the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a major legal battle has erupted in Bergen County! Outfront Media, one of the nation’s largest outdoor advertising companies, has filed a civil lawsuit against the Village of Ridgewood’s Zoning Board of Adjustment following the denial of their application to erect a highly visible, illuminated billboard along Route 17 southbound.
This case pits corporate advertising power against local zoning control, and it’s complicated by significant local political connections that are stirring controversy on social media.
The Core Dispute: Illuminated Billboard on Route 17
Outfront Media is challenging the Zoning Board’s decision, hoping a Superior Court judge will overrule the denial and permit the massive advertising structure to be installed along the busy highway.
The outcome of this lawsuit, docketed as BER-L-000741-25, will have a lasting impact on the visual landscape of the Route 17 corridor in Ridgewood.
A Case Management Conference for the lawsuit is currently scheduled for December 09, 2025, at 10:00 AM before Judge Gregg A. Padovano in Court Room 359 at the Bergen County Justice Center.
Allegations of Conflict: Mayor, Attorney, and a Loan
The controversy surrounding the billboard denial has been amplified by discussions concerning the attorneys and local officials involved.
The lawsuit against the Zoning Board is being handled by Gail Price, a local attorney and former Ridgewood Planning Board Attorney (who previously resigned amid the Valley Hospital controversy). Her firm is representing Outfront Media.
Local social media is buzzing over alleged connections between key figures:
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Mayor Paul Vagianos: Current Village Mayor.
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Gail Price (Attorney): Representing Outfront Media in the lawsuit against the Village Zoning Board.
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Financial Link: Reports indicate that Mayor Vagianos lent $47,000 to Attorney Gail Price, whose firm is now suing the municipality he represents.
These financial and personal ties between the Mayor and the attorney representing the plaintiff suing the town’s board raise serious questions about potential conflicts of interest in the eyes of many long-time Ridgewood residents.
The December court date will be crucial in determining the fate of the billboard and potentially shedding light on these local political dynamics.
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Thanks a lot to the incompetent consultants who drafted the master plan. The language won’t stand up in court.
“Reports indicate that Mayor Vagianos lent $47,000 to Attorney Gail Price, whose firm is now suing the municipality he represents.”
Dirty deeds done dirt cheap.
How did 07450 turn into such a grease pit?
Disgusting.
Our mayor and village manager. That’s how
Democrats took control of the Village.
that’s how.
It has nothing to do with courts
It’s the working style of Keith Kazmark and Vaul Vagianos.
They are going to tell residents “oh the court ordered it, what can we do”..
wrong. This will be decided by the courts. wait and see.
All of them are dirt bags from other areas trying to ruin our town. Not sure why the Habernickel person who dates the original Paul wants to destroy where she grew up or why Siobhan does. But our mayor is a slum lord and our village manager doesn’t care he is from Paterson and was probably always jealous of Ridgewood people. Why is Bigios destroying the parks too with that business that is destroying property. It looks like a park in Harlem. Oh wait she is from NYC
Get people who are in tune with the understanding of keeping a suburban town wonderful. Not these dirtbags Clean house and get our standards back. Use tax money ye to keep our town safe and beautiful. Not to fund businesses success or turf fields for no one.
Sometimes it feels as if every cent everywhere is being funneled into the coffers of law firms.
Wow, you guys aren’t being very business-friendly…..