Category: Uncategorized

PLANNING BOARD MEETING – April 16 at GW Middle School

PLANNING BOARD MEETING

APRIL 16, 2013 @ 7:30pm

GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

155 Washington Place

Ridgewood, NJ 07450

PARKING AVAILABLE ACROSS THE STREET AT WESTSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION TODAY

Polls Open 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Any Ridgewood resident who is a registered voter may cast a ballot in the Annual School Election on April 16.

Any registered voter may cast a mail-in ballot. Mail-in ballots must be completed and returned to the County Clerk by the close of polls on Tuesday, April 16.

The Ridgewood Board of Education will have two vacancies in the Tuesday, April 16 Annual School Election. Up for re-election are current Trustees Michele Lenhard and James Morgan, who will each run unopposed for another three-year term.

The Board approved the budget on March 27, 2013. The budget will be up for public vote at the Annual School Election on Tuesday, April 16.

Click here to read the Budget Issue of Newsline, a newsletter mailed to all Ridgewood residents.

Click here to view the webcast of the March 27 meeting.

Click here to read Dr. Fishbein’s March colum for The Ridgewood News on March 29, 2013, in which he discusses the budget and Ridgewood’s tradition of excellence.

Click here to view Dr. Fishbein’s 2013-2014 budget presentation, dated 3.18.13.

Click here to view the District Fund Balance Analysis.

Click here to view the Comparative Spending Guide.

Study Reveals Global Warming Not To Blame For Last Year’s Crippling Drought
April 12, 2013 11:50 AM

ST. LOUIS (CBS St. Louis/AP) – A new federal study reveals that global warming is not to blame for last year’s extreme drought that crippled the central Great Plains.

The study conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Drought Task Force places the blame on natural variations in weather patterns that caused the “flash drought.”

The Plains saw very little rain last summer due to two key meteorological processes which NOAA states was a “sequence of unfortunate events.” First, the Plains states saw very little rain in May and June because low pressure systems that brought storms were shunted northward into Canada. Second, thunderstorms were infrequent in July and August and produced little precipitation.

The report states that there were “no strong indicators” a drought of this magnitude would have struck the Midwest last year.

https://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/04/12/study-reveals-global-warming-not-to-blame-for-last-years-crippling-drought/

THE UN AND NEW JERSEY TOGETHER
SUE TOVEY
Apr 10 ,2013

On the evening of April 9th. in Wyckoff, NJ., a very interesting event took place. Although it looked extremely routine in nature, the message was anything but. A gentleman by the name of, George Hathaway, came to the Larkin House to inform a group of anxious citizens about an area of change which, on the face of it, seemed to be simply a part of local governmental business as usual. After all, countless numbers of our local community town councils and the Bergen County Freeholder Board had dealt with this sort of thing routinely. Suffice to say, there were grants involved and it all looked user friendly and non conflicting in nature……a positive wave of the future. The packaging was attractive and it presented part of a thoughtful growth plan for the future of our county and the towns within it.
And, so it seemed……………

Now, the question came to mind, ” Did anyone look into the source of this delicious funded program of the future?” Perhaps so, although that would clearly depend upon where, how  and by whom the source of the plan was revealed, if at all.
This takes us to the next step in the process.

Let’s go across the river to NYC to view the 1987 UN Commission on Environment and Development Report ,clearly identified by the word ” Sustainability ” and further defined under the title of “Agenda 21.”

Quote, ” The UN term “sustainable development”  means any activity that has economic impact and is equitable and has no negative environmental impact ” All three elements must be included to qualify as ” Sustainable” according to Henry Lamb, expert on Sustainability, as defined by the United Nations. This grand design involves every area and facet of the human environment. Further, fhe word ” Environment” is now defined in some major learning institutions in America and taught in China to include every aspect of human existence as
characterized by the three areas named above…………..A coincidence, perhaps, but I think not.

One of the many parts of the UN sustainability program is ” Together North Jersey,” which is being implemented right here in Bergen County. As a matter of fact, ” there is even an initiative currently underway in the 13 County North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority region of our state.” However, the tent flaps are down and many of our well meaning administrators,  town councils, governing boards and educators have failed to see the long range goals of this carefully administered program, which the UN has skillfully planned for change in America. and the world for decades.

Citizens from many towns in Bergen County sat in rapt attention listening to the outlines of the multiple facets contained in  the UN program for changing  our communities into their UN World Government plan for   “Sustainability.”
Further, all the UN Plan information is outlined on the United Nations website for those who wish to verify the facts sighted here.,,,,Sustainability, “Together North Jersey ” and “Agenda 21” and the list goes on.
None of the UN agenda is hidden. It is right there for all to investigate, if they wish.

Now, It is time for Americans to wake up to the fact that there is another plan afoot to change America …….right here in New Jersey!

So, to our speaker, “Thank you, George Hathaway, for your in depth presentation of the UN at work in New Jersey and in America today!

We thank you on behalf of ” The Proud To Be An American Committee” and “The West Bergen Tea Party.”

Medicare hike could also hit some in middle class

401(k) income could boost Medicare premiums for middle class

penalized for prudence, dinged for saving diligently

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR | Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Retired as a city worker, Sheila Pugach lives in a modest home on a quiet street in Albuquerque, N.M., and drives an 18-year-old Subaru.

Pugach doesn’t see herself as upper-income by any stretch, but President Barack Obama’s budget would raise her Medicare premiums and those of other comfortably retired seniors, adding to a surcharge that already costs some 2 million beneficiaries hundreds of dollars a year each.

More importantly, due to the creeping effects of inflation, 20 million Medicare beneficiaries would end up paying higher “income related” premiums for their outpatient and prescription coverage over time.

Administration officials say Obama’s proposal will help improve the financial stability of Medicare by reducing taxpayer subsidies for retirees who can afford to pay a bigger share of costs. Congressional Republicans agree with the president on this one, making it highly likely the idea will become law if there’s a budget deal this year.

But the way Pugach sees it, she’s being penalized for prudence, dinged for saving diligently.

It was the government, she says, that pushed her into a higher income bracket where she’d have to pay additional Medicare premiums.

https://news.yahoo.com/medicare-hike-could-hit-middle-class-075045878–politics.html

Reader says, Vote NO on the school budget !

The VC and BOE are unreal (except for a couple realists like Morgan).

Does anybody every want to cut their budget? No.

Do financial realities require this? Yes.

Everyday, private companies are making the hard choices. Restructuring jobs, departments, making due with less, etc. due to financial constraints.

What have we seen with the VC and BOE? Nibbling around the edges. Threatening wholesale reductions to sports. What about negotiating reasonable pay packages? Rationalizing school administration? Saying no to scope creep?

If the BOE says “No”, to financial oversight, we should say “NO!” to the budget.

It’s time for a change.

Thed.

EARTH DAY FAIR – Saturday, April 20

Saturday, April 20 from 10AM to 2PM Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committe (REAC) and RHS Students for Environmental Action (SEA) will present 2013 Earth Day Fair in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square. Exhibits, activities and fun for the whole family!

Click Here for Flyer.
https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2013EarthDaySaveDate.pdf

Further information contact [email protected]

Friendships cut short on social media as people get ruder: survey
By Belinda Goldsmith
LONDON | Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:35pm EDT

(Reuters) – Rudeness and throwing insults are cutting online friendships short with a survey on Wednesday showing people are getting ruder on social media and two in five users have ended contact after a virtual altercation.

As social media usage surges, the survey found so has incivility with 78 percent of 2,698 people reporting an increase in rudeness online with people having no qualms about being less polite virtually than in person.

One in five people have reduced their face-to-face contact with someone they know in real life after an online run-in.

Joseph Grenny, co-chairman of corporate training firm VitalSmarts that conducted the survey, said online rows now often spill into real life with 19 percent of people blocking, unsubscribing or “unfriending” someone over a virtual argument.

“The world has changed and a significant proportion of relationships happen online but manners haven’t caught up with technology,” Grenny told Reuters on the release of the online survey conducted over three weeks in February.

“What really is surprising is that so many people disapprove of this behavior but people are still doing it. Why would you name call online but never to that person’s face?”

https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/10/us-socialmedia-behaviour-survey-idUSBRE9390TO20130410

Reader says , “SHOW ME THE MONEY”

The building of a 12000 square foot new municipal garage. Building at least one parking garage if not two. 30 thousand dollar over  the grant for handicap ramp at the Gaydon Pool.

Allowing the over building of apartments in the CBD that may lead to an influx of students which will lead to redistricting and higher school taxes.

Where is the money coming from? Will  Mayor  Aronsohn (The Carpetbagger), Deputy Mayor Pucciarell (Big Al The Developers Friend) and Councilwoman Hauck (Clueless in Ridgewood) follow our presidents lead and put the future residents of Ridgewood in debt.

Where is the new group that was formed  by Mr Bombace, Mr. Fedscott and Mr. Sullivan (Concerned Taxpayers of Ridgewood) Are there no more meeting at Blend?

Eagle Scout Project Unveiled at Grove Park – Sunday, April 14

The Wildscape Association invites everyone to see the new improvements to Grove Park – Sunday, April 14 at 1PM meet at the Grove Park Sign. Suggest parking on Berkshire and walk to entrance.

Kurt Schnaars has completed his Eagle Scout project at Grove Park.

Come welcome Spring in the Village’s Grove Park! Eagle Scout candidate Kurt Schnaars from Troop 5, has recently completed his project to refurbish and open up the trails in the park after Hurricane Sandy’s effects. Kurt led troops of scouts and volunteers from Ridgewood Wildscape in clearing trails, laying down a woodchip ground cover, and delineating trail edges throughout the park.

Grove Park is a beautiful natural deciduous hardwood forest adjacent to the Saddle River, just south of Grove Street. The trails are marked. Come welcome Spring in one of the Village’s beautiful parks.

https://www2.ridgewoodnj.net/main_recent.cfm?ArticleID=1179

Photo by Boyd Loving

Readers question amount of police resources Valley will need with a much larger campus

How much do they pay on the hospital campus again? ZERO.

A couple of cops in town have started telling stories about how Valley constantly needs police to manage traffic into and out of their campus when huge trucks come to deliver stuff. Think of how much more police manpower they’ll need for their 200 dump trucks a day for 10 years of construction. How much do they pay again on the hospital campus? ZERO.

Please Megan – stop with the lame press efforts to make it appear that Valley is doing anything but skating on a free ride.

Ridgewood braces for cicada invasion
April 8, 2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ . It only happens once every 17 years and according to the AP

Cicadas, those big,ugly, noisy bugs that climb out of the earth with cyclical regularity about every decade and a half and are about to pay us a visit .

Experts say that the bugs live underground and feed off fluid that gathers near the roots of plants, then emerge from the soil when its temperature reaches 64 degrees.

Cicadas are largely harmless, but their sheer numbers can cause headaches. Prediction are that Some areas could see as many as a billion bugs per square mile. Filling to a lot  roadways and grassy surfaces with dead bugs and they can also disrupt outdoor events with their loud buzzing.

WNYC a iNew York radio station is going to be tracking  the invasion.

 

Employment Picture remains weak , with little job growth in March
April 6th,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, once again the U.S. job-creation was almost non existent in March as employers hired fewer workers than forecast and a shrinking labor force helped push the unemployment rate down to the lowest in four years.

Payrolls grew by only 88,000 workers, the smallest gain in nine months, and the jobless rate fell to 7.6 percent from 7.7 percent, Labor Department data reported.

Some of the weakness appeared due to higher tax rates that took effect in January.Recent reports have pointed to relatively buoyant retail sales in January and February, but Friday’s data showed retailers actually cut staff in March by 24,100, making it the hardest-hit sector last month.

Moreover, the government said hiring in the retail sector was weaker in January and February than initially thought.

It was unclear whether across-the-board federal budget cuts that began in March played a role in the weak pace of hiring, although nervousness over the cuts might have made businesses shy about taking on more staff , but the federal government shed 14,000 jobs in March, almost all of which were accounted for by the U.S. Postal Service.

The weak ” recovery ” has been the slowest since World War 2

Eileen McCann, a Ridgewood Early Developmental (RED) Program Preschool Special Needs Teacher,received Teacher of the Year Award
April 4,2013

Eileen McCann, a Ridgewood Early Developmental (RED) Program Preschool Special Needs Teacher, received the New Jersey Council for Exceptional Children 2013 Teacher of the Year Award at NJCEC’s Annual Conference, held March 18 at Ramapo College. The award was presented by NJCEC officers Barry Schwartz and Dr. Pamela Lowry.

The RHS dance team won 2nd place at the West Milford Dance Team Invitational
April 4,2013

Ridgewood NJ, The RHS dance team, coached by Lauren Mele, won 2nd place at the West Milford Dance Team Invitational. The dancers involved were: Ashley Caruso, Elizabeth Daly, Marissa DelVecchio, Katherine DuBois, Talia Kanell, Annie Marx, Alexa Powell, Bella Rosati, Olivia Shammas, Hennessy Sheehan, Hailey Smith, Rebecca Suss, Olivia Szymanski, Pamela Traflet and Erin Woods.