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Ridgewood N.J. singer’s audition to appear on ‘American Idol’ Next Wednesday night

Ridgewood  'American Idol' Caroline Byrne

CORRECTION: Caroline Byrne will appear next Wednesday or Thursday on “American Idol,” not the night of Wednesday, Jan. 13 as written below.

By Bobby Olivier | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on January 13, 2016 at 4:14 PM, updated January 13, 2016 at 9:46 PM

PHILADELPHIA — As “American Idol” airs its Philadelphia auditions Wednesday night, New Jersey viewers will have a chance to hear one of their own.

Caroline Byrne, a sultry pop singer from Waldwick and Ridgewood, will appear in front of “Idol” judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. during the episode, and while viewers will need to tune in to see whether she advances to Hollywood, if she performs at all like her smoky single”Alive,” she’ll do just fine.

The 26-year-old’s new track boasts a sound similar to pop newcomer Tori Kelly, both in bass-heavy instrumentation and Byrne’s airy delivery.

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2016/01/nj_singers_audition_to_appear_on_american_idol_wed.html

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Ridgewood Adds Three new police officers

Ridgewood police officers
photos by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood Adds Three new police officers

January 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Ridgewood police officers Ryan McAlister, Kyle Monton, and Peter Tuchol, Jr. are sworn in during Ridgewood Village Council Meeting of Wednesday, January 13th at Village Hall.

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Why Can’t People Disagree Without Taking Things So Damn Personally?

village council meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

A not-so-obvious reason is the relativism of modern moral discourse, best expressed in the theory known as “emotivism.”
Daniel Lattier | October 28, 2015

Many in our audience express dismay about people not being able to discuss hot-button issues – politics, religion, race, sexuality – without it devolving into anger and name-calling.

Why is it that people can’t have a disagreement without taking things so damn personally?

Well, one obvious reason is human nature. Our positions on controversial topics are usually the manifestations of some of our most deeply held principles. It can take years of education and growth to meet disagreements with these with magnanimity.

But I think a not-so-obvious reason is the relativism of modern moral discourse, best expressed in the theory known as “emotivism.”

In After Virtue, Alasdair MacIntyre wrote that “emotivism has become embodied in our culture.”

He defined it as “… the doctrine that all evaluative judgments and more specifically all moral judgments are nothing but expressions of preference, expressions of attitude or feeling.” In other words, emotivism holds that there can be no way of rationally justifying one’s claims about those controversial issues mentioned above.

https://www.intellectualtakeout.org/blog/why-can%E2%80%99t-people-disagree-without-taking-things-so-damn-personally

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RIDGEWOOD LEAD AWARENESS PROGRAM

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REAC PROGRAM – LEAD AWARENESS PROGRAM

January 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) in conjunction with the Park and Recreation Department is pleased to present a series of environmentally focused programs – Back to Basics – Healthy Lifestyle. The first program will be Monday, January 25th at 7:00pm in the Community Center Senior Lounge and the topic will be

“Understanding Lead Poisoning.” This will be an informational presentation by Dawn Cetrulo, Health Supervisor, Ridgewood Health Department and Danielle Cinnante, Health Educator, Valley Hospital. All are invited to this free program. Future topics in this series will be Beekeeping Basics; Streetscapes – Trees, Sidewalks, Roads and Re forestation; Backyard Composting; From Garden to Table; Recycling – After materials leave the curb. Details to follow.

Ridgewood Water  https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/water/leadnotice.pdf

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YWCA Offers Babysitting for Ages 3 to 12 Years

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January 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , YWCA Bergen County now offers babysitting for children ages 3 to 12 years at YWCA Bergen County, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ. Babysitting is now available with dates offered through Wednesday, February 24, 2016.

Let the YWCA Bergen County’s experienced child care staff provide your babysitting needs! It is one less thing to stress about! Your children will be safe and engaged at a place they know and love. YWCA’s reliable and caring staff will help put a little sanity back in your week.

For ages 3 to 5 years: Babysitting is offered from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Each date of Babysitting is $30 for YWCA 360 Members ($20 for each additional sibling), $40 for YWCA Program/Swim Members ($30 for each additional sibling) and $50 for Non-Members ($40 for each additional sibling).

For ages 5 to 12 years: Babysitting is offered from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays. Each date of Babysitting is $50 for YWCA 360 Members ($40 for each additional sibling), $60 for YWCA Program/Swim Members ($50 for each additional sibling) and $70 for Non-Members ($60 for each additional sibling).

Children must be registered 48 hours prior to attendance. Registration forms are available athttps://www.ywcabergencounty.org/PLymu. For more details or to register, contact Mary at 201-444-5600 ext. 352 or [email protected].

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Many Residents feel Ridgewood Garage Referendum was compromised by misinformation campaign

pro garage signs
January 13,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Discrepancies in the interpretative statement and contradictory statements made by Various Council members  served only to confuse voters and obfuscate the council majority’s intentions.

Readers have echoed  “The electorate was also PROMISED that the sign and scale could be negotiated. The electorate was lied to and misled. Furthermore, there is not disagreement on funding so why go to BCIA? only to get the design the three want…how is that reasonable??”

Other readers repeated the sentiment, “the electorate voted for a garage in a “Non-Binding Referendum”.The actual vote for the bond failed 3-2. That was the only vote that was binding. ”

While most who spoke at the Council meeting on January 6th , believed there was some measures were needed to ease peak parking issues in the Central Business District (CBD) most of the 100 plus people who showed at the meeting came to the conclusion that a super sized garage was an over kill.

The crux of the misinformation issue circled around the fact that the garage is built into Hudson street . Jetting out at least 10 feet into the street. That is not building a garage on the lot. Many felt they voted for a garage on the lot. Not street.

While others thought that the council majority , “grossly and intentionally withheld the information that it was on the street.” While other who spoke cited example after example where council members contradicted each other or gave what was later on perceived as misleading information .
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Reader say The people did vote for a garage just not one that changes Hudson Street so profoundly and dwarfs Mount Carmel

Village Council Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

The people did vote for a garage just not one that changes Hudson Street so profoundly and dwarfs Mount Carmel. We were led to believe the design and size were still up for discussion. Many suggestions at the meeting called for additional parking venues closer to the center of town, refiguring of streets and relining of current spaces. Financial feasibility is important but for many it is more about traffic concerns, safety and if the structure will be neighborhood and user friendly. I only saw impassioned speakers being very civil but I did see a council member completely lose it. People hate to be lectured on civility by people who often behave uncivilly. It is really hard to stand up at a meeting and speak. It is a nerve racking experience that takes many of us out of our comfort zone. I admire those that do. One speaking out represents 20 who feel similarly but didn’t. A 100 people speaking out is more like a mandate. I don’t understand why the council majority would not be guided by that.

Please note that every single person who comes to meetings and speaks at the mic is absolutely not anonymous, and they are on the front line. Some of these people get attacked verbally by people from the dais and also from other residents. Dana Glazer was polite and soft spoken. He did not accuse Albert of anything…..he made a general observation to all five council meetings that he could not understand what the rush was with this project, and he wondered aloud if the upcoming election was a factor. Albert in his great cloud of ego started shouting and making threats, it was horrible and it was frightening to behold. An elected official absolutely does not have the right to volley off threats from the dais, or for that matter at any time. Yes, elected officials should maintain their cool, as most do, most especially in the face of something as benign as Dana Glazer’s calm and thoughtful presentation. For sure they should not be issuing threats and accusing people of being stalkers.

A garage that will extend into Hudson street by 10 feet and dwarf Mount Carmel should not be built. All 3 options do just that. Also our mayor kept saying questions would be answered after all speakers made their statements. This did not happen. but of all the things that happened the worst and most frightening was Albert’s vcomplete loss of control directing his anger at Mr. Glazer. The gentleman was speaking from emotion as he had just witnessed the previous speaker who was voicing her concerns in a heartfelt manner. All totally acceptable. Mr. Glazer was at a loss as to why the council majority was pushing forward regardless of public opinion. He asked if this was due to the upcoming elections. We all think that this may be part of it. The deputy mayor was so angry, I actually thought the police might be called. It also sounded threatening and that is very serious. We’ have to hear about being civil and not applauding regularly. I truly am appalled that the mayor runs civility meetings. But to have an elected official be the biggest offender is most troubling. A public apology isn’t enough. He needs to step down.

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Anthony Lillo took the helm as director and chief of Ridgewood Emergency Services on Jan. 9

Ridgewood Emergency Services Installation Oath
January 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Anthony Lillo took the helm as director and chief of Ridgewood Emergency Services on Jan. 9.Lillo, 57, was sworn in by Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn at the Departments annual installation dinner. Lillo’s emergency services career began in 1991 and he joined Ridgewood Special Operations in 1999. Lillo, an EMT, has served in various leadership positions during his tenure, most recently as deputy chief.

Chief Lillo has worked with Ridgewood Central Dispatch and has extensive background in computer disaster recovery and disaster management as a project manager. He is enrolled in the Certified Public Managers Program at Rutgers University. Chief Lillo succeeds Brian Pullman who retired after serving as director and chief of Ridgewood Emergency Services for 10 years.

Robert Greenlaw, the founder, director and chief of emergency services for 25 years, praised Pullman’s commitment and service saying he helped make the organization what it is today. Pullman joined Ridgewood Emergency Services in 1993.

2016 Ridgewood Officers 1

In addition to Lillo being named director and chief, the other officers were announced during the installation dinner. The 2016 officers include: Deputy Chief Ryan Savaria; Medical Director Dr. Bob Lahita; Public Information Officers Richard Breining and Bob Krane; EMS Captain Murray Yang; EMS Lieutenants John Baker, Brendan Fischer, Emily Benjamin and James Bigos; Special Operations Captain John Epperlein; Special Operations Lieutenants Mike Butler, Eric Frielink and Ace Antonio; Teens in Emergency Services (TIES) Captain Corrine Scarpa; and TIES Lieutenant Kevin Scarpa.

In 2015, Ridgewood Emergency Services responded to 1704 requests for assistance. This amounts to 19,236 hours donated by the volunteers to the Village of Ridgewood on active duty. It does not include time spent on training, meetings, meeting and event preparation.  A cost savings of over $1 million dollars to the Village of Ridgewood.

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The Passing of Peter Deuber of Ridgewood New Jersey

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Ridgewood Nj, Peter Deuber of Ridgewood, New Jersey passed away Monday, January 4th at Select Specialty Hospital in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. He was born in Manhattan on January 17,1932 and grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He attended Ridgewood High School and majored in Economics at Columbia. He worked in sales and the building trade in New Jersey. Peter had a great love of gardening, landscaping, and horticulture. > > Peter leaves behind his loving long term partner, Helen Eagy, ex-wife Mary Lou, and cousin Robert Huber; his two daughters: Nancy Gameson (Lyn) and Sharon Richter (Marc); five grandchildren: Ceri Gameson, Victoria Richter, Margaret Richter, Abigail Richter, and Joshua Richter. Burial will be private.

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Ridgewood Impact Study presentations for Multifamily housing Tonight at Benjamin Franklin Middle School

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MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT

Tuesday, January 12, 2016 – 7:30pm – Benjamin Franklin Middle School- Impact Study presentations for Multifamily housing, North Walnut Redevelopment Zone, Hudson Street Parking Garage -Presentations by Vendors:
a. Heyer, Gruel & Associates
b. Maser Consulting
c. Ross Haber Associates
d. The RBA Group
e. BFJ Planning/Urbanomics

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Readers say Going to the BCIA is a back-door way of going around the electorate

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd loving

Going to the BCIA is a back-door way of going around the electorate, plain and simple.$250,000 in additional cost to the taxpayers because the bond vote failed 3-2.

At the meeting on January 6th a few things were made clear. One is that the “threesome” stands firm as a bloc and of course voted in perfect synchronicity, in spite of the gigantic number of objections to the huge garage. Another point  is that Aronosohn is going rogue, going directly to the BCIA to get his funding, for which he only needs three votes.

Damn the laws of the land, just find a way around them. Another is that Albert’s trigger temper is still very much alive, as he went after a resident who alluded to the upcoming election. The resident was calm and polite, and Albert was wild, then Gwenn started holding up her cell phone. Such unprofessionalism from the dais, such calm in the audience.

A summary is SAME OLD SAME OLD. A million people spoke. Most were against the garage. The three amigos voted in favor of the bond. Susan and Michael voted against it. Aronsohn is immediately going to circumnavigate the law (legal, but still underhanded) and go to the BCIA, where he only needs three votes. He put that in motion before the ink was dry on the bond defeat. Good luck trying to find the Ustream on the new website. It seems to be nowhere.

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Planned Ridgewood garage is too big

Hudson Street Parking Garage

Planned Ridgewood garage is too big

JANUARY 8, 2016    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Planned garage is too big

To the editor:

My wife and I attended a meeting last week at Mount Carmel Church concerning the proposed garage on Hudson St.

I have been in favor of a structure at the site but was dismayed to see the overall size of the structure. It is massive. If I, as a private individual proposed a structure that size for that lot, the council would laugh at me. People would be up in arms.

I think that if the council informs residents of the size of the structure, they will be up in arms. It will permanently change the downtown area.

I also don’t understand the rationale behind the proposed traffic flow. It, aside from being a problem for Mt. Carmel, seems to me to be a disaster in the making. It will require the traffic to flow from Broad Street with the majority of vehicles making a left onto Hudson. It will also funnel the exiting vehicles to nowhere land since at the end of Hudson they will have the choice of making a left toward Ridgewood Avenue or a right onto Prospect.

I assume a traffic light will have to be put at the Hudson-Prospect intersection since the traffic from the park area will be head on to the Hudson Street traffic. Not a pretty picture.

Mayor Aronsohn, at the meeting, kept pointing to the referendum as a seal of approval for the garage as proposed. In my view, and probably most of those who voted for it, he received an approval of a garage on the site, not something so big it will tower over the neighborhood.

If the garage has to be this big to be financially viable, then maybe the council needs to rethink its location. The site at Walnut Street would be more appropriate. It is a larger site, has access to Franklin Avenue, a road that could better handle the traffic, and because of the larger site, it could be built lower so the structure would not be so imposing.

In closing I would ask the council to reconsider the size and site of the structure. At the very least, delay going forward until a proper traffic study is undertaken as has been proposed.

The council represents all the residents of Ridgewood, not just the 3,000 who voted for a garage.

Liz and Dave Pskowski

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-planned-garage-is-too-big-1.1487390

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Ridgewood Art Institute 36th Annual Juried Art Show

RAI

Call For Artist Entries:

January 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute 36th Annual Regional Juried Art Show. Open to all artists 18 years and older, in the New York Metropolitan area.
Two – Dimensional, traditional realism only. For complete prospectus visit www.ridgewoodartinstitute.org
The Ridgewood Art Institute is located at 12 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201)652-9615

Receiving: Saturday, January 9th 12-5 pm *HAND DELIVERY ONLY*

Reception: Sunday, January 31st, 2-4pm- An Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony will be held at the Ridgewood Art Institute. Light refreshments will be served. Over $5,000 in awards and prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize, will be presented by the RAI President. Prize winners or representatives must be present at the awards ceremony.

Watercolor Landscape Demonstration Sunday, Feb.7 2PM by Joel Popadics
Show ends February 7.

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PETITIONS FOR RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL CANDIDATES AVAILABLE

vote for me

January 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Petitions are available for any Ridgewood registered voter seeking the position of Village Councilmember, in the Village Clerk’s Office at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.

The Village Clerk will accept petitions which contain the valid signatures of at least 164 registered voters who live in Ridgewood, as required by law.

Three Village Council seats, which have four year terms, will be up for election.  The terms begin July 1, 2016.  The deadline for filing the petitions with the Village Clerk is no later than 4:00 P.M., March 7, 2016.

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Readers say Valley Ridgewood Mediation Will be Tainted ,Ms Hauck is too Invested in Valley

Gwenn Hauck has absolutely no business representing us in a lawsuit. For crying out loud, this is glaringly apparent. This is not about what platform she ran for office on, this is not about whether she loves valley hospital. This is the fact that there is a major lawsuit against Ridgewood and one of the two elected official on the mediation is a person who donates big money to them. How can anyone not see the conflict here? She is supposed to be representing US against THEM in this lawsuit, but she funnels money to them.

If anyone thinks that she should represent us in the law suit all you have to do is look up the minuets Sept 19 H-Z hearing and she what she said. Then you tel me.

Speaking before the council during the “H-Zone” hearings to determine the fate of ‘Renewal’, Hauck said on Sept. 19: “Also, I trust Audrey Meyers, Megan Fraser, all the doctors and volunteers I work with and all the spokespersons of the hospital when they tell me that the hospital will have better services and healthier surroundings if they modernize and expand the way they’ve laid out because they’re the health experts…and I believe them.”

While it may seem unlikely a perfect solution will ever emerge, Hauck stressed a “healthy” and “reasonable” dialogue must emerge for any meaningful change to happen.

Any output from her “mediation” will be tainted. That does not serve the interest of anyone, including Valley. Pencil this in for another 10 year slog unless a good faith process for resolution is adopted.

In my experience, the vast majority of ethical types always recuse themselves from legal duties where there is the potential perception of there being a conflict of interest. The key word is “perception”. In a lot of these cases, the reality of an actual conflict of interest is slim to none, but in the interests of showing absolute honesty, they do in fact, recuse themselves. By not recusing themselves, it actually infers that they are in fact attempting to improperly influence a decision.