February 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, sign the petition and get the question on the ballot. Let the people decide which way to fund. What are the petition opposers afraid of?
PETITION SIGNING LOCATIONS
ELKS CLUB
(111 Maple Ave-next to library-across from Kings)
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20TH
11:00AM-4:00PM
OLMC – AFTER EACH MASS
HUDSON/PASSAIC/PROSPECT STREETS
SAT FEB 20TH / SUN FEB 21ST
February 20th ,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, readers question, ” How dare the newspaper try to squelch letters from anyone on any side of the story, as long as they are respectful?! What the people are doing who are trying to stop the funding via the BCIA is completely legal and they are well within their rights. A grass roots effort like this stopped the turf field in Glen Rock. Citizens of this country have a right to act in accordance with the law. Clearly the triumvirate is very, very nervous because they are being outsmarted by honest, energetic and very intelligent individuals.”
Aronsohn connection with the Ridgewood News goes deep.. This is not the first time letters have not been published right Linda. Lets see who are owners of the Ridgewood News NorthJersey Media AKA The Record and who is the owners of the Record North Jersey Media Group (NJMG) is an independent, family-owned media company providing local news, information and services to the residents of northern New Jersey. The company is headquartered in Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and is best known for its daily newspaper, The Record. Stephen A. Borg Yes the same Stephen Borg that was the key speaker at one of our Mayors civility meeting. Let not forget the ex reported for the Record aka Aronsohn Press Officer. Get real poster what you read is being manipulated
Readers also Voice Concern on the Mayors Overly Cozy Relationship Stephen Borg, Publisher and President, North Jersey Media Group
https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-also-voice-concern-on-the-mayors-overly-cozy-relationship-stephen-borg-publisher-and-president-north-jersey-media-group/
Readers feel the Mission of the “Civility Forums” is nothing more than Censorship and Control political speech of Village residents.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-feel-the-mission-of-the-civility-forums-is-nothing-more-than-censorship-and-control-political-speech-of-village-residents/
Civility forum moves forward to squelch public dissent
https://theridgewoodblog.net/civility-forum-moves-forward-to-squelch-public-dissent/
To the Editor,
I am writing to urge my friends and neighbors to let our council know we reject entering into a lease/purchase agreement with the Bergen County Improvement Authority (BCIA) to fund the Hudson Street garage.
Our referendum vote shows that the majority of Villagers support funding a garage on Hudson street. We enjoy a triple AAA rating, and do not need Bergen County for funding. The only reason to go to the BCIA is because our own Council can not agree on the design, and the Council majority believes they and only they know best.
If funding through Bergen County, the likely results will be a garage controlled by the county. All Bergen County residents, including out of town commuters, will have the same access and fee structure as Ridgewood residents. Ridgewood’s general parking fund, which has been used to absorb budgetary overages will no longer be allowed to do so, which most likely will impact our taxes.
We elect our Council with the expectation that they will work together to represent the best interests of our Village. I would like to think they wouldn’t make decisions for our Village that they wouldn’t make in their own personal lives. Yet they approved change orders and are pushing forward with a plan to have the BCIA fund the garage when the public and the Council haven’t received photo simulations, rough site plan with footprint, details of how on street parking will be impacted etc. Would you approve funds for work on your own home without knowing what it would look like? Would you build into the street and not let your neighbors know? if you did so would you expect them to be upset?
Council members Sedon and Knudsen have stated that they would support a garage that fits on the lot, fits within the streetscape, and when their is a clear financial plan in place. Councilwoman Knudsen has repeatedly said she would like to have photo simulations to bring to the church and neighbors for their input. Isn’t that what we would desire from our neighbors? Councilman Sedon has expressed interest in having the specific financial plan in place. Again, this is a very reasonable request. We know the garage is not self funding and meter rates will rise but it has not been determined how much and what the impact will be on local businesses. Would you be willing to pay $.75-$1.00 for a coffee in town or to mail a package or might you visit Glen Rock or Midland Park instead?
I believe when all these details are known, we can achieve a 5-0 vote in favor of a garage we can all be happy with. Please email your council and ask them to work together and say no to the BCIA.
Paul Aronsohn – [email protected]
Albert Pucciarelli – [email protected]
Gwenn Hauck – [email protected]
Susan Knudsen – [email protected]
Michael Sedon – [email protected]
Thank you,
Carrie Giordano
I am outraged at the Chamber’s Ad in the Ridgewood News today. They lied from the beginning with the say “yes” and negotiate size later when there is no negotiation. You try and negotiate and they go around you. We are not a small, rogue, nameless group! Most of us speak at meetings, write letters and emails, and stand on the streets with clipboards. So the paper lets them continue to write lies with no rebuttals?
There was an email floating around today suggesting keeping this transaction off the balance sheet will allow Ridgewood to bond more projects. First, what other massive projects are they planning?? Second, anyone who believes in off balance sheet financing needs a lesson in finance. It is still debt, it needs to be paid back and ratings agencies will still recognize it as leverage.
BY SCOTT FALLON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Despite the millions of gallons of volatile crude being transported through the state by train, New Jersey will receive none of the $10 million awarded by the federal government Thursday to improve safety conditions on rail lines carrying the oil.
million awarded by the federal government Thursday to improve safety conditions on rail lines carrying the oil.
The Christie administration was among 34 applicants seeking a portion of the funds set aside by the Federal Railroad Administration to upgrade rail crossings along lines that have experienced an exponential increase in crude shipments. The oil, from the recent oil boom in North Dakota’s Bakken rock formation, has been involved in several fiery derailments, including one in Canada that killed 43 people three years ago.
Steve Schapiro, a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, said agency officials were disappointed in not receiving any funds but understands the process was competitive.
Related: Oil train bridges targeted in study; group says span over Passaic River decaying
Bergenfield Mayor Norman Schmelz was less diplomatic, saying the funding was inadequate to begin with. An estimated 15 to 30 trains, each carrying as much as 3 million gallons of crude, pass through his town each week. Like many communities in New Jersey, Bergenfield has homes, businesses, schools and government buildings within feet of the rail line.
“Ten million dollars probably wouldn’t be enough for Bergen County let alone the whole United States,” said Schmelz, whose emergency managers are preparing a response plan in case of a derailment. “I can’t believe there would be places in the country that are in more of a dire situation than here.”
Grants were awarded Thursday to transportation departments in Washington state, California, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Federal Railroad Administration officials said they received requests totaling $50.8 million, more than five times the money available. “In short, there is more need than funding available and a lot of strong applications,” said Marc Willis, an agency spokesman. Neither state nor federal officials provided details Thursday about New Jersey’s application.
BY DIANA OLIVEIRA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD – When he first began Boy Scouts, Christian Seremetis already had an ultimate goal in mind: to become an Eagle Scout.
“My dad was really the spark that started the fire,” explained the 16-year-old. “My dad was an Eagle Scout, so I need to be an Eagle Scout.”
He was awarded that rank last month — along with his two fellow scouts from Ridgewood’s Boy Scout Troop 5, Brendan Cherrey and Dylan Hansen — at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony in front of a crowd of family members, younger scouts and local dignitaries at First Presbyterian Church, the troop’s sponsor. Seremetis explained why he decided to pursue the hardest and highest advancement in Boy Scouts — a rank accomplished by only 7 percent of scouts nationwide.
“It wasn’t pressure as much as it was my own interest in doing it,” said Seremetis. “I’m the youngest of three kids. When you’re the youngest kid, when anyone older than you does something, you want to [match that]. In this case, it’s my dad.”
New PSE&G Phone Scam
February 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On 2/9/16 a building owner received a call from a person who stated they were from Public Service Electric and Gas and that a service crew was on their way to replace their gas meter. The caller gave accurate account information and an 800 number similar to the PSE&G number for him to call back. The caller advised the building owner go to a retail store in Midland Park and pay for the meter upgrade or gas would be shut off at the building. Although the caller sounded convincing patrol contacted PSE&G directly and confirmed that it was a scam. PSE&G offers a variety of payment options, and would never require a customer to use one specific type of payment. PSE&G customers scheduled for disconnection due to nonpayment receive written notice on their bill at least 10 days in advance.
Any customer who has doubts about the legitimacy of a call from PSE&G — especially one in which payment is requested — should call them directly at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
file photo by Boyd Loving
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD – Ridgewood’s Village Council continued its budget meetings this week, with representatives from various departments reporting on their successes and needs.
Health Department
Dawn Cetrulo, a health officer, said, “2015 was a great year for the Health Department,” noting that the department was easily able to deal with the Ebola virus crisis from last year, showing the staff’s preparedness. She also stated that the village’s weight-loss challenge went well, with a lot of participants “keeping the weight off.”
Furthermore, she noted that Animal Control Department provided 118 rabies vaccinations and 32 dog microchips to villagers free of charge.
Cetrulo said that some of the department’s goals for 2016 are to “continue to improve outreach programs in the community,” as well as “focusing on a monthly health positive.”
https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/town-government/village-reps-talk-numbers-1.1514670
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Thursday February 11th patrol responded to Bank of America on North Maple Ave for the report of a suspicious person who fit the description of a person who attempted a fraud at the Wyckoff Bank of America branch earlier in the day.
Boy, she looks good! Kate Hudson ditches her usual glamour for androgynous look in an oversized trouser suit at book launch
By SHARNAZ SHAHID FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 04:41 EST, 18 February 2016 | UPDATED: 08:32 EST, 18 February 2016
She can do no wrong when it comes to mixing and matching her sartorial style.
And Kate Hudson ditched her typically glamorous ensembles for an androgynous chic look as she continued to promote her new book in Ridgewood, New Jersey on Wednesday.
KATE HUDSON took pictures and signed her new book: Pretty Happy ($26.99)
Dressed in a grey slouchy two-piece suit with an off-white plunging blouse, the 36-year-old worked the style with aplomb as she signed copies of Pretty Happy: Healthy Ways to Love Your Body.
Tyler Reynolds
February 16 at 7:24pm
Hi Everyone,
Not sure if I can post this here, but here I go anyways. Me and my friends Anthony and Josh from the University of Delaware are attempting to compete in a race in Europe, sponsored by Red Bull. Catch is we can only use Red Bull as currency. We are also stripped of all ttechnology so it’ll be quite the adventure. It works on votes to get past the preliminary round. I’m hoping everyone can help us out by voting by opening the link below and hitting the like button! Help a Ridgewood local for the adventure of a lifetime. Spread the word! Share the link! Every vote helps! Thank you and hope to be posting pictures from Europe very soon!
Yours truly,
Tyler Reynolds
VOTE HERE: https://www.redbullcanyoumakeit.com/en/applications/6668/
file photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood Police Training Exercise
2/18/16 between 9am and 2pm
The Ridgewood Police Department will be conducting training at 499 Berkshire Rd at the corner of Ellington Rd. Along with the Bergen County Regional SWAT team. There will be numerous plain clothes officers in the area with training weapons and equipment no live ammunition will be used.
ALSO : Linwood Ave closed between Northern Parkway and N.Maple Ave until 5pm today. Detour is in place. Plan an alternate route.
