The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
>Moody’s Investors Service downgrades N.J. state government’s bond rating
The bond rating for New Jersey’s state government has been downgraded one step to Aa3, the fourth-highest level, by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited a “weakened financial position” and an economic recovery lagging behind the nation. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/economy/moodys-investors-service-downgrades-nj-state-governments-bond-rating
>Poll: We like N.J., but don’t trust state government
New Jerseyans generally have a positive view of their state as a place to live, though the number calling it excellent or good is at the lowest level in 30 years of polling on the question. (Symons, Gannett)
>Massachusetts Democrats vote to restrict unions
House votes to restrict unions
Measure would curb bargaining on health care
House lawmakers voted overwhelmingly last night to strip police officers, teachers, and other municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over health care, saying the change would save millions of dollars for financially strapped cities and towns.
The 111-to-42 vote followed tougher measures to broadly eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees in Ohio, Wisconsin, and other states. But unlike those efforts, the push in Massachusetts was led by Democrats who have traditionally stood with labor to oppose any reduction in workers’ rights.
>Board of Education Election Results
Tax Levy:
Yes : 1,812
No: 1,446
Two Three-year Terms:(full three year term – Choose two)
Gerald Clark: 510
Christina Krauss: 1,720
Lauri Goodman: 1,518
Sheila Brogan: 1,657
See full results : https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/main_recent.cfm?ArticleID=877
>Krauss 1697
Brogan 1607
Goodman 1472
Absentees not included yet
Budget
1788 yes
1406 no
>Early unconfirmed reports
Looks like Krauss is #1 with one more district to report.
Goodman out!
>72% Say Taxpayers Not Getting Their Money’s Worth from Public Schools
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Voters overwhelmingly believe that taxpayers are not getting a good return on what they spend on public education, and just one-in-three voters think spending more will make a difference.
Nationally, the United States spends an average of about $9,000 per student per year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 11% of voters think the taxpayers are getting a good return on that investment. Seventy-two percent (72%) disagree and say taxpayers are not getting their money’s worth. Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided.
>VOTE NO : What I did say, was that too much money is being spent on administrators and frivolous things like fancy fields with lights.
I was not intimating that Ridgewood should not move forward. In fact there is nothing in what I wrote that suggests that. What I did say, was that too much money is being spent on administrators and frivolous things like fancy fields with lights.
My reference to ADHD meds was only made to show that there were disruptive kids in our large classes with no aides, and teachers TAUGHT.
There is no reason why (in 2011) teachers can’t teach classes of 25-30 students. Whatever decade it is is not relevant.
What are so different about “today’s realities”? The reality that sports have become more important than academics? The reality that the education is NOT as good as it was “back in the day”?
The SAT test was more difficult then, it has been dumbed-down twice since I graduated, yet we still managed to score in the 600-700 range, WITHOUT tutors. The current math program (and the ones that have been used for the past what, 8-10 years?),is terrible. But the decision maker is collecting an enormous salary for her ineptitude and our children are not learning math well enough to succeed without being tutored. That’s ridiculous. And costly.
I also have nothing against “newbies”, after all, I only moved back here 20 years ago so that my own children could get as good an education as I did. (not really sure that they did)
>Cyberbulling at Ridgewood High School
Dear Mr. Lorenz,
I am Peter Coti, a student at Ridgewood High School and I am being cyber bullied from RHS computers during school hours. I demand an inquiry be started into the matter.
My blog (PeterCoti.com) has been flooded with comments from the IP 69.74.172.194 (Ridgewood High School’s IP). Here are the comments that have been left from the school IP:
“You lube your butt hole”, is that a better euphamism? better break out the vassaline. – 2:01 PM
I actually never hear that “I am so gay” it must just be you. People must look at you and just know, Sorry bout that. -1:59 PM
you are a “weird idiot”. stop trying to be so damn politically correct! – 1:58 PM
i bet that my left ear lobe gets more chicks than your blog does – 1:57
you actuallly have NO IDEA what you are talking about. just shut up. 1:51
Its good that you are rationalizing what love is, so now you have a scientific reason for why you will never get laid. – 1:51
This page basically tells the whole world that you’re really freaking self conscious. Maybe it would help your sex life if you didn’t wear the same freaking clothes every day. Also, your grammar is absolutely atrocious. I’m guessing you’ll get a 380 on the writing portion of the SAT – 9:24
you actually have no idea what you are talking about so shut up. you will never get a girlfriend. – 9:21
If there is not an investigation open by Friday the 29th, 2011 I will have no choice to contact the Internet Service Provider, which has the power to terminate your internet service due to abuse.
Please do not be like the officials at Rutgers and ignore this please for help. To make sure you follow through with this inquiry I have sent a copy of this to The Ridgewood Blog as definitive proof that this inquiry was requested.
If you are reading this and you are the person reading this I want to let you know I am not mad and if you come and admit who you are to my face I will not yell or scream at you. All I want to know is why. Why would you write that.
Thanks,
Peter Coti
>Sacrificed Survivors – Untold Stories of the Ground Zero Mega Mosque
On Thursday, April 28th at 7:00 PM, the NJ Tea Party Coalition will be hosting a viewing of the film, “Sacrificed Survivors – Untold Stories of the Ground Zero Mega Mosque” at the Teaneck Moose Lodge. Admission is Free.
The program will begin with a slide presentation. After the film, there’s a Q&A session with Andy Sullivan. Hard Hat Andy Sullivan is a 9/11 Survivor, First Responder and spent weeks on the Bucket Brigade as part of the 9/11 clean up. In response to the announced plans of the Ground Zero Victory Mosque, he founded the 9/11 Hard Hat Pledge. The pledge is simply to not work on the NYC Mega Mosque Center. To date he has gathered over 100,000 signatures.
Directions:
The Moose Lodge is located at 201 West Englewood Ave in Teaneck. Parking is in the rear. Enter around the corner from Palisade Ave. The Lodge will be on the right (white stucco building with red Tudor trim. Enter on left side of building from Parking lot).
For more information – https://www.njteapartycoalition.org
>Preserve Graydon Coalition has concerns about rafts
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
BY BRYAN WASSEL
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Special To The Ridgewood News
Despite the Village Council’s embrace of Wibits, inflatable playground rafts planned for Graydon Pool this summer, members of the Preserve Graydon Coalition (PGC) expressed concerns at a meeting last week.
Buy this photo
“The irony of protesting both a swift decision by the council and the village’s willingness to invest in Graydon does not elude us,” said PGC co-chair Marcia Ringel. “However, we believe that for many reasons, this item should not be installed until a long list of concerns has been allayed.”
Perceived problems include the effect that the giant rafts would have on the visual impact of the pool; in an informal poll, the devices were called “a monstrosity,” “an enemy of open space” and “LEGOs on steroids,” according to Ringel.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/120693724_Preserve_Graydon_Coalition_has_concerns_about_rafts_.html
>New Jersey town moves for more solar adoption
Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 1:30:56 PM – by Nate Lew
In an effort to encourage a greater number of solar power development projects, the city of Ridgewood, New Jersey, recently approved two more arrays to be built in the near future.
The city’s planning board recently voted overwhelmingly in favor of a large solar power generation system to be built on the roof of Ridgewood Racquet Club, according to a report from the Ridgewood News. The company that owns the club will take advantage of rebates from the state that are set to run out on May 20, and will save nearly $40,000 on the cost of building the system.
Another system, to be built at an office building, was also approved – and, like the one at the Racquet Club, fast-tracked – for the purposes of qualifying for the rebates, the report said.
https://solar.coolerplanet.com/News/800493128-new-jersey-town-moves-for-more-solar-adoption.aspx
>Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.
Ronald Reagan
Read more: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/r/ronald_reagan.html#ixzz1KLpw5o8q
>State Supreme Court has politicized itself over more Abbott funding
When Gov. Chris Christie says there must be changes on the state Supreme Court, he is accused of attempting to politicize the body, a laughable contention for people who know in the near past the court has been made up of too many political hacks. (Ingle, Gannett)
>April 27, 2011 (Wednesday) – NJ School Board Elections
Today Wednesday, April 27, across the State of New Jersey, voters will act on more than $13 billion in proposed locally funded school expenditures. More than 1,500 local school board positions will be filled. This is an opportunity that will directly affect your local community. You will be able to vote on your school district’s individual budget proposal, while choosing the men and women who will represent you on your school district’s board of education. Voting in your local school election is a civic duty.
Make your voice heard! Please Remember to Vote! Polls Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.