The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ , Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali is urging local parents to talk to their children about the disruptive trend of “ding dong dash” pranks, which have recently caused concern in neighboring towns.
Continue reading Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali Urges Parents To Put A Stop ‘Ding Dong Dash’ Pranks
photos provided by the Mayors and Assemblyman Robert Auth
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, in a night filled with gratitude and admiration, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali proudly honored Matt Goldman, EMT with the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as the 2025 Hometown Hero—an honor only awarded three times in the town’s history. Goldman was also presented with the prestigious Key to the City for his selfless and heroic actions.
Continue reading Montvale Honors EMT Matt Goldman as 2025 Hometown Hero
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, a Montvale emergency medical technician (EMT) is being recognized for his heroic actions following a devastating school bus crash on the Garden State Parkway.
Continue reading Montvale EMT to be Honored for Heroic Rescue After Garden State Parkway Bus Crash
photo Montvale Police Lt. Chris Hawken
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Woodcliff Lake NJ, a 29-year-old Bronx man, Felipe Ortiz-Martinez, was arrested after allegedly stealing a $3,500 Canon camera from a Bergen County liquor store, dragging the victim with his car while fleeing the scene, and injuring a police officer in the process, authorities confirmed.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has brought attention to significant issues uncovered during the borough’s legal challenge against New Jersey’s Fourth Round affordable housing law. This lawsuit, aimed at addressing what Montvale and other municipalities deem an unfair system, reveals systemic problems that could impact towns statewide. Here are ten troubling facts Mayor Ghassali shared about the ongoing litigation.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali has written a compelling letter to Trenton, addressing the complex challenges of affordable housing and the need for a more comprehensive solution to housing insecurity. While acknowledging the importance of affordable housing initiatives, Mayor Ghassali emphasizes that these efforts alone will not resolve the underlying systemic issues driving housing instability in New Jersey and beyond.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, According to Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, a pivotal court date in the fight against fourth-round affordable housing deadlines is set for Friday, December 20, 2024. The hearing will determine whether a stay can be granted while the case moves through the court system.
Continue reading Legal Action on Affordable Housing Deadlines
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, in a Facebook post ,”Drone Mystery Not Solved but”, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali commented that several drones were spotted last night over the Montvale and Upper Saddle River areas just around 7PM. While I’m not a drone expert, I do own a small drone that I use as a hobby. It is registered, has a permit, and I am restricted to flying it no higher than 400 feet. Additionally, I must check for any restricted airspace before each flight on an app, and the drone must remain within my line of sight at all times—those are the rules.
Continue reading Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali: Drone Mystery Not Solved but
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale Park NJ, Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali welcomes the Borough of Woodland Park in Passaic County, joining our affordable housing coalition and bringing the number of towns to 29 in seven counties, representing over 300,000 residents. The addition of Woodland Park shoots down the whole “wealthy towns” are trying to selfishly block “affordable housing” argument.
Thank you Woodland Park Mayor Tracy Bennett-Kallert and borough council members for taking a stand against high density housing. Our next court date is on December 20, 2024.
the staff of the ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, NJ state Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39) joined Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali and Attorney Mike Collins of King, Moench & Collins LLP for a town hall discussion Monday evening about state-mandated housing and its impact on the region.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, last month, New Jersey’s municipalities learned their “affordable housing obligations” for the next decade. The state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) published calculations detailing the number of units each of the state’s 564 municipalities must accommodate by 2035. These mandates aim to address both current and future affordable housing needs across the state.
Continue reading New Jersey Municipalities Brace for “Affordable Housing” Mandates
photo courtesy of Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Montvale NJ, the Garden State Parkway Southbound entrance ramp on Grand Avenue will undergo temporary closure commencing November 15, 2024. The NJ Turnpike Authority has scheduled ramp maintenance from approximately November 15, 2024, through July 2025, with the closure in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Twp. of Washington NJ, several Bergen County mayors are rallying behind a small but significant change that could ease major traffic congestion near a Garden State Parkway exit. The proposal centers around allowing right turns off Exit 171 at Glen Road in Woodcliff Lake, a change that officials say could greatly improve daily commutes for residents in the surrounding areas.
Continue reading More Bergen County Mayors Push for “Traffic Fix” at Garden State Parkway Exit 171
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Woodcliff Lake NJ, a growing debate over traffic issues at Exit 171 off the Garden State Parkway has sparked tension between local mayors in Bergen County. Drivers like Lauri Murray, who lives on Clairmont Drive in Woodcliff Lake, are frustrated with the current traffic flow. Murray, who has lived in the area for over 25 years, finds it inconvenient to navigate her way home after exiting the Parkway.
Continue reading Local Mayors Clash Over Parkway Exit Plans in Bergen County
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Woodcliff Lake NJ, A devastating single-car accident late Saturday night claimed the lives of three Woodcliff Lake residents. The crash occurred just before midnight on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge Township, according to local authorities.
Continue reading Tragic Crash Claims Lives of Three Woodcliff Lake Residents on Garden State Parkway