Ridgewood NJ , Several residents in the area of South Monroe Street and Washington Place reported to The Ridgewood Blog’s tip hotline that a vehicle displaying markings of RIDGEWOOD WATER was being used by Ms. Tracy Jeffrey, the Village’s new Code Enforcement Officer. Ms. Jeffrey was observed issuing written leaf collection policy warnings late this week to residents in leaf pick up area “D.”
Vehicles assigned to RIDGEWOOD WATER employees are paid for with revenues generated from RIDGEWOOD WATER subscribers. A pending lawsuit by the municipalities of Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff suggests that the Village of Ridgewood is improperly using these revenues to support operations exclusive to the Village of Ridgewood. Ms. Jeffrey’s use of a RIDGEWOOD WATER vehicle may be a case in point. At least two of the tipsters who left messages on The Ridgewood Blog tip hotline questioned the connection, if any, Ms. Jeffrey’s code enforcement work has with RIDGEWOOD WATER.
I had to shake my head when I read Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s commentary in today’s Ridgewood News Mayor’s Corner about what he referred to as “a disinformation campaign that sought to confuse and undermine” the conversation about the parking deck. How pitiful it is that our Mayor felt it necessary to fire off such harsh criticism against a document that did not support this project.
He characterized the flyer as “distorted;” it had a drawing that was not to exact scale, but unlike the official drawing being put forth from Village Hall, the flyer’s at least included surrounding buildings, thus making it in many ways a more realistic depiction of what is to come.
“Anonymous mailer?” The signs that proclaimed VOTE YES on parking had absolutely no identification as to who had produced and distributed them. What made these less anonymous than the flyer? And what is the Mayor’s great opposition to anonymity? – when we go into the voting booth, we are always anonymous.
The Mayor actually analyzed the language in the flyer and sought to identify the post office from which it was sent? Really? What is the threat that inspired such intense detective work on his part? Of course the flyer was created and sent from a person or persons who opposed the plan; who else would send it? It is dismaying that the mayor is putting so much effort into determining the source of the flyer; this level of investigation suggests that the sender/s, if identified, could be subjected to some kind of retribution. I am hopeful that the Mayor would tread very carefully here, as freedom of speech is a right and a privilege.
Amazingly, when an anonymous email was sent to Councilman Sedon’s employer minutes after his campaign became official in 2014, Mr. Aronsohn took no action. When members of the public implored him to press forward with identifying who tainted our election process by trying to derail a candidate’s campaign, Mr. Aronsohn still did not take any kind of stand. Only when publicly pressed him to DO SOMETHING did he finally, 17 months later, send a very benign request for information, with no outrage about what had happened to Councilman Sedon, and no description of how urgently the citizens of Ridgewood wanted to identify the culprit. I would have to ask the mayor why his indignation about this anonymous parking garage flyer so overshadows his disinterest in the anonymous email during the 2014 elections.
It is a sad state of affairs when our own Mayor does not encourage those who disagree with him to share their opinions with their fellow citizens, and accuses them of undermining an initiative that he supports. I did not write, pay for, or distribute the flyer, and did not even get one in the mail. But, I was very happy to see it and more than willing to share it once I saw it. The flyer provided another part of the conversation about the Parking Garage project. The last time I checked, here in America we are entitled to express ourselves. Speaking up is our right, and the person/s who sent the flyer should be applauded.
NOVEMBER 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Public Library’s 13th annual Reel Voices Film Festival concludes next week with the showing of “In Transit.”
The documentary, which will be shown on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., offers an in-depth look at the passengers riding Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” train line, the company’s busiest, as it moves about the northwestern United States.
“I like to think of ‘In Transit’ as a documentary portrait of America,” the film’s director Lynn True explained in a recent interview. “Through the stories of passengers aboard trains traversing the country, we’re given unique access into the hearts and minds of everyday people, learning about their histories, hopes and dreams, ultimately giving us an intimate snapshot of our country today.”
While the movie was directed by True, it was actually the idea of famed filmmaker Albert Maysles, who died in March.
NOVEMBER 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015, 8:59 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The executive committee of a popular village event received an award last month from the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame (NJIHoF).
Jim Wallace, founder of Ridgewood’s Super Science Saturday (SSS), and his former pupil, MichaelAaron Flicker, accepted the “Advancement of Invention and Process Award” on behalf of the executive committee, according to committee member Mary Ann Copp.
The well-known science exposition, which has been taking place since 1989, was the brainchild of Wallace, who decided to turn a science project assigned to his class into an entire event at the recommendation of a parent.
“A parent said we should do this for the whole school,” he recalled, “and I said, ‘Why not?'”
While the idea was in place for the event, it still took some planning to get everything running the way it needed to be.
“A bunch of parents volunteered, and it took a few years to get a good committee, but once we did, we were able to expand it,” Wallace said.
Ridgewood NJ, PSEG warns residents Don’t fall victim. Always ask to see ID! When someone knocks on your door and says that he or she is from PSE&G, always ask to see their ID. If they don’t show you a PSE&G ID badge, don’t let them in. Look for an ID that is white with the employee’s name, photo and a PSE&G logo on it. If you’re still unsure, don’t take a chance, call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) to check the person’s identity.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Many mothers are turning to social media to help each other out, joining virtual communities to get advice on everything from diapers to divorce.
As CBS2’s Cindy Hsu reported, while some moms get to know each other at the playground, many are expanding their circle by joining mommy groups online.
Alissa Meyer has three young children and uses online community sites all the time.
“It’s been great. I don’t know what I would do without it,” she said. “I was able to meet so many people and get so much advice.”
Jen Marchetti is a working mom with three young boys. She started the group Ridgewood Moms on Facebook.
NOVEMBER 5, 2015, 5:43 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015, 6:16 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Local officials expect plans to construct a parking garage in the downtown commercial district to progress quickly after the overwhelming support showed by village voters in Tuesday’s referendum.
The referendum was non-binding — meaning it was only meant to take the public’s pulse, said Mayor Paul Aronsohn. But now that the public has okayed it, shovels could hit the ground as early as next spring — even though the project’s size and design haven’t been finalized, he said.
A rendering of the proposed parking garage in the downtown commercial district in Ridgewood.
“We’ve zeroed in a lot of this — we have a sense of what it could look like,” he said, noting the council has been considering a four-story, open-roofed rendering. “We’ve been very aggressive … in the way we approached this.”
The mayor anticipates nine to 10 months of construction for the garage, which is expected to benefit local commuters who use the village’s train station, as well as customers of the downtown’s shops and restaurants.
Although the ballot question asked voters to approve a bonding of up to $15 million to fund construction, Aronsohn said it would likely be more in the $12.5-million range. The referendum gave the question 3,236-1,777 voter approval. Village officials said voter turnout was around 30 percent.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, Patrolman Colin Donnelly was dispatched to the Ridgewood Bus Terminal where he arrested Andrew S, 32, of New Windsor, New York, on outstanding criminal warrants from another jurisdiction.
Subsequent to his arrest Mr. S was found to be in possession of a substance believed to be heroin. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
While in police custody Mr. S experienced a medical emergency believed to be related to heroin use necessitating his transport to the Bergen Regional Medical Center for treatment.
It is unclear if the defendant came to Ridgewood to buy the drugs or was in the Village for another reason .
The Ridgewood Police remind residents that all defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law. If anyone has information regarding any of the listed incidents, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, police were dispatched to the rear of Starbuck’s Coffee (193 East Ridgewood Avenue) on the report of juveniles fighting.
A Starbuck’s employee reported that a group of juveniles had been harassing customers inside the store and were asked to leave. As they exited the rear of the shop they tipped over several planters.
Ridgewood Police remind residents that all defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law. If anyone has information regarding any of the listed incidents, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
Ridgewood Nj , the Ridgewood Police report that on Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 12:42 am, police were dispatched to West Glen Avenue on the report of an intoxicated man threatening others with a knife. At the scene Vasudheven Kandasamy, 28, of Ridgewood, was arrested and charged with simple assault. Mr. Kandasamy was released after posting $500 bail pending a Ridgewood Municipal Court appearance.
Ridgewood Police remind residents that all defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law. If anyone has information regarding any of the listed incidents, please contact the Ridgewood Police Department at 201-652-3900.
The garage is a done deal. wake up people. the mayor wants this as his legacy. Of course it will be a financial disaster when we take money from NJ transit and Bergen county and the garage will end up being a commuter parking for out of town people. I predict the taxpayers will get stuck footing the bill as the garage will be underutilized and not meet the expected income Keep in mind that the money we now get from the parking garage goes to subsidize other elements of the town budget. Those funds will now be used to subsidize the debt on the garage so the taxpayers will need to fund that shortfall.
The recent report explaining that the income steam from the garage would be insufficient to cover the cost of the bond used to erect it, and that our entire parking fee system (i.e., meters all over town) will be made much more financially and logistically (in terms of having to pay through until 9pm every night) onerous to motorists in order to defray just PART of the added financial burden, should now be made the subject of a village-wide discussion, regardless of what 3000 die-hard supporters of big government wish to say in a “non-binding” way and during an off-year election cycle when for the first time since 1999 the lowly NJ assembly was at the top of the ticket.
NOVEMBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 9:39 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A resolution endorsing recommendations made in the Open Space Committee’s 2012 Open Space plan as a guide for the course of action to be taken regarding the Schedler property was brought back for discussion last Wednesday after hearing the concerns of neighborhood residents during recent meetings.
Passed by the council in mid-August, the resolution affirms the plan provided by the Open Space Committee, which states the property should be developed for recreational purposes, which includes a 90-foot baseball field and multi-purpose overlay field for soccer and lacrosse.
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen asked for the resolution to be brought back for discussion to remove language specifically regarding the 90-foot field and add that the village recognizes the need for active recreation fields, but will take a different approach to finding a solution.
“We should take this, revisit it and do a redo on it so we give a more balanced approach and help the neighborhood have what they need and figure out how we can also accommodate what the RBSA needs,” said Knudsen, adding such a change could help to rebuild a relationship that is “a little broken” between the council and residents of the neighborhood.
Ridgewood NJ, November is the start of the annual Ridgewood Emergency Services fund drive. A letter has been mailed to all residents and business in the village.
Ridgewood Emergency Services is seeking the community’s financial support to ensure it is able to provide emergency assistance to the village 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year.
The volunteers willingly respond to all types of critical situations the village faces, including snowstorms, hurricanes, floods, power outages and medical emergencies. The squad also stands by at village events including street fairs, the car show, Memorial Day and July 4th festivities, high school football games and more. The department has responded to over 1,375 requests thus far in 2015, which equates to over 15,800 cumulative volunteer hours.
“Please consider supporting our organization with a financial contributions so that the community can continue to count on the volunteers to respond to all of its needs,” said Tony Lillo, Deputy Chief
Please make checks payable to F.O.R.E.S.T. (Friends of Ridgewood Emergency Services Teams), 131 North Maple Ave Ridgewood NJ 07450. Online at www.ridgewood911.org.
F.O.R.E.S.T. is a charitable organization under IRS section 501(c) (3) so all contributions are tax deductible.
Matthew Diebel, USATODAY12:17 p.m. EST November 3, 2015
You’ve probably seen it – a teenager rocking to music blasting from headphones while also texting, checking out Facebook and watching TV.
And, supposedly, doing homework.
For those people who date back to pre-handheld-device days and who found it hard enough to concentrate on homework even without digital distractions, the sight of multitasking teens is mind-boggling.
It’s also more prevalent than you might think.
A new report by Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based non-profit that tracks children and their technology use, finds that teens age 13 to 18 spend almost nine hours a day – that’s longer than they usually sleep – on “entertainment media,” which includes things like checking out social media, music, gaming or online videos.
USA TODAY NETWORKDan Cassuto, KING
9:32 a.m. EST November 19, 2014
SEATTLE, Wash. — Here’s an excuse to use the next time someone asks you to rake the leaves: Science.
The National Wildlife Federation is encouraging people to leave the leaves.
On its website, the NWF says dry, dead leaves are important habitats for all kinds of critters, reports KING.
Butterflies, salamanders, chipmunks, box turtles, toads, shrews, earthworms, and other creatures live, lay eggs in or eat from leaves, according to NWF’s plea with the public to let the leaves stay where gravity left them.
