The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
file photo
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Montvale NJ, A bipartisan group of New Jersey mayors, led by Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, has filed a lawsuit against the recently enacted housing law, P.L. 2024, c. 2. This action, brought by the Local Leaders for Responsible Planning (LLRP) coalition, challenges the new housing mandates and aims to protect local communities’ right to manage their growth responsibly.
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Montvale NJ, according to Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali , “We will be filing our lawsuit, with a coalition of towns that also listen to their residents, very shortly to bring fairness to the affordable housing process. Once we file, we have only 30 days to include any other town interested in joining. Mayors and elected officials, contact me directly if you are interested at mghassali@montvaleboro.org”
Continue reading Towns to Challenge New Jersey’s Bogus “Affordable Housing Program”
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Montvale NJ, according to Montvale Mayor Mike Ghassali, more towns joining our coalition and ACTUALLY fighting for their residents to bring fairness to the “affordable housing” “Program”. Each town committed $20,000 over two years.
Other towns will be listed once they complete the internal approval and signing on process. Towns already committed to join us with resolutions and joint defense agreements:
Continue reading Coalition to Fight New Jersey Bogus “Affordable Housing Program” Continues to Grow
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Montvale NJ, Fair Share Housing in New Jersey refers to the legal and policy framework that ensures municipalities provide their fair share of affordable housing. This concept emerged from the landmark Mount Laurel decisions by the New Jersey Supreme Court, which ruled that municipalities have a constitutional obligation to provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents.
Continue reading Growing Coalition of Mayors Push Back on Affordable Housing Quotas
