Category: village of ridgewood

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Ridgewood Residents Targeted with “IRS Investigator” Scams

phone-scam
June 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood police report a number of IRS Investigator scams , first a South Pleasant Avenue resident reported on 6/27/16 he received a suspicious phone call from a person who identified himself as an IRS Investigator. The caller advised the resident he owed back taxes and requested payment immediately. The resident became suspicious and contacted his accountant who informed him this was a scam and to call the police to report the incident. The resident reported he never provided personal information or banking information to the caller and requested a report as a matter of record.

On 6/24/16 a Fairway Road resident responded to headquarters to report a Fraud. The victim reported he began receiving phone calls from a person who identified himself as a Tax Agent advising the victim he had committed tax fraud. The caller persuaded the victim into purchasing and transferring $2000 in Apple Gift Cards.

The Ridgewood Police also report a victim of identity fraud; a South Irving Street resident responded to headquarters on 6/20/16 to report his personal information was used to open a fraudulent Verizon account. The victim reported the fraudulent account was opened by Verizon Wireless of New York. Verizon reported the account was opened at a Verizon Wireless store by someone utilizing his name, Social Security number, and home address. The victim’s account was not charged and Verizon Wireless is investigating.

The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind citizens of the increased amount of scams. Always investigate communications made through postal mail, telephone, and/or the internet to prevent fraud and deceptive activity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department to ensure you’re not becoming a victim of these scams.

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Reader says Sour grapes much? Bu-Bye Mr Mayor

Paul_Aronsoh_dunking_theridgewoodblog

First, there is not a parking problem anywhere near the magnitude described by the Mayor and the garage’s half dozen other supporters. There is a periodic parking inconvenience on weekends and a slight deficit of commuter parking for some Ridgewood residents that need to get to New York City after 7:00 am. The need has never been believably shown for a garage the size of the one proposed by the outgoing Council majority and their developer partners. Unless of course you want to build huge apartment buildings right? Hmmm, maybe this wasn’t about parking after all.

Second, ignoring the Mt. Carmel community in their rush to get the garage built was either a massive oversight or gross miscalculation by the Mayor and his outgoing running mates. You think after the beating their platform took on May 10 that there may have been an olive branch or two extended afterward but no. Anyone, including the Church, that didn’t see things their way was branded as ignorant, obstructionist and all of the other condescending epithets that have been hurled at us for the past 4 years.

Sour grapes much? Bu-Bye

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In NJ age of majority is 18

voting-selfie-millennial-votef

In NJ age of majority is 18

BUT you can’t drink until you are 21
but you can OWN a liquor license at age 18
AND you can SELL or SERVE alcohol at age 18
but you can’t sell or serve it to anyone under 21
but you are ALLOWED to DRINK at ANY AGE on private property or if involved in religious services

In fact we trust our children so little to drink responsibly on graduation night (even when some of them are 18) that we spend 10s of thousands of dollars on Project Graduation.

***** Equally messed up is that:

– In NJ you can marry at 16 (w/parental consent)

– enter into certain contracts at 15

– work at 14

– You can join the army (and legally kill people) at 17 (w/parental consent)

-You are legally responsible for your actions at age 18 (earlier if you are married)

– you can purchase a gun at 18 (but you can’t purchase a handgun until you are 21)

– you can fire a gun (hunt) at age 10 (with adult) or INDEPENDENTLY at 14

Why not:
– Up the drinking age to 25
– Lower the voting age to 15
– Legalize marijuana
– Lower gun hunting age to 5
– Raise handgun use age to 30
– Lower voting age to 13

or better yet – why not stick with the age of majority — 18 in this case — to be able to do all of these things?
or change the age to what ever number you want – but lets align all of these responsibilities to the age of majority.

I could be probably be talked into an exception for working at 14 and some limited hunting with parental supervision under the age of majority but other than that – lets leave adult responsibilities to the adults.

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Fox News Eric Bolling will be Signing his New Book at Bookends in Ridgewood

Wake Up America_Book Jacket

June 28,2016

the bstaff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The book signing for Wake Up America by Eric Bolling will take place at Bookends Bookstore (211 East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ  07450) onWednesday, June 29, 2016 at 7:30PM EST.

The event is on Bookends’ homepage.  If readers are unable to attend, they have the option to purchase a signed copy: https://www.book-ends.com/

If a summary is able to be included on the event listing, it is below:

Rising Fox News Channel star Eric Bolling knows first-hand what makes America great. Brought up in a struggling blue-collar family in Chicago, his parents showed him that hard work and firm values can get you far in life. Those values drove him to become a national success as a Fox News Channel personality and co-host of the highly rated show The Five. As Bolling posits in his new book WAKE UP AMERICA: The Nine Virtues that Made Our Nation Great – and Why We Need Them More Than Ever, those strong values, virtues he once saw in America, are now under a tremendous attack by leftist politicians, cultural elites, media, and self-proclaimed educators who have forgotten what made our country strong.  Bolling delivers much-needed celebration of our nation’s founding values, urging U.S. citizens to preserve and protect our country’s present and future.

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In Ridgewood, a question of ‘What Now? after garage referendum

Paul_Aronsoh_dunking_theridgewoodblog

BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — The public’s overwhelming rejection Tuesday of a bond ordinance that would have financed a municipal parking garage on Hudson Street has many residents wondering what the next proposed solution will be to the village’s perpetual parking woes.

The question is difficult to answer for several reasons, including uncertainties.

https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/path-after-bond-defeat-unclear-1.1622848

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Borg and Aronsohn’s current disingenuous hand-wringing over Civility in Ridgewood

Ridgewood 3 amigos

 

June 28,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, An editorial by Paul Greenberg, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, entitled “The roots of restlessness, How to restore civility” was published on September 30, 1994. Greenberg’s distaste for burgeoning talk radio success is clear. But so is his impatience with those of his editorial colleages who ignore the root causes of public revulsion with bad actors in electoral politics. Here’s the money quote:
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“Year after year, all of us editorial writers have written dutiful editorials, denouncing public apathy. So when the people take an interest in their affairs, and rise up roaring like a great beast, what do we do? We wring our hands over the decline of civility in public discourse.
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“The best way to restore civility would be to address the causes of its decline. If the natives grow restless, they may just have something to be restless about.”
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https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19940930&id=b9ROAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BEsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5560,6145661&hl=en

So, nearly 22 years ago, we already had a perfect answer for Borg and Aronsohn’s current disingenuous hand-wringing, pearl-clutching, and fainting couch swooning over citizens speaking their minds in unvarnished ways over matters of public interest.

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Reader says Civility! What a noble aspiration and what better place to find numerous splendid examples than the Ridgewood Blog

shocked_face_theridgewoodblog

Ah yes, civility! What a noble aspiration. And what better place to find numerous splendid examples than the Ridgewood Blog, where:

– the current mayor is called a “total moron;”
– the current deputy mayor is called a “moron,” “asshole lawyer,” and “jackass”
– three of the current council members are called “creeps” and “bums;”
– the current village manager is called an “idiot,” “village idiot,” snake,” “complete fool,” and “bitch;”
– and the VM’s staff are called a “bunch of shitheads;”
– a resident, Jim Griffith, is called a “senile pot-bellied old man who [anonymous commenter] suspects wears a diaper;
– and another resident, Rurik Halaby, is called an “idiot;”

– And, in the mature, let’s-make-fun-of-someone’s-name category –

“Ron SLIME-oncini” (Simoncini);
“Rurik Halabooby” (Rurik Halaby); and
“Roberta Shut-up feld” (Roberta Sonenfeld)

So just keep that civility coming, anonymi. You’re setting a fine example for your children.

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Kremlin Gets Flashback of Soviet Collapse in Brexit Fallout

Berlin-Wall_2866607b

by Ilya Arkhipov

The upheaval in the U.K. after its Brexit referendum in favor of leaving the European Union has similarities to the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman.

While it’s “unreasonable to draw direct parallels,” it’s obvious that the U.K. is going through a “turbulent, confusing and unpredictable period,” Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call Monday. Russia “has gone through the collapse of the Soviet Union and many generations clearly remember the period of the Soviet collapse, that period of uncertainty.”

Russia’s recalling the trauma of the end of the Soviet Union as the U.K. wrestles with the consequences of becoming the first member state to choose to leave the EU, casting a shadow over the bloc’s future existence. The USSR was dissolved in December 1991, more than 18 months after Lithuania led the Baltic republics in declaring independence. The Baltic states of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia joined the EU in 2004 and all three have since adopted the euro as their currency. Putin called the Soviet collapse “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe” of the 20th century in 2005.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-27/kremlin-says-brexit-turmoil-reminiscent-of-soviet-union-collapse

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Ridgewood’s Valley and Mount Sinai Partner to Provide Comprehensive Cancer Care in Northern New Jersey

Valley Hospital theridgewoodblog.net 131
June 27,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Valley Health System is pleased to partner with Mount Sinai Health System to offer state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care in northern New Jersey. This partnership will enable Valley to provide enhanced inpatient and outpatient cancer services by offering access to an expanded roster of clinical trials and Mount Sinai’s nationally renowned experts in the field of cancer care, and the development of new programs and services.

In December 2015, Valley and Mount Sinai announced plans to join forces on clinical programs, research, and educational offerings. The oncology alliance is one of the first such collaborations between the two organizations. Mount Sinai and Valley will work together to enhance patient care both at Valley’s Blumenthal Cancer Center in Paramus and the main campus inRidgewood by:

Establishing new clinical programs and services
Enhancing existing programs and services through access to and coordination with Mount Sinai’s nationally renowned cancer experts
Expanding access to clinical trials
Initiating research programs to advance education and medical science
Establishing clinical information system linkages that will enhance quality, continuity, and evaluation of care
Collaborating in the development of a clinically integrated physician network for the delivery of high-quality, cost-efficient care.

“We are proud to partner with Valley Health System to offer cancer care services,” said Steven Burakoff, M.D., The Lillian and Henry Stratton Professor of Medicine, Professor of Oncological Sciences, and Director of The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center. “We recognize the high quality of cancer care that Valley Health System has traditionally provided, and see many opportunities to offer patients in northern New Jersey the foremost in cancer care through this partnership.”

Arthur Klein, M.D., President of the Mount Sinai Health Network, said of the alliance, “The clinical and academic affiliation between the Valley Health System and the Mount Sinai Health System will lead to better coordinated, higher quality health care in many arenas across our tri-state Metropolitan region.”

New York City-based Mount Sinai comprises seven hospitals and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Valley Health System, headquartered in Ridgewood, New Jersey, includes The Valley Hospital, Valley Home Care, and Valley Medical Group.

“This relationship with Mount Sinai will benefit our community by offering access to an expanded roster of clinical trials, programs, and services for patients diagnosed with cancer,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of Valley Health System and The Valley Hospital. “We look forward to working with Mount Sinai to bring world-class cancer care to the residents of northernNew Jersey.”

According to Robert Korst, M.D., Medical Director of Valley’s Blumenthal Cancer Center, among the first Mount Sinai clinical trials that Valley patients will have access to include new treatments and treatment protocols for cutaneous malignancies, including melanoma and other skin cancers; genitourinary malignancies, including prostate and kidney cancers; and hematologic cancers and serious blood disorders, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes. Some treatment protocols will include bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapeutic vaccines.

“Many of these new treatments are at the vanguard of cancer care today,” Dr. Korst says. “We are very excited that our patients will experience expanded access to these treatments and to Mount Sinai’s physician network – all integrated within the personalized high-quality cancer care that they receive at Valley and from their Valley physicians and cancer specialists. Our Valley cancer experts also look forward to expanded clinical research opportunities with their colleagues at Mount Sinai.”

Several renowned Mount Sinai cancer experts are expected to begin collaborating with Valley’s cancer care team, including:

Philip Friedlander, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, and Dermatology
Luis M. Isola, M.D., Director of the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program, Gerald J. Friedman Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, and Pediatrics
Sundar Jagannath, M.D., Director of the Multiple Myeloma Program and Professor of Medicine,Hematology and Medical Oncology
William K. Oh, M.D., Chief of the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Ezra M. Greenspan M.D., Professor in Clinical Care Therapeutics, Associate Director of Clinical Research, and Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, and Urology

An important aspect of this Valley-Mount Sinai partnership is the opportunity for prospective multidisciplinary videoconferences, during which cancer care experts at both hospitals will discuss patient cases with a goal toward determining optimal treatment, follow-up, and management of individual patients. Physicians, researchers, nurses, social workers, and other members of the cancer care teams at both cancer facilities will participate in these videoconferences.

“Our relationship with Mount Sinai also enables our physicians and other members of the cancer care team to reach Mount Sinaiproviders easily for consultations on specific patient cases and for combined educational opportunities, which will allow them to learn from each other,” notes Thomas Rakowski, M.D., Director of Medical Oncology at Valley.

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons has awarded Valley’s Cancer Program a Three-Year Accreditation with Commendation Gold Level, the highest level of recognition and one attained by only 30 percent of cancer centers in the U.S. It has also been honored by the Commission with a prestigious 2015 Outstanding Achievement Award. Valley is the only hospital in northern New Jersey and one of only two in New Jersey to receive this award in 2015. Other recognitions include a Women’s Choice Award(r) as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care and six Gold Seals for cancer care from The Joint Commission.

Valley’s cancer care services include:

Diagnostic pathology, mammography, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, and ultrasound
Medical, surgical, and interventional oncology
Radiation oncology and Gamma Knife Center
Chemotherapy and infusion therapy
Clinical trials
Specialized management of breast, lung, GI, gynecologic, urologic and hematologic cancers
Pain management services
Outpatient and Inpatient Palliative care services for patients needing symptom management
Integrative health services, including massage and exercise classes
Social work services
Nutrition counseling
Genetic counseling
Support groups
Educational programs
Free annual screenings
Home care and hospice services

For more information, please visit www.valleyhealthcancercenter.com.

About Mount Sinai Health System

The Mount Sinai Health System is an integrated health system committed to providing distinguished care, conducting transformative research and advancing biomedical education. Structured around seven member hospital campuses and a single medical school, the Health System has an extensive ambulatory network and a range of inpatient and outpatient services – from community-based facilities to tertiary and quaternary care.

The System includes approximately 7,000 primary and specialty care physicians; 12 joint-venture ambulatory surgery centers; more than 140 ambulatory practices throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Westchester, Long Island, and Florida; and 31 affiliated community health centers. Physicians are affiliated with the renowned Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, which is ranked among the highest in the nation in National Institutes of Health funding per investigator. The Mount Sinai Hospital is ranked as one of the nation’s top 10 hospitals in Geriatrics, Cardiology/Heart Surgery, and Gastroenterology, and is in the top 25 in five other specialties in the 2015-2016 “Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News & World Report. Mount Sinai’s Kravis Children’s Hospital also is ranked in seven out of ten pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report. The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai is ranked 11th nationally for Ophthalmology, while Mount Sinai Beth Israel is ranked regionally.

For more information, visit https://www.mountsinai.org or find Mount Sinai on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

About Valley Health System

Valley Health System is a regional healthcare system that employs close to 5,000 people and serves more than 500,000 residents in northern New Jersey and southern New York. It includes The Valley Hospital, a 451-bed, not-for-profit, regional acute-care hospital that has been consistently recognized for quality care and patient satisfaction; Valley Home Care, a home care and hospice agency; and Valley Medical Group, a multispecialty group practice of more than 200 doctors and advanced practice professionals representing over 40 medical and surgical specialties who practice at The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, Valley’s Cancer Center in Paramus, eight urgent and primary care centers in New Jersey and New York and many community-based physician practices throughout the region.

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COOL DOWN WITH A RIDGEWOOD GRAYDON POOL MEMBERSHIP

graydon-opening-day-2010-small

2016 SEASON
Regular Season
Saturday, June 4 through August 14, 2016
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
**Holiday** – July 4th, close 4 pm
Late Season
Monday, August 15 through Labor Day, September 5, 2016
Weekdays – 12 noon to 7:30 pm
Weekends/Holiday – 10 am to 7:30 pm

CONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7002 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7003 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560
[email protected]

 

GRAYDON MEMBERSHIP RATES

RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education. Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older)
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
DAILY PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2016 summer season.
ADULT (ages 16 and up) – $200.00
CHILD (ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES (must be accompanied by 2016 season member)- $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

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Ridgewood Fireworks Tickets!

ridgewood fireworks theridgewoodblog.net

photo by Michael Fidanza 2013

Monday, July 4, 2016

Alternate Date – Tuesday, July 5th

Veteran’s Field, Ridgewood, New Jersey Entrance gates open at 6:00 PM and close at 9:00 PM

While the Parade is free, Fireworks Tickets are required for entrance to Vet’s Field. Donations for Fireworks Tickets is one of the Celebration’s largest sources of income. Tickets are available for advance purchase at stores for $10. Tickets will be on sale at the gates for $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-12. Buy your tickets in advance for big savings! Children 5 and under are admitted for free. Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.ridgewoodjuly4.net/evening-entertainment-fireworks/buy-tickets/ for $11.00 each including shipping and handling.

Tickets will be on sale at the following vendors for $10 each. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

Patrons and belongings will be subject to security checks by Police Department personnel when entering Veterans Field. Alcohol is not permitted. There will be 2 lines at the gates, one for those with bags and one for those without bags. Expect delays. All gates will close at 9:00 PM.

Gates open at 6:00 PM and close at 9:00 PM. No Dogs allowed

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The Chairs are Out for the 106th Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade

ridgewood chairs pre 4th 004
June 27,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Ridgewood residents have a tradition of their own they start setting out chairs along the Fourth of July Parade route on North Maple Avenue as early as this weekend.

The placing of chairs along the parade route is a village tradition dating back over 50 years. While we do get complainers generally is a lot of fun and often a  bit competitive over spots .

The Police leave the chairs alone and some people tie their chairs together, to keep them together and from blowing out into the street.

Normally by July 3, most of the route for this year’s 106th annual Ridgewood Fourth of July Parade will be lined from beginning to end with chairs.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. July 4, and the theme of this year’s parade, “America the Beautiful ,Celebrating 100 Years of our National Parks.”

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Reader asks How would a sale of Ridgewood Water work?

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How would a sale work? We would acquire a professional management team but does delivery change?

I doubt that we could physically connect to the water sources for United or another company. Or is this a real possibility.

I know that some feel that we have control over our water, but what are we really controlling? Out water is tested and sometimes the results are concerning. Is the water consumed in other towns in Bergen County more contaminated? I don’t think so. What is it that we are trying to control and what are the real opportunity costs?

Would we benefit from a financial infusion that would bring the necessary upgrades? The new company will still have to battle with Ridgewood residents who live near the water tanks. Would the “greater good” prevail?

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Ridgewood Rain sensor ordinance for in-ground sprinklers

sprinklers_vets_fielf_theridgewoodblog

June 26,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Is there anything more annoying than driving by a house with in-ground sprinklers that are on while it is raining or right after a rain? Why hasn’t the village mandated the use of sensors for new systems? Why hasn’t Ridgewood Water bought, in bulk, sensors and given them away to what would then be non-conforming, pre-existing systems? Why? The continued lack of common and fiscal sense from village hall is appalling. From the Garber Sq $14k sign, to the neglect of the Hudson St lot, to the bike lane to nowhere and now this.

This sensor [the first result on Google] retails for $29: https://store.rainbird.com/timers/rain-moisture-sensors/rsdbex-rain-sensor-with-bracket.html . How much of a bulk discount could you get on a few hundred? How much water does the sensor need to save before it pays for itself over 2 years? In my previous town, same population as Ridgewood, they gave out low-flow shower heads door-to-door because even a low adoption rate saved water.

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Reader says Criticism from this blog eventually unmasked the intentions of Aronsohn, his adoring supplicants, and his friends in the media such as The Record’s Stephen Borg

civility

The ironically-named “Civility Forums” were, collectively, a thinly- (because that’s usually all that is needed to avoid scrutiny) disguised attempt to re-define, as aggressive “incivility”, civic involvement, occasionally taking the form of mild pushback, by ordinary village residents and taxpayers not invested or interested in advancing a freakish, spawn-of-alinsky, progressive political agenda. Criticism from this blog eventually unmasked the intentions of Aronsohn, his adoring supplicants, and his friends in the media such as The Record’s Stephen Borg. The wind having been taken out of their sails, they mercifully ended that baleful series of foolish public/private meetings. Their jihad against normalcy is sure to arise again in some other form in the near future which is why we need to support small-entity actors like James who are willing to throw stumbling blocks in their path.