The Valley Hospital Issue Is NOT Finished
The Village Council Election on May 8 Is Critical
CRR Supports Candidates Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon,
The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood are thrilled to endorse Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon for re-election to the Village Council.
We endorsed Susan and Mike in 2014 in the hope that they would help prevent the irrational overdevelopment at the Valley Hospital site in Ridgewood, and with their support, we have prevailed. Last year, Valley finally decided to move their main campus to Paramus, and then agreed that the Village Council can rewrite the hospital zone ordinance to prevent further expansion of the Ridgewood campus.
Although the terms of the settlement are 100% to our liking, there is still work to be done. We need the Council to continue to transform the legal settlement into an effective Village Master Plan and Ordinance. If the community lets its guard down–before future plans are codified–we believe our Village is NOT FULLY PROTECTED against future overdevelopment at the Ridgewood site. The incoming Council will appoint new members to the Planning Board, which is rewriting the Master Plan, and it will finalize our settlement by rewriting and adopting the new H-Zone Ordinance governing the Ridgewood Campus.
Susan and Mike Have Protected Our Village
Susan and Mike have been steadfast defenders of rational development throughout the protracted Valley legal process. Under their leadership as mayor and deputy mayor, the Council bravely stood up for the Village in court, and they remained firm in their support of a settlement that was sensible for Ridgewood.
Susan and Mike took other important steps to protect the Village from further irrational development threats. They acted to rescind Ordinance #3066, originally designed and put in place to facilitate Valley’s expansion, but also paving the way for the high-density housing projects now being built in Ridgewood. Susan and Mike both voted against these high-density projects. We feel their votes demonstrate a strong understanding of the appropriate size and scope of development in Ridgewood and reflect what Ridgewood taxpayers want.
Susan and Mike have also shown themselves to be good stewards of our tax dollars. They took office after a massive theft of parking meter revenues was uncovered, and they have worked to put better control processes in place for now as well as for the future. They have worked with Council colleagues and department heads to keep annual budget increases well below the 2% cap mandated by the state.
Important Dates to Remember
Tuesday, April 17: The last chance to register to vote for this election is this Tuesday. Register at the Village Clerk’s office in Village Hall from 8:30am-4:30pm, or at Ridgewood Library from 430-9pm.
Monday, April 30: The League of Women Voters is hosting a candidates’ night at 7:30pm at Village Hall. This is a chance to form your own opinion of the candidates.
Tuesday, May 8: Please VOTE on Election Day; polls are open 6am-8pm.
PLEASE VOTE for SUSAN KNUDSEN and MICHAEL SEDON on Election Day May 8 to ensure a bright future for Ridgewood.
If you have any questions, please email us at crr.ridgewood@gmail.com. Please also forward this message to your friends and neighbors.
Regards,
Pete McKenna
President
Concerned Residents of Ridgewood
