201 - Page 304 of 326 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — 8 Comments

Reader asks How would a sale of Ridgewood Water work?

How would a sale work? We would acquire a professional management team but does delivery change?

I doubt that we could physically connect to the water sources for United or another company. Or is this a real possibility.

I know that some feel that we have control over our water, but what are we really controlling? Out water is tested and sometimes the results are concerning. Is the water consumed in other towns in Bergen County more contaminated? I don’t think so. What is it that we are trying to control and what are the real opportunity costs?

Would we benefit from a financial infusion that would bring the necessary upgrades? The new company will still have to battle with Ridgewood residents who live near the water tanks. Would the “greater good” prevail?

Posted on June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — 20 Comments

Reader asks what happened to Ridgewood’s Tradition of Excellence?

Tradition_of_excellence_theridgewoodblog

That is how the real world works! The taxpayers are irritated because our district is one of the highest paying in the entire state and the quality of education is lagging – what happened to the Tradition of Excellence? The entire system of education needs to be revisited. Tenure should be abolished although nepotism will still cause problems just as it does in the private sector. Angry masses, as you refer to the taxpayers, simply want value for their tax dollars and are tired of demands by public servants for better benefits and salary increases than what is acceptable in the real world. I am starting to believe educators live in a protective bubble. You chose the teaching profession, hopefully out of a love of learning and children knowing that you could earn a decent living but not get rich. If money was your main motivation you should have considered a different path. Nurses, para-professionals, retail managers with the same level of education do not earn as much as teachers and do not enjoy the generous benefits including time off and generous pensions. Don’t tell me those professions don’t work as hard as you. You are not as special as you think.

Posted on June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — 7 Comments

Ridgewood Rain sensor ordinance for in-ground sprinklers

June 26,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Is there anything more annoying than driving by a house with in-ground sprinklers that are on while it is raining or right after a rain? Why hasn’t the village mandated the use of sensors for new systems? Why hasn’t Ridgewood Water bought, in bulk, sensors and given them away to what would then be non-conforming, pre-existing systems? Why? The continued lack of common and fiscal sense from village hall is appalling. From the Garber Sq $14k sign, to the neglect of the Hudson St lot, to the bike lane to nowhere and now this.

This sensor [the first result on Google] retails for $29: https://store.rainbird.com/timers/rain-moisture-sensors/rsdbex-rain-sensor-with-bracket.html . How much of a bulk discount could you get on a few hundred? How much water does the sensor need to save before it pays for itself over 2 years? In my previous town, same population as Ridgewood, they gave out low-flow shower heads door-to-door because even a low adoption rate saved water.

Posted on June 27, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — 23 Comments

Reader says Criticism from this blog eventually unmasked the intentions of Aronsohn, his adoring supplicants, and his friends in the media such as The Record’s Stephen Borg

The ironically-named “Civility Forums” were, collectively, a thinly- (because that’s usually all that is needed to avoid scrutiny) disguised attempt to re-define, as aggressive “incivility”, civic involvement, occasionally taking the form of mild pushback, by ordinary village residents and taxpayers not invested or interested in advancing a freakish, spawn-of-alinsky, progressive political agenda. Criticism from this blog eventually unmasked the intentions of Aronsohn, his adoring supplicants, and his friends in the media such as The Record’s Stephen Borg. The wind having been taken out of their sails, they mercifully ended that baleful series of foolish public/private meetings. Their jihad against normalcy is sure to arise again in some other form in the near future which is why we need to support small-entity actors like James who are willing to throw stumbling blocks in their path.

Posted on June 26, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Marathon Swimmer Charlotte Samuels: Working to Make Water Accessible to All

By Melissa Berkay, Swimming World College Intern

Charlotte Samuels, a recent graduate of Ridgewood High School, has made her mark in the worlds of marathon swimming and community service. In 2015, she became the first person to swim a course of more than 20 miles from Long Island to the Jersey Shore through an area known as the New York Bight.

Samuels also became the youngest person in the world to complete the “Triple Crown” of open water swimming. She conquered the feat in 2014 when she mastered the English Channel, theManhattan Island Marathon Swim, and the Catalina Channel. The previous record had been held by an 18-year-old Australian swimmer.

Samuels’ swimming career launched at age 12 when a friend encouraged her to participate in a mile-long swim in the Potomac River in Maryland; it was then that she discovered her love for open water swimming.

https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/marathon-swimmer-charlotte-samuels-working-to-make-water-accessible-to-all/

Posted on June 26, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Open Houses for June 26,2016

$4,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1623965
210 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, House
Sang Koo Han, Sales Associate
Top Realty

Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$399,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1610771
19 High St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$469,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1625319
657 Arcadia Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Jennifer M. Parsekian, Broker
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$495,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1612679
482 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Joyce Albert, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$525,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1626209
4 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$598,888 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1536927
676 Kingsbridge Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Ranch
Susy Shin, Sales Associate
Realty 7, LLC

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$669,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1624839
425 Van Dyke St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Patricia Nordquist, Sales Associate
Century 21 Marie K. Butler

Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$670,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1617025
687 Howard Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$699,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1621034
59 John St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kristin Gildea Fox, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/26

$699,900 in Ridgewood

Posted on June 26, 2016January 21, 2019 by James — 5 Comments

The Fairness Formula and the Impact on Ridgewood Property Taxes

June 26,2016

Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi

Residents of Ridgewood , for the past 4 years I’ve proposed an amendment to our State’s constitution to end the patently unfair school funding formula. Under a new school funding plan which follows my proposal, the average home in Ramsey would see a reduction in property taxes of $2,411 per year. Call your Mayor, Council and Board of Education. Tell them to support the Fairness Formula! We can’t afford not to.

Join The Movement

The Fairness Formula: Equal Funding for Every Child, Our Path to Lower Property Taxes

Join Governor Christie’s Fairness Formula solution to New Jersey’s two most pressing crises that are hurting all New Jerseyans: the failure of urban education and property taxes. The Governor’s monumental Fairness Formula will provide equal education funding for every pupil throughout the state, valuing every child equally.

75% of all New Jersey districts would get more state aid than they do today. The biggest driver of New Jersey’s nation-high property taxes is the ineffective and unfair state school funding formula. The Fairness Formula will not only be equal for students it may also provide hundreds or even thousands of dollars in annual property tax savings for New Jerseyans in most communities. Join the movement today to being your path to lower property taxes.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT: It’s time for your voices to be heard. It’s time for the people to take back control of this issue and apply common sense to it. Sign up to join the movement and begin your path to lower property taxes.

https://www.nj.gov/governor/taxrelief/pages/join.shtml

For every resident of Bergen County, this is the MOST IMPORTANT issue that directly impacts your property taxes. Bergen County residents on average contribute the MOST money to the State of New Jersey and receive the least school aid in the State. Under the Governor’s proposal, the average school district in Bergen County would see an increase in school aid from the State of over 1000%. Every representative from Bergen County who cares about his or her residents needs to support this proposal. Real numbers of increased aid would be:

Municipality Current Aid New Aid under proposal:

Ridgewood $389.40 $6,110.60 1569%
Closter $400.24 $6,099.76
Demarest $429.61 $6,070.39
Dumont $3,427.95 $6,001.53
Emerson $432.69 $6,067.31
Hillsdale $711.89 $5,788.11
Mahwah $787.46 $5,712.54
Montvale $513.78 $5,986.22
Oakland $463.90 $6,036.10
Park Ridge $488.73 $6,011.27
Ramsey $468.22 $6,031.78
River Vale $405.18 $6,094.82
Westwood $635.27 $5,864.73
Woodcliff Lake $477.13 $6,022.87

https://www.nj.com/…/how_christies_school_aid_proposal_could…

Posted on June 26, 2016June 26, 2016 by James — 4 Comments

Reader says Solve the problem at its source, Ridgewood water

Very strange town this has become. We reward homeowners for having a nice landscape and keeping their homes looking good. Many homes plant new lawns,scrubs, and flowers every spring requiring frequent watering. We pay high taxes, high utility bills, high maintenance on our homes, with ever increasing prices.

Now some neighbors are looking for more effective ways to report each other. Some very bored or just unhappy souls need a better way to report someone. What a unhappy way to live. A neighbor won’t know if an exception had been granted, or a homeowner has a private well, so perhaps they should just mind their business. I was raised to respect a neighbor, mind my own business, and if I did have a issue take it up directly with the person, never hide behind a phone call Seems a way to destroy a community, when we “report” each other instead of solving the issue together.

We should be pressing the water company to correct the system shortcomings and find a solution to avoid annual restrictions. We should press for more storage tanks, better delivery, and just improvements.

Solve the problem at its source, Ridgewood water

Posted on June 26, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — 6 Comments

Reader says the VOCAL MINORITY in Ridgewood that Aronsohn and Halaby always talked about weren’t so minority after all

Yes, indeed Derek Schnure! Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, and Hauck HATE the Blog and complain endlessly about anonymous bloggers. Of course then we find out that Hauck’s husband was posting nasty comments about two of Gwenn’s colleagues on the council, and that Albert and Paul were posting anonymously all the time as was Roberta.

The Blog enables people to say what they really think, to air grievances, to reveal hidden secrets, all without fear of retribution. Pucciarelli vilified the blog all the time, but he was obvioulsy one of the big anonymous posters. Hauck told everyone to be very careful what they put on social media, and then she blasted people viciously on facebook while her husband was doing so on the blog. Aronsohn touted transparency but then fed total BS to the news outlets, who were too lazy to get the facts and just printed his falsehoods.

The Blog and other forms of social media are amazing tools for the little people. Seems that the VOCAL MINORITY that Aronsohn and Halaby always talked about weren’t so minority after all.

Posted on June 25, 2016June 24, 2016 by James — 1 Comment

Be a Part of the Tradition of July 4th in Ridgewood

June 24,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Fourth of July is looking for volunteers for the Parade and Fireworks. Please volunteer as a parade marshal or for the evening program. All volunteers receive a signature Ridgewood Fourth of July t-shirt and a free ticket to the evening entertainment and fireworks. As we are a non-profit we can also offer community service hours to students.

Parade Marshal – Be the eyes and ears of the committee. Sit wherever you normally sit to enjoy the parade. We will give you a clip board with a copy of the parade regulations and a committee t shirt. If you see anything that doesn’t look right, such as a gap between groups or things being thrown or distributed by any groups, you step forward and correct the situation. If the participant does not comply, you have the cell phone numbers of the committee to call for help.

Parade Judges – Sit wherever you normally sit to enjoy the parade. We will give you a clip board with the necessary judge’s forms. Judges are needed for the following categories:
Parade Groups
Floats
Music Groups

Fireworks Ticket Takers – There are four gates onto Veteran’s Field for the fireworks. Each gate needs 5 people to take tickets, sell tickets, hand out programs, etc. For this position, you will receive a shirt and a boxed dinner.

Pre-Show Gate Security – Due to added security, we will need 2 people at each of our four gates between 4 and 6 pm. Once the Police have done their security sweep of the field at 4pm, no one will be allowed on the field until the gates open at 6pm. For this position, you will receive a shirt and a boxed dinner.

We could always use more volunteers to help ensure a safe and sane event for all our attendees; if you know anyone who is interested in volunteering please have them contact us at[email protected] or 201-602-1922.

Our volunteer information meeting will be at The Ridgewood Fire House located at 201 East Glen Ave on Thursday, June 30 at 7pm.

Posted on June 25, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood YMCA Celebrates 50th Graduating Class of Cancer Survivor Program

June 25,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood YMCA Celebrates 50th Graduating Class of Living Strong, Living Well Cancer Survivor Program

Graduation ceremony held June 16 at Ridgewood YMCA

On Thursday, June 16th, the Ridgewood YMCA celebrated its 50th graduating class of Living Strong, Living Well (LSLW), a strength and fitness program offered by the Y to cancer patients and survivors. The program began in 2008 and to date has touched the lives of over 400 participants. Developed by Stanford University, and partially funded through a grant from the Valley Hospital Foundation, LSLW is a 12-week small group class designed to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. Unique benefits of this program include nutritional information, social and emotional support, and improved levels of energy and self-esteem.

“The LSLW program has greatly helped cancer survivors increase their strength, flexibility, and range of motion. But more importantly it has helped them recover. By meeting others with similar issues, they develop friendships and a new support system which helps them realize that they can overcome anything,” says Carol Livingstone, Health & Fitness Director at the Ridgewood YMCA. “They develop good exercise habits which gives them hope for a healthier future. And they find an inner strength they didn’t know they had by empowering them to do more than they thought they could when first starting the program.”

Amy Phillips, Director of Fund Development at the Ridgewood YMCA, said, “The Ridgewood Y is extremely grateful to the Valley Hospital Foundation for their steadfast support for this tremendously impactful program”.

Living Strong, Living Well is offered at no charge and each participant is given a free Three-Month Triangle Membership to the Ridgewood YMCA, which includes access to workout equipment, two pools, and fitness classes. The next session begins September 7, 2016.

For more information, contact Carol Livingstone at 201-444-5600, ex. 330 or visitwww.ridgewoodymca.org/lslw.

Posted on June 25, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Guild 2016 Movies in the Park Schedule!

Come Join us this Summer for Movies in the Park!

Below is the schedule of what will be playing. Make sure to check our Facebook page or event page for updates, notifications of weather changes, etc. before coming out to the Park.

June 15 – To Kill a Mockingbird

June 29 – Vertigo

July 13 – Grease **We’ll also feature live 50’s music, a sock hop & more, so come to the park early and enjoy the party!

July 27 – Raiders of the Lost Ark

August 10 – Despicable Me

August 24 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

All movies are shown on a big screen at Memorial Park in Van Neste Square! Movies begin at sundown (approximately 9pm in June and July and 8:30pm in August).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted on June 25, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — 8 Comments

Ridgewood Water Reader says Time to Cut Our Loses

So let me ask a question to all the Private Sector poster on this blog to include Roberta who say that Government should be run like the private sector. Here it goes. What happens in the private sector when you have a supplier or division that cannot meet the supply of the parent company because of inefficiency,incompetence, antiqued infrastructure,or not enough room for that division or supplier to expand? Does the parent company continue to throw money at that division or supplier knowing that it past, record shows that they cannot keep up with the demand. Or does the parent company cut their losses and sell that division or find a new supplier.

Posted on June 25, 2016June 25, 2016 by James — 5 Comments

The “little guy” is now able to counter the misinformation and party politics in Ridgewood

June 25,2016

by Derek Schnure

Ridgewood Nj, this was taken from “it takes a Ridgewood Village ” Facebook page :

I just wanted to comment on the past two elections here in Ridgewood. We have seen the power of social media drive the results of the VC and Referendum contests. In the past, the public would have been spoonfed much more information from those in power (i.e. through such cultivated media such as the Ridgewood News, VOR email blasts, regular politics as usual campaigning).

The “little guy” is now able to counter the misinformation and party politics, at least at the local level, through such forums as this FB group, the Ridgewood Blog, etc.

It is very interesting how much information came out on the Mayor’s plans that never would have been revealed but for these forums.

It’s pretty cool and empowering! Unfortunately, it’s not really working on a state or national level yet…

Posted on June 25, 2016June 24, 2016 by James — 13 Comments

Reader asks Who is the new Ridgewood watering czar?

Who is the new watering czar? I want to know where to call to report a neighbor’s system that’s watering at illegal times and has done so for years. It has to be anonymous. Is there such a thing?

Water Dept. wants us to approach the neighbor in person. Not gonna happen.

I have suggested a “tip line” before with no result. They’d get a million calls from frustrated neighbors. Last year the schools were watering at the wrong times, it was reported on the blog. They can be fined, too, although they’d pay with our money! But they could get reprimanded.

I’d guess that in 99% of cases, the owners have no idea that there are restrictions (despite the robo-calls, which they either don’t listen to or figure are meant for other people) or don’t think they apply to them…and in addition, have no idea how to reconfigure their sprinkler systems, and won’t pay their suppliers for a house call. People must be told, firmly, that they MUST learn how to reprogram their systems to comply with rules quickly, as they change. Last night’s call had me dashing out to the garage to remove one day–today–from the cycle.

I would give a pass to anyone who was on vacation, until they got home.

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