Category: village of ridgewood

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Reader says Village Council’s response to assault at the town council meeting simply atrocious

Village Council Assult

photo by Boyd Loving

“I find the Village Council’s response to tonight’s assault at the town council meeting simply atrocious.  It is also beyond vile that one of the council members attempted to find reason for why the council took no responsibility to address the assault.  To request that we find a better time to call the police?  Yes, it was a shame it occurred during a feel good ceremony, but I certainly hope you are not insinuating that the attack was planned for that time.  A town council with a sense of responsibility and care for its residents would have addressed the incident after the ceremony, not turn a blind eye.   Nor would they try to find reason for turning a blind eye.  

Let’s also remember that the alleged victim is someone who has been attacked repeatedly during these meetings for recording public meetings.  Lead by example – what you have done is open the gates up to give others the sense of right to attack those who wish to record.  

Shame on you.  I hope your children and grandchildren weren’t watching – you certainly taught them an interesting lesson tonight.  

Bonita “

“I totally agree.  The Village Council should have called to have Don Delzio removed and banned from all future meetings.  They clearly sent a message that this type of behavior is acceptable.

I had high hopes for Albert and Gwenn when I helped run a grass roots campaign to get them elected.  Now they have not only turned their backs on residents by moving forward with this mammoth garage structure, they are allowing people like Don Delzio to intimidate other residents.

Hopefully, our new VC that will be voted in next summer can overturn the debacle that has been caused by poor representation.  Look forward to getting a new VC and possible new VM who are more responsive to resident’s needs.

 Ed”

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Irene Habernickle Family Park : Gwen failed to save the turtles

turtles
February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Councilwomen Hauck just finished responding to a neighbor on the Irene Habernickle Family Park issue and in defense of the Health Barn stated that the town paid 11 million dollars for the property and when the pond was dredged all the turtles died but it was”for the greater good.”

Ridgewood is all about the environment except when it comes to turf fields , destroying Graydon Pool , destroying eagle habitats or  massive over development in the CBD.  As for the turtles there are many companies as well as animal friendly organizations that routinely come in to relocate animals( turtles) to a new habitat.
A reader stated , “I don’t know why she said this.  It makes me sick that nothing was done to save the turtles.”  The Habernickle family ( Glenn’s family) made a small fortune on the sale of the property.  It would have been a drop in the bucket to save the turtles.

Yes we know there are bigger issues but this just confirms to me how little she understands the people she was elected to represent.

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VILLAGE HALL CLOSED – FEB 12TH AND FEB 15TH

16_abraham_lincoln[1]

February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Hall and all Village Departments will be closed on February 12th and February 15th in observance of Lincoln’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day. There will be no garbage or recycling pickups on these days, and the Recycling Center will be closed.  The Recycling Center will be open on Saturday, February 13th.  All Village offices and Departments will re-open on February 16th.

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Ridgewood man charged in marijuana-dealing case

marijuana

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:55 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:57 PM
BY JIM NORMAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — A 25-year-old village man has been charged with possession of a half–pound of marijuana with the intent to distribute the drug, authorities said Wednesday.

Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said police had seen Joel T. Schwartz selling marijuana on multiple occasions from his home on Hunter Road, and as a result of the observations a search warrant was obtained. When detectives executed the search warrant at Schwartz’s residence on Tuesday, Grewal said in a release, they discovered and seized the marijuana, which he said was valued at more than $13,500.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-man-charged-in-marijuana-dealing-case-1.1509347

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Third man arrested in connection with robbery, kidnapping of Paterson taxi driver

Ridgewood _police_theridgewoodblog

FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:20 PM    LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016, 6:23 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A third man has been arrested in connection with the alleged armed robbery and kidnapping of a Paterson taxi driver in December, Ridgewood police said Wednesday.

Guillermo Carrillo-Iraheta, 18, of Suffern, N.Y., who was arrested in Mahwah on Tuesday afternoon, is accused of participating with two men from Bergen County in the carjacking of a taxicab in the early morning hours of Dec. 26, according to a press release.

Police had announced on Tuesday the arrest of the other two men in connection to the case, both 20 years old — Wilber Jonathan Barahona of Ridgewood and Jostin Vidal Soriano Reyes of Waldwick. Barahona was arrested at his home on Monday morning and Reyes was arrested in Waldwick on Monday afternoon, authorities said. All of the arrests were made by a multi-agency task force involved in the investigation, they said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/third-man-arrested-in-connection-with-robbery-kidnapping-of-paterson-taxi-driver-1.1509339

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UNREAL® LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION UNREAL LOVE VALENTINE’S DAY TINS WITH RIDGEWOOD WHOLE FOODS MARKET®

UNREAL
UnReal answers consumer trend to give chocolates that are delicious and all-natural, made without unhealthy ingredients or excess sugar, as a show of real love

February 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  UnReal announced today that it has partnered with Whole Foods Ridgewood at 44 Godwin Ave and other regional Whole Foods Market stores to offer two of its all-natural chocolate candies in limited edition tins and bags for Valentine’s Day. Available in stores, and online through UnReal, the limited edition tins and bags feature unique artwork designed by world-renowned illustrator Steve Simpson and are fun for all types of Valentines – friends, family, co-workers, and lovers, alike.
Ridgewood families to purchase at the Whole Foods Market store located at 44 Godwin Ave. UnReal, the unjunked food company, has partnered exclusively with Whole Foods Market stores to offer better-for-you alternatives to share with all types of Valentine’s this season – with 40% less sugar and no artificial ingredients. Whole Foods Ridgewood is also offering a free bag of candy coated milk chocolate gems with any e-store order placed by Friday, February 12th.

“The reason for giving Valentine’s Day chocolates is to celebrate those we love in a sweet way. The chocolates we give reflect our own values, so more of us want to give something that tastes delicious, but is not made with unhealthy ingredients or mass-produced. UnReal shows our real love by giving chocolates that taste unreal and are made without artificial ingredients, preservatives, GMO’s, or excess sugar,” said UnReal’s 18-year-old founder, Nicky Bronner.

UnReal is re-inventing America’s favorite candy using sustainably sourced, fair trade, non-GMO ingredients, and less sugar than their traditional counterparts. This Valentine’s Day, the company created two limited edition UNREAL LOVE tins. One features 16 ounces of red candy coated milk chocolate gems, made with organic cacao and dairy, without any artificial ingredients, and naturally colored with beetroot juice. The second tin features 16 rich, dark chocolate peanut butter cups. The price of each limited edition, UNREAL LOVE tin is $9.99. UnReal is also offering an 8-ounce bag of its red candy coated milk chocolate gems for $4.99. Both tins and the bags are available at all Whole Foods Markets in NY, NJ, CT, MA, NH, RI and ME.

Whole Foods Market Ridgewood and other NJ locations are also offering a free bag of candy coated milk chocolate gems with any e-store order placed by Friday, February 12th, including any of the floral offerings.

“UnReal has once again outdone themselves this holiday, creating an exciting and unique gift option for Valentine’s Day,” said Kimberley Rose, Vice President of Purchasing for Whole Foods Market’s North Atlantic region. “Between the beautiful, limited edition packaging and the delicious, high quality chocolates, what’s not to love? Pairing it with our double dozen roses is about as easy and fail-proof as Valentine’s gift giving can get!”

To get your own UnReal chocolate candies, visit Whole Foods Market Ridgewood at 44 Godwin Ave- or to purchase online, visit https://www.getunreal.com.

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Referendum petition to repeal the BCIA Funding ordinance Circulating in Ridgewood

garage new design

Hi James,
As expected, the council voted 3-2 on ordinance 3519, which allows them to  enter into a lease purchase agreement with the BCIA for the Hudson Street parking garage.

There are a group of residents that started a referendum petition to repeal the ordinance. We need to get about 1000 signatures in 20 days. Then a binding referendum question would go on the May ballot asking if the ordinance should be adopted?

People can go to [email protected] to find out where they can go to sign the petition.

Thanks

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Village of Ridgewood Plans Parking Ticket Blitz to Fund Parking Garage on Hudson Street

parking_enforcement_theridgewoodblog

Walker study update

https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/20160203revwalker.pdf

•   Construction to start in May 2016, with the garage opening in February of 2017.

•   Non-resident permit rates adjusted to be the same as resident permit rates.

•   The first set of rate increases going into effect in July of 2016. These include extension of the

meter hours to 9 p.m. as well as increasing on-street meter rates in the core area to 75¢ per

hour.

•   The second set of increases – core meters to $1 and all other on- and off-street parking to

75¢ per hour – is projected to begin in February of 2017 when the garage opens.

•   It will be imperative that enforcement schedules are extended for the new meter hours and that enforcement is active. Weak enforcement will have a significant negative impact on the revenue stream from the extended meter hours; once people note that they never see people writing tickets in the evening and/or they “get away with it” once or twice, word will get out and the extended meter hours will not produce the level of revenue they should.

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Police summoned to disturbance at Ridgewood Council meeting

village council meeting assult

photo by Boyd A. Loving
Police summoned to disturbance at Council meeting
February 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridhewood NJ, resident Dana Glazer had his cell phone knocked out of his hand by a meeting attendee.  Police investigation underway.  No charges pressed as of this writing.

Witnesses state that it happened when Jim Griffiths was being honored and was especially disturbing especially with so many small children in the room. But, it did happen, “and the choice of timing was fully in the hands of the person who hit the man with the camera. I saw the entire thing because it had caught my attention that one resident was inches from another,bothering him, so I was watching. When the “aggressor” hit the man with the cell phone and knocked the phone to the ground, that was when I ran to get the police.”

The witness went on , “By the time I got to the police desk, one flight down, an officer was already radioing in to get to the courtroom, so either someone else called the police or the police saw on closed circuit camera I counted four officers that came up. What was even more shocking was that at the end, was that Councilwoman Hauck had the audacity to suggest that “no one saw it happen” (you can watch the tape tomorrow, I don’t want to put words in her mouth) – so if she didn’t see it then does that mean it did not happen? And the suggestion that I could have handled it differently, really? So if I see one person hit another, but something nice is going on at the same time, I should just sit back and do nothing.”

A long time resident who did not witness the attack said ,” I think it a sad day for Ridgewood when members of the pubic are afraid to come to meeting for fear of possible assault   or harassment by other members of the public.. This was all fueled by the council majority who berated this same member of the public in recent council meeting for video taping them,  We have sunk to a new low here in Ridgewood. Never in all my years in town have I see such distrust, in fighting,berating of the public by council members and i’ve been here a long time.  ”

The victim Dana Glazer is also someone who has been threatened repeatedly for recording public meetings. This has now opened up the gates for others to attack those who wish to record.

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Ridgewood Town Garage Site vs. Hudson Street Garage

town_garage_theridgewoodblog

Dear Village Officials,  I understand ” the train has left the station ” on the Garage at the Hudson Street site but I would like to state a brief case as to why this is not the best scenario for Ridgewood at the present time.

We have a contaminated site at the Town Garage site and the village owned properties abutting it. Hydrolic and diesel fuel from old underground tanks is seeping into the ground and could be affecting our ground water in the area.  I know that it is being monitored and that the DEP targeted this area for remediation at least 10 years ago. In 2002, a village conducted study saw the Town Garage site as a better fit for a municipal garage than Hudson Street for various reasons.
I believe the village tried to gain the property via eminent domain in 2009 but that failed.  I understand that you have asked our village attorney to look into the Abandoned Property ordinance.  The owners of that site are up to date on taxes but the property continues to be a threat to the environment.  I believe that this property should be acquired by the village, the site cleaned up and  responsible development of the property including a garage should take place.

You are voting on an ordinance this evening to bond 12.3 million dollars through the BCIA.  Our first priority should be the acquisition of the Town Garage site and the remediation of that property as soon as possible.  If a garage is built there, it would be used by employees, diners sand shoppers as well as commuters as it is more centrally located.  The Hudson Street area could be repaved and reconfigured to maximize parking spaces and also for minimal costs made more aesthetically pleasing.  I want what is best for the village and right now it is to clean up the toxic site in our downtown area.

Sincerely,
Linda Mc Namara
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Stay tuned for tonight’s Ridgewood Council meeting

garage new design

 

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Village Hall meeting at 8pm, during the first public statement there will be an announcement about what actions you can take if the Village Council votes in favor of bonding the proposed garage through the County. So, whether you can come out to the meeting or watch at home – stay tuned.

For those who are just getting up to speed, here’s what’s happening:
The attached new garage proposal diagram just appeared in the lobby of Village Hall. I don’t know about you, but I never imagined it would be this HUGE, let alone that, even with all the prior resident outrage, it still does not fit the municipal lot size.
Tonight our Village Council will be voting on going to the County for a $12,300,000 bond. This is going to take away our control of the process. It is going to cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars more to do this than to bond ourselves. Bonding through the County stipulates the same parking rates for everyone using it. Because of this, it will become a commuter garage for other towns to use and fill up.
Personally, I am not against a parking garage. Our town needs more parking solutions. Bonding through the County, unfortunately, isn’t the way to go.
Let’s keep in control of our wonderful town. Stay tuned for tonight’s meeting.

Sincerely,

Dana
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Serendipity Labs Coworking Expands into Ridgewood

Lab Cafe_Workstations_Ridgewood_Column_KISP

Februray  10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. –  The Pinnacle Companies announced today that it will open New Jersey’s first Serendipity Labs coworking location at 45 N. Broad Street, the iconic, totally renovated Lincoln building across from the Ridgewood NJ Transit train station. The three-story, 8,500-square foot space provides a vibrant coworking area, dedicated offices and team rooms. Members will also have access to an upscale lounge, ideation studio, work bar, event venue space and a café. The entire Lincoln building has been upgraded with a new lobby, modern elevator, new windows and HVAC systems.

“Independent professionals, entrepreneurs, remote and mobile workers working in and around Ridgewood will now have a premium workplace and meeting venue offering a level of hospitality that rivals boutique hotels,” says Brian M. Stolar, CEO of The Pinnacle Companies, an award-winning leader in urban redevelopment and the exclusive Serendipity Labs area franchisee for Northern New Jersey. “OurRidgewood coworking members can walk to great restaurants, fitness clubs, coffee shops and the train to Manhattan, which is just across the street. Corporate memberships will be available to provide access to the growing Serendipity Labsnetwork locations.”

Workstations Project Team Area KISP

Serendipity Labs has urban and suburban locations opening in nine states. It is one of the fastest growing coworking networks nationally and in the Tristate area.Serendipity Labs offers a range of membership options including day passes, monthly coworking lounge access, full-time dedicated private offices, and team rooms for companies needing project space.

“Serendipity Labs is a different kind of coworking provider. Our members come from a cross section of industries that include healthcare, finance and technology, many of whom have memberships paid for by their employers. Others are independent consultants or start-ups. Our IT infrastructure meets the highest standards. The upscale work environment is a lifestyle brand that is infused with hospitality and energy,” said John Arenas, CEO of Serendipity Labs. “As we expand across the nation, we are excited to help our new Ridgewood coworking members unlock their full potential and improve their lives.”

Serendipity Labs in Ridgewood will produce a full schedule of daytime and evening seminars and networking events designed for entrepreneurs, mobile workers and corporate members.

For more details, visit https://serendipitylabs.com/locations/ridgewood–coworking/

 

 

 

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Vift launches a Valentine’s Day Break-Up Kit

broken-heart-sad-wallpapers-pics-for-boys

February 9 ,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, while most couples are planning a romantic night for Valentine’s Day, others are hoping to cut ties before Sunday and go into the weekend single and ready to mingle. For those looking for a compassionate way to end things with a significant other, video messaging company Vift has launched a Break-Up Kit to help.

Vift is an online “video gift” platform that allows people to send recorded or uploaded video messages that arrive in sync with your package delivery. With Vift’s new Break-Up Kit, you can send your soon-to-be ex a gift to help them transition back into single life, along with a personal video that they receive via text/email when your gift arrives at the door. Gifts range from tissues and Netflix subscriptions to a Single’s cruise in three different gift options:

  • The “I’m Not Ready To Be In A Profile Picture With You” package;
  • The “We’re Perfect… For Other People” package;
  • The “I Want To Grow Old Without You” package.

For more information, visit: https://go.vift.com/valentines.

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Break in at the Water’s Edge Café at Graydon pool in Ridgewood

Graydon_bike_theridgewoodblog
February 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on Thursday, February 4, patrol responded to an alarm at the Water’s Edge Café at Graydon pool. Upon investigating the alarm it was determined that someone had broken the lock off the building. Several items inside were damaged and thrown around. The matter is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

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Talks under way in Trenton to avoid tax battle between hospitals, N.J. towns like Ridgewood

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog
FEBRUARY 9, 2016, 6:37 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2016, 6:38 PM
BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN AND LINDY WASHBURN
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD

Talks are under way to avert a potentially protracted tax battle between non-profit hospitals and the communities that host them, said the prime sponsor of a bill that tried unsuccessfully last month to work out a solution.

Assemblyman John Burzichelli said Tuesday that talks are underway between the New Jersey Hospital Association and the New Jersey League of Municipalities with the aim of helping redraft legislation in the wake of a landmark Tax Court ruling that called into question the property tax exemption of non-profit hospitals.

He said there have been no talks thus far with the administration on the issue, nor does he expect any while Christie is pursuing his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. Christie vetoed the earlier bill in January at the end of the last legislative session.

Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, the chair of the Assembly’s appropriations committee, said he and three other co-sponsors recently resubmitted the bill, but added that the document likely will serve as a “place holder” until a revised bill can be worked out.

“Everybody’s regrouped coming out of the hectic last session,” Burzicelli said of the informal talks.

But he warned if no agreement can be reached, “it’ll be a field day for the tax attorneys.”

The bill stemmed from a state Tax Court decision last summer in which a judge invalidated the non-profit Morristown Medical Center’s property tax exemption. The hospital’s parent company agreed to pay $15.5 million to satisfy back taxes and interest plus make annual payment of about $1 million as tax on the for-profit component of its operations.

The Record Read more