Ridgewood NJ, Correspondence recently obtained via an Open Public Records Act request reveals that Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos may have used a private e-mail address to initiate communication with Historic Preservation Specialist Peter Primavera in November of 2022. Mr. Vagianos was a Ridgewood Councilman at that time; he was appointed mayor in January of 2023. The correspondence, Mr. Primavera’s reply to the then Councilman’s request for information indicates an e-mail address provided by Mr. Vagianos was: igth4@aol.com.
Ridgewood NJ, the results of an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request revealed that Mayor Paul Vagianos was hiding comments that several citizens posted on his official Mayor Paul Vagianos Facebook page. This action was a violation of the OPRA. An elected official cannot, by law, block public comments on an official government page. Not only did this break the law, but it also flew in the face of his repeated contention that he is all in favor of “open dialogue,” “transparency,” and “civil discourse.” None of the hidden comments used vulgar, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate language; they simply stated opinions.
Ridgewood NJ, yesterday the OPRAmachine platform celebrated its 5th anniversary helping residents of New Jersey shine a light on the rampant political corruption in the state . OPRA remains a key tool to access public information amid the state’s effort to weaken public disclosure by New Jersey politicians.
Ridgewood NJ, Concern over mail-in balloting is rising as the presidential election approaches. Last month, we highlighted California Governor Gavin Newsom’s brazen mail-in ballot scam: an executive order mandating mail-in ballots “to preserve public health in the face of the threat of Covid-19.” JudicialWatch challenged the executive order in federal court, prompting the state legislature to pass a law ensuring that mail-in balloting would take place.
In June in a response to an Open Public Records Act request to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office it was discovered that 710 Ridgewood voter ballots or approximately 15% were REJECTED in connection with the May 12, 2020 Board of Education, Board of Education Budget, and Village Council General Election.
Trenton NJ, Senator Joe Pennacchio today introduced legislation (S-2575) to remove limitations in the Emergency Health Powers Act that obscure government transparency during crises like the current coronavirus pandemic.
Ridgewood NJ, In response to an Open Public Records Act request I recently submitted to the Bergen County Clerk’s Office, I have just received a list containing the last name, first name, middle initial, and street address for every Ridgewood voter whose mail in ballot was REJECTED in connection with the May 12, 2020 Board of Education, Board of Education Budget, and Village Council General Election.
The list contains the names of 710 voters. That is, 710 of the ballots submitted for the aforementioned election were rejected/not counted. The reasons for rejection are not specified in the document I received. However, many appear to have been received after the specified cut off date of Thursday, May 14, 2020.If my calculations are correct, approximately 15% of the total ballots submitted were rejected/not counted. Wow! That’s alarming, to say the least. I do not know whether the County Clerk’s Office has a notification process in place for rejected ballots. Thus, some of these voters may not know that their ballot was rejected.
Ridgewood NJ, The BOE discussed a litigation item in Executive Session Thursday evening that concerns a settlement proposal of a lawsuit against the Board by Saurabh Dani, a candidate for the Board of Education in next week’s election.
This settlement proposal was not sought by the Board and originated with Mr. Dani’s attorney.
“The fact that the BOE members let this go to a legal matter is shameful on the part of the entire Board. This started off as a perfectly lawful request that they decided not to respond to, which in-turn forced the lawsuit. I’m sure they were hoping that Dani would let sleeping dogs lie. They made a strategic blunder. When a Board does not respond to a perfectly lawful request under the laws of the state, and then they are forced to respond by way of a lawsuit, the Board should resign. The court’s decision shows that they wasted time, money, and ran afoul of the law, specifically the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), which used to be called “Right To Know Law”, which governs the public’s access to government records in New Jersey. So, they were holding back on every citizens “right to know”. Time, money, and public records, is what they are there to provide oversight over, and be good stewards over. If they cannot do that for themselves, they cannot be expected to provide financial oversight and governance over a school system. It’s total irresponsibility of their roles as board members, and the board speaks with one voice, a resolution for the entire BOE to step down is in order.”
photo of Skip Huisking Glen Rock Councilman -2016-2018, courtesy of his “official” Facebook page
June 17,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
Glen Rock NJ, looks like Ridgewood is not the only town that has issues with social media and OPRA , a Glen Rock resident named Timothy Larkin claimed he was “banned” from participating in a public dialogue on Councilman Skip Huisking’s Facebook page, which Huisking called an “official” page of Huisking’s, where the councilman conducts official government business.
On April 10, Larkin filed a lawsuit against the Borough of Glen Rock, and Borough Clerk Jackie Scalia, for denying an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for access to the list of Facebook accounts blocked or removed by Glen Rock mayor Bruce Packer and all members of the Borough Council. The suit is focusing on the public Facebook pages maintained by the mayor and council members, and not their personal Facebook pages.
The lawsuits focus seems to focus on if the “official” Facebook page is in fact “official ” Glen Rock Business .
Skip Huisking Glen Rock Councilman -2016-2018 commented on his “official” Facebook page on June 15th :
“Social Media Lawsuit: As many have been following, it was heard today (6/15/18) with the judge rendering an opinion. As with most cases, there are pluses and minuses.
I can, and will, continue to administer my page as I have in the past. Namely requiring standards of civility by insisting two things (both were on my page and part of the court documents submitted);
“First, always be respectful with comments- no personal attacks against anyone or group”.
“Second, should you comment and I respond, please do not delete my responses or your original comment. Playing this ‘dirty delete’ game is against my policy of openness and transparency. I look forward to your contributions should you decide to make them.”
The Judge did require we provide the names of those blocked if requested – which I will clearly provide the list of 3 accounts blocked (As I offered in late April to settle) for not following those standards
For further detail, the opinion will be posted on the appropriate court site. I am glad the judge rendered the opinion today so we can focus on the many issues facing our Borough.”
1. All government records are subject to public access under the Open Public Records Act (“OPRA”), unless specifically exempt.
2. A request for access to a government record under OPRA must be in writing, hand-delivered, mailed, transmitted electronically, or otherwise conveyed to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.g. The seven (7) business day response time does not commence until the records custodian receives the request form. If you submit the request form to any other officer or employee of the Village of Ridgewood, that officer or employee must either forward the request to the appropriate custodian, or direct you to the appropriate custodian. N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5.h.
3. Requestors may submit requests anonymously. If you elect not to provide a name, address, or telephone number, or other means of contact, the custodian is not required to respond until you reappear before the custodian seeking a response to the original request.
4. The fees for duplication of a government record in printed form are listed on the front of this form. We will notify you of any special service charges or other additional charges authorized by State law or regulation before processing your request. Payment shall be made by cash, check or money order payable to the Village of Ridgewood.
5. You may be charged a 50% or other deposit when a request for copies exceeds $25. The Village of Ridgewood custodian will contact you and advise you of any deposit requirements. You agree to pay the balance due upon delivery of the records. Anonymous requests in excess of $5.00 require a deposit of 100% of estimated fees.
6. Under OPRA, a custodian must deny access to a person who has been convicted of an indictable offense in New Jersey, any other state, or the United States, and who is seeking government records containing personal information pertaining to the person’s victim or the victim’s family. This includes anonymous requests for said information.
7. By law, the Village of Ridgewood must notify you that it grants or denies a request for access to government records within seven (7) business days after the agency custodian of records receives the request. If the record requested is not currently available or is in storage, the custodian will advise you within seven (7) business days after receipt of the request when the record can be made available and the estimated cost for reproduction.
8. You may be denied access to a government record if your request would substantially disrupt agency operations and the custodian is unable to reach a reasonable solution with you.
9. If the Village of Ridgewood is unable to comply with your request for access to a government record, the custodian will indicate the reasons for denial on the request form or other written correspondence and send you a signed and dated copy.
10. Except as otherwise provided by law or by agreement with the requester, if the agency custodian of records fails to respond to you within seven (7) business days of receiving a request, the failure to respond is a deemed denial of your request.
11. If your request for access to a government record has been denied or unfilled within the seven (7) business days required by law, you have a right to challenge the decision by the Village of Ridgewood to deny access. At your option, you may either institute a proceeding in the Superior Court of New Jersey or file a complaint with the Government Records Council (“GRC”) by completing the Denial of Access Complaint Form. You may contact the GRC by toll-free telephone at 866-850-0511, by mail at PO Box 819, Trenton, NJ, 08625, by e-mail at grc@dca.state.nj.us, or at their web site at www.state.nj.us/grc. The Council can also answer other questions about the law. All questions regarding complaints filed in Superior Court should be directed to the Court Clerk in your County.
12. Information provided on this form may be subject to disclosure under the Open Public Records Act.
Click here to download OPRA Request Form ( https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/images/VillageOPRA.pdf )
file photo by Boyd Loving Councilmen Jeff Voigt has his OPRA troubles
By Donald Scarinci • 08/15/17 2:22pm
On the heels of several important decisions in the New Jersey courts, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee has advanced long awaited legislation to amend state’s Open Public Records Act. The bill (S1046) aims to improve and modernize the statute, while also boosting transparency.
Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen) has been calling for reform for several years, but has seen prior attempts stall in committee. “There is no issue that overrides the public’s right to know what we in the Legislature and what our municipalities are doing on their behalf,” Weinberg said prior to the budget committee vote.
The OPRA statute has undergone few significant changes since it was enacted in 2002. Since then, the nature of government records has changed, largely due to the proliferation of the Internet, email and cell phones. One provision of S1046 would extend public record obligations to quasi-governmental organizations engaged in service to the public, such as the New Jersey League of Municipalities and the New Jersey School Boards Association. Another would allow residents to send records requests via email.
Megan Burrow, Staff Writer, @MegBurrowPublished 8:29 a.m. ET Aug. 2, 2017
TEANECK — A Superior Court judge has ruled that the township must pay legal fees to Elie Jones, a township resident that Teaneck had sued to bar him from filing public records requests after he flooded the clerk’s office with hundreds of requests over the course of two months.
“I feel the township sued a resident improperly,” Jones said. “I’m statutorily allowed to request documents through the Open Public Records Act. They improperly sued me and this is the result.”
The fact is the Open Public Records Act Designed to shine a light on the individual agendas of elected officials such as yourself Mr. Voigt. Remember you are a public SERVANT meaning you work for us. OPRA is a simply way for the public to keep an eye on the special interest agenda, back dealing that controls so much of New Jersey politics.
Funny how Voigt refers to “the mayor’s supporters.” All these people supported Voigt and the Mayor did, too. She had his sign in her front yard and campaigned for him. Looks like a boatload of people got fooled by him. What a crummy person he turned out to be. So nasty, paranoid, and not doing a single thing he campaigned to do. He was dead set against the garage, now he pushes for it. he was dead set against the nastiness of Arnonsohn and company, now he personifies it. he was dead set against underhanded dealings, now he is in bed with the press. he was an advocate for the people, now he is vilifying the citizens.
Open. Public. Records. Act. Designed to shine a light on the individual agendas of elected officials such as yourself Mr. Voigt. Remember you are a public SERVANT meaning you work for us. Not the other way around. I have never regretted a vote in any election as much as I regret the one I cast for you.
Megan Burrow , Staff Writer, @MegBurrowPublished 9:26 p.m. ET March 1, 2017 | Updated 9:27 p.m. ET March 1, 2017
HACKENSACK — There was no decision Wednesday in a case before a Superior Court judge involving a petition by Teaneck Township to bar a resident from filing public records requests.
But Judge Robert P. Contillo expressed some skepticism with Teaneck’s argument that Elie Jones, a 44-year-old lifelong unemployed township resident, harassed and bullied the township staff as he filed more than 300 records requests since November under the state’s Open Public Records Act, or OPRA.
