Reader says This looks like something out of a town In a Horror MOVIE.happy Holloween Ridgewood ..your Hollywood Set is Permanently BAD..
I studied one of the signs this evening. Nowhere does it indicate who paid for it or who is sponsoring this. So can I put anonymous signs all over the place promoting whatever plan I have for the betterment (or detriment) of Ridgewood? Well Paulie Boy, can I????????
The Paul & Christine show are littering the area with signs. It’s no secret that Paul’s business would be helped with more parking but the $13 mil price tag is a little steep. If this is any indication how he’ll vote when it comes to raising taxes, we’re in for a bumpy ride.
Home come all of the schools and public parks and spaces are covered with YES signs? Are they formally sanctioned by the Village of Ridgewood?
So what is the deal here? Can I put signs all over the place for my own agenda? Supposing I want to open a chapter of the KKK here in Ridgewood like they are doing elsewhere in Bergen County – can I put these signs up and down Ridgewood Avenue, on the school grounds, in the parks? No, I can’t? Well why not? Aronsohn and his idiot brigade have opened a HUGE can of worms with this. Anyone now will be able to post signs just because this precedent has been set.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Monday, October 19, 2015, a Demarest resident reported his/her credit cards taken from his/her wallet while in Ridgewood.
The victim realized that the cards were missing after being contacted by the issuer regarding suspicious activity at several local high end retail stores.
Detectives were able to obtain surveillance photographs of a male and female suspect presenting the victim’s stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested at the Valley Hospital possession of a syringe containing a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) while a patient in the maternity ward at Valley Hospital. Ms. Gerianne was issued a summons pending a municipal court appearance.
On Sunday, October 18, 2015, police were again dispatched a second time to the Valley Hospital maternity ward where Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested when she was found to be in possession of a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and narcotics paraphernalia (syringe). Ms. Gerianne was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a syringe, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and possession of prescription legend drugs. She was released pending a municipal court appearance.All defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, a Fairway Road resident reported receiving a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as a representative of the United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit. The caller stated that victim had “willfully defrauded” the IRS and that the victim would be arrested, have his/her assets frozen and driving privileges/passport revoked if the victim did not wire funds ($4986.45) to an account number provided that was alleged to be an IRS tax payment account.
Numerous incidents of this type of scheme are reported to this agency on a weekly basis. Neither governmental agencies nor public utilities handle criminal investigations/delinquent accounts in this manner. Do not fall victim to this type of scam and please spread the word regarding this fraudulent activity, particularly to your elderly relatives and neighbors who often fall victim to these crimes. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.
This type of scam was also reported by the Glen Rock Police department on Wednesday October 21st.DO NOT provide funds or info to anyone over the phone. Reports of IRS calling residents to collect back due taxes, is a scam.
OCTOBER 22, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Village officials must steer clear of conflicts
To the Editor:
On July 3, 2013, Paul Aronsohn and his wife, Gwenn Hauck, and Albert Puciarelli and a guest, attended a fundraiser for Chris Christie at the Bank of America building. Each was comped at least $1,000/person (an item of value) by an event host, John Saraceno, who also happened to have an application before the Planning Board — The Enclave — now being voted on by the council as part of B-3-R rezoning.
Chapter 3; Section 53 of the Village Code, entitled conflicts of interest and penalties, states:
An elected official:
Shall not: Accept or solicit anything of value as consideration for or in connection with the discharge of his official duties.
Shall not: Accept any gift or gratuity, whether in the form of service, loan or promise or in any other form, from any person, firm or corporation which would tend to influence them in the discharge of their official duties.
Penalties for violating the ordinance include: suspension, removal from office, jail, fine or community service.
At a meeting on July 10, 2013 (per the minutes), Mayor Aronsohn asked Village Attorney Matt Rogers to look into the gift law related to the comped tickets. On July 11, 2013, Rogers was quoted in The Ridgewood News: Attending the fundraiser “falls outside the village’s gift ordinance” and was “completely appropriate” for the elected officials to attend. “It would have been a disservice if they did not attend.” There appears to have been no further discussion in the public record thereafter.
In his Ridgewood News reply, Rogers did not address the conflict of interest ordinance, which is Chapter 3, choosing only to focus on the appropriateness of attending the fundraiser (attending the event and accepting an item of value are separate issues). He is correct that it would have been a disservice for the council not to attend – provided they paid for it. Since it appears they did not pay, “accepting an item of value” becomes the issue; falling under the conflict of interest ordinance. Prima facie this looks to be a conflict of interest.
Of further concern is there may be other “business relationships” which may affect council member’s impartiality. These include a working relationship that Mayor Aronsohn and Pucciarelli have with Saraceno — as members of the Ridgewood Library Board of Trustees.
At a July 2015 council meeting, Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck voted in favor of introducing an ordinance for the B-3-R zone (where the Enclave is situated).
As a member of the zoning board, in order to steer clear of any conflicts of interest, we are requested by legal counsel to recuse ourselves from any personal or business relationships we might have with applicants. The council should be held to the same standards that other village sanctioned boards are held to.
The people of Ridgewood deserve an answer from the village attorney as to whether council members have a conflict of interest in this important issue facing us. If the attorney is unwilling to examine this, have an independent third party do so.
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?
Ridgewood Information Forums – Hudson St. Parking Deck – October 21 & November 2
Ridgewood NJ, Two important forums scheduled in Village Hall – 4th Floor Court Room – to discuss the proposed Hudson Street Parking Deck: Wednesday, October 21 and Monday, November 2 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Village professionals as well as the design team from Desman Associates will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the proposed parking deck, including the design and financials. All are welcome to attend. All questions are welcome!
Vote “Yes for parking garage” signs have basically over run the downtown appearing ,often appearing with Vagianos & Ordway political signage.
So who is posting them , some folks are saying the Chamber of Commerce, but the posters have village website on them so who knows?
Two important forums scheduled in Village Hall – 4th Floor Court Room – to discuss the proposed Hudson Street Parking Deck: Wednesday, October 21 and Monday, November 2 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Village professionals as well as the design team from Desman Associates will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the proposed parking deck, including the design and financials. All are welcome to attend. All questions are welcome!
Walker Parking Preliminary Financial Analysis – October 2, 2015
Walker Parking Consultant Study – July 5th, 2015
Walker Parking Floor Plans
Resolutions
Resolution 15-222 : Non-Binding Referendum – Nov 3, 2015 Ballot
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital in cooperation with the Ridgewood Police Department will be conducting a multi-agency exercise on the morning of Thursday October 22, 2015 in the Emergency Department of the hospital.
This is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the abilities of law enforcement and our public/private safety partners to effectively deal with potential critical incidents.
Numerous outside agencies will also be participating in the exercise. The Emergency Department of the hospital will still be open however there will be increased police and emergency medical services activity in the parking lot area of the hospital.
The drill will be contained to Valley Hospital’s property however residents may notice increased police and public safety personnel in the area during the event. Ridgewood Board of Education will also be cooperating in this drill.
The Ridgewoood Police thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to make our community safer.
Ridgewood NJ, Local Patch editions publish sex offender map as Halloween warning across the state . Do you think the Patch sites should publish these maps or leave it up to parents to look up the information?
While we do agree parents have a right to know and should know , we are not sure this is the best and most effective way to notify the public .
On several occasions the Ridgewood blog has been asked by readers to publish everything from sex offenders to property tax delinquents of the Village and we have up till know differed. We did however publish the properties who were fined for for violations of the Stage 4 watering because after 15 years of summer water restrictions its seemed justified on many levels . We have also been guilty of nagging non compliant winter snow sidewalk scofflaws as well.
We have always been been concerned about creating a “witch hunt” atmosphere in the the Village or doing significant damage due to a misidentified address.
Unlike some of our detractors we try to focus on the issues and leave the personal to the personal . Some issues however seem to straddle both realms.
OCTOBER 19, 2015, 6:19 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015, 6:25 PM
BY PETER J. SAMPSON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Two cousins, one dressed in a black suit and tie, the other in an orange jail uniform and shackles, stood before a judge Monday and formally denied weapons charges relating to two incidents in which more than 40 bullets were fired into the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, damaging the historic structure.
The church was unoccupied on Nov. 16 and Dec. 26, 2014 when, authorities allege, rounds from a high-powered rifle were fired, breaking a stained glass window dating to 1875 and sending one bullet through the front of the building and out a rear wall.
A Bergen County grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Joseph Galli, 22, of Somerville and his cousin, Alexander Norrell, 23, of Ridgewood, on Sept. 2. Both are charged with possession of a CMMG Inc. MK-47 assault rifle with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the property of another between the two dates in question.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Interfaith Ministerial Association and Ridgewood Police are hosting Police Chaplain Training. Seen in the photographs are members of Clergy and law enforcement from the region participating in Basic Police Chaplain Training given by the Police Chaplain Program of New Jersey.
OCTOBER 19, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015, 10:45 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The latest drawings for the proposed Schedler Park, which includes a large multi-purpose field, were unveiled last week during a presentation made by village officials.
The Schedler property and the historic Zabriskie-Schedler house have come back to the forefront in recent weeks with a resolution passed by the council to endorse recommendations made for the site in the 2012 Open Space report and the submission of an application for a matching grant that would fund preliminary cleanup work in the area.
Some of the features of the potential park include an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible walking path, restrooms and playground, a woodland and nature area, and the most-discussed feature, a 90-foot baseball field with multi-purpose field overlay for soccer, lacrosse and football. A parking lot at the southern end of the triangular shaped parcel contains 74 spaces and a drop-off lane.
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld emphasized this was “the beginning stages of a public discussion on the actual design of the park.”
Try Something New This Year With Ben & Jerry’s Catering Parties
Hot Chocolate Shake Bar – Employees can warm up with these delicious hot chocolate fudge milk shakes while the fake fire video crackles in the background. Create some fun and healthy competition with board games and an ugly sweater contest and you’ve got yourself a party!
Ice Cream Eating Contest – Create stronger teams this holiday season with our famous Vermonster ice cream eating contests. Get teams of 2 – 4 to register to compete who can eat their mini Vermonster first. Create cheering sections and fan favorites. Get an MC and DJ to host and make sure you have enough ice cream for the fans, they are going to want their own!
Ice Cream Gram Event – Celebrate your employees and let them know how much you care with an Ice Cream Gram event. Employees get their favorite flavor and a customized note from their manager. Ben & Jerry’s will make it easy with a friendly user interface for all managers to submit their employees name, favorite flavor and personalized note. You pick the day to celebrate and we will deliver the WOW and make your employees feel warm and fuzzy.
These fun ideas and more are waiting for you at Ben & Jerry’s Catering. Let us customize your holiday party this year. If you book before October 31, we will waive the set up fee. Use Code: UniqueIdeas.
Important Village of Ridgewood Forums – October 21 – November 2 – Hudson Street Parking Deck
Two important forums scheduled in Village Hall – 4th Floor Court Room – to discuss the proposed Hudson Street Parking Deck: Wednesday, October 21 and Monday, November 2 from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Village professionals as well as the design team from Desmond Associates will be on hand to discuss all aspects of the proposed parking deck, including the design and financials. All are welcome to attend. All questions are welcome!
Reader says Rule 12=why anonymous commenting ticks the three amigos off to no end. They just can’t get at anonymous commentators in a personal way and it drives them bonkers.
Saul Alinsky’s 12 Rules for Radicals
Here is the complete list from Alinsky.
* RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (These are two things of which there is a plentiful supply. Government and corporations always have a difficult time appealing to people, and usually do so almost exclusively with economic arguments.)
* RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone. (Organizations under attack wonder why radicals don’t address the “real” issues. This is why. They avoid things with which they have no knowledge.)
* RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. (This happens all the time. Watch how many organizations under attack are blind-sided by seemingly irrelevant arguments that they are then forced to address.)
* RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules. (This is a serious rule. The besieged entity’s very credibility and reputation is at stake, because if activists catch it lying or not living up to its commitments, they can continue to chip away at the damage.)
* RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (Pretty crude, rude and mean, huh? They want to create anger and fear.)
* RULE 6: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones. (Radical activists, in this sense, are no different that any other human being. We all avoid “un-fun” activities, and but we revel at and enjoy the ones that work and bring results.)
* RULE 7: “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news. (Even radical activists get bored. So to keep them excited and involved, organizers are constantly coming up with new tactics.)
* RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new. (Attack, attack, attack from all sides, never giving the reeling organization a chance to rest, regroup, recover and re-strategize.)
* RULE 9: “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist. (Perception is reality. Large organizations always prepare a worst-case scenario, something that may be furthest from the activists’ minds. The upshot is that the organization will expend enormous time and energy, creating in its own collective mind the direst of conclusions. The possibilities can easily poison the mind and result in demoralization.)
* RULE 10: “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog. (Unions used this tactic. Peaceful [albeit loud] demonstrations during the heyday of unions in the early to mid-20th Century incurred management’s wrath, often in the form of violence that eventually brought public sympathy to their side.)
* RULE 11: “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem. (Old saw: If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. Activist organizations have an agenda, and their strategy is to hold a place at the table, to be given a forum to wield their power. So, they have to have a compromise solution.)
* RULE 12: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions. (This is cruel, but very effective. Direct, personalized criticism and ridicule works.)
