Americans are dying with an average of $62,000 of debt
You’re probably going to die with some debt to your name. Most people do. In fact, 73% of consumers had outstanding debt when they were reported as dead, according to December 2016 data provided to Credit.com by credit bureau Experian.
Those consumers carried an average total balance of $61,554, including mortgage debt. Without home loans, the average balance was $12,875.
The data is based on Experian’s FileOne database, which includes 220 million consumers. (There are about 242 million adults in the U.S., according to 2015 estimates from the Census Bureau.) To determine the average debt people have when they die, Experian looked at consumers who, as of October 2016, were not deceased, but then showed as deceased as of December 2016. Among the 73% of consumers who had debt when they died, about 68% had credit card balances. The next most common kind of debt was mortgage debt (37%), followed by auto loans (25%), personal loans (12%) and student loans (6%).
These were the average unpaid balances: credit cards, $4,531; auto loans, $17,111; personal loans, $14,793; and student loans, $25,391.
That’s a lot of debt, and it doesn’t just disappear when someone dies.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute is proud to offer college scholarships to high school seniors who will be majoring or minoring in art. If you are a member of Ridgewood Art Institute, please fill out the attached form to be considered. Worthy candidates will be expected to bring six pieces of original artwork on April 29, 2017 for the Board of Trustees review.
Print an apllication Here. Deadline is April 15, 2017
In addition, Our Summer Schedule for Young People is attached. You can find it online here.
RE: Cease and Desist Letter and Demand For Retraction
Dear Mr. Patrick J. Monaghan, Jr. Esq.
the Ridgewood blog takes theses issues very seriously .Your unsubstantiated threats and accusations seem a stretch at best .
As you are aware :
Publishing the Statements and Content of Others
“If you have web forums, allow reader comments, host guest bloggers on your site, or if you repost information that you receive from RSS feeds, you generally will be shielded from liability for defamatory statements made by your users and guests under section 230 of the Communications Decency Act(“Section 230″). This important federal law protects you from certain types of liability, including defamation, associated with the statements and other user-submitted content you
publish on your site.
Section 230 grants interactive online services of all types, including blogs, forums, and listservs, broad immunity from liability so long as the information at issue is provided by a third-party. You will not lose this immunity even if you edit the content, whether for accuracy or civility, and you will be entitled to immunity so long as your edits do not substantially alter the meaning of the original statements. However, if you alter someone else’s statement so that itbecomes defamatory (e.g., changing the statement “Bob is not a murderer” to “Bob is a murderer”), you would be responsible for the
content of the edited statement; and if it turns out to be untrue, you could be liable for defamation. In addition, if you add your own commentary along with the user-submitted content, you will only be shielded from liability for the material created by your user, not for your own statements. For more on this important protection, see the section on Immunity for Online Publishers Under the Communications
Decency Act.”
In the case of your client , Ridgewood blog received information from a source that was corroborated by a police report and at lest one witness.
Next in your letter you referenced the well know conflict between your client and Mrs McWilliams .
To paraphrase your own words Mrs Taddei and Mrs McWilliams have a well know history of conflict , that would render any reporting non defamatory since even according to you, only “minimal investigation” would have made us aware of that fact .So the Ridgewood blog reported on what everyone already knows.
As for damages you have presented none at all and according to your own words Mrs Taddei does not work.
As for your claim of “maliciousness “, it would be hard to argue that fact given that the Ridgewood blog approved comments that contradicted the post and took a comment from Mr Taddei that contradicted the
entire account and turned it into a post that received a similar amount of attention.
Interesting to note that we were contacted by Mrs Taddei about the parking situation on Bogart on March 15th and published a post she crafted about that very issue.
In fact it has also come to our attention that some negative comments posted anonymously appear to be the work of the same posters who under their own name voiced strong support for Mrs.Taddei . We would have to
confirm this of coarse but it does appear to be the case.
Now we get to the “cyberbullying” claim and the “harassment “claim.
1. The definition of cyber-harassment is very broad.
New Jersey’s cyber-harassment statute defines the crime as making a communication online or through a social media site with the purposed to harass another and then threatens another in one of the following
ways:
Threatens to inflict injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person; Knowingly sends, posts, comments, requests, suggests, or proposes any lewd, indecent, or obscene material to or about a person with the intent to emotionally harm a reasonable person or place a reasonable person in fear of physical or emotional harm to his person; or Threatens to commit any crime against the person or the person’s property
No such language exists in the mentioned blog article.
2. Intent is key
Cyber-harassment has two elements to the crime — the action or conduct constituting harassment, known as the “actus reus,” and the intent to harass the victim, or “mens rea.”
Seton Hall law professor John “Kip” Cornwell said the “actus reus” covers a “wealth of conduct” under the statute, but “an individual is only guilty, however, if his or her conduct is undertaken with the
intent to harass or to place a reasonable person in fear of physical or emotional harm.”
According to Cornwell, “if person A sends a sexually provocative photo to person B in which person C is pictured, there is no liability if A was doing so merely because she thought the photo was funny and/or
never expected word to get back to C.”
“As such, it seems to insulate those who carelessly harm others, focusing instead on those who truly intend to cause harm,” Cornwell said. “If that intent is present, on the other hand, the potential for liability is great, in light of the breadth of qualifying misconduct.”
Clearly there is absolutely no evidence that the Ridgewood blog had any “intent” to engage in “cyberbullying” and or “harassment” . And you have presented no evidence of any “intent” or any actions that would meet even the most lenient definition .
However there is ample evidence to suggest that Mrs Taddei and her co-conspirators colluded to engage in “cyberbullying” and “harassment” against myself and the Ridgewood blog .
Blitzing the Ridgewood blog with hundreds of comments many threatening in nature by Mrs Taddei’s supporters fits the very definition of ” cyberbullying” and “harassment” as well as cyberstalking .
Key factors to identifying cyberstalking cases include:
False accusations. A cyberstalker often tries to damage the reputation of his victim by posting false information on social media websites or blogs. A perpetrator may even create fictitious websites or other accounts for the purpose of spreading false rumors and allegations about the victim.
Gathering information about the victim. A cyberstalker may try to gather as much information as possible about the victim by interacting with the victim’s friends, family, and colleagues. In serious cases, a cyberstalker may hire a private investigator.
Monitoring victim’s activities. A cyberstalker may attempt to trace his victim’s IP address, or hack into the victim’s social media accounts and emails to learn about his online activities.
Encouraging others to harass the victim. The offender may encourage the involvement of third parties to harass the victim.
False victimization. It is not uncommon for a cyberstalker to claim the victim is harassing him, taking the position of victim in his own mind.
Many of the above mentioned factors have clearly been met by Mrs Taddei and her co-conspirators as evidenced in this “Cease and Desist” letter along with the comment section on the Ridgewood blog.
Also this “Cease and Desist ” letter appears to be nothing more a blatant attempt to bully the Ridgewood blog to post only articles in support of Mrs Taddei position in her feud with Mrs McWillaims in violation of the 1st amendment and in an attempt to influence public opinion in her favor.
Finally ,we noticed the address on the letterhead was to :James J Foytlin 144 South Maple Ave ,Apt C-2 Ridgewood NJ 07450. This address is not my address.It was the address of my long deceased
father and frankly its in very poor taste sending things there and demonstrates clear intention of an attempt to harass, intimidate and bully me .
The Ridgewood blog does not take kindly to anyone telling us what we can of can not post .We also have no interest in getting dragged into a “cat fight ” between Mrs Taddei and Mrs McWilliams. We hope that
the two parties can work out their differences .
Make no mistake however, the continued attempt by your client and her co-conspirators to use the Ridgewood blog to further their advantage in this situation will be met with a VERY AGGRESSIVE LEGAL ACTION.
As someone who is on the fence about the garage to begin with – the FAC presentation did nothing to convince me this is what the town needs. How can the council and residents get an accurate idea of the financial impact of the garage if the numbers are not even accurate for the current proposal. This presentation, while well-intentioned, was a waste of time for all involved.
VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION QUICK NOTES
MARCH 22, 2017
Public Comments: A variety of topics were covered by residents during public comment including, and most noteworthy, statements regarding parking Bogert/Cambridge and Pomander parking restrictions. Some residents reiterated their perception of a safety concern while others touched on personal challenges resulting from the changes and exacerbated safety concerns. Both topics were listed as agenda items for discussion.
FAC Assessment in Paying for a Parking Garage: Committee members reviewed the Parking Utility and garage funding based on the Walker Report.
Cambridge and Bogert Parking Restrictions: Striking a balance addressing safety concerns around the curved area closest to Glen while implementing a modified parking schedule 50’ beyond the second curved intersection. A modified ordinance will be introduced in April allowing changes to coincide with the end of school.
Train Station Parking Lot: Suggested by a former Planning Board member to somewhat reduce the grassy island allowing for the addition of about 25 +/- parking spaces. This does NOT require removal of the entire green space and trees. The remaining island should allow for ample grass, trees, flowers, urns and an appropriately meandering walkway. As stated during the meeting, this idea will require further evaluation.
Pomander Walk/Sherman/Stanley Place: April introduction to temporarily suspend parking restrictions on one side of Pomander.
Ridgecrest – Graydon: an initiative to allow Ridgecrest senior citizens to spend time at Graydon Pool for free or at a reduced rate.
Schedler Park Plans: Project development of a community park for all ages to possibly include pedestrian nature paths, bird watching, children’s play space & equipment and low impact exercise areas.
Kings Pond Area Cleaning Program: moving forward!
Citizens Safety Advisory Committee – Standardized Form for Requesting Parking Changes: a recommendation to standardize the procedure for requesting parking changes and/or restrictions in residential areas. Over the years CSAC has made many safely recommendations to Council; most changes are welcome but some have created unanticipated issues in adjacent areas. Implementing a formal process to ensure residents are properly notified of impactful changes by providing detailed information to VC. Still in draft document form.
***these are only brief notes/highlights and not intended as minutes
Next meeting: Village Council Special Public Budget Meeting
Monday, March 27, 2017, 5:30PM
Bogart/Cambridge is less a council issue. The council were fooled on how the original ordinance was implemented. The Village Engineer decided it was easier to just to have no parking 500 feet down each street which he admitted to at the council meeting. Regardless of who did what, the majority of the neighbors on the blocks affected we’re never informed of what was going on. Communication was abysmal, that should be a council issue moving forward. Kudos to the Mayor for suggesting a new form and process be followed, but the people affected by these decisions should also have input into the decision making process. Aren’t they supposedly working for ALL of the people in the village.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Arts Council, wants share with you a very special and unique event that is happening at our Earth Day Fair one month from now. Check out the video to learn more. Hope to see you at our Emerging Artists Gallery event. Please share with others. Thanks!
Please join the Ridgewood Arts Counci at Ridgewood’s Earth Day fair on Sunday April 23rd 11am-2pm in Van Neste Park to be a part of this exciting event. For more information and to sign-up please email [email protected]
Ridgewood NJ, Eighteen children of all ages participated in making twenty blankets for Project Linus as part of Emmanuel’s Sunday School Christian Education program in a one hour blanket making session on March 12th. Women of Emmanuel sponsored the event and supplied the soft plush material for the project.
Marilyn Clark, head of Women of Emmanuel and Church Council Moderator, stated, “It was a fun day! The children were able to make beautiful blankets for a worthy cause. You could see how pleased and proud they were with the blankets they made. Their smiles said it all.”
Leslie Maltz Taylor, a representative from Project Linus, led the one hour blanket making session during Sunday school at Emmanuel. Emmanuel will donate the completed blankets to Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides homemade blankets to children in need.
Emmanuel, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year and maintains a tradition of community outreach. Emmanuel is located at 14 Hope Street, at the corner of Hope Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The building is ADA accessible and all are invited to attend.
Ridgewood NJ, There’s no need to travel to New York City to enjoy a performance of George F. Handel’s Messiah Parts II and III, a classical music high point of the Easter season. You can simply travel to West Side Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood, where the Oratorio Choir and Orchestra (directed by Deborah Holden-Holloway) will present the Messiah on Sunday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m.
Part II focuses on the death and resurrection of Jesus, ending with the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.” Part III features some of the most uplifting and triumphant music of the Messiah, including “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” “The Trumpet Shall Sound” and the culimating chorus, “Worthy is the Lamb.”
Featured performers: Kristine DiMauro-Gonzalez, soprano, of West Milford; Apryl Beddingfield-Helder, mezzo-soprano, of Fair Lawn; Kevin Hanse, tenor, of Fair Lawn; Robert Preuss, tenor, formerly of Glen Rock; and David Langan, bass-baritone, of Ridgewood.
Tickets are not required, but early arrival is suggested. A free-will offering will be received.
Sunday, April 9 at 3 PM – 4:30 PM
West Side Presbyterian Church Ridgewood, NJ
6 S Monroe St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
Our roads are a shambles,beyond the winter frost freeze and expanding pothole excuses …; the ongoing maintenance and milling of our main and secondary roadways are completely inadequate.meanwhile we are looking at tearing up the safety median at the train station raceway.Incredible..
Utility companies cut and run while highly paid village police offices yes on pseg perdiem and we pay their benefits and pensions while they stand by texting and witness the crime.North Pleasant Fairway and so many other main streets are like a war zone on our cars ,runners and bicyclist.
No real solutions offered outside of its on a list..ill tell my car repair guy so that he can plan to hire many more repair folks for Tires,Suspensions Shocks ,underbody and other serious car damage invoicing to Vor taxpayers.Its simply unacceptable .town in a serious downward spiral .
comment was specific to the Bogart Parking Issue we thought it held a lager context
They don’t give a dam what property owners nor what their right are. You are just one of the many little people who pay high Taxes and keep them employed.They know better and file an obscure legal notice In the abandoned property notice in some unread obscure legal notice newspaper that no one buys or reads .Its a CYA OPERATION.Town loves signs tho.New form of urban pollution and loss of basic Freedoms of property owners.
….the fly has noticed that with every new suggestion for parking changes there is a concerted push to undermine the Mayors efforts .Who could believe that here in “turf town” that people suddenly are concerned with an empty strip of grass at the Ridgewood Train Station. Mind you years of neglect didn’t seem to make an impact. Every new suggestion is attacked by the same group that brought you “Garagezilla” an ill fitting monstrosity with its sole purpose was creating taxpayer funded parking so private developers didn’t have to. Recent events on Bogart and Cambridge suggest a further attempt to undermine the Village council efforts ,with engineering over reach and a failure to communicate. The Financial Advisory Committee’s recent debacle with their “alternative facts “garage report gave away the game proving unequivocally that the FAC is behind attempts to undermine Mayor Susan Knudsen as they were with previous Mayor Kieth Killion.
I would like to know where this issue was “broadcast, publicized, and discussed,”for, in my “ignorance,” it took me completely by surprise! I, like many others, walked outside one day to find signs posted in my yard. How could so many of us have been so busy “driving our SUV’s and drinking lattes,” which, by the way, I do not have nor do! It seems those of us who are directly affected by this ordinance should have been included in the many discussions referred to and been given the opportunity for input. I was not even aware of these proclaimed discussions. This, happening as it did, seems to have been quite purposefully secretive and it makes one wonder if it is a power/ego issue rather than a safety issue. I, like another, would like to see a copy of said safety study. I would also like statistics on the recent number of implied incidents requiring this ordinance. Also, as another mentioned, it seems strange that there is parking allowed nearest the school where many children enter and exit but none halfway down quiet streets further away. I hope the Council will take another look at this situation which seems to be more of an inconvenience for a number of people than a solution to what may or may not be a problem.
Dear Great Friends at the Ridgewood blog , ROAD ADVISORY FOR WEST GLEN AVENUE – WEEKS OF 3/26/17 AND 4/2/17
The PSE&G work on West Glen Avenue has been completed, and the long-awaited milling and paving of West Glen Avenue will take place over the next couple of weeks, weather permitting, as follows:
Week of 3/26/17: Beginning March 28th, milling will take place on West Glen Avenue, from North Maple Avenue through at least the far side of Upper Boulevard. On that day, the street area by the underpass, next to the Ridgewood Art Institute, will be closed. On March 29th and March 30th milling will continue until it is completed.
Week of 4/2/17: On April 3rd and 4th, paving will take place on West Glen Avenue. The street area by the underpass will be closed again, when that area is being paved.
There will be long detours in place during the milling and paving, and Police Officers will be able to help guide motorists, as needed. The Police Officers will also assist residents on West Glen Avenue in traveling to and from their homes during this work.
Please plan alternate routes during these two weeks. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Become a Sponsor and Take Home a Beautiful Original Framed Painting. Every Sponsor goes home with a painting.
Reception: Sunday, April 9th, 2017 2-4pm
Exhibition Dates: Friday, April 7th- Friday, May 5th, 2017
Gala Drawing: Friday, May 5th, 2017 8pm
Ridgewood NJ, The Sponsor Show is our most popular annual event at the Ridgewood Art Institute, providing sponsors an opportunity to acquire a beautifully framed original painting, from the collection donated by our outstanding artists and instructors. In addition to wonderful landscapes and still lifes, several of our professional artists offer the chance to commission a portrait or pet painting. On the night of the Gala Drawing, the name of each sponsor is randomly called to choose their favorite painting. For only $275, become a sponsor and begin creating your painting “wish list” at our Opening Reception, or anytime during the exhibition dates. Proceeds from the show go directly toward the Institute’s efforts to promote fine arts in our community.
Once again we are offering gift certificates. You can become a sponsor yourself, and you can purchase a gift certificate for a friend or family member to join you as a sponsor. A personally selected painting is a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, weddings, or any special occasion.
A limited number of sponsorships are sold each year, so don’t miss out on this exciting event! Sponsorships can be purchased on line at www.ridgewoodartinstitute.org.
For more information , visit our website www.ridgewoodartinstitute.org and click “Art Exhibits”.
