Mayor Aronsohn - Page 2 of 3 - THE RIDGEWOOD BLOG.

Posted on September 17, 2015 September 16, 2015

The Ridgewood blog asks, “How many times can the Mayor , Deputy Mayor and a fair haired Councilwoman , in cooperation with Village Manager , disregard our local laws?

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 16,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, so how many times can Mayor Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli and Councilwoman Hauck, in cooperation with Village Manager Sonenfeld, disregard our local laws? Let us count the ways :

1. Resolution 13-87 (April 24, 2013), item #4 reads as follows:

Telephonic or electronic communication between or among Councilmembers or between a Councilmember and a member of the public during public meetings is prohibited. This resolution was written by the Deputy Mayor (and former councilwoman Bernadette Walsh). When questioned publicly, Aronsohn admitted that his wife texts him, Hauck admitted that she “forgets” to turn her phone off, and Pucciarelli stated that he must be able to hear from his family at all times. So this rule is bent, disregarded, or ignored by the three of them as they see fit. Councilman Sedon and Councilwoman Knudsen stated that they do not use their phones or email during meetings.

2. A Human Resources Director (or confidential secretary, or whatever the title turned out to be) was hired before the position even existed. Once they got her up and running then they decided to create the position by rewriting the organizational chart. This was done over the objections of Sedon and Knudsen, who wanted the law to be followed. The position should have been created and then the person could be hired.

3. Local laws dictate that for certain positions, new hires must come in at the lowest end of the salary range. This has not always been happening. So now they are writing a new ordinance allowing for salary flexibility in such hirings. Once again, break the law, then rewrite the law. Once again, Sedon and Knudsen voiced objections while the other three smiled and nodded approval.

4. The most recent application for a grant for the Schedler property has a complete inaccuracy as well as some “sins of omission.” It was not shown to certain council members before it was sent (can we guess who did not see it and who did?). When this was pointed out, with a suggestion that the application be pulled and amended before being resubmitted, the reply was that “these things happen all the time,” you know, what’s a little inaccuracy among government agencies? Are we seeing a pattern here?

Our lawyer on the Council, Mr. Pucciarelli, characterized their behavior best when he stated that “Maybe we’re breaking the law, but it’s not a good law.”

Posted on September 2, 2015 September 2, 2015

MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS -Saturday, September 5th

Ridgewood Nj, Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents on Saturday’s every month. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, September 5th from 9AM to Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall.

For an appointment to meet with the Mayor, please call the Village Clerk’s Office at 201-670-5500 ext. 206. You may come to the Mayor’s office hours without an appointment, but those with appointments will be given priority.

Village Council and Board Meetings for September

09/08/157:30PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
09/09/157:30PM Village Council Public Work SessionN
09/15/157:30PM Planning Board Public Meeting
09/16/158:00PM Village Council Public Meeting
09/22/157:30PM Board of Adjustment Public Work Session
09/29/157:30PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
09/30/157:30PM Village Council Public Work Session

Seeking Ridgewood Residents to Volunteer for Planning Board and Shade Tree CommissionThe Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board or the Shade Tree Commission.

The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.

The Shade Tree Commission works closely with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, and the Green Team to promote awareness and education of the residents as well as advise and provide recommendations to the Village Council in promoting and sustaining a safe and productive shade tree resource. Members will preferably have forestry or tree backgrounds or hold the designation of a certified Arborist.

All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board(s) the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:

Heather Mailander, Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Deadline for submissions is September 10, 2015.

Posted on August 15, 2015 August 15, 2015

Readers says Mayor Aronsohn will pay at the Next Election

file photo by Boyd Loving

The terrible three campaigned heavily for Mr. (RBSA) Albano and he was defeated heavily, squished under the shoes of the sane voters of Ridgewood. Councilwoman Hauck was seen and heard in the hallway outside the Annie Zusy room talking into her cell phone while the vote counts were being revealed, and she was referring to the Ridgewood voters as idiots. They wanted Albano something fierce. Remember, we all just get one vote, so you are wrong, they will not get reelected. No way.

And it isn’t over yet. in the council’s attempt to put the kabash on the Friends of Sciedler’s resolution ,they voted in a resolution that allows for interested parties to come forth with a use for the house and funding options. They accomplished that. While people are disillusioned, the wheels are still turning. Perhaps an ordinance, ” Preserve the Status Quo” which would prevent any destruction of the house and trees before a formalized plan for the property is adopted could be passed or at least argued for. We may have a new council in May which is better in tune with the people. Regarding our former mayor, we would be lucky go have him back and/or Bernie. I can only hope.

Posted on August 11, 2015 August 11, 2015

Has the Mayor Aronsohn Delivered on his Promise to make government more responsive?

file photo by Boyd Loving

Augusr 11,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blogRidgewood Nj , To quote Mayor Aronsohn , “Across the board, people just feel that our government should be more responsive,” Aronsohn said. “That responsiveness should come in the form of more fiscal responsibility, in the form of budgeting differently, in the form of better response to cleanup. And then it comes in the form of the daily stuff, not getting emails returned, not getting phone calls returned. We need to change that. We will change that.“The voters wanted new ideas and new commitment to do government right. That’s what the three of us will deliver,” he said.

Posted on August 7, 2015 August 7, 2015

Civility for one is Civility for all Mr Mayor

August 6,2014

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At the August 5 Village Council meeting several people spontaneously applauded when Councilwoman Knudsen made an impassioned statement about saving the Schedler House. Mayor Aronsohn immediately shushed these people and reprimanded them for lack of “decorum.” That a positive “comment” in the form of brief applause would be squelched seems particularly contradictory from one who constantly calls for civility – there were no boos, hisses, or comments that would be considered rude. At the previous meeting, on July 15, when resident Jim Griffiths spoke passionately about the discussion regarding the title of Ms. Matthews’ Human Resources position, applause broke out from some in the audience. Mayor Aronsohn said nothing and did not reprimand these individuals. Why this inconsistency? Here’s why: he agreed with Mr. Griffiths and he disagreed with Councilwoman Knudsen.

It is also noted that in some instances the Mayor stops a citizen from speaking at the stroke of 5 minutes, whereas in other cases he allows the speaker to proceed long past the five-minute mark.

The times when an individual has been badgered and verbally harassed under Mayor Aronsohn’s leadership are too numerous to count. Coucilpersons Riche, Walsh, Knudsen and Sedon, Chief Ward and Clerk Mailander, as well as some members of the public, have all been maligned by Mr. Aronsohn, by some of his elected colleagues, or by members of the public who have spoken at the podium.

A mayor should conduct meetings in a civil, consistent, and fair manner. Mr. Aronsohn’s obvious attempts to control the commentary are extraordinarily unprofessional and unbecoming to one who has been entrusted with authority. While entitled to his own biases and opinions, he is not entitled to control the public conversation to his liking by shushing the people he doesn’t agree with while allowing others to go on (or clap on) at length, and by attacking (or allowing others to attack) those he does not like.

Mr. Mayor, you should be ashamed of yourself. You are behaving like a petulant child who is not getting his way. You are abusing the power of your office by running the meetings with great bias and inconsistency. Remember how badly you wanted this job? Well, why don’t you treat this position with respect by conducting the meetings more professionally?

Posted on August 5, 2015 August 5, 2015

Village Council digs in its heels at public meetings

August 5,2015

Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, Faced with an ever increasing number of meeting attendees who publicly disagree with his administration’s policies, Mayor Paul Aronsohn has invoked a protocol of accepting “comments only” from certain meeting attendees. If the Mayor doesn’t like your comment/question, no response is offered, and you are asked to leave the podium and return to your seat.

Long gone are the days when a taxpayer could go to the microphone during a public meeting of the Village Council and engage in meaningful dialog with a Council member or members, regardless of your support for the “Council majority” or the issue at hand. When asked why the new protocol was being instituted, Aronsohn said only that he’d “received complaints” about the interactive nature of the meetings’ public comment segment. He did not say who had “complained.”

Here’s a comment for you Mr. Mayor – If you can’t stand the heat, don’t change the rules, just get out of the fire.

Posted on June 20, 2015 June 20, 2015

Village of Ridgewood :Meet the Mayor Saturday July 11th

file photo Boyd Loving

MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS -Saturday, July 11

Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents on Saturday’s every month. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, July 11th from 9AM to Noon in the Council Chambers (Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room) on the fourth floor of Ridgewood Village Hall.

Posted on June 11, 2015 June 11, 2015

Let’s set the record straight, Mayor Aronsohn

Village _council_meeting_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving
June 11th 2015
Boyd A. Loving

Ridgewood NJ, During Wednesday evening’s Village Council meeting (06/10/2015), Mayor Paul Aronsohn boasted that he and other members the current Council were personally responsible for enhancing the public comment segment(s) of Village Council meetings by increasing the amount of speaking time allotted from 3 minutes to 5 minutes per individual speaker.

In reality, the 5 minute time limit per individual speaker was established by Ordinance 2442, which was adopted on January 11, 1994. Neither Mr. Aronsohn, nor any other current Village Council member, served on the Council at that time.

On July 11, 2014, a resident became aware that the then in place 3 minute time limit per individual speaker was not consistent with what was established by Ordinance 2442 (a 5 minute time limit), and made Village Clerk Heather Mailander aware of the discrepancy.

Subsequent to receipt of this resident’s advisory, Ms. Mailander notified Mr. Aronsohn and other Council members of the issue and the time limit was adjusted to be consistent with the aforementioned ordinance.

I do so wish that Mr. Aronsohn would stop stretching the truth to bolster his political career.

Fortunately, some of us have been around long enough to remember things as they actually happened as opposed to the “world according to Paul Aronsohn.”

Posted on May 3, 2015 May 3, 2015

Readers Take Issue with Mr. Halaby

Rurik, If you wish to make comments on a topic, on a blog that allows anonymity, please do comment on the topic. Every posting you comment on shouldn’t become your quarrel with anonymity. Feel free to start a blog for Ridgewood where anonymity is not permitted, and so how many people post on it. It will be more effective to have those 3 people meet you for a discussion over coffee at Raymond’s.

P.S. I remember your comments on the Valley Renewal wanting to know why people opposing it were not blogging under their own names. It didn’t take a lot of courage for you to blog in favor of it, when your wife Cynthia Halaby was a Trustee of the Valley Hospital. Perhaps there are people with opposite opinions to your whose position/relationship to Valley or Village Hall or elsewhere make them feel uncomfortable expressing their opposing opinions very publicly.
We do live in America, and there is a secret ballot. An opinion (as long as non-libelous) is a form of freedom of speech. Prior to about 1890, when people voted, it was a public matter and the community, including factory bosses, knew exactly how their employees voted. I don’t mind an anonymous blog – why are you so opposed to it? Why do you need to identify those who disagree with you?

Rurik, where have you been? Many MANY people are not hiding behind their mothers’ aprons. The ones who go to the meetings and speak up, actually recently they were lined up to speak out against the Mayor’s outrageous behavior. They are not anonymous. And there have been numerous letters bashing the Mayor’s actions, and the letters are singed by citizens. The fact that you choose to post with your name on this BLOG, where most post anonymously, does not make you more bold and does not make your opinion more worthy. And those who post anonymously are not less worthy. This is the 21st century Rurik. This is how BLOGS work.

All politics is local, and this blog, among other essential functions, supports free and open exchanges of information and opinions bearing on the politics of the VOR. Mr. Halaby is willing to put his name behind his opinions. Good for him. But in Ridgewood we suffer from a particularly bad case of the malady some refer to as “the politics of personal destruction”. In most important areas in which Mr. Halaby offers his opinion, it just so happens that the POPD malady typically operates to the detriment of people who hold considered opinions opposite to his. So to rephrase the salient point of an earlier commenter, those who are motivated to express (non-libelous) opinions opposite to that held by Mr. Halaby are to be forgiven for taking advantage of a means of publicly expressing themselves that Mr. Halaby and his like-minded friends, frustrated in their seeming inability to make headway, are determined to brand as the last refuge of the damnably timid.

Posted on April 24, 2015 April 24, 2015

Mayor can just offer scripted apology for uncivil Council Meeting Behavior

file photo by Boyd Loving
April 23,2015
Anne LaGrange Loving

Ridgewood NJ, Our Mayor has been taking a lot of heat for his continual gross mismanagement of the Village Council meetings, and rightfully so. He allows, and in fact he enables, every level of disrespect and incivility to flourish in these meetings, from the subtle to the blatant. In order to be helpful to our busy Mayor, here is a previously scripted apology that he issued more than two years ago for this same behavior. He can just carry it around with him on his ipad and read it whenever the need arises for an apology. This will allow him more time to prepare for his civility meetings.

From the February 6, 2013 Village Council Minutes:Before the meeting began, Mayor Aronsohn noted that there had been a lot of feedback from the Village Council Work Session meeting on January 30, 2013. Some people commented that when Councilwoman Walsh had the floor, she should have been allowed to speak without interruption; others felt that the issue should not have been on the agenda in the first place, because it was confrontational; other comments were that Mayor Aronsohn should not have allowed Council members to attack each other. Mayor Aronsohn stated that it was not a great meeting, and as the person responsible for running the meeting, he wanted to apologize to his colleagues and to the public, because he said that frankly, the public deserves better. The public does not deserve a fighting Council, but a working Council. He pointed out that there is a lot of work to do, and it is good to have differences of opinion, but that there are ways to disagree while being agreeable. Mayor Aronsohn said that going forward, he hopes and expects that the Council members can agree to disagree, and that while there are issues to be settled, the Council members can and will work through them in a much more civil and respectful way.

Posted on April 6, 2015 April 6, 2015

Reader says There he is Chris Harris the Mayor Press Secretary

There he is Chris Harris the Mayor Press Secretary / Record Reporter writing another article for the Mayor. I was wondering what was taking him so long.
Looks like Mr. Harris didn’t even have the courtesy, nor did he take the time, to contact Councilwoman Knudsen for her side of the story. The Record’s local news coverage is getting to be as big of a joke as the Village Council is.

The article by Harris is a disgrace since the councilwoman made it clear it’s all about civilian titles. Looks like Paulie’s lackey is willing to do anything for Aronsohn and we should all be sickened by it. It Harris wants to be a real reporter he should have the decency to be honest in his reporting. The change has nothing to do with the police or fire department. I don’t know much about all of this but is seems everyone on council agreed the change was to civilian titles and Mailander agreed. No one disputed Knudsnes statement it was about civilian jobs. The inferences Aronsohn makes are despicable Harris wants to be part of this lie he should be ashamed of himself and he should be fired.

We’ve seen lots of nepotism in the village and now we are seeing Schonenfeld’s cronyism. Schonenfeld should be fired because she said doesn’t understand the basics of the job she was hired to do.

Posted on March 2, 2015 June 27, 2021

Readers also Voice Concern on the Mayors Overly Cozy Relationship Stephen Borg, Publisher and President, North Jersey Media Group

file photo by Boyd Loving

Readers also Voice Concern on the Mayors Overly Cozy Relationship Stephen Borg, Publisher and President, North Jersey Media Group

Stephen Borg, Publisher and President, North Jersey Media Group. Chris Harris reporter for the Record De facto Press Secretary for our Mayor and of course our Mayor former Press Secretary to Gov. Mc Grievy. What do you think folks. Do you think your get the full story from North Jersey Media or is it slanted towards our Mayor and his deeds.

Is there a liberal slant to The Record’s news coverage? A number of readers who participated in recent telephone interviews with our market research team said they think there is.

The focus of interviews conducted over 10 days in March centered on what “jobs” readers want fulfilled by The Record. “Tell me the truth” stood out as a key job, but several readers added that they want the truth objectively – not from a reporter’s personal angle. That led to expanded conversations.

“A good portion of these people feel The Record is politically liberal,” said Joe Ferrara, market research manager. “Some of that may mirror a broader perception about media generally having a political agenda. But some people made the distinction between The Record’s editorial pages and news content, saying ‘Your opinion pages are sneaking over into your news articles’.”

Posted on February 26, 2015 June 27, 2021

Anonymous Blogger says Civility you can start with :WHO SENT THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL TO COUNCILMAN SEDON’S EMPLOYER??????

file photo Boyd Loving

Anonymous Blogger says Civility you can start with :WHO SENT THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL TO COUNCILMAN SEDON’S EMPLOYER??????

Many people are intimidated from speaking up using their own name. They fear retribution and so they stay silent. And why would they fear retribution? – because it happens all the time. You complain about (this is a random example) garbage collection, and suddenly your garbage bags are breaking open in your driveway. You read such stories all the time. A parent fears complaining about his child’s teacher because the child may be made to suffer in the classroom. Yes, it happens. You complain that your mother’s caregiver in the nursing home is being rough with her, and then you get sick with worry that the caregiver will be angry about the reprimand and God-forbid somehow take it out on your mother. Years ago I reprimanded a paper boy (back when The Record came later in the day and was delivered by local teens) for taunting my elderly dog who was sitting on the porch. The very next day I had a flat tire, and a line of nails was seen in my driveway. The police officer who came to take the report asked if anyone in the house had been in a recent dispute with anyone. The officer was almost saying “well, what did you expect.” We learn early that complaining out loud can be disastrous.

Then along comes the internet, and we now have a chance to state our opinions loudly and clearly without fear of retribution. This is a huge benefit to the average Joe and Jane who have a right to an opinion but a fear of stating it. LONG LIVE THE BLOG !!!!! In terms of our own elected officials, we know they read this Blog every day and we know they act upon some of the comments. Or sometimes they react to some of the comments. But it does get their attention. It is a wonderful thing. As a regular reader of, and anonymous poster on, this Blog, it is glaringly apparent that some of the anonymous posts come from mission control. The language, the defensive tone….. at times you know exactly who from the Village Council is posting. They cannot have it both ways – they want to eliminate anonymity when they practice it themselves. Seriously.

Moreover, when you go in person with your face in plain sight and make a comment at the Village Council meetings, you might get severely reprimanded. Heck, they even reprimand their own elected colleagues, village employees, and the chief of police. This council in particular has been hideous with their behavior at times, just embarrassing, and in fact The Record has published a couple of articles and editorials chastising their inappropriate behavior. The put a timer on when someone steps up to the microphone and you are not allowed to ask any direct questions of any person and the speaker is often met with a “thank you for your comments” sort of response which accomplishes nothing. One person I know told me she was watching on TV (which many of us do) and got so mad that she jumped in the car to go speak her mind, but then she got afraid and slunk back home instead of going in to the meeting. Of course she was afraid. Who would want to chance being publicly humiliated?

All of this makes it all the more disingenuous that THIS mayor is trying to pose as a civility in public discourse guru. A leopard cannot change its spots. We see right through these elaborate smoke and mirrors.

And yes……WHO SENT THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL TO COUNCILMAN SEDON’S EMPLOYER?????? Care to step forward and identify yourself?

Posted on December 28, 2014 June 27, 2021

Readers Thank White Horse Strategies for the ” new normal”

Readers Thank White Horse Strategies for the ” new normal”

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We have a proven record of effectively cultivating and promoting an effective message – from rapid response, speechwriting and debate prep to raising public awareness and grassroots support.

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At White Horse Strategies, we know what it takes to motivate and move people and public opinion.

Posted on December 28, 2014 June 27, 2021

Reader says Mr Mayor We are not so gullible as to fall for your rhetoric. Nor are we so meek as to be cowed into silence by threats of being deemed outside your “new normal”.

Reader says Mr Mayor We are not so gullible as to fall for your rhetoric. Nor are we so meek as to be cowed into silence by threats of being deemed outside your “new normal”.

“The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.”

Get over yourself, Mr. Mayor. The playbook is Saul Alinsky’s, and the major practitioner of Alinsky’s techniques is the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The above is from his speech given at the United Nations in NYC while he was still trying to blame the murder of four Americans in Benghazi on a two-bit director and his crummy movie. Sure, he set up and knocked down other straw men to whom ownership of the future should ostensibly be denied, but everyone knew the passage quoted above was his “money” quote…the real message.

Every trick you’re trying to pull, Mr. Mayor, has long since been attempted (and revealed as a naked political tactic) on the national stage in full view of your Ridgewood neighbors. We are not so gullible as to fall for your rhetoric. Nor are we so meek as to be cowed into silence by threats of being deemed outside your “new normal”.

It won’t be long now before we’re treated to a reprise of Charlie (nicknamed ‘Charlianna’) whose sole purpose in life was seemingly to troll this blog and accuse people with whom he disagreed of occupying “the lunatic fringe”. See the similarity? Freeze your opponent, isolate them, then freely pour on their head all the ridicule, scorn, and disdain you can generate.

Get a new schtick, mayor Aronsohn. We’ve had it with your self-righteous nonsense and wish that you and your two amigos would simply cut out the condescension and do the jobs you were elected to do. Show some humility and leave the moralizing to people who still have at least a shred of credibility on the topic. And stop basing your political life on tactics from a book dedicated by Alinsky to the father of all lies.

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