JULY 31, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A recent sunny afternoon at Ridgewood’s Graydon Pool included an important lesson for children, thanks to the “Storytime at Graydon” event.
The weekly event, which involves one or more volunteers reading aloud to youngsters at the pool, was hosted by lifeguards last week.
The story they read, “Two Naughty Chickens at the Beach,” warned listeners of the dangers of swimming alone, and explained that swimming near lifeguards is very important.
“It’s so much fun,” said Melanie Taylor, one of the readers, while wearing a hat made out of a paper plate resembling a chicken.
She wasn’t the only one dressed up for the event, as many of the lifeguards were wearing various chicken costumes made out of paper plates.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Patrolman Shayne R James reports for duty on his last day of work. Shayne has been serving the Village since 1989 we wish him well in his retirement. Shayne! is also RHS class of 1985 .
Shayne had many well wishers for a happy retirement . He was very popular with Village residents and we wish him all the best !
JULY 31, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Who will benefit from high-density housing plans?
To the Editor:
My family moved to Ridgewood in the early 1950s, living first on Lincoln Avenue then buying our family home in 1957. I was born here and went through the public schools, for which my father worked most of his adult life. So if anyone has seen “change” in this town, I have.
Some change has been for the better; for instance, the ethnic and racial mix is a bit more diverse. Some has not. While superficially we are more varied, with a wider range of skin tones and ancestry than in my youth, Ridgewood is increasingly homogenized economically. Growing up, I knew families from all socioeconomic levels. Now, blue-collar and other regular working folks — people who made things — are crowded out, and only investment bankers, hedge fund managers, and others who “make” only money dominate. With that comes a certain mindset, one which, to borrow Oscar Wilde’s quip, knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Of that group, some may have come for good schools or even because they like it here. Others may have moved here for the cachet of a “golden zip code” or snob appeal, or as a rung on the ladder toward someplace more exclusive, say Alpine or Short Hills, or with the hope of making some money in a town where housing values have held steady even in downturns, due to the precise thing that high-density housing would destroy, namely, Ridgewood’s small-town ambiance.
It’s no mystery why the advocates of high-density housing would want it: this being Ridgewood, it will be high-priced, and there will be lots of money to be made in the short run. Unfortunately, when Ridgewood loses the character that made it desirable in the first place and becomes just Fort Lee with a longer commute, values will drop; but by that time, they will have pocketed their profits and have no reason to care.
To discuss in detail all the reasons high-density housing is wrong for Ridgewood would expand this letter to un-publishable length. I will simply end by quoting two Latin maxims: “cui bono?” (Who benefits?) and “res ipsa loquitur” (the thing speaks for itself).
Ridgewood NJ, A police investigation of reported illegal dumping at the Village’s Compost Facility on Lakeview Drive is continuing according to several sources of The Ridgewood Blog. It is reported that a detective from the Ridgewood Police Department conducted additional interviews with Village employees during the past week.
The investigation is focused on determining when and how an as yet undetermined number of concrete blocks were dumped at the facility, and if any Village employee(s) had knowledge of the dumping prior to their recent discovery. Additional illegally dumped material is said to have been unearthed within the past several days.
Although previous reports received by The Ridgewood Blog indicated that a NJDEP inspector had uncovered the dumped material, no notice of such action currently appears on the NJDEP Enforcement & Compliance Division’s web page.
$40 + Million for BOE Ridgewood Schools All renovations
$15 Million for VOR Parking Garage bonded by public funds
$5 Million for Ridgewood Library renovations (mix of private / public funds)
$ ? Millions ? Unknown for Performing arts center Building next to library/VOR
Running Total Estimates so far at $60 + MILLION
Estimates are just that, estimates, and tend to go over.
Lots of questions need to be asked about the funding of these Wish Lists projects. Detailed answers to specific financials, the percentages of NJ State funding/ VOR / public funding needed to be appropriated for these projects, as well as the County and NJ Transit in the case for the parking garage with the expected/ projected parking revenues. What would be the time line for all these debts to be paid off, and the breakdown on the taxpayers.
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS -Saturday, August 1
Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents on Saturday’s every month. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, August 1 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.
JULY 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015, 9:11 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Finding a parking spot at the Village Hall lot has been tough sledding lately for some visitors to the municipal complex.
The arrival of summer means that many outdoor events are taking place at Veterans Field. The added hustle and bustle, along with regular events at the Ridgewood Public Library and day-to-day business at Village Hall, often causes the 153-space main lot to be full at various points during both the day and evening.
Earlier this month, discussion began on how the auxiliary lots on Linwood Avenue, one of which is at the other end of Veterans Field, could be better utilized in handling the parking needs of patrons attending overlapping events.
For example, on the evening of Tuesday, July 7, there was a Warren Grim tribute concert at Kasschau Shell, a baseball game, a Planning Board meeting at Village Hall and the library was hosting its knitting group, Mahjongg group and bicycle club.
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen, who was present at the municipal complex that evening as a Planning Board member, characterized the parking situation as “dangerous.” She said some motorists were bottlenecking as they drove around waiting for a spot. Other cars were sitting idle while parallel to parking spaces, blocking in other cars.
Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli noted it was possible for a person to park in those spaces and then go anywhere in town, or perhaps even walk to the train station and travel to New York City. The only parking limits placed on the Village Hall lot is the presence of 36 yellow-striped spaces reserved for village employees, which expires at 4:30 p.m. each day. There are also 17 spaces reserved for staff members of the Ridgewood Library.
Currently, 89 spaces in the main lot and another 17 on North Maple Avenue are available for visitors to Village Hall and the Ridgewood Library.
Heat stroke results from an extreme elevation in body temperature (>106°F) and occurs when heat generation (via metabolism, exercise, environmental conditions, etc) exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate heat (via conduction, convection, radiation and evaporation). Severe hyperthermia affects nearly every system in the body and can lead to kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, brain swelling, blood clots or coagulation problems, septicemia, liver disease, heart muscle damage/failure, fluid buildup in the lungs and shock.
Pets suffering from heat stroke, which can be a cat or a dog, may show one or more of the following clinical signs: extreme panting and respiratory distress, collapse and inability to rise, agitation, foaming at the mouth or thick, ropey saliva, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, and very red gums or pale gums. These signs indicate a true emergency and the pet should be brought to the hospital immediately. If a pet is showing the above signs…
WHAT TO DO:
– Remove the pet from the environment where the hyperthermia occurred
– Move the pet to the shade or indoors and direct a fan on him/her
– Begin cooling the pet with cool (not cold) water on the trunk and legs (a tub or garden hose works well)
– If possible, obtain and record the rectal temperature
– Call and transport to the hospital immediately after wetting the animal
WHAT NOT TO DO:
– Do NOT use cold water or ice for cooling unless under the guidance of a veterinarian (this causes peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering, both of which act to increase the body temperature)
– Do NOT delay examination of the pet by a veterinarian
– Do NOT attempt to force the animal to eat or drink
– Do NOT leave the pet unattended
– Do NOT overcool the pet
Please share this information with any friends or pet owners who may not be aware of the dangers of heat stroke!
Courtesy of your friends at the
RIDGEWOOD VETERINARY HOSPITAL
201-447-6000/201-445-0030
JULY 28, 2015, 6:57 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015, 11:07 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Additional criminal counts have been filed against a former Ridgewood resident accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with seven of the college athletes he had coached.
A grand jury in Rockland County, N.Y., returned a 197-count indictment last month against Kurt G. Ludwigsen, the 44-year-old former coach for Nyack College’s softball team.
The indictment formalized the 190 counts of forcible touching and sexual abuse Ludwigsen was initially arrested on three months ago and added seven charges of first-degree felony coercion.
Related: More charges for Ridgewood man accused of improper sexual contact by college softball players
Ludwigsen is due back in court on Aug. 19 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Rockland County Supreme Court Judge William Kelly.
Ludwigsen allegedly touched the buttocks and breasts of seven of the team’s players, including four freshmen, according to the indictment, and none of the women consented to the sexual contact.
The sexual abuse allegedly occurred between Sept. 1, 2014, and March 5 — just days before Ludwigsen was fired by the college, the indictment says.
RIDGEWOOD NJ, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE and the NJ DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAVE ISSUED AN AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN
AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES…BERGEN…ESSEX…PASSAIC…UNION…HUDSON.
IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING.
AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE WITHIN THE
REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION…PLEASE VISIT THE NEW JERSEY STATE
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT…HTTP://WWW.NJAQINOW.NET
Ridgewood NJ, Quick thinking on the part of an observant bank teller and an immediate response by Ridgewood PD Patrol Officer Paul Dinice saved a local resident from becoming a victim of the increasingly pervasive “IRS Scam.” Officer Dinice was dispatched to a local Chase Bank branch (84 East Ridgewood Avenue) following receipt of a 911 telephone call from a bank teller there who reported that a very distraught female patron talking on a cell phone had asked to withdraw a large sum of money.
After arriving at the bank less than 60 seconds from being dispatched, Dinice quickly located and interviewed the intended victim. He determined almost immediately that the “IRS Scam” was in play and convinced the 57-year old resident to hang up the phone. Still distraught, the resident asked to be transported to a local pharmacy, a request Dinice cheerfully honored.
Ridgewood NJ, On Tuesday July 21, 2015, a resident reported that he/she had entered into an agreement with a seller on Craigslist.com to purchase a motor vehicle. After the resident forwarded payment for the vehicle and shipping costs, the vehicle did not arrive as agreed upon. Upon further review of the transaction, the buyer realized that the advertisement was fraudulent and the seller had no intention of providing the vehicle. The matter was forwarded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
How to Spot Car Scams on Craigslist
Craigslist can be a great resource to find new or used car deals in your local area. In some cases, if you are looking for a specific model of car, it can be tempting to purchase a car from another region of your country or from a different country entirely. When you are browsing cars for sale on Craigslist outside of your local area, you must learn how to recognize and spot the signs that indicate potential car scams. https://www.wikihow.com/Spot-Car-Scams-on-Craigslist
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Arts Council (RAC) is placing a final call to all artists with a connection to Ridgewood to consider donating to a permanent art installation which will be housed throughout Ridgewood’s Village Hall. The intent of this installation, entitled Ridgewood Art at Village Hall, is to celebrate the wealth of talent among Ridgewood-related artists, past and present. We encourage contributors, 16 years and older, with a connection to
Ridgewood, to participate. Posthumous contributions from family members welcome. The process starts by artists e-mailing [email protected] for a short online submission form. Art can be in any medium and any size–fine art, photography, textile, mobile art and sculpture included. Deadline for submissions has been extended to August 1 so we urge all interested parties to submit ASAP. Once the installation is in place, we will be inviting our entire community to a gala launch event celebrating RAC and this new chapter of honoring the arts in Ridgewood!
JULY 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, JULY 26, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY ALICE GOMSTYN
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD |
THE RECORD
When Cindy Myer’s husband, Rob, died from a heart attack in 2005, she didn’t just have to worry about taking care of her family — she had a business to run, too.
Myer succeeded her husband as chief executive of Ridgewood Moving Services and turned the struggling company into a profitable venture, which last year had revenue of about $2.3 million.
Myer, who leads some 30 employees, said she’s proud of spearheading that turnaround as well as cementing her company’s strong community ties. She recently took time to reminisce about her journey from amateur business owner to CEO and also explained why her moving company is about more than just moving. (Edited for clarity and length.)
Q. When you and your husband originally bought Ridgewood Moving Services, what was the plan with respect to how the work would be divided between you?
Rob worked for Ridgewood Moving when he had gotten out of the military in the ’80s. We were married in 1985, when I was still in the fashion industry. In 1987, we bought the business. He ran it, and I was a vice president, just by title only.
And then in 1988 when I got pregnant and had my first daughter, I retired to raise a family. He ran the company from 1987 to 2005, when he passed away. He died of a heart attack. He was 47.
