>The issue of Mr. Aaronsohn’s naked campaigning for the Chamber’s explicit endorsement is one which Chamber members would like to avoid. The issue of Mr. Aaronsohn’s naked campaigning for the Chamber’s explicit endorsement is one which Chamber members would like to avoid.
Nevertheless it is a proper issue to consider when deciding whether Mr. Aaronsohn should be re-elected.
The village’s well-established non-partisan organizations should not be politicized to benefit politicians whose tenures are, by contrast, short and fleeting.
Shame on Mr. Aaronsohn for his corruptive request, and on those in the Chamber who do anything other than reject such a request out-of-hand as completelely and abjectly inappropriate.
>Village of Ridgewood Services : What we do need to look at is what services are provided and do we need them?
It is very easy to say do more with less, in many cases that statement is nothing more then a fantasy catch phrase. There will come time where you will pay more or receive less.
No public garbage pick-up, pay for your own at a “fair market” price established by organized crime. No free public library, use the internet.
No public ambulance service, pay for an ambulance if you need one.
No street lights, contract with the power company if you want one in your neighborhood. Pot hole filled streets that are seldom repaired.
A Village Hall filled with part time employees with no benefits that is only open to the public during limited days and hours. Etc, Etc, Etc.
Your taxes will not go up as much but you will pay in other areas.
What we do need to look at is what services are provided and do we need them? Perhaps things like recreation deparments, public pools and over the top athletic fields need to be turned over to private investors or non-profit groups and remove all costs for the Village taxpayers.
The Easter Bunny will be stopping in Ridgewood on Saturday, April 7th, 2012. The East Bunny will meet all the children at Memorial Park by Van Neste Square. Weather permiting, the parade will start at 11:00am, then the Easter Bunny will let parents take pictures of their children with the Bunny. Chamber Members take this opportunity to offer in-store projects for the children to do ………………. or with, limited space, have a table in the Park with activities, along with other entertainment.
We will have the Bunny Trolley available to take the parents and children to the different stores that will have some fun activities for the children. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Chamber Office. 201-445-2600 – email: info@ridgewoodchamber.com. Hopefuly It will be warm and sunny by April 7, 2012. What a great way to welcome in Spring. Details: Easter in Ridgewood Date: Saturday, April 7, 2012 Location: Memorial Park at Van Nest Square and all through town Time: 11:00am-2:00pm Trolley: 11:00am-2:00pm – this Trolley will take children/parents to your location. Costs:
There is no cost to have an in-store or table in the Park. (you will need to bring your own table/chairs) Ben & Jerry’s will be doing an Easter Egg hunt in the Park, weather permitting! We hope you have received your Easter in the Park form to sign up now. Posters will be handed out soon and advertising will happen as we get closer. In the past, when the weather is nice, we have had as many as 800 children. “Easter in the Park” has become a “tradition” in Ridgewood – lets keep is going! Please email – info@ridgewoodchamber.com – call the Chamber 201-445-2600 or mail back the form that you would like to participate in this event – that will bring many families to the Village. RSVP’s should be at the Chamber office by 3/23/12. Thank you!
The next regular public meeting of the Board of Education will take place on Monday, March 26, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be a Public Hearing on the Budget. Board meetings may be viewed live on Optimum channel 77, FiOS channel 33 or via the “Live BOE Meeting” link on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. After the live streaming event, Board meetings will be archived and can be found in the BOE section of the website under “Board of Ed Webcasts.”
Register to Vote by March 27 .Any Ridgewood resident who is a registered voter may vote in the Annual Election on Tuesday, April 17. Residents may register to vote through Tuesday, March 27. Full information on registering to vote and mail-in ballots may be found on the Bergen County website or by clicking here. Forms are also available at any Municipal Clerk’s office or other public agency. For further information, please call the Superintendent of Elections office at 201-336-6100 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The National Merit Scholarship Program has announced the 2012 Merit Scholarship Finalists: Chongsuh Chun, Jun Young Kim, Helen Peng, Lan Wang and Elizabeth A. Mattson. Scholarship winners will be chosen by professionals in admission and selected on the basis of the candidates’ academic skills and achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The scholarship winners will be notified in late March and April.
Sheila Brogan reported that this year’s Super Science Saturday was a success, with 170 student presenters and 50 adult presenters. Next year will mark Super Science Saturday’s 25th year.
Close to 90% of New Jersey school districts will move their School Board elections to November. Ridgewood’s BOE is one of 71 districts that did not support moving the election. Ridgewood voters will have the opportunity to vote on the school budget and for two Board of Education members on Tuesday, April 17. Polls will be open 7AM to 9 PM.
Boards of Education that decided to move the election to November were enticed to do so by the law’s provision that the school board, as long as the budget is below or at cap, would not be required to put their budgets out for a vote.
Public Presentations on the Budget The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein are offering the public opportunities to hear about the proposed 2012-2013 school budget prior to the Annual School Election on Tuesday, April 17. Please plan to attend one of the following presentations:
Tuesday, April 3 at Ridgewood High School Library Media Center at 7:30 p.m.
2012-2013 Proposed Budget The following preliminary budget has been submitted for approval to the Executive County Superintendent: Budget Tax Levy General Fund $ 90,653,862 $ 82,949,642 Special Revenue Fund $ 1,069,070 0 Debt Service Fund $ 3,693,173 $ 3,200,686 Total Budget $ 95,416,105 $ 86,150,328
The following question will be presented to the voters of Ridgewood Village for their approval on April 17: There should be raised for the General Fund Tax Levy $82,949,642 for the ensuing School Year: (2012-2013).
>Germany Cuts Subsidies to Floundering Solar Industry Written by James Heiser
Germany — once a global leader in the race for reliance on “alternative” forms of energy — has discovered that no amount of environmentalist ideology can alter the fundamental laws of economics. Although wind and solar “farms” have been the recipients of lavish government subsidies throughout the European Union, the German government is now being forced to concede it cannot continue supporting solar power at the levels that had quickly become customary, and is dramatically reducing its solar energy subsidy.
>Florida state workers face random drug tests under new law
(Reuters) – Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed a law allowing state employees to be randomly tested for drugs, a measure likely to draw a legal challenge over its constitutionality.
The Republican governor signed the Drug-free Workplace Act, which will permit state agencies to randomly test up to 10 percent of their employees, his office said on Monday.
Tests could be conducted once every 90 days under the measure, which takes effect July 1. It would allow agencies to fire or discipline employees the first time they test positive for drugs.
>Marines down on Obama byCharlie Spiering Commentary Staff Writer
The Marine Corps Times previews its cover story about anti-Obama Marines at their ‘Battle Rattle’ blog.
According to the article, of the 792 active-duty troops and mobilized reservists who responded to this year’s Military Times Poll, 44 percent said that they disapprove of the way Obama is handling his job as commander in chief.
The article cites hot button issues such as repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” relaxing restrictions of women in combat, and steep budget cuts, behind the disapproval numbers.
>Readers Respond to teacher raising healthcare costs
Information has been seriously miscommunicated and this needs to be corrected.
For over forty years, Ridgewood teachers have contributed towards health care costs. In June, a legal mandate was passed whereby public school employees were required to contribute additional money towards health care; a four-year phase-in was created. This year, the REA’s medical contribution to the BOE is $800,000the following year $1.4 million culminating in 2013-14 with medical contributions to the BOE reaching $2.1 million based on current premium costs. As health costs rise, so does the % of contribution. In three years, the Ridgewood BOE will have collected over $4 million in employee contributions. This money comes directly from teacher contributions and isn’t being culled from add’l school taxes. Teachers are asking for a fair contract based on a more equitable distribution of these BOE funds
Reader …
…and still, teachers pay orders of magnitude less than private sector employees for health care.
Why don’t you provide some useful numbers, like the per teacher monthly contribution (prorated over a 12 month year) and allow the taxpayers to compare THAT number to the one that they pay in the private sector.
But that would not serve your needs since it would shed some light on how sweet of a deal the teachers have it compared to private sector employees.
You would prefer to be disingenuous and disrespectful to the taxpayers by “seriously miscommunicating” the comparative costs that teachers are paying for health care benefits. Rather than being grateful for having not only a comparatively very, very small health care contribution, but also in many cases a much, much more generous package of health care benefits, you would rather whine and moan and try to greedily and selfishly line your own pockets on the backs of the taxpayer.
You may think that you are very clever and are representing your union well, but in fact you are insulting the taxpayers and increasing opposition to the teacher’s position by exposing the teacher’s union’s greed and scorn for the taxpayer.
> Ridgewood Teachers : “They’re just asking for their fair share.”
That is a platitude. You must say specifically what it is you think is unfair and then maybe a real discussion can start.
Educated, professional people with good salaries under the protection of a union, guaranteed job security, nearly incomparable benefit plans and more time off than any of us sounds like the unfair part to all the other people…
The union must appreciate that sentiment among the tax base when the word “fair” is being thrown around – especially in this economy. Without any acknowledgment it can’t be a real negotiation. It doesn’t help the teachers’ argument and drives away the centrists and those genuinely do want what’s best for them, i.e. a fair resolution to this dispute. However, “the best” this year can’t possibly be compared with “the best” of better economic times
>Reader Questions constitutionality of “Ravi” verdict
RE: “If the law does not require that the prosecution prove that the defendant has a guilty mind, or ‘black heart’, in that he intended to intimidate the victim, the law is an ass and should be revised or repealed.”
The law should be repealed regardless.
It is unconstitutional since it sets up a protected class of citizens making them more important than other citizens.
Had Tyler been a heterosexual and Ravi did the EXACT same thing, he would not be convicted of bias intimidation since he could not be charged with that crime since “NJSA 2C:16-1 – Bias Intimidation” only protects intimidation based on “race, color, religion, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, or ethnicity”
NJSA 2C:16-1, like all “hate crime” laws, is a bad law.
Networking Event March 21, you are confirmed to attend this week’s Networking Event.
BiBi’z restaurant in Westwood on Wednesday March 21 is hosting a business card exchange from 6pm-8pm. If you would like to meet other professionals in the North Jersey area and extend your personal network of people, this event will is for you. The cost to attend is $15 at the door. BiBi’z will offer Happy Hour drink specials and a delicious food buffet. BiBi’z serves Global American food with influences from around the World. Please RSVP to scott.scarpelli@gmacm.com if you can attend and if you will bring a guest so the restaurant can accommodate for enough food
>The Ridgewood Historical Society Presents :Adam Badeau
March 19, 1895, marks the death of Adam Badeau, a Ridgewood resident and Civil War general, who had a surprising connection John Wilkes Booth.
Few, if any, Ridgewood residents could claim as strong a connection to 19th century American history as Adam Badeau.
Prior to the Civil War, Badeau was a theater critic for a Sunday newspaper in New York. In this role he met many of the famous actors of the day. When war broke out, Badeau became part of General Sherman’s staff. A serious injury en route to Vicksburg disrupted his military career, and he returned to New York City to recover.
While in New York, he was reportedly cared for by two New York stage actors he had befriended as a theater critic – Edwin Booth and his younger brother, John Wilkes Booth! The following year, Edwin Booth would save the life of Abraham Lincoln’s oldest son, while John Wilkes Booth would, of course, become best known for assassinating the president in 1865.
Upon recovering, Badeau became a member of General Grant’s staff and was present at Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. He later worked for the State Department and was the U.S. Consul to Cuba and England. Thefinal years of Badeau’s life were full of legal troubles, a U.S. Supreme Court case regarding payment for his services to the government. Fortunately for Badeau, he was eventually found eligible for military retirement payments.
To learn more about Adam Badeau and the Civil War in New Jersey, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, on East Glen Avenue. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturday 1-3pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org. for more information.
>Student guilty of hate crimes for spying on gay roommate
By Jonathan Allen and Aman Ali
NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey | Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:14pm EDT
(Reuters) – A former Rutgers University student who used a computer webcam to spy on a sexual tryst of his roommate, who later committed suicide, was found guilty of hate crimes on Friday in a case that put a national spotlight on gay bullying.
Dharun Ravi, 20, faces 10 years in prison on the most serious charge of bias intimidation against Tyler Clementi, 18, who committed suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge three days after learning his gay encounter was seen by webcam.
Ravi, who invited others to watch the feed from the camera mounted on top of his computer, was not charged with causing Clementi’s death.
Ravi, an Indian citizen who has lived most of his life in the United States, will be sentenced on May 21 and remains free on $25,000 bail after surrendering his passport. He faces possible deportation.
Some legal experts said the case elevated the abuse of social media from a common prank, as Ravi’s lawyer argued, to criminal behavior.
>CBO: Obamacare Could Make 20 Million People Lose Employer Based Insurance
The Congressional Budget Office and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation have prepared a new analysis of the ramifications of President Obama’s health care law on employer-based insurance. Outlining multiple scenarios for the ramifications of the act, based on the level of employer buy-in to shifting their employees to the exchanges, the CBO and JCT find that the number of Americans losing employer-based coverage could be dramatically larger than previously estimated.
Their analysis finds that approximately 3-5 million people will lose their employer based insurance under what they view as the likeliest outcome of the law, noting that “because of the ACA, about 3 million to 5 million fewer people, on net, will obtain coverage through their employer each year from 2019 through 2022 than would have been the case under prior law.”
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_riaIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 165
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_inhaIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 166
Warning: Undefined array key "sfsi_mastodonIcon_order" in /home/eagle1522/public_html/theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/plugins/ultimate-social-media-icons/libs/controllers/sfsi_frontpopUp.php on line 177
