Category: Uncategorized

Bailing Out Health Insurers and Helping Obamacare

8:01 AM, JAN 13, 2014 • BY JEFFREY H. ANDERSON

Robert Laszewski—a prominent consultant to health insurance companies—recently wrote in a remarkably candid blog post that, while Obamacare is almost certain to cause insurance costs to skyrocket even higher than it already has, “insurers won’t be losing a lot of sleep over it.”  How can this be?  Because insurance companies won’t bear the cost of their own losses—at least not more than about a quarter of them.  The other three-quarters will be borne by American taxpayers.

For some reason, President Obama hasn’t talked about this particular feature of his signature legislation.  Indeed, it’s bad enough that Obamacare is projected by the Congressional Budget Office to funnel $1,071,000,000,000.00 (that’s $1.071 trillion) over the next decade (2014 to 2023) from American taxpayers,through Washington, to health insurance companies.  It’s even worse that Obamacare is trying to coerce Americans into buying those same insurers’ product (although there are escape routes).  It’s almost unbelievable that it will also subsidize those same insurers’ losses.

https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/bailing-out-health-insurers-and-helping-obamacare_774167.html

So if its Bridgegate ….Hmmm… this deserves the “gate” suffix, but these don’t:

Benghazi-gate
Obamacare-gate
IRS-gate
NSA-gate
FastAndFurious-gate
Solyndra-gate
VoterIntimidation-gate
…to name a few

I wonder why that is….

Harlem Wizards vs. Ridgewood All-Stars
Friday, January 31, 2014
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Ridgewood High School Gym 1

Harlem Wizards Take on the RPS All-Stars on January 31

Come enjoy a night of trick hoops & alley oops with the world-famous Harlem Wizards! Come out and support your teachers and community members as they lace em’ up and take on the Wizards.

– Give-a-ways
– Audience-Participation Halftime Show
– Souvenirs
– Refreshments
– Post-Game Autograph Session

Beat the Wizards….or have a BALL trying!!!

Tickets are sold on first come, first served basis and sell out quickly.  Deadline for purchasing tickets is January 24. Please click here to download the flyer/order form for more information.

Target says data breach up to 110 mn customers

New York (AFP) – Giant US retailer Target said Friday that up to 110 million customers have had their personal data stolen in a data breach, sharply raising its initial estimate.

The number of people affected represented one in three Americans, and the scope of the information stolen was much broader than originally thought, Target admitted.

Target initially reported on December 19 that payment card data of some 40 million customers had been obtained by hackers during the year-end holiday shopping season.

The stolen information included credit and debit card data, customer names and PIN (personal identification data) numbers.

On Friday, Target said that its investigation had revealed that hackers also stole a second batch of data that included names, mailing addresses, phone numbers or email addresses for up to 70 million people.

https://news.yahoo.com/target-says-data-breach-hit-70-mn-customers-150615694.html

Bid Notice – Maple Park Artificial Turf Cleaning – Opening January 22

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Click Here for details.

Sealed bid proposals will be received by the Village of Ridgewood, in the Level Three Conference Room at the Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451 on Wednesday, January 22, 2014, 10:00 a.m. prevailing time, and then publicly opened and read aloud for following project:

“Maple Park Artificial Turf Cleaning”

The work of the contract shall consist of providing all labor, materials, tools and equipment necessary to clean and remediate Maple Park Turf Field. Upon mutual agreement of all parties, the Village will consider extending this contract for an additional year beyond the term stated.

Specifications and bid forms will be available from the office of Parks and Recreation, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451, telephone (201) 670-5565. Documents may be examined or picked up in person between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Parks and Recreation Office, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07451. Prospective bidders requesting bid documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration.

Prices quoted must be net and exclusive of all federal, state and local sales and excise taxes. Bids may be submitted in person or by mail. Mailed bids shall be addressed to the Office of the Village Clerk. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any bid to the bid opening location sent to it prior to the Bid opening.

The contractual obligation of the Village of Ridgewood under this Contract for these Items is contingent upon the availability of appropriate funds from which payment for this Contract can be made.

Each bid must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the bidder thereon and endorsed, “Maple Park Artificial Turf Cleaning” and must be accompanied by the following: either a certified check, cashier’s check, or Bid Bond (Schedule B), drawn to the order of the Village of Ridgewood for $1,000; a Consent of Surety (Schedule A); a Corporation or Partnership Statement (Schedule C); a Non-Collusion Affidavit (Schedule D); and a Statement of Responsibility (Schedule E). Any award or awards may be made at a later or subsequent time or meeting of the Village Council. All required schedules, that is Schedule A, B, C, D, and E, are required to be submitted on the forms enclosed in the bid documents. No other forms will be accepted.

All contractors, their subcontractors, and material suppliers shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Contractor Business Registration Program, pursuant to Public Law 2004 Chapter 57. Evidence of satisfactory registration(s) shall be submitted at the time of the bid. All bids submitted shall contain a copy of the bidder’s New Jersey Business Registration Certificate.

The successful bidder shall furnish and deliver to the Village of Ridgewood a performance and payment bond in the amount of $10,000.00 as security for the faithful performance of the Contract. Additionally, the successful bidder shall furnish policies or Certificates of Insurance as required by the Contract. In default thereof, the said checks and/or bid bond submitted with the bid, and the amount represented thereby shall be forfeited to the Village of Ridgewood as liquidated damages, not as a penalty.

Proposals submitted by Bidders and/or Bidder’s Insurance Company(ies) not chartered in the State of New Jersey, must be accompanied by proper certificate(s) from the Secretary of State, indicating that such Bidders, Bidder’s Insurance Company(ies), and/or Surety Company(ies)’s is (are) authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive any informality or to accept a bid which, in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village. No bids may be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after the date and time set for the opening of bids.

“BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27). A complete statement as to these requirements is included in the specifications.”

Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital:  Is Your Pet Too Cold?

Is Your Pet Too Cold? Pets can get hypothermia, too! Read our blog for important tips on pet safety during the cold winter months.

What are the signs of hypothermia in pets?

What are the signs of frostbite in pets?

How do I prevent winter health problems?

https://www.ridgewoodvet.com/blog/2014/01/08/is-your-pet-too-cold-138488

Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital
320 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-6000

NJASK UPDATED AS PART OF ONGOING TRANSITION TO COMMON CORE

Revised middle-school math exams alter profile of what students need to know in grades 6 to 8

The move to online testing in 2015 may have grabbed most of the attention, but the state’s NJASK exams will also be seeing some more changes this spring, as the current elementary and middle school tests are brought into line with the Common Core State Standards.

The state has already started the phase-in of the new national standards, revising NJASK’s grades 3-8 language arts and grades 3-5 math sections. But it left intact the grades 6-8 math exams while the younger students had the necessary instruction.

Now it’s the turn of the middle-school math tests. Some content areas will be moved entirely to different grades. Ratios and relationships, for example, will be addressed in grades 6 and 7; mathematical functions more heavily weighted in grade 8.

“The idea was that the scaffolding of content was special for math, so we staged that implementation,” said Bari Erlichson, assistant education commissioner in charge of the testing. (Mooney/NJSpotlight)

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/07/njask-updated-as-part-of-ongoing-transition-to-common-core/

Reader says Hundreds of new apartments aren’t the answer unless they are limited to 55 and over.

file photo Boyd Loving

Broken streetlight to be cited in suit in Ridgewood pedestrian’s death
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2014
BY  CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The wife of a lawyer and author who died in March after being struck by a car has filed legal notice with the village, expressing her intent to pursue a claim.

Missing or non performing Street lights have been an issues in the Village for over 10 years 

Every Time it was mentioned on this blog the writers were attacked for being complainers 

Streetlight outages prompt concerns in Ridgewood
https://theridgewoodblog.net/streetlight-outages-prompt-concerns-in-ridgewood/

PSE&G : The old street light scam is back in the news once again
https://theridgewoodblog.net/pseg-the-old-street-light-scam-is-back-in-the-news-once-again/

PSE&G Plans to Light Up Streets for Less
https://theridgewoodblog.net/pseg-plans-to-light-up-streets-for-less/

Harlow tells PSE&G: “Too little, too late!” – Harlow demands PSE&G repay Village $250K – PSE&G reveals plan to upgrade ALL streetlights in Village
https://theridgewoodblog.net/harlow-tells-pseg-too-little-too-late-harlow-demands-pseg-repay-village-250k-pseg-reveals-plan-to-upgrade-all-streetlights-in-village/

Killion re: new street lights: “This project started when Quentin Wiest was mayor and it still isn’t done. Will it be done before I leave office?”
https://theridgewoodblog.net/killion-re-new-street-lights-this-project-started-when-quentin-wiest-was-mayor-and-it-still-isnt-done-will-it-be-done-before-i-leave-office/

Una Sarno’s notice of tort claim suggests a broken street-light directly contributed to the death of her husband, Ronald Sarno.

The 71-year-old partner in Sarno & De Felice in New York City was struck March 5 on North Walnut Street, near downtown Ridgewood, while walking home from the train. He died at Hackensack University Medical Center three days later.

According to his wife, Sarno had been the author of eight books on legal and religious subjects.

A notice of tort claim, the first legal step before filing a lawsuit, must be filed within 90 days on an incident. The notice was first filed in June.

According to the notice, the car that hit Sarno was driven by Scott Kunz of Ridgewood. Police did not issue a summons for the accident.

The filing says the accident happened just before 7:30 p.m.

In their reports, Ridgewood police noted the “area was dangerously dark, with the nearest streetlight out,” the filing says.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/238819491_Broken_streetlight_to_be_cited_in_suit_in_Ridgewood_pedestrian_s_death_to_be_cited_in_suit_in_pedestrian_s_death.html#sthash.4LDMNhYV.dpuf

Reader says We can’t forever be stuck with those blighted remnants of the past

What are the alternatives for the eyesores of the Town Garage, Brogan Cadillac, Ken Smith Chevrolet, and the old auto dealers along North Maple in to Ho Ho Kus ? We can’t forever be stuck with those blighted remnants of the past if we want Ridgewood to remain awesome for future generations. How about a Performing Arts Center (with extra parking), a hockey arena (again with parking, will save time for all of the families who currently drive to Paramus), and more park land (with parking !) ? There have to be some suggestions for the owners of those properties on how best to redevelop them in a way that makes sense for both current and future residents. We can’t just remain forever static and say that’s what’s best for residents – progress isn’t always negative !

DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS
MORNING.

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
410 AM EST MON JAN 6 2014

…DENSE FOG SHOULD REDEVELOP INTO THIS MORNING…
…STRONG WINDS EXPECTED TONIGHT INTO TUESDAY ACROSS THE NEW YORK CITY METROPOLITAN AREA AND LONG ISLAND…

…DENSE FOG ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS
MORNING…
…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST
TUESDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A WIND
ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM EST
TUESDAY.

* LOCATIONS…THE NEW YORK CITY METROPOLITAN AREA AND LONG ISLAND.

* HAZARDS…DENSE FOG…THEN STRONG WINDS.

* WINDS…WEST 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.

* TIMING…DENSE FOG SHOULD REDEVELOP AND LAST INTO THIS MORNING
UNTIL A STRONG COLD FRONTAL PASSAGE. STRONG WINDS WILL DEVELOP
LATE THIS EVENING AND CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS…HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS IN FOG…AND DIFFICULT
DRIVING CONDITIONS IN STRONG WINDS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A DENSE FOG ADVISORY MEANS VISIBILITIES WILL FREQUENTLY BE
REDUCED TO ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS. IF DRIVING…SLOW DOWN…– USE
YOUR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS…AND LEAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE AHEAD OF
YOU IN CASE A SUDDEN STOP IS NEEDED.

A WIND ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN SUSTAINED WINDS OF 31 TO 39 MPH…
OR GUSTS OF 46 TO 57 MPH…ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. WINDS THIS
STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE
VEHICLES. — USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Village Council and Board Meetings 

01/07/148:00PMPlanning Board Special Public Meeting
01/08/147:30PMVillage Council Public Work Session
01/15/148:00PMVillage Council Public Meeting
01/21/147:30PMPlanning Board Public Meeting
01/29/147:30PMVillage Council Public Work Session
01/29/147:30PMPlanning Board Special Public Meeting
01/30/147:30PMPlanning Board Special Public Meeting

Planning Board Special Public Meeting – January 7, 2014 – RHS Campus Center

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meeting: Tuesday, January 7, 2014

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014, in the RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CENTER, 627 E. RIDGEWOOD AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 8:00 p.m.

The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area including AH-2, B-3-R, C-R and C Zone Districts. The Board anticipates that the order of presentation to the extent known as of this date will consist of the following:

a) Comments by Ira Weiner, Esq., counsel for Concerned Residents for a Better Ridgewood.

b) Brief initial public comments concerning issue of multi-family housing and Master Plan amendment.

c) Commencement of expert testimony – professional planning (direct and cross examination of planners on behalf of any interested party – opportunity to ask questions after the conclusion of each witness’ testimony)

d) Announcement of next hearing date and other Planning Board business per the agenda.

The proposed master plan amendment and related exhibits are at the office of the Secretary of the Ridgewood Planning Board on the third floor of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey and are available for public inspection Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The amendment and exhibits are also posted as a courtesy on the Village’s website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Planning Board Special Public Meeting – January 29 & 30, 2014 – GW Middle School

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meetings: January 29, 2014 and January 30, 2014

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled special public meetings for WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 and THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2014 in the GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 155 WASHINGTON PLACE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Board may take official action during this Work and Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the Public Hearing on the Proposed H-Hospital Zone Amendment to the Master Plan. 

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.