White guilt gave us a mock politics based on the pretense of moral authority.
By
SHELBY STEELE
Updated March 5, 2017 6:20 p.m. ET
The recent flurry of marches, demonstrations and even riots, along with the Democratic Party’s spiteful reaction to the Trump presidency, exposes what modern liberalism has become: a politics shrouded in pathos. Unlike the civil-rights movement of the 1950s and ’60s, when protesters wore their Sunday best and carried themselves with heroic dignity, today’s liberal marches are marked by incoherence and downright lunacy—hats designed to evoke sexual organs, poems that scream in anger yet have no point to make, and an hysterical anti-Americanism.
All this suggests lostness, the end of something rather than the beginning. What is ending?
America, since the ’60s, has lived through what might be called an age of white guilt. We may still be in this age, but the Trump election suggests an exhaustion with the idea of white guilt, and with the drama of culpability, innocence and correctness in which it mires us.
Without last-in first-out our schools (and village services) would be totally run by friends and family.
Look at the schools. There are lots of family trees in the RPS system. Some schools only hire on the friends and family plan. Who hires in the middle schools? Without regulation only unaffiliated staff would be let go and family members would be moved into safe positions. We have union rules to keep the politics out of the layoff process.
It is not about effective and ineffective teachers. It is about the “Friends and Family” plan that exists in this town and many others.
Welcome to the Ridgewood Public Library, where the board wants residents to pay million$$$ to replace books with a community center and performing arts venue, move the staircase (very expensive), and add a skylight and other unnecessary things precisely as we face steep property tax increases from full-day kindergarten, a bloated school budget, and the prospect of endless expenses from new residents in up to four apartment buildings (and possibly more later). We must fight this idea from the start. Attend the Monday 3/27 budget hearing (4th floor courtroom, Village Hall, 5:30 PM) at which the library will ask the council for permission and money for their daydream. Brief comments from the public are invited. Speak as an outraged resident and taxpayer against this idiotic plan, presented in part at a recent council meeting, before it can go any farther. (The opposition will no doubt haul people out to say it’s a great idea. It’s not.)
...Potential for a Major Winter Storm Monday night into
Wednesday...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE MONDAY NIGHT
THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
* Locations...Northeastern New Jersey, Orange, Putnam, Rockland,
Northern Westchester, Northern Fairfield, and Northern New
Haven counties.
* Hazard Types...Heavy Snow.
* Snow Accumulations...12 to 18 inches.
* Timing...Late Monday night through Tuesday evening.
* Impacts...Hazardous travel and potential for power outages.
* Winds...Northeast 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph.
* Temperatures...In the mid 20s.
* Visibilities...One quarter mile or less at times.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow...sleet...or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.
Ridgewood NJ, is it time for the Mayor and Village Council to step up and support Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi’s legislation , bill (A4666) which imposes a moratorium on all affordable housing litigation until the end of the year.
Please get your local Mayors and Councils to support these bills and call your legislators to co-sponsor them.
“The problem with this particular issue is that if people wait too long, there’s no way to reverse it,” said Schepisi. “I don’t think people know how critical of a timing issue this is for so many of the residents we represent and the municipalities we represent.”
As towns near the end of their court-granted immunity from builders’ remedy lawsuits, many are beginning to settle their affordable housing obligations.
“Municipalities, their mayors and councils, are feeling tremendous pressure to enter into settlement agreements which may not benefit their communities in any sort of fashion because they literally feel as though they have a gun to their heads,” Schepisi said.
Schepisi proposes putting the brakes on litigation while Legislature addresses affordable housing crisis. https://theridgewoodblog.net/schepisi-proposes-putting-the-brakes-on-litigation-while-legislature-addresses-affordable-housing-crisis/
Trenton, N.J. – New Jersey municipalities could get relief from building more than 200,000 low income housing units and 1,000,000 total new housing units under a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi on Tuesday. The bill (A4666) imposes a moratorium on all affordable housing litigation until the end of the year.
“If we wait any longer the transformative impact on our communities will not be reversible,” said Schepisi (R-Bergen). “Now is the time for the Legislature to act.”
Municipalities have spent millions of taxpayer dollars over the years fighting affordable housing mandates in court. After a January NJ Supreme Court ruling forced towns to consider past housing needs for the first time, municipalities statewide are struggling to compensate. The far-reaching mandate increases low-income housing need by 142 percent while forcing municipalities to permit building that would accommodate a phantom 30 percent population increase.
“The court’s social engineering will devastate all 23 municipalities I represent and suburban municipalities throughout the entire state,” said Schepisi. “The legislature needs to stop ignoring affordable housing and instead should immediately act to fix this problem in a responsible manner. While we focus our energies to vote on the State bird and State butterfly our communities are being turned into mini Brooklyns. We cannot let the court legislate what is best for individual communities. This isn’t temporary; this is forever. I am circulating a resolution to every Mayor and Council in the State seeking their support for an immediate legislative solution.”
Schepisi also introduced a companion bill (A-4667) creating a short term commission that will study prior court decisions, the effectiveness of past affordable housing practices, and analyze projected population increases and corresponding housing need. The commission will hold public hearings and is required to publish a report of its findings at the end of the year.
The January court mandate would unnecessarily increase housing supply by as much as 30 percent in the next 9 years anticipating a population growth of 2.73 million. If built, the number of new housing units in New Jersey would exceed housing numbers for the entire city of Manhattan. These projections would cost New Jersey taxpayers over $11.75 billion more in education alone. On the flip side, Rutger’s economists project a population increase of only .3 percent, or 219,000 people, per year until 2026.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood YMCA will host a free presentation by Emma Galland, author of nutritional guide “Feeding Success”, on Wednesday, March 15 at 5:30pm. All are invited to attend.
Described as the “ultimate guide for busy professionals and business travelers who want to build success on a healthy foundation”, “Feeding Success” is a nutrition and lifestyle guide to help busy professionals and travelers increase their energy and maximize their potential.
The presentation will focus on motivation, inspiration, and answers to audience questions regarding healthy eating.
The Ridgewood YMCA is located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood, New Jersey. For further information, please visit www.ridgewoodymca.org or call 201.444.5600 x500.
I love books. I can’t leave a bookstore without at least one. But I also have a tendency to buy books and not actually read them. Somewhere along the way reading fell by the wayside in favor of other forms of entertainment. To get back on track, I made some simple changes that have helped me with my reading habits thus far—no speed reading necessary.
I Made My Environment More Reading Friendly
I Carry My Books With Me Wherever I Go
I Give Up on Books I’m Not Enjoying
I Started Reading Three—and Only Three—Books at a Time
Ridgewood NJ,A reported motor vehicle crash with injuries at the intersection of North Walnut Street and Robinson Lane, Ridgewood resulted in the dispatch of selected Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS units on Friday morning, 03/10. The female driver of a grey colored 4-door Infiniti sedan complained of chest pain due to air bag deployment, but refused transport to a local hospital. One (1) vehicle was towed from the scene, the other vehicle (a Honda Civic) was driven away on its own power. Ridgewood PD issued one (1) summons in connection with the crash.
Ridgewood NJ, We have been told that Ridgewood Water has the capacity to pump all the water we need but it is the storage of this water that presents the problem. When new tanks were built on the west side this did increase capacity a bit but plans to build larger tank in other towns, which are being severed by Ridgewood Water, were met with resistance .
Ridgewood resident are now facing new water restrictions by the enacting of a new ordinance in next few months. Ridgewood Water has stated that this is a public safety issue but according to the Ridgewood News (3/10/2017) the other towns serve by Ridgewood Water will not have to comply. So it is only a public safety for Ridgewood and not the other towns one of which is one of the biggest users of water last year and fought for tanks not to be built in their town. (see details https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-deputy-mayor-sedon-advances-new-hudson-street-garage-plan-in-quiet-village-council-meeting/ )
For those that say they do not want to give up the quality of Ridgewood water we would suspect that most of them drink bottled water instead of tap water. They should also know that during peak periods Ridgewood Water buys water From Hawthorne and Suez Water. In the past when restriction have been put in place a price increase follows. The explanation that has been give for this increase is that they didn’t sell enough water.
A reader commented , “I believe in conservation when it is fare and equitable. I believe when a utility cannot meet the demands of it costumers it should expand, if it cannot expand then it is time to sell to another utility that can meet its customers demand.”
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Ave is closed to westbound traffic at Paramus Road. Vehicles entering Ridgewood from Paramus should use Midland Ave or Linwood Ave. Due to a utility emergency the road may be closed up to 48 hours.
Ridgewood NJ, Members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #35 assisted a Cedar Avenue, Ridgewood resident whose dog accidentally became locked inside of a 4-door Buick sedan on Friday morning, 03/10. The vehicle was undamaged during the rescue process and the dog was happy to see the waiting firefighters.
Statement of Cardinal Tobin on St. Patrick’s Day Dispensation
February 23, 2017
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This year, the celebration of the Feast of St. Patrick — March 17, 2017 — falls on the Friday of the Second Week of Lent.
After due consideration of a number of requests, I dispense the people of the Archdiocese of Newark from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, March 17, 2017.
I remind Catholics who avail themselves of this dispensation that the Church highly encourages you to substitute some other act of penance, such as special prayer, acts of piety or works of charity on March 17th.
Please share this information with all in your parish and school communities. I also encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to remind your communities of the Lenten Regulations, a copy of which is attached.
Ridgewood NJ, The adult female driver of a white colored 4-door sedan was taken into custody by Ridgewood PD officers when she failed a field sobriety test, which was administered after her vehicle was hit by a freight train shortly before 1:00 AM on Friday, 03/10. The incident occurred near the intersection of Goffle Road and Lake Street. The driver had fled the crash scene on foot and was apprehended a short distance away by Hawthorne PD. There were no other occupants in the vehicle when it was hit and the driver was uninjured. The vehicle was removed from the scene by a hydraulic lift tow truck. The freight train was not damaged.
Ho Ho Ho , don’t worry folks. Yes, taxes will go up up up because of the garage, but if you buy thousands of dollars of items in the central business district , you will get a discount on your taxes. What $10. Remember, Hache said they are working on a plan to offer rewards for shopping in business district ; you get a property tax discount. My foot !
Ridgewood will lose its distinction of being charming and villagey and quaint. And the garage will need a big police presence. Very muggable at night in the dark. Police cost money ; raised taxes, big time.
And it is a horrible location. That intersection now is the pits to drive through.
Yes, how will the garage be paid for? Raised pricing on parking? I won’t pay more to park and spend in the CBD. Even with the promised discount on my taxes.
They will tell us that the garage will pay for itself, with use? I ain’t usin it. Even in the daylight, it is a trap for muggers.
Huge , no matter what size and ugly for charmin historical Ridgewood.
Ridgewood NJ, In the business and office districts, snow shall be removed from the sidewalks concurrently with its fall. To assure compliance with this section, more than one clearing may be required to keep the sidewalks as free of snow as is practical. Snowfalls commencing after 6:00 p.m., will be cleared by no later than 9:00 a.m. the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. For snow occurring Monday through Saturday, during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.
Also remember to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving, especially from the hood, windows and roof. It’s the law in New Jersey! Motorists who fail to do so face fines of $25 to $75 for each offense, regardless of whether the ice and snow is dislodged from the vehicle. If flying ice or snow causes property damage or injury to others, motorists face fines of $200 to $1,000 for each offense. There are approximately 500 fatalities in the United States per year due to icy road conditions.
If you have a fire hydrant in front of your house, help yourself and help your neighbors by keeping it clear of snow. Ridgewood Police and Fire Departments urge resident to clear a path around the hydrant of 3 feet by 3 feet
