Category: Uncategorized

Readers Debate Urbanization and Multi Family Developments

“How much longer will it take to get through town?!? How much more air pollution will come from all the extra cars idling at lights waiting to make turns? How much more in taxes will everyone have to pay for these developments for all the extra services required? How many more pounds of trash will each of these housing developments generate?”

“The apartments will certainly generate more in taxes than they require in services. Is quite comical to see all of these new residents complain about ‘extra cars’ when they are driving their monster SUVs around, blocking the roads daily in front of Ridge and Willard, while IDLING their motors. Its ok for you newbies to soak the empty nester’s tax money for your astronomical school budgets, but god forbid a multi-generation businessman decides to improve his property. You people are nothing but a bunch of hypocritical limousine liberals.”

“I think Ridgewood is already overbuilt. We should go back to the good old days when Ridgewood was a classy , gentele hamlet. Accordingly, I propose that every structure built in town since 1900 should be razed to the ground. We would have far less congestion, far fewer students in the school system, no more bloated bureaucracy in Village Hall and things would be just picture perfect again.”

“I have a question for anyone who can answer it. If these housing units are built as proposed how many will be Mt. Laurel housing? ( low income ) The village bought the farm on hillcrest to prevent development there because of low income requirements, the cost of paying another municipality to have your low income housing has skyrocketed. Is this another cost the tax payer is going to get strapped with? Is there anything in the developers proposal that deals with this.”

Desperate Postal Service tries to find its “cool” factor
By Elvina Nawaguna

WASHINGTON | Wed Feb 20, 2013 5:03pm EST

(Reuters) – The U.S. Postal Service, desperate and almost broke, is looking to the wallets of younger Americans for some relief.

The federal government’s mail transport and delivery agency this week said it will roll out a line of apparel and accessories it plans to sell in department and specialty stores.

The “Rain Heat & Snow” brand of clothing, named after the Postal Service’s motto trumpeting its carriers’ determination to overcome whatever Mother Nature can throw at them, would put USPS in the “cutting edge of functional fashion,” it said.

“The idea is to blend in with the younger audiences as well as the more educated consumer,” said Roy Betts, a spokesman for the Postal Service.

The fashion line is not the cash-strapped Postal Service’s first attempt to woo younger shoppers. In 2011, the agency waived a rule that required people of note featured on stamps to be dead at least five years.

https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/20/us-usa-postal-youth-idUSBRE91J1BA20130220

Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital free Feline Heartworm Disease Seminar

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital will be hosting a *FREE SEMINAR** on Feline Heartworm Disease. Monday, February 25, 2013 at 6:30 PM. Please call 201-447-6000 to reserve a space.

Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital is located at 320 East Ridgewood Avenue  Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450

Urbanization: There is no way any of these proposed developments are going to improve the quality of life for anyone who lives in the Village

Mr. Bolger has been a friend to Ridgewood in many ways over the years. At times, some have challenge the intentions of his gifts, myself included. I recall his initial plans were to build a storage center on the Chestnut St. property; now it’s an apartment complex.

What I just don’t understand is why the developers insist on changes to the zoning laws and master plans so they can profit. They had access to the information before they purchased the properties.

There is no way any of these proposed developments are going to improve the quality of life for anyone who lives in the Village. And, as to your comments about the newbies soaking everyone for the school budgets, I believe you are quite wrong as well as your assumption that I drive a gas guzzling SUV and let it idle when I’m dropping off or picking up my kids from school.

 

Road Work on Maple Snarls Traffic in Downtown Ridgewood
February 19,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj , A little bit of road work in the Central Business distract tied up traffic most of the day Tuesday .Traffic was tied up on Maple and East Ridgewood with very limited access to the Bank of America on Maple.

The Village recently revealed a study that claims that four high-density, multifamily housing complexes proposed for downtown could alleviate traffic congestion and improve pedestrian safety. , is that right?

It will be interesting to test the theory if 4 multifamily housing projects and two parking garages as well as a renewed Valley Expansion will alleviate traffic congestion as claimed.

To make matters worse the Ridgewood PD failed to mention it on either their website or Facebook page .

Readers say time for Valley to pay in PILOT to Ridgewood

Hackensack hospital has paid millions in PILOT to Hackenasck for years while Valley has hidden behind their nonprofit.

They do provide some support to activities such as the 4th of July parade etc. They paid for much of the field at Northern Parkway in order to buy the field committee support after the debacle of trying to build under Bf field but none of that compares to how much of a negative effect they have had on the infrastructure. This expansion will only exacerbate that and still they try to make everyone believe how wonderful they are to Ridgewood.

Strictly speaking, the fact that Valley Hospital doesn’t pay real estate tax is a result of State Law.

Valley hospital pays for it’s water use and a sewage fee but tis property tax exempt. Whatever commerce is generated is self contained as food for the institution is out sourced and it has it’s own visitor food service and gift shop. The burden is the cost of municipal services for the valley for which they don’t pay tax, and the wear and tear on local infrastructure and loss of quality of life for it’s neighbors. Let valley invest it’s resources elsewhere.

However, Valley Hospital could make an annual contribution to the town.

DHS Advances Plan For “Public Safety” Drones
More incarnations of spy technology to undergo testing
Paul Joseph Watson
Infowars.com
February 18, 2013

The Department of Homeland Security is advancing its plan to use surveillance drones for “public safety” applications, announcing last week that it had received a deluge of “excellent” responses from potential vendors and was set to carry out more tests of the technology.

New testing of spy drones for “public safety” applications has been rubber stamped by the DHS. Image: YouTube

As we first reported in July last year, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano told a House Committee on Homeland Security that the federal agency was “looking at drones that could be utilized to give us situational awareness in a large public safety [matter] or disaster,” despite the fact that the agency had previously indicated it was reticent to use spy drones to keep tabs on the public.

This was followed by a “market research” announcement in September that confirmed the DHS was exploring a “Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety” (RAPS) project, and was asking small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) vendors to take part.

https://www.infowars.com/dhs-advances-plan-for-public-safety-drones/

Blessing of the Animals photo by Boyd Loving

Reader Says Village Police Department should Set up a “potentially dangerous dog advisory board”

What about cats? Where is this going to stop? I think the Mayor should start a potentially dangerous dog advisory board.( PDDAB)

The police should identify “potentially dangerous” residents or their kids and charge them accordingly

I think a “potentially dangerous dog advisory board” would be great if there appeared to be an overall problem with dangerous dogs in Ridgewood.  Does this kind of situation exist to the degree that an advisory board would be of benefit?  I’m not so sure.

How many attacks by dangerous dogs have their been?  I’m certain that the Ridgewood Police Dept. would be aware if there were a potential problem with a specific dog.   In that case, I could see the pet owner being subjected to fines or confiscation of a dangerous animal.  But $700 for licensing a dog that has yet to pose a danger, based solely on it’s breed seems unreasonable.

“potentially dangerous” dogs at the Ridgewood 4th of July Parade

Dog Owners still waiting for a list of “potentially dangerous” dogs
February 16,2012
Tracy Frasche

I tried to find the list of court determined “potentially dangerous” dogs, but couldn’t find a listing by specific breed.

That said, couldn’t all dogs be considered, “potentially dangerous”.   The behavior of one’s dog is still prompted by instinct, no matter how well behaved and domesticated we believe they are.  I don’t think anyone could say, with absolute certainty, that their dog would never bite.  A frightened, ill or injured animal may act unpredictably, often before we ever realize there’s a problem.

If I were to take a guess, I would say that the “potentially dangerous” list includes breeds such as Rottweilers, Pitt Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, etc.  Yet aren’t these some of the same breeds used as rescue dogs?  The same breeds used in law enforcement?  Commended for their heroism during the 9/11 attacks?

A Pomeranian could be just as “potentially dangerous” as a Pitt Bull under the right circumstances.  Are these breeds really more dangerous or are these the breeds most favored by the media when an attack on a human or another animal occurs?

Valley Uses New LARIAT™ Procedure to Reduce Stroke Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
February 13, 2013

Ridgewood NJ,  The Valley Hospital is among the first hospitals in the area to perform a new catheter-based procedure that reduces the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot take blood-thinning medications.

An estimated 2 million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation, or AFib, the most common form of heart rhythm abnormality.  This abnormal heart rhythm causes the upper parts of the heart to quiver, or fibrillate, which hinders blood from moving efficiently from the upper chambers to the lower chambers of the heart.  Because the blood that pools in the upper chambers of the heart is not moving well, it can form a clot.  The clot typically forms in the left atrial appendage (LAA). If the clot then travels from the heart to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

Part of the treatment plan for patients with AFib may include taking an anticoagulant medication to help prevent blood clots from forming.  But not all patients can take blood thinning medication due to bleeding complications.

Cardiac electrophysiologists at Valley’s Arrhythmia Institute are now using a new procedure called the Lariat to block blood clots from traveling from the LAA to the brain.  Just as the name implies, the Lariat procedure uses a lasso-like stitch to tie off the LAA — a muscular pouch connected to the left atrium of the heart that is the major source of blood clots in atrial fibrillation.

“This nonsurgical lasso procedure could provide long-term protection against stroke in patients with AFib who are unable to tolerate blood thinners,” said Suneet Mittal, M.D., Director of the Eletrophysiology Laboratory at Valley.  “Patients who qualify won’t have to endure open-heart surgery, and they can often go home in a day or two with just a band aid on their chest.”

Village Seeking Residents to Volunteer to Serve on the Planning Board

The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board.

The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; and makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.

All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter and a biography or resume to:

Heather Mailander

Village Clerk

Village of Ridgewood

131 North Maple Ave.

Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Deadline for submissions is February 20, 2013.

YWCA Bergen County Postpones Nursery School Relocation Until September
Febuary 14,2013

Ridgewood NJ, The YWCA Bergen County has announced that the relocation of its Ridgewood-based early learning programs to its dedicated Early Learning Center in Upper Saddle River, NJ has been postponed. The change was made in response to parent concerns about the timing of the move, which was scheduled to take place in February prior to the end of the school year.

The YWCA’s decision to make the move was prompted by concerns about increased security for the children enrolled in its early learning programs. YWCA has also placed additional security measures, including onsite surveillance and a security guard to patrol the building when children’s education and child care programs are in session while the Nursery School program remains in the Ridgewood facility.

The relocation will bring all of the YWCA’s early childhood education programs under one roof, offering families a child-focused early learning enviornment. Information and tours can be arranged by contacting the Early Learning Center’s Director, Diane Eide at 201-236-3126 or visit their website at www.ywcabergencounty.org

Reader says Ridgewood residents swallow elephants but choke on flies

Amidst 4 large housing development,parking garages, secret meetings, 40 plus e-mail between 2 council members,attorneys and developers it seems the Council and residents concerns focus on “vicious dog” ordnance what ever that is .

By all appearances, the Mayor and his running mates are in favor of the 4 proposed housing developments which is their right. With this right, however comes the responsibility to tell their constituents why they favor such aggressive development. What’s the benefit to the Village? What’s in it for the tax payers? Why do you take the developers at their word that there will be no adverse impact to our community as a result of these projects? Until they answer these questions, there will be a legitimate suspicion of impropriety.

I think it is important to find out what ties the developers and their attorneys have to the community. There are some very cozy relationships involved…influenced pedlars abound.

Readers Ask,  Do these Planning Board Resignations have anything to do with that purported “pressure”?

At the last Village Council meeting, someone mentioned that they heard that members of the planning board were feeling pressured by Aronsohn and Pucciarelli. Do these resignations have anything to do with that purported “pressure”? Yes, I know the “pressure” is a mere rumor, but just wondering if anyone knows anything more.

They were both smart to get out before Aronsohn and Pucciarelli push along their construction agenda. Anybody else think it’s odd that we have 4 housing projects in the works, yet still no solution to parking and revitalizing the business district?

PSE&G Warns Customers about Payment Scam

Hispanic customers targeted

February 13, 2013

Ridgewood NJ,  PSE&G is alerting its customers not to be defrauded by a scam in which individuals misrepresenting themselves as PSE&G employees threaten to turn off electric and gas service if payment is not made to them that day.

The scam, which has been reported across the country, involves payments using Green Dot MoneyPaks and seems to be targeting Hispanic neighborhoods in PSE&G’s service territory. As noted on the MoneyPak packaging and on the company’s Web site (www.moneypak.com), to protect themselves from fraud, consumers should treat the MoneyPak like cash and only use the MoneyPak number with businesses on their approved partner list.

“We take very seriously any attempt to defraud our customers,” said Joseph A. Forline, vice president of customer solutions for PSE&G. “We are working closely with law enforcement to investigate these scams. In the meantime, we ask our customers to be wary of callers who demand immediate payment and threaten service termination. When in doubt, hang up and call PSE&G directly at the phone number listed on your bill.”

PSE&G alerted the public to a similar scam in January 2012. Reports indicate that this scam is again targeting Hispanic customers, but this time not exclusively.

Here is how the scam works:

• A Spanish- or English-speaking individual pretending to be a PSE&G employee calls customers saying their service would be disconnected if they do not make a payment using a prepaid debit card. In some cases, the call is prerecorded.

• Customers are told to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak at a pharmacy or convenience store, use cash to put money onto the card, and then provide the number on the card to the person who called them.

• Customers are advised that if they do not immediately call back and provide the MoneyPak information, their service will be turned off that day.

• Typically, after the customer provides that MoneyPak number, the scammer transfers the funds to a prepaid card, and cashes it in at an ATM.

What to do if you get a call

When PSE&G makes an outbound phone call to customers, customer-specific information is shared with the customer. That information includes the account name, address, number and current balance. If customers do not receive this correct information, they likely are not speaking with a PSE&G representative. If customers feel uncomfortable and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734 or visit a local PSE&G Customer Service Center. Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with locations listed on customer bills and online at: https://www.pseg.com/centers.

Any customer who has doubts about the legitimacy of any call from PSE&G, especially one in which payment is requested, should call the utility directly.

PSE&G is working with law enforcement to investigate the matter and is also reaching out to its contacts at local community service agencies asking them to spread the word to their clients.