Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco today issued the following statement on last night’s tragic accident involving a Bergen County Department of Public Works employee in Saddle River, Bergen County, New Jersey:
“Yesterday, our Bergen County family suffered a tragic loss. Thomas Epper, 48, a two-year heavy equipment operator in our Department of Public Works Mosquito Division, was fatally injured while performing routine tree-clearing in the Saddle River in Saddle River, New Jersey. The Bergen County family mourns with the Epper family. I want to thank the first responders for their heroic actions together with the work crew that was present at the time.
Please join us in keeping the Epper family in your prayers and thoughts.”
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco was joined by County Mosquito Control Division Director Warren Staudinger and County Entomologist Matt Bickerton to release a school of fathead minnows, which feed on mosquito larvae, in Borg’s Woods Nature Preserve in Hackensack. The release of these fish is an environmentally friendly practice used in tandem with other methods to control the mosquito population and prevent mosquito-borne illness. It is part of an annual countywide effort, including a public awareness campaign, to reduce the mosquito population and educate the public about these illnesses and how to protect themselves and their neighbors. Included below are photos of the fish release
Hackensack NJ, 5th District Republican candidate Steve Lonegan said he was stunned today to learn of allegations of possible illegal actions at the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.
As reported in northjersey.com, the Sheriff’s Office is now the target of a lawsuit brought by former finance director, Omid Bayati, who says he was retaliated against after blowing the whistle on alleged unlawful activities, including “inappropriate vendor deals” and a plan to use $7.5 million in federal money “to keep the budget flat during County Executive James Tedesco’s reelection campaign.”
In a lawsuit, filed on April 20, 2018, in Bergen County Superior Court, it is alleged that in violation of State Law, that a meeting was held in “late 2017” in which “ a meeting was called by the County for all Department heads in relation to the budget. At that meeting, the County CFO noted that it was an election year for the County Executive and therefore there needed to be a zero percent increase in the budget. In order to accomplish this, they decided to rely upon funding from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to partially fund the Sheriff’s Office
Bergenfield Mayor, and Bergen County Executive candidate Norman Schmelz has asked the United States Department of Justice to investigate the Bergen County Executive’s Office, including the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of Bergen County, for conspiring to use Federal Funds to aid in the reelection of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.
Lonegan noted ,“John McCann was the right hand man of Sheriff Michael Saudino, a Democrat, while these alleged activities were going on. He was his chief counsel and he is implicated in all of this,” Lonegan stated. “If Mr. Bayati is telling the truth, it means John McCann disregarded the evidence presented to him and failed to investigate his claims. His job was to protect taxpayers, not the Democrat he worked for and not the Democratic County Executive.”
“A disturbing pattern seems to be emerging here regarding John McCann. Is it incompetence or is it corruption? The people in District 5 deserve answers. What did John McCann know and when did he know it?”
Mayor Schmelz, wrote, “If these allegations are true, then the public needs to know, who was involved, what was agreed upon, and how much taxpayer dollars are being used for political purposes.”
Schmelz continued, “The allegations are clear that Federal Tax dollars (and possibly state and local tax dollars as well) are being used for political purposes, instead of providing essential services in a proper manner.”
The Schmelz letter continued, “It is inconceivable and outrageous that such illegal activities are taking place in the offices of the Bergen County Executive. Each person who had knowledge of such activities should immediately come forward, divulge what they know, and resign forthwith. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”
Schmelz concluded, “I ask that the Department of Justice investigate these allegations presented in a court of law, that if true contain a clear and compelling picture of illegality at the highest levels of government. This breach of trust, is devastating to hard working taxpayers who demand their tax dollar be spent on essential government services, not for political agendas as is alleged.”
Hackensack NJ, contrary to the insanity in Trenton , Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco , “This evening I introduced my 2018 proposed budget to the Board of Chosen Freeholders at their work session. I am excited to announce that this year, there will be NO COUNTY TAX INCREASE and Bergen County will continue to have the second lowest county tax rate in New Jersey. This budget exemplifies my administration’s commitment to continue building a better Bergen County by investing in important programs and services while exercising fiscal responsibility.”
Paramus NJ, This was a big week for Bergen County hospital news first New Bridge CEO Deborah Visconi, Associate Director of VA New Jersey Health Care System John Griffith, announced that New Bridge Medical Center has been designated a “Veterans Choice” facility by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a big day for Bergen County Veterans who as a result of this agreement, veterans will be able to receive procedures and treatment at New Bridge Medical Center that would otherwise require travel to the VA’s East Orange campus. It was well attended by local politico’s including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.
Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin , “Under President Trump’s leadership, VA is engaged in the largest transformation and modernization effort in decades. As part of this effort, the department is tackling head-on issues that have lingered for years, including accountability, whistleblower protection, improving transparency and customer service for Veterans and expanding suicide prevention and mental health care services.
As outlined in tonight’s address, VA will have another groundbreaking year in expanding and improving our services for Veterans, particularly when it comes giving them more choices over their health care decisions, and improving yet again on the timeliness of our decisions on Veterans’ benefits.”
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco also joined Valley Health System to celebrate the opening and to help cut the ribbon of their new medical fitness center, Valley Health Lifestyles, in Mahwah. The facility is designed to help everyone achieve and maintain optimal health and includes many health related services including a pharmacy, urgent care, and on site physicians. We’re proud that our partners in the community, especially in the healthcare sector, share our commitment to investing in the well-being of our residents. This facility is a great addition to northern Bergen County.
Executive Order No. 2017-01, officially making Bergen County the first county in the state of New Jersey to adopt a $15 minimum wage for its full time county worker
” most employers cannot simply raise prices to cover the higher minimum wage, particularly in the competitive services sector”. True. But government agencies can cheerfully raise taxes and tell the folks it’s for their own good.
Minimum wages have been most strongly advocated by unions to reduce competition from non-union workers and, historically by Jim Crow and apartheid governments to reduce hiring of minorities.
Executive Order No. 2017-01, officially making Bergen County the first county in the state of New Jersey to adopt a $15 minimum wage for its full time county workers.
What a disgraceful use of a taxpayer supported political stance. Sure, everyone wishes better pay for all. Thanks to this type of thievery of robbing Peter to pay Paul makes virtually all the private unskilled jobs that much less attractive. Hard to believe that these freeholders can just dip into the taxpayer base like this. Why not make it $50-$75 /hr? Maybe the freeholders could kick in their salaries minus $15/hr to help offset what is more than likely a huge arbitrary increase in the county tax bill.
photo courtesy of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco
October 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paraums NJ, On Monday Bergen County officials unveiled the new name of the former Bergen Regional Medical Center in Paramus.Bergen Regional Medical Center is now New Bridge Medical Center, a clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.
Care Plus Bergen, Inc. was welcomed at a ceremony Monday morning . The new non-profit is an alliance between Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Integrity House, and Care Plus NJ Inc., and will manage the day to day operations of the hospital and its core services of behavioral health, addiction treatment, long-term care and acute care.
John Mitchell Former Chairman at Bergen County Freeholder said ,”New Bridge Medical Center is the new name for the former Bergen Regional Medical Center…
…A bridge to a bright new future is underway as the County of Bergen and Care Plus Bergen begin a new partnership at NJ’s largest public hospital…
…I very much look forward to serving on the Care Plus Bergen Board of Trustees and having the goal of connecting compassion with quality care…”
Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said ,
Today, the County of Bergen officially began the new and exciting journey for New Jersey’s largest public hospital. Members from the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the new medical center management team of Care Plus Bergen with third party-operators- Care Plus NJ, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, and Integrity House, and I officially unveiled the name new name of the facility – New Bridge Medical Center – at a ceremony morning.
New Bridge is a name that reflects both Bergen County history and the vision for the future of this medical center.
New Bridge Medical Center will enhance long-term care, acute care and behavioral health services while maintaining the hospital’s core mission of treating people with mental health and substance abuse issues. New Bridge Medical Center will also increase access to much-needed services across 27 medical specialties in order to meet the needs of Bergen County residents and patients.
New Bridge Medical Center will pursue innovative ways to improve health care access for the nearly 40,000 veterans living in Bergen County and northern New Jersey. Furthermore, New Bridge Medical Center, which is recognized as a leading health care provider in substance abuse treatment, will continue to be at the forefront of combatting the opioid epidemic by increasing access to these specific services. The hospital is committed to working with each of its partners to deliver first-rate, compassionate and innovative care to support every patient through their recovery.
This is truly another great day for Bergen County!
“This article is desperate and ridiculous at best. Rather than attack Scott Garrett for attending a meet and great with constituents at a diner in River Edge why won’t my democratic colleagues condemn and demand the return of tens of millions of dollars received by the Clinton Foundation from countries which promote awful human rights violations against women and gay people such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.” Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi 39th District
Weinberg Calls on AG to Investigate Garrett’s Ties to Domestic Terror Organization
By Max Pizarro • 10/11/16 1:36pm
Democrats smell blood in the 5th Congressional district, where GOP discombobulation has incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Garrett (R-Wantage) blowing the whistle on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and seeking to harden his own brand.
That’s a troublesome brand in its own right, according to Senate Majority leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), who today demanded that Governor Chris Christie denounce Garrett for his ties to the domestic terror organization, the Oath Keepers.
Weinberg, moreover, also called on New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino to conduct an investigation into whether Garrett violated New Jersey law.
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco today announced that the Department of Human Services Division on Disability Services will hold an Access for All Community Forum on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Ridgewood Village Hall 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ.
This summit is for municipal Access for All Committees in the County of Bergen to come together and discuss local issues, challenges and new initiatives that other towns can emulate. Public officials, safety personnel & volunteers, as well as concerned residents, are invited to attend. Topics will include programs, resources for municipalities, grant opportunities, housing, emergency services, and problem solving.
Moderators include: Freeholder Chairwoman Dr. Joan M. Voss; Freeholders Tracy Silna Zur and Maura DeNicola; Jim Thebery, M.A., CSW, Director Div. on Disability Services; and Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
Please join us………..this will be a unique opportunity to hear from all the Access for All Committees to share ideas, learn from others and find out new and creative ways to interact and work together on projects. This is a wonderful event, not to be missed.
Incoming Bergen County exec says he supports expanding gambling to Meadowlands
NOVEMBER 25, 2014, 6:47 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014, 6:27 AM
BY JOHN BRENNAN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In a speech to a receptive business group, incoming Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco on Tuesday said he supports expanded gambling at the Meadowlands Sports Complex, as part of a remaking of the complex that includes a convention center and a hotel.
During his remarks to the Meadowlands Regional Chamber, Tedesco also said that he recently met with executives of Triple Five — the new developers of the long-stalled shopping and entertainment complex that is once again under construction at the Sports Complex. — and that they agreed to meet with the Bergen freeholder board “within the next three weeks.” Tedesco, a supporter of the company’s American Dream plan, said he wanted Triple Five to make a presentation to update the freeholders on the progress at the site.
During the campaign, in which he ousted incumbent Republican Kathleen Donovan, Tedesco had said he supported casino gambling at the Meadowlands.
