If you know you will not be here on May 10th to vote or have family members (i.e., college students) who are not home, go to this link to request a Mail-In Ballot.
https://www.state.nj.us/…/vote-mail-ballot-bergen-english.pdf
2012 Ridgewood Election Results
Albert J. Pucciarelli – 2078
Keith Killion – 1711
Rissell R Forenza – 817
Paul Aronsohn – 2479
Mary Jane Shinozuka – 1484
Gwenn H Hauck – 1727
Ridgewood NJ, The Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood will host an AVO Event April 30th 11am -5pm .
The Tobaco Shop of Ridgewood is one of Ridgewood’s oldest merchants . They offer a huge selection of cigars, pipes, and accessories. Upstairs smoking lounge. Member only Davidoff lounge. Owners are extremely knowledgeable and friendly.
The Davidoff lounge is truly a sight to see. The nicest place to enjoy a cigar and watch a football game. Very tranquil which is great after a long day at work.Also worthy of mention is the excellent staff and great customer service .
Their pipe selection is diverse. The store owner, Gary, will take time to find the perfect pipe that fits your face and style. Gary is very informative and always has time for a lesson about how to pack, light, and maintain my new pipe, which can really help a newbie out.
“Inspired by the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Avo Uvezian, our Master Blender has ventured to the untamed heart of Central America. Capturing sweet and spicy flavors from the rich, volcanic soil of Nicaragua and blending them with the soft, creamy notes of the finest Dominican leaves. Resulting in a smooth and balanced box-pressed cigar with unexpected depth and complexity.”
Save the date!
Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood
10 Chestnut St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone:(201) 447-2204
Open today · 10AM–5:30PM
Dear Ridgewood Residents,
If you are appalled by the number of political signs littering our Central Business District, please file a complaint with the Village Clerk’s office. They are accepting complaints by email at [email protected] or by phone at 201-670-5500 x201
Tell the Village, the Guild and the Chamber of Commerce that you want plants and flowers in our planters, not politics!
The Village Clerk’s office confirmed that none of these signs were allowed until the rule was changed in Oct/Nov FOR the Parking Garage signs!! My guess is that we will see the old rule reinstated just in time for the November national election.
Heather Mailander had earlier responded by saying , “To clarify, based on last Fall’s regulations, the campaign signs may be placed in the public right of way (planting strip between the curb and sidewalk) anywhere in the Village, including planters in the CBD. However, they may not be placed on Village property. This includes all parks, the train station parking lot and green spaces near the train station, or other Village-owned property (Village Hall, both library properties, water properties, DPW properties, the Recycling Center, etc.). The signs cannot be a sight hazard or a pedestrian hazard. If you are unsure whether or not you can place a sign somewhere, please contact me. Also, please be aware that any signs found on Village property will be removed and not returned. ”
However Councilwomen Susan Knudsen was not so sure :
“I’m not certain about information received from the clerks office regarding an ordinance change permitting political cbd signage. Please forward any correspondence regarding same to [email protected].
There were many inquires, and much outrage, over the signs back then and a legal determination that political signs placed in tree wells, planters, etc did not violate Village Code. There was not a change permitting the placement. Notwithstanding the lacking code, I disagreed with the practice then and disagree with it now. Yesterday I sent an email to all six Council candidates requesting a voluntary removal of their campaign signs from the CBD. Four candidates were thoughtful and responsive. There were several reasons for my email including respect for the many volunteers who spend countless hours and private donations on CBD beautification projects.
As stated, four candidates were thoughtful and responded accordingly. Two of the four (Rich and Bernie) never “planted” signs in the historic CBD or by the historic train station. Two others (Ramon and Jeff) voluntarily removed their signs.
Feel free to send additional questions or comments.
Councilwomen Susan Knudsen”
There has been no better opportunity than now to unite all Village neighborhoods. Citizens for a Better Ridgewood has its roots on the West Side and favors slower growth in high density housing. The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood is based in the Travel/BF/Somerville neighborhood and favors a smaller-scale modernization effort by the Hospital. Friends of Schedler are in the neighborhoods east of Route 17 and favor preserving the woodlands on that property. Most recently, a group of tax payers from all over town that favors a 4 level garage over a 5 level garage has successfully petitioned to bring that issue to a vote.
After 4 years of a “Council majority” that has claimed to know what’s best for the rest of us and has insulted anyone that has disagreed with them, it looks like we might actually be able to take the town back from special interest groups and Council members with personal agendas.
Candidates Bernie Walsh, Jeff Voight and Ramon Hache have the very unique opportunity to unite these neighborhoods in our quest to preserve our property values and the charm of our Village. Please vote for them on May 10.
Hi James – here is a reader says story for you. Please take it if you find it interesting. I was surprised to find this fact and thought the voters should know:
Was Evan Weitz planted in Ridgewood by special interest groups?
It is a widely known speculation that our current mayor was sent to Ridgewood to bring Hudson County politics to Ridgewood. He ran for the office as soon as he moved to Ridgewood and has strategically placed the right people in different committees over the years to get the job done for developers and politicians. Rumors are that he is already renovating his house and preparing to move out once his task is done.
We looked at the council candidates for 2016. All but one are long term residents. Something VERY interesting came up for Evan Weitz. He moved to the village in late 2012 and in 2015 he was appointed to Financial Advisory Committee and made it’s CHAIR by resolution 15-301. We DID NOT find any other committee or volunteering experience from Evan before his role in Financial Advisory Committee and when he was made the chair, Janice Willet was Vice Chair of the committee already. She wasn’t promoted to the CHAIR of the committee and instead he was brought in and made the chairman. He has no prior experience with municipal financing in other towns or any experience with how Ridgewood works and our village’s finances or resident needs. He has not served in any other committee. Evan is an attorney by trade and has no experience or degree in Finance. This was evident with his answers in council meeting when he was cross examined.
So the reader asks what is the rationale for bringing a new comer to Financial Advisory Committee and bring him as the chair. Who brought him in? Who are his backers? This is he representing there? Is he being planted to complete some work that PA could not complete?
April 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ Many people looking for good investments or hoping to save for retirement are wary of the very financial professionals who can help them reach their goals.
That was illustrated once again recently by the 2016 Harris Poll Reputation Quotient Report, which showed that just 37 percent of people surveyed believe the financial-services industry has a solid reputation.
The good news is that’s an improvement from past surveys. The bad news is that the pharmaceutical industry, the tobacco industry and government are the only ones with worse reputations.
Skepticism about the profession may sting a little, but there’s nothing wrong with caution when shopping for a financial professional, says Lou Desepoli, president of Desepoli Wealth Management (www.desepoliwealth.com).
“It’s important for investors to do their homework,” Desepoli says. “Don’t be timid about asking questions. A financial professional should answer any questions you have, and they should be able to provide details about fees, fiduciary standards and a client bill of rights.”
Mike Desepoli, Lou’s son and a wealth adviser at Desepoli Wealth Management, says all financial professionals may work with the same market conditions, but that doesn’t mean they are all created equal.
“How they assess, evaluate and react to the market is what sets one adviser apart from another,” he says.
The Desepolis say just a few of the topics an investor should broach when looking for an adviser include:
Ask how they are paid for the investments they recommend. Are they paid commissions on investments or other products they sell? Do they receive payments from mutual funds or investment companies they recommend? “What you’re trying to determine is whether they push investments that are more beneficial to them than they are to you,” Mike Desepoli says. “It’s best if the firm just charges a fee based on the value of the assets they manage for you. That makes it in their best interest for your portfolio to grow.”
Find out what safeguards they have in place to protect against fraud. Have they ever been disciplined for unlawful or unethical actions? How do they ensure the firm remains in compliance with legal and regulatory statutes?
The products an adviser can sell and the investment advice they can give are tied to their credentials. So find out what licenses and certifications they have.
“Most people spend more time shopping for a car than they do a financial adviser,” Lou Desepoli says. “But you want to be an informed consumer when it comes to who will handle your life savings. That person’s investment philosophy, their client-service philosophy and how they communicate with clients are all topics worth asking about.”
About Lou Desepoli
Lou Desepoli is the president and founder of Desepoli Wealth Management (www.desepoliwealth.com). He has more than 30 years’ experience in investment management, financial planning and tax consulting. He is also a CPA.
About Mike Desepoli
As a wealth adviser for Desepoli Wealth Management, Mike Desepoli serves as a wealth management resource to business owners and executives, assisting them in making proactive, personal financial decisions.
*** TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE ***
April 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra completes its 76th season with a program of symphonic dances, featuring the Art of Motion Dance Theatre and virtuoso pianist Yoonie Han. The concert will take place on Friday, May 6 and will include dance numbers from Respighi’s “La Boutique fantasque” (after Rossini) and Bernstein’s West Side Story Symphonic Dances. The program will also include Peter Warlock’s Capriol Suite for Orchestra as well as Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s Grande Tarantelle for Piano and Orchestra.
The concert will begin at 8:00 PM, and will take place at West Side Presbyterian Church at 6 South Monroe Street in Ridgewood. Tickets for adults, seniors, and students cost $25, $20, and $10 in advance; $28, $23, and $13 at the door.
The Art of Motion Dance Theatre is a Ridgewood-based repertory company, directed by Lynn Needle and Olivia Galgano, who hail from the dance traditions of Ballet Russe and Nikolais. The company specializes in creating original work that reflects the complexities of dance as a 21st- Century art form.
Concert pianist Yoonie Han made her solo debut with the Seoul Philharmonic at age 13. Since then she has trained at the Curtis Institute and at Juilliard, has won top prizes in prestigious international competitions, and has performed to great acclaim with major orchestras in celebrated concert halls all over the United States and the world.
For more information on programs, subscriptions, or advance ticket sales, visit the RSO website at: www.ridgewoodsymphony.org.
“Great music…close to home.”
April 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, 220 years ago next week, on April 28, 1796, Amelia Simmons published the first cookbook “American Cookery”, written by an American. Prior to that, the cookbooks used in the Thirteen Colonies were British, and lacked information on how to use foods, spices and other ingredients found in America.
As historian Greg Mangan states, what made Simmons’s work unique “was its recognition of the deficiencies of existing British cookbooks when it came to understanding American culture”, and that it provides valuable insights into the methods and foods that helped colonists forge a uniquely American culinary identity.
A skillful cook, historian Karen Hess points out that Simmons recipes had a variety of herbs, as well as wine, and “extraordinarily fine roasting techniques”. She incorporated common early American foods – cornmeal, pumpkins, and molasses — into her recipes, and was the first cookbook author to mention “pearl ash”, (a wood ash, the forerunner of baking powder) to lighten or leaven dough.
American Cookery also shows the influence of Dutch words in our area at that time – words like slaw, meaning salad; and cookey, from koekje, meaning cookie.
The impact of American Cookery on local Ridgewood residents at that time can be seen in an 1823 book of hand-written recipes by Ridgewood native Jeanette Pells. Two of her recipes (Ginger bread and Sugar cake) call for one or two teaspoons of pearl ash.
To learn more about food preparation and cooking in Ridgewood in the 18th and 19th centuries, come to the Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “Farm and Home”using artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Museum is located at 650 E. Glen Ave., Ridgewood, NJ, and visiting hours are Thursdays and Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays; 2 to 4 p.m. To contact the museum: 201-447 3242 or [email protected]
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
April 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, An adult female sustained a non-life threatening knee injury after being struck by a motor vehicle at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Bellair Road in Ridgewood on Monday evening, 04/18. She was transported by a Ridgewood EMS ambulance to The Valley Hospital. Ridgewood PD reportedly issued a summons to the vehicle’s driver for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
“Ms. Hauck got elected last time because the West side of Ridgewood voted and the Eastside did not. Check the records. I believe this “committee” came into existence after that election. Most of those in administration, on the board, and doctors from Valley that live in Ridgewood are also from the West side, and, I would be willing to bet, most of this front they call a Financial Advisory Committee live on the West side. Get it ? It is nothing more than a power play by a relatively small group of people with big money and egos that could care less about the overall well being of Ridgewood. And you are right 1:44, that could easily happen, but not just to that neighborhood.”
While others say , ” please don’t make this a West v. East thing. That tears a community apart and it’s insulting. I happen to live on the West side, within spitting distance of the East side – the argument that we are 2 separate groups doesn’t fly.”
Lets face it , “that has been the undercurrent for several years and now with all of the disputes going on, especially with the so called “crown jewel”, a lot of people are making this an east side west side thing… and some postings implying people living near the hospital are suckers, selfish, nimby etc. has done wonders to cement that feeling…and yes it is unfortunate but it is becoming a huge reality…”
“I’ll stick to my original comment for which I think I’m entitled after 33 yrs. It’s a power play, pure and simple. I have not said anything that people who have resided here have not said privately, trust me. But if nothing else, maybe it will get the people in this town to wake up, vote these people and their friends out, and stop the train wreck. That’s what the statement was intended to do. Sometimes being “politically correct “”does not work.”
“I live on the west side and I have email from Gwenn saying the previous administration did not take care of the west side and she and the current administration are making sure that west side is not neglected. So, she definitely tried to play that card.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
April 18,2016
Ridgewood NJ, from the Friends of Schedler Facebook page :
Outline of Proposed Terms for the Development of the Schedler Property
1. In order to provide the Village with much needed passive park and recreational space, the field shall be no larger than 60’.
2. Any design will include a sound wall to block out the sound of the highway for the entire length of the property. In addition, to a sound wall near the highway, the park will include a berm on West Saddle River Road to block off the sound and view of the park. The berm shall include several rows of regularly maintained evergreens in order to provide the neighborhood with a “green shield”.
3. All demolition, including removal of trees (downed, diseased or otherwise) will not occur until completion of a development plan and budget approved by the Village Council. Demolition shall occur in conjunction with the overall project in order to avoid a gap between demolition and construction.
4. The plan and design of the park will be developed by an independent civil engineer and landscape architect specializing in park design with input from representatives of the neighborhood and the Village.
5. The development plan and budget will be based off of independent, comprehensive studies which would include:
* Addressing the issues already identified by environmental and wildlife impact studies
* The noise study to be conducted on the property and the surrounding area
* A third party traffic and safety study on West Saddle River Road and the surrounding side streets as recommended by the council committee. The traffic and safety study will include a determination of an adequate parking lot, as well as a review of potential ingress and egress into the parking lot from Rt. 17. In addition, the traffic and safety study will include a determination of appropriate parking restrictions on West Saddle River Road and, if practical, the surrounding streets off West Saddle River Road
6. Prohibition on the inclusion of (1) lights, both permanent and portable as required by the conservation easement, (2) a public address announcement system and (3) a concession stand.
7. The hours of the park will be from dawn to dusk.
8. Installation of police monitoring system to monitor any criminal activity.
9. Preserve the Schedler house by moving forward with registering the house with the historical society. The house will be used to benefit the entire community by, for example, providing meeting space for different community groups and providing restrooms for the park participants.
file photo by Boyd Loving
by Rurik Halaby
Amazing scoop, worthy of Woodward and Bernstein. A Pulitzer in the offing?
For the record, I am personally supporting Rich Brooks, Evan Weitz, and Janice Willett. Rich I have known since he and Cynthia were active in the Red Cross. Evan and Janice I have only met recently.
For the record, I have not contributed a red cent to their campaign, and I have no plans to do so.
For the record I never interviewed them before I endorsed them and so I don’t know their positions on Valley, the Apartments, the Garage or Schedler.
For the record I am supporting them because they are people of the highest integrity, who embody the decent Ridgewood we moved to 47 years ago. People with vision and intelligence to help us meet the challenges of the future.
For the record, I don’t have a foggy idea who Valley is supporting if they are supporting anyone. I support Valley’s Renewal because the interests of Ridgewood’s Residents are best served with a world class hospital keeping up to date. And yes, wake up and smell the coffee, the courts will no BUT support Valley, Ridgewood’s Crown Jewel. And No, Valley does not pay me. It does not pay my wife either. She is a long-term volunteer who would be rich if she got paid minimum wage for every hour she spent volunteering there.
For the record, for you miscreants who criticize my wife: Ask the 1,000 people who enjoyed yesterday’s Daffodil Festival what they thought of the event which she organized. If every one of you misfits would spend a minute volunteering for every hour you spend belly aching, Ridgewood would be the proverbial Camelot you think you live in.
For the record for you ignorami who criticized my wife for planting daffodils and day lilies in the CBD, the topic of the Festival was to protect the pollinators. She was able to obtain a large supply of milkweed seed which grade school kids are planting at Twinney’s and elsewhere.
For Anon 1:16:
Rurik Halaby is a long-term resident who cares about the future of Ridgewood. Identify yourself and I will be pleased to discuss what Ridgewood is going through.
Rurik Halaby is the person who paid out of his own pocket for two mailers to go out to every household in Ridgewood encouraging people to vote. And to vote for whoever. But to vote.
Rurik Halaby, 75 years old, believes in the old Greek proverb: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
April 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, May is National Military Appreciation Month, making it a great time to show appreciation to active duty military members and veterans. There are over 2 million active duty members of the military and reserves, and according to the U.S. Census Bureau there are over 19 million veterans in the country. There are millions of those who have served our nation, deserving the appreciation this May, and numerous ways to show it.
“The strength of our great nation comes from our military strength and the dedication of the men and women that serve, making it crucial that we do everything we can to show our support and gratitude,” explains Nicole Motsek, executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation. “We should show our gratitude everyday and May is a great month to make added efforts to support our active duty personnel and our veterans.”
Some of the recognition days this month include:
May 1, 2016 – Loyalty Day (affirming loyalty to the country)
May 6, 2016 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 13, 2016 — Children of Fallen Patriots Day
May 21, 2016 – Armed Forces Day
Here are 7 ways to show appreciation to active duty military members and veterans this May:
“There are many things that we can do to help show our appreciation and support to those who help keep our country safe and free,” added Motsek. “If everyone just does one thing this month to help active duty members or veterans it would add up and make a big difference.”
The EOD Warrior Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps military EOD personnel and veterans and their families. There are around 7,000 EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) technicians on active duty, performing the most dangerous job in the military as they disarm explosive devices on the battlefields. Many EOD personnel come home with debilitating injuries, including lost limbs, blindness, paralysis, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), burns, and the invisible wounds of war, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
For more information about the EOD Warrior Foundation or to host a fundraiser or learn about volunteer opportunities in support of their mission, visit the site at: https://www.
April 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld recent behaviors seems out of step with the The Faulkner Act, the municipal charter the Village of Ridgewood is organized around .
According to Wikipedia , The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a mayor–council government.
This form of government provides for election of a mayor and five, seven, or nine council members. All council members may be elected at large, or some may be elected by wards; they may be partisan or nonpartisan, and serve four-year concurrent or staggered terms. There may be up to ten administrative departments.
As in all Faulkner Act municipalities, citizens in the mayor–council system enjoy the right of initiative and referendum, meaning that proposed ordinances can be introduced directly by the people without action by the local governing body. This right is exercised by preparing a conforming petition signed by 10% of the registered voters who turned out in the last general election in an odd-numbered year. Once the petition is submitted, the local governing body can vote to pass the requested ordinance, and if it refuses, it is then submitted directly to the voters. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faulkner_Act_mayor%E2%80%93council)
While Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld was introduced with much over the top hype reader quickly concluded that she was more of a partisan hack than a Village Manager .
Readers say Honeymoon Over for the New Village manager
I knew someone would get around to blaming Gabbert. Its not the council fault when something goes wrong. They only take the credit when something goes right and that is far and few.
This is the same Roberta Sonenfeld who was getting such praise when she was appointed.Looks like the “partisan hack” criticism was all true .
So what your saying is that are new hand pick Village Manager didn’t notify the Council because the past Village Manager had an arranged it that way. Really. A Village Manage with any background on that intersection should have brought it to the Council especially when they live on the West Side and should be familiar with that route. This is not on the job training. Next you are going to tell us that our mayor is going to use a page from our president book. “I only found out about this when he watched the news.” Please https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-say-honey-moonover-for-the-new-village-manager/
This election cycle seems to have brought out everyone’s worst fears bordering on out and out interference with the electoral process.
Whether its disrupting petition drives or making nasty comments on Facebook Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld has been to many acting out of step with the previous nonpartisan nature of the Village government .
Reader , “Roberta has been ‘liking’ nasty posts on Facebook. Looks like gloves are completely off with her and she is fully in campaign mode. This is the lowest point in village history that I have seen in over 15 years. Village Managers have never been so much active in politics and elections.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
April 18,2016
the satff of the Rmidgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, from the “Take Back Ridgewood ” Facebook page,put forth a very taxing matter. According to “Take Back Ridgewood ” , “Our taxes are going UP this year. Public hearings on the new tax rates are not scheduled until May 11th (May 10th is the election date).
Since “two council candidates Evan Weitz and Janice Willett and ranking members of the Financial Advisory Committee;
when they knock at your door to ask for your vote, please remember to ask them about their role in Financial Advisory Committee and raising our taxes.
Also ask them why the news about tax increase is not being shared with the residents until May 11th. Please share and spread the word, so everyone can make an informed decision on May 10th.”
