Tag: Bergen County

>$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

Ridgewood to Start Revaluation
The Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.

>July 4th Fireworks!
Firework tickets support this ALL-Volunteer Event!
Pre event ticket prices for the fireworks are: $5. (At the Gate on July 4th the price will be: $10 adults; $5 children 6 – 12; 5 and under free) Tickets for the evening Fireworks are now on sale at volunteer vendors in Ridgewood – Alice, Alice, Alice, Artventure Gallery, Backyard Living, Citizens Community Bank, Daily Treat Restaurant, Hillmann Electric, Hoskins Propane, Irish Eyes Imports, Ridgewood Cycle Shop, the Wine Seller, Town & Country Apothecary & Fine Cosmetics. In Glen Rock at Ridgewood Auto Wash and Herold’s Farm and Garden Center. In Midland Park at Havel’s Stationery & La Strada Delicatessen. In Ho-Ho-Kus at JT’s Wine & Spirits. From June 26 to July 3 tickets will be available for purchase at the Ridgewood Library.

Bobby Byrne Show
Free Entertainment Under the Stars!
This program of Broadway Show Tunes will begin at 8:30 PM on June 20th at the Kasschau Shell on Veteran’s Field (behind the Ridgewood Library. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music! Sponsors are: Care One at Pine Rest & Care One at The Cupola. Recorded rain information: 201/444-1776.

Ridgewood High School Graduation on the Ridgewood High School Athletic Field, Thursday, June 22 @ 5:30 PM.

“Life of an Artist” Kristine Di Grigoli Paige Solo Exhibition Works from 1997-2006 June 22-July 6th, 2006 First Open Reception Thurs. 6/22/06- 5pm till 9pm
(Kristine will be painting live) Special musical Guests the BloodSugars and Rich and Royal
Second Open Reception Thurs. 6/29/06- 5pm till 9pm Location: C. Magor Gallery 21 Oak Street Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450 (201) 670-0555 Gallery (201) 362-0552 Kristine
Visit this artist portfolio at www.thesoundandvision.com

The Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008. The process will start with the selection of a qualified revaluation company to work with the Division of Assessments. It is anticipated that the property inspections will begin in the fall of 2006. Residents will be notified in writing when the inspections start. Revaluations are required periodically to ensure the equitable distribution of the tax burden. The Village does not gain any additional revenues because of the revaluation. Ridgewood’s last revaluation was conducted in 2001.

$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

>Free Outdoor Movie Night at Graydon
Rescheduled Date
June 10th at 8pm a free outdoor family movie “Madagascar” will be shown. This fun animation tells the story of four animals that escape from New York Central Park Zoo. They have no idea what wild life is really and their adventures will surprise everyone! Bring your family and a chair or blanket and enjoy!

Greg Caldarone, Kasschau Memorial Shell
Tuesday, June 13th Greg will present Popular and Italian Standards at 8:30pm. Kasschau Shell is located on Veteran’s Field, behind the Ridgewood Library.

Holly Wallack Wien, Expressionism in Oils and Collage at C.Magor Gallery 21 Oak Street
June 8 – June 21,2006
Opening Reception: Thur June 8 5:00-9:30pm 2nd Reception: Sat June 10 5:00-9:30pm This exhibition features work.

Independence Day Celebration!
Click on ridgewoodjuly4th.org for more information
This year is the 96th Annual 4th of July Celebration in Ridgewood! This event is organized by volunteers – to help volunteer, please call 201/602-1922. To purchase tickets, get directions, make a contribution, review the parade route, event weather conditions click on the website. Time Schedule: 9am Flag Raising 10am Parade begins at Godwin & Monroe 6pm Veteran’s Field Gate Opens 7pm Veteran’s Field Entertainment 9:15 pm Fireworks For recorded information call: 201/444-1776

$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

Ridgewood to Start RevaluationThe Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.

>Whilst lavishing fawning praise all over Dr. Porter, Sheila Brogan made the following statement: “New Jersey is hostile to education.” No Ms. Brogan, NJ is not hostile to education. We are, however, hostile to the haughty rich who think of nothing but themselves and ways to mitigate their own guilt when raising taxes to pay for a school system that is falling each year in quality. We are hostile to a set of administrators who lose $6,000,000,000.00 of tax money in a rat hole know as the School Construction Corporation. We are hostile to a group of administrators who push through dark fiber project which is both unnecessary and out dated. We are hostile to a board of education who squanders millions, then has the unmitigated gall to ask for $7 million more for a capital improvement project on two schools who’s declining population make the improvement unnecessary. People like you Ms. Brogan are making the town of Ridgewood inaccessible to the middle class through yearly increases in taxes. That smacks of bigotry and is something to which the people of NJ are truly hostile.

Whitefang….posted in the rrc forum

followed by…..

Anonymous said…
To Whitefang,
If your so unhappy with the Board of Education run for a position and change it. You will then, and only then, understand how the involvement of the State of NJ in local government is a hinderance and a joke. The state also passed bills that required planning and zoning board members to attend classes on duties and responsibilities. These members are not paid for their (free) service to the community or classroom time. Hey, why don’t you propose these members get paid for their time…then you would have a real reason to gripe!!If you think that the board has contempt for reasonable controls and it demonstrates it’s hostility to taxpayers and their wishes… change it by getting elected. I will even help with your election campain if you like!!Maybe I will be singing your praises when you give this board that well needed attitude adjustment you believe it needs. Until then your just a blogger and a complainer with no knowledge of what you speak about….ajfire@hotmail.com

followed by……

I have to say that I hope that was a slip of the tongue by Ms. Brogan who is normally on top of these things .With the insane levels of spending on public education it is hard for the average person to understand your statement especially given continued decline of quality of public education putting it in jeopardy of making no economic as well as intellectual sense to anyone.

pjblogger

and then ….

kittygirl said…
pj, sadly it was not a slip of the tongue as she said it at least three times during the televised meeting. ajfire, it is interesting that you want anyone to run before they complain. Didn’t Greg May run and was opposed strenously by the sitting board members? He would have been just the fresh level headed voice we needed. The board holds the taxpayer hostage by throwing up the “don’t you care about the kids” flag. I do care about kids. I don’t care about wasted money for pet projects that are politically motivated, How much of Porters package would have paid for security at both elementary schools?You serve without pay at YOUR CHOICE. You obviously get some satisfaction and gain or you wouldn’t do it, that is human nature. Secondly after watching that meeting you do not have the town’s best interest at heart. You are letting Porter get away with stealing from the town. He did not fulfill his contract. He is leaving before it is over, yet is getting all the benefits as if he completed the contract. Thirdly I am working so hard to pay the ridiculous amount of taxes I am saddled with that I don’t have time to run for office I am working to pay for each and every increase you pass. Whitefang is correct. The school board is running the middle class out of town. I am a professional and so is my husband, both college educated. We rent here because we cannot afford to buy here. We are both active in the community yet you dismiss us as “bloggers” and not important. Thanks, that makes me feel part of the process for sure. If you really want to help. Have school go all year so the working stiffs can have a safe place for their children to be while I am working, Or better yet have after school programs so that I can continue to work to pay for the school and not worry about my teenaged son for the hours I am not able to be at home since the taxes do not accomodate one income families.
9:57 AM

Greg May responds…

Thanks for the compliment Kittygirl.
When I ran in 2005, I did hear alot of complaints from folks that think the Board of Ed is hostile towards the public. Is this the reality or a perception by the public? If it is only a perception then what should the BOE do to change what some in the public think? After all, the Board is an elected representative of the public and should be serving in the public’s best interest. As far as the involvement of the State in local government, which way do we want it? No involvement from the State, but we want you give us more money or too much involvement from the State and not enough money for what they have mandated? How many times has the Board stood up and challenged the State and said if you mandate it you must fund it or we will not comply with it. I for one would back the Board in an action like this and if it went to court, wouldn’t mind my tax dollars being spent defending it.This past year there was a lot of talk about the aspect that we have lost home rule, why is that? How has the board fought for home rule? There are realities and perceptions. The public needs to get more involved. The Board of Ed also needs to work to change the public’s perception. People should not fear challenging the Board in a respectful way, just like the Board should show more openness to the different opinions of the public.

To Kittygirl, First,

I believe you are under the mistaken belief that I am a member of the Board of Education. I assure you, I am not an elected member of the School Board or involved in the school system in any way, other than being a taxpayer. Who better to run for an elected office than someone who says things are not running right? I think it was great that Greg May ran, unfortunately voters chose not to elect him. Who’s fault was that, the voters of course!!Regarding your comment about Greg Mays run being opposed strenuously by the sitting board members… The last time I checked the sitting board and their opinion is not how someone gets elected to the Board. The voters, all of about 15% to 20%, are the deciders of who is elected as a Board Member, and until enough voters go to the polls to say enough is enough we will continue with business as usual. I agree that education in any town, let alone Ridgewood, has gotten out of hand. But the only cure is for the public to use their power of vote to change that. I, like you, do care about our children’s education, the only question is at what price? My objection to this forum is the individual who complains about things, which they have every right to do, but doesn’t have the answer to fix the problem. It has been said that our current form of government isn’t perfect, which is true, but it is the best we have found so far…. don’t just complain about the government… offer solutions to the problems you are complaining about, that’s the real way to get things changed!!I really cannot comment on Dr. Porters leaving, because I don’t know enough about his contract or the terms of his leaving. For all I know you are 100% correct.

To Greg May,

I was happy to see you enter the race for the Board of Education, I hope you chose to run again. Regarding the State, I really can’t figure out how the State can know better than our local residents, parents or teaching professionals what is best for OUR schools and students. Worse than that can someone, anyone, tell me what productive roll the Federal Government should be playing in local education? The no child left behind act…unbelievable. Outside of basic guidelines the State should not be getting involved in local education issues. I believe you are right on point when you say the Board should stand up to the State on some issues. As for the money that we get from the State, if I remember correctly that money comes from each and every taxpayer in the form of sales tax, income tax and other taxes. They, the State, are “giving” us back our own money, minus of course processing costs. Isn’t it interesting that the Homestead Rebate Checks are sent out just before election time…coincidence? I don’t think so…..Greg, you said it when you stated “The Public needs to get more involved.” I have taken time out from my day to write to the Governor, State Senators and State Congressmen and yes even the President George Bush. Maybe I am wrong, but believe if more people voted and wrote to their elected officials maybe we could make things a bit better. ajfire@hotmail.com

AJFire
I think many people come to forums like this because they have a complaint that isnt’ being heard (the BOE is a perfect example of not listening, I know because I’ve tried). Many people don’t know the answer but want to share their fustration with others in the hopes that others might have an answer. Sitting silently and suffering is not an answer either. If you have a solution, now would be the time.And one more thing: If you don’t like forums like this why are you participating?

>Article 2 of 3, Article ID: 57824496Published on October 24, 2002, Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)
New chief of schools good deal, village says
RIDGEWOOD – John R. Porter Jr., the district’s new superintendent of schools, will be paid $2,000 more a year than his predecessor, but school officials say taxpayers are getting a good deal. Porter, 56, will receive $175,000 a year under his five-year contract. His salary will be prorated this year, since he starts his new job next month.. One of Porter’s biggest perks is that he will be permitted to buy credit in the pension system.. “

Mark,
I was extremely disappointed to read in the Ridgewod News that you would so disingenuously mis-characterize John Porter’s contract as a 4-year contract when you know (as do so many of us) that it was a 5-year contract he had signed in 2002. WHat is the point of this? WHy pull the wool over the eyes of the public? WHat are you trying to COVER UP? WHy did you think you would get to do so with impunity?This level of disrespect to the taxpayer really takes the cake.I am disgusted!

Frances

>

Flags at Half Staff for Ridgewood Firefighter Mark Cassidy
The Ridgewood Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of Ff. Mark Cassidy on May 30th. Funeral arrangements are:

Wake – June 1 & 2 – 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Ave. (201/444-7650)

Funeral Mass – June 3 – 10:00 AM, Mt. Carmel Church, 1 Passaic St. (201/444-2000)

Graydon Pool Online Registration
Registration by credit card only for Graydon Pool can now be conducted online through CommunityPass. You can register from the comfort of your own home by clicking here. We have implemented a new photo ID system which requires all members to get new badges. When you have completed your registration online be sure to visit the Stable on Saturday, May 6, 13, or 20 between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get your new badge.

$7 Million Referendum to expand Ridge and Willard – The Ridgewood BOE has tentatively approved the development of a proposal to expand the Ridge and Willard schools if funding is authorized by a referendum in either September or December of 2006.

Ridgewood to Start Revaluation
The Village of Ridgewood has recently been ordered by the Bergen County Board of Taxation to perform a revaluation for the year 2008.

2006 & 2007 Street Paving List
A list of paving locations has been established and is proposed to start this summer, upon award of the contract to the successful bidder. The amount of streets paved may vary due to unstable price of asphalt.