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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2018
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
NONE
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
9. Village Manager’s Report
10. Village Council Reports
11. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
12. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER

Continue reading VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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EXTRA RAIL AND BUS SERVICE SET FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVELERS

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the  staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  NJ TRANSIT is once again offering additional trains and buses this Thanksgiving holiday weekend to make it even easier for customers to unite with family and friends, travel to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, or get started on holiday shopping at various malls throughout the state. Plus, feel free to bring your holiday helpers, as kids ride free* the entire long weekend!

Continue reading EXTRA RAIL AND BUS SERVICE SET FOR THANKSGIVING TRAVELERS

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Convictions Made in Multi-State Dog Fighting Case

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ,  Four men were convicted at trial in connection with their respective roles in a multi-state dog fighting operation, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Clark of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division announced today.

Continue reading Convictions Made in Multi-State Dog Fighting Case

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SCHEPISI AND 39 ASSEMBLY MEMBERS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION BANNING CORRUPT OFFICIALS FROM PUBLIC WORK

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the staff of the Ridgewood

Trenton NJ,Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) today introduced legislation banning public officials convicted of corruption from holding jobs with state and local governments. The bill (A4584) is co-sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-Middlesex) and is co-sponsored by 38 additional members.

So that means the “Meter thief” can’t work for the Village . But more importantly let see how many in Trenton can pass the test.

Continue reading SCHEPISI AND 39 ASSEMBLY MEMBERS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION BANNING CORRUPT OFFICIALS FROM PUBLIC WORK

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CONSEQUENCES OF “SEXTING” BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wayne NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation requiring middle school students to be taught the legal, social, and emotional consequences of “sexting” has been signed into law by the governor.
The new law sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado requires middle school students to be taught the legal, social, and emotional consequences of “sexting.” Continue reading CONSEQUENCES OF “SEXTING” BILL SIGNED INTO LAW

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Ocean County Lawyer Who Hosted Radio Show on Elder Law Pleads Guilty to Stealing Millions of Dollars from Elderly Clients

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July 29,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a prominent Ocean County attorney who hosted a radio show and taught seminars on elder law pleaded guilty today to stealing millions of dollars from elderly clients of his law firm and laundering the money through various bank accounts, including his attorney trust and business accounts. The victims generally did not have close relatives to guard their interests and in some cases suffered from dementia.

Robert Novy, 66, of Brick, N.J., pleaded guilty today to first-degree money laundering before Superior Court Judge Michael T. Collins in Ocean County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Novy be sentenced to 10 years in state prison, including three years and four months of parole ineligibility. In pleading guilty, Novy admitted that he stole millions of dollars from law clients. The state’s investigation revealed that he stole nearly $3 million from at least two dozen victims.  Novy is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28.

Novy must pay restitution to his victims out of two funds totaling $4 million that are being created using assets previously seized from him by the state: one fund of $3 million to provide restitution to client victims, heirs, estates and trusts already identified through the state’s investigation, and a second fund of $1 million to provide restitution, with court approval, for others not previously identified who come forward with proof that they were victims of thefts.  Novy also must surrender his license to practice law in New Jersey and pay $500,000 to the state as an anti-money laundering profiteering penalty.

Deputy Attorneys General Peter Gallagher and William Conlow prosecuted Novy and took the guilty plea for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau. The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau, assisted by the New Jersey Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation.

As an expert in elder law, Novy hosted a bi-monthly radio program “Inside the Law,” focusing on topics of concern to senior citizens. He was arrested on Oct. 18, 2016.  Detectives executed a search warrant at the time at his firm, Novy & Associates, on Ridgeway Avenue in Manchester, seizing billing records and other evidence. The Attorney General’s Office obtained court orders freezing over $4 million in assets held by Novy and his firm and appointing a trustee to oversee the firm’s business operations.

“By exploiting elderly clients and stealing their life savings, Novy sank to the lowest levels of greed, dishonesty, and callousness,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This guilty plea serves justice by ensuring that Novy will face a substantial prison sentence and that his victims will receive restitution from assets already seized from him by the Division of Criminal Justice.”

“A fundamental concern in this case was to secure restitution for Novy’s many victims, including his elderly clients and the heirs and beneficiaries who had millions of dollars stolen from them,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice.  “Through this guilty plea, we have achieved that goal and have sent a strong message that lawyers and others who hold positions of trust will be held accountable if they betray that trust and steal from those who are vulnerable.”

The case was referred to the Division of Criminal Justice by Ocean County Surrogate Jeffrey W. Moran. Novy also was investigated by the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics, which issued an ethics complaint against him on Jan. 26, 2016, and assisted the Division of Criminal Justice.

The investigation revealed that Novy stole funds from elderly and deceased clients who often did not have a close relative to claim their estate or challenge Novy’s actions.  He used the stolen funds for his own benefit, paying personal and business expenses.  Novy gained control through wills, powers of attorney, and trust documents, making himself the sole financial decision-maker for the clients. When clients had sizeable assets in the form of an annuity or life insurance policy, Novy directed insurance companies to redeem the policies and send the money directly to him. In some cases, when challenged by trustees or relatives about particular funds that had been withdrawn from client accounts, Novy claimed they were “administrative errors” and repaid the funds.

The Division of Criminal Justice obtained a state grand jury indictment on April 30, 2018 charging that Novy engaged in three different schemes by which he stole funds from clients:

  1. In one scheme, Novy simply transferred funds from his clients’ personal bank accounts or from his clients’ liquidated personal assets into his own bank account.
  2. In the second scheme, Novy transferred funds from his clients’ personal accounts or liquidated assets into IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Account) sub-accounts that he controlled.  The powers of attorney executed by the victims legally required Novy to place their assets into independent trust funds selected by the victims that would manage their assets, so the act of placing the funds into accounts that he controlled constituted a theft by Novy.
  3. In the third scheme, Novy transferred client funds from various accounts – including the clients’ personal accounts, the clients’ IOLTA sub-accounts, or the firm’s attorney trust account – into the firm’s operating and disbursement accounts.  Novy excessively billed the clients for power of attorney fees without any supporting invoices.

Novy was charged with money laundering because he engaged in transactions involving the stolen funds and the various accounts – primarily his attorney trust accounts and/or attorney business accounts – by which he concealed the source of the stolen funds and used them to promote his criminal activities.

Deputy Attorneys General Gallagher and Conlow prosecuted the case for the Division of Criminal Justice Financial & Computer Crimes Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Mark Kurzawa and Deputy Division Director Christine Hoffman. The case was investigated by Detective Michael Arduini, Detective Michael Woods, Lt. Anne Hayes, Investigator Jordan Thompson, Investigator Wayne Cummings and Analyst Terri Drumm.  Deputy Attorney General Derek Miller and Investigator Debra Maiorano handled the state’s forfeiture action. Attorney General Grewal thanked the Ocean County Surrogate, the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics and the Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation for their valuable assistance in the investigation. Special Agents Mike Mullane and Will Makar investigated for the Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation.

Persons, relatives, heirs, estates or trusts who believe they are victims of Novy and can offer proof of damages should write to Deputy Attorney General Kara R. Webster in the State Office of Victim Witness Advocacy at WebsterK@njdcj.org, or if they do not have email access, phone (609) 376-2444.

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Organization For Economic Growth: Ciattarelli Offers Prescription For New Jersey’s Ills As He Moves Closer to Declaring Gubernatorial Run

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July 28,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Mountain Lakes NJ,  Jack Ciattarelli sounded very much like a man running for governor Wednesday night as he addressed the first “Brotherhood of Business and Labor” reception hosted by the New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth in Morris County.

Ciattarelli, who ran for the Republican nomination for governor last year, presented his ideas to cure New Jersey’s economic and tax ills, which included the elimination of the state tax on capital gains, phasing out the corporate business tax, and ending the practice of raising property taxes on people who update their homes without increasing the size of the house.

Ciattarelli’s philosophical approach is to not punish people who take risks or who invest in projects that create value and jobs. That philosophy was enthusiastically received by NJOEG Chairman Joseph Caruso, who said he welcomed Ciattarelli’s bold candor.

When Caruso asked the keynote speaker of the event if he was running for governor, Ciattarelli smiled and reeled off the exact number of months and days until the next gubernatorial election before admitting that he would run.
Ciattarelli was warmly received at the Brotherhood event, which included a number of elected and appointed officials including New Jersey State Republican Party Chairman Doug Steinhardt; State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio; Business Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102 Patrick Delle Cava; and NJOEG Labor Liaison Christian Barranco
“I think Jack will be a great candidate and will make a tremendous governor. He understands economics and investment and he is willing to tackle tough issues without pandering to the special interests that are largely responsible for New Jersey’s horrid economic condition,” said Caruso, a business executive from Wayne.

Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman from the 16th Legislative District, stepped into the quagmire that is the state’s ongoing property tax crisis; saying bluntly, “You can’t fix the property tax problem in New Jersey without fixing the state’s school funding formula.”

Ciattarelli’s fix entails providing the same amount of per student funding for every child regardless of where they live.

He also waded into the pension crisis saying: “The state pension plan is busted. It was not designed to pay lifetime health benefits to people who live into their 90’s,” he said.

Ciattarelli took a few jabs at Gov. Phil Murphy and his progressive policies and tax increases, saying: “Murphy lights the fires of socialism.”

Della Cave, representing labor at the event, pointed out how his union is backing incentives for business investment because “businesses are not expanding in New Jersey without them.”

Delle Cave, who represents 2,500 electricians and has $1 million budget for political activity, said there are two main issues important to his members besides creating a robust economy. “Don’t do away with prevailing wage laws and don’t make this a right to work state,” he said.

Steinhardt said state officials need to address New Jersey’s problems by “resisting the temptation to do what is easy and what feels good.”

The State GOP chairman offered a few reforms he would like to see including a 2 percent cap on state spending (which now applies to municipal and county governments), public sector pension reform and a reduction in regulation that is killing business investment.

Barranco, who served as master of ceremonies for the event called it highly successful in furthering the dialogue among government, labor and business.

“New Jersey’s present economy is imbalanced with the few good things going to relatively few people, while everyone else – including private sector workers, homeowners, young people and business all getting squeezed to the breaking point. Through more events like this and more honest dialogue we can fix what’s wrong with New Jersey,” said Barranco.

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President Of New Jersey Clinical Laboratory And His Brother, A Senior Employee, Sentenced To Prison In $100m+ Test Referral/Bribery Scheme

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July 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK, N.J. – The president of Parsippany, New Jersey-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS) and his brother – a senior employee at the now-defunct company – were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their respective roles in a conspiracy in which millions of dollars in bribes were paid to physicians for blood sample referrals worth more than $100 million to the company, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
David Nicoll, 44, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, was sentenced to 72 months in prison; Scott Nicoll, 37, of Wayne, New Jersey, was sentenced to 43 months in prison. Each defendant had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act and one count of money laundering. Judge Chesler imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.

Derek Michalski explained , “Two crooked New Jersey “entrepreneurs” doctors pocketed more than $100 million from Medicare. No wonder people of this country elected Donald Tump as President. These crimes were going on for over a decade but finally Trump’s DOJ shows some teeth and looks like it’s going after those parasites. It‘s about time….“David and Scott Nicoll admitted that BLS made substantially more than $100 million from Medicare and private insurance companies – just from bills related to blood specimens sent to BLS by bribed doctors.”

“Today, the president of a diagnostic lab company and his brother were sentenced for their leading roles in a scam that led to one of the largest ever prosecutions of medical professionals in a bribery case,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Medical referrals from a doctor should be based on what’s in the patient’s best interest, not on how much money the doctor is offered in kickbacks. The number of doctors and medical professionals sent to prison in this case should make that message abundantly clear.”

The investigation has resulted in the convictions of 53 defendants – 38 of them of doctors – in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case. The investigation has recovered more than $15 million through forfeiture. On June 28, 2016, BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty and was required to forfeit all of its assets.

“The FBI views health care fraud as a severe crime problem that impacts every American,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. “Fraud and abuse take critical resources out of our health care system, and contribute to the rising cost of health care for everyone. Today’s sentencing of David Nicoll and his brother Scott Nicoll are the result of a multi-agency investigation into a complex health care fraud scheme, requiring substantial investigative resources. The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, will continue to allocate a significant amount of expert resources to investigate these crimes and prosecute all those that are intent in defrauding the American public.”
“These two individuals masterminded an elaborate health care fraud scheme based on nothing more than greed,” Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said. “We trust that the work with our law enforcement partners – especially the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, IRS, and Postal Inspection Service – will send a clear message and dissuade individual health ‘professionals’ from making such corrosive schemes possible.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On April 9, 2013, federal agents arrested BLS president and part owner, David Nicoll; Scott Nicoll, a senior BLS employee and others, who were charged by complaint with bribery conspiracy, along with the BLS company. The conspiracy made millions in illegal profits between 2006 and April of 2013. David and Scott Nicoll admitted that BLS made substantially more than $100 million from Medicare and private insurance companies – just from bills related to blood specimens sent to BLS by bribed doctors.
BLS paid doctors millions of dollars – in cash or under the guise of sham lease, service, and consulting agreements through an elaborate network of shell entities used for that purpose. The defendants also admitted that one component of the bribery scheme was to pay some doctors a fee per test to induce them to increase their ordering of certain tests.
“Health care fraud of this magnitude cannot be tolerated, and today’s sentencings are the direct result of the tremendous investigative skills of all the participating law enforcement agencies,” Bryant Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “IRS – Criminal Investigation is proud to have been a part of this investigative team that helped to bring down and dismantle this massive health care conspiracy.”
“Throughout the course of this long-running investigation, Postal Inspectors, federal prosecutors and our law enforcement partners have diligently worked to unravel this elaborate bribery conspiracy,” Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said. “Although, the final defendants in this matter face sentencing today, Postal Inspectors will continue to tirelessly investigate complex fraud schemes that target consumers and businesses through the U.S. Mail.”

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Chesler sentenced the Nicolls to one year of supervised release.

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JOSEPH LABOSCO OF STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK CHARGED WITH 38 YEAR OLD MURDER

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July 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Teaneck NJ, Bergen County Acting Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of JOSEPH LABOSCO (DOB: 12/12/1946; single; unemployed) of Staten Island, New York, today, July 9, 2018, on a charge of Murder after the case went cold for 38 years.

The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cold Case Homicide Unit, which is a collaboration with the New Jersey State Police under the direction of Acting Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti.

On October 1, 1980, the lifeless body of Wayne Eckhart (DOB: 01/24/1930; single; of Manhattan) was found in a remote area off Teaneck Road in Teaneck, New Jersey. An investigation revealed that Wayne Eckhart had been shot to death. After an extensive investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad and the Teaneck Police Department, no arrests were made and the case went cold for 38 years.

The newly formed Cold Case Homicide Unit reopened the case in 2018 and identified Joseph LABOSCO as one of the suspects. After multiple interviews with witnesses and the submission of evidence to the New Jersey State Police Forensic Laboratory, Joseph LABOSCO was charged, with one count of Murder, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a, a 1st degree crime. Joseph LABOSCO is in the custody of Manhattan Detention Center, a federal prison in Brooklyn, New York where he is serving a sentence for an unrelated crime.

Joseph LABOSCO’s first appearance in New Jersey has not been scheduled but will be announced once it is confirmed.

The other suspect was identified as George King (DOB: 7/24/1931) of New York, New York, who died on June 30, 2007.

Bergen County Acting Prosecutor Calo states that this charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Teaneck Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.

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Legislators need to show courage to ‘bring public-sector workers in line with everyday working people’

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June 20,2018

by Christian Barranco

Christian Barranco, of Pompton Lakes, is a union electrician and the Labor Liaison to the New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth, a Wayne-based political action group supporting economic growth.

Trenton NJ, Democrats in the New Jersey Legislature recently introduced and moved through committee a bill to end the abusive practice that allows public-sector workers to bank unused sick days. The bill is bitterly opposed by public-sector unions. But we think the fight is worth it. If legislators show an uncommon amount of courage, New Jersey taxpayers can rid themselves of this absurd fiscal burden and bring public-sector workers in line with everyday working people.

As a union member, I can say with authority that no worker in the private-sector trades in New Jersey gets to bank unused sick days and vacation days and walk away at retirement with a five- or six-figure lottery check. Most private-sector trade unionists don’t even get sick days or vacation days at all. In our professions, if you don’t go to work you don’t get paid, period. And most private sector workers must either use their sick days and vacation days or they lose them; they’re not a supplement retirement fund and should never have been allowed to be used as one by the public sector. But decades of limp leadership in Trenton from both Democrats and Republicans allowed the practice to get to absurd heights — or from the taxpayer’s standpoint — ridiculous lows, forcing some towns to even borrow money to pay off retiring employee: ABSURD!

According to one report in NJ Spotlight, Jersey City public workers had amassed $116 million in banked days last year — and when the former police chief retired, he was due $512,000 in unused day. Newark owes its public workers $52.5 million. The County of Passaic, according to one filing, owes approximately $76 million in unused sick and vacation days to its employees.

Think of the things that could be done with that money, starting with property tax relief. Roads and bridges could be rebuilt, or parks upgraded for all of us to enjoy if we had a conscientious and responsible government.
Teacher union leaders are aghast

The teachers union leaders — who mistakenly believe that they are part of the larger labor movement — are aghast that the Democrats would betray them and take away their cherished perk. It is arrogance that makes them feel that way. It’s long past time when the system was corrected to protect private-sector workers who pay the indefensible perks granted to public-sector employees.
The teachers complain that the perks are necessary to make up for a lack of raises. Nonsense. If public employees in general think they are so underpaid that they need to game the system to get compensated for unused sick and vacation days, they can always jump to the private sector and see how the rest of us live.

Under the proposed legislation, every public employee would be able to keep whatever amounts they have earned up to the effective date of the law. Those who had already saved at least $7,500 would earn no more. Those who have not, and new hires, would be able to bank up to $7,500 in sick time, but most would not be paid for it. Instead, individuals could use the value of their accumulated sick time to pay for either health insurance premiums or co-pays over the first five years after retirement. Only veterans could receive a cash payment for future unused days.

The legislation is not ideal, but it is far better than anything Republicans have come up with and far more courageous than Democrats ever dared to be — until now.
We know the proposal is in part a retaliation against the notorious NJEA teachers union for funding a campaign against Sen. Steve Sweeney last fall. Regardless of the motivation, the objective is a worthy one. If the NJEA is going to be corrected for its abuses of influence, and it helps the average taxpayer, that’s great news. Motivations for the legislation are not the issue, the results are. If homeowners and small business owners are no longer forced to fund expensive going-away presents for retiring public employees, that’s a good thing.

It will be interesting to see which lawmakers cave in to the NJEA pressure. Look for the weak-willed lawmakers who are in office only to keep collecting a paycheck to either appease the public-sector union bosses or sneak into a corner and hide. Those that do, should be held accountable next year when the state Assembly members will face re-election. Let’s keep an eye on who votes for the taxpayers and who caves into the abusive deals with the NJEA.

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“Operation Pitfall” Nabs Seventeen Indictments for Allegedly Conspiring to Distribute Heroin in Paterson

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June 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paterson NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced a state grand jury indictment charging the alleged leader and 16 other alleged members of a narcotics network linked to the Bloods street gang that was distributing large amounts of heroin in Paterson. Seventeen more individuals are charged with possession of narcotics, including 16 who allegedly purchased heroin from the ring, bringing the total number of defendants indicted to 34.
The indictment, handed up yesterday, stems from “Operation Pitfall,” a collaborative investigation led by the New Jersey State Police Gangs & Organized Crime North Unit, the Division of Criminal Justice, the State Parole Board, the Newark Police Department, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Paterson Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Prospect Park Police, Wallington Police, Elmwood Park Police, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne Police, and Clifton Police.

The investigation targeted a drug trafficking organization operating in a section of the 4th Ward of Paterson known as the four corners or “4K” area, referring to the intersections of Mercer Street and Putnam Street, Rosa Parks Boulevard and Putnam Street, Mercer Street and Warren Street, and Rosa Parks Boulevard and Warren Street. The area has a history of open air drug dealing and gun violence. The drug network was led by a local set of the Bloods street gang known as the “4K Bloods” or “Korner Boyz.” The cooperating agencies arrested most of the defendants in November, including the alleged ringleader, Jaumel Reese, 35, of Passaic, N.J., and one of his alleged bulk suppliers, Jesse Garcia, 27, of Lodi, N.J. Reese and many of the other defendants are allegedly members of the 4K Bloods.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau yesterday obtained a 63-count state grand jury indictment charging all 17 alleged ring members with second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin. Reese is also charged with first-degree promoting organized street crime, and Eric Huntington, 41, of Paterson, who allegedly was one of Reese’s top “runners” or suppliers to street-level dealers, is charged with first-degree distribution of heroin. During the takedown of the ring, authorities executed a search warrant at the home of Garcia, where they seized 90 bricks of heroin (each including about 50 “bags” or doses), a handgun, hollow-nose bullets, and over $19,000. Garcia is charged with additional second-degree drug and gun offenses, as well as third-degree money laundering. A total of three guns were seized during the investigation. The other ring members face various additional second- and third-degree drug charges, and the 16 alleged buyers face third-degree heroin possession charges.

“We are collaborating in investigations like Operation Pitfall to target the drug traffickers who are fueling the deadly opioid epidemic and bringing violence to the neighborhoods of our cities,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This investigation really took aim at the heart of the problem, because Paterson is a major hub for heroin distribution across northern New Jersey and the open-air drug markets allegedly controlled by this Bloods set in the city’s 4th Ward have a history of gun violence.”

“This investigation is a great example of all levels of law enforcement working together seamlessly to dismantle a significant narcotics network,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “There can be little doubt that we saved lives by stopping the heroin trafficked by these gang members from reaching people struggling with addiction in Paterson and the surrounding region.”
“When heroin dealing is introduced into a community, gun violence is not far behind, and if you add dangerous street gangs to the equation, the effect on a city’s residents can be devastating,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “I want to commend the State Police personnel and our law enforcement partners who ultimately dismantled this drug distribution network and made the streets safer for the residents of Paterson.”
Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski presented the case to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Annmarie Taggart and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. Attorney General Grewal commended the prosecutors in the Division of Criminal Justice, the detectives in the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, including the lead detective, Detective Scott Sanders, and all of the detectives, officers and special agents who investigated for the other participating agencies.
The following is a full list of the defendants charged with second-degree conspiracy as alleged ring members:
Jaumel Reese, 35, of Passaic, N.J.
Jessie Garcia, 27, of Lodi, N.J.
Eric Huntington, 41, of Paterson, N.J.
Jerome Deas, 38, of Paterson, N.J.
Marvelous Pitts, 31, of Paterson, N.J.
Shaques Huntington, 24, Paterson, N.J.
Herbert Pitts, 60, of Paterson, N.J.
Justin Jones, 24, of Paterson, N.J.
Angela Whitehead, 32, of Prospect Park, N.J.
Jeffrey Hunter, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
Markeith Davis, 48, of Paterson, N.J.
Tariq Jackson, 25, of Paterson, N.J.
Devon Armstrong, 40, of Paterson, N.J.
Jonathan Cedeno, 22, of Paterson, N.J.
Isaac Coleman, 32, of Paterson, N.J.
Hanife Dock, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
Theodore Blackshear, 46, of Paterson, N.J.
The following is a list of the remaining 17 defendants. All are charged with third-degree possession of heroin, with the exception of Winter Burch. Burch, who is a girlfriend of Reese, is charged with third-degree possession of codeine and fourth-degree possession of false government documents.
Jasmine Soto, 28, of Milford, Pa.
Christopher Gutierrez, 34, of Milford, Pa.
Daniel Grimm, 67, of Franklin, N.J.
Nicholas McLaughlin, 26, of Greeley, Pa.
Christopher Holbert, 24, of Hawley, Pa.
Brent Howell, 33, of Blairstown, N.J.
Frank Marchionni, 26, of Nanuet, N.Y.
Jonathon Kleinberg, 29, of New City, N.Y.
Michael Armao, 33, of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
Michael Sheridan, 42, of Johnson, N.Y.
Robert Ferri, 33, of Wyckoff, N.J.
Chelsea Rouse, 34, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Jennifer Halterman, 33, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
David Boralsky, 35, of Stanhope, N.J.
Michael Ryerson, 48, of Paterson, N.J.
Carl McKenith, 65, of Englewood, N.J.
Winter Burch, 36, of Passaic, N.J.
Jaumel Reese, Jessie Garcia, Eric Huntington and Jerome Deas are being detained in jail pre-trial. They were charged in a prior indictment in March that has been superseded by this new indictment.
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000, while second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. A sentence for first-degree promoting organized street crime must be served consecutively to the sentence for any underlying offense. The first-degree heroin distribution charge carries an enhanced fine of up to $500,000. Reese is charged with employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, a second-degree charge which also carries an enhanced fine of up to $500,000. The second-degree charges of certain persons not to possess a weapon carry a mandatory term of parole ineligibility of five years. The third-degree drug charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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Free talk: Graydon sycamore assessment and removal

Ridgewood's Iconic Sycamore Tree on the island at Graydon Pool is dying

photos by Boyd Loving

Free talk: Graydon sycamore assessment and removal

Have you been wondering what led the village to remove the historic sycamore tree from the island in Graydon–and even whether it was really necessary?

The expert consultant himself, Wayne Cahilly, will describe his assessment procedure at next Tuesday’s meeting of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission.

The public is invited to attend and to ask questions. For those still mourning and perhaps questioning the loss, this presentation may promote closure. Anyone wishing to learn how tree professionals make such decisions would benefit as well.

o What: “Risk Assessment in Municipal Arboriculture: The Graydon Sycamore Case Study”
o Who: Wayne Cahilly, Cahilly’s Horticultural Services, LLC, Dumont, NJ
o When: Tuesday, April 10, 7 PM
o Where: Ridgewood Public Library auditorium, 125 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ

Shade Tree Commission chair Andrew Lowry, quoted in a press release from the group, said, “The Graydon sycamore was an icon in our village. Many residents had strong feelings about its removal. We hope this presentation will help people understand what went into making this tough decision and the complexities of risk assessment more generally.”

Adapted from the Shade Tree Commission press release:

Speaker’s background
In 35 years of working with trees, Wayne Cahilly has assessed the structural condition and health of more than 60,000 trees in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and elsewhere. A graduate of the New York Botanical Garden School of Professional Horticulture, he has served the Garden as Forest Manager, Arborist, Manager of the Arboretum and Grounds, and Manager of the Mapping Department. He lives in Dumont, New Jersey.

About the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission
The purpose of the Ridgewood Shade Tree Commission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the village’s shade trees, defined as trees planted next to streets on village property. Goals are to foster public-private partnerships to educate the community about the contribution to the Village environment made by shade trees and to increase the number of shade trees in the village by actively promoting community tree-planting programs.

We hope to see you there.

Swimmingly,
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
info@PreserveGraydon.org PreserveGraydon.org

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Some Help for Bergen County’s Terrible Roads ,Nearly $4.5M Grant for Local Road Work

roadwork

March 26, 2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Lawmakers representing New Jersey’s 40th legislative district announced nearly $4.5 million to fund 15 transportation projects in each of the towns they represent.

$4.5 million in TTF funding will support 15 road and bridge projects (SenateNJ.com)“Our local municipalities will receive over $4 million from the TTF to improve critical road and bridge projects,” said Sen. Kristin Corrado (R-40). “Funding for safe and reliable transportation will be an investment in our economy.”

Bergen County will receive more than $1.3 million to fund seven projects, including improvements to the West Allendale Avenue Streetscape in downtown Allendale Borough and roads near schools and parks in Franklin Lakes and Ho-Ho-Kus.

Passaic County will receive $2,185,000 for five projects, including Webster Drive in Wayne Township.

Two projects in Morris County will be funded with more than $547,000, including improvements to Hillview Road in Pequannock Township, a commercial area. A $402,000 grant was awarded to Essex County for Cedar Grove Township.

“This is welcome news for our region,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Fixing roads in residential neighborhoods makes them safer for commuters and families while protecting the value of homes in the area. Road improvements also enhance safety for children who walk to school and enjoy our parks.”

“Commuters, businesses, and families will all reap the benefits of this funding,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “Well paved and maintained streets are vital to our local economy. This investment in our infrastructure will pay dividends for years to come.”

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NJ TRANSIT OFFERS EXTRA BUS SERVICE FROM RIDGEWOOD TO NEW YORK FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

ridgewood bus station

file photo

Beverages will not be permitted on any train, light rail vehicle or bus

March 16,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will operate extra bus service on selected routes to and from the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) on Saturday, March 17, to accommodate customers traveling to the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. Trains will operate on a regular weekend schedule. Newark Light Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will operate on a weekend schedule.

IMPORTANT NOTE: No beverages of any kind, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on board trains, buses or light rail vehicles on Saturday, March 17, and Sunday, March 18. This policy will be strictly enforced.

NJ TRANSIT will have Ambassadors on hand at Secaucus Junction, Aberdeen/Matawan, Middletown, N.J., and Penn Station New York to assist customers traveling to/from the parade in New York City.

Extra trips to and from New York will be offered on the following bus routes:

To New York – PABT:

No. 163 (Ridgewood – New York) additional local trips from Hackensack (Summit Ave. and Essex St.) to PABT from 8:20 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. operating via the Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights, Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and East Rutherford.

From New York – PABT:

No. 163 (New York – Ridgewood) additional local service from PABT to Hackensack (Arcola in Paramus) operating local route through East Rutherford, Carlstadt, Wood-Ridge, Hasbrouck Heights and Hackensack every hour beginning at 3:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.

Travel Tips

Ticketing: To speed your return, purchase round-trip tickets at the start of your trip from bus operators inbound to New York or at ticket vending machines where available. Bus customers departing Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) are reminded that tickets must be purchased before boarding the bus.
Allow Extra Travel Time: Traffic congestion before and after the parade may affect bus travel times to New York City. Customers should plan accordingly.
Parking: Customers traveling from Park/Rides at Allwood Road, North Bergen, Willowbrook Mall, Mothers and Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center are advised that parking fees still apply.
IMPORTANT NOTE: No beverages, in any type of container, open or closed, will be permitted on any train to and from New York/Hoboken. This policy will be strictly enforced. Beverages of any kind are prohibited at all times on board buses.

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The Organization For Economic Growth Calls On N.J. Legislators To Reject Gov. Murphy’s Toxic Budget Proposal

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

 

March 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wayne NJ , Calling Gov. Phil Murphy FY-2019 budget another nail in New Jersey’s economic coffin, the New Jersey Organization for Economic Growth is calling on all legislatures to reject the governor spending plan and create a fiscally responsible budget.

“The governor’s economic plan in no way represents the fiscal reality facing New Jersey; nor does it address the concerns of the business community,” said OEG Chairman Joseph Caruso. “New Jersey leads the nation in taxes and has the worst business reputation in the country — and Gov. Murphy, unfortunately, wants to continue those trends”.

Murphy’s $37.4 billion spending plan is $2.7 billion – or 8 percent higher than the state’s current budget. Murphy’s FY-2019 budget increases spending by $1.5 billion and calls for an increase in the sales tax, as well as increases in the corporate business tax and another millionaire’s tax .

Murphy called his budget proposal “fiscally and morally sound,” which raised the ire of OEG Executive Director Alex Cucciniello.

“There is nothing moral about raising taxes on hardworking people and those who are trying to run businesses,” said Cucciniello. “There is nothing moral about supporting a budget plan that will lead to fewer jobs. The governor’s sense of morality is out step with residents of this state,” said Cucciniello.

“This budget will crush small businesses and the middle class in New Jersey. If the Governors goal is to get people to leave the state he is doing the right thing, ” said OEG Vice-Chairwoman Katie Cericola, an accountant. “New Jersey already has the highest corporate tax in the nation, increasing it will result in fewer jobs.

“Young people like me want to stay in New Jersey; it’s our home. But politicians like Gov. Murphy are making it hard for us to live here. He and his administration are out of touch with the economic struggles of Millennials,” added Cericola.

The governor’s proposed increased in taxes and spending — including adding $2.1 million to pay for legal fees for illegal immigrants who face federal justice, is an attack on working people in New Jersey, said Vice-Chairman John DePinto.

‘There are hard working legal residents of our state who cannot afford an attorney; yet we have a governor who wants those working people to pay for the legal bills of illegal immigrants so they can continue to violate federal law. That is not a morally or fiscally acceptable position,” said DePinto.

“The governor wants the already overtaxed people of New Jersey to pay for his progressive ideology. His personal priorities are wrong for the state,” added DePinto.

OEG officials said Murphy’s FY 2019 budget proposal failed to even consider cutting spending.

“In a state that is recognized as the most overtaxed in the nation; a state that is losing jobs and business investment; the fiscally prudent thing to do would be to find ways to reduce spending. But it appears that the governor’s team just larded more fat on an already bloated state budget,” said Cucciniello.

DISAPPOINTING

Caruso called the governor’s introduction of his first budget disappointing beyond expectations.

“The people of New Jersey elected a governor who ran on a platform of raising taxes. and that’s just what he intends to do. But I don’t think anyone could imagine that it would be this bad,” he said.

Caruso noted that the governor’s budget proposal fails to address the state’s very real and very damaging pension deficit.

“Like governor’s before him, Mr. Murphy actually believes New Jersey taxpayers can afford the public pension system the politicians created. And to continue the deception, Gov. Murphy, like governor’s before him, has greatly exaggerated the return on pension investments so he doesn’t have to deal with the giant pension and retiree benefits hole that gets bigger every month.”

REJECT THE PROPOSAL

Cucciniello said he hopes the legislature will reject the governor’s proposal and start over.

“Hopefully there are fiscally responsible people in Trenton who will not ignore the fact that New Jersey’s fiscal policies are causing great damaging the people of this state Hopefully, they will not continue to ignore the plight of many people — Millennials and retirees – who have to make the tough decision to leave New Jersey because our elected officials simply don’t want to make the tough decisions required to make this state affordable for the middle class,” said Cucciniello.