October 7,2016
Did you hear Councilman Ramon Hache suggest that because most employees in the CBD make minimum wage the Village of Ridgewood should give those employees free parking. So let me understand this Councilman because the employers only pay their employees minimum wage it now becomes the Village taxpayers responsible to supplement there income by giving them free parking. How are you going to know if they are indeed being paid minimum wage Councilman ask for their w 2 before you give them free parking ?
To Mike Sedon: You are a nice guy BUT leave me and my trees alone! I don’t need more government telling me what trees I can and cannot take down on MY property. AND, if the village needs to plant more of their own trees then they should start planting the trees that were never planted and died at the recycling center!
“village to examine trees on private property and if a tree had a diameter larger than 6 inches, it could not be taken down unless it was deemed diseased, dead or a hazard.” Hey Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon your going to tell taxpayer that they cannot take down a tree on their own property “village to examine trees on private property” are you kidding me? We pay taxes on or land and if we the taxpayers want to take down tree on our property because we want more sunlight or plant a garden who the hell do you and the village think you are to tell us what to do. You are really get out there on this one .
October 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser seemed to contract “foot in mouth disease”,on Wednesday night when talking about the Village tree stock he used the term Ghetto Palms to describe a tree that grows in Patterson ,saying “The Paterson Palm. A tree that grows best in ghettos.” he would like to eradicate in Ridgewood. It was said in a somewhat derogatory manner and both Anne and Boyd spoke about this during public comment. They were highly offended. Other felt it was a dumb and insensitive comment.
If you missed the comments from Mr. Rutishauser, here’s a link to the OFFICIAL Village of Ridgewood video of the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IixAGgdClMA&feature=youtu.be&t=2h31s
The word is that Ms. Johnson ( bike lanes to nowhere guru) is planning on leaving Ridgewood as her children have graduated. Regarding Chris Rutishauser’s reference to the lovely and sturdy honey locust tree as a “ghetto palm” found all over Paterson, I would like to quote The National Arbor Day website: the honey locust tree “has captured the hearts of community foresters and homeowners throughout America and is tough enough to withstand just about any urban setting.” Sounds like a great tree for Ridgewood that is becoming more urbanized as we speak.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Wednesday nights presentation by the village engineer and resident Jeanne Johnson on the availability of a grant for the purpose of pedestrian safety and alternate transit opportunities ( bikes) for municipalities. Better stop lights, bike lanes, refuge islands etc. Mayor Knudsen felt that she would need more information as there had been many complaints regarding the Garber Square do to the so called improvements ie “traffic easing” and “suicide bike lane”. The council will read the plans and come to a decision. The grant application is due November 10th.
Jeanne Johnson actually had the audacity to say that she regularly sees bikers using the “bike lane to and from nowhere,” and to blame all of the complaints about it on the fact that “there was a new Village Council and new Village Manager at the same time?” Hello Jeanne: What have you been smoking lately. The Garber Square bike lane is useless.
Jeanne Johnson claimed she has many photos of people using the bike lane under the railroad tracks??? You take your life in your hands if you use it. I would like to see her MANY photos.
Rutishauser was unwilling to show the plan to the council for the new bike lanes, even when the mayor asked for the plan. Too large to print. Too large to burn onto a disc. Too large to email. What the heck? He wanted them to approve a plan without seeing the plan? For real? And then when the Mayor asked him what happened to the suggestions for the grant that she and other council members had submitted to him he just said that the suggestions were no good and he dismissed them.
But then a reader asked the obvious ,In what capacity was Jeanne Johnsohn sitting with the village engineer? What’s her qualification and has village hired her to be a consultant?
file photo courtesy of Ridgewood PD
JOB POSTING – DISPATCH CENTER DIRECTOR
The Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch in Ridgewood, NJ, is searching for a Dispatch Center Director. Manage operations and administration of the communications center serving Ridgewood and Glen Rock, as well as other public safety jurisdictions.
Responsible for employee hiring, training, evaluation and disciplinary issues. Oversees all operational features of the Dispatch Center, including maintenance of equipment and records; develops and oversees center’s annual budget.
Minimum of a B.S. in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Electronic Engineering, or other related field. 2 years prior experience in public safety dispatching, valid CPR cert., Emergency Medical Dispatcher Cert. and Basic Telecommunicator Cert. required. Previous supervisory experience required.
Ridgewood and Glen Rock are both EOE Employers
Send cover letter and resume, including salary requirements to:
Heather Mailander, Acting Village Manager/Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
Hoboken Commuter Train Event, Video Recorders Provide Investigators Usable Data
October 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The National Transportation Safety Board released Thursday details downloaded from the event data and forward-facing video recorders on a NJ Transit commuter train involved in the Sept. 29, 2016, accident at the Hoboken Terminal, Hoboken, New Jersey.
October 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewod NJ, The community is invited to see and participate in the creation of a new era of illumination in the park at the heart of Ridgewood
The Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands is excited to invite the community to the Demonstration of Phase I of our lighting and audio project at MEMORIAL PARK AT VAN NESTE SQUARE on Monday, October 17 at 7:30 pm.
We will be turning on the lighting in the trees, on our pathways, and on our Historic Memorials for just this one evening, to give you a special demonstration of what the park will look like once Phase II is completed in the spring. We look forward to showing you a magnificent transformation of the park that will ultimately allow the community to host events throughout the year. This gift will be a meaningful to both the residents and the Central Business District, drawing our community together and benefiting all.
The Van Neste Lighting Project is a collaboration of the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands with lighting design firm Jan & Brooke, Luminae and the International Landscaping Lighting Institute.
Please join us October 17th, regardless of the weather!
Location: Downtown Ridgewood, Various Stores and Restaurants-listed below
Come on down to Ridgewood’s Fall
BLOW-OUT Sale Days
October 6, 7, 8, 2016
Thr., Fri., Sat.,
outside if weather permitting
featuring
summer-endings
Fall trending’s and
Holiday comings
Alba Boutique – S. Broad St.
Alex and Ani* – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Anik of Ridgewood – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Art of Motion – Chestnut St.
ConnectOne Bank – E. Ridgewood Ave
DPARZ – S. Broad St.
Eat Your Spinach – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Femmbot Clothing – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Fox’s – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Gardner & Company – Van Neste Square
GiGi’s Boutique – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Gypsy Warrior Boutique – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Hot Jewelry Box – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Jekyll & Hide – E. Ridgewood AVe.
Kate Spade – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Learning Express – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Little Skye Children’s – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Loft41 Jewelry Studio & More – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Lucky Brand- E. Ridgewood Ave.
Oasis – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Pangea Coins & Jewelry – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Pink Bungalow – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Racefaster – N. Broad St.
Ridgewood Running Co., – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Ridgewood Bootery – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Running Company – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Savvy Chic Consignment Boutique-Cottage Ave.
Shelly Glam – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Shoe-Inn – E. Ridgewood Ave.
Shopettes – Chestnut St.
Suite 201 – Walnut St.
Super Cellars – S. Broad St.
The Gap – E. Ridgewood AVe.
Victor’s Clothing & Shoes – E. Ridgewood Ave.
for more details call 201-445-2600
[email protected]
*Spend $75 and receive a bangle bracelet free up to $28.
Please ask what the exclusions are when entering the Alex and Ani store.
see you at the sale!
October 6,2016
the staff of the Rmidgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Patrolman Dibenedetto assisted Otto the Auto at Somerville school today as they spoke with the students about pedestrian safety.
October 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey Choral Society is excited to announce their collaboration with New York’s Teatro Grattacielo for a concert production of Vittorio Gnechhi’s opera, “Cassandra”, on October 8, 2016. The performance will be held at The Gerald Lynch Theater at John Jay College, 524 West 59th Street, NY, starting at 8:00pm. The New Jersey Choral Society Festival Youth Chorus will participate on-stage in the part of the “bambinos”.
The New Jersey Choral Society, based in Ridgewood, NJ, is one of the state’s most prestigious choral groups, well-known for presenting outstanding and unique programs of diverse repertoire. Since its founding in 1980, NJCS has grown to an ensemble of about 90 auditioned singers from around the tri-state area. The choir performs under the baton of dynamic conductor Eric Dale Knapp, accompanied by Linda Sweetman-Waters. The NJCS Festival Youth Chorus, formerly established in 2015, is directed by Noelle Dachis.
Teatro Grattacielo, founded in 1994 by current Artistic Director, Duane Printz, produces performances of works in the Italian operatic repertoire that are rarely heard in the United States. Ms. Printz was honored this year by Opera Index for her work with these forgotten masterpieces. The premiere of Vittorio Gnecchi’s “Cassandra” was conducted by Arturo Toscanini in 1905, but fell into obscurity within 10 years. The October 8, 2016 performance will be conducted by Maestro Israel Gursky.
Advance tickets are $25.00 and $50.00. For more information visitwww.grattacielo.org. Tickets are available at www.ticketcentral.com.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47 invite you to join them for their annual Open House. Demonstrations, tours and light refreshments.
201 E Glen Ave
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 444-4226
Open 24 Hours
https://fmbalocal47.org/
Here is my biggest concern with the proposed all day kindergarten. Although conceptually there are pluses, I question whether we can afford it. And I think one of the biggest reasons we won’t be able to afford it has to do with the hundreds of apartments that are being built downtown. These apartments will be marketed to those with two income earners and young families. Our schools are going to be one of the largest drivers of families to those units. I question whether we will be able to afford the influx of new elementary age students as it is, and that problem will be compounded if we have to double the number of kindergarten seats both for existing children and new children. I worry that we are going to need to construct new classrooms at our elementary schools – – and I am not sure that cost has been factored into the equation. I simply haven’t seen enough to convince me that the $110 tax increase is going to cover the costs of new residents from the multifamily housing units. Particularly if we have to build new classrooms to accommodate these new students, then the $110 number may be multiplied very quickly.
We keep proposing to add more and more to our town without thinking through how each addition takes away from the whole. Those pushing for all day kindergarten need to also get involved in other aspects of our town as well so they can view and work towards making sure things remain in balance. It may be a great idea, but does it fit with the needs and budget of the town as a whole? If we are going to keep adding hundreds of new residents, will we be able to afford ideas such as all day kindergarten and are we going to need to cut back on other Village and school services in order to balance our budget?
photo by Boyd Loving
October 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ellie Gruber and Jeanne Epiphan gave a presentation on the state of Gypsy and Kings Pond. Invasive species is a huge problem as well as a dilapidated dam. Wildscape felt at the very least a fence should be put in place that would help to mitigate the encroachment of damaging species of plants such as Japanese Knotweed. Tim Cronin said that permits from the DEP would be necessary but the preliminary work could begin if the council agreed. Jeff Voigt suggested including the Eagle Scouts in the project. A scout leader was present and said that it could be done. The council agreed to move forward on the project beginning with the fence.
Next on the agenda was a presentation by the village engineer and resident Jeanne Johnson on the availability of a grant for the purpose of pedestrian safety and alternate transit opportunities ( bikes) for municipalities. Better stop lights, bike lanes, refuge islands etc. Mayor Knudsen felt that she would need more information as there had been many complaints regarding the Garber Square do to the so called improvements ie “traffic easing” and “suicide bike lane”. The council will read the plans and come to a decision. The grant application is due November 10th.
Parking was next on the agenda and the council continued its discussion on how best to increase parking options in the CBD for shoppers, employees and commuters. One idea was to try a pilot program at the Chestnut Street Lot which would use a kiosk which accepts coins, credit cards and Park Mobile. This seemed doable and the council authorized going forward with this program. Much talk over fees throughout the town at the meters and the lots . Heather will be working on the several ordinances needed to address the changes.
It was obvious how hard the council is working to improve parking and to mindful of the cost to the village.
Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon explained changes in our tree replacement program which includes allowing the village to examine trees on private property and if a tree had a diameter larger than 6 inches, it could not be taken down unless it was deemed diseased, dead or a hazard. Trees that are taken down would need to be replaced by the property owner or 150 dollars paid to the village for a tree planting in another location. The hope is to replenish or depleting shade tree stock with municipal funds, grants and stricter guidelines for property owners.
A thin blue line is to be painted between two yellow lines on Linwood Avenue to show support for our police force.
Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser seemed to contract “foot in mouth disease”,when talking about the Village tree stock he used the term Ghetto Palms to describe a tree that grows in Patterson ,saying “The Paterson Palm. A tree that grows best in ghettos.” he would like to eradicate in Ridgewood. It was said in a somewhat derogatory manner and both Anne and Boyd spoke about this during public comment. They were highly offended. Other felt it was a dumb and insensitive comment.
October 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, On Saturday, October 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ridgewood Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its 12th opportunity in six years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the Ridgewood Police Desk at 131 North Maple Ave. (The DEA cannot accept liquids or needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—about 3,200 tons—of pills.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 22 Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or call the Ridgewood Police Department 201-652-3900.
