SEEKING RESIDENTS AND OTHER PERSONS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Financial Advisory Committee and the Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC).
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) will work with the Village Council, business owners and residents to evaluate and initiate enhancements to improve the viability of the CBD, including traffic flow and patterns, parking, pedestrian safety and the balance of commercial uses; while maintaining and refining the historic and aesthetic elements to create a more desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors. The CBDAC is made up of one representative from the Chamber of Commerce; one representative from the Ridgewood Guild; five Ridgewood residents (one of whom shall be a member of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee); and three business owners, one of whom is a property owner in the CBD.
All interested residents and others wishing to serve on these committees should send the following:
A cover letter indicating on which committee(s)the person wishes to serve
A Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under forms)
A biography or resume
(3TV) -The lights of Broadway are shining brightly on a free camp for kids in Arizona. For ten weeks each summer in Pine-Top Lakeside, there’s a camp for special needs kids called Camp Tatiyee. This summer, they received a surprise guest, all the way from the Big Apple.
“Spring Awakening” was one of the hottest shows on Broadway. The musical revival opened in New York last year and earned eight Tony Awards. One of its stand-out stars is 29-year-old Ali Stroker. And after spending just a few moments with her, she’ll have you believing anything is possible. “First of all, if there is a will, there is a way,” Ali shared with us right away.
Ali’s smashing all obstacles and making history, as the first actor in a wheelchair on Broadway. This accomplishment, Stroker says, brings her great joy, and a sense of pride to be an advocate for her community.
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD – Poké fever has hit Ridgewood.
With the release of the wildly popular app Pokémon Go, and based on the hordes of people walking the streets in search of their favorite creatures, it does not look like it will go away anytime soon.
Ridgewood NJ, Seven new Ridgewood Police Officers were sworn in this morning by Mayor Susan Knudsen. The Officers will begin training at the Bergen County Police Academy Friday July 22nd which will last through December 2016.
Pictured from left to right is Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, Mayor Susan Knudsen, Officers Kyle Scarpa, Jack Knudsen, Patrick Ward, Zachary Knudsen, Douglas Christopher, Brandon Donnelly, Douglas Busche, Chief Jacqueline Luthcke, Lieutenant Glenn Ender
Ridgewood NJ, In October 2015 Resident Jacqueline Hone raised several issues pertaining to the Schedler Park Project including the allegation that the applications for Open Space Funds were fraudulent .
Ms Hone basically received the blow off from the Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and she sent a second email exclaiming ,”A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.”
As of now the allegations pertaining to the Schedler Park Project still stand and many Schedler area residents are still looking for answers .
From: Jacqueline Hone
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 1:48 PM
To: Gwenn Hauck; Paul Aronsohn; Susan Knudsen; Michael Sedon; Albert Pucciarelli
Subject: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood
Mayor and Council Members:
In regards to the Schedler Park Project, I would like to file a complaint and draw your attention to the following for scrutiny and disciplinary action.
On 9/8/15 and 9/16/15 it was brought to your attention, that the applications used to obtain approximately $2 million in Open Space grants, were completed with intentional omission, false and misleading information, without municipal endorsement, and without public notification as required.
Village Manager and Counsel quickly diverted attention and dismissed the matter saying submissions of incomplete applications, to Bergen County, is acceptable and common practice. This is not a matter of submitting incomplete applications. The applications are fraudulent and were submitted with the intent to receive funds. If the facts were known, the site plan for Schedler would be in violation of County and State provisions. Thus, the Village should not proceed with the Schedler plan as is.
1) Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, submitted an application, on or about 9/1/15, seeking $100,000 of Bergen County Open Space Funds. This application was submitted with blatant, intentional, false and misleading information, without Council endorsement and public notification as mandated. The application shows the Village Manager committed $100k of municipal funds (tax payer’s money) without Council approval. What authority, if any, does the Village Manager have to authorize and commit tax payer’s money without Council approval? Under what authority was this done?
When confronted about the allocation of municipal funds, Village Manager stated the 100k would eventually come from the Ridgewood Baseball Association (RBSA) via gift donation. However, since the RBSA money was yet to be received, municipal funds were allocated in its place. Once the gift is received, it will be moved into the municipal funds account. What authority does the Village Manager have to front tax payer’s money and act as a temporary lender to the RBSA? This accounting practice is suspect and I believe also constitutes commingling of funds, which is prohibited. If this was done for the RBSA, why wasn’t this preferential treatment extended to the Friends of the Historic Zabriskie House.
2) Land Use Restriction: The State and County have strict provisions regarding Open Space, Green Space, Historic Preservation and full disclosure of threatened wildlife, vegetation and environmental impacts. As such, development at Schedler would have strict limitations, regulated land use and mandated historic, wildlife and vegetation preservation.
-Site Plan: The initial Open Space application, used to acquire the Schedler property, stated the land would be used for 60/40 active/recreation use and no lights. It was under this plan that the Village was granted Open Space funds. Violating the County Deed of Conservation Easement, the Village of Ridgewood revised and adopted a new plan showing 70/30 active/passive recreation area, lights, and a two-story concession building with recreation hall.
-Revenue/Profit: This park will generate a substantial amount of money…concession stand, hall rental, field time, uniforms, player enrollment fees, membership fees, field rentals etc. Additionally, site plan includes two-story building. Full second floor to be used as meeting room or rented for sports related functions (possible discrimination). RBSA involvement is an arguable breach of contract with the County and in violation of Open Space and Green Space guidelines.
-Historic Structure/Features /Elements: Historic house, features and elements were not fully disclosed to County. In some circumstances they were completely omitted. The preservation of the home and parcel was abandoned by the Village. Proper disclosure would mean strict preservation and limitations of park development and use. (See attached NJ DEP National Register of Historic Places, 2009, 2015 grant application).
– Environmental/Wildlife/Vegetation: Adverse environmental factors, threatened wildlife and threatened vegetation were not disclosed on applications. Full disclosure would mandate preservation and impose strict site limitations. This omission is how the Village is proceeding with Phase 1, demolition and clear-cutting of the last green acre parcel in our area (7 acres), which will expose hundreds of residents and wildlife to noise, pollution, Route 17, high volume traffic, dangerous conditions and irreversible damage.
– State and County Clearance: This property, directly on Rt. 17. North, within feet of an interstate commuter Park & Ride, is the last green space in the area. All this is being done without expert studies and without notification to or clearance from Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Historic Preservation.
3) Public Meeting Notifications: The Village has demonstrated a pattern of questionable omission and secrecy (see attached). Now, out of the blue, a meeting has been scheduled (10/7) to accept a second 100k donation form the RBSA and to present another revision of the Schedler Park plan. The agenda was just posted to the Village website. The general public has not been notified these matters will be discussed on this date. As such, again residents are being robbed of their right to participate, review the process, verify gifts and prepare for public comments/questions prior to the meeting. This matter must be tabled until all of the above is addressed. County Open Space Guidelines States:
As part of the application submission, the municipality shall hold a Public Hearing on a proposed park development project before it submits its application. The applicant shall publish a notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper of the municipality. The hearing must be advertised as a display ad at least 15 days before the hearing. The hearing notice must specifically reference the proposed Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Municipal Program Park Improvement application. The public hearing must be held in the evening, and may be held as part of a public meeting, as long as the hearing is properly advertised.
Council has a fiduciary obligation to cease and desist the Schedler Park Project, until this matter is investigated and cleared of wrong doing. Continued dismissal of the above, is gross negligence and an act against public good. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Failure to act and proceeding with Phase 1, intentionally permits irreversible damage to public health, safety, general welfare, public land and historic/vegetation preservation.
I believe State/County provisions and the Deed of Conservation Easement prohibits most of everything the Village is proposing at Schedler. We want due process, expert studies and a park which represents the true needs and desires of our neighborhood residents. Please allow us to present the facts before it’s too late.
We look forward to hearing from you and moving forward in the right direction. In the meantime, thank you so much for your attention.
I received a message from Mrs. Sonenfeld, pertaining to my complaint, which read…
Ms. Hone,
I find your email to be threatening, highly inaccurate and defamatory; as such I will not respond to it.
Notwithstanding Ms. Sonenfeld’s decision not to respond, IS a response. A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.
Instead, upon receipt of my complaint, the Mayor inappropriately forwarded my complaint to the subjects involved in the allegations (village officials). This can be seen in the Village Manager’s email thread below.
Let me make my request specific and clear: With profound respect my email, subject: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood, is a formal complaint filed with the Council. With that email, I placed the Council on notice of wrong doing and a cease and desist on all matters pertaining to the Schedler property. Furthermore, I asked for due process and protection from Council.
Given all of the above and the nature of this complaint, I formally request this matter be transferred to another jurisdiction, outside the Village of Ridgewood.
Ridgewood NJ, This will be the fifth summer that summer sessions will be held at Ridgewood Art Institute. Young artists enjoy working intensively for a week developing their work to a higher level.
“It is exciting to see the progress the young students make within one week. In my class, they paint from still life’s and from landscapes previously created en plein air. There is no better way to learn then from real life set up. The landscape sketches help them see colors used to create atmosphere in an outdoor scene. Eventually they can paint outdoors using the information that is given and will help them translate the complicated outdoors into an understanding of colors and reasoning behind the palette of the Ridgewood Art Institute”, says Laura Paray
Since there has been growing interest within the past years, Instructors Rebecca Leer and Joel Popadics have added drawing sessions and Diana Gibson an oil painting session. The combination of drawing and oil painting sessions works well together. The kids benefit from taking both of these sessions. As the medium is different the end result is the same – creating beautiful pieces of art in the traditional manner of painting and drawing.
The Valley Hospital is the first hospital in the area to acquire the next generation in robotic surgical technology, the da Vinci® Xi Surgical System. It provides surgeons with high definition 3-D visualization and intuitive motion and ergonomic design for unmatched precision during surgical procedures.
July 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital is pleased to announce it is the first hospital in the area to acquire the next generation in robotic surgical technology, the da Vinci® Xi Surgical System. This cutting-edge surgical system is the latest addition to the advancements available at The Valley Hospital’s Institute for Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery.
“We are proud to be the first and only hospital in Bergen County to offer the da Vinci® Xi Surgical System,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This acquisition further establishes Valley as one of the leading robotic surgery programs in the region.”
The da Vinci® Xi Surgical System was designed with the goal of further advancing the technology used in minimally invasive surgery. It provides robotically-trained surgeons with high definition 3-D visualization and intuitive motion and ergonomic design for unmatched precision during surgical procedures. The da Vinci® Xi Surgical System can be used across a spectrum of minimally invasive surgical procedures and has been optimized for multi-quadrant surgeries in the areas of gynecology, urology, thoracic, cardiac and general surgery.
“In 2001, Valley was among the first hospitals in the country to adopt the first generation da Vinci robotic system for minimally invasive surgeries; over the years, the use of this technology has yielded excellent outcomes for our patients,” says Anusak Yiengpruksawan, M.D., Medical Director of Valley’s Institute for Robotic and Minimally Invasive Surgery. “We are pleased to continue this tradition with the most advanced da Vinci Xi® Surgical System. Our robotically-trained surgeons will be using the system to treat broad-spectrum of diseases, both benign and malignant, of gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, hepatobiliary organs, lungs, urology, and gynecology.”
For more information on minimally invasive surgical options at The Valley Hospital, contact us at 201-447-8012 or visit www.valleyroboticsurgery.com.
Ridgewood, N.J. It seems we write this story every summer , once again Stop signs and other road signs are disappearing in Ridgewood, in what has now turned into an annual and costly event.
Ridgewood police said a stop sign at Grove Street and Stevens Avenue was stolen this week. Creating a dangerous hazard for unsuspecting drivers .
Ridgewood Chief of Police Jacqueline Luthcke spoke with CBS News on why street sign thievery is an ongoing problem in Ridgewood.
Luthcke said ,“We generally average two to three per month for stop signs,” she said. “When it comes to all other types of signs, by the end of the year, it’s over 100.”
Luthcke continued stating the problem spikes in the summer. “Summertime is always one of the hardest, because although the kids think it’s not a problem – they want to take it off to college with them – it’s really something that is both a financial and a safety issue.”
According to Luthcke last year, it was such a big problem that Ridgewood offered amnesty to anyone willing to bring back the stolen goods.
“The amnesty that we did last year got an amazing amount of signs back,” Luthcke said. “We haven’t had a discussion yet this year.” Its was reported the over 20 signs were returned during the amnesty period.
In April of this year a social media post led to a Wyckoff man being charged with theft after police found a picture of him with stolen street signs from the village .
If they are caught and convicted, sign thieves face fines and even jail time.
The Council repealed 3066 Kings Pond will get a fix Jackie Hone will be vindicated Parking problems will be remediated People at the mic are respected Our Mayor is smart and educated The best of the best were elected All and all we’re feeling elated!
by Linda McNamara
July 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The council meeting was business like and everyone was respected. People are now allowed to ask questions and the new council actually answered. It is amazingly difference from when Aronsohn ruled and they all stared at the speakers or, worse yet, they attacked the speakers.
A couple of people spoke happily about 3066 being repealed. It will not be finally repealed until the August public meeting.
A man spoke about fixing Kings Pond and it sounds like that will happen . Susan has already put money in the budget to finance that. Saurabh asked and asked about the supposed $60,000 spent by Stacy Antine at Health Barn. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld waffled on providing info and Boyd blasted her for this.
The swearing in of Chief Luthke was wonderful and the high point of the night The room was packed standing room only. There was much applause and John Ward came and pinned his own stars on Jackie’s epaulets. The whole thing was very moving. The female chief from Bergenfield was in attendance as were three freeholders.
The only blemish on the event was that the unelected village manager as usual planted herself in the midst of the swearing in, where she has no right to be. Someone needs to remind Ms. Sonenfeld that she needs to stay up on the dais as the other unelected members (Heather and Matt) do for proclamations and swearing-ins.
Ridgewood NJ, An adult male in possession of questionable identification issued by NY State and the State of Rhode Island was arrested by Ridgewood PD personnel after he tried to cash an allegedly fraudulent check at the TD Bank Branch on Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood. The incident occurred late Wednesday afternoon, 07/20. The suspect was apprehended by uniformed patrol officers after a short foot pursuit. He was transported to Ridgewood PD HQ for processing.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council repealed an ordinance that has in many residents eyes opened the door to unpopular village master plan amendments that included clearing the way for The Valley Hospital’s expansion and construction of high-density housing downtown.
The ordinance, No. 3066, was adopted in 2007 and states that “any interested party” can formally request amendments to either the master plan or its development regulations. The requests must be reviewed by the village, and the ordinance also outlines how a party must file such requests, as well as the fee structure for doing so.
Village Planner Blais Brancheau authored the ordinance nine years ago and has steadfastly claimed it was to “establish a clear procedure” for handling amendment requests and let the village charge the requesting party the cost of the professionals involved. Brancheau claims that without the ordinance, those costs would be carried by Ridgewood taxpayers.Critics of 3066 have long felt the Village had lost control of the planning process.
It was introduced by the Village Council under Mayor Pfund in 2007 (https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/minutes/07RPMJUN13.pdf ). Chapter § 190-143 of the amended Village Code is the kicker; it established procedures for interested persions (i.e. developers) to request amendments to the Village Master Plan or development regulations.
Council members Mancuso, Ringler Shagin, Wiest, and Pfund all voted in favor of the ordinance. Chapter § 190-143 is here https://ecode360.com/6694062 .
Over the years many residents argue that this should be repealed to ensure that we don’t see overdevelopment at Valley and in the CBD in terms of densities and building scale. It’s felt this will better protect our property values.
But last night the council agreed to repeal Ordinance 3066 once and for all in all its glory which will allow the Village to once again gain control of its own destiny and close the door on incongruous non conforming development. The final repeal will come in the August public meeting.
Ridgewood NJ, Is there some reason that Paul Aronsohn and Gwenn Hauck both continue to maintain their respective ego driven, pretentious, outdated web sites?
In his recent article in the always Democratic machine friendly Bergen Record former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn engages in what can only be categorized as an attempt to set the stage for a political comeback though historical revisionism ,blatant dishonesty and a subtle attempt to undermine the current council.
The former mayor clearly still does not understand Ridgewood ,where it has always been considered very bad form for previous council members to criticize current new council members before they get a chance to get their seats warm.
Aronsohn’s term as mayor can be best described as contentious ,dishonest, controversial and to many the worst and most ineffective mayor in recent history. Rivaling the darkest days of Jane Reilly and the abject stupidity of the Village Hall reconstruction.
Aronsohn needs to face facts that Hudson County Machine Politics do not belong or according to the last election will be tolerated the Village of Ridgewood .
As we read through Aronsohn’s opinion piece it felt like we had heard all this before. Phases like “Ridgewood at a crossroads “, “Progress and Tradition “, “Kick the can down the road “and “Need to move forward ” all sounded eerily familiar. And yes they are these very words are the words of Councilmen Ramon Hache in the Ridgewood blog on March 9th (https://theridgewoodblog.net/ramon-m-hache-announces-candidacy-for-ridgewood-village-council/)
So it seems the the former Mayor found in necessary to praise himself while plagiarizing from Councilmen Hache’s campaign.
Perhaps former mayor Aronsohn’s time would be better spent gracefully retiring to a life of gardening and back yard barbecues.
THE VILLAGE of Ridgewood is at a crossroads. For the first time in recent memory, our community has been discussing, debating and even deciding some of the big issues that have long simmered just beneath the surface — issues such as taxes and government services, multifamily housing, parking and, of course, the Valley Hospital. Rather than play it safe and continue to “kick the can down the road,” we have sought to resolve issues that have long eluded us.
YOU ARE INVITED TO RIDGEWOOD WATER CONSUMER FORUMS TO BE HELD JULY 27 & AUGUST 2
You are invited… Ridgewood Water consumers are invited to attend two public forums for information and explanation of the recently mailed Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The first event will take place on Wednesday, July 27 at 9:00 am in the Courtroom of Ridgewood Village Hall. The second event will take place on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:00 pm in the Youth Center of Ridgewood Village Hall. Village Hall is located at 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood. Space is limited, so please register by contacting Donna Omelianuk, Ridgewood Water, at 201-670-5500 ext. 271 or by email at [email protected]. The CCR that was mailed contains minor errors that have been corrected in the online version available at water.ridgewoodnj.net. Any questions on this issue or Ridgewood Water will be answered at the forums.
A reader told us that ,”On my walk this morning at 6am the Ridgewood Fire Dept was taking pictures of houses that had their sprinklers running that shouldn’t have been…. Reminder follow the stage 2 restrictions.”
But seem to think its going a bit over board , “What is going on in this town? There are employees going around issuing summonses for watering, sidewalks and “suspected” unlicensed pets.”
Another reader said they , “actual had a court date because I didn’t register my imaginary dog. When I called and asked why they thought I had a dog, they said a neighbor informed them!!”
One reader said they heard a neighbor got a warning because they ,” had a child’s wooden play house in the yard. It was very large. They said it was a dog house. “.
“The pet one is insane. I feel like I live in North Korea.”
Ridgewood NJ, A 68-year old female Alzheimer’s patient was found safe more than two (2) hours after she went missing from her Ridgewood home on Tuesday afternoon, 07/19. Ridgewood PD conducted an intense search of areas surrounding the woman’s home off of Prospect Street after her husband reported her missing at approximately 2:45 PM. A tracking canine from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search, along with volunteers from Ridgewood’s Emergency Services Division. The uninjured patient was located after an employee from a nearby nursery school reported to police that she saw someone lying down in a wooded area behind the school.
