Just when you think Halaby could not sink lower, guess what, he sinks lower. How in the world could Susan (or anyone) control what people post anonymously? We all know that Jeff Voigt posts on the blog regularly, as do many others like Gwenn Hauck’s husband when he was smearing lies about Mike Sedon. Aronsohn reads the blog before he gets out of bed every morning. Pucciarelli reads it and was known to blast the blog even in the midst of a eulogy. It strikes me as hilarious that Halaby slams the blog when he in fact is a loyal reader.
Halaby does not understand that the blog is alive. It is an organism. It cannot be controlled. It has a life of its own, a mind of its own. It is fed by people who wish to speak their opinions but fear backlash from friends and neighbors. When someone posts on Facebook, people go after them relentlessly if they disagree. It intimidates well-meaning people from ever speaking their minds. But here on the blog, people can say what they really mean. And it is hugely beneficial to both the posters and the readers. The blog serves an outstanding purpose. Hell, even those who criticize it are reading it all the time. Even in CRAB meetings where so-called “civility” is the order of the day, the members obviously read the blog relentlessly, quote the blog, and take actions based on what they read on the blog. Thank you James Foytlin for providing this forum. LONG LIVE THE BLOG
Sadly, once again I must write to address another tragic school shooting, this time in Parkland, FL. Although far from Ridgewood, this senseless act hits close to home because it has taken the lives of innocent children and adults and torn the very fiber of a vibrant community.
While every event of this nature is unique and we always hope that it would never happen in our Village, we are realistic in our approach to safety in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Our top priority is to assure the safety of our students and staff. For this reason, we have security protocols in place at each of our buildings that are regularly reviewed for their effectiveness, including locked entries, ID swipe cards and the recent hire of a school safety officer. Our safety plan also includes a strong partnership with the Ridgewood Police Department and other first responders up to the county level and beyond. The importance of these relationships cannot be overemphasized, nor the value of the safety drills that we regularly practice with our students and staff; as seen in the Parkland shooting, these drills are a critical component to maintaining calm order and minimizing harm.
Events like yesterday’s shooting are frightening for everyone, most especially for children. Please do not shy away from discussing this incident with your children while reassuring them that they are safe. Professionals advise the following:
• Don’t project your fears onto your children. • Limit access to the repetitious news cycle. • Be honest. I know that you join me in thoughts and prayers for the Parkland community. I do believe that at this difficult time the victims, their families, the first responders and the entire school district of students and staff would very much appreciate our sincere condolences as they try to cope with this tragedy and find a way to move forward. Sincerely, Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Ridgewood NJ, In a unanimous vote, the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors approved Kevin Corbett as the next Executive Director of NJ TRANSIT during the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting today. The appointment is effective starting on Monday, February 19, 2018.
“Kevin is taking on one of the toughest jobs in New Jersey – turning NJ Transit around and restoring it as a world-class transportation agency that our commuters can rely on. Every New Jerseyan who takes the train or bus every day, and the thousands of employees who show up for work, deserves visionary leadership committed to getting this system right. Kevin’s confirmation signals that we have begun the difficult process of rebuilding NJ TRANSIT and, in time, regaining commuters’ trust in the system,” said Governor Phil Murphy.
“I would like to thank Governor Murphy and the NJ TRANSIT Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve the state of New Jersey,” said incoming Executive Director Kevin Corbett. “I look forward to working with the dedicated men and women of NJ TRANSIT in restoring the transportation system to the national leader it once was, providing safe and reliable service and boosting economic development in New Jersey.”
Prior to incoming Executive Director Corbett’s appointment, he served as Vice President, Cross Services at AECOM, one of the world’s premier transportation and infrastructure companies. In this role, Mr. Corbett drew on the extensive resources from across AECOM’s various business lines to provide optimal solutions for AECOM’s clients.
AECOM projects that Mr. Corbett was Principal-In-Charge of or actively served in a management role included Moynihan Station Phase one, Amtrak’s Gateway Program, Second Avenue Subway – Phase one, Penn Vision, Penn Station Critical Improvements, One WTC Interim Loading Dock, Post-Sandy PATH Restoration and other related regional resiliency and restoration projects. Previously, Mr. Corbett was responsible for the global marine and freight business for DMJM+HARRIS, a legacy AECOM company, as well as other AECOM subsidiaries.
In the civic realm, Mr. Corbett currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Regional Plan Association (RPA) and is Co-Chair of its Transportation Committee. He also serves on the board of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey (President), Tri-State Transportation Campaign and The New York League of Conservation Voters (Chairman).
Mr. Corbett is a graduate of Georgetown University and serves as a Blue & Gold Officer for the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ridgewood NJ, PSEG today announced a joint promotion with BMW of North America to offer PSE&G customers $10,000 off the best negotiated price for a new BMW i3. The promotion is open to customers of PSE&G and is available Feb. 15 through April 30, 2018.
“PSE&G is proud to partner with BMW of North America – not just a leader in electric cars, but also a customer of PSE&G,” said Courtney McCormick, Vice President, Renewables and Energy Solutions for PSE&G. “We hope this offer will encourage our customers who might be in the market for an electric vehicle to give the BMW i3 serious consideration.”
In addition to the $10,000 rebate off MSRP from BMW, customers could be eligible for up to $7,500 federal tax credit. Sale of the all-electric i3 is not subject to sales tax in New Jersey.
“The BMW i3 is the best-selling premium electric vehicle in the world,” said Magnus Aspegren, Strategy Manager, Electromobility at BMW of North America. “With a range of up to 114 miles on a single charge and the same uncompromised driving performance typical of every BMW model, the BMW i3 is also proof that driving electric is as practical as it is fun.”
The BMW incentive and potential federal tax credit together equal roughly one-third of the base i3 model price. The BMW incentive is off the best offer negotiated with a dealer and is given at the time of sale.
To take advantage of this offer, a PSE&G customer must download a PSEG\BMW Customer Information Form at PSEG.com/goelectric and take it to any authorized BMW dealership (the dealer can be outside the PSE&G territory) along with a copy of their PSE&G bill.
For more information, go to PSEG.com/goelectric
In 2016, PSEG received recognition from the state of New Jersey for its leadership in promoting electric cars and investing in electric car infrastructure. These efforts include:
PSEG runs the largest electric car employee incentive program in the state with more than 45 chargers installed at company locations.
In October 2017, PSE&G, in partnership with EVgo, installed two fast chargers at the Molly Pitcher Service Area on the New Jersey Turnpike.
PSE&G has provided 135 car chargers to 23 New Jersey hospitals, colleges and businesses to encourage their employees to commute in electric cars.
PSE&G has 17 electric cars in its company fleet, as well as many partially electric-powered trucks.
Ridgewood NJ,once again the issue as arisen over photographs in the public domain , and we refer you to a posting by the Glen Rock Police department in October of last year .
Glen Rock Police Department – NJ October 17, 2017 · We have heard that some people have been questioning the fact that photos of juveniles and others have been taken at police incidents in the past by members of the press or public. The taking of photographs and/or videos by private citizens and media personnel is permitted within areas open to general public access and occupancy and is permitted under the US Constitution in the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. (Christopher Sharp v. Baltimore City Police Department, et. al.). No citizen has the expectation of privacy when they are in public regardless of their status as a victim, juvenile or offender. A civilian may video record or photograph a police and public safety activities as long as they: 1. Remain at a reasonable distance; 2. Do not interfere with the duties and responsibilities of police and other public safety personnel; 3. Do not create a safety concern for the officer, a person detained, a victim, other persons or themselves. A citizen’s right to record police activity is coextensive with that of the press. There should be no burden on an individual’s right to record police activity than they place on members of the press. A citizen does not need “press credentials” to record police officers engaged in the public discharge of their duties.
Ridgewood NJ, “I expected it,” Village Manager Heather Mailander said of the three-month pilot program at a meeting last week. Ms. Mailander denies she ever said this about the $23K loss associated with the pilot centralized valet parking program. Questions arose when Resident Boyd Loving asked ,if you knew it would fail why do it ? Loving suggested in the future that if somebody expects to lose money lets stop before we move forward with it.
Ridgewood NJ, the Village manager and Mayor appeared at odds in last nights council meeting as to whether or not to allow questions by residents or hold a public comment period during the council interview process of the Hudson Street garage bidders .
The Village Council will be interviewing the four companies who responded to the RFP for the Hudson Street parking garage on February 21, 2018, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room on the fourth floor of Village Hall, and will also be televised on the Public Access channel. Each company will summarize their proposals and will present their concept plan(s).
“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. All the back room politics conducted by Paul,Aronsohn and his cohorts may totally backfire. What will be their platform? No one wants a giant garage or cares about CRAB, Schedler is off and running at a price thousands less than what a 90 foot baseball diamond would have cost. Valley is no longer an issue, high density ordinances passed and now people are concerned with the results…. Rurik spoke at the council meeting this evening and he was truly awful. Does anybody really listen to him and he is backing this poor woman.
Ridgewood NJ, During last night’s Village Council meeting, Rurik Halaby accused Mayor Susan Knudsen of personally orchestrating a web based smear campaign against his candidate (Alexandra Harwin). Halaby alleged that The Ridgewood Blog was being used “headquarters” for this activity.
Mr. Halaby referred to the Ridgewood blog in the endearing terms that President Trump was alleged to use in referring to certain 3rd world countries, who Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer invited to move to Glen Rock . He also referred to his friends and neighbors who read this blog , stating he knows who they are (does that mean all 30,000 plus ) in the most derogatory terms .
As for Alexandra Harwin the new face of the 3 amigos , she moved to Ridgewood in 2014 , her husband is a Rabbi from Washington Township who was very involved in attacking Mayor Knudsen during the “gay flag” controversy and is a very active member of Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock.
Alexandra is part of Emerge New Jersey a Democrat group that is involved in promoting liberal women and training them to run for office .
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that a Steilen Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report being the victim of a fraud on February 12th. The victim reported she was advised all her Apple devices were compromised by a pop-up on her iPad from Apple technical support. A person then contacted her by phone and she was then convinced into purchasing a three year virus protection which she later learned was a scam after providing credit card information.
In “Tech Support Scams” such as this scammers call and claim to be computer techs associated with well-known companies like Microsoft or Apple. Other scammers send pop-up messages that warn about computer problems. They say they’ve detected viruses or other malware on your computer. They claim to be “tech support” and will ask you to give them remote access to your computer. Eventually, they’ll diagnose a non-existent problem and ask you to pay for unnecessary or even harmful services.
If you get an unexpected pop-up, call, spam email or other urgent message about problems with your computer, stop. Don’t click on any links, don’t give control of your computer and don’t send any money.
Notice of Public Hearing – Prequalification Regulations NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ADOPTION OF PREQUALIFICATIONS REGULATIONS
February 14,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, NOTICE is hereby given that February 28, 2018 at or about 7:30PM in the Court Room at Village Hall, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood will conduct a public hearing on the adoption of prequalification regulations for general restoration contractors which will apply to the anticipated bid for the Zabriskie-Schedler Roof Restoration. Any member of the public wishing to comment will be heard at that time. Copies of the proposed regulations are available for inspection at the Village Manager’s Office, 5th Level, Village Hall starting February 2, 2018.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report two incidents cyber harassment and terroristic threats one on February 9th, a Grove Street resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters to report terroristic threats in the past. The victim reported an unknown person using Facebook and the WhatsApp messenger service threatened injury to a family member of the victim if money wasn’t paid. Patrol confirmed the family member was in good health and the incident was determined to be an extortion scam and the incident was documented.
On February 11th, A Lincoln Avenue resident responded to Ridgewood Police headquarters on February 12th to report Cyber harassment. The victim reported receiving social media messages which caused annoyance and alarm. The Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
Ridgewood NJ,heard thru the proverbial grape vine and now confirmed that Rurik and Cynthia Halaby held a Meet the Candidates Forum last night at the Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club. They had a large turn out including Jeff Voigt, Paul,Aronsohn, Roberta Sonenfeld. Gwenn Hauck, Siobhan Winograd and Paul Vagianos.
Paul Vagionas spoke that he would not be running because his heart wasn’t in it but introduced Alexandra Harwin who is the wife of the Temple Beth Or Rabbi in Washington Township. I heard she was very well spoken. Then the group begged for others in the room to step and run in the upcoming election. There were sign up sheets for various campaign activities. It is all so behind the scenes just as everything Paul Aronsohn did when he was Mayor. She didn’t make the cut to fill the empty BOE seat, so I guess she’s going to give this a try. ( https://theridgewoodblog.net/six-interviewed-for-open-ridgewood-school-board-seat/ )
…..the fly has heard that a not so new face , new face was introduced to Ridgewood Politics. At a recent gathering hosted by the Siobhan Winograd and the Halaby’s at Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club, the new face of the toxic trio was resident Alexandra Harwin. Harwin has the support of the “toxic trio” or the “3 amigos” known as Gwen Hauk , Paul Aronsohn and Albert Pucciarelli. This is the first time anyone has seen Albert Pucciarelli since the three were driven from office .Others in attendance were rumored council candidate Paul ” the wall “Vagianos . Who’s own candidacy is a bit controversial given the current social environment. Former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld was also in attendance .Local observers have called the “3 amigo” endorsement the “kiss of death “. Noticeably absent was Councilmen Jeff Voigt who’s antics on the dais have endeared him to many local town folk.
