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BREAKING : Private Congressmen Gottheimer Text Reveals Congressmen Ignored Dying Veterans in Paramus Facility

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, Republican candidate Frank Pallotta is releasing the following information about events that transpired in April regarding Josh Gottheimer’s refusal to support first responders and Veterans amid the COVID-19 pandemic:

Continue reading BREAKING : Private Congressmen Gottheimer Text Reveals Congressmen Ignored Dying Veterans in Paramus Facility

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President Trump signs the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 Improving Veterans Healthcare

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“In just a short time, we’ve already achieved transformative change at the VA—and believe me, we’re just getting started.”—President Donald J. Trump

August 15,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, GIVING VETERANS A CHOICE: President Donald J. Trump is giving veterans a choice in the healthcare they receive so they can receive the right care, at the right time, from the right provider.

President Trump signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program (VCP).

Veterans become eligible for care under the VCP if they live more than 40 miles from the closest eligible VA medical facility, wait times are over 30 days from the clinically indicated date, or they meet other special criteria.
The VCP has improved veterans’ access to care, and since its inception has resulted in more than 21.6 million appointments, serving over 1.8 million unique veterans.
This new funding will ensure VCP-eligible veterans continue to receive care in their communities from providers they trust.
While initially created as a temporary program in 2014, VCP has proven to be a valuable addition to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system.

The Act empowers the VA to hire the very best people at competitive rates for senior positions so our veterans receive the best care possible.

The Act expands the VA’s direct-hiring authority, which will increase the speed at which the VA can onboard qualified people for VA jobs.

The Act authorizes 28 major medical facility leases, including some that have been on hold for over three years.

PUTTING VETERAN CARE FIRST: President Trump is making veteran healthcare a priority of his Administration and has moved quickly to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare system.

The Administration has implemented a new White House VA hotline, staffed principally by veterans, to help veterans.
Under President Trump, the VA fired 677 employees, suspended 238, and demoted 32, as part of the President’s effort to restore integrity and accountability to a department charged with supporting our Nation’s heroes.

The VA is the first agency to post information on employee disciplinary action online.

President Trump signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act, improving senior VA officials’ ability to fire failing employees while establishing important safeguards to protect whistleblowers.
The VA is beginning the process of adopting the same electronic health records as the Department of Defense.
The VA has acted to increase transparency and accountability by launching an online “Access and Quality Tool” to provide veterans a way to access wait time and quality of care data.
Wait times are now posted online for each of the 168 medical centers managed by the VA.
The VA plans to dispose of 430 vacant buildings in the next 24 months, and is reviewing another 784 underutilized buildings.

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Nominate Deserving Servicewomen for Operation: Makeover

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YWCA Bergen County, Team RWB and Westfield Garden State Plaza to Host November 12 Veterans Makeover

October 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Do you know a servicewoman who is transitioning back into civilian life, or who is in need of a morale boost? YWCA Bergen County and its co-hosts, Team Red, White & Blue Northern NJ and Westfield Garden State Plaza, will be hosting a November Veterans Makeover, providing nine servicewomen an opportunity for a day of hair, makeup and fashion styling services, free of charge, on Saturday, November 12th.
Open to the public, the makeover reveal will start at 11:00 am at Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza in Paramus, N.J. Participating retailers include Macys, Lord & Taylor, Lululemon, The GAP, Eddie Bauer, J. Jill, NARS, M.A.C. Cosmetics, Kiehl’s, Drybar, The Art of Shaving, Sephora, PIRCH and others. The makeover will be followed by a private reception for makeover winners and guests.
To nominate a servicewoman (or to self-nominate) now through October 15, please visit  A committee of female veterans, active servicewomen and civilian women will determine winners based on the nominee’s time in the service, medals awarded, special recognitions, current initiatives or engagements, and why she is deserving of this makeover. Winners will be notified on Friday, October 21. For more information, please visit www.ywcabergencounty.org or contact Samantha at splotino@ywcabergencounty.org or 201-345-1895.

Westfield Garden State Plaza is the ultimate destination for fashion, dining and entertainment in the NY/NJ metro area offering the best selection of brands in every retail category, and is renowned for delivering cutting edge, new retail concepts to market. Just minutes from Manhattan in Paramus, N.J., millions of shoppers each year enjoy an unparalleled shopping and dining experience, complete with personalized services and amenities. For more information, call 201-843-2121 or www.facebook.com/gardenstateplaza orwww.westfield.com/gardenstateplaza.

About Team Red, White & Blue Northern NJ
The mission of Team Red, White & Blue (RWB) Northern NJ is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. Our chapters and communities deliver consistent, local opportunities for veterans and the community to connect through physical and social activity. Team RWB Northern NJ hosts regular fitness activities, social gatherings, and participates in local races and events together. Veterans develop leadership skills by serving as a volunteer leader in their local chapter.
About YWCA Bergen County
YWCA Bergen County (www.ywcabergencounty.org) is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We are the area’s largest provider of child care services, a recognized leader in health and fitness programs, and operator of healingSPACE, the county’s only Sexual Violence Resource Center. Celebrating nearly a century of commitment to our community, today we improve the lives of thousands of women, girls, and their families.

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“Veterans for Garrett” Debuts Leadership Team

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September 7th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ,  Rep. Scott Garrett today announced the Veterans for Garrett coalition and unveiled its district-wide leadership team. The members of Veterans for Garrett are all actively involved in various veterans’ affairs and veterans’ organizations, and include Roy Bud, a Bergen County Vietnam Veteran; Frank Crotty, a Bergen County Vietnam Veteran; Fmr. Assembly Majority Leader Paul DiGaetano, United States Navy; William Dobbins, a Warren County Vietnam Veteran; Senator Michael Doherty, Captain United States Army; Patty Green; Col. John “Jack” O’Neil (Ret.); Lt. Col. Larry Peterson (Ret.); and Bob Salvini.

“The sacrifices made by these brave men and women are the reason we are able to enjoy our freedom and liberty today,” said Rep. Scott Garrett. “I am incredibly honored that the members of this coalition have agreed to join me in this re-election effort so that I may continue to serve those who have served our state and our nation.”

In an open letter addressed to fellow veterans, Veterans for Garrett said, “We are dedicated to the appropriate recognition of all veterans for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our great nation and to assuring prompt and proper medical care for them upon their return to civilian life. Thus, we are proud to announce our support for Congressman Scott Garrett and it is our hope that he will be able to count on your support as well.”

The letter also detailed Congressman Garrett’s impressive record of working vigorously on behalf of America’s veterans, which includes the following:

Scott Garrett helped lead the New Jersey Congressional delegation in ensuring reduced waiting time for medical attention and to improve the care provided by the Veterans’ Administration.
Scott Garrett has strongly supported the Veterans Choice Program allowing veterans to seek care outside of the VA system if they choose.
Scott Garrett co-sponsored the VA Accountability Act, authorizing the discharge of employees at the VA for poor job performance or misconduct.
Scott Garrett is a co-sponsor of the Toxic Exposure Research Act which establishes a national VA center to study and treat the long-term problems experienced by veterans and their children as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals.
Most significantly for veterans in Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, Scott Garrett has been the moving force behind the VA’s decision to open a new VA Clinic in Newton, making VA care much more accessible to veterans in Northwest New Jersey.
On behalf of the first responders suffering from medical conditions related to the September 11th terrorist attacks, Scott Garrett is a proud co-sponsor of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.