Tag: Election Day

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Stirring the Pot No , just Business as usual in New Jersey

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Stirring the Pot No , just Business as usual in New Jersey

“james again if you are going to make a comment about motives please tell us the motives so that your readers can be better informed. Just making general comments to “stir the pot ” so to speak doesn’t leave you with any creditability. Thank you again”

Looks like we hit a nerve with our editorial , apparently  many Ridgewood residents are naive as to how politics work in New Jersey.

Special interests push for a project ,and politicians who deliver get showered with campaign contributions from  lawyers , architects,  businesses and developers who benefit from that project

The next trick is to impress the pubic with its benefit there by creating an overwhelming  need to get the taxpayer to pony up and pay for it there by socializing the risk ,and keeping all the rewards .for themselves .

With nothing more than a few “spot zoning ” changes or a change to a  master plan your favorite local politician is on his way to congress.

Don’t believe me take one look at Xanadu and ask your self what idiot would build a shopping mall in Bergen County  when so many already exists ?

The answer is an idiot that takes no financial risk and gets you the tax payer to pay for it .

You see politicians work for lobbyists  and special interest who they deal with 365 days a year , while they only have to speak to the voters once every four years . Shocked don’t be by now your should be used to it .. This is how it works , like it or not and everyone knows except for the voters .

The success of the Village of Ridgewood as a community is that in the past

wine.com

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Readers says Mr. Albano is clearly uninformed about and uninterested in local politics. He has voted in village council elections twice in at least the past 22 years.

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Readers says Mr. Albano is clearly uninformed about and uninterested in local politics. He has voted in village council elections twice in at least the past 22 years.

If Mr. Albano is such an asset to the sports programs, devoting countless hours to it and serving as a role model, wouldn’t it be a detriment to the Village overall to pull him away from that for four years merely in exchange for his “yes” vote on a monster baseball diamond? (No way a person could do both well.)

He is clearly uninformed about and uninterested in local politics. He has voted in village council elections twice in at least the past 22 years.

Let’s give him and the kids a break and help him continue to do what he apparently does best. Something tells me he will be greatly relieved to receive the fewest votes and exit the political life as of tomorrow night. Help a guy out!

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Reader Spells out the Differences in the Village Council Candidates

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Reader Spells out the Differences in the Village Council Candidates 

While the papers have been giving you the impression that all 3 candidates are the same it is an over-simplification.  Knudsen and Sedon have been attending VC and PB meetings for years because they are genuinely interested in the municipal issues and feel they can contribute sound, non-partisan perspectives.

Jim Albano has only started to attend these meetings  since his candidacy.  Why did he suddenly become so interested in our municipality that he wanted to be on the council?  How about attending a meeting first?  How about reading the paper and submitting a Letter to the Editor?  How about standing up at ONE of the 7 years of Valley Hospital meetings to speak out (either for or against)?  How about attending a meeting on the downtown development?  He has been interviewed by all the grassroots organizations in town and all of them found him to be a pleasant person that loves Ridgewood, but was totally unprepared to have a meaningful conversation on the big issues in town including, but not limited to development, budget, services, parking, shared services, schools,etc.
This is all in addition to the fact that he has only  voted twice in a municipal election in over 20 years (doesn’t sound too interested in Ridgewood to me!) and he has failed to submit tax returns on behalf of the RBSA, for which he is President, for at least 6 years and has not informed the RBSA members that their donations have not been tax deductible all that time.  You might hear him tell you where he stands on things, but he has no track-record to prove it.   That’s why I’m voting Sedon and Knudsen.  Hope that helps.

wine.com

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Readers Upset after Ridgewood Junior Football Association pro Albano Email

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Readers Upset after Ridgewood Junior Football Association pro Albano Email

I just got an e-mail from the Ridgewood Junior Football Association. It is an endorsement for Jim Albano asking me to consider voting for him on Tuesday. It is signed by Dean Vellis whom I have no idea who he is. 

I am disgusted that the Ridgewood Junior Football Association is using the e-mail I gave in good faith (to be used for purposes of team placement, game schedules, field closings or relaying information necessary about the team) to promote a candidate in an election. This is outrageous. 

No parent should have to receive political propaganda for signing their child up to a sports team.

Thanks for confirming he is the “sports candidate” and that’s all he knows or cares about.
I will be voting for Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon on Tuesday

Here’s the email message, sent through the association’s registration email list–totally not OK.

Does being a good role model for children on sports teams qualify a person to be on the council?

From: RJFA registration
Date: May 11, 2014, 10:52:19 PM EDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Jim Albano

Hi All,

I am writing to you tonight as a neighbor, friend and parent.

Next Tuesday is Election Day in Ridgewood and a true leader in the youth sports community is running for Village Council.

Jim Albano has dedicated close to 20 years to working with the kids of Ridgewood. He has coached and been a great role model for our children in football, basketball and baseball.

Jim has served as President of the Ridgewood Baseball Softball Association (RBSA) for the past six years. With over 1,500 of our kids participating, the RBSA represents one of the largest youth sports organizations in the Village.

If your child plays sports in Ridgewood, volunteers like Jim Albano are the reason why. Please consider giving Jim your support this Tuesday, May 13.

Thank you all and Best Regards,

Dean

Dean Vellis
1-800-PetMeds Private Label

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YOUR 501(C)(3) STATUS HAS BEEN REVOKED – WHAT NOW?

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RBSA website

YOUR 501(C)(3) STATUS HAS BEEN REVOKED – WHAT NOW?
April 16, 2014


Many nonprofit corporations are exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Until relatively recently, many of those tax-exempt nonprofits were not required to file annual Form 990 series returns. That all changed with the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Now, all tax-exempt nonprofits are required to file an annual Form 990 series return. If a tax-exempt organization fails to do so for three consecutive years, then its federal income tax exemption is automatically revoked – – no questions asked.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATION HAS LOST ITS
501(C)(3) STATUS?

The IRS maintains a list of organizations that have had their 501(c)(3) status revoked. Use thisLINK to search for specific organizations.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

The Organization Will Have Tax Liability. If your nonprofit has its 501(c)(3) status revoked, then it will no longer be exempt from federal income tax. As a result, the nonprofit may be subject to corporate income tax and required to file IRS Form 1120 (U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return).
Donations Will Not Be Tax Deductible. Any donations received after the official notification of the revocation will not be tax deductible. This can be a major issue for donors who made donations and claimed tax deductions based on the belief that your organization was a valid 501(c)(3) organization.

https://www.michigantaxblog.com/501c3-Status-Revoked-What-Now

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The Ridgewood Blog endorses Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon for Village Council

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The Ridgewood Blog endorses Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon for Village Council

This years Village Council Election has three candidates seeking two open Village Council seats. The Candidates are  Jim Albano, Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon .

The election season  has been punctuated by the aroma of big city politics . Threats have been made, Anonymous emails have been sent and yard signs taken .

The campaign season has pitted the “we know better crowd ” represented by Jim Albano, and RBSA against two well meaning outsiders Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon.

The Village is facing some very big decisions about the future direction of the town and many vested interests are pushing hard to have their agenda heard.

It appears that that Jim Albano  and his RBSA cohorts have aliened them self with the forces of urbanization and over aggressive development. He would join the Mayor ,deputy Mayor and one council member looking to push their own agenda for selfish gain.

To us the crux of the matter once again is weather the “in-crowd ” will get what they want and the rest of the Village will be forced pay for it .

While Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon offer a more sensible voice looking to pursue a more moderate course of development in keeping with the Village character and retaining all the great things that make this and out standing community.

The question for voters is what kind of Village do you want to live in , an over developed hospital town , filled with turf fields and massive multi family housing projects ringing the down town or a community more focused on quality of life and education ?

Past experiences with NJT and the historic Village train station renovation prove the the forces of development can be balanced with community needs and in that case both side came away winners .
The “we know better” ,all or nothing approach of advocates of urbanization have been discredited both hear in the Village and state wide with scandal after scandal , and failed projects such as Xanadu , 

The “we know better crowd ” has brought us nothing but parking meter thieves ,1/2 a million dollar golden toilets , Village Hall fiascos and too many more to mention .

Its time to recognize the “we know better crowd” does not know better and only acts on their own selfish interests and not in the interest of the Village as a whole.

Therefore the Ridgewood blog  unequivocally endorses Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon. 

Polls are open May 13th from 6am to 8pm. For election questions, please call the Village Clerk at 201/670-5500 x 201
1-800-PetMeds Private Label

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Reader says Allowing people and companies to continue to deduct their donations allowed them to commit fraud for years without realizing it

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Reader says Allowing people and companies to continue to deduct their donations allowed them to commit fraud for years without realizing it

The IRS site says that as of March 15, 2011, it revoked the tax-exempt status of organizations that had not filed for AT LEAST 3 consecutive years. Since taxes are not due until April, that means 2010 didn’t count. The three years would have been 2007-09. But there is no way of knowing when they last filed properly. Even RBSA may not know, since the CPA who fled without warning was apparently the only accountant in the state.

This is worse than sloppiness. Allowing people and companies to continue to deduct their donations allowed them to commit fraud for years without realizing it. A group too busy “helping the kids have fun” to control its finances should not be sitting on giant nest eggs.

1-800-PetMeds Private Label

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Reader says Jim Albano has his hands full , too busy to be informed and should clean up his mess before he runs for Village Council

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Reader says Jim Albano has his hands full , too busy to be informed and should clean up his mess before he runs for Village Council 

It has been 6 years since they have filed tax returns! 3 years before it was revoked and 3 years since. Which happens to be the entire tenure of RBSA President Jim Albano.
, you hit the nail on the head! If he cannot resolve the RBSA tax issue in 6 years, he is definitely not cut out to be a councilman. There a 6 members of the RBSA Executive Board, 22 RBSA trustees and thousands of parents through the RBSA organization over 6 years. They couldn’t find anyone to do their taxes? Then maybe they should have suspended the program or at least part of the program until someone stepping up to the plate (pun intended!)

One thing for sure, Jim Albano has his hands full and he is too busy to be an informed and active member of our village council. He should clean up his mess and run again in a couple of years when he is ready to be a truly active member in Village issues.
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RIDGEWOOD NEWS : Controversial issue should have been covered

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RIDGEWOOD NEWS : Controversial issue should have been covered

MAY 9, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014, 12:31 AM

Controversial issue should have been covered
Boyd A. Loving


To the Editor:

I am somewhat mystified as to why The Ridgewood News’ Friday, May 2 edition made no mention of the recent admission by current Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association (RBSA) President James Albano that the RBSA’s 501(c)(3) Federal Income Tax Exemption status was revoked on March 15, 2011.

This information was made public, and confirmed by Mr. Albano, during the League of Women Voters – Ridgewood Chapter “Candidates’ Night,” which was held on Tuesday, April 29.

A reporter employed by The Ridgewood News was present at the aforementioned event throughout the debate/discussion of the tax exemption status issue. Certainly both you and your reporter understand the significance of such a revelation, particularly in light of Mr. Albano’s active candidacy for Ridgewood Village Council.

Despite having ample time to direct your reporter to undertake further investigation/research of the matter and prepare an article prior to your publication’s May 1 deadline, you apparently chose not to do so.

Whether The Ridgewood News’ “failure to publish” was simply an oversight on your part, or an deliberate attempt to avoid broad exposure of a controversial issue during an already heated election campaign, the absence of even a brief mention about this issue was shamefully disgraceful and a disservice to all of your readers.

Boyd A. Loving

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-controversial-issue-should-have-been-covered-1.1012917#sthash.bo9bS7Gg.dpuf

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RBSA Financial Practices Questioned

RBSA Financial Practices Questioned

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The letter was sent to the Ridgewood News by email on Sunday afternoon, May 4. On Monday morning the paper called to confirm that I had sent it and wanted it published. I said yes.

Late Wednesday morning, the three candidates for council received an email message from Ed Virgin, editor of the paper, stating that the volume of letters this week had been so great that the usual noon (Wed.) deadline had had to be cut off a little early. However, he added, anything received before late Wednesday morning (May 7) would be published.

Well, mine wasn’t. Gee.

Too late now.

I called Ed but his phone message said he was out until Monday and not listening to voice mail. Thanks for your objectivity, local newspaper!

Here’s the letter:

RBSA Financial Practices Questioned

Ridgewood News readers deserve to know about an important issue raised at the League of Women Voters Candidates’ Debate on April 29 but omitted from last week’s article on that event (“Race for Two Seats Heats Up,” May 2).

According to public records, the Ridgewood Baseball and Softball Association failed to file federal tax returns for at least 3 consecutive years during Village Council candidate James Albano’s long and continuing tenure as RBSA president. As a result, the group’s tax-exempt status was revoked by the Internal Revenue Service on March 15, 2011.

This suggests that appropriate papers have not been filed for at least 7 or 8 years and that contributions have not been legally tax deductible for several years.

Questions emerge:

Why did this happen? Was it deliberate, or sloppy bookkeeping?

In either case, how might RBSA’s financial practices reflect on Mr. Albano’s ability to serve on the Village Council, which oversees a vastly larger budget?

How much money does the RBSA have and where does it go?

Since RBSA activities heavily use tax-supported fields owned by the Village and Board of Education, might an audit of RBSA’s financial records by the Village be warranted?

Were corporate and individual donors to RBSA informed in a timely way in 2011 and every year since that they could no longer deduct donations from their taxes without violating federal law?

Do any individuals profit from RBSA’s summer baseball clinics conducted on taxpayer-owned property? Might an expansion of the summer clinics be one reason RBSA has pushed so hard to flatten the Schedler property in exchange for a 90-foot baseball field that its neighbors and countless other residents adamantly do not want?

At the debate, Mr. Albano denied being “the sports candidate,” a term no one but him had used that night. Interestingly, a message sent to the RBSA email list last month under the subject line “Albano for Council!” by Gary Muzio, RBSA’s “2014 Commissioner” and a leader of the summer clinics, stated: “While he [Mr. Albano] is not just the ‘sports candidate,’ the issue of the badly needed 90′ field, along with an all purpose field (read: soccer & lax) at Schedler is certainly a timely issue here.”

The assumption that RBSA had tax-exempt status and was therefore prohibited from any political activity, including endorsing candidates for local elections, led to a simple search for confirmation on the excellent IRS website, which quickly revealed the March 2011 revocation.

Might RBSA therefore use its email list for political activity, after all? Consider another factor beyond IRS regulations. The Village and Board of Education, recognizing the RBSA as a nonprofit entity (is it so registered?), have granted it the privilege of being cosponsored by the Village Parks and Recreation Department and Community School. Is it appropriate for a Village/Board of Education-cosponsored athletic organization (given priority in the use of tax-supported fields) to endorse a candidate for public office?

Marcia Ringel
Ridgewood

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Village of Ridgewood Municipal Election May 13th


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Village of Ridgewood Municipal Election May 13th 

3 Candidates are running for 2 Village Council seats. 

James Albano , Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon are running for two open seats on the Ridgewood Council.

Polls are open from 6am to 8pm. For election questions, please call the Village Clerk at 201/670-5500 x 201

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Reader says Mike Sedon certainly the right choice for Village Council

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Reader says Mike Sedon certainly the right choice for Village Council

Mike Sedon is a fine man with the highest of standards. His wife is very, very lucky to have found such a wonderful husband and father for their children. His judgement is outstanding – he is not going to work for an employer who tried to force him to quit a run for Village Council in another state. Mike is now freelancing and no longer commuting to Staten Island, he is around for his children. All the right choices.

And he is certainly the right choice for Village Council. I cannot wait to see him on the dais. Sanity will finally rule.

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Reader says i don’t think anyone had to setup albano to make him look bad. he did a good job of that himself

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Reader says i don’t think anyone had to setup albano to make him look bad. he did a good job of that himself. 

You must be a real detective to come up with your big conspiracy theory. There were lots of cards with questions and the league women pick out a handful to ask. 

So first knudson had to know the question would be selected and asked and then she had to know albano would lie so reynolds could come to the podium and ask albano to be clear on what hes saying and then knudson had to know albano would lie again. ah ha! i mean ah ha! you are probably fbi (fool bein ignorant)
albano could have just told the truth. oh wait. no. he had to lie becuase that was the setup so reynolds could catch him in the lie. ah ha.
i don’t think anyone had to setup albano to make him look bad. he did a good job of that himself. knudson was the best last night of the three and sedon was next. i don’t think either of them had to participated in your big conspiracy.how old is albano’s grandmother again?
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Reader says I am a bit turned off by the whole astroturf the world thing

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Reader says I am a bit turned off by the whole astroturf the world thing

Jim is “always available”….except, we have learned, when it is time to vote in local elections….

I actually like the mayor and would want to support his choice but I just can’t pull the lever for someone who doesn’t bother to vote.

I am also a bit turned off by the whole astroturf the world thing. Enough already. So they play on grass and dirt. At least it produces oxygen and helps cool the earth instead of being just more pavement.

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Reader says Everyone giving money to the RBSA should request to see the books

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file photo by ArtChick

Reader says Everyone giving money to the RBSA should request to see the books

Watched the debate on ustream and not sure why the RBSA tax issue was raised but Jim was prepared with his answer “lawyer is looking into it” not a great response. Why did the RBSA fail to file tax returns for so many years and where does all the money go? Is it possible the “volunteers” are drawing salaries? Why did Jim become so defensive? Is this how he’ll treat the public if he doesn’t like the question?

Interesting he was prepared for the RBSA tax question but not for his voting record in municipal elections. Acting confused over presidential and municipal. He had to know he never voted in Mayl. Not sure this was important but he misled then lied and so now it’s important.

Misleading the people is serious. Are we being misled by Jim about his reason for running. This RBSA endorsement of Jim is clear he’s the sports candidate. As a parent with two kids in the RBSA program I am interested in their accounting practices. Everyone giving money to the RBSA should request to see the books.