U.S. Per Person Debt Now 35 Percent Higher than that of Greece’
4:27 PM, NOV 5, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER
A chart from the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee shows that “U.S. Per Person Debt [Is] Now 35 Percent Higher than that of Greece.”
“According to estimates from the International Monetary Fund, America’s total government debt will be $16.8 trillion by the end of the calendar year, compared to $441 billion for Greece,” the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee explains. “On a per person basis, that means U.S. debt is $53,400 for every man, woman, and child, compared to $39,400 for every man, woman, and child in Greece. The disparity between per capita debt in the U.S. and Greece has grown 40 percent (roughly $8,400) since 2011. Now, U.S. per person debt is 35 percent higher than that of Greece, and is also higher than per capita debt in Portugal, Italy, or Spain (which together with Greece make up the so-called PIGS countries).”
PATH Partial Service Restoration
November 5, 2012
3:30 p.m.
Following Hurricane Sandy, PATH will resume limited rail service on Tuesday, November 6, beginning at 5 a.m. Trains will run from Journal Square in Jersey City to 33rd Street in Manhattan and in the return direction until 10 p.m.
Stops will include:
Journal Square
Grove Street
Newport
14th Street
23rd Street
33rd Street
Limited PATH Service beginning November 6, 2012
For real-time status information, subscribe to PATH Alerts:
https://www.pathalerts.com/alertsignup.aspx
Ridgewood Schools to Remain Closed till Wednesday November 7th
11.04.12: UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
3:30 P.M.:
Dear RPS Parents and Guardians:
The Ridgewood Police Department has informed me that it is still too dangerous to travel to schools. In addition, the election adds a complicating factor on Tuesday. Therefore, schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, November 5th and 6th. We have worked out contingency plans to start school on Wednesday if streets are safe to pass.
I can verify that the Village is doing everything it can do to restore services. Unfortunately, PSE&G can’t clear the trees from the wires fast enough. Additionally, PSE&G doesn’t have enough crews to restore the wiring when trees have been removed from the wires.
For those who continue to need to charge cell phones and other electronic devices, Somerville School will be open on Monday, November 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I know these are very trying times. I implore everyone to stay calm and be patient. I can assure you that we will get through this and life will get back to normal. Since it is too dangerous to attend school, it is too dangerous to trick or treat. I ask you to be creative and develop an activity in your home. Please continue to take care of yourselves, monitor your children and check in on your neighbors.
This notice is subject to change based on the work that occurs in the next 36 hours.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D
Superintendent
Ridgewood Public Schools
PSE&G : 10 Days till full Restoration ,but Majority of Customers will be Restored before then
Our best forecast as of now is that we will have virtually all of our impacted customers restored to service within the next seven to 10 days. THE MAJORITY OF CUSTOMERS WILL BE RESTORED BEFORE THEN. There may still be isolated pockets of customers who have individual flooding or downed line issues that may take slightly longer.
OUTAGE UPDATE: At this time approximately 1 million PSE&G customers have had their power restored following Hurricane Sandy. About 716,000 customers are currently without power. The storm impacted 1.7 million of PSE&G’s 2.2 million electric customers.
Our crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority customers” such as hospitals, police and fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment (See graphic illustration below). If someone in your family relies on life-sustaining medical equipment, it is important to let the utility know as soon as the equipment is installed. We then focus on restoring power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits with the largest numbers of customers.
First Downed Tree of Storm In Ridgewood Grazes House During Fall
October 29,2012
Boyd A. Loving
12:08 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The first reported storm related tree casualty in Ridgewood caused only minor damage to a house in the 500 block of East Saddle River Road when it fell early on Monday morning. Crews from the Village of Ridgewood’s Shade Tree Department blocked off a section of East Saddle River Road as they cut the fallen tree into small sections and fed it into a large chipper shredder. Pictured: Village of Ridgewood Senior Tree Climber Matthew Burgess operating chain saw.
Sanitation and Recycling Collection Cancelled for Monday through Wednesday
Due to storm conditions, Sanitation and Recycling collection has been suspended for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The Recycling Center is open from 8AM to 3PM and can receive household garbage (NO BULK), leaves and recycling material.
Please also remember that in no case will branches be allowed to be placed in the street
Please continue to check the Village website for further updates.
Senior and After School Recreation Programs Cancelled October 29 through November 2
For the public’s safety during this storm event, Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Dept has cancelled Senior and After School Recreation programs for October 29 through November 2.
PORT AUTHORITY UPDATE ON CONDITIONS AT TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
October 29, 2012
As landfall of Hurricane Sandy approaches, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey reports the following update on conditions at its transportation facilities as of 7 a.m. today:
Airports
The Port Authority’s airports – John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Stewart International and LaGuardia airports – are open. However, air carriers have ceased operations until further notice, and we are encouraging travelers not to travel to the airports.
Rail service on AirTrain JFK and AirTrain Newark has been suspended until further notice.
PATH
All PATH service was suspended as of midnight until further notice.
Ports
The Port Authority’s maritime facilities are closed until further notice.
Tunnels and Bridges
The Port Authority’s tunnels and bridges are open. However, Port Authority staff will closely monitor the wind and flooding conditions. Closures will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on high winds, rainfall and roadway conditions. However, closures are anticipated later today. Motorists are urged reduce speeds when roadways are wet, and pay close attention to posted electronic messages for important information.
Port Authority Bus Terminal
All public and private bus service has been suspended until further notice.
Passengers are reminded to check https://www.panynj.gov/ for updated information about PATH, the airports, the tunnels and bridges, and all other Port Authority facilities. For further information about safety precautions, evacuation routes and best practices for New York State, visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/stormwatch. For New Jersey, visit www.ready.nj.gov.
For two years the Council, community, and Village Staff have discussed options to increase accessibility to Graydon Pool.
At this point a ramp allowing direct access into the pool is in the design phase. Below are two plans that the Council plans to review at its November 28th Meeting.
Click Here for Plans for Option 1. https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2012OpNo11026.pdf
Click Here for Plans for Option 3. https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2012OpNo31026.pdf
Following the selection of a design the Village Engineer will develop detailed plans to enable bidding the work and construction will begin in late Spring 2013
Photo by Ereny Milad Seaside Heights looks like early Sunday evening… storm didn’t even hit yet
WEATHER ALERT : Hurricane Sandy still remains hundreds of miles away from New Jersey
October 29.2012
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Hurricane Sandy still remains hundreds of miles away from New Jersey but the superstorm has been making its approach known, with high winds, rough surf and coastal flooding. Landfall is expected near Barnegat between 7 and 11pm tonight.
According to News 12 New Jersey Meteorologist James Gregorio , Hurricane Sandy is about 425 miles southeast of New York City and the center of the storm is expected to be near the Jersey Shore late tonight.( https://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338541&position=1&news_type=news®ion_name=NJ®ionId=2&utm_source=News12NJ&utm_medium=twitter )
Gregorio says the storm has top sustained winds of 75 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 175 miles from the storm’s center and a potentially lethal storm surge of 4 to 11 feet across much of the region. The punishing winds that could cause widespread power outages. ( https://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=338541&position=1&news_type=news®ion_name=NJ®ionId=2&utm_source=News12NJ&utm_medium=twitter)
Over $60,000 in Welfare Spent Per Household in Poverty
3:27 PM, OCT 26, 2012 • BY DANIEL HALPER
New data compiled by the Republican side of the Senate Budget Committee shows that, last year, the United States spent over $60,000 to support welfare programs per each household that is in poverty. The calculations are based on data from the Census, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Congressional Research Services.
“According to the Census’s American Community Survey, the number of households with incomes below the poverty line in 2011 was 16,807,795,” the Senate Budget Committee notes. “If you divide total federal and state spending by the number of households with incomes below the poverty line, the average spending per household in poverty was $61,194 in 2011.”
This dollar figure is almost three times the amount the average household on poverty lives on per year. “If the spending on these programs were converted into cash, and distributed exclusively to the nation’s households below the poverty line, this cash amount would be over 2.5 times the federal poverty threshold for a family of four, which in 2011 was $22,350 (see table in this link),” the Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee note.
THIS IS AN URGENT MESSAGE FROM THE RIDGEWOOD OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
HURRICANE SANDY IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT OUR AREA AS EARLY AS SUNDAY NIGHT. WIND GUSTS COULD REACH 75 MPH CAUSING SIGNFICANT RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. MAJOR FLOODING IS ALSO EXPECTED.
RESDIENTS ARE WARNED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PREPARE.
SECURE OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND OTHER LOOSE OBJECTS.
MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF YOU ARE IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA.
BE PREPARED TO SELF-EVACUATE. ALSO BE PREPARED TO SHELTER IN PLACE, WITH AT LEAST A 3 DAY SUPPLY OF FOOD AND WATER.
IF YOU MUST GO OUTSIDE, AVOID DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES. AND STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATERS.
CALLL 9-1-1 ONLY FOR LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCIES.
Christie Administration Begins Preparations For Possible NJ TRANSIT System Shutdown
TRENTON, NJ –The Christie Administration has announced that preparations have officially begun for the potential shutdown of NJ TRANSIT bus, rail, light rail and Access Link service, effective Monday, October 29. This preliminary step is being implemented as the statewide transportation agency continues preparations for Hurricane Sandy.
“The safety of our customers, employees and the public-at-large is paramount,” said NJ TRANSIT Board Chairman and New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson. “By beginning this important process, NJ TRANSIT will be better able to support the state’s response to Hurricane Sandy by freeing up buses or other resources that may be needed for hurricane relief.”
During Hurricane Irene, NJ TRANSIT implemented a full-scale system shutdown spanning nearly 36 hours. This decision is credited with saving billions in NJ TRANSIT assets, which enabled NJ TRANSIT to restart service with all equipment available for use. Additionally, no customer or employee injuries were reported during this time.
The systematic shutdown of NJ TRANSIT service will require a minimum of 12 hours to complete. The process requires the relocation and securing of buses, rail equipment and other NJ TRANSIT assets away from flood-prone areas. It also requires complete coordination with state and local officials throughout the process.
It is important to specifically note that this step is being taken solely as a precautionary measure. No final decisions have been made regarding any potential future service suspension.
Earlier today, Governor Christie announced system-wide cross-honoring of all rail, bus and light rail tickets starting Monday, 12:00 a.m. and continuing through Wednesday, 6 a.m. This important step will allow customers holding NJ TRANSIT tickets to use alternate means of transportation to get to their final destination, such as PATH, PATCO and private bus carriers. Due to the duration of the storm and the potential impact to the NJ TRANSIT system, this timeframe could be extended if necessary.
NJ TRANSIT PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
Rail and Light Rail Operations
NJ TRANSIT’s maintenance forces continue inspecting culverts, drainage pipes and rights-of-way to ensure they are clear of blockages that could exacerbate flooding and disrupt service.
NJ TRANSIT rail and light rail crews and equipment are on standby to respond to downed trees, wires and flooding.
Bus and Access Link Operations
NJ TRANSIT Bus and Access Link maintenance and support staff will be on standby 24/7 to respond where needed.
Customer Service
Customer Service Field Offices will extend their hours of operations if necessary.
The Transit Information Office (TIC) – NJ TRANSIT’s call center, is also prepared to extend its hours if necessary.
TRAVEL ADVICE
For the latest travel information, customers should listen to broadcast traffic reports, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip.
In the event of service delays or adjustments, including the suspension of service, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, floors and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or to NJ TRANSIT staff.
As of October 24th 4,900 (65%) properties have been inspected. A map showing the progress is available by clicking here. ( https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/assmt/2013_reassmt/Inspection_progress_map.pdf ) The inspection procedure calls for an exterior inspection with an attempt to make an interior inspection.
Properties are being inspected between the hours of 9am – 5pm. If a homeowner is not home, we are performing an exterior inspection, verifying the existing data. If anyone in an area that is shown as completed and did not have an interior inspection but would like one, they are welcome to call Appraisal Systems at 201-493-8530 to set up an interior appointment at a mutually convenient time.
It is our goal to inspect as many interiors as possible. We anticipate finishing the assessments and sending out the valuation letters to property owners in February. The informal hearings will then be held throughout the month of February and the first couple weeks of March.
NJ TRANSIT CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR HURRICANE SANDY
As Hurricane Sandy moves into the region, NJ TRANSIT is closely monitoring Hurricane Sandy’s movements along the Atlantic Coast and preparing the system to minimize service suspensions and delays as much as possible. Current reports estimate Hurricane Sandy beginning to affect New Jersey late Sunday evening with the storm intensifying Monday into Tuesday.
NJ TRANSIT crews are currently preparing rail, bus and light rail infrastructure for the storm and additional crew and equipment will be on standby to respond to downed trees, wires and flooding when the storm hits. Additionally, NJ TRANSIT is coordinating with state, county and local OEMs (Offices of Emergency Management) to keep them updated on service status, outages and restoration efforts.
Storm forecasts indicate Hurricane Sandy has the potential to impact transit services. It may be necessary for NJ TRANSIT to modify service as conditions change. While every effort will be made to continue operating rail, bus, light rail and Access Link services throughout the state, customers may experience delays, detours or cancellations on their routes due to significant rainfall expected in some areas.
Customers are advised to plan accordingly and anticipate disruptions to service. NJ TRANSIT advises customers:
For the latest travel information, visit njtransit.com or access our Twitter feed at @NJ_TRANSIT prior to starting your trip. In the event of delays or service adjustments, NJ TRANSIT will provide the most current service information via the My Transit alert system, which delivers travel advisories for your specific trip to your cell phone, PDA or pager. (If you are not yet a My Transit subscriber, we encourage you to sign up at www.njtransit.com/mytransit) Service information is also available by calling (973) 275-5555 or from broadcast traffic reports.
Listen closely to public address announcements at stations for late-breaking service information.
Build additional travel time into your trip to a station, terminal or bus stop.
Stairs, flooring and platforms can be slippery, so please use caution when walking along wet surfaces or any outdoor surface exposed to the weather. Use extra care when boarding or exiting buses and trains.
Report slippery or unsafe conditions to bus operators, train crews or NJ TRANSIT staff.
NJ TRANSIT Customer Service Field Offices will extend their hours of operation if necessary. The Transit Information Offices, NJ TRANSIT’s call center, is also prepared to extend its hours if necessary. Customers in need of service information can call (973) 275-5555.
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