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Ramon Hache: I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support of so many residents

Ramon Hache ridgewood NJ

Dear All,

I apologize for being a day late but I was still dizzy yesterday from all the excitement on election night!!!

It really does take a village. I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support of so many residents. There are so many people to thank. Their selflessness and tireless efforts made victory possible on Tuesday night. There were people putting up signs, hosting coffees, sending emails, taking pictures, making videos, cooking, baking, talking, handing out flyers, making phone calls, hosting, printing, and cheering. Too many people to name individually but they know who they are. The results on Tuesdaywas a manifestation of their love for our community. THANK YOU!!!!

I am so proud of our community for turning out to vote in large numbers. Over 5,600 residents took time out of their lives to make their voices heard loud and clear.

Although the campaign was an exhausting and arduous process, I really enjoyed meeting so many amazing people whether I was knocking on doors or simply around town.  I would like to thank all the candidates for being professional and cordial through this whole process. I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for anyone willing to offer themselves to serving on the Council. That being said, I would also like to thank the outgoing Council members for their service and for their willingness to help ensure a smooth transition with the new Council members. The work is already starting to take shape.

Looking ahead, I am excited to get to work with some great people on the new Council. I am confident we will be able to work through the numerous challenges, by respecting each other and working through our differences, in order to serve the best interests of the community. Make no mistake, although we all get along, the issues are no smaller today than they were two days ago. But by working with each other, and the community through open and transparent dialogue, we will conquer the issues. We will work diligently to ensure reasonable and responsible progress. It feels great to be part of a great team. I am also looking forward to working with all of our Village officials and employees. It is so important to have competent and committed people working for our community.

Thank you again for all of your support. Thank you for your vote and for bringing me closer to making my vision of Ridgewood a reality. This is still one of the best communities in NJ. Together, we will make it even better. I look forward to listening to you and serving you on the Council.

Best

Ramon Hache

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Glen Rock Residents Get a Chance to Hear Out Ridgewood Water officials

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February 29,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Water Info Session 2/23/16 from Glen Rock TV on Vimeo.

GLEN ROCK, NJ , Glen residents questioned , Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn, and Ridgewood Water officials during special public meeting recently.

The meeting was the second such meeting giving the new Ridgewood water management team a chance to explain the complexities of managing a decentralized water system as opposed to a single source system.

The Village of Ridgewood owns the embattled utility company, which services Wyckoff, Midland Park, and Glen Rock.

A major lawsuit by officials from those municipalities alleges that the utility artificially inflated its costs by commingling Village of Ridgewood expenses with that of the water utility. In a recent press release Wyckoff officials claim the, “massive” 37 percent rate increases approved since 2010 are “unlawful” and “excessive,”

 

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Ridgewood Residents encouraged to attend educational presentation on lead poisoning

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JANUARY 21, 2016    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2016, 12:32 AM
BY LYNN BRUGGEMANN
CORRESPONDENT |
MIDLAND PARK SUBURBAN NEWS

MIDLAND PARK — The Board of Health is encouraging residents to attend a presentation on “Understanding Lead Poisoning” being sponsored by the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee in Ridgewood on Jan. 25.

A representative of Ridgewood Water will reportedly be present.

Ridgewood Water issued a notice to customers on Jan. 5 saying its water does not have lead in it, but that some homes in its service territory have pipes from which lead leaches into water in excess of the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).

Ridgewood Water serves residents in the borough, Wyckoff and Glen Rock as well as the village.

“At each of our last three meetings, the topic of Ridgewood Water has been discussed,” said Laurie DiCorcia, president of the Board of Health. “This forum offers residents an opportunity to become informed and ask questions.”

Council President Nancy Cronk Peet said she was “concerned” about the safety of the water supply and plans to attend the Jan. 25 program.

“The water coming to the borough homes and businesses must be properly monitored by the water company to assure the residents that the leaching of the lead in the older residents’ plumbing is not contaminating the drinking water,” said Peet, a member of the health board “I hope that the community will come out and ask questions about the water quality and services.”

Ridgewood Water business manager Dave Scheibner assured the Ridgewood Village Council on Wednesday, Jan. 13, that its water is safe.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/environmental-group-plans-presentation-on-understanding-lead-poisoning-1.1496004

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Jersey City cop, residents say some Muslims did celebrate 9/11

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By Mark Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on December 21, 2015 at 6:00 AM, updated December 21, 2015 at 7:33 AM

In the weeks since Donald Trump ignited a firestorm by claiming “thousands and thousands” of Muslims in Jersey City cheered the fall of the twin towers on 9/11, elected officials, religious leaders and a former state attorney general denied the existence of celebrations in the city that day.

Media outlets, after scouring archived news stories and video footage, could not find verified accounts of Jersey City Muslims rejoicing.

In the weeks since Donald Trump ignited a firestorm by claiming “thousands and thousands” of Muslims in Jersey City cheered the fall of the twin towers on 9/11, elected officials, religious leaders and a former state attorney general denied the existence of celebrations in the city that day.

Media outlets, after scouring archived news stories and video footage, could not find verified accounts of Jersey City Muslims rejoicing.

But in a new examination by NJ Advance Media, a police officer who worked on 9/11 and residents on the outskirts of Journal Square say they witnessed small pockets of people celebrating before the groups dispersed or were broken up by authorities.

The NJ Advance Media inquiry, encompassing more than two dozen interviews conducted since Nov. 25, found Trump’s broad assertion that thousands of people cheered to be baseless. At the same time, the inquiry provides the first credible indication of at least two modest celebrations, as described by on-the-record sources who say they witnessed the behavior.

“When I saw they were happy, I was pissed,” said Ron Knight, 56, a Tonnele Avenue resident who said he heard cries of “Allahu Akbar” as he shouldered his way through a crowd of 15 to 20 people on John F. Kennedy Boulevard that morning.

Collectively, the gatherings amounted to dozens of people at the two locations, the witnesses said. Callers also flooded the 911 system with accounts of jubilant Muslims on a rooftop at a third location, three police officers said, but a reporter was unable to find witnesses there 14 years later.

https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/12/exclusive_jersey_city_cop_residents_say_some_musli.html?ath=9c46bfc08d76232bb5a5e00eeaf0bfa2#cmpid=nsltr_strybutton

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Residents Question Use of Electronic Signs in High Traffic Areas

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November 29,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Residents are really hoping that the village officials did not put in an electronic sign right by a dangerous intersection. The consciousness seems to be that they are more of a distraction .  It seems that people have trouble making the turn with the new bike lane put in and it is very hard to see pedestrians crossing in the crosswalk at night. If people are now reading a sign adding another distraction I hate to see pedestrians get hit. If it is an electronic sign it should b moved 150 feet down where drivers are past the crosswalk. I hope I am wrong and it is not an electronic sign.

Residents have voiced the same concerns at Ridge School when they considered an electric sign in its red zone and the biggest reason it was never put in was concern that it would distract drivers from children in the red zone. This sign makes an already congested and difficult intersection more dangerous. There is also the blinking sign warning of the 11ft height restriction. An  intersection that was fine is now visually and literally congested.

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Mysterious Anti-Parking Garage flier appears in residents mail boxes

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October 31,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Mysterious fliers appeared in residents mail boxes this Friday afternoon urging residents to vote NO on the central business district garage project.
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The sender was not relieved.  Perhaps the persons who sent the mailing are fearful of reprisal and don’t want to say who they are.
According to disclosure rules if you spend less then $2100 ( I think) you don’t have to disclosed to anyone who contributed. Looks like  a few people put up big buck to do this. I guess they were tired of the 3 Amigos using the Village web site to post their spin on the garage.
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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood Urges Residents to Speak Up at Public Meetings on High Density Housing for the Central Business District

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file photo by Boyd Loving

September 25,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Village Council has now scheduled two public meetings to gather public input on the high density housing projects planned for the central business district .The two public hearings are scheduled for THIS Wednesday, September 16 at 8 pm, and Wednesday, September 30.

This is an opportunity to Voice your opinion or just be present to show you care about a series of “sweeping reforms” that will allow high-density housing to be built in our Central Business District.  The Village Council will vote on September 30. These reforms will change the character of the Village for ever and may effect both the quality of life and property values in the Village .

The grass roots group CBR urges everyone to show up and be heard .

A room filled with concerned citizens is a chance to urge Council members to reconsider enacting these ordinances in their present form.
This is YOUR village and you do have a voice. These two hearings will be your last chance to speak up

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Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) Calls for Residents to Attend Village Councils Public Hearing on September 16th ,730pm

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file photo by Boyd Loving

PLEASE mark your calendar for the MOST IMPORTANT meeting to date:

Wednesday, September 16 at 7:30 pm – VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING before ordinances are approved allowing multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre

Please take time to read this important message from CBR Trustees:

For over two years, Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR) actively participated in the Ridgewood Planning Board’s review of a Master Plan Amendment that would allow several large, high-density housing projects to be built downtown.  CBR enlisted the help of a professional planner and an expert Land Use attorney to give residents a voice in the process, and to urge caution and advocate for proper planning.  Unfortunately, our voices were not heard.

On June 1st, CBR circulated an online petition advocating for responsible planning and densities lower than the 35-units per acre that was before the Planning Board.  The petition gained more than 1,000 signatures in just a few short hours, demonstrating that many Ridgewood residents oppose the jump from 12 to 35 units per acre.  This petition was decidedly ignored.  Despite our calls for visionary planning and densities more appropriate for Ridgewood, on June 2nd the Planning Board approved four separate amendments to the master plan that pave the way for high-density, multifamily housing projects at 35 units per acre.

On August 10, a group of concerned residents enlisted the service of CBR’s attorney to file a complaint in the Superior Court in Bergen County appealing the Planning Board’s decision.  The Complaint seeks a Judge’s order to reverse the Planning Board’s June 2 decision based on several counts, including spot zoning violations, procedural irregularities during the master plan proceedings, violations to the Open Public Meetings Act, conflicts of interest among Planning Board members, inappropriate admittance of a threatening letter regarding affordable housing that wrongly swayed some votes, and insufficient comprehensive studies and evidence to warrant a substantial change in zoning.

As you return from your summer break, please know that our cause is strong and alive.  Since the June vote, we have a new influx of dedicated and impassioned residents and donors leading the CBR charge.  As such, we feel the time is right to change CBR’s leadership to energize this new chapter in our efforts.  In the next few weeks, the CBR will have a new set of trustees and the current group will be stepping down.  We are fortunate that we have zealous supporters ready to take over and embark on this next stage.  If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact us and you can join them!

WE WILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 AT 7:30 PM when the Village Council holds a public hearing in advance of approving four ordinances that will amend the master plan and allow multi-family housing in downtown Ridgewood at 35-units per acre.  This may be the last chance residents will have to speak out about zoning changes that will negatively impact our Village.  Given the speed with which the Council accepted the Planning Board’s decision without meaningful discussion, we are concerned the Council may try to effect a premature final vote that same night!

We want to thank all of you for your support over these last two years. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

CBR’s new leadership will continue to keep you updated.  Please stay tuned… we need you!

Best Regards,

Amy Bourque, Lori Weil, Carol Bicknese and Jen Ditommasso

NOTE:  To be clear, CBR has always favored development in downtown Ridgewood.  CBR is not against change, but rather favors VISIONARY (not reactionary) planning that considers the impact zoning changes will have on Ridgewood’s severe parking deficit, traffic issues, lack of open space, and overcrowded schools.  CBR continues to advocate for a density limit that is more in line with what currently exists in downtown Ridgewood (approximately 20-24 units per acre.)  CBR is in favor of providing alternative housing choices and meeting affordable housing obligations, but believes these objectives can be achieved at a much lower density than 35 units per acre.

Citizens  for a Better Ridgewood
citizensforabetterridgewood@aol.com

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Village Council digs in its heels at public meetings

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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.

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS

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VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD MAYOR’S OFFICE HOURS FOR RESIDENTS -Saturday, August 1

Mayor Paul Aronsohn holds office hours for Ridgewood residents on Saturday’s every month. Mayor Aronsohn will meet with residents on Saturday, August 1 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.