07450 - Page 297 of 329 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by James — 9 Comments

Sign Thieves At It Again Stealing Stop Sign from Grove Street And Stevens Avenue In Ridgewood

July 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood, N.J. It seems we write this story every summer , once again Stop signs and other road signs are disappearing in Ridgewood, in what has now turned into an annual and costly event.

Ridgewood police said a stop sign at Grove Street and Stevens Avenue was stolen this week. Creating a dangerous hazard for unsuspecting drivers .

Ridgewood Chief of Police Jacqueline Luthcke spoke with CBS News on why street sign thievery is an ongoing problem in Ridgewood.

Luthcke said ,“We generally average two to three per month for stop signs,” she said. “When it comes to all other types of signs, by the end of the year, it’s over 100.”

Luthcke continued stating the problem spikes in the summer. “Summertime is always one of the hardest, because although the kids think it’s not a problem – they want to take it off to college with them – it’s really something that is both a financial and a safety issue.”

According to Luthcke last year, it was such a big problem that Ridgewood offered amnesty to anyone willing to bring back the stolen goods.

“The amnesty that we did last year got an amazing amount of signs back,” Luthcke said. “We haven’t had a discussion yet this year.” Its was reported the over 20 signs were returned during the amnesty period.

In April of this year a social media post led to a Wyckoff man being charged with theft after police found a picture of him with stolen street signs from the village .

If they are caught and convicted, sign thieves face fines and even jail time.

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by James — 25 Comments

Ridgewood Board Of Education Hold the Line on Teachers Contract

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed

Ridgewood Board of Ed Statement:

The Board of Education is committed to settling the contract with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA). To this end, the full Board will meet with the state-appointed super conciliator on July 20 at 5 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place.

The REA negotiating team will also be present that evening. The Board is unanimously steadfast in its desire to resolve the on-going impasse with the REA and is prepared to stay as long as needed to finalize the settlement and reach agreement on a successor contract to the one that expired on June 30, 2015. The Board fervently hopes that the 2016-17 school year will start with a new contract and put an end to the difficulties that this impasse has caused. When the Board’s negotiating team first met with the super conciliator on June 27, the team presented a threeyear contract proposal that included a salary increase for each of the three years of 1.1%, 2.8% and 2.8%, with additional one-time payments for the highest paid teachers to defray part of the increased costs for their healthcare premiums. The average salaries for Ridgewood’s teachers are currently near the top when compared to salaries in other Bergen County school districts. Our starting salaries for teachers are at the top. If the REA were to accept the Board’s proposal, our teachers would continue to maintain that comparative advantage. The Board’s proposal includes a change to the health benefit plan from NJ Direct 10 to NJ Direct 15. Both plans offer the same provider network. With NJ Direct 15 there would be a nominal increase in copays for primary care doctors and specialists. The copay would increase from $10 to $15. A change in the health insurance plan would lower premium costs for both the district and the staff. The Board’s proposal would fairly compensate our teachers and secretaries for the excellent work they do. To date, in every negotiation session the Board’s team has delineated the economic impact of the proposals discussed.

The team has been forthright in its discussions with the REA, the mediator, the fact-finder, and the super conciliator that the cost of the contract must be affordable and aligned with the district’s financial realities, which include a two percent limit on tax increases. The Board remains hopeful that a settlement can be reached that addresses the needs articulated by our teachers and secretaries but does not set the stage for drastic cuts to staff and programs nor jeopardize the district’s financial future.

REA statement :

“Once again tonight the BOE has refused to accept the report from the impartial State Appointed Fact Finder. In fact the Board has not improved its position since February, and tonight presented nothing new to the REA negotiating team.The BOE continues in its position that it cannot afford the Fact Finder report. The impartial Fact Finder examined the Board’s books when he made his recommendation. Despite the BOE’s false statements, the report shows it has the resources to fund the recommended settlement. If the BOE cuts programs, it will not be because of the REA. Instead the Board is using scare tactics and the threat of cutting programs as an attempt to scapegoat the REA. This is no time for divisiveness; instead it is time for compromise. But as long as the Board remains set in their discredited “cost neutral” position, until it is willing to truly negotiate, this impasse will not end.

This meeting was the last chance of a settlement before September. Its failure to negotiate tonight means that teachers and secretaries will return to work beginning their second year under an expired contract. In addition, the Ridgewood Administrators Association (RAA) contract has also expired. The recalcitrance of the Board now means that in addition to teachers and secretaries, every principal, assistant principal, and supervisor will also begin September under an expired contract. This should not be acceptable in Ridgewood.

The Board needs to stop posturing and begin the work of negotiating in good faith to settle this contract. The BOE obviously, as stated in its email to the school community, is NOT “prepared to stay as long as needed to finalize the settlement and reach an agreement on a successor contract”.

Posted on July 21, 2016January 20, 2019 by James — 10 Comments

New Ridgewood Council Gets Down to Village Business

The Council repealed 3066
Kings Pond will get a fix
Jackie Hone will be vindicated
Parking problems will be remediated
People at the mic are respected
Our Mayor is smart and educated
The best of the best were elected
All and all we’re feeling elated!

by Linda McNamara

July 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The council meeting was business like and everyone was respected. People are now allowed to ask questions and the new council actually answered. It is amazingly difference from when Aronsohn ruled and they all stared at the speakers or, worse yet, they attacked the speakers.

A couple of people spoke happily about 3066 being repealed. It will not be finally repealed until the August public meeting.

A man spoke about fixing Kings Pond and it sounds like that will happen . Susan has already put money in the budget to finance that. Saurabh asked and asked about the supposed $60,000 spent by Stacy Antine at Health Barn. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld waffled on providing info and Boyd blasted her for this.

The swearing in of Chief Luthke was wonderful and the high point of the night The room was packed standing room only. There was much applause and John Ward came and pinned his own stars on Jackie’s epaulets. The whole thing was very moving. The female chief from Bergenfield was in attendance as were three freeholders.

The only blemish on the event was that the unelected village manager as usual planted herself in the midst of the swearing in, where she has no right to be. Someone needs to remind Ms. Sonenfeld that she needs to stay up on the dais as the other unelected members (Heather and Matt) do for proclamations and swearing-ins.

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Police Pick Up Suspect on Bad Check Charge

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

July 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, An adult male in possession of questionable identification issued by NY State and the State of Rhode Island was arrested by Ridgewood PD personnel after he tried to cash an allegedly fraudulent check at the TD Bank Branch on Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood. The incident occurred late Wednesday afternoon, 07/20. The suspect was apprehended by uniformed patrol officers after a short foot pursuit. He was transported to Ridgewood PD HQ for processing.

Posted on July 21, 2016June 27, 2021 by James — 9 Comments

Ridgewood Village Council Moves to Repeal Controversial Ordinance 3066

July 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council repealed an ordinance that has in many residents eyes opened the door to unpopular village master plan amendments that included clearing the way for The Valley Hospital’s expansion and construction of high-density housing downtown.

The ordinance, No. 3066, was adopted in 2007 and states that “any interested party” can formally request amendments to either the master plan or its development regulations. The requests must be reviewed by the village, and the ordinance also outlines how a party must file such requests, as well as the fee structure for doing so.

Village Planner Blais Brancheau authored the ordinance nine years ago and has steadfastly claimed it was to “establish a clear procedure” for handling amendment requests and let the village charge the requesting party the cost of the professionals involved. Brancheau claims that without the ordinance, those costs would be carried by Ridgewood taxpayers.Critics of 3066 have long felt the Village had lost control of the planning process.

It was introduced by the Village Council under Mayor Pfund in 2007 (https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/minutes/07RPMJUN13.pdf ). Chapter § 190-143 of the amended Village Code is the kicker; it established procedures for interested persions (i.e. developers) to request amendments to the Village Master Plan or development regulations.

Council members Mancuso, Ringler Shagin, Wiest, and Pfund all voted in favor of the ordinance. Chapter § 190-143 is here https://ecode360.com/6694062 .

Over the years many residents argue that this should be repealed to ensure that we don’t see overdevelopment at Valley and in the CBD in terms of densities and building scale. It’s felt this will better protect our property values.

But last night the council agreed to repeal Ordinance 3066 once and for all in all its glory which will allow the Village to once again gain control of its own destiny and close the door on incongruous non conforming development. The final repeal will come in the August public meeting.

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen administers the formal oath of office to Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

July 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen administers the formal oath of office to Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline B. Luthcke before a standing room only audience in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Courtroom at Village Hall on Wednesday, 07/20/2016.

Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by James — 17 Comments

Former Ridgewood Mayor Aronsohn Desperately Trying to Stay Relevant?

time to hit the BBQ

July 20,2016

PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Is there some reason that Paul Aronsohn and Gwenn Hauck both continue to maintain their respective ego driven, pretentious, outdated web sites?

In his recent article in the always Democratic machine friendly Bergen Record former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn engages in what can only be categorized as an attempt to set the stage for a political comeback though historical revisionism ,blatant dishonesty and a subtle attempt to undermine the current council.

The former mayor clearly still does not understand Ridgewood ,where it has always been considered very bad form for previous council members to criticize current new council members before they get a chance to get their seats warm.

Aronsohn’s term as mayor can be best described as contentious ,dishonest, controversial and to many the worst and most ineffective mayor in recent history. Rivaling the darkest days of Jane Reilly and the abject stupidity of the Village Hall reconstruction.

Aronsohn needs to face facts that Hudson County Machine Politics do not belong or according to the last election will be tolerated the Village of Ridgewood .

As we read through Aronsohn’s opinion piece it felt like we had heard all this before. Phases like “Ridgewood at a crossroads “, “Progress and Tradition “, “Kick the can down the road “and “Need to move forward ” all sounded eerily familiar. And yes they are these very words are the words of Councilmen Ramon Hache in the Ridgewood blog on March 9th (https://theridgewoodblog.net/ramon-m-hache-announces-candidacy-for-ridgewood-village-council/)

So it seems the the former Mayor found in necessary to praise himself while plagiarizing from Councilmen Hache’s campaign.

Perhaps former mayor Aronsohn’s time would be better spent gracefully retiring to a life of gardening and back yard barbecues.

Planning a comeback maybe?

https://www.paularonsohn.com

https://www.gwennhauck.com

Aronsohn: Ridgewood at the crossroads

BY PAUL ARONSOHN
THE RECORD

THE VILLAGE of Ridgewood is at a crossroads. For the first time in recent memory, our community has been discussing, debating and even deciding some of the big issues that have long simmered just beneath the surface — issues such as taxes and government services, multifamily housing, parking and, of course, the Valley Hospital. Rather than play it safe and continue to “kick the can down the road,” we have sought to resolve issues that have long eluded us.

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/ridgewood-at-the-crossroads-progress-vs-tradition-1.1632144

Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Water to Host Consumer Forums July 27th and August 2

YOU ARE INVITED TO RIDGEWOOD WATER CONSUMER FORUMS TO BE HELD JULY 27 & AUGUST 2

You are invited…
Ridgewood Water consumers are invited to attend two public forums for information
and explanation of the recently mailed Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The first
event will take place on Wednesday, July 27 at 9:00 am in the Courtroom of Ridgewood
Village Hall. The second event will take place on Tuesday, August 2 at 7:00 pm in
the Youth Center of Ridgewood Village Hall. Village Hall is located at 131 N. Maple Ave.,
Ridgewood. Space is limited, so please register by contacting Donna Omelianuk,
Ridgewood Water, at 201-670-5500 ext. 271 or by email at [email protected].
The CCR that was mailed contains minor errors that have been corrected in the online
version available at water.ridgewoodnj.net. Any questions on this issue or Ridgewood
Water will be answered at the forums.

Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by James — 16 Comments

Readers asks I want to keep Ridgewood nice but I think we are getting a bit carried away?

A reader told us that ,”On my walk this morning at 6am the Ridgewood Fire Dept was taking pictures of houses that had their sprinklers running that shouldn’t have been…. Reminder follow the stage 2 restrictions.”

But seem to think its going a bit over board , “What is going on in this town? There are employees going around issuing summonses for watering, sidewalks and “suspected” unlicensed pets.”

Another reader said they , “actual had a court date because I didn’t register my imaginary dog. When I called and asked why they thought I had a dog, they said a neighbor informed them!!”

One reader said they heard a neighbor got a warning because they ,” had a child’s wooden play house in the yard. It was very large. They said it was a dog house. “.

“The pet one is insane. I feel like I live in North Korea.”

Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by James — 14 Comments

Reader says teachers have a MUCH better deal than the median Ridgewood household

The median HOUSEHOLD incomes in Ridgewood are $138,000… teachers work for 10 months a year with tenure in many cases, so if you annualize teacher pay for 12 months work, they get paid paid the same as an entire household at the median in Ridgewood, i.e. $118,000 for 10 months = $136,000 for 12 months, with the added safety of tenured job security. Add in:

1) taxpayer subsidized $28,000 annual family “platinum” health benefit plan, which is much better than the average private sector employer plan (equivalent to “bronze”), and has much lower premiums, $5-10 co-pays, and covers up to 96% of all billable costs; as well as,
2) defined benefit pension plans for life which TPAF members contribute less than 7.5% of their annual wages towards (still!) and start drawing at an average age of 62 in NJ which can be worth over $2 million if the retiree lives to average US lifespan; and,
3) sick leave which gets carried over year after year instead of the “use it or lose it” sick leave offered by private sector employers

It becomes very clear that teachers have a MUCH better deal than the median Ridgewood household, which pays much higher health plan co-pays and deductibles for less health benefit coverage (on average, private sector plans only cover 84% of medical expenses), loses unused sick leave that cannot be carried over, runs the risk of job loss, and contributes up to 16% of their annual wages towards defined contribution pension plans, i.e. 401(k) plans. Combined teacher benefits are already too high even for well qualified, experienced, certified, professionals… which, by the way, is not what we got from the REA in the 2015/16 academic year. We got petulant, greedy, bad faith, so-called professionals who let our kids and schools down in a multitude of ways, from recommendation letters, to after school programs and activities, to community outreach. Notice the lack of signs supporting teachers in Ridgewood; we’ve had enough.

Posted on July 20, 2016July 20, 2016 by James — 3 Comments

Ridgewood Police Find Missing Women With Alzheimer’s

Ridgewood Police Alzheimer's patient was found

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook page

July 20,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A 68-year old female Alzheimer’s patient was found safe more than two (2) hours after she went missing from her Ridgewood home on Tuesday afternoon, 07/19. Ridgewood PD conducted an intense search of areas surrounding the woman’s home off of Prospect Street after her husband reported her missing at approximately 2:45 PM. A tracking canine from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the search, along with volunteers from Ridgewood’s Emergency Services Division. The uninjured patient was located after an employee from a nearby nursery school reported to police that she saw someone lying down in a wooded area behind the school.

Posted on July 20, 2016July 19, 2016 by James — 2 Comments

Reader asks the Ridgewood village manager is announcing what a tenant has spent for their own personal gain at a public meeting?

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

It doesn’t make sense that a village manager is announcing what a tenant has spent for their own personal gain at a public meeting? And then when the village manager is asked to provide facts about the information she put out there she is unable. How can a town like Ridgewood let this manager get away with this. If the information is said at a meeting then it should be available to the public at that moment. What is this healthbarn and what does it have to do with Ridgewood and the village manager? Seems a lot of time is spent on the subject. And a lot of the tax payers dollars are being used to help a business. I heard on one hand it is a partnership but then I heard that all Ridgewood is collecting is the same rent the tenant before paid. Any info is welcome

Posted on July 19, 2016June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

Tom Petty Superfan Jake Thistle raises more than $1,800 for Rock The Dogs Charity

July 19,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Glen Rock Patch self proclaimed Tom Petty superfan Jake Thistle raised more than $1,800 Saturday at Kilwins Ridgewood 121 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 , for the Rock The Dogs, a non-profit run by Mike Campbell, the lead guitarist for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

In a Facebook message Thistle wrote :

“This charity event is tonight! Please come out if you can make it. I’m donating my pay and everything I earn to Rock the Dogs/Tazzy Fund. I’m also going to live stream as much as I can on Facebook

Even if you can’t come, it would be great if you want to donate something on PayPal– my dad said he would match all online donations, so anything you donate will be double! If you want, you can PayPal something to [email protected].

It’s for a great cause! Thank you!”

Campbell saw a video of Thistle performing one of the Heartbreakers’ songs. After he contacted Thistle with an encouraging message ,Thistle decided to thank him in a very meaningful way so he came up with the idea of doing a fundraiser for Rock The Dogs.

Mike Campbell, guitar player of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers started Rock The Dogs with wife Marcie.
In 2008 Mike and Marcie Campbell founded ROCK THE DOGS! A program run through Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund of Burbank CA. The mission is to raise funds in support of the rescue efforts of Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund.

Here’s more about the charity: https://www.tazzyfund.com/rockthedogs.html

Thistle is currently still accepting donations for the group. To make a donation online, email Greg Thistle, Jake’s father, [email protected].

Posted on July 19, 2016July 19, 2016 by James — 16 Comments

Three Ridgewood Teachers Make the List of The States Highest Paid

July 19,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Schools had 3 teachers listed on the Department of Educations list of teachers in the $100,000 per year club.

The three Ridgewood teachers all make $116,173 annually. They are:

DEBELLA, MARGARET SCHAEFER
SCHAEFER, RICHARD MCNAMEE
MCNAMEE, HAROLD NELSON

The Department of Education releases this annual list of teachers and their salaries. The list of educators making joining the $100,000 club has grown . Over a decade ago the list barely had any teachers on it now has grown to more than 5,000.That’s only a tiny fraction of the more than 90,000 people who teach in public and charter schools in this state. The highest earners come from all different schools and not just the so-called “wealthy” districts that routinely rank highly on national and state lists for best schools.

Posted on July 19, 2016July 19, 2016 by James — 9 Comments

Ridgewood Police Respond to Rollover Crash at the intersection of Kenilworth Road and Spring Avenue in Ridgewood

photo courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook Page

July 19,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, One (1) summons was issued by Ridgewood PD in connection with a Monday morning, 07/18 rollover crash at the intersection of Kenilworth Road and Spring Avenue in Ridgewood. The driver of a Toyota Camry allegedly ran a stop sign and hit a Hyundai Santa Fe, which then rolled over on its side. A retired Ridgewood firefighter assisted the Hyundai’s driver from the vehicle by kicking out the windshield; he suffered a minor cut to his leg in the process, but refused to be transported to a hospital. Both vehicles were removed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. Ridgewood FD personnel attended to a minor crash related fluid spill. Spring Avenue was closed in both directions between Circle and South Pleasant Avenues while the crash scene was being cleared.

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