Tag: “it takes a village”

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Ramon Hache: I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support of so many residents

Ramon Hache ridgewood NJ

Dear All,

I apologize for being a day late but I was still dizzy yesterday from all the excitement on election night!!!

It really does take a village. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support of so many residents. There are so many people to thank. Their selflessness and tireless efforts made victory possible on Tuesday night. There were people putting up signs, hosting coffees, sending emails, taking pictures, making videos, cooking, baking, talking, handing out flyers, making phone calls, hosting, printing, and cheering. Too many people to name individually but they know who they are. The results on Tuesdaywas a manifestation of their love for our community. THANK YOU!!!!

I am so proud of our community for turning out to vote in large numbers. Over 5,600 residents took time out of their lives to make their voices heard loud and clear.

Although the campaign was an exhausting and arduous process, I really enjoyed meeting so many amazing people whether I was knocking on doors or simply around town.  I would like to thank all the candidates for being professional and cordial through this whole process. I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for anyone willing to offer themselves to serving on the Council. That being said, I would also like to thank the outgoing Council members for their service and for their willingness to help ensure a smooth transition with the new Council members. The work is already starting to take shape.

Looking ahead, I am excited to get to work with some great people on the new Council. I am confident we will be able to work through the numerous challenges, by respecting each other and working through our differences, in order to serve the best interests of the community. Make no mistake, although we all get along, the issues are no smaller today than they were two days ago. But by working with each other, and the community through open and transparent dialogue, we will conquer the issues. We will work diligently to ensure reasonable and responsible progress. It feels great to be part of a great team. I am also looking forward to working with all of our Village officials and employees. It is so important to have competent and committed people working for our community.

Thank you again for all of your support. Thank you for your vote and for bringing me closer to making my vision of Ridgewood a reality. This is still one of the best communities in NJ. Together, we will make it even better. I look forward to listening to you and serving you on the Council.

Best

Ramon Hache

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Zuckerberg, Facebook increasingly in political spotlight

Facebook-CEO-Mark-Zuckerberg

By Mario Trujillo – 04/22/16 06:02 AM EDT

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has increasingly used his perch atop his massive social media platform to speak out on political issues — including immigration reform, the Syrian refugee crisis and solidarity with the Muslim community.

While Zuckerberg’s veiled shot last week at Donald Trump’s call for a wall on the Mexican border was a rare entry into the presidential debate, the Facebook creator has regularly made his views known on debates of the day.

https://thehill.com/policy/technology/277183-zuckerberg-facebook-increasingly-in-political-spotlight

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Ridgewood Municipal Alliance to host conference for parents

GALERIE

Ridgewood Municipal Alliance to host conference for parents

APRIL 28, 2014    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2014, 12:32 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER

Should you friend your child on Facebook? What about knowing their social media passwords? Does “everybody” else let their child have a cell phone, drink or freely go on social media sites? Are most other parents really “more trusting” than you?

These are just a few of the questions facing parents today, and the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance believes “it takes a village” to tackle them.

Village leaders, including local parents, educators, religious leaders and the police chief, want the community to come together and establish new norms for raising young people in the modern world. As a start, the Municipal Alliance is offering its third dinner and conversation meeting in the Ridgewood High School (RHS) Campus Center at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29. Called the “Community Wellness Conference: Keeping Connected, Healthy Families, Healthy Community,” the event is for parents of children in eighth grade through high school.

Forums offered to the community in 2007 and 2011 involved panels of experts; this conference will feature one keynote speaker, psychologist Tim Silvestri. Parents, who will be served a dinner catered by It’s Greek To Me, will be breaking off into groups for facilitated discussion led by local community leaders.

Parents of older children are being targeted for this discussion because their children are now “seeking more freedom,” said Municipal Alliance Chair Sheila Brogan, a mother of three who also serves as president of the Ridgewood Board of Education. And eighth grade parents may especially want to take note: Benjamin Franklin Middle School Principal Tony Orsini, another alliance member, pointed out that the “the most at-risk time for a lot of kids is that summer between eighth and ninth grade,” because of all of the free time, and increased freedoms, that students enjoy at that time.

Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward, an alliance committee member, said, “This is the first step of starting a positive dialogue.” As a parent himself, Ward noted that he understands what it’s like for a child to say “you don’t trust me” in response to rules. But “if we set up that this is the ‘new norm,’ that’s not a matter of trust,” he said.

And this is the purpose of the alliance: having the community work together to reduce negative behaviors.

According to the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which provides grant money to local alliances, about 400 of these groups have been established by municipal ordinance in more than 530 municipalities in New Jersey with the aim of reducing local alcohol and drug use. Ridgewood’s committee, which has existed for at least 20 years, is represented by individuals from the Ridgewood Police Department, The Valley Hospital, Share House, Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources, Renfrew Center, Juvenile Conference Committee, Federated Home and School Association and Ridgewood Guild, among others.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/clubs-and-service-organizations/ridgewood-municipal-alliance-to-host-conference-for-parents-1.1004457#sthash.cJYBkvOR.dpuf