Category: Village of Ridgewood

A MORAL CHOICE?
January 7 ,2013
Vostra Guida

https://www.americanthinker.com/2013/01/a_moral_choice.html

I’d like to get your opinion on something.  I own a building.  Most of the building is made up of non-living areas, but there is one apartment in the building that is a suitable residence.  That apartment, however, is not usually occupied by any people.  From time to time, I might let a friend use other parts of my building, but I am usually very careful to lock the door to the hallway leading to the apartment because I don’t want anyone in there.  In addition, my building has an internal alarm system that will let me know if something moves in that apartment.  By accident, one day I forgot to lock those hallway doors when one of my friends came by.

A few days later, my building’s internal alarms went off — alerting me to the fact that something had entered the apartment.  I sent someone to inspect and they reported back to me that there was some food remnants found in the apartment that were not in there before.  There were other signs that something had been or was in the apartment as it did not look the way it normally did.  He could not say for sure whether it was a person, an animal, insects, or something else, but that there was a good chance that it could be a person.  I spoke to a friend of mine who has a similar building and she said that, from time to time she had found a homeless person in the usuaully unoccupied apartment at her building.

I really was not interested having something in the only residential apartment I had in my building, so I hired someone to fumigate the apartment.  When he arrived at the door to the apartment, the fumigator called me on his cell phone to say that he could hear something in the apartment but he could not tell for sure if it was an animal or a person.

I told him I didn’t want to know what it was and that I just wanted whatever it was out of my apartment.  So I told him to open the door and place the fumigating bomb in the apartment so that whatever was in there would not cause me any more problems.  So he did just that and left.

When I told some people about what happened they were extremely upset with me.  They claimed that I had no right to do that and that if there was a person in the apartment — and the person died from the poison — I and the fumigator had committed murder!

Who the hell do these people think they are?  Are they insane?  It is my building and my apartment.  What right do they have to say anything about what I do with my building?  Besides, the fumigator and I did not know for sure that it was a person — it could have been a rat or something else as far as we knew.  Even if it was a homeless person, why should I be held responsible for whatever happens to him/her when he/she was the one trespassing in my building?  Just because I forgot to lock the door to the hallway one day does not mean that some homeless person had the right to start living in my apartment when I didn’t want them to live there.

So what do you think?  Did I do something morally wrong?

What if I told you the “building” is my body, the “apartment” is my womb, and the fumigator is an abortionist?

Are you still pro-choice?

To me, it is simple.  If you don’t know for sure that what is in the womb is not a human life, then how can you justify taking actions that will kill it?

Now, can there be exceptions?  Of course there can.  For example, if another person’s existence is threatening to end your life, you have every right to defend yourself, including by killing that other person if necessary.  There may be other limited exceptions that reasonable people can discuss (e.g., rape or incest).  But the point of the above story is to stop all of this “It is my body and I can do whatever I want with it” nonsense in circumstances when your actions may cause the termination of another human life.  The starting point should always be that innocent human life should be protected whenever possible.  Mere inconvenience is not a justification for ending an innocent human life.

Bottom line, if we are not sure whether something is or is not a human life, shouldn’t we error on the side of protecting that life?

https://www.americanthinker.com/2013/01/a_moral_choice.html

7-11 Coming Soon to Ridgewood?

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC NOTICE [Block 4703, Lot 14] PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood (the “Board”) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room, 4th Floor, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, for the purpose of reviewing and taking action upon the application of 657 Ridgewood LLC (the “Applicant”), which seeks preliminary and final site plan approval with use and bulk variances in order to redevelop the existing Shell gas station and provide new fuel dispensers and a 2,400 sq. ft. convenience store (proposed to be a 7-Eleven) on the property commonly known as 657 Franklin Turnpike (at the intersection of southbound Route 17) and designated as Block 4703, Lot 14 on the Tax Map of the Village of Ridgewood (the “Property”). The Property, which is located within 200 feet of the property owned by you, is located in the OB-2 (Office Building) District. In connection with the foregoing, the Applicant seeks all variances, waivers, exceptions and other relief necessitated by the plans it has currently filed with the Board, together with any additional variances, waivers, exceptions and other relief that may be necessitated by changes to the plans requested by the Board, and any and all other relief that the Board may determine to be appropriate or necessary. This relief may include but may not necessarily be limited to: (i) a variance to permit more than one principal building on a lot (i.e., the convenience store and gas station canopy and kiosks if the latter are construed to be a separate principal building or buildings) where the Ordinance may not permit same; (ii) variances to permit a combined gasoline station/convenience store where same is not a permitted use in the OB-2 District; (iii) a variance for a front yard setback from Route 17 (for the building) of 28.1 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (iv) a variance for a front yard setback from Route 17 (for the canopy) of 9.4 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (v) a variance for a front yard setback from Franklin Turnpike (for the canopy) of 8.5 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (vi) a variance for a side yard setback (for the building) of 5 feet where the Ordinance requires 12 feet; (vii) a variance for no off-street loading space where the Ordinance requires at least one off-street loading space, which must be located on the same property and in the side or rear yard; (viii) a variance for five building mounted signs where the Ordinance permits a maximum of one sign; (ix) a variance for a total building mounted sign area of 145.2 sq. ft. where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 30 sq. ft.; (x) a variance for two freestanding signs where the Ordinance permits a maximum of one freestanding sign; and (xi) a variance for freestanding sign areas of 78 sq. ft. (Route 17) and 78 sq. ft. (Franklin Turnpike) where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 30 sq. ft.; (xii) a variance the freestanding sign heights of 24 feet 4 inches (Route 17) and 18 feet (Franklin Turnpike) where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 15 feet; and (xiii) a variance for freestanding sign dimensions of 13 feet by 6 feet (Route 17) and 13 feet by 6 feet (Franklin Turnpike) which exceed the maximum permitted by Ordinance. Any person interested in this application will have the opportunity to present any objections or otherwise be heard at the public hearing. Members of the public may also inspect the plans, reports, application and supporting materials on file at the Village of Ridgewood, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, during normal business hours Monday through Friday. John M. Marmora, Esq., Attorney for Applicant 657 Ridgewood LLC K&L Gates LLP One Newark Center, 10th Floor Newark, New Jersey 07102 (973) 848-4000 Ridgewood News-3426546 Fee: $43.46 January 11, 2013

2013 Index of Economic Freedom

The 10 most economically-free countries in the world

Free markets and private properties are much talked about. But the phrase economic freedom definitely gives rise to policy debates. This is a list of the top 10 countries based on the ‘2013 Index of Economic Freedom’ by The Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Wall Street Journal.

The index measured economic freedom based on four broad categories: Rule of law, limited government, regulatory efficiency and open markets.
India is ranked at 119 with an overall score of 55.2 for its economic freedom.

1      Hong Kong  89.3 -0.6
2     Singapore      88.0 0.5
3     Australia      82.6 -0.5
4     New Zealand     81.4     -0.7
5     Switzerland     81.0     -0.1
6     Canada     79.4     -0.5
7     Chile     79.0     0.7
8     Mauritius     76.9     -0.1
9     Denmark     76.1     -0.1
10     United States     76.0     -0.3

https://www.heritage.org/index/

Seniors: Top Row (left to right)  Chris Solis, Justin Ok, Chris Turnbull, Nick Simon
Bottom Row (left to right) Jay Kerwin, Mike Cunningham, Tyler Chatfield  (https://www.ridgewoodbasketball.net/)

RHS Basketball looks to put together a hot streak
Friday, January 11, 2013
BY  ELI NACHMANY
CORRESPONDENT
The Ridgewood News

RIDGEWOOD — An attacking, offensive-minded team is rare in today’s day of conservative high school basketball schemes.

The Ridgewood High School boys team has put together quite an impressive group of scorers and can truly light up the board.

For most offensively gifted squads, the mindset is that it’s fine to be below average defensively as long as the shots are falling. In Ridgewood, no such concept exists.

While the team has shot the ball at an efficient clip for the entire season, it’s been their defensive efforts that have impressed head coach Mike Troy.

“Defensively, we’re a far better team than I thought we would be at this point,” he said. “Our ability to play man-to-man is ahead of where I thought it’d be.”

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/186420531_Ridgewood_looks_to_put_together_a_hot_streak_together_a_hot_streak.html

‘Severe’ Strain Of Flu Reaches Epidemic Proportions In New York City
Number Of Cases N.Y. State-Wide Nearly 5 Times Higher Than Last Year
January 10, 2013 11:25 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The flu is currently at epidemic levels across the five boroughs, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley announced Thursday.

Officials said a full 5 percent of emergency room visits are flu-related.

“It’s a bad year. We’ve got lots of flu, it’s mainly type AH3N2, which tends to be a little more severe. So we’re seeing plenty of cases of flu and plenty of people sick with flu,” Farley told reporters including WCBS 880′s Rich Lamb.

To protect against contracting the flu, Farley urged people to wash their hands and cover their mouths when they cough. And he said the flu shot can still help protect against getting sick.

“Our message for any people who are listening to this is it’s still not too late to get your flu shot. If you haven’t gotten the flu yet and you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, you could still get it,” Farley said.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/01/10/farley-severe-strain-of-flu-reaches-epidemic-proportions-in-new-york-city/

“Syrup for Sandy”

~Breakfast for Dinner~

Helping Victims from Hurricane Sandy: Proceeds go to American Red Cross

Thursday, January 10 from 5-8 p.m. in the RHS Cafeteria
Tickets $5 (pre-sale raffle incentive) are now on sale.
Donations from AM Rotary, Stop & Shop, Daily Treat
For more information contact Nancy Reilly or Lynne Feeney at RHS: [email protected], [email protected]

31st Annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Program

The 31st annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be held on Monday, January 21, 2013, at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., Ridgewood, NJ. The event is free and open to the public, and this year’s theme is, “Forward in Unity.” Sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Ridgewood/Glen Rock, the celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. with an interfaith service featuring The Rev. Dr. Gareth Icenogle of the West Side Presbyterian Church. There will be readings by Ridgewood and Glen Rock students and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir and Men of Umoja Chorus, followed by an outdoor rally in Van Neste Square.

Instead of the traditional community lunch following the march, a Fellowship Coffee Hour will be held at the church with a televised broadcast of the Presidential Inauguration for those who wish to stay. Rev. Dr. Icenogle has been West Side’s Senior Pastor since February, 2009. He holds degrees in ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA, and music degrees from the University of California, Riverside, and California State University of Los Angeles. His master’s degrees are in music (voice and composition) and divinity, and his doctorate is in ministry, with a focus on spiritual formation and discipleship. He is the author of an internationally used textbook on the theology, purposes, and dynamics of faith formation through small groups. Rev. Dr. Icenogle served as Senior Pastor at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, from 2004 to 2008, and as Senior Pastor and Co-Senior Pastor for 14 years at the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, PA. He was also the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Seminary.

The annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration began in 1983 in an effort to unite area residents, regardless of faith or ethnic background, in worship and action as they work towards peace and justice for all. More than 20 religious groups, the Ridgewood and Glen Rock Boards of Education, local government, and civic organizations participate in and support the event each year. Financial support is generously provided by many organizations, individuals, agencies, and businesses throughout the area. For more information contact Alice Newton at 201-951-9903.

Gas drilling called safe in New York

ALBANY — The state’s Health Department found in an analysis it prepared early last year that the much-debated drilling technology known as hydrofracking could be conducted safely in New York, according to a copy obtained by The New York Times from an expert who did not believe it should be kept secret. N.Y. Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/03/nyregion/hydrofracking-safe-says-ny-health-dept-analysis.html?ref=nyregion&_r=0

Tax Hikes to Start the New Year
Amy Payne
January 1, 2013 at 9:09 am

While you were sleeping—or ringing in 2013—the Senate voted to raise taxes.

After missing the midnight deadline, Congress and the President have technically sent the nation over the fiscal cliff, meaning higher tax rates are already in effect for all income tax brackets. But the Senate’s deal, brokered by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (KY) and Vice President Joe Biden, would target the tax increases on those making more than $250,000.

The Senate voted 89-8 to limit deductions for taxpayers making more than $250,000, which would raise their taxes, and to hike tax rates for those making more than $400,000.

As Heritage has pointed out, trying to tax the top income brackets to close the deficit is impossible. To overcome the massive federal deficit, top earners would have to be taxed at more than 100 percent. And J.D. Foster, Heritage’s Norman B. Ture Senior Fellow in the Economics of Fiscal Policy, reminds us that President Obama has already raised taxes on “the wealthy”:

Never mind that Obama already raised taxes on upper-income taxpayers through the 3.8 percent Medicare surtax imposed under Obamacare. Never mind that tax rate hikes would weaken an economy stumbling so badly the Federal Reserve doubled its risky efforts to keep the economy from recession. Never mind Obama’s approach would likely put the kibosh on any hopes for tax reform. Never mind the resulting revenues would be a small drop in a very big bucket compared to projected budget deficits. Never mind that the only justification for higher taxes is spite and envy to be exercised through the extortive power of the federal government.

Some of the key points in the Senate deal, which could go to the House as early as today:

Raises taxes on incomes over $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for households
Raises taxes on investment income for those taxpayers as well
Limits tax deductions for incomes over $250,000—raising their taxes, too
Increases the death tax rate for estates over $5 million
Extends long-term unemployment benefits for one year
Postpones sequestration’s automatic spending cuts (including those to defense) by two months

Meanwhile, the United States also ran up against the debt ceiling yesterday. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said the Treasury would do some short-term creative accounting to make sure the country doesn’t default on its loans, which will buy two months before lawmakers have to fight it out again over increasing the debt limit.

The deal does nothing to address the reasons that the U.S. budget is out of control. Its focus on tax hikes rather than spending cuts is completely the opposite of what the country needs. As Heritage’s Romina Boccia explains:

Federal spending on entitlements and interest on the debt drives the federal budget crisis. Together the three major entitlements of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid (including Obamacare), as well as net interest, make up more than half of all spending in the federal budget today. Their share of the budget will grow to over two-thirds of all spending in 10 years. By 2025, the major entitlement programs and net interest together will eat up all tax revenues collected in that year.

Hiking taxes simply isn’t a solution. Until Congress and the President pursue serious spending cuts, the country and the budget will keep chugging in the same direction. And that’s certainly no cause for celebration.

https://tinyurl.com/ah7x5tv