Category: Uncategorized

Urbanization: Has any one on the VC done ANY analysis of the economic impact of such projects?
Jamuary 6,2013

If it involves building in the CBD there will be no discussion as long as Mayor Ahronson and Mr. Puccarelli are in the leadership it will be build, build, build with no thought to how this is going to destroy our village. There are currently 3 housing projects, plus the additional one to be discussed tomorrow night (Ken Smith) as well as the parking garage before the planning board and council. If all of these are built it will be the end to Ridgewood as we know it. Wake up everyone…….. You are going to pay for this overbuilding one way or another.

Has any one on the VC done ANY analysis of the economic impact of such projects? Supporters of this or any similar project should at least come up with one spreadsheet or slide showing the costs and benefits to the village and the assumptions they’ve made as part of their analysis. This council advances its plans in vague “political speak” and really has not shown much in the way of detail to support the projects that they’re putting forward. Do the math please.

Urbanization : Whats the cost to the quality of life in the Village?
January 6.2013

No one has articulated a purpose for this overbuilding or its cost in terms of traffic, changing the quality of life, burdens on village services, etc. Who is going to pay the extra taxes that the extra costs entail? Who is going to make up for the devaluation of our property values as we become more like Patterson and Hackensack? Mr. Mayor? Mr. Vice Mayor? Any of the others?

Where is the historical preservation committee on these building projects. My understanding is that these building projects are completely in opposition to everything that they (HP) stands for. The CBD has height restrictions and all of these 3 current building projects greatly exceed these limits. They also blow away the FAR restrictions in the master plan. Again, the repercussions of the Pfund days and the allowing of spot changes to the master plan by individuals is coming back to haunt the village residents.

Reader uneasy with Christies Coziness with Obama

I find it very interesting that Christie cost the Republicans the election with all the cozy Obama pictures and now he is attacking the republicans for wanting to make sure that the money goes to the correct people in NJ.

The bill that the senate passed has more pork than substance. He should be calling out the senate for such a ridiculous bill. The senate is taking advantage of the devastation in NJ to pay off their cronies.

It is time that the people said no to pork. Congress should pass bills that can be read and only address the item of the bill not the add ons that are included to pay off some politicians to get their support of the major items.

Christie has lost his chance for any future in politics. I had no idea how small his thinking was until this tragedy happened in NJ. In hindsight he should have had Romney and Obama come to his state. He should be using the media coverage that he is getting now to explain the problem with the bill the senate passed, rather than whipping up the house for not passing such a loaded bill.

Village of Ridgewood Committee members named for 2013
Thursday January 3, 2013, 9:27 PM
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Council approved a set of resolutions last month to officially appoint members to various village committees for the new year. Volunteers named to the various boards and committees will serve terms that expire on Dec. 31.2013.

Community Relations Advisory Board (CRAB), which serves the Ridgewood and Glen Rock :

Pam Scarpa, Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward, Ridgewood Police Capt. Jacqueline Luthcke, Roann Rubin, Oliver Newton, Ridgewood Police Lt. Todd Harris, Rabbi Neil Tow, Sid Dawson, Avon Morgan, Catherine Robinson, Alice Newton, Yendi Anderson, Susan Donnelly, Simon Toffell, Rev. Jan Phillips, Mahmoud Hamza, Glen Rock Police Capt. Jon Miller, Medha Kirtane, Richard Majors and Richard Ostling. Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn and Glen Rock Mayor John van Keuren are also CRAB members.

The Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Committee includes: Planning Board Class IV member Kevin Reilly, Parks and Recreation Director Tim Cronin, Field Committee member Robert Lasky and Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board member Kari Sharry. Ralph Currey, William Gilsenan, Eleanor Gruber and Frank Schott were also named to |the committee as Ridgewood |residents.

Ridgewood’s recreation department, the Project Pride Committee :  chairman Gary Cirillo, student liaison Kelsey Cirillo;, Alyssa Becker, Tonia Cohen, Barbara D’Amato, Donna Dorsey, Ann Leahy, Debbie Higgins, Janet Fricke, Maribeth Lane, Rita Bernstein, Samantha Gibble, Mary Anne Sage, Ann Schott, Samantha Turino;, Victoria LaChapelle, Katherine Cirillo, Tara Cirillo, Katherine Merck and Jeanette Vadeika.  Holt, Neborsky, Stephan, Creegan, Stadulis, Saltalamacchia and Connelly families.

Sourced : https://www.northjersey.com/news/185613162_Committee_members_named_in_Ridgewood.html

Sorry Bob the Middle class took a big hit in the “Fiscal Cliff ‘bill
January 3,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, while middle class families all over New Jersey face the sting of higher taxes . NJ Senator Robert Menendez , no surprise didn’t read the bill and announced  the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed legislation providing “tax relief to the middle class families”. This historic legislation will also bolster job creation by extending tax breaks to businesses that purchase American-made equipment and invest in America. …

According to Bloomberg more than 80 percent of households with incomes between $50,000 and $200,000 would pay higher taxes. Among the households facing higher taxes, the average increase would be $1,635, the policy center said and a 2% payroll tax cut, enacted during the economic slowdown, is being allowed to expire as of yesterday.

Spending was also increased in the bill kicking the can down the road just a bit to the next fiscal calamity .

$50,000 a year in New Jersey hardly qualifies for “rich ” ,in fact you can barely live in your moms basement for that , yet Menendez disrespects tax payers all over the state with his ridiculous comment .

As for Jobs the only jobs this bill will create is the need for additional CPA’s .

But don’t blame Bob ,the U.S. Senate had only 3 minutes to read the 154-page bill  and vote for it, something that has become all to familiar in special interest driven DC .

sources : https://cnsnews.com/news/article/senators-got-154-page-fiscal-cliff-bill-3-minutes-voting-it

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-01/senate-passed-deal-means-higher-tax-on-77-of-households.html

https://www.menendez.senate.gov/newsroom/press/menendez-lauds-senate-passage-of-legislation-that-provides-tax-relief-to-middle-class-families

Obama Orders Pay Raise for Biden, Members of Congress, Federal Workers
12:50 PM, Dec 28, 2012 • By DANIEL HALPER

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President Barack Obama issued an executive order to end the pay freeze on federal employees, in effect giving some federal workers a raise. One federal worker now to receive a pay increase is Vice President Joe Biden.

According to disclosure forms, Biden made a cool $225,521 last year. After the pay increase, he’ll now make $231,900 per year.

Members of Congress, from the House and Senate, also will receive a little bump, as their annual salary will go from $174,000 to 174,900. Leadership in Congress, including the speaker of the House, will likewise get an increase.

https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-orders-raise-biden-members-congress-federal-workers_692223.html

Statistics on New Years Resolutions?

What are the top ten news years resolutions of 2012 ? What is the success rate for new years resolutions ?

Top 10 Resolutions

1Lose Weight
2-Getting Organized
3-Spend Less, Save More
4-Enjoy Life to the Fullest
5-Staying Fit and Healthy
6-Learn Something Exciting
7-Quit Smoking
8-Help Others in Their Dreams
9-Fall in Love
10-Spend More Time with Family

News Years Resolution Statistics Data
Percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions 45%
Percent of Americans who infrequently make New Year’s Resolutions 17%
Percent of Americans who absolutlely never make New Year’s Resolutions 38%
Percent of people who are successful in achieving their resolution 8%
Percent who have infrequent success 49%
Percent who never succeed and fail on their resolution each year 24%
People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions
Type of Resolutions (Percent above 100% because of multiple resolutions) Data
Self Improvement or education related resolutions 47%
Weight related resolutions 38%
Money related resolutions 34%
Relationship related resolutions 31%
Age Success Rates Data
Percent of people in their twenties who achieve their resolution each year 39%
Percent of people over 50 who achieve their resolution each year 14%
Length of Resolutions Data
Resolution maintained through first week 75%
Past two weeks 71%
Past one month 64%
Past six months 46%

https://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/

Study: Facebook Could Cause Obesity no coloration found by reading the Ridgewood blog
December 23, 2012 11:46 AM

ATLANTA (CBS Atlanta) – Researchers at Columbia University have learned that using Facebook may be tied to obesity, due to the negative eating habits that could result from frequent visitation of social networking sites.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, obesity is a problem for approximately 35 percent of all American adults – a number that is reportedly rising with each passing year.

The study, led by Keith Wilcox, Ph.D., surveyed almost 500 people about their Internet use, specifically as it pertained to Facebook, Men’s Health is reporting.

Of the 470 participants asked, those who used Facebook the most had reportedly higher body mass indexes than those who were not as frequently engaged.

Researchers additionally learned that binge eating was commonly associated with high involvement with the social networking site.

https://atlanta.cbslocal.com/2012/12/23/study-facebook-could-cause-obesity/

Heat Your Home for Less Money this Winter

by Andrea Murad
Published December 21, 2012
FOXBusiness

With many professionals forecasting this winter to be colder than last year, homeowners are going to be feeling the heat on their utility bills.

When the reading on the thermometer drops outside, many dwellers rush to increase the temperature in their homes, which can push energy bills to budget-busting levels. But there are certain home maintenance steps that can help you stay warm and toasty during the cold winter months without pushing up your heating costs.

“There’s a lot of little things you can do to increase the heating efficiency [of your house],” says home improvement expert Bob Vila. Whether it’s a do-it-yourself home improvement project or upgrading appliances, here are expert tips to keep your heating bills low and your home warm and safe.

Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/12/21/heat-your-home-for-less-money-this-winter/#ixzz2FxkCPTO5

Why the U.S. Won’t Lose its ‘AAA’ Rating…Yet
Published December 21, 2012
Reuters

The stalled progress in the Washington budget battle may be rattling markets but the gridlock among policymakers will not move the rating agencies to downgrade the United States – yet.

The U.S. credit rating is far from safe. All three major agencies have negative outlooks on the United States, which suffered its first downgrade in history last year when Standard & Poor’s stripped it of its triple-A rating.

But the fiscal cliff is only one event in a series of issues that will see ratings agencies looming over Washington for months.

Investors sold off riskier assets such as stocks on Friday and scooped up safe-havens such as the dollar and U.S. Treasuries after Republican Representative John Boehner failed to find enough support from his own party to push a measure raising taxes on millionaires through the House of Representatives.

With Boehner’s leadership as speaker of the House on the line, markets worry he can’t get any tax plan through Congress at all – much less the stricter terms Obama wants in what’s becoming the latest drawn-out political budget debacle.

Read more: https://www.foxbusiness.com/government/2012/12/21/why-us-wont-lose-its-aaa-ratingyet/#ixzz2FxjFZ7DD

Village Hall Closed December 24 and 25

In observation of the Christmas holidays, Ridgewood Village Hall will be closed December 24 and 25. Village Hall will reopen Wednesday, December 26 at 8:30A.M.

Rearyard Garbage and Curb Recycling will be collected on Monday, December 24. The schedule is suspended on Tuesday, December 25 and will resume on Wednesday, December 26.

New Jersey’s Economy Continues to Contract
December 22,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , NJ lost 8,100 jobs in the aftermath of Sandy, the issue continues to be the “anti_business ” climate that surrounds Trenton .

In a report issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development New Jersey unemployment rate dipped to 9.6 percent from 9.7 percent. The monthly jobs report is made up of a survey of employers to measure the number of jobs and a survey of households to measure the unemployment rate. They often tell two different stories, but economists lend more credence to the employers’ survey in part because it is far larger.

While Gov. Chris Christie, has been lauded by business groups for improving New Jersey’s business climate the fact is New Jersey is still not a desirable destination for business causing the state’s job market to lag the rest of the nation. The U.S., for example, added a paultry 146,000 jobs in November, and its unemployment rate was 7.7 percent also 2 percentage points lower than New Jersey.

A slow economy is also slowing revenue growth at state levels with the Office of Legislative Services’ preliminary examination of total revenue so far in fiscal year 2013 showing no appreciable growth after five months and the Office of Legislative Services’ is predicting the state needs an 11.9 percent revenue gain to meet year-end projections.

Benghazi : A lot questions need to asked in Congress about why the US decided to oust the Colonel

Benghazi – what actually happened??? Well, the US and its Euro allies supported this group of crazy lunatics to help them in their mission to overthrow Colonel Gaddafii. By supporting this group of revolutionaries, the Western Allies thought (I don’t know why) that they could gain some greater influence in the North African / Middle East Region by supporting the groups that were fighting for political change – we were already well into the Arab Spring so, why not jump on the band wagon and help these lunatics get rid of the leaders in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, etc.
Did the Western allies actually know what they were doing and were they aware of what was happening within these crazy revolutionary groups that were being supported around the world by mass hysteria created by the media?

These revolutionary groups were foremost the underlings of some of the most radical Islamic thinkers in the world – the very same crazies that the Western Allies have been fighting against in their so called war, code-name Operation Enduring Freedom – otherwise know as Operation FOS – Full of Shit!

Ok – so the French decided to take a heavy handed approach in dealing with the Libyan Colonel and it was because of this action, by the French, that the US and the British jumped on board with the French. Why was this??? Well, the French identified the fact that US and the British were using the Colonel as a makeshift puppet, pulling his strings to increase the cost of Libyan fuel entering the market. For years, the Italians and the French had enjoyed free flowing, really cheap Libya fuel supplies and that was all about to change because of the directives being issued (subversively) by the US and the British administrations to the Colonel and his sons. They wanted to stop the supply of cheap fuel and bring it more into line with what the US and the Brits were paying – the funny thing was that the Brits were paying possible twice as much as the US in fuel costs on an annual basis.

The Colonel was “their man” in North Africa and a major influential figure in the Arab League and the African Union, a man that they could use to meet their own ends without anyone knowing about it – but the French did. Someone had let slip that the US/British relationship with the Colonel was a relationship that was becoming to comfortable for the French to accept so when the first smell of revolution in Libya reached Paris, the French saw their opportunity to throw the fuel of change onto that simmering revolution and oust the Colonel with the support of the global community, thought the use of the international media networks, that would bolster the voice of change through highlighting the corruption that existed in the Colonel’s family, that while millions lived in utter poverty, the Colonel, his families and those very close to the family lived in total luxury, in homes that would be televised only after the collapse of the Colonel’s regime to show the wealth that the family had and that it was in the best interests that Libya be cleared of these evil and self enriching people, who cared nothing about the Libyans that they purported to champion.

The trouble was, the main revolutionaries were those that the Western Allies had been trying to defeat in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yes, they were made up of Al Quada, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and other anti-western groups that continue to seek the destruction of the western way of life – they want a purely Islamic world and will incorporate what they need to in order to see that happen. That is why, today, there is little news about what is happening in Syria as president Al Said fights these same revolutionaries who are supported by the same anti-western groups. the West now understands what it is has gotten itself into – supporting revolutionaries that want their destruction – it is a no win situation for the US and its European allies, that is why they have instructed the media to play down the Syrian situation on its news coverage. The work is been left to the UN and the diplomats to find a way of of the situation and to stop the West from being dragged into another Libyan situation.

The West now calls these revolutionaries terrorists but are they really terrorists if they have been supported by the West and in particular by the US? That is why the Russians have been highly supportive of the Syrian regime because they have experienced for years the seriousness of pro-Islamic terrorism on its soil, and while Europe has been a breading ground for these terrorists and has seen its fair share of terrorist attacks, it is only a matter of time before the US sees an increase in terrorist attacks committed on its soil.

A lot questions need to asked in Congress about why the US decided to oust the Colonel – it is much bigger than Benghazi and not a lot of people know that. But will those that do actually tell the rest of us????

75 Percent of Obama’s Proposed Tax Hikes to Go Toward New Spending
10:04 AM, DEC 11, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER

Seventy-five percent of the new revenue pulled in by President Barack Obama’s “fiscal cliff” plan would go toward new spending, not toward deficit reduction, the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee contends. Here’s a chart, detailing how money from the new tax hikes would be distributed.

According to the minority side of the Senate Budget Committee, $1.2 trillion of the proposed $1.6 trillion in tax hikes would go toward new spending, while only $400 billion would go toward deficit reduction.

“The [president’s] plan called for $1.6 trillion in new taxes, twice what the president asked for in the campaign. He asked for $800 billion during the campaign. Now he wants $1.6 trillion in new taxes,” said Senator Jeff Sessions, the ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee, last week on the floor.
https://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/75-percent-obamas-proposed-tax-hikes-go-toward-new-spending_666067.html