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Posted on April 22, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — Leave a comment

Ben Carson: ‘We’re Being Manipulated’ by Those ‘Trying to Divide Us’

Ben Carson: ‘We’re Being Manipulated’ by Those ‘Trying to Divide Us’
Alissa Tabirian
April 18, 2014 at 10:17 pm

Dr. Ben Carson slammed the culture of political correctness and partisan labels at a WPEC-TV town hall panel held Thursday at the station’s studio in West Palm Beach, Florida, arguing that it has stifled free expression in America—namely religious freedom.

“We’re being manipulated. We’re being played by those people who want to divide, conquer, and control,” Carson said, alluding to the labels attached to those who disagree with their liberal counterparts. (Carson’s comments begin at at the 19:08 mark on the second video,WPEC Town Hall Religion 2. Scroll down the page and the three videos of the event are on the right side).

“If you are pro-life, then you’re anti-woman. If you’re pro-traditional marriage, then you’re homophobic. If you’re a white person and you say something against a progressive black person, you’re a racist,” Carson explained, calling for Americans “to realize that we are not each other’s enemies. The enemies are those people who are trying to divide us up.”

The panel featured religious leaders and a representative of an atheist organization speaking about religious freedom in society, including prayer in schools and the roots of morality.

Carson noted that when it comes to religion in the public sphere, secular progressives “try to impose a code of silence upon those who believe differently than they do.”

He cited the role of the Founding Fathers in building America as “a very spiritual nation” despite the claims of those “who try to re-write history,” and spoke of his own faith throughout his life’s work in pediatric neurosurgery.

Commenting on the split between science and religion on human biological development, Carson said, “It requires an enormous amount of faith to believe that something came from nothing.”

https://blog.heritage.org/2014/04/18/ben-carson-manipulated-trying-divide-us/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Dem Congressman on Obamacare: The Worst Is Yet to Come, It’s ‘Going to Hit the Fan’

Dem Congressman on Obamacare: The Worst Is Yet to Come, It’s ‘Going to Hit the Fan’

By Andrew Johnson
April 21, 2014 2:45 PM

Massachusetts representative Stephen Lynch isn’t just worried about the negative impact Obamacare will have on his party’s performance this fall — he also thinks its worst effects on our health-care system are still to come. Lynch, who voted against the Affordable Care Act in 2010, warned that the situation is “going to hit the fan” when the law’s delayed provisions go into effect down the road.

“There are parts of Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, that were postponed because they are unpalatable,” he told the Boston Herald. The “Cadillac tax” that goes into effect in a few years and taxes employer health plans over a certain value, he said, will be “the first time in this country’s history that we have actually taxed health care.”

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/376191/dem-congressman-obamacare-worst-yet-come-its-going-hit-fan-andrew-johnson?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — 19 Comments

Christie: If NJ doesn’t act, it could become Detroit

Christie: If NJ doesn’t act, it could become Detroit

A caller prodded Gov. Chris Christie on the subject of cancer research funding, another on education funding, and in each case the governor pointed at the legislature.

He wouldn’t tell Ask the Governor host Eric Scott how he will handle Speaker Vinny Prieto’s (D-32) refusal to date to re-up the 2 percent cap on police and fire salary awards, preferring to keep his strategy cloaked.

“You wouldn’t want me to look like a schmuck, would you?” Christie asked Scott.

But the governor was pleased to blame Prieto.

A woman wanted to know why he can’t put more money into education.

“When I have to spend 94 cents on every dollar on pensions, health care and debt services, we can’t sustain it,” Christie said. “Any doubt of that, look at the City of Detroit. …The legislature may decide they simply won’t do anything about it. [But] The chickens are going to come home to roost.”

Christie has agreed to negotiate with Prieto on a law that limits property tax increases by limiting raises to some police and firefighters. (Pizarro/PolitickerNJ)

Christie: If NJ doesn’t act, it could become Detroit | Politicker NJ

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood school district’s program gives at-risk students an ally

Ridgewood school district’s program gives at-risk students an ally

APRIL 21, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014, 5:28 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Last year, it was a struggle to get one Ridgewood student into the high school. Now, this student has nearly perfect attendance.

Another student is now going to school and taking more responsibility for his work, and the effects are trickling into the home: A strained parental relationship has improved, opened to more positive, supportive and less school-centric interactions.

Other students struggling with issues at home, like divorce, are now feeling just a little bit safer away from home.

These positive stories, shared by Ridgewood High School’s (RHS) new clinical supervisor Cayte Castrillon, come thanks to the first several months of a new therapeutic program at the high school that identifies at-risk youth for in-house counseling during the school day.

This extra level of care is a particularly important addition to the district now, when educators have less time, and the at-risk population, though still very small relative to the general population, is increasing along with general anxiety.

Helmed by Castrillon, a full-time employee of the private and accredited therapeutic school Sage Day, the RHS Sage Day program was introduced this fall to help students in need avoid out-of-district placement through the in-house management of their social and emotional issues, like school phobia.

Of the 16 students currently in the program, about half are special education students and half are general education students, and areas of concern include family issues, anxiety and substance abuse. Basically, this program helps these students continue experiencing “as close to a mainstream school experience as possible” and “avoid classification,” said Kim Buxenbaum-Turner, director of special programs for the Ridgewood school district.

By keeping children in school, the district is also saving an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 in out-of-district tuition costs.

“There’s a good five or six [students in the program] that would have needed another placement,” said RHS Assistant Principal Jeff Nyhuis.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/ridgewood-school-district-s-program-gives-at-risk-students-an-ally-1.1000257#sthash.4OAFrcQ9.dpuf

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

RIDGEWOOD POLICE : DEA NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

RIDGEWOOD POLICE : DEA NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

On Saturday APRIL 26, 2014 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: The Ridgewood Police Department will be participating in the DEA NATIONAL TAKE-BACK INITIATIVE

This program allows residents a safe and convenient way to dispose of unwanted, expired or unused prescription medication. Often, some of these medicines languish in the home and are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high—more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, heroin, and inhalants combined, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Please bring any unwanted, expired or unused prescription medication to the Police department 131 N. Maple Ave and place them in the collection bin located near the Police Desk.

Posted on April 22, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 2 Comments

Readers are not sympathetic with Valley’s business plans

Readers are not sympathetic with Valley’s business plans

Valley was told that they could not expand the campus years ago. If only Valley had developed a strategic plan at that time we wouldnt be blogging about this.

Why are Valley’s expansion plans somehow given equal status to the land owned by the BOE and the Village residents?

I do not care if Valley never expands. Their business plan is not my problem. They have no special rights. Expand in Paramus.

No matter what Valley has been given in the past, they always want more. The BF field purchase would not have been the last thing they wanted they still would want to modernize their buildings and they would have needed more space to do that. They were told 20 years ago that enough is enough and yet they haven’s gotten the message. It is so frustrating that this is Ridgewood’s problem and not Valley’s problem.

Valley can remain where and how it is, if they (valley) don’t like it let them move elsewhere.!!

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — 7 Comments

Valley Expansion Supporters Resort to Fear mongering

Valley Expansion Supporters Resort to Fear mongering

Fake Valley Supporter attempts to post erroneous information , pretending Valley is in “secret ” negations with a private prison .

And supports of the Vlley Expansion wonder why people have no respect for Valley

Anonymous
0 approved
108.59.11.116
Submitted on 2014/04/21 at 4:00 pm

#8, Think you are unhappy with Valley now….You are going to be more unhappy if the secret talks with https://cca.com/locations results in Valley selling their Ridgewood Property.

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Ridgewood set to introduce municipal budget with flat taxes

Ridgewood set to introduce municipal budget with flat taxes

APRIL 21, 2014, 8:36 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014, 8:36 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — For a second successive year, village property owners are likely to see no increase in their annual municipal taxes.

When it meets Wednesday night, the Village Council is expected to introduce a $46.4 million 2014 spending plan that once again keeps taxes flat.

During a budget session on Monday, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said those living in homes with an average assessed value of $688,000 will pay $3,959 in taxes to support municipal services during this calendar year.

But Sonenfeld — recently installed as Ridgewood’s top administrator — stressed “longer-term conversations” need to happen to cut future operating costs while improving government services.

Sonenfeld said she cut as much from the budget as possible and that sweeping structural shifts were needed going forward.

The 2014 budget, she noted, includes expenses from 2013 not initially outlined in the budget adopted by the council a year ago.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-set-to-introduce-municipal-budget-with-flat-taxes-1.1000272#sthash.4PlOfhGo.dpuf

Posted on April 22, 2014April 22, 2014 by James — 18 Comments

Governor Christie renews calls for pension system reforms

Governor Christie renews calls for pension system reforms

APRIL 21, 2014, 10:06 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2014, 10:06 PM
BY MELISSA HAYES
STATE HO– USE BUREAU
THE RECORD

Governor Christie continued to pressure Democrats to overhaul public employee benefits, telling callers to his monthly radio show that they’re the reason higher education grants and cancer research is being cut in his proposed state budget.

The Republican governor, who has pushed changing the pension and benefits plans during recent town hall-style events, was coy when asked how he would fix the problem.

“You don’t put all your cards out on the table at once,” he said on NJ 101.5 FM.

Christie spent an hour fielding questions about his budget, the state’s recovery from Superstorm Sandy and the closing of institutions for residents with developmental disabilities.

He declined to comment on specific proposals a panel of experts recommended to overhaul the Port Authority Monday, saying he’ll continue to work with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to improve the bi-state transportation agency. Christie also declined to say whether he’d appear before the Democratic-controlled legislative panel investigating the George Washington Bridge access lane closure controversy if subpoenaed.

Despite the lack of movement on the pension issue, Christie said Monday that he’s confident he can strike a budget compromise with Democrats by the June 30 deadline.

Christie has proposed a $34.45 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. The spending plan calls for a more than $1 billion increase, which would help cover a more than $2 billion payment into the public employee pension funds. Even at that rate, the state would be contributing only four-sevenths of the full payment, as it phases in increases under a deal struck with public employees in 2011.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/governor-christie-renews-calls-for-pension-system-reforms-1.1000284#sthash.3fJtObTz.dpuf

Posted on April 21, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Today is Tax Freedom Day

Today is Tax Freedom Day

Americans have earned enough to pay off the $4.5 trillion tax bill

Washington DC (Apr 21, 2014)—Tax Freedom Day is here! The date on which Americans have collectively earned enough income to pay off their total federal, state, and local tax bill arrives 3 days later than last year and 111 days into 2014, according the nonpartisan Tax Foundation’s annual report.

The study’s key findings include:

Tax Freedom Day is three days later than last year due mainly to the continuing economic recovery, which will boost federal tax revenue collected through the corporate, payroll, and individual income tax.
Americans will spend more on taxes in 2014 than they will on food, clothing, and housing combined.
Americans will pay $3 trillion in federal taxes and $1.5 trillion in state and local taxes, for a total bill of more than $4.5 trillion, or 30.2 percent of the nation’s income.
Americans will spend 42 days working to pay off income taxes, 15 days for excise taxes, and 11 days for property taxes. Click here for a full breakdown.
If you include annual federal borrowing, which represents future taxes owed, Tax Freedom Day would occur on May 6, 15 days later.

Tax Freedom Day is a significant date for taxpayers and lawmakers, because it represents how long Americans as a whole must work in order to pay the nation’s tax burden.

“Arguments can be made for why the collective tax bill is too high or too low, but in order to have an honest discussion, it’s important to understand where we stand,” said Tax Foundation Economist Kyle Pomerleau. “Tax Freedom Day gives us a vivid representation of how much we pay for the goods and services provided by governments at all levels.”

Historically, the date for Tax Freedom Day has fluctuated significantly. The earliest national Tax Freedom Day was in 1900 when Americans paid only 5.9% of their income in taxes, meaning the date came on January 22. A century later, the latest Tax Freedom Day was May 1, 2000—which means Americans paid 33.0% of their total income in taxes.

While the collective national date arrives today, each state’s total federal, state, and local tax burden varies greatly. The majority of states have already reached their Tax Freedom Days, but 15 states remain: New Jersey (May 9), Connecticut (May 9), and New York (May 4) will be the last to arrive. Louisiana, on the other hand, was the first state to arrive back on March 30.

Full report: Tax Freedom Day® 2014 is April 21, Three Days Later Than Last Year

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Online poker is North Jersey’s latest tourism draw

On any given Sunday, Mike Azzaro — or mikeycasino, as he’s known online — will travel from his home in Yonkers, N.Y., to a Ramsey hotel room for the night.

The reason is not glamorous, but it is profitable: Azzaro, 27, is a professional poker player.

Of the online players who have signed up to play in New Jersey at PartyPoker.com, 15 percent don’t live in the state. You must be within New Jersey’s borders to play, but residency isn’t required. That so many out-of-state players are traveling to New Jersey — call it “poker tourism” — is an encouraging sign for the fledgling industry, which so far has been generating less than $2 million per month in tax revenue for the state budget. (Brennan/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/online-poker-is-north-jersey-s-latest-tourism-draw-1.999889#sthash.EZqVWS0K.dpuf

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

The Valley Hospital Adds State-Of-The-Art Truebeam™ Radiation Oncology System to Its Arsenal of Cancer-Fighting Technology

The Valley Hospital Adds State-Of-The-Art Truebeam™ Radiation Oncology System to Its Arsenal of Cancer-Fighting Technology

April 7, 2014

Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital’s Daniel & Gloria Blumenthal Cancer Center continues to offer patients with cancer the latest advancements in radiation oncology, as evidenced by the TrueBeam™ radiotherapy system.TrueBeam enables radiation oncologists to use high doses of radiation to treat many types of tumors with pinpoint accuracy, thus avoiding harm to surrounding healthy tissue. The Blumenthal Cancer Center currently has one TrueBeam linear accelerator for delivering radiation therapy, with a second one under installation.

“Our TrueBeam linear accelerator delivers radiation treatments with precision that can be measured in millimeters, at a speed that is up to 400 percent faster than our former accelerators,” notes Chad DeYoung, M.D., Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at the Blumenthal Cancer Center. “Patients benefit from receiving the most advanced radiation therapy within a shortened time frame that allows them to return to their jobs and other activities more quickly than before.”

TrueBeam rotates around the patient to deliver the radiation dose from nearly every angle. In most cases, treatment takes just a few minutes a day instead of the 30 to 60 minutes or so it could take with older linear accelerators. This provides a more comfortable treatment environment for patients.
TrueBeam is used for conventional radiation therapy, 3-D radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery. The technology delivers radiation therapy more safely and efficiently for patients by integrating:
• the powerful treatment of tumors with pinpoint precision;
• real-time imaging so clinicians can “visualize” the tumor they are targeting for treatment; and
• safety features and communication technology that enable radiation technologists to monitor patients at all times and interact with them via three closed-circuit television systems.TrueBeam’s real-time imaging enables clinicians to manage one of the challenges of radiation therapy: targeting the tumor precisely with high doses of radiation even when a patient breathes. “Even the slightest movement a patient makes — even when they take a quick breath — can move a tumor slightly out of place and jeopardize the ability to target the tumor with precision,” says Deborah Panetta, BS, RRT, Director of Radiation Oncology. “TrueBeam’s real-time imaging enables the linear accelerator to be programmed during certain times of a patient’s breathing cycle so that targeted treatments can be synchronized with respiration. This feature is especially useful in treating tumors of the lung, chest, esophagus, and liver.”
Panetta adds that the use of electronic medical records at the Blumenthal Cancer Center and throughout The Valley Hospital is a major component of the Department of Radiation Oncology’s ability to provide seamless radiation therapy communication and services.

“All of our patients’ records are easily accessible to members of our treatment team, as well as to patients’ other physicians,” notes Panetta. “This enhances workflow, efficiency, communication, and improved safety for our patients.”

The Valley Hospital has received six Gold Seals from The Joint Commission for cancer care for breast, lung, colon/rectal, prostate, pancreatic, and uterine-ovarian cancers. This is more than any other hospital in the nation. Valley’s cancer care program was also awarded a Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation by the Commission on Cancer. For more information about Valley’s cancer care services, call 201-634-5707 or visit www.ValleyFightsCancer.com.

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Chris Christie’s comments spark debate over realty transfer fees in NJ

FRANKLIN — Several months ago, Scott Packwood, a retired state trooper, started looking for a smaller, less expensive place for his family to live.

The eldest of two daughters was planning to move out after graduating from college, and the family’s 10-room house in the Somerset section of Franklin Township was suddenly larger than he and his wife needed. Property taxes, Packwood said, had also grown to more than $13,000 a year.

“We said enough was enough,” the 52-year-old explained.

The house sold quickly. But when Packwood was about to close on the sale last month, his attorney told him something that shocked him: He had to pay $5,435 for a realty transfer fee imposed by the state.

“It’s painfully ridiculous,” said Packwood, who has since moved to North Brunswick. “I mean, $5,400?”

So when Gov. Chris Christie held a town hall in Somerset last Tuesday, Packwood reserved a spot in the audience, raised his hand, and asked the governor why the fee exists.

“It’s a grab by the government to take more money for no good reason,” Christie said, blaming Democrats for raising the fee years ago. “A sales tax? There’s a rhyme or reason to it. An income tax? There’s a rhyme or reason to it. A corporate business tax? There’s a rhyme or reason to it. A realty transfer fee? From my perspective, it makes no sense.” (Johnson/Star-Ledger)

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/04/christies_comments_spark_debate_over_realty_transfer_fees_in_nj.html#incart_river

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by James — 4 Comments

2014 Turkey Season Opens Today April 21

2014 Turkey Season Opens Today April 21

Turkey Permits Now On Sale
Check Availablility

2014 Turkey Season Opens April 21; Youth Day is April 19
2014 Wild Turkey Hunting Season Information Booklet (pdf, 510kb)

The Division’s Turkey Restoration Project represents one of the greatest wildlife management success stories in the history of the state. By the mid-1800s, turkeys had disappeared in New Jersey due to habitat changes and killing for food. Division biologists, in cooperation with the NJ Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, reintroduced wild turkeys in 1977 with the release of 22 birds. In 1979 biologists and technicians began to live-trap and re-locate birds to establish populations throughout the state. By 1981 the population was able to support a spring hunting season, and in December, 1997, a limited fall season was initiated.

There is now an abundance of wild turkeys throughout the state with turkeys found wherever there is suitable habitat. In South Jersey, where wild turkeys had been struggling just a few years ago, intensive restoration efforts have improved population numbers significantly. The statewide population is now estimated at 20,000 – 23,000 turkeys with an annual harvest of approximately 3,000 birds.

Youth turkey hunters aged 10 to 16 with a Youth License can obtain a “Y” permit which allows them to hunt in any hunting period in the zone that they obtain a permit for during the spring season. Youth hunters aged 10 to less than 14 must be under the supervision of a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age. The adult does not have to have a turkey permit, but they do have to have a regular license. This regulation applies until the youth takes a turkey. After taking a turkey, the youth is subject to the same hunting period and zone restrictions as an adult. There is also the special statewide Youth Turkey Hunting Day each year.

Turkey permits are awarded via a lottery followed by over-the-counter sales for both the spring and fall seasons. Lottery application periods are January 25-February 22 for the spring season and August 1-31 for the fall season.

Posted on April 21, 2014April 21, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood resident to run with MR8 Boston Marathon charity team

Ridgewood resident to run with MR8 Boston Marathon charity team

APRIL 20, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2014, 9:33 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

When Ridgewood resident Kevin Entwistle, 21, heard about the bombing at last year’s Boston Marathon, a string of events followed. He became obsessed with the crushing TV news. He went on a run. And he decided to run his first marathon in Boston in 2014.

Ridgewood High School graduate Kevin Entwistle, 21, took a pre-marathon run on Thursday in his charity team’s MR8 shirt, in honor of 8-year-old Martin Richard, who died in the Boston Marathon bombing last year. Entwistle will run the marathon for Team MR8 this Monday, April 21.

The decision was natural; he felt a connection to the area his whole life. He has family in Massachusetts, he is a big Boston sports fan, and his father has run in the Boston Marathon twice.

“It was like an immediate response,” he recalled.

And one year later, without having even crossed the finish line yet – that will come this Monday, April 21 – Entwistle has already made Boston proud, by raising more than $7,100 for the charitable foundation created in honor of Martin Richard, the 8-year-old boy who was killed in the marathon bombings last year. Many Ridgewood residents are already among his donors, and he’s looking to other members of his local community to help raise even more money to reach, and hopefully surpass, his goal of $7,500.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/clubs-and-service-organizations/ridgewood-resident-to-run-with-mr8-boston-marathon-charity-team-1.999743#sthash.cwSfMFPg.dpuf

Online poker is North Jersey’s latest tourism draw

Chris Christie’s comments spark debate over realty transfer fees in NJ

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