NJ gay couples celebrating at tax time, but married status also brings challenges
APRIL 12, 2014, 11:10 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2014, 11:44 PM
BY STEPHANIE AKIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Tax time has been described as anxiety-inducing and unnecessarily confusing, and its inescapability has even been equated with death. Now, it’s being pointed to as a reason for celebration — at least by same-sex couples who for the first time can check off the box that says “married” on their 1040s.
Tim Eustace and his husband, Kevin, marked the occasion by going out to dinner in downtown Maywood, where they live. Jeff Farlow, 30, of Pine Hill posted his refund on Facebook. And Jeff Gardner, 45, of Hawthorne described a visit to the accountant with this incongruous adjective: “Momentous.”
Sure, filing as a newly married couple entails its own set of headaches, and filing for the first time as a same-sex married couple comes with an assortment of questions. But many said the symbolic significance is worth the hassle — at least this time around.
“It’s another act that points out that the government legally recognizes us as a legitimate couple,” said Charles Cumpston, a retired publishing executive from Fort Lee. “That’s pretty incredible.”
ask Jim Mac Greevey where the pension money went ?
Reader asks so where did all that money from the pension piggy bank go if it didn’t balance budgets ?
Maybe if our Past Governors didn’t use the government employees pension systems as their personal piggy banks without repaying what they took, and if the municipalities and state actually paid in what they were suppose to there wouldn’t be a pension funding problem.Your State income taxes are about to go up even higher.
Whitman, McGreevy and Corzine played serious games with pension funds. But the health care benefits are an even bigger liability than the unfunded pension liability, $59bn vs $47bn. That’s over $100bn in unfunded promises made. Taxes may be going up, but benefits will have to be reduced, too, it’s not a one way street. Here’s a good question: We already have the second highest state and local taxes in the country vs,. one of the largest unfunded pension liabilities, so where did all that money from the pension piggy bank go if it didn’t balance budgets ?
Concerned Residents of Ridgewood endorses Knudsen, Sedon
The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood are thrilled to endorse Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon for council. We are extremely confident that Susan and Michael are the best candidates.
Michael Sedon brings a different perspective that will serve Ridgewood well. He and his wife are raising three children in the village. They have a newborn as well as two children in grammar and middle school and want the best place for them to grow up. Michael was a reporter for The Ridgewood News for almost four years. He regularly attended, analyzed and provided coverage on council, planning board and municipal budget meetings and learned about the workings of Ridgewood government from an insiders’ perspective. After leaving The Ridgewood News, he continued attending council and planning board meetings as a citizen interested and invested in what happens to our community. He is in this for the long haul. Michael is concerned about overdevelopment, the budget, Ridgewood’s aging infrastructure, traffic and parking.
Susan comes in with corporate experience, volunteerism and community involvement. She and her husband have raised their three boys here for the last 15 years. Since 2011, Susan has served on the Ridgewood Zoning Board of Adjustment, voted vice chairwoman since 2012. She has a strong knowledge of land use issues in the village and is very passionate about helping Ridgewood move forward while preserving the quaint and special town that we all know and love. Susan Knudsen is intelligent and creative and will bring new ideas to the council. She is concerned about overdevelopment, the budget, lack of open space and parking issues in our town.
Each candidate has demonstrated a deep understanding of the serious issues facing our village. Each comes into this without a personal agenda and willing to be an independent advocate for the taxpayers of Ridgewood. They share a desire to bring our village forward while maintaining quality services, keeping taxes within reach and retaining the character and charm of our wonderful village.
Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, May 13 and vote for these outstanding candidates, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon.
$449,900 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1410219
528 FRANKLIN TPKE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Jenny Lindberg, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
19
$459,900 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1405351
1127 LINWOOD AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Scott Jeffers, Broker Associate
Lynne Reck, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
12
$478,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1404165
258 E GLEN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
24
$625,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1412232
341 FRANKLIN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Lorraine Sullivan, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
20
$629,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1411426
36 RICHMOND AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, COL
Roberta Baldwin, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Realty – NJ Metro Group
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
25
$629,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1412136
209 STEILEN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Jane Vander Plaat, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
6
$829,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1411977
141 HAMILTON RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, COL
Mary Onie Holland, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/13
23
$975,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1412231
730 UPPER BLVD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Charlie Delman, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.DpmBfXFp.dpuf
$999,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1410756
403 COLONIAL RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Gina Fierro, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.DpmBfXFp.dpuf
$1,050,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1404714
538 VAN DYKE ST, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
16
$1,100,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1411995
351 GODWIN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Maryanne Connaughton, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors/Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
15
$1,144,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1412375
153 HOPE ST, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Qizhan Yao, Sales Associate
Realmart Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
6
$1,349,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1410795
820 MORNINGSIDE RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Mary Tarvin Passaro, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/13
19
$1,399,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1343418
436 FARVIEW ST, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
David H. Larsen, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
24
$1,425,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1407377
725 BELMONT RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Nancy M. Falk, Broker Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
23
$1,425,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1408561
226 FAIRMOUNT RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
25
$1,495,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1403728
184 BEECHWOOD RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Jennifer Springer, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/13
25
$1,645,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1408779
335 MOUNTAIN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Joanne Delaney, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/13
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.DpmBfXFp.dpuf
$1,675,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1411067
220 GREENWAY RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Elizabeth Fernandez, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
25
$1,690,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1411617
464 BEVERLY RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, COL
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
25
$1,995,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1343181
237 MOUNTAIN AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, COL
Victoria Wilkinson, Sales Associate
Solutions Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
15
$2,249,000 in RIDGEWOOD
MLS # 1407897
330 BEDFORD RD, RIDGEWOOD, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, COL
John Vaughan, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/13
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.DpmBfXFp.dpuf
Feds Back Down From Bundy Siege After Infowars Exposé of Chinese Land Grab
Huge victory for property rights as establishment handed crushing defeat
Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones
Infowars.com
April 12, 2014
UPDATE: Feds Back Down In New Bundy Standoff, Agree to Release Cattle
The federal government backed down and ended their siege against Nevada cattle rancher Cliven Bundy less than 24 hours after an Infowars exposé connecting the land grab to Harry Reid and a Chinese-backed solar farm went viral, becoming the biggest news story on the Internet.
Last night, we revealed how the feds were using the Bureau of Land Management to bully and intimidate ranchers like Bundy, pushing them off public land in order to pave the way for lucrative “green energy” projects backed by the Communist Chinese government and linked to Nevada Senator Harry Reid.
The story went viral, taking the number one spot on the Viral News Chart website and becoming the most trafficked story on the web thanks to syndication by news powerhouse the Drudge Report.
This morning, the Sheriff of Clark County, Nevada, Douglas Gillespie, announced to thousands of Bundy supporters gathered in Bunkerville that a deal had been brokered with Cliven Bundy that would see the BLM cease its roundup of the rancher’s cattle.
A press release has already been put forth that the BLM is going to cease this operation,” stated Gillespie, to a huge roar from the crowd of Bundy supporters.
April 12, 2014
By LIZ FIELDS
LIZ FIELDSMore From Liz »Reporter via GOOD MORNING AMERICA
A Nevada cattle rancher appears to have won his week-long battle with the federal government over a controversial cattle roundup that had led to the arrest of several protesters.
Cliven Bundy went head to head with the Bureau of Land Management over the removal of hundreds of his cattle from federal land, where the government said they were grazing illegally.
Bundy claims his herd of roughly 900 cattle have grazed on the land along the riverbed near Bunkerville, 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, since 1870 and threatened a “range war” against the BLM on the Bundy Ranch website after one of his sons was arrested while protesting the removal of the cattle.
“I have no contract with the United States government,” Bundy said. “I was paying grazing fees for management and that’s what BLM was supposed to be, land managers and they were managing my ranch out of business, so I refused to pay.”
The federal government had countered that Bundy “owes the American people in excess of $1 million ” in unpaid grazing fees and “refuses to abide by the law of land, despite many opportunities over the last 20 years to do so.”
However, today the BLM said it would not enforce a court order to remove the cattle and was pulling out of the area.
The Valley Hospital Recognized for Providing an Outstanding Patient Experience
April 8, 2014
Recognition Places Valley Among Top 10 Percent of U.S. Hospitals
Ridgewood NJ, For the fifth time, The Valley Hospital has been recognized with the Healthgrades Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ (2014, 2011, 2010/2011, 2009/2010, 2009). This distinction places Valley among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation for patient experience. Valley is the only general, acute-care hospital in New Jersey to receive this recognition.
The award recognizes The Valley Hospital for outstanding performance in the delivery of positive experiences for patients during their hospital stay, as measured by Healthgrades, an online resource for information about physicians and hospitals.
Healthgrades evaluated 3,582 hospitals that submitted patient surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, covering admissions from March 2012 through April 2013. To be eligible for the patient experience award, hospitals had to meet additional clinical quality requirements. This ensures recipient hospitals are delivering strong outcomes in addition to an excellent patient experience during hospitalization. Only the top 15 percent of this national group — or 447 hospitals — received the 2014 award. Valley’s recognition places the hospital in the top 10 percent in the nation.
“We are very pleased to once again receive this recognition,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “I think it’s a wonderful reflection of the standard of care we provide to all our patients and a testament to the priority Valley staff and physicians place on achieving the highest-quality clinical outcomes, while delivering the most compassionate care.”
Healthgrades evaluated Valley’s performance as assessed by the hospital’s patients across 27 different questions that roll up to ten distinct measures. Ranging from cleanliness and noise levels in a patient room to factors such as pain management and responsiveness to patient’s needs, the measures also include whether a patient would recommend this hospital to friends or family.
“As consumers are becoming more active participants in their healthcare, measured performance surrounding the patient experience at a hospital is an increasingly important consideration for patients in choosing where to receive their care,” said Evan Marks, EVP Informatics and Strategy. “Consumers can rest assured that those hospitals that have achieved the Healthgrades 2014 Patient Experience Award demonstrate a commitment to exceptional focus on the needs of the patient during their stay at the hospital.”
Benjamin Franklin Middle School students show school spirit
Students from B.F. Middle School competed for the best Super Hero Costume as part of School Spirit week during an assembly at the school this morning. The principals of Travell, Somerville and Hawes schools came by to judge the costumes. Ridgewood Officers Michael Karcher and Lt.Glenn Ender were on hand as part of the youth outreach program.
School budget elections disappearing in New Jersey
April 12, 2014, 11:28 AM Last updated: Saturday, April 12, 2014, 11:28 AM
By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Just a few years ago, April school elections were a key date on New Jersey’s political calendar, the time most of the state’s voters had — but ignored — the chance to say yes or no to property tax increases.
Now, the only-in-New Jersey votes hardly exist.
Just 26 of the state’s 585 school districts will hold elections April 23. That’s 15 fewer than last year.
The change is a result of a law that, starting in 2012, allowed schools to save money and duck public outrage by moving school board elections to November and scrap votes on the tax levy. School budgets are the biggest component of New Jersey property tax bills, which average more than $8,000, the highest in the nation.
The conversion has been faster than expected, and it has come without much complaint.
Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association, said his group doesn’t believe the school budgeting process has changed much because the direct vote on tax levies associated with school budgets is a thing of the past in most communities.
The budgets, he says, are still subject to a cap on how much administrative expenses can grow, still get reviewed by state education officials and are still subject to public hearing. And those that call for property tax increases of about 2 percent still must be voted on — unless the bigger increases are because of certain exceptions.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/school-budget-elections-disappearing-in-new-jersey-1.938920#sthash.zbWpmLqc.dpuf
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Ridgewood’s “Shred Day” brings out hundreds
April 13,14
Boyd A. Loving
11:07 AM
Ridgewood NJ, Hundreds of Ridgewood residents lined up in vehicles to take part in “Ridgewood Shred Day,” which was held Saturday at the Village’s Recycling Center on East Glen Avenue. Residents were able to watch their documents on a camera as they were securely shredded. The service was provided free to any Ridgewood resident.
Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands presents DAFFODIL FESTIVAL
Sun, April 27, 2014
Time: 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Ridgewood Train Station Plaza, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
SAVE THIS DATE, April 27, 2014 at 12:30pm
A celebration to thank the community for planting 7,000 daffodil bulbs and to showcase the parkland along North Broad Street.
Rain or Shine
Ribbon Cutting 12:30pm
Plant Sale-Annuals & Perennials
Fine Arts Show and Sale
Antique Classic Car Display
Daffodil themed crafts for children
Dog Parade for your favorite pooch
Antique Appraisal Event Saturday, April 12, 1-4 PM Back by popular demand! Invite your friends and neighbors.
Do you watch Antiques Roadshow? Have you ever wondered about the value of an antique or collectible in your home? Here’s an opportunity to have it appraised! Jon Felz, certified as an appraiser by the New England Appraisers Association, will be present to speak about and appraise each of your treasured items. He has been featured on Antiques Roadshow.
A fee of $5 per item will be charged. The event will take place in the Education Building of Old Paramus Church, 660 East Glen Ave., Ridgewood. Please call the office at 201 444-5933 for more information, or visit the church website, www.oldparamus.org. The building is handicapped accessible. Parking is ample and free.
Candidates Coffee All Ridgewood senior citizens are welcome to join us on Tuesday April 15th at 10:30 am in the Community Room of the Ridgecrest Apartments (7 Ridge Road). Village Council candidates James Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon will hear your concerns, ideas and points of view over light refreshments before sitting for a panel discussion led by our moderator.
This is a unique opportunity for both the candidates and you, our valued resident, to address the needs and expectations of Ridgewood’s growing senior citizen population. Don’t miss this chance to have your voice heard by our community leaders and hear their positions on the issues that are important to you. Call 201-248-2730 more information.
Readers respond to Councilwomen Gwen Hauck’s Ridiculous Ridgewood Library Comment
“It is an expensive department, but it’s not near as expensive as the police department and fire department. I would like it to be up there in that same echelon,” Hauck said
Really.
So you want the library budget in the same echelon as a 24/7 365 days a year department budget to include state and federal mandated training and equipment.
The library also benefits from private funding through the Friends of the Library organization and the Library Foundation, Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck said. But, according to Hauck, the library should be shouldered by the village.
“It is an expensive department, but it’s not near as expensive as the police department and fire department. I would like it to be up there in that same echelon,” Hauck said.
Duh? Are you friggin’ kidding me? Earth calling Gwenn, Earth calling Gwenn, come in please Gwenn! Police and fire operate 24/7/365 with specialized equipment and personnel. Including state and federal mandated training ?
Funny isn’t it. Loads of talk from Village Hall about shared services and using the County services when possible but no talk at all about combining municipal libraries and getting rid of some administrative overhead in the process. We could easily combine with HoHoKus, Midland Park, and Glen Rock, could we not?
Noble as libraries have been over the years, it’s hard to justify increasing public funding for Ridgewood’s. Such is the price we pay for past extravagances. As for Mrs. Hauck, she should probably keep her head down and steer clear of any other potential conflicts of interest at the taxpayers’ expense. In advance of the predictable counterpoint – I’ll concede that her advocating for another of her personal crusades is “legal” but it just continues to look bad.
Any of these name look familiar?
Library Board of Trustees John Johansen President
Elisa R. Legg Vice-President Arlene Sarappo Secretary
Gail Campbell Treasurer James Mazzo
John Saraceno Jayne Schroeder
Gwenn Hauck Village Council Paul Aronsohn Mayor
Linda Diorio Superintendent’s Delegate Dr. Daniel Fishbein Superintendent of Schools
2013 – 2014 Directors
Betsy Giordano, President
Shoshana Feiner, Vice-President/Sec
Stephen Petrick, Treasurer
Marie Bicks
Tony Damiano
Catherine Donnelly
Kathleen M. Entwistle
Janet Fricke
Kathleen Gatens
Paul Goldberg
Jeffrey Karpf
Helen Kim
Cara Murray
Anne Ramsey
Rahul Sharma
Melanie Stern
Associate Directors
Glenn F. Jorgensen, Founding President
Harlen Coben
Dan Cummings
Elia Desruisseaux
Thomas Dougherty
Josh Grunat
Jacque Harlow
Gwenn Hauck ****
Phyllis Heilborn
Teresa Hutchins
Michele Lenhard
William J. Meakem
Barbara Moreira
Ellen Quinn
Joan Popkin
Deborah Primiano
Albert Pucciarelli *****
Fred Strype
GM’s Barra got email in 2011 about steering problems
Paul A. Eisenstein | @DetroitBureau
10 Hours Ago
The Congressional committee investigating the long-delayed the recall of millions of vehicles equipped with a faulty ignition switch, released a flurry of internal General Motors documents Friday showing what it described as “failures within the system” that allowed critical safety issues to go unaddressed.
Exactly why the ignition switch problem went unresolved for as much as a decade has spurred a series of investigations by the Department of Justice, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and both houses of Congress. During two Capitol Hill hearings last week, GM CEO Mary Barra was repeatedly criticized for failing to offer clear answers about the ignition switch problem.
One of the documents released Friday showed that while in her previous job as GM’s global product development chief, Barra was kept clearly in the loop about a separate recall issue involving steering problems on the Saturn Ion and other GM products.
