Tag: 3 amigos

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Why is the Mayor and his 3 Candidates fighting so hard to keep the Village Manager?

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

May 6th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Why is the Mayor and his 3 Candidates fighting so hard to keep the Village Manager. Why are they getting so involved with this when the entire council Majority is not running for reelection. . Reminds me of the following definition :

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” is a quotation from the 1599/ 1600 play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. It has been used as a figure of speech, in various phrasings, to describe someone’s too frequent and vehement attempts to convince others of some matter of which the opposite is true, thereby making themselves appear defensive, and insincere.

In rhetorical terms, the phrase can be thought of as indicating an unintentional apophasis—where the speaker who “protests too much” in favor of some assertion puts into others’ minds the idea that the assertion is false, something that they may not have considered before.

The Village Manager has no contact and serves at the pleasure of the Council. If the 3 amigos wanted to keep her so bad then maybe they should have run for re election.

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In the Village Hall it was observed Roberta proudly displaying the full page advertisement that appears on page A-11 (about retaining her) of Fridays Ridgewood News to staff members gathered in the waiting area outside of her office.

How inappropriate was it of her to conduct a forced discussion about politics with her people who report to her.

By the way, that ad was paid for by the following families:

Richard & Carla Fels, 227 Sunset
Michael & Amy Greenstone, 122 Sunset
Sommer (first names & address unknown)
Taylor (first names & address unknown)
Peter & Allison Von Halle, 48 Clinton

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Central Business District Signs, amended minutes and Schedler Park dominate Ridgewood Council Meeting

Village Council Meeting
photo by Boyd Loving
May 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the May 4th work session Gary Cirillo of Project Pride proposed an idea for an ordinance that would keep campaign signs 15-25 feet from the curb and out of the planters:  if the village owns the property, you can’t use it in the CBD.  Aronsohn supporter Jim Griffith said,” signs are an inexpensive expression of our rights.”  They don’t crush flowers in planters when there are no flowers planted.”

A special public work session was called to discuss minute changes in closed session meetings that Ms. Knuden felt were important to better address some statements that didn’t fully express the intended sentiment. This all came up due to an OPRA request. Albert recused himself, and so Paul and Gwenn tried to make an issue out of it. In the end the vote was 2to2 as was expected and it was up to Matt Rogers who advised the council to allow the amended minutes to be released as the unofficial minutes.  The vote this time was 3 to 1 with Paul being the dissenting vote.

Next on the agenda was a request from members of the Chamber of Commerce to allow A Frame signs in front of businesses. Ed Sullivan, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and present member of board of trustees stood in front of the Council tonight and made his pitch of A frame signs or billboard to be allowed in the CBD Although there is a long standing ordinance on the books preventing them, enforcement seemed to begin as of April 1st.  There is a good case for their value in attracting walking shoppers to come into the stores which is good for business. The council is currently looking at a Princeton ordinance and it was decided that at the next public meeting, enforcement would be rescinded for a period of time while the council discussed a new ordinance and businesses could continue the practice of A Frame signs for advertisement. It seems an easy way to help our CBD.

The down side is now not only do he have signs post on ever corner with the stores name we have vote for the parking garage , political signs and  A-frame  signs in front of the stores. Will the sidewalks in the Central Business District now be turned into a obstacle course. Is this ABA complaint ? Will the Village be liable if some should fall into one of these signs because it is the Village right of way. People can just about walk on the sidewalk now with all the tables and let not forget the Greek to Me planters.What is the right balance between promoting access and quality of life? Residents remain skeptical this council majority can come a proper resolution.

For many, the most interesting part of the meeting came in closing Public Comment when resident Jackie Hone came to the mic to state all the inconsistencies in Roberta Sonenfeld’s manager’s report regarding Schedler Park.  Jackie spoke of all the emails many of which were published on this blog that she has sent to the council and village manager to discuss her findings that went unanswered. Roberta’s recollection of recent meetings with the Bergen County Trust Fund Staff were a bit misleading. The council majority may not have been required to take action, and by not they are clearing hindering the process of historical preservation. One can obey the law and still not do the right thing. Case in point: the Bergen County Historic Preservation Society has stated that the Schedler/ Zabriskie house is eligible for registry but no steps have been made by the village to request the forms to register the house.

Infrastructure was next and there were a few water facility expenses reported on and about a disintegrating pipe on Dayton Street which was releasing sludge.

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Tony or the Ridgewood Guild didn’t start this mess, it began because our Village Council members were not transparent about their plans with the garage and the developments

Ridgewood Guild kids activities

May 4th 2016

Jeanette LaRocco

I have known Tony for many years and am a long time Ridgewood resident, am a member of the Guild from the beginning and I do NOT want Garage D, however, let’s put things into perspective. I believe that Tony was wrong to say it fits on the lot, but as a long time businessman, who by the way, has revitalized this town with the Guild when the Chamber of Commerce refused to do anything to make Ridgewood a destination, and who has done many generous things for the town, including Habitat for Humanity and having many charity events at his store, and has spent countless unpaid hours, to promote events that bring people in and keep businesses open, he has the right to want this garage built. When you think of the fact that he is doing this, NOT for political gain or financial gain like some promoters, except to keep his business going, I’m sorry but I can’t fault him for that. He is also a resident right in town and a parishioner of OLMC, and I just think of all the years he has had a business, he knows that he may not thrive unless we get some kind of parking. I think we must remember that we need to keep unique businesses in Ridgewood, instead of just banks and restaurants and chain stores. When I moved here nearly 28 years ago, there were so many wonderful and unique stores that are now gone and even now, there have been too many stores that open for a short time that can not sustain the rents and keep their businesses going and a big part of that is parking. What we also have to remember is that Tony didn’t start this mess, it was began because our Village Council members were not transparent about their plans with the garage and the developments. If they had been, we would’ve already begun building a garage that the majority of Ridgewood would be thrilled with, instead they made a mess of things, that many people, including myself, are trying to rectify. So let’s put the blame where it belongs. Just remember there are two sides to every story and lets act accordingly before we start throwing out conspiracy theories.

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Ridgewood Council majority has used the same tactics that the current slate of pro development candidates and their new team of apologists

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving (the 3 amigos)

Reader says “The current Council majority has used the same tactics that the current slate of pro development candidates and their new team of apologists are using now. They’re quick on the attack but then whine when people use such uncivil tactics as facts and logic to retort. I think it’s safe to call out Ron Simoncini by name at this point – he’s the classic bully/victim. He drapes himself in “The Truth” but bristles when people point out that he’s the PR guy for one of the developers and has a huge personal financial stake in the outcome of this election. Sorry Ron, but “The Truth” cuts both ways. And anyone who’s taken Marketing 101 knows that when the PR guy becomes part of the story, he’s failed as a PR guy.”

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Village of Ridgewood candidates Willett, Weitz,and Brooks Continue to Push the Exclusionary Divisive Politics of the Current Council Majority

Ken Smith Ridgewood

file photo by Boyd LOving

May 1st 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The progress Ridgewood group has an ad in the paper saying those are the 3 that will be at the candidates forum at Park West Loft on May 2nd. You can only go, if you signed the pledge, so i guess that means they signed it. Nice to know that 3 ( Janice M. Willett, Evan Weitz,and Richard S. Brooks )of the candidates have already decided to be exclusionary, and not listen to others that may have a different opinion then them.
At the candidates debate, all 6 candidates said the current council has been too divisive. Some of the language from the 3 that signed the pledge said “all groups need to be included and involved”, “the council works for everybody. Everybody needs to be informed”, “lead by example”, “public discourse needs to be lifter to a higher level”, “inclusiveness, solutions, and a united approach to figuring out where we’re going, and how to get there”.

DSCF3238

3 amigos or Council majority
Nice to know that the 3 have already shown us that their words don’t mean much, since their actions have proven to be the opposite.
If you want your village government to be exclusionary, then you know who to vote for.
If you want your village government to be individually thinking people, with varying backgrounds, who are willing to discuss the issues with anyone, you need to vote for Voigt, Hache and Walsh.

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Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli’s ordinance regarding video taping at public meetings a non issue for Residents

Rkidgewood Village Council Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ordinance 3523 , known as Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli’s ordinance regarding video taping at public meetings.Has brought about some discussion as the proper wording and ordinance and whether is relevant .
If you remember the ordinance was introduced after the Deputy Mayor made threats to residents during a public meeting and resident Dana Glazer was threaten and harassed at a council meeting by another resident.

Ellie Gruber stated in Public Comment during the April 13th Village Council meeting ,that she was against the ordinance in general as it is not enforceable and it addresses a non issue since all public meetings are in the public domain and can be shared on social media, etc.

But more importantly let’s not forget that the video ordinance is being pushed because Aronsohn was caught on video acting badly and lying at the HPC meeting. He wasn’t set up, he was not even suppose to be at that meeting but came to intimidate residents who were questioning the HPC on their support of a garage 12 feet on the street before the November vote, whereas Paul, et al. did not disclose the 12 foot floor plan to the HPC. Not, because members were upset that it wasn’t announced.

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Ridgewood Candidate Yard Sign Controversy Continues to Swirl

Ridgewood Yard Signs
April 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Council Candidate asked for clarification with candidate yard signs  after the incident earlier this week were “Ramon Hache” signs were targeted for removal . Bernie asked Village Clerk Heather A. Mailander, “Just for clarification.  During the Vote Yes for the garage campaign.  The Village manager and Village Council approved and allowed signs to be placed in planters throughout the CBD.  I’m assuming this practice will be permitted for the Village Council campaign.”

Heather Mailander responded , “To clarify, based on last Fall’s regulations, the campaign signs may be placed in the public right of way (planting strip between the curb and sidewalk) anywhere in the Village, including planters in the CBD.  However, they may not be placed on Village property.  This includes all parks, the train station parking lot and green spaces near the train station, or other Village-owned property (Village Hall, both library properties, water properties, DPW properties, the Recycling Center, etc.).  The signs cannot be a sight hazard or a pedestrian hazard.  If you are unsure whether or not you can place a sign somewhere, please contact me.  Also, please be aware that any signs found on Village property will be removed and not returned. ”

Resident Boyd Loving responded , “Last Fall’s regulations?”  What “regulations?”  I don’t recall any regulations ever being announced last Fall.

In fact, “Vote Yes for Parking” signs WERE prominently placed along the Garber Square side of the train station, along the Linwood Avenue side of Vets Field, at the entrance to the Village Recycling Center, AND within/around numerous municipal parking lots.

So clearly the “regulations” are different now that there are messages the “Council Majority” isn’t interested in seeing.

What a joke this Village government of ours has become”

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Ridgewood : OUR WAKE UP CALL

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

OUR WAKE UP CALL

April 6,2016

DS

If the events that transpired last night do not shake your faith in the sham of a process that has transpired, nothing will. We are being held hostage by an institution that is engaging in a scorched earth policy against Ridgewood. They do not want to be a good neighbor and it is clear they would rather destroy our neighborhood than offer any real compromise.

I’m extremely disappointed that the majority of PB members did show a spine. I understand their concerns but we have to be firm in our resolve that this is not right for Ridgewood and we will continue to fight. What is the point of a Planning Board that can’t plan???

I’m sure many of you realize this, but if you haven’t made the connection yet to the Valley expansion, Garagezilla, and the increase in allowed housing density in town, let this be clear: any judge and court will. Therefore, even if you haven’t signed the garage petition yet, please consider doing so. We need to show the courts and other interested parties that we aren’t going to cause self inflicted wounds first in order to help prevent a hospital that will triple in size in a residential neighborhood.

Secondly, the upcoming VC election is more important than ever. We need to get strong defenders of our town in place because clearly the troika in charge of this town has had their own agenda. Please consider supporting Bernie Walsh and Jeff Voight in May.

Thank you.

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Reader says Time to End the Reign of Terror in Ridgewood

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving

Well, it’s not our government, so it’s on us to Take Back Ridegwood!! Go Monday night to the Valley meeting. Sign the garage petition, talk to your neighbors and friends!! We have a choice we can roll over and do nothing, or get vocal, participate and give it all we got! I know it’s not easy… Exhausting, irritating but we are near a positive change…. The election. Stay strong people, we are near the end of a long and terrible reign.

REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Final voting registration for the May 10th Municipal Election is April 19th.  To register to vote, individuals may register in the Village Clerk’s office from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or in the Ridgewood Library Lobby on April 19th from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

REMEMBER : 2012 Ridgewood Election Results

Albert J. Pucciarelli – 2078

Keith Killion – 1711

Rissell R Forenza – 817

Paul Aronsohn – 2479

Mary Jane Shinozuka – 1484

Gwenn H Hauck – 1727

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Ridgewood Petitioners : respond to village council regarding timing of referendum question

abraham godwin ridgewood

April 1, 2016

STATEMENT FROM PETITIONERS

Dear Village Council of Ridgewood-

From our attorneys regarding the referendum petition to repeal Ordinance #3521:

“We are confident that the bond counsel is wrong.  Bond ordinances are NOT controlled by the Faulkner Act or Walsh Act
or any other general act that gives NJ residents the right of referendum.  The right to repeal a bond is a right shared by ALL

New Jersey residents under the Local Home Rule Act, not just Faulkner Act towns.”

New Jersey Statutes Annotated. N.J.S.A. 40A:49-10 reads as follows:“Any proposition submitted to the voters of any municipality under the provisions of section 40:49-9 or of section 40:49-27 of this title shall be voted upon at the next general election held in

the municipality at least thirty days after the filing of the protest or protests herein provided for, unless the governing body thereof
shall call a special election therefor.”

If a special election is called, and $40-45,000.00 of municipal funds are used, that will be a choice that the Council alone makes, and for which
the Council alone will be held accountable.

Thank you.

Gail McCarthy & Lorraine Reynolds

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Ridgewood Parking Garage : Its 2 Big ,Petition drive Saturday!!! April 2nd 10am-4pm

its too big Ridgewood

This petition seeks to put the financing associated with Design D on hold

until a REAL COMPROMISE is reached, or until the taxpayers of Ridgewood vote on it

as a BINDING referendum question.

Aesthetically, a lower profile will be more fitting in our Historic Downtown.

A 3-story/4 level garage will more than triple the capacity of the current lot,

and allow for added creative solutions in other parts of the Central Business District.

SIGN THE PETITION

FOR MORE INFORMATION

GO TO WWW.ITS2BIG.COM, OR EMAIL ITS2BIG@ITS2BIG.COM

PICTURES USED ARE FROM VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD WEBSITE

*A – https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2015simdeck.pdf

*D -https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/images/Ridgewood/Projects/HudsonStParkingDeck/View_2_-_Looking_North_on_South_Broad_Street_copy.jpg

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Readers say the Financial Advisory Committee is nothing more than a political action committee for the Council Majority

Ridgewood_-Village_Hall_theridgewoodblog

It has taken a few years, but at this point, every committee and board in the village has been planted with people who will approve Paul, Gwenn and Albert’s agenda and will go to any length to write letters to editor or mass email to get their agenda approved.
They WILL approve it. The question is how to overturn, how much money will it cost to appeal in a higher court.

What is the purpose of the Financial Advisory Committee? They are now cheerleaders for the three council members? They should be neutral. So, they are not a financial advisory committee, they are a political action committee.

It has taken a few years, but at this point, every committee and board in the village has been planted with people who will approve Paul, Gwenn and Albert’s agenda and will go to any length to write letters to editor or mass email to get their agenda approved.
They WILL approve it. The question is how to overturn, how much money will it cost to appeal in a higher court.

FAC members don’t quit your day job:
In his first paragraph, he says, “the updated design includes removing a level”.
In his 2nd to last paragraph, he says, “I believe the current compromise is the best path forward for the Village”.
Sounds like he agrees that 3 stories, 4 levels is the compromise. I agree.
I’m signing the petition with the hope that the discussion will continue, & a compromise of 3 stories, 4 levels will become a reality, not just an incorrect statement to make people believe otherwise.

More points to add to the other day’s post on Parking Garage leding many to suggest some resume updates :
1. HPC member Tony Damiano sends a letter to fellow HPC members claiming the garage fits the lot.
2. FAC member Rich Cundiff sends mass email with multiple lies. One story shorter claim and special election claim, both are wrong.
3. Gwenn Hauck continues to post on facebook that garage will fit the lot and only sidewalk is being extended for safety reasons.
4. Village Manager lies in a facebook blog, claiming that the parapet is an aesthetics feature, while its actually required by code for using the roof level for parking

So if this FAC member did not do his due diligence before sending out an email full of lies – how do we know that they did their due diligence on the walker report/ parking garage’s financials?

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“overwhelming majority of Ridgewood Residents” favored parking but far less support the over sized Ridgewood Garagezilla

godzilla
March 22,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Pro City residents continue to harp on the refrain:  Didn’t an Didn’t an overwhelming majority of Ridgewood Residents vote in favor of a garage? To say the council only cares about builders, restaurant owners and party bosses is a lie – they are listening to the majority of us who are in favor or a garage. vote in favor of a garage?

Ridgewood Council members have even expressed concern over the “overwhelming majority of Ridgewood Residents”. The staff of the Ridgewood blog turned up some interesting foresight with a recent OPRA request of the Mayor Paul Aronsohns emails .

“I voted for the parking deck like many other before realizing how big the plan was to be . It will never be self supporting inless it is filled with commuters who will clog the narrow streets . There of coarse will need to be stop lights put at the intersection of East Ridgewood and Broad . The parking lot as it now stands is a disgrace and dangerous .certainly build something but not the huge facility that is envisioned now. Floral Park Nassau County ,Long Island also built a parking lot near the LIRR and it was said it was going to be filled and self supporting .It never was and the tax payers make up the difference .”
The OPRA requests turned up many such emails , with the conclusion being that many voted for a garage but not the over sized monstrosity proposed . More did not believe the Mayor and sugested a lack of confidence in the Village decision making process
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The word is that since Paul, Albert and Gwenn are not running they have no reason to listen to the residents no matter how reasonable or how many speak out

town_garage_theridgewoodblog

March 10,2016
Linda McNamara

Ridgewood NJ, Last night’s meeting has truly changed the conversation or at least it should.  Roberta is holding on to a 100,000 dollar  check from the RBSA that has” Strings Attached” re:  not to be used unless a 90 foot baseball diamond is to be built.  My mini financial transactions with the village advised me to deposit all checks and cash within 48 hours of receipt.  But even more disturbing is that we also heard last night that there is an additional $100,000 in Open Space accounts available for approved projects.  How is it that when Isabella Altano came before the council with 45,000 dollars for the purpose of a matching grant to stabilize the Schedler/ Zabriskie House,  she was told that there wasn’t a single penny available for grant purposes and that no staff could be used to help her with other grant opportunities.  Obviously, this wasn’t true and the only thing that one can surmise is that the council majority along with Roberta had no intention of doing anything  to help Friends of Schedler in their quest to save the house and develop the property in a fitting manor.

But this wasn’t the worst revelation that occurred last night. Ridgewood Water is in trouble.  Sludge pipes disintegrating releasing toxic sludge into the streets that was diverted into the streams and Kings Pond!  And the on going problem of toxic contaminants seeping into the ground water at the Town Garage and municipally owned sites for many years!  Now it is reported in The Record that Ridgewood is one of 5 towns in the Bergen/ Passaic area with PFOA toxins in the water at high levels. Why isn’t this  a top priority at the municipal level? We should be investigating filters for the wells and  immediately remediate the situation at the Town Garage and abutting municipal sites.  Use eminent domain to gain control of the site we don’t own, fix the huge problem there and then develop it in a manner that is best suited for Ridgewood.  I hope I hear back because at this moment in time I believe it is my civic duty to contact the DEP and ask them to revisit their recommendations  for cleanup that have been ignored for the last 8 years.   We are currently looking to bond approx. 11 million dollars for a garage and while this is important it is not nearly as important as our water.

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She’s back! Gwenn obviously doesn’t get it Still Using Ridgewood Village Hall to Campaign out of

gwenn hauck

LET’S STAY ACQUAINTED WITH COUNCILWOMAN GWENN HAUCK “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” Discussion and journal writing with guidance from David B. Feeney, CFSP, CPC, as you share memories of your life while making a keepsake for your loved ones. Thursday April 7, 2016 12pm Anne Zusy Youth Center – Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Ave. No fee—Pre-registration required.

 https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/images/Ridgewood/SeniorEarlySpring2016.pdf