Boehner Tells Attendees at Fundraiser He’s ‘Hellbent on Getting This Done’
WASHINGTON—Speaker John Boehner and other senior House Republicans are telling donors and industry groups that they aim to pass immigration legislation this year, despite the reluctance of many Republicans to tackle the divisive issue before the November elections.
Many lawmakers and activists have assumed the issue was off the table in an election year. But Mr. Boehner said at a Las Vegas fundraiser last month he was “hellbent on getting this done this year,” according to two people in the room.
A spokesman for Mr. Boehner didn’t dispute the account but said no action is possible until President Barack Obama proves himself a trustworthy partner to Republicans.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R., Va.), chairman of the HouseJudiciary Committee, delivered an upbeat message about legislative prospects during a recent trip to Silicon Valley, said Carl Guardino, chief executive of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, who hosted his visit.
He said Mr. Goodlatte told him action in 2014 was “entirely possible,” likely in the form of votes this summer on five to seven immigration bills. A spokeswoman for Mr. Goodlatte declined to comment on the exchange.
Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
The Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus of Ridgewood presents its annual Spring Concert April 26- 27 at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4 PM on Sunday. We will sing diverse music, including Home by Phillip Phillips, Shenandoah, Charlottown, In Flanders Fields, Paddlin’ Madelyn Home and many others. Tickets for the concert – $12 in advance and $20 at the door – are available at Daily Treat restaurant, Wine Seller and Town and Country Apothecary in Ridgewood;
Lewis Drug in Westwood; Perry’s Florist and Rock Ridge Pharmacy in Glen Rock, Wine and Spirit World in Ho-Ho-Kus and Benny’s Luncheonette in Fair Lawn, and online at www.ridgewoodorpheusclub.org. Prices for students and seniors are $15 at the door. Men who are interesting in joining our group should call Bill Amazzini at 551-404-3976.
Thank you for choosing the Ridgewood Y for your summer day camp! We believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life, and we are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment where your kids can learn, grow and discover. At Ridgewood Y Day Camps, your child will develop friendships, learn skills in a new environment, and make memories that will last a lifetime
WHY CHOOSE THE YMCA FOR YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER?
The YMCA knows children. We know they need to spend time outdoors practicing social and decision making skills that are new to them. We know they need to be inspired and mentored by the adults in their lives. Our camps offer all of these things and so much more! Ridgewood YMCA camps are safe, fun, educational and include value-based programming focused on honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. We look forward to getting to know your children and helping them discover all the magic and wonder the summer of 2014 has to offer.
OUTSTANDING VALUE!
Safety is always our top priority at camp. We offer exceptional counselor to camper ratios so you can rest assured that your child will receive the best care and attention Amazing staff with more than 35 hours of pre-summer training including CPR and First Aid Structured days filled with creative activities and fun First rate swim instruction under the supervision of the YMCA Aquatic Directors Weekly speciality camps (Camp Pamacka only) We are peanut free for those with allergies Before and After Care available All campers receive 2014 summer camp T-shirts
To view our 2014 Camp Program Guide or to register online for Summer Camp, please use the links on the left side of this page.
JOIN US FOR A SUMMER OF FUN AT THE RIDGEWOOD YMCA!
The Ridgewood Y offers camps for young people of all ages. Please click one of the below links for further details: https://www.ridgewoodymca.org/camp
Y’S KIDZ (AGES 3-6)
Your child’s first camp experience is a special one. Our Y’s Kidz day camp has been specially designed with our youngest campers in mind to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to play, grow and make friends. Days are filled with fun and stimulating activities including swim lessons, sports and games, theme days, art projects, songs, and much more!
CAMP PAMACKA (AGES 6-13)
For over 35 years, Camp Pamacka has offered children ages 6-13 the opportunity to expand their talents and interests, build self confidence, and create lasting memories and friendships. Pamacka days are packed with swim lessons (taught by certified YMCA instructors), sports, camp songs, games, special trips, theme parties and of course, loads of fun!
This summer, we’re also offering exciting Specialty Camps sure to satisfy all campers! .
TEEN TRIP (AGES 11-15)
Pre-teens and teens expand their horizons on day trips to area tri-state hot spots such as water parks, ball games, NYC attractions, and the Jersey Shore.
Each morning, YMCA team building exercises start the day ensuring a fun and fulfilling experience for each participant. Whether you sign up with a friend or on your own, every week there’s the opportunity to make new friends.
POST SUMMER FUN CAMP (AVAILABLE MONDAY, AUGUST 26 THROUGH FRIDAY, AUGUST 30)
Finish up your summer with a fun packed week of summer camp at the Ridgewood Y. Campers will enjoy recreational and educational activities including swimming, arts & crafts, and fun theme days!
CAMP BERNIE (OVERNIGHT CAMP)
Whether it’s overnight camp or adventure day camp, YMCA Camp Bernie has it all! Nestled in the beautiful Schooley Mountains of Warren County New Jersey, Camp Bernie provides a wide variety of activities to help kids succeed, make new friends, build confidence, develop skills and have FUN! Program offerings include swimming, archery, climbing tower, mountain biking, horseback riding, adventure trips and much more.
Pope breaks rules as he washes feet of disabled people in pre-Easter ritual
ROME – Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 disabled and elderly people Thursday – women and non-Catholics among them – in a pre-Easter ritual designed to show his willingness to serve others like a “slave.”
Francis’ decision in 2013 to perform the Holy Thursday ritual on women and Muslim inmates at a juvenile detention center helped define his rule-breaking papacy just two weeks after his election. It riled traditionalist Catholics, who pointed to the Vatican’s own regulations that the ritual be performed only on men since Jesus’ 12 apostles were men.
Reader says Mr. Albano is the Mayor’s hand picked candidate
Mr. Albano is the Mayor’s hand picked candidate. That means he’ll get his 90′ field only if Mr. Albano agrees to vote with Mr. Aronsohn, Mrs. Hauck and Mr. Pucciarelli on everything else for his entire term. This is the classic deal with the Devil. Don’t believe me? Look at the voting records of his 3 incumbent and soon to be team mates. Does anyone think it’s a good idea to give our Mayor and this team that much power?
I am a long time supporter of the RBSA and other sports organizations in town but absolutely cannot vote for Mr. Albano under these circumstances. Let’s hope that others in the “sports group” see through what’s going on here.
Readers react to RBSA email saying trustees have no longer have children’s interest in the program
I think it’s clear that based on the wording of the letter, that Jim sounds like he would vote for anything to get his baseball fields built. I wouldn’t bet on a no vote on any other expansion plans if he can get others to vote for his fields.
glad this is out finally and gary is telling the truth. jim is only the sports candidate and will say anything to get elected. jim thinks the hospital is to much for his neighborhood but doesn’t care about another part of ridgewood. elect him so he can represent his buddies but not the rest of ridgewood. don’t beleive anything jim says about being against the hospital and does he really think the hospital will withdraw the plans because he said so? anyone who thinks the rbsa will bench their kid for not helping jim should probably not be in such a bad program. when i registered my kids for rbsa i didn’t think i was registering for politics. thanks gary for exposing jims real agenda.
Gary is politically active and should have kept the RBSA out of the political fray. He and other trustees have no longer have children in the program. It’s really time to pass the torches on to new volunteers.
Ridgewood’s municipal budget calls for no new taxes
APRIL 17, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014, 2:56 PM BY BY DARIUS AMOS STAFF WRITER
A preliminary $46.4 million budget presented by senior management and finance officials calls for no new taxes for the average Ridgewood taxpayer, a proposal that if adopted would mark the second consecutive year that village government offered residents a zero percent tax increase.
Based on the spending plan explained Wednesday by Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and Chief Finance Officer Steve Sanzari, the average municipal property tax bill would amount to $3,959, a sum determined by the average assessed home value of $688,000. The proposed tax bill is $5 less than the total from last year’s adopted budget.
Sonenfeld cautioned that numbers presented this week could change through continued discussions with department supervisors and governing officials – council members Gwenn Hauck and Bernadette Walsh were unable to attend Wednesday’s special public meeting. A final operating budget summation and review of the 2014 capital expenses is scheduled for April 21, and both spending plans will be introduced by the council on April 23.
“This is just the beginning of the decision phase of the budget,” she said. “But this is also the start of longer-term conversations and longer-term plans for how we want to strategize and how we want to deliver government services going forward.”
Ridgewood council candidates discuss issues at forum
APRIL 17, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014, 5:25 PM BY DARIUS AMOS STAFF WRITER
The three hopefuls for Ridgewood Council boast different backgrounds and varying work experiences, but all expressed similar concerns and viewpoints during Tuesday morning’s meet the candidates event. The 90-minute program, which took place at the Ridgecrest Apartment complex, was the first open forum that featured all three candidates.
According to Kevin O’Brien, president of the Ridgecrest Board of Trustees, the candidates were furnished with the same three questions at least one week in advance of the discussion. On Tuesday, O’Brien, who moderated the forum, publicly posed the questions to James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon.
Of the three candidates, two will be elected May 13 to serve on Ridgewood’s five-member, non-partisan governing body.
Similar to a political debate, each candidate was allotted a specific amount of time to answer questions, and periods for rebuttal responses were granted. Roughly 20 to 25 residents of various ages listened to the candidates’ opinions on the public’s perception of discord on the Village Council, areas where the municipality can add to or improve quality of life, and the governing body’s role in resolving the Valley Hospital expansion plan.
Village of Ridgewood NOTICE : Friday, April 18 – Village Hall & Stable Closed – No Sanitation or Recycling Collection
On Friday, April 18th in observance of Good Friday, Village Hall and The Stable offices will be closed. Additionally there will no garbage or recycling collection on that date.
The Recycling Center, 205 E. Glen Ave., will be open Saturday, April 19 from 8AM to 3PM.
After Nevada ranch stand-off, emboldened militias ask: where next? BY JONATHAN ALLEN Thu Apr 17, 2014 5:37pm EDT
(Reuters) – Flat on his belly in a sniper position, wearing a baseball cap and a flak jacket, a protester aimed his semi-automatic rifle from the edge of an overpass and waited as a crowd below stood its ground against U.S. federal agents in the Nevada desert.
He was part of a 1,000-strong coalition of armed militia-men, cowboys on horseback, gun rights activists and others who rallied to Cliven Bundy’s Bunkerville ranch, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, in a stand-off with about a dozen agents from the federal Bureau of Land Management.
The rangers had rounded up hundreds of Bundy’s cattle, which had been grazing illegally on federal lands for two decades. Bundy had refused to pay grazing fees, saying he did not recognize the government’s authority over the land, a view that attracted vocal support from some right-wing groups.
Citing public safety, the BLM retreated, suspending its operation and even handing back cattle it had already seized.
No shots were fired during the stand-off, which Bundy’s triumphant supporters swiftly dubbed the “Battle of Bunkerville,” but the government’s decision to withdraw in the face of armed resistance has alarmed some who worry that it has set a dangerous precedent and emboldened militia groups.
“Do laws no longer apply when the radical right no longer agrees?” said Ryan Lenz, a writer for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors militia group activity.
Armed Americans using the threat of a gunfight to force federal officers to back down is virtually unparalleled in the modern era, militia experts said. But the BLM, which says it is now pursuing legal and administrative options to resolve the dispute, has won praise for stepping back and avoiding violence.
Energized by their success, Bundy’s supporters are already talking about where else they can exercise armed defiance. They include groups deeply suspicious of what they see as a bloated, over-reaching government they fear wants to restrict their constitutional right to bear arms.
Obama administration’s ‘Culture of intimidation’ seen in Nevada ranch standoff
Critics say fight isn’t first instance of feds’ ‘overkill’
Sending scores of armed agents along with helicopters and dogs to confront an elderly Nevada rancher over grazing fees may seem like overkill, but critics say it’s not inconsistent with the federal government’s recent approach to environmental enforcement.
The simmering truce between the Bundys and the Bureau of Land Management comes after high-profile raids last year by armed federal agents on small-time gold miners in tiny Chicken, Alaska, and guitar makers at the Gibson Guitar facilities in Tennessee.
That doesn’t include more subtle threats, such as recent efforts by the Obama administration to raise grazing fees or pressure permit holders to transfer their water rights as a condition of renewal, said Ryan Yates, director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau.
“Some have called it a culture of intimidation,” Mr. Yates said. “It’s issue after issue, threat after threat. It’s becoming harder and harder to keep those operations in business.”
The atmosphere was quiet but tense Tuesday at the Bundy ranch near Bunkerville, Nev., just days after Bureau of Land Management chief Neil Kornze pulled federal agents off the property and returned about 400 head of cattle to rancher Cliven Bundy.
Republican senator plans to introduce bill to end NJ’s realty transfer fees
TRENTON — One day after Gov. Chris Christie said he would abolish reality transfer fees in New Jersey if given the chance, a fellow Republican responded with a bill seeking to do just that.
State Sen. Diane Allen (R-Burlington) said today she will soon introduce legislation that would repeal the fees that residents have to pay when selling a home here.
“When you sell your home in New Jersey, you’re getting whacked by this arbitrary tax, and that’s wrong,” Allen said. “This initiative will help struggling homeowners, including those who might be facing short sales or foreclosures. It will save property owners across this state a burden of thousands of dollars, which particularly hurts those who have lost equity in their homes due to the economic recession.”
Allen plans to introduce the bill April 28. (Johnson/Star-Ledger)
Over 60,000 New Jersey Students Take Part in Field Test of Online PARCC Exams
More than 62,000 New Jersey elementary and high school students were part of the nation’s first large-scale test of the online PARCC exams, an early trial that officials are calling a success — despite some glitches.
New Jersey’s participation over the past month was among the largest in the country, topped only by Illinois and Ohio.
And depending on who is talking, the trial went fairly well, with comments still coming in. NJ Spotlight is conducting its own survey, too, for our readers to share their experiences.
The chief spokesman for PARCC — the acronym for the Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers — said yesterday that the field tests, which involved more than 200,000 students in more than a dozen states, went about as expected, with no major problems but plenty of smaller issues to be addressed.
Taking place in more than 1,000 New Jersey schools, the trial was in the performance-based piece of the PARCC exams for language arts and math, in which students are asked to complete writing assignments or more complex math computations.
PARCC released new versions of the practice exam last week, allowing the public to take the language arts and math tests themselves. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)
PHILIP BAILEY from Earth Wind and Fire comes to Bookends in Ridgewood to sign his new book: Shining Stars: Braving the Elements of Earth, Wind and Fire
Friday, April 18th @ 7:00pm
Books available April 14th
Bookends is a legendary New Jersey Landmark! We are known for our incredible author events and have hosted well over 1,000 authors in the past 15 years!
All books MUST be purchased from BOOKENDS for any of our events and a valid Bookends receipt must be presented for entry.
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt. Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change. Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings. Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
Missed one of our events? We have Signed Books from some of our recent signings. Call the store to order 201-445-0726.
Officials from Ridgewood’s Parks and Recreation Department make budget requests
APRIL 16, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014, 5:40 PM BY DARIUS AMOS STAFF WRITER
Supervisors and supporters of the Parks and Recreation Department pleaded with Ridgewood Council members last week, making their annual appeal for funding consideration and fewer budget cuts this year. Champions for the department also emphasized that employees continue to “do more with less,” but they cannot maintain high levels of service in the future without financial assistance.
The Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department, headquartered at The Stable, has been doing “more with less,” according to department officials.
The recent session was the council’s latest meeting with various village supervisors in an attempt to trim the fat off of a municipal spending plan, which is just south of $50 million, and present a zero percent average tax increase to Ridgewood property owners. Council members are scheduled to introduce this year’s operating budget April 23, and they expect to hold a public hearing and vote on the plan May 28.
Parks officials have been dealt the brunt of financial reductions since the economic decline of 2008, and the department took one of the largest budget cuts between 2012 and last year. Last Thursday, Tim Cronin said running the department under such financial constraints “has been tough.”
