Just change the municipality’s name to Ridgewood, and the Mayor’s name to Paul Aronsohn, and this letter would work perfectly. It appeared in today’s The Record.
Mahwah mayor
forgets whom he serves
I was coming of age during the Nixon administration, and although I was not old enough to vote, I knew even then that when political wrongdoing goes unaddressed, it compounds exponentially.
Much like President Nixon, Mahwah Mayor Bill Laforet seems to have forgotten that he serves the people of Mahwah at the discretion of the people of Mahwah. His actions reflect upon the people of Mahwah. Neither I nor my Mahwah neighbors have abandoned due process.
I have no desire to change the township of Mahwah from a democratic republic to an autocratic government. The actions of the mayor suggest that such a change has taken place.
Mahwah is not a business, and it is not set up to run like a business. We have checks and balances, as do all levels of American government. For reasons that I do not understand, Laforet suggests that he runs Mahwah like a business, forgetting that there are procedures that need to be followed. Perhaps Laforet can save the township the embarrassment of a possible recall and, like Nixon, resign.
JUNE 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Stephanie O’Connor is having her first solo show at The Stable’s gallery this month. The Paramus resident says that Ridgewood, with its strong arts community, is an exciting place to exhibit.
The paintings are in oil, large, bright and full of meaning.
“Since I have such deep ties to my Cuban roots, the suffering the Communist government has forced on the Cuban people inspires me to tell their story,” she said.
On display is “Libertad,” which means “freedom.” Her painting reflects the lack of freedom of speech or thought.
“Para Los Santos” is a painting showing Santeria – a combination of African-derived religion and Catholicism where saints and African gods are worshipped. The painting depicts the sacrifice of a chicken.
Ridgewood NJ ,Ridgewood Police report Sometime between daylight Saturday June 20, 2015, and 8:00 am the following morning a sign post at Garfield and Washington Place was damaged and the street sign was taken.
This is not only a financial burden for tax payers but can create dangerous road conditions, for both motorists and pedestrians.
The village is urging residents to notify officials at Village Hall if they observe road signs knocked from poles. Resident who witness anyone illegally removing signs should call the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
Discussion? No need for discussion! Gwenn, Paul, and Albert are our 3-person council. Ms. Gwenn might want to recall that she won by 6 votes, while Mike and Susan were voted in on a huge margin. It won’t be too much longer before sanity will rule again. No way are the thre of them getting re-elected
Let me make one thing perfectly clear: Paul Aronsohn and Albert Pucciarelli will not, I repeat WILL NOT, be swayed by public opinion, common sense, or realistic facts. They are going to build this god-forsaken garage and look out anybody who gets in their way. They feel this will make their mark in town. Yep, it will be a mark alright, a gigantic debt and a garage with so few cars in it that it will look like an abandoned property. But they won’t care. In a couple of years Aronsohn will be in DC (he hopes) working as a gopher for Hillary, and Pucciarelli will be living in MidlandPark, and we will be left with this mess, their legacy.
maybe, maybe Gwenn will decide to rein this project in and make it mor sensible and less colossal. Say what you will about Gwenn, but she of the three of them truly TRULY cares about Ridgewood. lately there have been glimmers of hope that she might be standing on her own away from the two of them on a couple of issues. Maybe she will back off on this folly. We can hope.
JUNE 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
On Wednesday night, the Village Council revisited the notion of a non-binding referendum for a municipal garage on Hudson Street and also debated the merits of having a similar vote on the plans for the North Walnut Street redevelopment zone since it could mark a significant change to downtown Ridgewood.
The village is in the midst of doing environmental work at Hudson Street while waiting for results from a parking consultant on a recommendation of a traditional or automated parking garage. A $500,000 bond ordinance for pre-construction activities has been introduced and will be subject to a public hearing on July 15.
Meanwhile, officials are currently working with Kensington Senior Development, which has pitched an assisted living facility for the Town Garage property at Franklin Avnue and North Walnut Street. The village is in the process of reviewing financial information from the developer.
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Saturday June 20, 2015, an employee at a service station on Goffle Road reported that an unidentified white male, about 5’10” with short blonde hair, 19-25 years of age, wearing shorts and a tee shirt entered the business bathroom where he wiped excrement on the walls, floor and toilet. The suspect left the area in a white van. This is the fourth such incident to occur at a Ridgewood business in the last week and anyone who might be able to identify the suspect is asked to contact the detective bureau at (201) 251-4536.
JUNE 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print
Full council discussion needed
To the Editor:
Re: “HR addition spurs debate in Ridgewood,” The Ridgewood News, June 19, page A1.
I disagree with Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck; a discussion by all Village Council members regarding the addition of a Human Resources department was both warranted and appropriate. Any time taxpayer dollars are being spent, the full council should be given ample opportunity to openly weigh in before a decision is made.
This is not the first time Ms. Hauck has publicly suggested that an open discussion by all council members was not necessary because the majority of council members had already agreed on an issue, and this is not the first time I’ve publicly disagreed with her.
During a public meeting several weeks ago, she harshly suggested that there was no need to reopen council discussions on installing sidewalks along Clinton Avenue because the “council majority” had already agreed not to support such an endeavor. Seriously, there was no need for the full council to participate in a continued discussion on a matter related to the safety of school aged children? I think there was such a need, and so do many other taxpayers.
Councilwoman Hauck’s almost laughable suggestion that the democratic process calls for an end to open public discussion once a majority decision is reached, coupled with her continued public display of contempt and arrogance toward selected council colleagues, makes me wonder if this is the type of individual who should continue to represent the village’s taxpayers.
Boyd A. LovingRidgewood NJ, In 2011, Village Council members scheduled their official public hearing on The Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion over six (6) separate dates. The schedule was developed to insure there would be ample opportunity for members of the public to express their views of the issue, and that no individual(s) would miss out due to planned business travel/vacation, family emergency, illness, etc. The public hearing dates were: 9/13/2011, 9/19/2011, 10/13/2011, 10/24/2011, 11/22/2011, and 11/29/2011. Current Mayor Paul Aronsohn was a member of that Council.
On July 15 of this year, Village Council members expect to introduce four (4) separate ordinances related to proposed changes in the Village’s Master Plan that would permit high density housing in our Central Business District. There has been significant controversy associated with the proposed Master Plan revision.
During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Mayor Paul Aronsohn announced the Council’s firm intent to set September 16, 2015 as the one and onlydate for their official public hearing on all four (4) “changes to Master Plan” related ordinances. That’s right folks, if you’re not around on September 16, or if the meeting room is closed off due to over crowding, you’re SOL.
So I wonder, why is Mr. Aronsohn so hell bent on pushing these Master Plan changes through to the point of scheduling just one (1) official opportunity for residents to comment? He was a primary proponent of a former Council’s plan to allow multiple opportunities for official public comment regarding The Valley Hospital expansion plan. Why the change in attitude related to high density housing in our Central Business District? What’s the rush? Am I missing something here?
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Another beautiful day at Graydon
June 24,2015
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Councilman Michael Sedon and his 17 month old son Hunter enjoyed a morning of play at Graydon Pool on Wednesday, June 24.
Village resident Anne Loving and her grandson Declan, who is 23 months old, joined in on the some of the fun.
Graydon Pool Memberships and Aquatic Programs
Please visit the Graydon Pool homepage at www.ridgewoodnj.net/graydon to learn about membership rates, program offerings and pool amenities. Be sure to bookmark our Graydon homepage on your computer for future special events and program offerings. Opening day for Graydon Pool was Saturday, June 6th.
2015 season memberships may now be purchased online via Community Pass at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass. Be sure to refer to your online confirmation when purchase is complete for detailed information on how to obtain your photo identification badge.
Aquatic programs, including the Graydon Swim Team and instructional and recreational swim, are also available online at Community Pass, or you may review levels and print program registration forms from our Graydon homepage referenced above. Meet the Aquatic Staff and learn more on the following dates at the pool: Saturday, June 6th, 10 am to 1 pm, and Saturday, June 20th, 10 am to 1 pm.
American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Training (recertification/bridging and new) is available through Ridgewood Parks and Recreation. Details/registration are also available on the Graydon Pool homepage.
JUNE 24, 2015, 3:46 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2015, 5:33 PM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Forget chasing fires. Three Ridgewood firefighters will be chasing gold medals at the World Police and Fire Games for the next week.
Capt. Chris DuFlocq, Lt. Brendan Corcoran and Fireman Brian Peacock are among the 12,000 international athletes — all police officers and career firefighters from 70 countries — competing in the Olympics-style games in Fairfax County, Va., that begin Friday and run through July 5.
DuFlocq, a 56-year-old Midland Park resident, placed an ad in a union magazine in 2011 to pull together a soccer team. Firefighters and cops from all over the state responded. “It was more successful that I thought it would be,” he said.
The team — dubbed “N.J. Guns and Hoses” — went on to win national gold medals in 2013 and 2014. More than a dozen players practice once or twice a week and they play in tournaments throughout the year.
“We’ve got national, now we want to see if we can compete with the world,” DuFlocq said. “It’s going to be a struggle. It’s going to be some tough games.”
Corcoran, 37, of Ridgewood said he has already broken two world records. He has smashed the Guinness World Records for one-mile and half-marathon runs in full firefighter gear but he is waiting for it to be made official. He ran in 25 pounds of gear to raise awareness for firefighter fitness, as well as raise money for Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, a national non-profit charity that supports firefighters with cancer.
Fasting Moving Thunder Storm Rips through the Heights Section of Ridgewood
6/23//2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , A fast moving thunderstorm on Tuesday ripped through a two (2) square block area in the Heights section of Ridgewood shortly after 3:30 PM on Tuesday, leaving at least two (2) downed trees in its wake and knocking out power to several residences. No injuries were reported and damage to structures appeared to be minor in nature. Ridgewood PD, FD and Emergency Services units responded along with a tree crew from the Ridgewood Parks Department. Streets affected were: Waiku Road, Windsor Terrace, and Wastena Terrace.
“If you haven’t seen Citizen Kane , some consider it to be the Best Movie ever made” , PJ blogger and the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 0n Wednesday nights from June to August 9:00pm (as soon as the sun sets and it’s dark enough to start rolling!) – The Ridgewood Guild will feature a complimentary movie for your enjoyment! Pack a picnic basket, bring your family and pull up some turf in Van Neste Park. Movies start when the sun goes down…about 9pm (8pm in August). June 10 – Star Wars June 24 – Citizen Kane July 8 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off July 22 – Momma Mia!!! (Special Event) August 5 – Murder on the Orient Express August 19th – Harry Potter .
“There’s only one person in the world who’s going to decide what I’m going to do and that’s me.” –Charles Foster Kane
On the film’s debut in 1941, the New York Times acknowledged that Citizen Kanewas “one of the great (if not the greatest) motion pictures of all time.” The paper hedged its bets, however, adding that “it was riding the crest of perhaps the most provocative publicity wave ever to float a motion picture,” and that this “pre-ordered a mental attitude.” The whirlwind surrounding the making of Citizen Kane is well known. Orson Welles, the brash prodigy of stage and radio, earned the envy and scorn of Hollywood veterans by striding onto the RKO lot with an unprecedented contract awarding him a three-picture deal, a massive budget, and the final cut of his first film—the Holy Grail of filmmaking. The controversial subject of his cinematic debut riled one of the most powerful men in the world, and upset the delicate balance of the studio system. Orson Welles earned every drop of ink written about his impending career in film.
Seventy years later, however, it’s clear that the New York Times need not have qualified its glowing review. As Times film critic A.O. Scottrecently remarked, “Citizen Kane shows Welles to be a master of genre. It’s a newspaper comedy, a domestic melodrama, a gothic romance, and a historical epic.” And it is still considered the best film ever made. In 1998, the American Film Institute polled 1,500 film professionals. The result was “100 Years… 100 Movies,” and Orson Welles’s masterpiece lorded over the list. Ten years later, the AFI commissioned another poll. Citizen Kane retained the top spot. As noted by the late, influential critic Kenneth Tynan, “Nobody who saw Citizen Kane at an impressionable age will ever forget the experience; overnight, the American cinema had acquired an adult vocabulary, a dictionary instead of a phrase book for illiterates.”
The contract that gave birth to Citizen Kane was an unthinkable gamble by RKO, but the studio had good reason to bet on Orson Welles. At 20, he lorded over Broadway, first with Voodoo Macbeth, a reworking of the “Scottish play” set in the Caribbean and starring an all-African American cast. He followed triumphant reviews by establishing the Mercury Theatre and rewriting Julius Caesar, setting it in Mussolini’s Italy. The curtain rose to universal acclaim. In a 1938 cover story,Time magazine wrote of Welles, “If the career of the Mercury Theatre, which next week will be six months old, seems amazing, the career of Orson Welles, who this week is 23, is no less so. Were Welles’s 23 years set forth in fiction form, any self-respecting critic would damn the story as too implausible for serious consideration.”
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Police Department
June 23,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department is hosting the 2nd annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy scheduled from Monday June 22nd 2015 to Tuesday June30th. The academy is open to Ridgewood Residents entering 6th 7th and 8th grades in the fall of 2015.
This year’s academy will feature demonstrations from The Ridgewood Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and Bomb Squad, Police Motorcycles, Ridgewood Emergency Services, Ridgewood Fire Department a Helicopter landing as well as demonstrations from various other agencies. A field trip to the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Complex in Mahwah is scheduled for Wednesday June 24th. This year we added a trip to see a Jackals baseball game at Montclair State University on Wednesday July 1st 2015 the day after the academy graduation, attendance is optional. The cadets will also be asked to March in the Ridgewood 4th of July Parade.
The Junior Police Academy has proven to be a valuable experience for all involved and has provided a vital link between the Police Department and the youth of Ridgewood. Further, the Junior Police Academy has afforded students a deeper understanding of the Police function as well as an increased ability to see what the Police and the community can do to serve the Village. The overwhelming success of our first Junior Police Academy class has far exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. This program attracts a highly motivated group of recruits, and the Instructors thoroughly enjoy their interaction with these young people. We look forward to another great class.
Ridgewood NJ, The 4th of July Committee has spotted this past Sunday, the first chairs out for the parade! A whooping 13 days in advance of Ridgewood’s 4th of July Celebration might be a new record!
Join Ridgewood’s July 4th Committee to help with Parade & Fireworks!
The Ridgewood Fourth of July is looking for volunteers for the Parade and Fireworks. Please volunteer as a parade marshall or for the evening program. All volunteers receive a signature Ridgewood Fourth of July t-shirt and a free ticket to the evening entertainment and fireworks. As we are a non-profit we can also offer community service hours to students. Please contact us on Facebook, at RidgewoodJuly4th.com or attend our volunteer meeting Wednesday, July 1st at 7:30 p.m. at the Firehouse. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is an all-volunteer organization supported entirely by private donations. Support the Tradition.
Don’t forget to donate at www.RidgewoodJuly4th.com every dollar counts. This day would not be possible without your support!!
JUNE 19, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY LUCY PROBERT
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Beaches, pools and backyards may be where much of our summer fun happens, but when it’s time to take it inside, it’s all going on at the library.
Ridgewood Public Library Director Nancy Greene sees spending time there as a good antidote to too much summer screen time: “It’s like a small diverse city that never sleeps, that’s happy to welcome you seven days a week, even in summer.”
But the fun (and learning) doesn’t stop with kids and teens; grownups have lots of options to spice up their summer as well. The library offers dozens of programs for every interest. (Anyone interested in superheroes, cooking, or starting a blog?)
If anything strikes a fancy, sign up fast — spots are limited.
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