
MEET THE MAYOR – SATURDAY, JULY 22
July 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Mayor Susan Knudsen will be available to meet with residents on Saturday, July 22 from 9:30am to 11:00am in the Village Hall Caucus Room, 4th Floor.
MEET THE MAYOR – SATURDAY, JULY 22
July 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Mayor Susan Knudsen will be available to meet with residents on Saturday, July 22 from 9:30am to 11:00am in the Village Hall Caucus Room, 4th Floor.
photo courtesy of Mayor Susan Knudsen
Thank you to American Legion Post 53 for today’s beautiful Memorial Day Service. Special thanks to Commander Bob Paoli and all of our Veterans, the Ridgewood High School Band and Jeff Haas, Sally Ann Tumas Skoric, Sophia Sheehy, Father Ron and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ridgewood Police, Fire and EMT and, most especially, ALL those honored and remembered on Memorial Day. Below is the full text of my speech from today – speaking from the heart I may have missed a few lines!
———————
-Each day leaving my house, or when returning home, I see the flag of the United States of America, the American flag, OUR flag proudly flying from a pole attached to my front porch. There have been times when I thought I might like to change out the flag to a seasonal design to greet spring or summer, welcome fall, wish a merry Christmas or maybe acknowledge a birthday. I never have. You see, OUR flag is the most beautiful flag I’ve ever seen. Mine is faded and needs to be replaced. Even faded it’s the most beautiful flag in the world.
-Arriving at Village Hall I see the flag flying out front greeting visitors; the Prisoner of War – Missing in Action sharing the halyard, resting just below. At Memorial Park is the American flag with the Honor and Remember flag, once again sharing the halyard just below, following her every move.
-Sometimes our flag whips and flies wildly with a wicked gust. Sometimes she flies firm and sturdy with a steady wind. Sometimes gently waving on a soft and tender breeze. Sometimes, when the air is still, she rests peacefully…..tranquil, waiting for the next wind to raise her up in magnificent glory. Perhaps, on this rainy day, she simply weeps for the blood of fallen heroes spent protecting our freedoms.
-There are those times, too many times, when the flag is found bringing home the brave in a flag draped casket.
Proudly, yet tenderly and reverently, covering one of our soldiers on a last journey home to loved ones and a grateful nation. Removed and folded thirteen times – each fold with meaning and spiritual significance. Beginning with the first as a symbol of life – ending with the last, a reminder to all that In God We Trust. Another fallen hero is laid to rest.
-Who were these heroes? Our fallen heroes honored here today on Memorial Day? They were men and women, tall and short, big and small, young and old, of all colors, race, ethnicity, religion, faith, culture, orientation, from all walks of life, from every part of our nation and from all around the world, speaking many languages, with differing levels of education from every conceivable background. They were from cities and towns, mountains and farmland. Look around – our fallen heroes reflect all of us.
-Forever missed and loved by family and friends, loved and honored by a nation. Remembered here today for their sacrifice to our country and for protecting that glorious flag, a beacon of hope around the world and all it represents: freedom, liberty and human rights. Proudly waving in the wind saluting our bravest. Saluting our fallen heroes.
-Mayor Susan Knudsen
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
videos courtesy of Dana Glazer
Ridgewood NJ, Mayor Susan Knudsen and Councilman Voigt speak about the Ridgewood Arts Council’s Emerging Artists Gallery Scavenger Hunt to be held on April 23rd at Van Neste Park from 11am-2pm.
file photo by Boyd Loving
VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION QUICK NOTES
MARCH 22, 2017
Public Comments: A variety of topics were covered by residents during public comment including, and most noteworthy, statements regarding parking Bogert/Cambridge and Pomander parking restrictions. Some residents reiterated their perception of a safety concern while others touched on personal challenges resulting from the changes and exacerbated safety concerns. Both topics were listed as agenda items for discussion.
FAC Assessment in Paying for a Parking Garage: Committee members reviewed the Parking Utility and garage funding based on the Walker Report.
Cambridge and Bogert Parking Restrictions: Striking a balance addressing safety concerns around the curved area closest to Glen while implementing a modified parking schedule 50’ beyond the second curved intersection. A modified ordinance will be introduced in April allowing changes to coincide with the end of school.
Train Station Parking Lot: Suggested by a former Planning Board member to somewhat reduce the grassy island allowing for the addition of about 25 +/- parking spaces. This does NOT require removal of the entire green space and trees. The remaining island should allow for ample grass, trees, flowers, urns and an appropriately meandering walkway. As stated during the meeting, this idea will require further evaluation.
Pomander Walk/Sherman/Stanley Place: April introduction to temporarily suspend parking restrictions on one side of Pomander.
Ridgecrest – Graydon: an initiative to allow Ridgecrest senior citizens to spend time at Graydon Pool for free or at a reduced rate.
Schedler Park Plans: Project development of a community park for all ages to possibly include pedestrian nature paths, bird watching, children’s play space & equipment and low impact exercise areas.
Kings Pond Area Cleaning Program: moving forward!
Citizens Safety Advisory Committee – Standardized Form for Requesting Parking Changes: a recommendation to standardize the procedure for requesting parking changes and/or restrictions in residential areas. Over the years CSAC has made many safely recommendations to Council; most changes are welcome but some have created unanticipated issues in adjacent areas. Implementing a formal process to ensure residents are properly notified of impactful changes by providing detailed information to VC. Still in draft document form.
***these are only brief notes/highlights and not intended as minutes
Next meeting: Village Council Special Public Budget Meeting
Monday, March 27, 2017, 5:30PM
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving
February 9,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Mayor Susan Knudsen administered the oath of office individually to six (6) new Ridgewood PD patrol officers during a Village Council meeting held on Wednesday, 02/08. Oaths of office were also administered by the Mayor individually to recently promoted Police Lieutenant Brian Pullman, and the Village’s new Police Patrol Division Captain, William Amoruso. The six (6) new Patrol Officers are: Douglas Busch, Douglas Christopher, Brandon Donnelly, Jack Knudsen, Zachary Knudsen, and Kyle Scarpa.
more photos https://www.facebook.com/theridgewoodblog/
photo by ArtChick
By Dino Flammia February 2, 2017 3:47 AM
The war rages on in North Jersey against short-term rentals made possible through companies such as Airbnb.
Pavel Losevsky
Residents using these services can link with folks looking for a place to stay for a night or two, or a week. And their home, or a room, essentially becomes a temporary hotel.
Due to their proximity to New York City, many residents of North Jersey counties are bringing in big bucks through the rental market. But one by one, municipalities are saying the practice has to go.
In the middle of January, Ridgewood became the latest in a growing list of Bergen County towns to ban rentals of 30 days or less.
“Upwards of $1,000 is the fine for violation of that ordinance,” said Mayor Susan Knudsen.
According to Knudsen, town officials received a number of complaints from concerned residents, disturbed by increased traffic volume and different faces and vehicles entering and leaving driveways on a weekly basis.
“We have small residential neighborhoods that were never intended to be bed and breakfasts or homes that were seconding as an inn,” she said.
Ridgewood may revisit short-term rentals in the future, Knudsen said, if proper regulations are in place.
Read More: More NJ towns getting rid of Airbnb and short-term rentals | https://nj1015.com/more-nj-towns-getting-rid-of-airbnb-and-short-term-rentals/?trackback=tsmclip
file photo by Boyd Loving
December 31,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the staff of the Ridgewood blog has assembled the biggest winners and the biggest losers in Ridgewood for 2016.Now for the Village winners;
The biggest winner this year was the Village of Ridgewood’s new Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon. After years of constant abuse from the “3 amigos”, the two came out victorious with the sweeping victory of Jeffrey Voigt, Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh and Ramon M Hache in the Village Municipal elections. While Jeff Voigt has so far been a bit of a disappointment the new council has full plate attempting to fix the mess of the previous administration.
The other major winner this year were the Village residents who put together the petitions to stop and shut down Garagezilla . The residents mobilized when their voices were ignored and took back the town. As we have learned since motivations for building Garagezilla had little to do with parking for shop owners in the CBD but more for housing development, commuter parking, certain restaurants, schools and of course an “arts center”.
The Ridgewood School system was a big winner with its much pushed for Full-day Kindergarten referendum. While the merits for children remain dubious, it certainly takes a lot of pressure off parents with more convenient hours.
We couldn’t finish the list without this one; Doug Bunza, a 22-year-old village resident who set up a go fund me page to help when his favorite Pizza place La Bella Pizza when it burned down. To the Ridgewood blog thats what Ridgewood is all about ,neighbors stepping up and taking charge. I know this is not the only good deed for the year but this one stuck out in everyone’s minds. It showed us that anyone can make a difference and we all make a difference to someone .
Our final pick this year for the biggest winner is a bit unorthodox, we decided to give it Village employees.Despite turmoil with Village leadership Village employees did a pretty good job at whatever they were doing, I don’t remember the last time no one complained about the police or fire departments for a whole year? We seemed to have no major scandal ie the meter thief and when services were not up to par it was always a management issue.
file photo by Boyd Loving
COUNCILMAN VOIGT’S ACCUSATIONS AGAINST MAYOR WERE FALSE!!!
December 28,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
In regards to Councilman Voigt’s accusation against Mayor Knudsen, “Based on the facts and circumstances presented, there was no violation of the law/Faulkner Act.”
During closed sessions, in November, Mayor was cleared of all wrong doing. In December, Councilman Voigt publicly accused Mayor Knudsen of breaking the law. At the time he made this accusation he knew it was untrue. With malice and intent he stated it loudly, clearly, and rudely during a public meeting. A week later, in a room full of firefighters waiting to be promoted, he blew his top again. This time, Councilman Voigt had a message for residents about his ruthless attacks, “I can’t and won’t apologize. I don’t intend to and I just want to make sure people know that.” As if that wasn’t enough, he then turned to social media to expand his smear campaign and started a movement to talk about Mayor Knudsen, behind closed doors, with residents.
We now have documentation that Mayor Knudsen did not break the law. What we do not have is any sort of explanation, apology, motivation, or contrition from Councilman Voigt regarding this malicious character assassination. Why is he so loud when lying, and so silent when faced with the truth?
The question now is, why did Councilman Voigt lie and stoop to such levels; slander, libel, defamation and intentional malice? Why is Mayor Knudsen his target?
Document posted to Facebook, on “It Takes a Ridgewood Village” group, December 28.
Gave the guy a break. For that matter I gave him money and gave him a coffee and gave him my vote. Told all my friends to vote for him. And then he comes out of the gate shooting from the hip, interrupting Susan, trying to commandeer the meetings. He was terrible from the git-go. Many people tried to make him calm down. Many people. Via emails and phone calls and over coffee. He promised to cool his rhetoric but he did not. He has gotten worse and worse. It is blindingly clear that he hats Susan’s guts. That is his prerogative, but the question is WHY? He has repeatedly gone after her in a totally unprofessional manner using words best saved for the locker room, not the council chambers. He has not said anything by mistake or accident. He has attacked her repeatedly and often and now he has accused her of breaking the law. I am so sorry I supported this guy. He is absolutely insane.
November 17,2016
te staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Ministerial Association presents its annual Thanksgiving Worship Service, Tuesday, November 22 at 7:30PM at the Old Paramus Reformed Church, 660 East Glen Avenue, Ridgewood.
8 Unique Expressions of Thanksgiving from local Houses of worship (Interfaith)
Thanksgiving Proclamation from Mayor Susan Knudsen
Congregational Singing and Thanksgiving Prayers
Community Choir: all voices welcome, with rehersal preceding the service at 6:30PM
Collection of food and monetary gifts for Social Services Association of Ridgewood
Food & Fellowship following the service in the church’s fellowship hall
All are Welcome!
November 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Rurik Halaby alleges that Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon intend to impede your right to vote and intimidate you at the voting both.
On the Facebook group “It Takes a Ridgewood Village”
Rurik Halaby posted ,“Remember Ridgewood Citizens, we live in Ridgewood, NJ, and not Birmingham-in-Bergen. As a naturalized American Citizen I value my right to vote above every other right I have, and I will be damned if I am letting anyone impede that! Our Mayor and Deputy Mayor supposedly are registered as “Challengers.” What in the world does that mean, if you are not out to intimidate.”
While the Glen Rock Patch called it an, ” ‘Unprecedented’ Situation As Challengers Register To Be At Ridgewood Polling Locations” . Some of you should really vote more often ,challengers have been used at almost every election ,yes even in Ridgewood since I first voted in 1980 .
As a voter Mr. Halaby and others should familiarize with NJ Statute Title 19: ELECTIONS.
A “Challenger” is there to assure the integrity of the election . Challengers (AKA poll watchers) defend voter’s rights and their only interest is the conduct of a fair and honest election.
What a Challenger Can Do
Challengers must be seated near the board workers so that they may hear the names of the voters being processed.
Challengers can write down the names and address of voters.
Challengers can challenge a voter. This process must be done in accordance with state and federal laws.
Challengers may request the public counter numbers on the voting machine from the board workers. The board workers can give this information to the challengers provided they are not busy with voters or their other duties.
Challengers can be present at the close of the polls to witness the opening of the voting machines and hear the unofficial vote totals.
What a Challenger Cannot Do
Challengers cannot address the voters. They must inform the board workers when they wish to initiate a challenge.
Challengers cannot challenge a voter based on:
Their race, sex, creed, ethnic origin.
How they think they might vote.
The fact they live in a particular ward, housing complex or section of a municipality or county.
Challengers cannot stand behind the election tables or go near the voting machines.
Challengers cannot look over the shoulders of or sit with the board workers.
Challengers cannot touch the voting machines or registration books.
Challengers cannot use cellphones, blackberries, iPhones, laptops or any other electronic/wireless communicating device while in the polling location.
Challengers cannot wear any partisan/political buttons, pins, hats, clothing, signs, etc while in the polling location. They can only be identified by the county-issued badge and permit.
Challengers cannot campaign in the polling location.
Challengers cannot disturb the quiet and business-like atmosphere of the polling location.
Challengers cannot harass or intimidate any voters.
Perhaps Mr.Halaby could get some info from the League of Women Voters , after all,it has been recently infected by a whole host of former Mayor Paul Aronsohn supporters clearing looking to still hold some sway over Village of Ridgewood politics.
file photo by Boyd Loving
September 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G representatives agreed to reschedule work on North and South Broad Street to begin in January after meeting Village officials Monday.
While is was well known that the previous Mayor Paul Aronsohn had issues with PSE&G Mayor Knudsen moved quickly to resolve the situation putting old issues to rest.
Village officials including the Mayor Susan Knudsen and Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser met this morning with David Hollenbeck, PSE&G regional public affairs manager, who along with other representatives from the utility agreed to implement a work-around schedule pushing the start date to on or about January 9, 2017, avoiding a critical fourth quarter impact on businesses in that area.
The rescheduling resulted from a cooperative effort to resolve the issue of work previously scheduled to begin Sept. 26, in the Village’s historic business district.
“The meeting was cordial and professional,” Knudsen said. “PSE&G officials appreciated the vulnerabilities of our small businesses, especially during the fourth-quarter holiday retail season. They responded and we’re most appreciative.”
The Village Council, recognizing the serious nature of the work in upgrading utility infrastructure, expressed gratitude to PSE&G for working collaboratively with Village officials. The Village Engineer is already began planning to ensure both the Village and PSE&G are prepared for the January start date.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Dear Ridgewood Businesses,
Warm regards,
Susan
Mayor Susan Knudsen
Councilwoman
Village of Ridgewood
The Council repealed 3066
Kings Pond will get a fix
Jackie Hone will be vindicated
Parking problems will be remediated
People at the mic are respected
Our Mayor is smart and educated
The best of the best were elected
All and all we’re feeling elated!
by Linda McNamara
July 21,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The council meeting was business like and everyone was respected. People are now allowed to ask questions and the new council actually answered. It is amazingly difference from when Aronsohn ruled and they all stared at the speakers or, worse yet, they attacked the speakers.
A couple of people spoke happily about 3066 being repealed. It will not be finally repealed until the August public meeting.
A man spoke about fixing Kings Pond and it sounds like that will happen . Susan has already put money in the budget to finance that. Saurabh asked and asked about the supposed $60,000 spent by Stacy Antine at Health Barn. Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld waffled on providing info and Boyd blasted her for this.
The swearing in of Chief Luthke was wonderful and the high point of the night The room was packed standing room only. There was much applause and John Ward came and pinned his own stars on Jackie’s epaulets. The whole thing was very moving. The female chief from Bergenfield was in attendance as were three freeholders.
The only blemish on the event was that the unelected village manager as usual planted herself in the midst of the swearing in, where she has no right to be. Someone needs to remind Ms. Sonenfeld that she needs to stay up on the dais as the other unelected members (Heather and Matt) do for proclamations and swearing-ins.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, and Hauck went after Tom Riche publicly and aggressively and in the most disgusting meeting I have ever seen. Matt Rogers told them to manage this in closed session but they wanted to have a public flogging so they went against the recommendations of our village attorney and they were like the bullies in Lord of the Flies that night. Riche did NOTHING underhanded. Everything he did for the Village was above board and with the full knowledge of the Village Officials. They treated Riche like a criminal and it was just a taste of the things to come from the three dirtbags. They went on to do the same to Bernadette Walsh, John Ward, Heather Mailander, and others. They should have been taken out in handcuffs the three of them. Their names and their faces should never hang in village hall. They were a plague, the three of them, and their toxic germs are still scattered around town. Never mind sweeping them out the door….we need to completely sanitize everything and everyone that ever had contact with them.
Remember, these are the same 3 dirtbags who accused former Police Chief John Ward of violating a local ordinance (the BC Prosecutor’s Office cleared the Chief of any wrong doing), allowed the Village’s former labor attorney to defile the reputation of Susan Knudsen during an open public meeting, claimed that Bernie Walsh tried to fix a parking ticket (all she did was to have a conversation with the then Chief of Police about the supervision of parking enforcement agents), and called Bernie Walsh a liar in public after Ms. Walsh stated that she’d observed Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld and former Mayor Paul Aronsohn shouting at then Councilwoman Susan Knudsen in a hallway at Village Hall (which did happen).
As I stated previously, every single bit of trash they talked was bullshit. The biggest bunch of dirtbags ever.