Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2017
We are running 2 specials right now –
6 weeks Jump Start Package $279
Student Summer Special $199 per month
51 Chestnut Street
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
201-444-4464
www.getinshapeforwomenridgewood.com
140 Franklin Turnpike
Waldwick, NJ 07463
201-207-8590
www.getinshapeforwomenwaldwick.co
file photo of Ridgewood OPRA request
Updated on June 16, 2017 at 7:30 AMPosted on June 16, 2017 at 7:29 AM
BY SOUTH JERSEY TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD
Monroe Township in Gloucester County, it turns out, has a Hillary Clinton problem.
A Superior Court judge has just ruled that the township government violated the New Jersey Open Public Records Act because it failed to turn over in an OPRA request all emails leading to a change in its ambulance service.
https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/06/nj_township_has_a_hillary_clinton_problem_editoria.html
June 17, 2017
Ridgewood YMCA
Summer Session
Registration Opens Monday, June 19
8:30am
www.ridgewoodymca.org
Ridgewood NJ, Classes begin June 26 through August 20.The Y is going green! Please visit our website to see all of our program offerings through the For Youth Development, For Healthy Living, For Social Responsibility tabs.
REGISTER ONLINE MONDAY BY CLICKING HERE! Register online here!
In person registration is available during operating hours and a member of the YMCA staff will be happy to assist you. For registration assistance by phone, please call 201.444.5600 x500.
Please note, in order to register, your membership must be active through the session. If you need to renew your membership go online today by clicking here and update your account for easy registration on Monday!
Thank you for being a valued member of the Ridgewood YMCA!
We hope you enjoy our 8 week summer session!
June 17, 2017
Fathers Day ~ June 18th 2017
17 S Broad St Ridgewood NJ 07450
201-857-5100
All Dads will Receive a Complementary Cigar!
Don’t Miss Out on the Tomahawk Steak Special!!
Ask us about our Children’s Menu Options!
Fathers Day Specials & Regular Menu will be Available
All of our pasta is homemade! We don’t freeze, fry or microwave anything!
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Private Party Room Available for your Next Occasion! (50 people max)
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Our Outdoor Patio is Open! Enjoy Dinner Outside and Watch Ridgewood Go By!
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Come in Sunday-Thursday to try our Prix Fixe Menu $26.95 for a 3 Course Meal! Include; Appetizer, Entree, Dessert & Coffee/Tea. (Not valid on holidays. Not to be combined with other coupon/vouchers)
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Pearl Restaurant is Open 7 Days a Week!
4:00-10:00pm
COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF
June 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The Ridgewood Police Department is hosting the first “Meet the Chief” at the Daily Treat today, June 17, 10am to 12pm. Anyone who would like to come have a conversation in a relaxed and open setting is welcome. The Chief Jacqueline Luthcke will listen to any comments, compliments, complaints or community concerns in an effort to work together to solve problems.
….the fly would like to remind residents that that the “Reverend” Jan Philips has often been over heard disparaging Mayor Knudsen referring to Paul Aronsohn as the real mayor of Ridgewood . While Arosohn briefly held the title of mayor though his actions it was obvious he was not the mayor or Ridgewood .
The facts support the claim CRAB did target Ridgewood for “disruption”:
CRAB’s own meeting minutes going back to February of 2017 reflect the plan to ask the village to fly the flag in a public space, not over village hall.
CRAB then deviated from that to ask the village to fly the flag at village hall, a request they did not make of Glen Rock.
The village, rightly, raised concerns about flying the flag at village hall.
CRAB’s Jan Phillips, Janice Willet, and their supporters, including Voigt, then used that concern to label the mayor and deputy mayor as intolerant bigots. OPRA requests reveal Voigt ignoring and lying about an email on 5/4 from the mayor about flying the flag at Van Neste.
Facebook posts from Jan Phillips show she and her supporters knowingly took the mayor’s comments about flying the flag at village hall out of context in an effort to smear her. When called out that they had done so, they did not apologize or retract.
While the mayor and deputy mayor are clumsy communicators who have been their own worst enemy more times than not, they have been the target of Aronsohn and his library/garage/high-density crowd on this matter.
I will never forget Jan Phillips at the town meeting when she accused those who were speaking from their hearts against having that Godzilla garage built as GRANDSTANDING. I was one of those people. Not at that particular occasion, but several other town meetings. Residents standing for hours on busy weekday nights, for the opportunity to express themselves about what kind of future they want for the town they love. Our town, Ridgewood,
I attended a few of the civility meetings and felt that she kow towed to former Mayor Aronshon, excessively agreeing with everything he said.
I do not believe , from what I observed, that she is sufficiently objective to be the leader of a the Community Advisory Board, she is not sensitive enough to diverse opinions. In my opinion.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
file photo by Dana Glazer
June 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog with a little help from our friends
Ridgewood NJ, a reader wrote us and said ,”I was cleaning up my posts and came across this Facebook thread from last year. It’s amazing that the same people/group that spoon fed and pushed personal agendas are still at it. Our current Mayor and Deputy Mayor remain under attack; false accusations, lies published in the local newspaper, public opinion letters etc.
Why would they still be at it? Answer: We have an election coming up next year. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s positions become available. Exactly two seats are needed for this group to resume block voting and to pick up where they left off. They are also desperately fighting the Council’s effort to review and restructure committees, which were previously formed and by them. Why? Answer: Establishing and enforcing committee Bylaws would greatly restrict pushing personal agendas and members would be appointed to these committees in a fair, term restricted, manner. Imagine the use of checks and balances, which doesn’t exist today. Their biggest threat, is loosing their self appointed positions or that these committees be dismantled. Why? Answer: They would loose their last public platform. Meaning, they would no longer have the same clout, wide reach or public accessibility. Note how every one of their publications lists their titles and positions served. Why? Because an official title or experience gives more weight.
Like Derek Schnure said, “the little guy is now able to counter the misinformation and party politics.” Residents beware and stay informed.
June 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Community Relations Advisory Board or CRAB looks for a life line in a recent letter to North Jersey Media Group : Community board vital to Ridgewood https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/06/15/letter-community-board-vital-ridgewood/399735001/ CRAB co-chairs Jan Philips (Ridgewood), and Nick McRae (Glen Rock), lay out there case to save the very and controversial political body . CRAB is a group of people looking for a cause.
Seriously? Jan Philips and teamed up with councilmen Jeff Voigt went out of their way to discredit Mayor Knudsen and misrepresent her as a bigoted b%*ch while comparing her to Glen Rock and holding Glen Rock up as the best place ever. And then it turns out that Mayor Knudsen did a fine job of honoring Pride Month. Go Mayor Knudsen. Jeff Voigt, resign, now.
The dispute was never about the Pride Flag. No one on the Village Council is biased against anyone. Jan Philips and Jeff Voigt used false and skewed information to turn it into a free-for-all simply to try and discredit the Mayor.
A reader summed it up best , “This is such an obvious silly ploy of former Mayor Aronsohn and his political motives and morally corrupt Patsys. I don’t know why more people don’t see through this. He made big promises and he didn’t deliver. He literally NEEDS to corrupt this current council and break it all apart to sneak his people back in in order to deliver on the bs promises he made about disabled housing and parking garages.”
The Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock was harassing the hell out the Ridgewood Village Council/Mayor in requesting the pride flag be flown at our Town Hall. Did they do the same from Glen Rock Council/Mayor? What say you Jeff Voigt? Pretty sure this smells of town politics especially when you consider Jeff Voigt is best friends w Hans Lehman who is married to Jan Phillips, Chair of CRAB. Disgusting. They say this isn’t political but it is. CRAB is politicizing this. All roads lead to Aronson-also a member of CRAB.
Reader says ,”Jan Phillips, self-appointed queen of diplomacy who trashes Mayor Knudsen every chance she gets. Paul Aronsohn who trashed so many people during his reign of terror that the list of those who escaped his bile would be shorter. Gwenn Hauck, at least I think that is Gwenn Hauck at the easel – the queen of mean who used to throw verbal barbs at residents and elected colleagues alike during public meetings.”
June 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Councilmen Jeff Voigt continues to sink his political career , Despite the Councilmen s claims of “bullying” in a recent letter: Bullying behavior by elected officials?https://www.northjersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2017/06/12/ridgewoodletter-bullying-behavior-elected-officials/389482001/
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.
file photo by Boyd Loving
I made the following comments at last night’s Village Council meeting re the Mayor’s plan to turn CRAB (Community Relations Advisory Board) and FAC (Finance Advisory Committee) to ad hoc committees:
I will address three points, Ad Hoc Committees, CRAB and FAC.
The Mayor misuses the term Ad Hoc. An Ad Hoc Committee is by definition one that is created to serve a specific function for a limited period of time.
Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc. P.O. Box 140 Ridgewood, NJ 07451
June 16,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, 2017 Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Launches 50/50 Raffle to Fundraise for its 107th Annual Celebration –
Grand Prize winner will have a chance to win up to $25,000 Ridgewood, NJ – June 14, 2017 – The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee today announced the launch of a 50/50 raffle to help fundraise for its 2017 celebration. The Committee will sell tickets at various community events now through July 3, 2017.
Tickets are $100 dollars each, with a maximum of 600 tickets sold. If the maximum number of tickets is sold, the Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000 dollars. There will also be ten $500 prize winners. Winners will be announced at 8:30PM on July 4th, prior to the fireworks display at Veteran’s Field. Visit www.ridgewoodjuly4th.com or contact 201-602-1922 for information on where to purchase tickets.
“We are grateful to have generous and committed sponsors, but we always look for new, fun ways to encourage the community to help Support the Tradition,” said Leigh Gilsenan, president of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee. “Few people realize this is an all-volunteer, community funded event that receives no direct funding from the village – and costs increase every year.”
The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The day’s full festivities include:
• Flag Raising: 9:00AM Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot) Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910. • Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine) Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’t miss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.
• Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood) The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year –tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.
About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.
June 15,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,a reader challenged us on the recent blog article , “There was much ADO about the Pride Flag in Ridgewood “,https://theridgewoodblog.net/there-was-much-ado-about-the-pride-flag-in-ridgewood/ .
“I’m happy Ridgewood chose to fly the flag, but the basis of your article was not about the flag or why it is so important to so many, and how it might be a teaching opportunity about equality, fairness and just ‘not being an asshole’ tearing down another to raise yourself up. The point of your article appears to be that Ridgewood is great and Glen Rock is not. Kind of an asshole article, tearing down one town that has no dog in the Ridgewood debate, to attempt to elevate Ridgewood.”
Unfortunately there were a lot of ugly politics at play. The pride flag was being used as an attempt to undermine the Village of Ridgewood’s Mayor Susan Knudsen and several sitting council members. A group looking to put the previous council back in place used the pride flag to pressure the Ridgewood Village council by saying, look how great Glen Rock is ,they are wonderful and you are just a bunch of ignorant bigots .
