000 National Hockey League-sized |ice rink 180,000-square-foot movie complex with more than 5,000 seats |(700 of them VIP) Aquarium featuring more than 10,000 “sea creatures” 18-hole miniature golf course
The event provided Christie with an opportunity to come through on a pledge he made to construction workers when they endorsed his reelection last year: to put them back on the job. The Republican governor secured the support of many unions, including Laborers International Union of North America, which had backed Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine four years earlier. The unions cited Christie’s vocal support of American Dream and other developments as well as his signing of the New Jersey Economic Opportunity Act, which offers corporate tax breaks to companies that create and retain jobs in the state. Many Laborers’ Union workers were noticeable in the audience, clad in orange T-shirts.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/agreement-between-american-dream-developers-and-north-jersey-labor-unions-announced-1.1004344#sthash.NBJJ48lc.dpuf
Faltering New Jersey Economy mean lower tax collections
Looming Budget Cuts
APRIL 28, 2014, 5:27 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 11:06 PM
BY JOHN REITMEYER
STATE HO– USE BUREAU
THE RECORD
Governor Christie’s predictions for tax collections have missed the mark, amounting to an $800 million shortfall that leaves little time and few places for the governor and lawmakers to find savings.
Christie, a Republican who preaches fiscal discipline, has been forced into several budget fixes in recent years to offset missed revenue projections and not break the state constitution’s requirement for a balanced budget. Last year, Treasury delayed about $400 million in property tax relief, and earlier this year the state cut spending by $700 million through a series of lapses and other adjustments.
On Monday, state Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff announced the latest bad fiscal news and warned of new budget cuts and “impounding budgeted appropriations.” He said more details would be released in a few weeks.
In past years, governors have delayed school aid and held back pension contributions to alleviate last-minute shortfalls. Sidamon-Eristoff would only say Monday that budget changes will be announced when he comes before lawmakers again on May 21 and 22.
“The state will take any and all actions necessary to offset the reductions in anticipated revenues, including the identification of additional lapses and savings opportunities, as well as the exercise of the full range and scope of executive authority, including, but not limited to, reserving and/or impounding budgeted appropriations,” Sidamon-Eristoff said in a news release.
Christie’s prior budget changes drew the attention of Wall Street ratings agency Standard & Poor’s, which cited the governor’s “bullish revenue assumptions” and the frequent use of “one-time measures” as factors in the downgrading of New Jersey’s credit rating announced earlier this month.
The agency also warned another ratings downgrade could come if forecasted growth estimates “fail to materialize.”
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-budget-shortfall-grows-to-800-million-1.1004688#sthash.Rhw6RI7h.dpuf
Ridgewood board begins hearings on proposed cell phone tower
APRIL 28, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 12:34 AM BY BY LAURA HERZOG STAFF WRITER
A land-use attorney and radio frequency engineer for AT&T defended an application to place a temporary 75-foot cell tower behind the Exxon Mobil station at 490 Route 17, explaining that it is a short-term measure to ensure reliable service.
The company is designing needed modifications to the permanent 120-foot cell tower already located nearby.
Six concerned Ridgewood residents, who live near the permanent flagpole-type cell tower, attended the Ridgewood Zoning Board hearing on Tuesday night, where a civil engineer for AT&T was also present.
The proposed temporary equipment, which will sit on a trailer with wheels, requires a use variance and various bulk variances, such as side and rear yard setbacks, according to Bruce Whitaker, the attorney for the zoning board. AT&T is also requesting waivers from site plan and design standard requirements found in the village’s zoning code.
A temporary tower at the site has been the subject of some contention for several months.
Reader says A clear sign of who insiders support in Village Council Election
Residence of the Hauck family, 217 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood.
No signs were observed on the lawns either of Albert Puciarelli or Paul Aronsohn.Thomas Riche and Bernadette Walsh won’t be serving again next term, thus a moot point as to who they are each supporting.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Kitchen fire fills Ridgewood home with smoke April 28,2014 Boyd A. Loving 6:50 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A fire that originated in the kitchen of a home located at 511 North Monroe Street in Ridgewood did little damage beyond destroying a microwave oven and adjacent cabinet, but filled the entire house with smoke. The homeowner and her child had safely evacuated the structure prior to arrival of fire department personnel; no injuries to first responders were reported. Ridgewood FD, EMS, and Emergency Services personnel all rushed to the blaze, which was reported via a 911 telephone call shortly before 6 PM on Monday. North Monroe Street was closed between Morningside and Fairmount Roads while the blaze was extinguished.
It’s time to defy health-care mandates issued by bureaucrats not in the healing profession.
By DANIEL F. CRAVIOTTO JR. Updated April 28, 2014 7:34 p.m. ET
In my 23 years as a practicing physician, I’ve learned that the only thing that matters is the doctor-patient relationship. How we interact and treat our patients is the practice of medicine. I acknowledge that there is a problem with the rising cost of health care, but there is also a problem when the individual physician in the trenches does not have a voice in the debate and is being told what to do and how to do it.
As a group, the nearly 880,000 licensed physicians in the U.S. are, for the most part, well-intentioned. We strive to do our best even while we sometimes contend with unrealistic expectations. The demands are great, and many of our families pay a huge price for our not being around. We do the things we do because it is right and our patients expect us to.
So when do we say damn the mandates and requirements from bureaucrats who are not in the healing profession? When do we stand up and say we are not going to take it any more?
Men Who Work Full-Time Earn Less Than 40 Years Ago
April 28, 2014 – 12:48 PM By Terence P. Jeffrey
(CNSNews.com) – The real median income of American men who work full-time, year-round peaked forty years ago in 1973, according todata published by the U.S. Census Bureau.
In 1973, median earnings for men who worked full-time, year-round were $51,670 in inflation-adjusted 2012 dollars. The median earnings of men who work full-time year-round have never been that high again.
Sterling, Media And The Race Card — A Confederacy Of Dunces By Larry Elder
By Larry Elder, Apr. 27, 2014
TMZ posted portions of a taped conversation between L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling and his girlfriend. The fit hit the shan. Magic Johnson called for Sterling to resign. Relinquish the team! ESPN is breathlessly covering this “major story.”
Magic Johnson said in a statement:
“It’s a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans. He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base.”
He later said:
“Something has to be done, and if that means him losing the team, then that has to happen,” Johnson said. “The league has to come down hard and make a statement.”
The Clippers’ statement read:
“We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or if it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape — who we believe released it to TMZ — is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even.’ Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him — both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”
LeBron James, before yesterday’s game, said:
“There is no room for Donald Sterling in our league. … Obviously, if the reports are true, it’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter, white, black or Hispanic — all across the races it’s unacceptable. As the commissioner of our league, they have to make a stand. They have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it will be, but we can’t have that in our league.”
Well, move over Cliven Bundy, who moved over after George Zimmerman. Meet America’s Next New White Bigot — Donald Sterling. The “racist” hires a respected, expensive championship-winning black coach, who happens to be married to a white woman. The “racist” pays his black starting point guard $18 million annually. Oh, and the “racist” Sterling’s girlfriend, with whom he’s seen in public, is a black Latina.
Yep, dude sounds just like a Klansman.
Now, can we please calm down?
An old guy has a verbal fight with his girlfriend, which she apparently — surreptitiously — records. They quarrel. The most eye-raising parts have to do with Sterling, 80, telling his girlfriend, 38, that he doesn’t want her attending games with black people. His reasons appear to be that his girlfriend, who describes herself as black and Mexican, would look — to others — more white if she sat next to white people. I guess. I really don’t know.
And care even less.
Despite his obvious anger, Sterling never says the “n” word, let along calls her a “c” word. He expresses admiration for Magic Johnson. He even asks her almost in disbelief or surprise, “You think I’m a racist!” Then the now ex-girlfriend, currently being sued by the Sterling family for embezzling almost $2 mil, delivers the recording to TMZ. And here we go again with America’s newest racist. Tiger Wood’s quarrel ended with his SUV smashed into a tree. Mel Gibson’s rant included a wish that his girlfriend be “raped by a pack of n–gers.” But this will do.
If Sterling is unfit to own a team now that he’s expressed racial animosity, what about Spike Lee? A courtside fixture at Knicks games, Lee once said he dislikes interracial couples: “I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street.” Should the NBA investigate the suitability of an expressed hater of interracial couples to have such a prominent perch at the Garden? Spike Lee hates interracial relationships. Donald Sterling hates being in one. Soul brothers! Bet Spike could score some courtside seats.
A certain beloved, foul-mouthed, Los Angeles ex-baseball manager privately swore and dropped non-PC words with ease and familiarity — but we laughed and considered the source. And, like Sterling, he had black and white players.
What about Bill Maher? He is a part-owner of the Mets — that is when not calling Sarah Palin the “c” word or Michelle Bachman “a dumb t–t” or when not joking about Palin’s son Trig, who has Down Syndrome. Should MLB investigate and monitor his stand-up for foul language?
Speaking of racist public figures, if Sterling ought not own a team, then the Rev. Al Sharpton ought not have a TV show. How does the race-hustling, anti-Semitic, non-tax paying, FBI would-be drug-dealing snitch, “civil rights” leader who lied his way to fame warrant a show on MSNBC?
As to the seriousness of Sterling’s comment, a little perspective. The beloved Lakers owner Jerry Buss once got busted for DUI. As always with drunk drivers, only good fortune stopped someone from getting hurt or killed. But this was quickly dropped from media attention.
Again, Buss … could … have … killed … somebody. Sterling had a verbal fight with a flirty girlfriend.
Back to the Sterling tape. Listening to the whole thing, it sounds like they’re meant for each other. He’s jealous and insecure, an old guy asking his girl not to make him into a bigger behind-the-back joke than he already is. She sounds shallow and manipulative, clearing trying to get him to say some really bad stuff.
As for Magic Johnson’s reaction, let me say this. Magic, love you, but your confessed behavior endangered your family, your team and others. Sterling quarreled with his GF. Martina Navratilova said if a woman did what you did, she would have been called a “slut.” Sterling should be shunned?!
Did Magic call for a Clippers boycott when, for years, its owner mistreated Elgin Baylor, stiffed players and twice settled housing discrimination lawsuits? Or when in 2000, Sports Illustrated named the Clippers the “worst” franchise in North American history? But now because Sterling says he doesn’t want his squeeze hanging with brothers — he’s unfit to own a team? Why the “racist” even gave her permission to “f–k” any black person she wants — provided she didn’t strut around Staples with the guy. A gold-digger’s dream. Old money, young sex. Such a deal! Some racist!
Can black and white victicrats take a day off from being “offended”? Dolts — whether Bundy or Sterling — who are incapable of harm, say stupid things. The real issues — under-education, irresponsible breeding and parenting, and lack of jobs — have nothing to do with Sterling’s jealously and will not be resolved by his public flaying.
Media Ignoring Democratic Donations of LA Clippers’ Owner Donald Sterling , Allegedly Caught on Tape in Race-Based Rant
By Tom Blumer | April 27, 2014 | 00:25
Donald Sterling Life long Democrat and NAACP Donner
In stunning audio posted at TMZ, Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling chides a person who is apparently his girlfriend for “taking pictures with minorities” and “associating with black people.” Sterling sees her as a “delicate” “Latina or white girl,” and as such doesn’t understand why she should “associate with black people.” He doesn’t want her bringing black people to games, including NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Assuming the audio is authentic — What kind of crazy, reactionary mindset would cause an owner who works in an industry dominated by black players to have such opinions and feelings? The evidence is admittedly thin and a bit dated, but to the extent it exists, that answer is, apparently, “one who supports and donates to liberal Democrats” (HT Gateway Pundit):
A reader reports hearing rumblings of “Sedon For Council” and “Knudsen For Council” lawn signs being stolen and replaced with “Albano For Council” lawn signs.
file photo Boyd Loving
Have any other readers heard these rumors and/or been the victim of such a theft/replacement?
Has Ridgewood PD received any reports of these rumored incidents?
Friends in the Business Concert Benefit for Friends of Music
Ridgewood NJ, The Friends in the Business concert will take place Sunday, May 4th at 4:00 pm at George Washington Middle School. This concert raises funds the Friends of Music, which supports the Ridgewood Public School music program.
All the performers are professional musicians who live locally, and will feature a mix of classical, jazz, and Broadway. The concert will also feature a special guest – Jodi DiPiazza, a 13-year-old singer/pianist from Rochelle Park. Jodi, who was diagnosed with autism at age two, became an internet sensation following her “Firework” duet with Katy Perry on Comedy Central’s “The Night of Too Many Stars”. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors and students, and can be purchased at the door.
Valley Health System and Westfield Garden State Plaza Partnership Kicks Off Contest to Give a Healthy Twist to Recipes
Submit the Name of Your Favorite Dish for a Chance to Win the “Recipe Makeover & A New Look for the Cook” Sweepstakes!
April 22, 2014
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Health System, Sur La Table, Tommy Hilfiger and Westfield Garden State Plaza recently kicked off the “Recipe Makeover & A New Look For the Cook” sweepstakes. Launched at www.valleyrecipemakeover.com, the sweepstakes invites participants to submit the name of a favorite dish for a chance to win a healthy recipe makeover and a “new look” for the cook.
On May 17, two lucky winners will cook their healthier dishes in front of a live audience with Food Network celebrity chef Michael V. Proietti in the Lord & Taylor Court. The Tommy Hilfigerstore will provide a personal styling session and head-to-toe look for each of the recipe makeover winners; the iconic American brand opened a store at Westfield Garden State Plaza last year.
The sweepstakes is the first event offered through a year-long partnership between Valley Health System and Westfield Garden State Plaza designed to promote community health and wellness through engaging events and thought-provoking messaging.
A second event will be held in October and details will be released later this year.
