One of the first big education stories to hit headlines in 2017 was the announcement that New York state will be offering free college to its residents this fall. According to The Washington Post, this offer of governor Andrew Cuomo’s stems from the fact that college is now viewed as a necessity:
“‘College is a mandatory step if you really want to be a success,’ Cuomo said Tuesday at LaGuardia Community College in Queens. ‘And the way this society said we’re going to pay for high school because you need high school, this society should say we’re going to pay for college because you need college to be successful. And New York state is going to do something about it.”
It struck me that Governor Cuomo might benefit greatly from a little fable from 1904 by American author George Ade. The fable, entitled The One or Two Points of Difference Between Learning and Learning How, describes two schoolboys named Bradford and Otis.
Bored by lessons and eager to be working in the real world, Bradford scorns higher education and goes into business for himself, working his way up the ladder by his own common sense and elbow grease.
Otis, on the other hand, is convinced that education is the pathway to wealth:
You people still don’t get it. He was a plant from the get go. A stooge of the real power in this town…the formers and the developers who pull the strings. This has been going on for years, it will continue to do so and there is nothing you can or will do about it.
The Committee was not given too much to do. Under the direction of failed VC candidate Evan Weitz they have taken on way more than their charter. Now he wants to be in on contract negotiations with the police and fire departments. Is Weitz for f’ing real? We do not need volunteers working on confidential negotiations. Also, we now have Bob Rooney to do pretty much everything the Committee was formed for. The FAC needs to be killed, and killed now. Swiftly and painlessly.
Ridgewood NJ, The progress Ridgewood folks are back at it! Under the name say YES to the Ridgewood Parking garage Facebook page. A boosted Facebook page nonetheless!! Playing on the irritation residents feel at the new parking changes. And blocking anyone from seeing the page who have any opposing viewpoint.
Even if the new parking has some kinks that need to be worked out, this council has been more than open to resident input- at least 4 of them have. Its embarrassing that the same cast of characters (albeit a small, tiny little cast, in stature and in numbers) need to jump on any available topic to try to create divisiveness.
Its amazing any group who claims to want to PROGRESS the town, wants to do so by creating animosity.
Can’t people just solve their problems by coming to the council or reaching out and having a conversation? Now that we have a council who are willing to do that and do that transparently?? These people must have just gotten used to doing business this way. Sad. Another side effect of the Aronsohn era.
Anyway, here’s the post.
YES for Ridgewood Parking
Yesterday at 10:17pm ·
Friday January 6th, 12:00 noon. Driving into the Ridgewood Central Business District for a quick lunch. No spots. Circled a 3 block radius multiple times. 2 aggressive drivers cut me off to take open spots. Okay… be patient, no need for road rage. Drove around a larger circle of blocks. No spots. Well, one but it was a 15 minute spot which is no good for lunch. Thought about parking in a bank lot (as a customer). 10 minutes more driving around. Starting to think about going somewhere else, HoHoKus, Glen Rock, Paramus, but want to patronize a particular Ridgewood business. Total time circling and looking for a spot was 25 minutes. Parked 3 blocks away at the Hudson lot. Only one open spot. Feeling lucky. Then, I noticed the meter posts had stickers on them saying parking was for diners and shoppers only. Hmmm. Never noticed that. Then, over the weekend, a number of Ridgewood residents made FaceBook posts about their discontent as tax paying commuters, who went from an already outrageous $750 parking permit to a $1,000 permit and with fewer spots. Not cool. Sounds like our Village Council is addressing a parking shortage by reducing demand through price gouging. That’s not a solution, and quite frankly, it’s not working. Commuters who pay $1,000 need to park by 6:30 am or they can’t find a spot. So we just screwed commuters. And, even with the added spots for shoppers and diners, you still end up driving around at peak times for 20-30 minutes to find a spot. Some commuters have resorted to parking in HoHoKus where the cost to park is cheaper (for now). None of this is a solution to Ridgewood’s decades long parking shortage. And when the Ken Smith and Brogan properties are developed (and despite all the delay tactics they will be developed), those spots will be gone, further exacerbating our parking problem. Our current Village Council ran on a platform based largely on solving our parking dilemma, yet they killed the Hudson garage plans and their recent solutions have been a slap in the face for Ridgewood commuters. Please take a moment to write the Village Council in support of a better solution. Please attend the Village Council meeting this Wednesday January 11th to speak up about your discontent. We need more residents to get involved. https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/village-government.
Ridgewood NJ, Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold a forum on the quest for racial justice and human rights on Tuesday, January 17th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. in the Peace Lounge following the monthly non-fundraising Community Pasta Dinner. Forum participants will view Tim Wise’s Video (Part 2): “White Like Me: Race, Racism and White Privilege in America” and discuss civil rights in America.Donald Wheeler, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Sociology and Global Studies, Kean University, and Senior Advisor, New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability, will lead the discussion. Pre-registration for the Peace and Justice Forum is not required.
The Community Pasta Dinner starts at 6:00pm in Heritage Hall. Suggested donation is $4 per adult and $2 per child. Since there is limited space, it is suggested that you reserve their seat by calling the Church office at 201-444-7300.
Emmanuel, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year. 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, Emmanuel Baptist Church is collecting cans of soup during the month of January for its annual “SOUPER BOWL” drive to benefit the Center for Food Action (CFA). Soup donations are accepted before or after 10:30am Sunday service and during the week Monday through Thursday 9am to 1pm under the Mission Bulletin Board in the Church office lobby.Holmstead School, located on the Emmanuel campus, joins Emmanuel in the soup drive and collection. Emmanuel’s soup drive is held in conjunction with the football super bowl on February 5th.
CFA is 501 (c)(3) organization that provides emergency food and homelessness prevention services to northern New Jersey’s poorest and most vulnerable residents.Holmstead School, founded in 1970, is a private high school in Ridgewood, NJ.
Emmanuel, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year and continues to maintain a tradition of outreach to the community. 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.
Newark NJ,His Eminence, Joseph William Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., was installed as the Sixth Archbishop of Newark this afternoon before an overflow crowd at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, at a Mass attended by six Roman Catholic cardinals and some 60 archbishops and bishops from throughout the country. Some 500 priests and deacons from the Archdiocese, neighboring New Jersey and New York dioceses, and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, as well as civic leaders and representatives of New Jersey’s Jewish, Protestant and Orthodox communities, were in attendance. Some 2,000 people attended the standing-room-only service.
Also in attendance at the Installation were members of Cardinal Tobin’s family and guests from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, where he had served previously as Archbishop.
The Most Reverend John J. Myers, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Newark, welcomed all guests to the liturgy on behalf of the priests, religious and laity of the Archdiocese. Immediately following the welcome, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, The Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, read the mandate of His Holiness, Pope Francis, authorizing Cardinal Tobin to take canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Newark, a faith community of some 1.5 million Catholics in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.
Reverend Monsignor Michael A. Andreano, KCHS, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, presented the mandate to the College of Consultors of the Archdiocese of Newark, who examined it and affixed the archdiocesan seal. Cardinal Tobin then was led to the cathedra, the throne of the bishop of the diocese, and presented with the staff, the sign of his pastoral office.
Those in attendance greeted him with thunderous applause after the formal seating, and representatives of diocesan groups, leaders of religious communities, and government officials extended personal greetings to Archbishop Myers.
Those not able to be present at the installation were able to view the ceremony via a live broadcast of the entire liturgy provided by NetTV, the media arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, and aired on EWTN and other Catholic television networks, as well as streamed live by News12.com.
Pope Francis named Cardinal Tobin to lead the Archdiocese of Newark, one of the largest archdioceses in terms of population in the United States, on November 7, 2016. The Archdiocese extends over 511 square miles, and is geographically the smallest archdiocese in the United States. Some 877 priests serve in the various parishes and other ministries in this local Church of Newark. Permanent deacons, religious Sisters and Brothers total 1035. The Archdiocese of Newark encompasses 214 parishes, 96 private Catholic and parochial schools, four Catholic universities colleges, three Catholic hospitals, and almost 40 health care, ancillary care and medical centers, sanatoriums and hospices, homes for the invalid and aged, and centers for other human services. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese is considered the largest non-governmental social service agency in the state of New Jersey.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Arts Foundation is pleased to invite the public to the Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors on Sunday, January 29, 2017, 4-6pm, at Fish Restaurant in Ridgewood. Honorees for this inaugural event are Parlance Chamber Concerts and Art of Motion, two iconic Ridgewood performing arts organizations.
The Ridgewood Arts Foundation, a public charitable 501(c)(3) foundation, was created to provide funding for the many worthy artistic endeavors within our village, to encourage the further development of the arts in our community, and to establish a scholarship fund for art students from Ridgewood.
Ridgewood NJ, while we hear many comments that drive was a challenge and that road crews were slow to get going,the surprise snow storm seemed to bring out the best in humor.
On the Facebook page “It takes a Ridgewood Village ” one commenter asked if any thought it was too early to put chairs out for the 4th of July Parade? The consensus seemed to be it’s never too early.
Ridgewood NJ ,the clearly stated responsibilities of the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) , yet are we the only ones who see no evidence that the FAC is meeting its responsibilities?
The Committee shall assist the Village Council by marshaling and channeling its expertise and insight to complement the judgment of the Village Council and Village management with respect to financial matters.
The Committee shall identify both short- and long-term financial challenges. As potential issues are raised, the Committee shall study selected issue(s) at its own initiative and at the request of the Village Council and recommend solutions/potential actions to the Village Council
A new committee known as the “Financial Advisory Committee” was created by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood on April 24, 2013, by Resolution No. 13-88.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Committee is hereby charged with the following duties and responsibilities:
The Committee shall assist the Village Council by marshaling and channeling its expertise and insight to complement the judgment of the Village Council and Village management with respect to financial matters.
The Committee shall identify both short- and long-term financial challenges. As potential issues are raised, the Committee shall study selected issue(s) at its own initiative and at the request of the Village Council and recommend solutions/potential actions to the Village Council.
The Committee shall have ongoing responsibility for the following:
Analyze and evaluate the annual Village budget process (expense and capital) and the resultant budget, to advise the Village Council in their decision-making process to ensure that necessary revenues are raised in an equitable manner and that taxes are spent effectively and efficiently.
Review the quarterly financial reports and the current year’s revenue and expenditure projections.
Advise on the development and implementation of effective financial reporting policies and procedures for the Village Council and Village management that build upon and retain the public’s faith and trust in the Village’s policies and procedures.
Assist in the review and improvement of organizational structures and recurring contracts arrangements, including collective bargaining agreements, with due regard for applicable legal requirements governing civil service, procurement and labor relations.
Provide an annual report to the Council.
The Committee may also perform the following:
Study critical issues and perform independent research to formulate and develop thoughtful and well-developed recommendations on strategies and opportunities.
Provide a forum for community education and discussion concerning the financial condition of the Village and various alternatives for improvement.
Meetings:
The Committee shall meet once per month and/or on an as-needed basis. Decisions shall be made by consensus and if necessary, by majority vote. The minutes for regular monthly meetings shall be kept, transcribed, and made available to the Village and Council and such other Village officials as the Village Manager shall direct. Public comment will be requested at the beginning of a meeting and will be capped at 3 minutes per person; public comment will not exceed 15 minutes. The Committee may also hold closed working sessions as needed.
Composition and Terms:
The Committee shall comprise up to nine (9) regular members of the public appointed by the Village Council, a liaison from the Village Council, and a liaison from the Department of Finance of the Village at the discretion of the Council and the Village Manager. The public members of the Committee shall be appointed on July 1 of each calendar year and serve for a term of three (3) years, with the exception of the initial Committee appointed as of July 1, 2013, with three members appointed for a term of three (3) years, two members appointed for a term of two (2) years, and two members appointed for a term of one (1) year.
If a public member resigns, the Village Council shall appoint a replacement as
soon as possible to serve out the remainder of his/her term. The Financial Advisory Committee, through the Village Council liaison, will provide input into this process.
Ridgewood Nj, looks like the new Ridgewood parking regulations claimed their first victim .Not only did the Village raise parking rates 33% this year and 50% from 2015, but they reduced the number of parking spots in the Hudson lot. The rates were increased without notice and no mention of reduced spots!
Commuters are up in arms over the new parking prices. If you have an annual parking pass, visit the next village council meeting to “have a chat” with the powers that be.
It’s good to remember people have to commute because there are so few quality jobs in New Jersey anymore that could afford you a Ridgewood lifestyle.
Seems like these crazy fees were set up to fund Garagezilla and left as a booby trap for the new regime, are the 3 amigos behind this one or was it a trap set by the former Village manager whatever her name is? And of course where was the FAC( Financial Advisory Committee) in all this?
People from Midland Park, Glen ROck, Ho-Ho-Kus and all over our community have discovered how much the martial arts can help them to keep their New Year’s resolution every year.
If you’re trying to get fit, stop smoking or cut down on the chocolate, there’s a good chance that you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to yourself for 2017.
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Speaking of disappointment, has anyone else had trouble with the Ridgewood post office…?
I never received 2 checks that were mailed to me by separate businesses based in Bergen Cty back in early October,
Last week we found a letter addressed to someone living in WYCKOFF in our mailbox.
And then I ordered some books the day after Christmas and by using the package tracking service I saw that the box was delivered to the Ridgewood USPS facility on Dec 30th….we didn’t get the box until yesterday (Jan 5th).
What’s going on over there…?
Regarding Ridgewood post office problem. Today , Saturday morning I AGAIN got wrong mail, another addressee’s CREDIT CARD STATEMENT. When I called and complained and asked why I OFTEN Every TWO WEEKS, get wrong mail, they said the workers are members of a union and the Ridgewood POST OFFICE has no responsibility.
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood now has 21 boards and committees while some serve needed functions many seem to have become personal fiefdoms propelled by special interests, self-fulfilling prophecies and mission creep
the town?
So this begs the question, is the Village of Ridgewood being run by a bunch of non-elected self-appointed special interests or do voters and taxpayers still have a say in how the town is run.
It is clearly time to review the functions of many of the committees, clean up the overlap or even close some down because their time has passsed.
21 BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Board of Adjustmentoters and tax payers
Central Business District Advisory Committee
Chamber of Commerce
Citizens Safety Committee
Community Center Advisory Board
Community Relations Advisory Board
Field Committee
Financial Advisory Committee
Green Team Advisory Committee
Kasschau Shell
Library Board of Trustees
Open Space Committee
Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board
Planning Board and Historic Preservation Commission
Project Pride Committee
Ridgewood Arts Council
Ridgewood Community Access Network (CAN)
Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee
Ridgewood Fourth of July Committee
Shade Tree Commission
