Category: village of ridgewood

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Letter to Editor of the Ridgewood News Causes Social media Firestorm

Ridgewood News letter
February 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, recent letter to the editor of the Ridgewood news causes a furor on social media. Initially, the letter suggested among other things that the former “breath of fresh air ” Village manager was fired when in fact she resigned.
The misinformation in the letter was later edited out by the Ridgewood News but not before the damage was done.
The staff of the Ridgewood blog had noticed the letter but felt it was what we call a “put up job” where a local special interest, usually a supporter of the former mayor and his schemes puts up a relative or friend to promote garagezilla and to attack the current council.
The push for garagezilla now being framed as the end all to be all solution in Ridgewood guaranteed to solve all problems in town.
The killer line in the letter for us was,”there are plenty of empty lots in the central business district perfect for a parking garage “.The key words being “empty lots”.
Jacqueline Hone‎ called out the Ridgewood News on Facebook claiming, “RIDGEWOOD FAKE NEWS OUTLET ⁉️ Why didn’t the Ridgewood News fact check? Why would someone write this, lie and stir up faux outrage? “
Even going as far as to post the resignation letter in the comment section, “Below, in comments, our previous Village Manager’s resignation letter. It’s proof our Mayor DID NOT fire her. This letter, Ridgewood News turning into a PR platform…Sad State of Affairs INDEED.”
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Which came as a surprise to us after all, with the election Paul Aronsohn both the Ridgewood News and Bergen Record seemed to amount to nothing more than PR for the former mayor and his grandiose plans for the Village of Ridgewood.
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Rockland lawyer involved with the Town Garage gets prison for lying to investigators

Town Garage Ridgewood

February 18,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Reader pointed out that the owner, Ridgewood 120, LLC , the owner of the “Town Garage ” is either owned or represented by a Burton Dorfman, ESQ. Coincidentally, he was in the new four days ago.

Rockland lawyer Burton Dorfman gets prison for lying to investigators

Steve Lieberman , [email protected] 2:58 p.m. ET Feb. 13, 2017 | Updated 5:04 p.m. ET Feb. 13, 2017

Federal judge sentences Rockland attorney Burton Dorfman to six months in prison

A Rockland attorney was sentenced Monday to six months in federal prison for lying to federal Labor Department investigators looking into accusations he stole money from a profit-sharing plan at his former law firm.

Burton Dorfman, once a prominent development and investment lawyer, also must repay the fund $212.429, pay a $25,000 fine and $100 court fee under the sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Cathy Seibel at the White Plains federal courthouse.

https://www.lohud.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/13/burton-dorfman-lawyer-sentenced/97851046/

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Airbnb sees growth in the state: N.J. hosts earned over $50M in 2016

Ridgewood Realestate

By Andrew Sheldon, February 17, 2017 at 12:39 PM

It sure sounds as though it might pay to rent out that extra bedroom.

Airbnb announced that New Jersey’s 6,100 active hosts earned over $50 million dollars in supplemental income in 2016 by welcoming approximately 257,000 visitors to the Garden State. This figure represents a 100 percent year-over-year increase in inbound guest arrivals, according to the company.

The company says a typical host in New Jersey earns $6,200 annually. The typical listing is occupied 44 nights per year and the average length of stay is 4.2 nights.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20170217/NJBIZ01/170219828/airbnb-sees-growth-in-the-state-nj-hosts-earned-over-50m-in-2016

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Ridgewood Police quickly apprehended alleged shoplifter

Ridgewood Police quickly apprehended alleged shoplifter

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook page

February 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD personnel quickly apprehended an adult male resident of Waldwick who allegedly shoplifted several items from the Stop & Shop Supermarket located at 175 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood on Friday afternoon, 02/17. The suspect was captured in the rear of 30 Cottage Place, Ridgewood following a short foot chase that began at the Stop & Shop. He was handcuffed and transported to Ridgewood PD headquarters for processing. All items reportedly taken from the store were recovered.

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CNBC host, Bill Griffeth, who will speak on his latest book The Stranger in My Genes

CNBC host, Bill Griffeth

February 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

27 February 2017 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
WHERE:
Ridgewood Public Library
125 N Maple Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
USA
COST:
Free
CONTACT:
201-670-5600
GSBC MEETINGS

Ridgwood NJ, The Genealogical Society of Bergen County (GSBC) will welcome CNBC host, Bill Griffeth, who will speak on his latest book The Stranger in My Genes.

With almost 30 years experience in business television, Bill Griffeth is one of the most respected financial journalists in the country. Best known for his quick wit and his ability to think on his feet, he brings an extensive knowledge of the markets and market history to CNBC’s programming.

Griffeth has written four books, “The Stranger in My Genes,” in 2016; “By Faith Alone: One Family’s Epic Journey Through 400 Years of American Protestantism,” in 2007; “Bill Griffeth’s Ten Steps to Financial Prosperity,” published in 1994; and “The Mutual Fund Masters,” in 1995

In the summer of 2012, Griffeth, longtime genealogy buff, took a DNA test that had an unexpected outcome: “If the results were correct, it meant that the family I had spent years documenting was not my own.”

In this book, Bill undertakes a quest to solve the mystery of his origins—a quest which will shake his sense of identity. As he takes us on his journey, we learn about choices made by his ancestors, parents, and others–and we see Bill measure and weigh his own difficult choices as he confronts the past.

Read an excerpt from the book at: https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/06/cnbc-anchor-bill-griffeth-got-the-shock-of-his-life-after-a-simple-dna-test.html

Program starts at 7pm; the presentation will be preceded by a brief business meeting. All are welcome.

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Town Garage ,A History of Ownership Transactions

town_garage_theridgewoodblog

February 17,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, reader questions the ownership status of the “Town Garage” , “Last I heard an LLC or such owned it. Did they manage to pass it off to the town w/o cleaning it? The Village would be nuts to have bought it in an “as is” condition. The owner of the Town Garage property was bought out by the LLC (?) with little or no warning. I assume he sold “as is” because he really had not planned on selling it. I hope they didn’t make a tidy profit by selling it “as is” to the town. Or worse, the Village cleaning it up for the present owners with a deal to then buy it at a reasonable price.”

One of the more effective tools on the Ridgewood blog is the “timeline ” it continues to roll and record the ups and downs of the Village of Ridgewood. Will a little search we found comments from March 1st, 2007 discussing the ownership of the Town Garage.

The Town Garage, 120 Franklin Avenue; the eye of the storm . . .

>Town%20Garage
The current hot discussion topic among those who monitor Village Hall happenings is how an out of town firm was able purchase the Town Garage property from right out under the noses of Village Council members. Village ownership of the subject property (see posted photo) is seen as key to the successful construction of a municipal parking garage.

Reportedly, Village officials had offered previous owner Richard Agnello more than the $1.265 million sale price. However, it is being reported that Mr. Agnello refused to sell until the Village found a suitable location nearby for him to relocate his motor vehicle repair facility.

So the fly would like to know: 1) How was the Wells partnership able to buy the property for less than what Village officials had offered Mr. Agnello? 2) Will Mr. Agnello be closing up shop, or has the Wells partnership found a location for him to move his operation to? And, 3) What prompted the Wells partnership to purchase a piece of property destined for involvement in eminent domain proceedings?

https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-town-garage-120-franklin-avenue-the-eye-of-the-storm/

And in May of 2007 we asked if the Town Garage was for sale yet again.

Is the former Town Garage property for sale, again?

Village Council members met behind closed doors on Wednesday evening to
discuss possible options for acquiring 120 Franklin Avenue, formerly home of
the Town Garage. Acquisition of this property is key to the planned
construction of a municipal parking garage at the northwest corner of North
Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue.

It is now rumored that Ridgewood 120 LLC, the site’s current owners, have
offered the property for sale to Village officials at a price much higher
than the $1.265 million paid in November of 2006. Scuttlebutt is that
Ridgewood 120 LLC’s asking price is at least $1.865 million, and possibly as
high as $2.265 million. The current owners have made no improvements to the
property since purchasing it from the Agnello family late last year.

Council members must decide whether to: 1) pay the asking price, or 2) enact
the right of eminent domain, or 3) revise parking garage building plans to
eliminate the need for that parcel. Still unanswered is the question: “How
did Village Council members manage to get themselves in such an expensive
jam? In other words, how was a real estate investment group able to acquire
the Town Garage property from right under the Council’s noses?”

https://theridgewoodblog.net/is-the-former-town-garage-property-for-sale-again/

 

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Democrat Senator Bob Menendez Denigrates Immigrants in Tweet

menednez_ridgewood trainstation_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

February 16,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Democrat Senator Bob Menendez says on Twitter what may have felt is the real purpose for illegal immigrants.

Earlier today the Senator commented on Twitter, “A #DayWithoutImmigrants means Senators & Senate staff couldn’t get their coffee because immigrants are part of our everyday lives”

It is clear from this Tweet that the Senator feels legal and illegal immigrants amount to nothing more than personal servants and flunkies .

Yes, #DayWithoutImmigrants, Senator it is a very difficult day for you, no one to fetch your paper, get your coffee, shine your shoes.
The Menendez tweet was met instantaneously derision

Vince Brunda ‏@VinceForNJ
@SenatorMenendez Wow, I’m sorry you were so inconvenienced, and please don’t stereotype immigrants as cafe workers. #daywithoutimmigrants

The On Blast Show ‏@TheOnBlastShow
@VinceForNJ @SenatorMenendez LOL too funny, make your own coffee them! Give them everyday off

Tony Buero ‏@BueroTony
@SenatorMenendez so what you are saying is you use them as slaves or personal servants? U have lost your mind!

Michael Novack ‏@mdnovack
@SenatorMenendez That’s horrible. However, as a mere commoner, I managed to get my own coffee this morning. Wasn’t difficult.

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Perhaps the Same for Village Hall In Ridgewood ?

priests exorcist

Spanish mayor urged to call in exorcist over town hall haunting

The mayor of a small town outside Granada is facing calls to bring in an exorcist after workers became convinced that the council offices were haunted – and the ghost was even caught on camera.

https://www.thelocal.es/20170216/spanish-mayor-urged-to-call-in-exorcist-over-town-hall-haunting

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Ridgewood proposes parking ban on Sherman Place

Sherman Place Ridgewood

Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_Krulish6:02 p.m. ET Feb. 15, 2017

There will be a few more places residents on the west side of Ridgewood cannot park if an introduced ordinance is passed next month.

Brought to the table at the Feb. 8 council meeting, the ordinance would prohibit parking at several points along the northern side of Sherman Place – most notably near the corner the curb line of westbound Godwin Avenue, an intersection at which a man and his 10-year-old child were struck last September.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2017/02/15/ridgewood-proposes-parking-ban-sherman-place/97938334/

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Reader says better to Keep Glenwood two way

Ridgewood's Glenwood Road to become one way street east of Upper Boulevard

file photo by Boyd Loving

Keep it two way. The posts asking for better signage are legit. And while the HS student story is sad, making it one way won’t change the danger of crossing the tracks. This is one more case of the Village Engineer’s idiocy! The average vehicle is 6′ wide. North Monroe (25mph) is approximately 29′ from curb to curb, between Fairmont and Patricia Ct – but No Parking on either side (even though there’s 17′ of clearance). Most cars coming up Glenwood from HoHoKus turn onto Hillcrest.. Whether you turn left or right on Hillcrest, between Hamilton and Fairmont the road average 21′ – 23; But there’s Parking on both sides of the street!!!. So if there’s a truck (which is wider than 6′) is parked on both sides of the street (like landscapers do in the summer) you have less than a foot of clearance – God forbid that a fire truck has to get through! So the same “brain trust” that puts this into place now wants to screw around with Glenwood.

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The Ridgewood Newcomers Club will be hosting their 70th Anniversary Gala !

Ridgewood Newcomers Club celebrates its 70th anniversary

February 15,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Newcomers Club of YWCA Bergen County is gearing up for the biggest fundraising event of this year. This year is a very special year the Ridgewood Newcomers Club celebrates its 70th anniversary! They have been connecting friends and families to our community since 1947!

On March 4th, 2017, The Ridgewood Newcomers Club will be hosting their 70th Anniversary Gala, at Park West Loft
38 Oak St, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 with all proceeds benefiting YWCA Bergen County’s healingSPACE – the country’s only designated sexual violence resource center. This program helps survivors of sexual violence and educates the community on prevention. It provides a 24/7 crisis intervention hotline for those in need of professional counseling, medical and legal support.

April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, so we are asking our community to help us raise money and awareness.

Everyone is welcome! Extend the invite to neighbors and friends. This will be an event you don’t want to miss. As this is an open event tickets will sell out. Buy your tickets early as prices increase from February 20th.

To purchase tickets make a payment of $85 per person to @RidgewoodNewcomers via Venmo. Please include the name of each guest attending in the notes.

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Reader says Contamination at the Town Garage was well known to the purchasers who rushed to beat the Village in buying the land–hoping to make a substantial profit

Town Garage Ridgewood

Contamination at the Town Garage was well known to the purchasers who rushed to beat the Village in buying the land–hoping to make a substantial profit when they then sold it to the Village. They own it. It should be their responsibility for cleaning it up before selling it to the Village at a handsome profit. Is the Village going to subtract the cost of cleanup from the eventual purchase price? Or are we paying a premium to purchase the land and then must add cleanup costs to that? The lawyer groups were in such a rush to buy–why aren’t they being forced to do the cleanup? A homeowner with a leaking oil tank can’t just pass that cost on to the buyer, so why are we cleaning up land we don’t own?

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The Garden State Ranks the 8th Worse Place for Retirees in the US

life insurance seniors

February 15,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, according to Kiplinger’s exclusive 2016 analysis of state taxes 10 states impose the highest taxes on retirees. Three of them treat Social Security benefits just like Uncle Sam does—taxing as much as 85% of your benefits. Exemptions for other types of retirement income are limited or nonexistent. Property taxes are on the high side, too. And if that weren’t bad enough, some of these states are facing significant financial problems that could force them to raise taxes, cut services, or both.

New Jersey placed 8 on the list Tax-UnFriendly States for Retirees 2016

State Income Tax: 1.4% (on as much as $20,000 of taxable income) – 8.97% (on taxable income greater than $500,000)
Average State and Local Sales Tax: 6.97%
Estate Tax/Inheritance Tax: Yes/Yes

The Garden State’s tax policies create a thicket of thorns for some retirees.

Its property taxes are the highest in the U.S. The median property tax on the state’s median home value of $313,200 is $7,452.

While Social Security benefits, military pensions and some retirement income is excluded from state taxes, your other retirement income could be taxed as high as 8.97%. And New Jersey allows localities to impose their own income tax; the average local levy is 0.5%, according to the Tax Foundation.

Residents 62 or older may exclude as much as $15,000 ($20,000 if married filing jointly) of retirement income, including pensions, annuities and IRA withdrawals, if their gross income is $100,000 or less. Those amounts will gradually rise so that by 2020 joint filers can exclude up to $100,000; single filers, up to $75,000; and married filing separately, up to $50,000.

New Jersey is one of only a couple of states that impose an inheritance and an estate tax. (An estate tax is levied before the estate is distributed; an inheritance tax is paid by the beneficiaries.) In general, close relatives are excluded from the inheritance tax; others face tax rates ranging from 11% to 16% on inheritances of $500 or more. Estates valued at more than $675,000 are subject to estate taxes of up to 16%. Assets that go to a spouse or civil union partner are exempt. The threshold will rise to $2 million on Jan. 1, 2017 and the estate tax will disappear completely in 2018.

To make matters worse George Mason University’s Mercatus Center ranks New Jersey 48th in its analysis of states’ fiscal health.

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Ridgewood Residents of the East Side are required to bring their sanitation to the end of their driveways for collection due to the snow and ice conditions

snow day
February 15,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH – EAST SIDE SANITATION COLLECTION

Ridgewood NJ, Wednesday, February 15th  – Residents of the East Side are required to bring their sanitation to the end of their driveways (near the curb but not in the street) for collection due to the snow and ice conditions.  This is for the safety of our sanitation workers.  If you are a senior citizen or  need assistance, please call the Sanitation Office at 201/670-5585 and they will respond.

Recycling  Collection will be Area 6 – as is printed in the calendar.

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Corzine 2.0 Phil Murphy Goes Commie

Communism

Phil Murphy Hits NJ Campaign Stops Alongside Bernie’s Son, Levi Sanders

By PolitickerNJ Staff • 02/12/17 11:30am

“It is critical we elect progressives like Phil at all levels of government,” asserted Levi Sanders, the son of 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. The appearance of Sanders yesterday at a pair of campaign events, helped Phil Murphy accomplish two things as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey.

First, it put a little space between him and Goldman Sachs. With Bernie Sanders, the independent-socialist senator from Vermont, still a hero to the populist wing of the Democratic Party despite his eventual fall to Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary, the embrace from his son makes it clear that Murphy isn’t a reincarnation of previous Goldman-Sachs-to-Governor tripper Jon Corzine. Levi Sanders said of the decision New Jersey faces: “It’s Wall St vs Main Street. It’s exciting.” By awarding Phil Murphy, who made his fortune at Goldman Sachs, a place on Main Street, Sanders is clearly signaling that Murphy can be trusted by the forces that created such energy around his father’s campaign.

https://observer.com/2017/02/phil-murphy-hits-nj-campaign-stops-alongside-bernies-son-levi-sanders/

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