The REA just wants more money taken from the students and extracurricular’s to pay for their average annual above inflation (and above 2% property tax cap) wage increases and “platinum” health plan benefits covering 96% of all medical benefits with $10 co-pays. Why are Ridgewood residents paying above average property taxes in Bergen County for schools to only cut spending on students to pay even more for teachers who already earn the highest average salaries in Bergen? Does this make any sense? Won’t our property values decline if our schools keep declining like they have?
You are blatantly misleading readers and twisting facts!!! Assuming you pay average Ridgewood property taxes of $16,000 a year, and assuming you are, in fact, a soon to retire teacher, then your $16,000 in property taxes helps cover the cost of Village contributions towards your lifetime defined benefit TPAF pension.
Assuming you are a Tier 1 member (enrolled in TPAF before July 2007), you can retire between age 55~60 you will receive full retirement benefits. To calculate how much your annual pension is worth, you divide your service time by 55, then multiple that by your average salary for the three years immediately preceding your retirement. So say 35 years divided by 55 = 63.6% of your average final salary $118,000 = $75,000 in taxpayer protected, defined benefit pension every year until you die which will be more than 25+ years if you retire at 60 and live to the average U.S. lifespan of 85 years. For this you contributed only 6.5% of your base salary but you get a defined benefit amount in retirement plan, i.e. you are insulated from any investment risk and benefit from taxpayer protected pension plan with an assumed annual rate of return of 7.95%. Yes the percentage contribution will gradually climb to 7.5% by 2018, but it’s still less than the 10% that PFRS members contribute and you take no investment risk like the rest of us with defined contribution IRAs or 401(k) plans. Those who enrolled in TPAF on June 28, 2011, or later are won’t be eligible until 65 for a pension, but that is for members who will retire in 35+ years from now, NOT you.
That $16,000 in property taxes also helps to subsidize your “Platinum” level health benefits, as defined by the ACA, which is an annual benefit of up to $28,000 a year depending on family member coverage. This plan covers up to 96% of eligible medial costs with $10 co-pays..TPAF members with at least 10 years of service time also receive a free group life insurance policy payable upon their death to their beneficiaries. You can also choose to purchase an additional group life policy that costs 0.4% of your paycheck. Not bad for $16,000 in property taxes, which is why it means you should be ASHAMED of your comment that “I am Ridgewood tax payer too and suffer just like you when the rates increase.” You don’t suffer, it’s in YOUR beneficial interest because you benefit from increased taxes which help pay for your retirement. Put in $16,000 a year in property taxes and get out over $105,000 in annual benefits. So please tell the whole story here or it truly is “shame on you.”
Ridgewood NJ, while the Village is looking for volunteer’s for the Financial Advisory Committee in an effort to turn it into a real financial advisory committee,by recruiting people with financial backgrounds instead of the current group of lawyers and political “yes men” that the ex mayor pushed . Many residents
have also asked to make sure the Financial Advisory Committee or FAC also post agenda’s and record minutes.
Meanwhile the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce is looking to control the New Central Business Advisory Committee.
The Chamber sent out and eblast to all it members asking them for input. Readers of this blog have already voiced concern about the Central Business Advisory Committee saying, “Another way to get Paul the Greek, John Saraseno and Ed Sullivan a fast track to the Council. Who thought up this committee?”
Others were even less impressed with the idea saying ,”(CBDAC) Another new committed ! What did we elect council for?”
The mission statement for the CBDAC committee:The Central Business District Advisory Committee will work with the Village Council, residents and businesses to evaluate and initiate enhancements to improve traffic flow, parking, pedestrian safety, and the mix and balance of business establishments; while incorporating and refining the CBD’s historic elements and beauty to create a desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors.
The terms are for 2 years, staggering to serve one year term at the outset. The Point person is Councilman Ramon M. Hache who can be reached at [email protected] , or by calling 201-670-5500 ext. 201 .
SEEKING RESIDENTS AND OTHER PERSONS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE ON THE FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Financial Advisory Committee and the Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC).
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
The Central Business District Advisory Committee (CBDAC) will work with the Village Council, business owners and residents to evaluate and initiate enhancements to improve the viability of the CBD, including traffic flow and patterns, parking, pedestrian safety and the balance of commercial uses; while maintaining and refining the historic and aesthetic elements to create a more desirable, vibrant and memorable destination for all visitors. The CBDAC is made up of one representative from the Chamber of Commerce; one representative from the Ridgewood Guild; five Ridgewood residents (one of whom shall be a member of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee); and three business owners, one of whom is a property owner in the CBD.
All interested residents and others wishing to serve on these committees should send the following:
A cover letter indicating on which committee(s)the person wishes to serve
A Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under forms)
A biography or resume
Ridgewood NJ, YWCA Bergen County is holding its July WEN is Now: Women’s Empowerment Network event, “You Are So Much Greater Than You Think!”, on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 from 8:30 to 10:00 am at 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood.
We go through life wearing many different hats and we answer to many different titles; relatable challenges that women experience, which also help us to create bonds with each other. While we are loving, giving, caring and working for others we tend to put our dreams and innermost desires on hold, or we simply let them go.
What you really want for yourself matters. Let’s get together for a real talk about making those dreams your reality.
Presenter Shonya Jordan, CPC-ELI MP, is a Certified Professional Coach/Energy Leadership Master Practitioner. She is a Certified Life Coach who works with clients that are looking to create a transformation in their lives as well as a motivational speaker. Shonya is a graduate of the Bergen Leads Leadership Program. Additionally, she has held the position of Secretary for the SUEZ Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) where she also coordinated the Book of the Month initiative leading discussions on motivational, inspirational and career advancement for women.
Get the personal and professional growth you seek with exclusive opportunities for WEN is Now Membership. Annual WEN is Now Memberships are available at $150. Memberships include one-year basic YWCA membership, members-only discounts for women’s empowerment programs, and a tax deductible donation ($100) toward vital YWCA programming. Per event rates for monthly WEN is Now programs include $15 for non-members and no charge for WEN is Now members.
2 hour tech workshops
that will save you
10 hours of time.
Sign up for summer workshops in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen IT LLC’s targeted, affordable tech training sessions are designed to meet the needs of small business. They address the challenges you and your employees regularly face when working with essential software tools.
Our highly-experienced instructor will provide training that’s usually only available in large corporations. He’ll offer expert answers in clear, easy-to-understand language. Even if you’ve used these software programs for years, this training will improve your productivity, reduce stress, and save you money.
This specially-priced opportunity is for fellow Chamber members and their employees. Workshops will be held in the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce office. Summer sessions will run from 7/18/16 – 8/5/16. Reserve a spot now by contacting [email protected] or calling 201-689-1823. For more details and the schedule of sessions.
We heard this from Valley Hospital,then the 3 amigos and now the REA
“Hold strong to your position REA. This heinous, negative sentiment toward educators is indicative of a minority of Ridgewood residents. Comments about not having the support of the community are inaccurate. More and more of the limited support Ridgewood Teacher signs are cropping up everyday despite this being vacation time. The premise that teachers are living in a fantasy world, are asking for pie-in-the-sky benefits and don’t understand the reality of the day are ridiculous. The REA has proposed what every other district in NJ has asked for, nothing more. Teacher hate is not the norm in other towns…… and not for the majority of Ridgewood residents.”
“I have followed the various posts on this blog related to the current negotiations and have held my tongue. I have read that teachers are : greedy, vindictive, inactive, unprofessional, uncaring, easily replaceable, union puppets, abusing an archaic system, engaging in activities that would have them fired from non tenured jobs (wearing a red shirt for unity) and a litany of other things that are an affront to common decency. Statements are made based on gossip, half-truths and inaccurate facts that fuel the animosity. If someone, who knew nothing about the situation, happened upon this blog and took the comments as accurate, they would believe the Ridgewood teachers to be angry, slothful beings,living high on the hog, hellbent on bankrupting the taxpayers, brainwashing (while not caring about or actually teaching) their students, being provided an exorbitant salary for a no-show job, while lounging on the beach. If this isn’t teacher hate, please tell me what is?”
Aronsohn’s recent op ed piece in The Record and Pucciarelli’s letter to the editor in The Ridgewood News suggest that their plan is to lob hand grenades into the Knudsen administration’s agenda with the hopes of inflicting casualties of some sort. SORE LOSERS.
Fool us once…Let them just go away. They will never return despite them still hanging around? Chamber of Commerce etc. Sore Loserman ran and lost and they eventually went away. So will these 3. The new Council is awesome and out of the ordinary issues will be attributed to those 3….so we will overcome. They are already off to a great start repealing Pfundwood! Can we get rid of that Gyro Wall next? Tell the sidewalk Nazi he may be next after the wall fall…wasn’t he responsible for the $750,000 coin guy? People have to be held responsible. Thank you 1st amendment…
Ridgewood NJ, Billed as the “Embrace the national “Come Alive Outside” campaign it was an afternoon of family fun and activity and the famous rubber duck race!”
Sponsored by Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction, the Ridgewood Fire Departmetn FMBA #47 and Ridgewood Parks and Recreation.
The annual Duck Derby was a great opportunity to beat the heat. As a reader said , “It was a fabulous day. My three sons had so much fun. But I was left wondering why the heck Gwenn Hauck was all over the place. She is no longer in office and frankly I was not happy to see her. Didn’t she get the memo that there is a new council in place?”
Ridgewood Nj, Members of FMBA #47, Ridgewood Professional Firefighters, donated the food and beverages provided to ticketed attendees at the Village of Ridgewood Parks & Recreation Department’s annual “Duck Derby,” which was held at Graydon Park/Pool on Saturday, 07/23/2016. FMBA members also cooked and served the lunch & dessert.
Ridgewood High School students Mitchell Saron and Roscoe Swartz earned gold and bronze medals, respectively, competing for the Bergen Fencing Club in the Cadets (16-year-old) saber division of the USA Fencing National Championships & July Challenge, in Dallas on July 2.
Swartz, who had placed third during the Junior Olympics event held in February 2016, bested California fencer Jared Smith to achieve a Top 8 showing at 15-12.
Ridgewood NJ, Stay cool this weekend: catch Pokémon (Drowzee found in the stacks!) INSIDE the air-conditioned Ridgewood Library.
While you are there dont for get the Library Café Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10am – 4pm; Friday: 10am – 3pm; Saturday and Sunday, Closed. Now serving Fresh Brewed Iced Coffee!
Always on the menu: RPL patrons’ favorite: Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich, as well as Egg Salad & Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Tossed Garden Salad and Homemade Baked Goods. See you at the Café.
Ridgewood NJ, The YWCA Bergen County now offers Masters Triathlon Swim Training for ages 18 and older at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood, NJ.
Masters Triathlon Swim Training for men and women athletes works with an experienced coach to improve physical well-being while training to compete in triathlons. Training is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
For more information or to register call the YWCA Membership Department at 201-444-5600, x400, or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org.
Ridgewood NJ, today Graydon features the Great Duck Derby!
Embrace the national “Come Alive Outside” campaign and join us for an afternoon of family fun and activity . . . and the famous rubber duck race!
Saturday, July 23, 12 noon to 4 pm, Graydon Pool (rain date is 7/24)
Sponsored by Jacobsen Landscape Design and Construction, the Ridgewood Fire Departmetn FMBA #47 and Ridgewood Parks and Recreation: 2016 Duck Derby Registration/Details
On May 18, 2010, Graydon Pool was honored as one of the year’s “10 Most Endangered Historic Sites” in the state by Preservation New Jersey. Ridgewood should be proud that this independent nonprofit organization considers Graydon irreplaceable for its historical significance,environmental and fiscal sustainability, and contribution to local residents’ quality of life.
No sharks , no jelly fish and no parkway traffic !
2016 SEASON
Regular Season
Saturday, June 4 through August 14, 2016
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
**Holiday** – July 4th, close 4 pm
Late Season
Monday, August 15 through Labor Day, September 5, 2016
Weekdays – 12 noon to 7:30 pm
Weekends/Holiday – 10 am to 7:30 pmCONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7002 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7003 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP RATESRESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education. Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older)
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
DAILY PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00NON-RESIDENT MEMBERSHIPS – The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2016 summer season.
ADULT (ages 16 and up) – $200.00
CHILD (ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES (must be accompanied by 2016 season member)- $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00
Purchase all badges from the comfort of home via CommunityPass (Visa and Mastercard accepted).
In person assistance will be available pre-season on Saturday, May 14, 10 am to 12 noon and Saturday, May 21, 10 am to 12 noon at the Graydon Badge Office, on site at the pool facility.
