Category: Village of Ridgewood

>Hillmann Electric & Lighting Celebrates 100 Years in Ridgewood

Hillmann Electric & Lighting, Ridgewood’s oldest family-owned retailer, is now entering its 100th year in business.

https://www.ridgewoodchamber.com/chamber/press-details.php?id=137

In the early 20th century, current owner Tom Hillmann’s great-grandfather retired as a PSE&G lineman to start an electrical contracting firm to wire all the new construction going on in Ridgewood in 1910 and convert the older homes from gas to the so-called “new” electric.

“We actually may be older than 100 years, but my great grandfather’s electrical contracting company was listed as a contributor in the 1910 July 4th parade, and we have been contributing ever since,” Hillmann said.

As for his own contribution, he maintains that his family’s legacy had little to do with his joining the business.

“Most summers during my school years, I did not work for my family, seeking employment in a variety of businesses instead. After graduating from college with a marketing degree, it just made sense. Because the business was actually two businesses (retail and electrical contracting) my father and I had separate daily activities and it worked,” Hillmann explains.

As for the time he has spent at the company, he says there is no one memory that stands out in his mind. However, this is due not to lack but to abundance.

“Of course there is the satisfaction of having control over your own destiny that many working for a large corporation don’t receive. But all the best memories are working with the people, whether they were customers, other business owners or town officials. I have also been blessed to have some great employees during my tenure and all my current crew have been with me between 15 and 35 years.”

See the attached below for a comprehensive history of Hillmann Electric & Lighting’s 100-year stint in Ridgewood. The picture located to the left shows the front of Hillman Electric & Lighting circa 1948.

Congratulations to Hillmann Electric & Lighting for an outstanding century in the business, and here’s to wishing them a bright future for many years to come.

https://www.ridgewoodchamber.com/chamber/press-details.php?id=137

>Muslim-born Miss USA says she opposes Ground Zero Islamic center
POST WIRE SERVICES

Last Updated: 4:30 PM, August 20, 2010

Posted: 10:06 AM, August 20, 2010

https://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ground_zero_mosque_imam_says_radical_7rGRZmCD1Lh7sf2QSiYSRJ

The reigning Miss USA has come out against the Ground Zero mosque, saying “it shouldn’t be so close” to Ground Zero.

The 24-year-old Rima Fakih, is the first Muslim winner of the Miss USA contest and is preparing for the Miss Universe Pageant, scheduled for Monday in Las Vegas.

“I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on Constitutional rights of freedom of religion,” Fakih told “Inside Edition” in an interview that will air tonight.

“I also agree that it shouldn’t be so close to the World Trade Center. We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion.”

This comes as the imam spearheading controversial plans for the mosque and Islamic center near the site of the 9/11 attacks said today that extremism poses a security threat in both the West and the Muslim world — and is even working on a plan to “Americanize” Islam.

The comments by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf come during the first leg of a 15-day Middle East tour — funded by the US State Department — to discuss Muslim life in America and religious tolerance.

Speaking after leading prayers at a neighborhood mosque in Bahrain’s capital Manama, Rauf said he hopes to draw attention during his trip to the region to the common challenges to battle radical religious beliefs.

“This issue of extremism is something that has been a national security issue — not only for the United States but also for many countries and nations in the Muslim world,” Rauf told Associated Press Television News.

“This is why this particular trip has a great importance because all countries in the Muslim world — as well as the Western world — are facing this … major security challenge.”

Rauf also said he has been working on a way to “Americanize Islam,” although he did not elaborate on what an American version of Islam might look like.

“The same principles and rituals were everywhere, but what happened in different regions was there were different interpretations,” he said. “So we recognize that our heritage allows for re-expressing the internal principles of our religion in different cultural times and places.”

The comments differ greatly from what Rauf said in December 2001. Just two months after the 9/11 attacks, the imam wasn’t so quick to condemn radical religious beliefs in his own faith.

“The United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened, because we have been an accessory to a lot of innocent lives dying in the world,” he said during an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes. “In fact, in the most direct sense, Osama bin Laden is made in the USA.”

Rauf, meanwhile, refused to discuss the political firestorm over plans for an Islamic cultural center near the site of the World Trade Center towers. The center would include a mosque, a swimming pool, gym auditorium and other facilities on a plot of land some two blocks from the World Trade Center site.

Foes of the project say it is insensitive and disrespectful to the victims of 9/11 and their families. The debate has become politicized ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections.

more:
https://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ground_zero_mosque_imam_says_radical_7rGRZmCD1Lh7sf2QSiYSRJ

>Water Restrictions : Why Every Year?

How come my parents, in neighboring Pennsylvania, have almost never had water rationing in the 45 years that they have owned their home, and yet I have had it about every other year that I have owned my home in Ridgewood.

Why is our water utility so inadequate? Insufficient groundwater supply? Insufficient tank capacity? Insufficient pumping capacity? Leaky water mains and pipes? I have never heard a good explanation regarding the weaknesses in our system.

I realize that some years we have droughts and that reservoirs get low, but we seem to have this happen more years than not. Do other municipalities in NJ have as many mandatory water rationing periods as we do?

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Sunset over Graydon Pool, Ridgewood, NJ, August 18, 2010
phot by Alan
 

>With 77 days left in a major election, the County Executive Dennis McNerney has been, quiet

Is McNerney in seclusion?

With 77 days left in a major election, the County Executive in Bergen has been, let’s say, quiet recently. So much so that one state Dem said today it looks like they have Dennis McNerney in “seclusion.” (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)

https://www.politickernj.com/back_room/mcnerney-seclusion

>60% of Voters Say Most in Congress Don’t Care What They Think

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Sixty percent (60%) of U.S. voters say most members of Congress don’t care what their constituents think, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/august_2010/60_of_voters_say_most_in_congress_don_t_care_what_they_think

Just 22% believe most congressmen do care what’s on the minds of their constituents. Eighteen percent (18%) more aren’t sure.

Only 37% of voters think their local congressional representative deserves reelection, and 62% say it would be better for the country if most incumbents in Congress were defeated this November.

Congress is now on its August recess, and many senators and House members are back home selling themselves for reelection. Many also are holding town hall meetings.

Seventy-one percent (71%) say it is more important at those town hall meetings for congressmen to hear the views of their constituents than it is for them to explain legislation and issues to people. Fifty-six percent (56%) felt that way a year ago when many congressional town hall meetings erupted in anger over then-proposed national health care legislation.

Nineteen percent (19%) say it’s more important for the congressmen to explain legislation and issues at those meetings.

more:

https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/august_2010/60_of_voters_say_most_in_congress_don_t_care_what_they_think

>KeepAmericaSafe.com: WE REMEMBER

>Rutgers to freeze salaries for all employees

Rutgers University has announced it will freeze salaries for its 13,000 employees, canceling some pay raises that were to take effect next month. School officials say the move will save $30 million and offset some of the $46.6 million in state funding cut from its budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Without the freeze, Chief Budget Officer Philip Furmanski said in a note to staff Thursday, the university would have to “lay off large numbers.” (Conaboy, Gannett)

https://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100612_Rutgers_to_freeze_salaries_for_all_employees.html#axzz0qmxvhyUq

>Christie orders planning for government shutdown

Gov. Christie has ordered cabinet members to begin planning for a government shutdown in case the state budget is not approved by the July 1 deadline. The memo directs department heads to identify essential functions and personnel. The Newark Star-Ledger obtained a copy of the memo, distributed Friday. (AP)

https://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100612_Christie_orders_planning_for_government_shutdown.html#axzz0qmxyBjNm

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The staff stopped counting at 1200 people on Saturday, June 5. Pool manager Steve Diamond said it was the biggest opening day crowd in 5 or 6 years.

Open for business: Last weekend Graydon had its biggest opening day in 5 or 6 years, said pool manager Steve Diamond. What a great community gathering place!

The water sparkled. Gone were the algae seen on Memorial Day. Deputy Mayor Keith Killion stopped by. Mayor David Pfund arrived with his family and took a dip. Also on hand appreciating the large crowd were Council members-elect Tom Riche and Bernie Walsh.

Operation in June:
Saturday/Sunday: 10 am to 7:30 pm
Mon.–Fri. through June 25: Noon to 7:30 pm
June 28–30: 10 am to 7:30 pm

Have you bought your badge yet? If not, here’s how:

Ridgewood, Midland Park, and Ho-Ho-Kus residents: Join here https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/department_detail.cfm?dept_id=41 or
at the badge office at Graydon until 7 pm any day.

Graydon admirers from any other town may be sponsored with this application form by an adult Ridgewood resident holding a current badge. Allow up to a week for processing of sponsored applications.

Graydon on parade
Lucy Rieger seeks participants for a possible celebration of Graydon Park’s centennial in Ridgewood’s Independence Day Parade on Monday, July 5. This will happen only if volunteers come forward quickly. To participate or help, please contact her at [email protected] or 201-826-5086 (cell).

Lots more summer fun to come. Send us your photos of Graydon activities.
Swimmingly,

Marcia Ringel and Suzanne Kelly, Co-Chairs

The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
[email protected]
 https://www.preservegraydon.org/

Try: https://www.preservegraydon.org/newsletters/12june2010-graydon-season-under-way

>Village Council sets Novermber Election to fill vacant seat left by Anne Zusy

As reported in the Ridgewood News it now appears the Village Council will not fill the seat left vacant by the death of Anne Zusy. There will be no short term appointee appointed by the council to fill the vacant seat. Councilwomen Zusy, died earlier this month of complications from lung cancer and has severed in the council since 2008.

The “Zusy” seat will be on the ballot in November and anyone interested in running for the position can file a petition at Village Hall. The deadline to file will be sometime in September with a final date to be announced. The winner in the November election will serve out the remainder of Zusy’s term. The new council members Thomas Riche and Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh will be sworn in July 1.

the Staff of the Ridgewood blog