Category: village of ridgewood

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Ridgewood confrontation with armed man ends peacefully

Ridgewood

courtesy of the Ridgewood PD

JUNE 6, 2015, 1:56 PM    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015, 1:56 PM
BY JOHN SEASLY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — An confrontation with an armed, possibly suicidal man that summoned local police and Bergen County SWAT team officers was brought under control without injury, Police Chief John Ward said.

Officers turned out in force after Ridgewood police received a report of a potentially suicidal man in possession of a firearm at 160 South Maple Ave. just before noon, Ward said.

Ridgewood and Glen Rock police, county SWAT and the Community Emergency Response Team evacuated some people from nearby homes.

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A hostage negotiator was able to make contact with the man, who is in his early 20s, and police were able to take him into custody without incident, Ward said. A firearm was recovered and the incident remains under investigation.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-confrontation-with-armed-man-ends-peacefully-1.1350642

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Joan Rivers portrait presented in Ridgewood

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PHOTO COURTESY OF BASIL BAYLIN
Basil Baylin presented his painting of Joan Rivers to her daughter, Melissa Rivers, at Bookends in Ridgewood last month.

JUNE 5, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

“I know she loved the painting,” said artist Basil Baylin. He presented Melissa Rivers a portrait of her mother, Joan Rivers, at a book signing held at Ridgewood’s Bookends last month. Melissa has written a book about her mother eight months after Joan’s tragic, sudden death following an outpatient procedure performed in New York City

Basil Baylin is a well-known portrait artist. His commissions include judges, church hierarchy, college presidents and celebrities. He is a much loved artist/teacher at The Ridgewood Art Institute. His Monday evening classes feature oil painting, portraits, still life and compositions for adults. For the last 20 years his art students have remained faithful.

Last year Baylin was asked by friends he shared with Joan Rivers to paint a portrait of the comedian, celebrity and fashion icon. They are all residents of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Baylin paints in his studio on the 26th floor overlooking the Manhattan skyline and Central Park.

New Yorkers as well as people coast to coast mourned Joan Rivers’ tragic passing. The newspapers were filled with her image, but for a portrait artist multiple photographs were the only way to go. To prepare for the Joan Rivers portrait Baylin went to the Library of Photos – two blocks from the main library on 42nd Street. Although newspapers featured approximately 100 photos of Joan Rivers while covering her unexpected death, Baylin felt newspaper photos would not have the depth he wanted. He borrowed three or four photos from the library. The photo of a younger Joan Rivers with her hair up captivated Baylin. He said it was the sharpest of the photos.

https://www.northjersey.com/arts-and-entertainment/art/artist-paints-posthumous-joan-rivers-portrait-1.1349614

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Wiffle for Cancer June 7

wiffleforcancer_theridgewoodblog

The Eleventh Annual Wiffle for Cancer tournament in memory of Nick Currey (RHS 2004) will be held on Sunday, June 7, starting at 12 p.m. at Ridgewood High School. Online registration is now up and running for this year’s tournament at www.wiffleforcancer.org.

All proceeds benefit the Nick Currey Fund for Ewing Sarcoma Research. The organization is also looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor this year’s tournament. For further information about the tournament and the Nick Currey Fund, visit www.wiffleforcancer.org. Any questions should be directed to Ralph Currey at wiffleforcancer@gmail.com.

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Ridgewood’s beach season begins tomorrow at Graydon Pool

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photo by Boyd Loving

JUNE 5, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015, 9:58 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

This weekend won’t be a summer scorcher, but Saturday will still be the first official beach day of the season in Ridgewood.

Just as the unseasonable chill that struck earlier this week eases into residents’ afterthoughts, Graydon Park’s beach and pool will open for the 2015 swim season. By mid-afternoon Saturday, real feel temperatures will approach 80 degrees under partly sunny skies, according to AccuWeather.com reports.

Patrons returning this season won’t see many new physical features at the pool nor will the Wibit make its return; instead, Graydon this summer will be about old-fashioned fun under the sun with more programming, said Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Nancy Bigos.

Pool and beach goers can take advantage of the park’s familiar features. The shaded playground and shade kites, water play fountains, picnic and charcoal grilling areas, Adirondack chairs and sheltered pavilion are among the many amenities.

For those who enjoy summer activity, Graydon offers plenty of space for beach volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard and hop-scotch, among other games. Volunteers will also help run the “Storytime Under a Tree” program for children.

Expanded swim and diving instruction for patrons of all ages and skill levels are offered, as are various lifeguard training and recertification classes. Spots on the Graydon swim team are also available.

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SEE MYSTERIOUS GYPSY POND WITH RIDGEWOOD WILDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

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The National Trail Association has named June 6 as National Trail Days; but most towns are expanding it to National Trail WEEKEND of June 6/7!

We are lucky that a member of Wildscape who is a botanist from Rutgers, Jeannie Epiphan,  will lead a walk along “mysterious” Gypsy Pond.

When?         Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7,
What time?  12-2PM . JOIN US FOR THE WHOLE TIME, OR JUST A PORTION, ITS UP TO YOU!

Our President, Andy Antista, will also explain the history of the area.

Gypsy Pond is one of the hidden gems in Ridgewood.

Everyone is welcome, bring the kids, bring the grandparents, bring a neighbor.  No getting muddy this time, but do bring a bag to pick up trash if you want to.

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The important thing is to GET OUTSIDE.

For those who don’t know the location, there are two ways to get to Gypsy Pond:

1.  Rock Road Extension, travel towards Goffle Road, immediately before the rr tracks there is an unmarked road (of course!)…park across the street at the NJ Transit lot, there will be signs.

2.  Godwin, left at Lake, left onto Goffle, travel to Rock Road, turn left and part at the NJTransit equipment lot on the right.  There will be signs.

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For more information, see our website
www.ridgewoodwildscape.org

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Margaret Juntwait, mellifluous voice of Metropolitan Opera, dies at 58

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JUNE 4, 2015, 12:20 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015, 1:36 PM
BY JAY LEVIN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A love of choral music developed at Northern Highlands Regional High School carried Margaret Juntwait to widespread fame as the mellifluous radio voice of the Metropolitan Opera.

Ms. Juntwait, who died Wednesday at 58, hosted the Met’s live broadcasts on WQXR-FM and Sirius XM since 2004. Working from a little studio behind the Family Circle seats at the Lincoln Center opera house, she supplemented her play-by-play of the greatest operatic performances with interviews with the greatest operatic stars, Placido Domingo and Marilyn Horne among them.

The Met’s third radio host dating to 1931, Ms. Juntwait told The Record in 2008 that she prepped for her announcing duties in an unconventional manner.

“I listen to Yankee games on the radio with John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman,” she said. “I’m constantly getting ideas from them. Of course, not about content, but about what’s important to a listener.”

Ms. Juntwait, who grew up in Ridgewood and Upper Saddle River, died of ovarian cancer, the Metropolitan Opera said.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/margaret-juntwait-mellifluous-voice-of-metropolitan-opera-dies-at-58-1.1349330

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Tyler Clementi’s parents talk about bullying in CBS interview to be aired Sunday

clementi parents theridgewoodblog.net

JUNE 4, 2015, 6:53 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015, 7:00 PM
BY ABBOTT KOLOFF
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Jane and Joseph Clementi of Ridgewood, whose son Tyler committed suicide almost five years ago after being bullied because of his sexual orientation, talked about their anti-bullying efforts and their enduring pain in an interview that is scheduled to be broadcast Sunday on CBS.

Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, jumped from the George Washington Bridge on Sept. 22, 2010, after learning that his roommate had used a webcam to broadcast a romantic encounter with a man in their dorm room.

In response to a question by Erin Moriarty for the CBS News program “Sunday Morning,” Jane Clementi said family members are still living with the pain of Tyler’s death, and wondering what they might have done differently when he told them he was gay.

“Not even near healed,” Jane Clementi said, according to a press release issued by CBS. “I don’t know what ‘healed’ will be like. I don’t even know that there’s a word for healing. I think it’s learning to live through the pain.”

The interview with the Clementis is scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday at 9 a.m. Moriarty is a correspondent for the network’s “48 Hours” TV show.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/tyler-clementi-s-parents-talk-about-bullying-in-cbs-interview-to-be-aired-sunday-1.1349495

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HUDSON STREET LOT CLOSED FOR TESTING THIS SUNDAY

MT.Carmel theridgewoodblog.net

HUDSON STREET LOT CLOSED FOR TESTING – SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH

To learn more about the ground conditions at the Hudson Street Lot the Village will be doing some testing. This is in preparation for the potential construction of a new parking facility. The testing will take place this Sunday, June 7th.

A consultant working for the Village will be performing ground penetrating radar (gpr) survey of the Hudson Street parking lot. To do this survey the lot needs to be free of cars to be effective.

The Hudson Street Lot will be closed at midnight Saturday, June 6 with several barricades to deny access. The lot will be reopened at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 7. No cars will be permitted to park in the lot during that time period. Vehicle access to the rear of the properties on East Ridgewood Avenue through the lot will be maintained. Emergency access through the lot will be maintained.

The gpr equipment is small, makes no noise and does not take up much room.

Please share this information on the short term closing of this lot with friends and neighbors.

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Fiber loop to connect Ridgewood buildings

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JUNE 4, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015, 11:19 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Connectivity between all the main facilities in Ridgewood has nearly been achieved with the village’s Fiber Loop project close to completion.

For the past year, the Signal Department has been installing, splicing, connecting and maintaining 125,000 feet of fiber throughout Ridgewood and Glen Rock. While Glen Rock’s installation was completed a few months ago, Ridgewood still needs to install fiber lines between the Water Pollution Division and Village Hall.

“This is big,” said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld at a recent council meeting. “They have been working on this diligently for a long time.”

The Fiber Loop project connects the Fire Department buildings, the Emergency Services Fleet facility and the water pollution control site, among others. In all, seven facilities are currently connected to Village Hall, said Dylan Hansen, the village’s network administrator.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/loop-to-connect-ridgewood-buildings-1.1349250

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Reader says We know what to do come election time

vote_for_me_theridgewoodblog

We know what to do come election time. This agenda has been push by the 3 amigos for a long time. They have close ties with some of the developers who will profit by this along with member of the Chamber of Commerce . Next item on their agenda is the parking garage to help certain members of the Chamber. To show how enforcement of ordinances are only for certain people I direct you attention to the wall/planter in front of Greek to Me and the large political sign at Ken Smith Motors. Same person is responsible for both of them , a strong supporter of our Mayor.
Although I suspect that some if not most of the 1000 resident that sign the petition voted for the Dream Team that 1000 votes are enough to vote them out of office before the come up with something else to take car of their friends.

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Readers talk RECALL !

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1,000 signatures on a petition is clearly enough given the number of votes in our town elections.

We need to vote out of office those who are pushing this through. Unfortunately, next spring’s election may be too far away to stop this insanity.

The Board was hoodwinked by the developers, Gail Price and Blais Brancheau. Blais’ only concern was what he could do for the developers. Gail literally spent an hour telling the board why they should not listen to any of the comments from the Villagers who spoke out.

Its an outrageously sad day for the Village.

Time to recall, starting with the mayor…or maybe Hauck?? Let’s start with the weakest…

According to NJ law (https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-local-officials.aspx)
“Recall may not commence during first year in office.
No specific grounds are required
Time for gathering signatures is 160 days.
Signature requirement is number equal to 25% of the registered voters of the district”
After getting the required number of signatures the question to recall would be put on the November Ballot.

Based on 2014, Ridgewood has 17,056 registered voters so we need a little more than 4,200 signatures or less than the number of children in the schools. Completely doable and will be done if they think they can shove this down our throats and we will go away quietly.

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood turns on Council

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file photo Boyd Loving
Our fight to protect our village is NOT OVER!
Jun 3, 2015
Citizens for a Better Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ,  Last night, our petition was treated as if it was a joke. The community outreach that should of occurred before this major decision was made, never happened. It has all fallen in the laps of concerned citizens who simply care about their surroundings. Please make sure each and everyone of you are registered to VOTE. We will show our disappointment during the next election cycle or even earlier than that if need be. Spread this petition and have all household members who are 18 and over sign this as well.

VOTE NO on the High-Density Housing Amendment at 35 Units Per Acre! ** LAST MINUTE PETITION! **

https://www.change.org/p/ridgewood-nj-planning-board-village-council-vote-no-on-the-high-density-housing-amendment-at-35-units-per-acre-last-minute-petition?just_created=true

 

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Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents Saturday June 6th

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MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS -Saturday, June 6

Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents the first Saturday of every month. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, June 6 from 9AM to Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall.

For an appointment to meet with the Mayor, please call the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 206. You may come to the Mayor’s office hours without an appointment, but those with appointments will be given priority.

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Firm to study two options for Ridgewood parking garage

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JUNE 1, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015, 9:46 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Village Council approved on May27 a contract for a consulting firm to study two options for a parking garage on Hudson Street.

The governing body also discussed a potential bond ordinance that would cover pre-construction funding for such a project.

The contract, approved by a 5-0 vote, was awarded to New York-based Walker Parking Consultants, which will perform an evaluation of automated parking systems versus traditional parking garages for the lot at Hudson Street.

The study needs to be done prior to a request for proposals (RFP) on the design, said Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld. The village must decide if it wants to build a traditional deck or one with automated parking before going out for an RFP, she said.

Councilwoman Susan Knudsen inquired about the cover letter submitted by Walker, which said the Hudson Street lot was only 100 feet wide and does not have the dimensions for an efficient self-park garage, thereby defeating the purpose of studying two systems.

Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser agreed the lot does not have the depth for a traditional deck, but a study done by Ridgewood’s engineering department revealed there were a number of options the village had if it wished to build a traditional deck.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/firm-to-study-two-options-for-garage-1.1346420

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Ridgewood Police Participate in Community Policing /Homeland Security Public – Private Partnership initiative

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06/01/15

Ridgewood NJ , As part of our Community Policing /Homeland Security Public – Private Partnership initiative, the Ridgewood Police Department in conjunction with NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness hosted a Security Awareness program on Wednesday 5/27/15.

The program, Security Awareness and Vigilance for Everyone (S.A.V.E.) brought together approximately 55 law enforcement, public safety and security personnel from the region. The training is designed to enhance the capabilities of security and public safety personnel responsible for protecting specific areas of infrastructure by providing behavior assessment screening training.

It is a goal of our department to develop and enhance community security & safety through the integration of these public/private partnerships and joint trainings into our overall community policing and homeland security activities.