Fallen tree blocks busy through street in Ridgewood
August 03,2015
Boyd A. Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Tree crews from the Village of Ridgewood Parks Department work to remove a fallen tree that completely blocked Lincoln Avenue in Ridgewood on Monday morning, 08/03. The fallen tree was reported at approximately 8:15 AM and affected the roadway between Rock Road and Highland Avenue.
No injuries were reported, nor were there any reported disruptions to utility services in the area. The roadway was reopened for traffic at approximately 9:45 AM. Uniformed patrol officers from Ridgewood and Glen Rock provided traffic control while crews were busy at work.
Valley is a disgrace to Ridgewood with their actions. Why would anyone support Valley in this town anymore? I believe Hackensack is Top 5 in the country. The 10 minute extra drive is now worth it for me. This town has so many issues. A 3-2 Council, we’re the minority on this.
High Density housing, unreasonable size units we’re given. A 15 Million dollar parking garage? Are you insane? How much did the Town Hall cost in the flood zone. How many studies have we paid for? Let’s do another study. Steel beams and concrete..$15 million dollars, only in RichWood. Town is a disgrace and moving in the wrong direction. I just heard, needs to be confirmed, the Engineer is asking taxpayers sidewalks to be repaired? Take a look at the sidewalks in the CDB. Hint, the red bricks meeting concrete. Don’t ask others to do when you don’t! True
we have six to seven police officers retiring this year and are any of them being replaced soon. all across this town we lost so many workers in the last five years, and they come back and say the village don’t have the money to replace workers, but in the school ‘s they get over a 100,mill. this is not right. something needs to be done. because down the road ,o we are at the end of the road now. we are in big trouble as in work force.
They’re retiring this year because they get 65% of their final comp if they retire by 2016… it’s not because the Village hasn’t been hiring new officers, that’s BS. PFRS member’s special retirement benefit after 2016 will be 60% of final compensation, plus 1% of final compensation multiplied by the number of years of creditable service over 25 but not over 30, instead of the current benefit of 65% of final compensation plus 1% for each year of service over 25 but not over 30. That’s for anyone who didn’t have 20 years of service as of 2011, so it’s in their interest to retire now.
.Apps on phone are the most vulnerable to hackers. This is according recent to PBS newshour segment So why would I want a parking App and only make myself more vulnerable to hackers and also pay more for parking
What Roberta is not saying: Teaneck is contemplating going from free parking to metered parking with parking meters. If parking meters are becoming obsolete why would Teaneck be considering them.
The GREAT ALL KNOWING Roberta is either wrong about parking meters becoming obsolete or she is purposely not telling us the truth and pretending to us that they are becoming obsolete when in fact they are not. Witness all the towns across the U.S. that use them.
If Ridgewood is so great on community why can’t Roberta and town staff find someone honest to collect quarters. I don’t believe that honest people don’t exist, they do.
What doesn’t exist are smart managers who know how to hire honest people. Roberta, are you reading this?
Review of Harper Lee’s Go Set A Watchman, by artist Jen Bissu
I had very high hopes for this book. Perhaps that’s in part why I am so terribly disappointed. I must credit Harper Lee’s editors: it was a wise decision to insist that she rewrite this novel, and continue revising it, until it turned into the magnificent To Kill A Mockingbird that we all know and love. There are only perhaps two or three parts of this book that I found actually enjoyable; the rest I grudgingly endured. It had its good points: her vocabulary is strong, and some of the writing is eloquent. Unfortunately, much of the writing in this book is nebulous. There is a great deal of philosophizing, which I found tiresome. Also, most apparent in the beginning of the book, Lee chooses to “tell” the reader about her characters, rather than “show,” as she did in Mockingbird. “Showing” rather than “telling” is a much stronger writing technique. I found the “telling” juvenile, prosaic, and not engaging at all. Fortunately that ceased after the beginning of the book. If I weren’t so determined to read this book for its historical value, having been published some sixty years after it was written, I would’ve dropped it after the slow, poorly told beginning. So I pushed through, and upon completing it, I found myself with an empty, dissatisfied feeling. I’m almost sorry this book was published. I just re-read To Kill A Mockingbird very recently, in anticipation of this book, thus deepening the stark contrast between the brilliance and delightfulness of Mockingbird and this disappointing book. I do recommend reading it just for the sake of historical background, because it is interesting to see where one of the best, most revered pieces of American Literature got its start. I’m giving this three stars, which I feel is a bit generous, but I’ll allot extra credit for the admirable vocabulary.
Here is a video review/ discussion of the book that I feel hits the nail on the head. https://youtu.be/vPNk-0dv5_Y
Here is the schedule for you to make plans for the upcoming 2015 Entertainment Under the Stars at the Kasschau Shell on Vet’s Field in Ridgewood. All programs are free. Just bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music!
Click Here for 2015 Season Schedule.
August 4, 2015
Kasschau Memorial Shell
The Bishop and His Abbotts – Rio Clemente
Free Entertainment Under the Stars! Bring a chair or blanket. Show starts at 8:30pm at Kasschau Memorial Shell – on Veterans Field – behind the Library
August 6, 2015
Kasschau Memorial Schell
Mack Brandon & The Connection – Popular Gospel
Free Entertainment Under the Stars! Bring a chair or blanket. Show starts at 8:30pm at Kasschau Memorial Shell – on Veterans Field – behind the Library
JULY 31, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Art Institute’s Summer Show features works of art that people can connect with, be it childhood memories or recent experiences like a trip to a lighthouse in Maine, or a summer moonlight walk along the beach, a day of sailing and boat watching, fishing along a pier, arranging picked flowers from a garden, enjoying the morning’s freshly brewed coffee or admiring the harvest from one’s vegetable garden, according to Diana Gibson. She is co-chairing the show with fellow artists/instructor William Brown.
“The paintings remind us of the simple pleasures and pleasant times of summer, nostalgia if you will,” said Gibson, adding that they would be ideal for a summer home or perhaps as a special gift. She is showing “Moonlight.” Brown is showing “Morgan Creek.”
The annual show features more than 100 artworks by members and instructors, professionals as well as student members of R.A.I. The exhibit offers a multitude of works masterfully handled in oils, watercolors, pastels, and pencil in an array of subject matter from landscape, portraiture, still life, seascape and more. All the artworks are beautifully framed and for sale. The two gallery rooms are filled with the artwork.
Carl Holst, president of R.A.I., called the show an opportunity to display and sell beautiful paintings and visit the recently increased size of the “Barn.” Upstairs the two studios are joined with a library between and an elevator has been installed, making it possible for people to avoid stairs.
“Award Contract – F150 Pickup for Parking Enforcement” – Exactly why do the parking enforcement agents need a gas guzzling pickup truck? Ever heard of fuel efficient 3-wheeled enclosed scooters? Duh?
“Establish Deposit Fees for Use of Village Barricades” – If we’re loaning out taxpayer purchased equipment, why not charge a rental fee also? Duh?
“Closed Session – Personnel – Human Resources Position” – What qualifies this matter to be discussed in closed session?
the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood NJ, the Ridgewood blog has spent the last couple of months talking to merchants, residents, readers, and insiders in order to get to get a full picture of the parking problems the Village faces. We boiled down the responses to the simplest terms.
Employee parking : At 930 am Chestnut street is full of parked cars , none of the stores are open so one can only assume employees are parking in all the spots,
Ken Smith Employee parking : Most feel $80 bucks a month seems a bit stiff for restaurant and retain workers .
Meter parking enforcement hours : Merchants felt their customers were paying for parking while restaurant guests were not . Some suggested longer meter hours , say till 9 pm with a reduction in parking rates as a way to better spread out the pain.
Valet Parking :Many merchants felt about all the Valet parking only added to the parking problems taking even more spots away from potential customers as well as the general disrespectful attitude or the employees or the Valet Parking companies.
Parking App: Many felt the over 55 set would be resistant , and almost everyone felt it eliminated the quick in and out shoppers by making parking to much work as well as the App made parking even more expensive.
Garage Location : While many merchants liked the idea of a garage they also voiced concerns about the location and the anticipated traffic tie ups when parkers enter and exit.
Garage : NJT Commuters from other towns would take the spots and add nothing to the local economy except more congestion.
Taxpayers : Almost everyone asked why aren’t developers , NJT, merchants and restaurants contributing to paying for parking , they are ones benefiting.
Parking fees : Many felt Ridgewood was pricing itself out ,with fees being to high .
Request for Proposals – Design of a Multi-level Traditional Self-Parking Structure – Hudson St.
Click Here for Proposal Document
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) will be received by the Village of Ridgewood, in the Level 5 Village Manager’s office, at the Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., prevailing time, then publicly opened and read aloud for:
“Request for Proposals
For
Professional Architectural/Engineering Services
For the
Design of a Multi-level Traditional Self-Parking Structure at the Hudson
Street Parking Lot, Lots 12 and 13, Block 3809”
The Village of Ridgewood is seeking proposals for professional architectural/engineering services to prepare plans and specifications for the construction of a multi-level traditional self-parking structure on the Hudson Street Parking Lot, a.k.a. Lots 12 and 13 of Block 3809 of the Village Tax Map.
The RFP package may be obtained from the Engineering Division Offices, Level 3, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, (201) 670-5500, extension No. 238. Proposal packages may be examined or picked up in person between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, Monday through Friday. Prospective respondents requesting proposal documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration. No proposal forms shall be given out after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2015.
All prices quoted in the proposal must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Proposals may be submitted in person or by mail prior to the proposal opening, addressed to the Office of the Village Clerk. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any proposal sent to it prior to the date and time stated for receipt of proposals.
Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the respondent thereon and endorsed,
“Request for Proposals
For
Professional Architectural/Engineering Services
For the
Design of a Multi-level Traditional Self-Parking Structure at the Hudson Street Parking Lot,
Lots 12 and 13, Block 3809”.
All respondents shall present satisfactory evidence of being authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. All respondents shall also provide a copy of their New Jersey Business Registration Certificate with their proposal. All respondents shall adhere to the requirements presented in the “Request for Proposals”. The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informality or to accept a proposal, which in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village.
” BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27). A complete statement as to these requirements is included in the Request for Proposals.
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.
