I am still not clear as to where the hundreds of commemorative bricks will be moved to following the proposed “revival” of Van Neste Memorial Park.
If, as the Village Manager stated on August 3, “all of the the existing brick pavers will be removed and replaced with decorative concrete sidewalks,” what area will be left to install the displaced commemorative bricks without having to disturb grass or shrubbery?
Also, what will happen to the large commemorative markers associated with the 1995 restoration project? And what about the thousands (literally) of unmarked bricks; what will become of them?
The walking paths within the park currently appear to be in excellent shape. Therefore, I question the need to spend money (grant money still comes from taxes) to fix something that is not broken, and displace history in the process.
Dear Ridgewood Blog,
We would like to share information on the current oppressive heat and humid weather that will continue through this weekend.
Local Cooling Centers –
Ridgewood Library – 201/670-5600
BC Administration Building, Hackensack, NJ – 201/336-7300
NW Bergen Senior Center, 46-50 Center St., Midland Park – 201/445-5690
The National Weather Service in Upton has issued a Heat Advisory…which is in effect until 8 am EDTSaturday. An Excessive Heat Watch has also been issued. This Excessive Heat Watch is in effect from Saturday morning throughSunday evening.
* Heat index values into this evening…100 to 103.
* Heat index values Friday…100 to 105 degrees.
* Heat index values Saturday…around 105 degrees.
* Heat index values Sunday…around 105 degrees.
* Timing…highest heat indices in the mid to late afternoon.
* Impacts – The combination of the heat and humidity will increase the risk for heat related health issues…especially for the elderly…those with chronic health problems such as lung and heart disease…those working outdoors…and other heat sensitive groups of people.
Precautionary/preparedness actions – Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 100 to 104 degrees for two consecutive hours.
An Excessive Heat Watch means that the combination of heat and humidity could create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible…reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.
Seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions are at an increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures.
Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. Check on vulnerable friends…family members and neighbors.
To reduce risk during outdoor work the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by Heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency…call 9 1 1.
We hope this information is helpful providing information that will make these next few day more comfortable for you.
Best,
Jeremy Kleiman, Coordinator
Office of Emergency Management
Village of Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, Tryouts for the Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team will take place Tuesday, September 6 through Thursday, September 8 at the Y’s Oak Street location. A full tryout schedule is available online at www.ridgewoodymca.org/breakers-tryouts.
The Ridgewood YMCA Breakers competitive swim team encompasses all ability levels, providing youths the opportunity to acquire the skills, self-discipline, confidence, and physical conditioning to become the best swimmers they can be. The program offers instruction, training, and competition to young people of all abilities from ages 6 through high school. Swimmers will improve their skills while also learning the values of teamwork and sportsmanship.
For additional information, please contact YMCA Swim Team Coach, Bud Rimbault, at 201.444.5600, ext. 319, or email [email protected]
Why would the former council members, who were defeated resoundingly, come to the meetings to attempt to advance their failed agendas? Are they just spiteful? Do they need to grow up?
Clearly, this was an attempt on Ms. Winograd’s part to generate a newspaper headline that the current Council was seeking to limit public comment.
According to the Ridgewood News which slept through the entire election Winograd was “compelled” to speak looking “to relieve the contentious energy that has been brewing for months”. The “contentious” energy was voted out of office and their agenda was resoundingly rejected . Perhaps if the Ridgewood News would have posted a few per election letters to the editor they would know that.
Once again Paul Aronsohn and the “3 amigos” show a limited understanding of Ridgewood and how things work. Hint : its considered very low class and disrespectful for failed council members to attempt to undermine the new far better ,more open , independent thinking council.
You forgot to mention that Gwenn Hauck came to the microphone and asked a question that she should have know the answer to had she been paying attention during the meeting instead of chatting with her buddy Rurik Halaby.
And then the FORMER councilwoman Gwenn Hauck goes flitting up to the microphone and asks a question that made no sense. She asked whether 3066 had been repealed. And it had not. And our Mayor had already explained why it was not being voted on last night. Ummmmm Gwenn…..please pay attention. It’s a shame to see you making a fool of yourself. Oh, that’s right, you always make a fool of yourself, nothing new there. Laughing my ass off from my easy chair with my ipad on my lap.
It really is time for Mrs. Hauck’s family to keep her at home for Council meetings. I feel bad and embarrassed for her at the same time.
Dear Council, I agree that long lines of speakers behind the lectern are a relatively recent development as issues affecting the future of our village arose and contentiousness reigned. In addition, council meeting agendas were absurdly crammed and many pages long, making the hour impossibly late and everyone cranky. This meant that people who had hoped to speak but could not stay up into the wee hours were forced to leave Village Hall without saying a word. At more than one such meeting, people greeted the council with “Good morning” as they began to speak.
For years we were given only three minutes–and there was no second comment period at the end of the meeting. Those of us representing the Graydon group routinely had complicated and timely points to make. I know that I was not alone in having to rewrite and edit my statements for hours, practicing over and over in front of the clock, whittling my comments down to three minutes, often forgoing important points because I couldn’t say them fast enough, and not wanting to come off as the world’s fastest speaker, with my words signifying nothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqRdIbXbtg
It was truly a waste of time and served no one well.
Then we learned that the three-minute limitation had been incorrect all along, and suddenly five minutes was allowed. Remembering how difficult it had been to abide by the shorter limit, I felt both relieved and frustrated: it was too late for the longer time to help us much, since by then we had won our main fight to preserve Graydon. Still, progress is progress. There will always be new issues and comments. I can say from long personal experience that the difference between three and five minutes is enormous, considering that within the allotted time one must adjust the microphone, state and possibly spell one’s name and address, and perhaps interact with one or more persons on the dais. The seconds fly by.
Some residents and others truly have complicated statements to make; others may be nervous and unaccustomed to public speaking, and end up pausing a lot, or not know how to stop talking until the bell rings; yet others simply like to hear themselves talk, and go on and on, meeting after meeting, about what they want and do not want personally, annoying and boring all present, and probably an important motivation for considering shortening the time for all. Those making comments would do well to make their points and leave the lectern rather than feeling obliged to use the full time allowed. (I can’t claim to have always succeeded in this, but it has happened far more often when I had five minutes than three.) Perhaps it would help if the mayor noted from time to time that the speaker who does so tends to make a stronger impression.
I hope you will not restore the shorter maximum speaking time. In some important situations, that limitation prevents speakers from making their points at all. Sincerely, Marcia Ringel
Ridgewood NJ, Pro Arte Chorale is holding auditions for the upcoming 2016-2017 concert season. Pro Arte has a spectacular season ahead, starting with Brahms and Haydn. The second concert will be a fabulous selection of Opera Choruses with the talented choral students from an area high school. The final concert is an all Bruckner performance including six of his beautiful Motets. Do you love to sing? Are you free Monday nights for rehearsals in Ridgewood? All voice parts are welcome to audition. All concerts and rehearsals are scheduled to be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood, NJ. Auditions are scheduled through the Chorale Administrator. Please email [email protected] for more information or visit our website at www.proartechroale.org.
Ridgewood NJ, Siobhan Winograd, self-appointed Mistress of Niceness, went to the podium and started whining about why can’t everyone be nice and how people’s comments are not pleasant and then she suggested that people’s comments should be cut to three minutes from five. Said she had done a bunch of research about other towns and we have more time allowed than many towns. And then she went on past the buzzer for more than five minutes.
Mayor Knudsen stated that she was trying to think of how to accommodate MORE speakers, not fewer. She was considering one possibility of shortening each speaker’s time but lengthening the time slot to 40 minutes. Clearly the Mayor is an advocate for the people and wants to hear from all of us.
The meeting went really smoothly and was very business like. Even residents who had frustrations to air were treated respectfully. All the former moaning and groaning about CIVILITY was completely unnecessary because really all we had to do was get rid of Aronsohn-Pucciarelli-Hauck and the air in the room cleared instantly.
Ridgewood NJ, an odd occurrence at the Village Council meeting last night Siobhan Crann Winograd who has recently joined the League of Women Voters along with some other notables including Paul Aronsohn. Asked to curtail public comment at Village Council meetings . Given the former mayor and his cronies tried engineer the turning the Village into Union City despite the public out cry . The 3 amigos were famous for presenting done deals to residents then ignoring both their questions and objections. Siobhan who was involved with the horrible “civility committee ” also spoke in praise of Roberta as well as Rurik Halaby.
Jim Griffith also spoke about the garage and some ambiguities in Susan’s position but the new mayor handled it very well. One other thing of particular interest was when the council was going over bills and the one for the garage video came up Mike and Susan both stated that they had never been informed of the decision to pay for the video and voiced real discomfort about. Jeff Voigt also voiced his concern and Bernie abstained from voting without comment. It was 4 yeses and one abstain but with vocal criticism.
Anne Loving asked whether the authorization of this video should be investigated and that those responsible should foot the bill. Boyd Loving also spoke about not reducing public comment.
Having been around forever and remembering all the long battles to increase opportunities for public comment both at the council level and at the Board of Education, I would like to make an observation . Public comment only becomes a bit unwieldy when there are hot button issues. Years can go by when the only people at the mic are the regulars. I can’t remember a time like these last several months when there were so many controversial issues on the agenda at the same time: housing density ordinances, Schedler, Parking Garage, Habernickel Park to name a few. Everyone and there brother had an opinion and felt the necessity to voice it. Limiting public comment in situations like this only leaves people more frustrated and when that happens the tone of a meeting can alter. It was like ” The Perfect Storm”.
I think the council does a great job in allowing multiple opportunities to speak. I would hate to see that change because of the past several months. The council can always allow for more public comment or curtail it due to the late hour or hold special meetings when necessary.If someone becomes somewhat contentious or too personal, that person can be asked to refrain from that behavior. Last, Marcia Ringle made a great point regarding the location of the speakers podium. Many of us have commented that having it directly in the center aisle makes it difficult for those attending the meeting to hear and also for the home viewers. That simple change to place it back on the side wouldn’t cost a penny. How rare! A cheap fix! Thank you to all for your service both at the dais and attendance at meetings.
Sincerely,
Ridgewood NJ, YouTube star Matthew Santoro will be signing his new book “Mind Blown: Amazing Facts About This Weird, Hilarious, Insane World,” at Bookends bookstore in Ridgewood on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Santoro is most well-known for his top 10 lists and 50 Amazing Facts videos, which he posts to his main channel,”Matthew Santoro”. He also has a second channel which is primarily used for vlogging.
Santoro has more than 5 million subscribers and his main channel has been viewed an amazing 732 million times.
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
Ridgewood NJ, the Village of Ridgewood Council will have its regular public meeting at 8pm tonight with a couple of interesting things on the agenda .
First Ridgewood Water ;
16-233 Authorize Compensation for Participants in Lead and Copper Sampling and Testing Program – Authorizes Ridgewood Water to credit $25 to the water service accounts of the participants in the lead and copper sampling and testing program
16-234 Amend Agreement for Online Credit Card and Bank Account Debit Payment of Water Bills – Elimination of Convenience Fee for Customers – Amends the existing agreement with Metropolitan Communications, LLC for the processing of credit card and bank account debit payments for water bills so that Ridgewood Water will be charged the $.25 convenience fee instead of the customer being charged.
Then there is parking ;
3542 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Violations and Penalties – Increase Parking Ticket Fines
3545 – Amend Chapter 249 – Streets and Sidewalks – Increase Fines for Paving Moratorium Violations
3546 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Sewers and Sewage Disposal Fees – Increase Annual Service Charge for Out of Village Dischargers
And of coarse land use ;
3540 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Regulations for Political Signs and Temporary Signs
3541 – Repeal Ordinance 3066
and a few interesting tidbits :
3547 – Ban Puppy Mills
Resolutions:
16-246 Amendment to Central Business District Advisory Committee Resolution – Terms of Members
16-249 Authorize Ridgewood Wildscape Association to Fund Treatment of Noxious Weeds at Kings Pond Park
16-250 Declare Property Surplus – Street Sweepers – Declares two street sweepers surplus property and authorizes the Village Manager to dispose of said property
file photo by Boyd Loving
August 9,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Green Acres Mission:To achieve, in partnership with others, a system of interconnected open spaces, whose protection will preserve and enhance New Jersey’s natural environment and its historic, scenic, and recreational resources for public use and enjoyment. The Green Acres Program was created in 1961 to meet New Jersey’s growing recreation and conservation needs. Together withpublic and private partners, Green Acres has protected over half a million acres of open space and provided hundreds of outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the State.
It is actually a green acres property where in the by laws it states “no for profit ” business in the park. It is not a junk park it is becoming one because of the business placed there. It is actually a beautiful park that half of it is used for town sports and the smaller parcel is actually used by many many people to take a nice passive walk without constantly being around children and noise. Why can’t the seniors in town have some place to go that is quiet? And of course neighbors are upset with a business being there especially when it does not benefit Ridgewood in any way!!
But according to northjersey.com it was approved by Green Acres.
“The village then consulted with a real estate professional to get a recommended baseline bid, posted multiple real estate listings and held open houses to find a new tenant. Before moving forward with a new lease, the village received approval from Green Acres since the land was purchased using grant money.”
So I guess the real question is ,is Green Acres just a scam?
Ridgewood sale days under attack by aggressive parking police .witnessed this last Friday at 12 15 aside the book store cottage place.
Merchants should look into this interms of a ticket amnesty for mid day to 6 pm for special Ridgewood sale days .try to get over ourselves RIDGEWOOD good will be remembered forever…parking tickets on sale days guarantee no repeat visit by that out of Towner…why would they come back..give them a thank you for coming flyer waiver reminder if the Meters can’t be waived.
Ridgewood NJ, Watch this short clip. Yelling at a resident, Sergeant Chuck says no dogs allowed at Habernickel park, any park. Roberta says, “it’s illegal!”
HealthBarn announces they are dog friendly and the LAW is thrown out to accommodate Stacey and her dog watering station.
Then HealthBarn lures/invites dogs, dog bites kid, the law is back again.
Can it be that the Police and Roberta (our code enforcers) don’t know the law or are they catering to Healthbarn? Either way it’s reckless and negligent.
