Tag: Ridgewood Emergency Services

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Reader says our esteemed superintendent of Schools should keep his eye on the job he is paid to do

Ridgewood Police at RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving

Yes, I too would ask our esteemed superintendent to keep his eye on the job he is paid to do.

I did not appreciate this letter, I am well aware of his political leanings and do not wish for them to be taught to my child.

Did he write letters like this in the past when the candidate he voted for was in office?

I am hoping that the BOE will shut down Fishbein’s political commentary – both in his letters and his tweets and retweets.

He can dance around a topic such as this as much as he wants BUT he is being political.

Sure, he never mentioned Trump but we all know what he is talking about.

How about teaching our kids to toughen up, not fall apart when their candidate loses, respect leaders and process even when you don’t like it and work for respect rather than expect it —– that would be a better education than they are currently getting!

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Readers say “melting pot” email from Ridgewood Schools Superintendent rings hallow

Dan Fishbein 10

This letter is disgraceful. The only “rhetoric concerning immigrants and foreign-born visitors” has been the liberal media’s false spin of the campaign issue of ILLEGAL immigration. Of course he doesn’t provide a single example of the true issue. The dishonesty and liberal bias of entertainment and the media is now abundantly clear in our own local education system. Certainly not a surprise, but extremely unfortunate. If politics is going to be permitted to creep into the education of our children, then present all sides of an issue, and teach our children how to make their own decisions without passing judgment on those who think differently. Shame on all those who consider themselves educators but purposely fail in this manner for their own personal or political agenda.

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RIDGEWOOD PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Ridgewood_-Village_Hall_theridgewoodblog

PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Village Hall Court Room– 7:30 P.M.

(all timeframes and the order of agenda items below are approximate and subject to change)

1.7:30 p.m. – Call to Order, Statement of Compliance, Flag Salute, Roll Call – In accordance with the provisions of Section 10:4-8d of the Open Public Meetings Act, the date, location, and time of the commencement of this meeting is reflected in a meeting notice, a copy of which schedule has been filed with the Village Manager and the Village Clerk, The Ridgewood News and The Record newspapers, and posted on the bulletin board in the entry lobby of the Village municipal offices at 131 North Maple Avenue, and on the Village website, all in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act.

Roll call: Knudsen, Voigt, Altano, Joel, Patire, Scheibner, Torielli, McWilliams

2.7:35 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. – Public Comments on Topics not Pending Before the Board

3.7:40 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. – Committee/Commission/Professional Updates for Non Agenda Topics, Correspondence Received by the Board

4.7:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. – Ridgewood/Dayton, Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan, 100/152 South Broad Street, Blocks 3707/3905, Lots 5.01/1.01- Pubic Hearing continued from November 15, 2016

5.9:45 p.m. – 9:55 p.m. – Council Referral of Ordinance 3579: Regulation of Institutional Uses and Public Utilities

6.9:55 p.m. – 10:25 p.m. – Draft Ordinance Addressing Miscellaneous Recommendations in Reexamination Report and in Zoning Officer Memoranda

7.10:25 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Adoption of Minutes: September 1, 2015

8.10:30 p.m. – 10:40 p.m. – Unfinished and New Business

9.10:40 p.m. – Executive Session (if necessary)

10.Adjournment

In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work sessions, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings, which are always open to members of the general public.

Members: Susan Knudsen, Jeff Voigt, Joel Torielli, Melanie McWilliams, David Scheibner, Richard Joel, Isabella Altano, Debbie Patire

Professional Staff: Blais L. Brancheau, Planner; Christopher Martin, Esq., Board Attorney; Christopher J. Rutishauser, Village Engineer; Michael Cafarelli, Board Secretary

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PSEG : South Broad Street Work Continues on Monday in Ridgewood

PSEG

VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
UPDATED SCHEDULE: PSE&G ELECTRIC RELIABILITY IMPROVEMENTS

UTILITY UNDERGROUND INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE

WORK SCHEDULE UPDATE: February 6, 2017 – February 10, 2017

February 6, 2017 –February 10, 2017

Underground Manholes & Pipe Installation

South Broad Street

(at the cross section of Ridgewood Avenue)

Road Closures

(7:00am – 5:00 pm)

Monday- Friday

8 Parking Spots

As part of our electric reliability improvements in Bergen County, PSE&G will be performing utility underground work in the Village of Ridgewood. As of early-February 2017, PSE&G will beperforming the following activities in your area:

Excluding inclement weather delays, PSE&G anticipates working Monday –Friday, (7:00am – 5:00pm)

Safety is our primary concern. PSE&G will work with the Ridgewood Police Department to minimize any traffic concerns or inconveniences to the public. During construction, please refrain from going near our construction work zones.

The upgrades will enhance your electric capacity, system redundancy, and service reliability within the Village of Ridgewood, as well as surrounding communities. If you have questions or concerns, please call our toll free number at 1-877-678-5784

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Ridgewood resident and soprano Kristen Plumley will perform works by Schubert, Strauss, and Arlen with the Ridgewood Concert Band

Ridgewood Concert Band
February 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The RCB is pleased to be joined by Ridgewood resident and soprano Kristen Plumley. Described as possessing a “shimmering soprano” (The New York Times) with “sparkle and precision” (The Washington Post),  she enjoys singing everything from opera’s light lyric roles to oratorio to pops classics.

Ms. Plumley will perform works by Schubert, Strauss, and Arlen with the RCB.

The program will include Tan Dun’s “Internet Symphony – Eroica”, which is a four-and-a-half minute micro-symphony that combines multicultural influences and the iconic theme from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”).

Unfamiliar with the melody or want a refresher before next week’s concert?

Take some time to enjoy the above video of the Vienna Philharmonic performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.

Don’t miss out on your final chance to take advantage of discounted tickets through our
Pick 3! Subscription plan.
Click here to attend the remaining three concerts of our 34th season at a 20% discount!
Friday, February 10th
with guest soloist soprano Kristen Plumley
Friday, March 31st
featuring solos from principal musicians of the RCB
Friday, May 12th
bringing together the finest musicians from area high schools (including the winner of the Youth Soloist Competition)
and the RCB
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EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH IN RIDGEWOOD INVITES CHOIR PARTICIPANTS FROM THE COMMUNITY

Emmanuel Baptist Church
February 5,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Emmanuel Baptist Church invites the community to join its new choir. Anyone who has an interest in music and would like to share their musical talent on Sunday mornings is invited to join the choir. All ages and all levels of musical talent are welcome.

Please contact the Church office at 201-444-7300. If you are unable to get through to the church office, contact Musical and Artistic Director, John Giresi, at [email protected].

Emmanuel, a welcoming and affirming congregation founded in 1891, is celebrating its 125th Anniversary Year and maintains a tradition of community outreach. Emmanuel is located at 14 Hope Street, at the corner of Hope Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The building is ADA accessible and all are invited to attend.

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Reader Asks About a String of Reported Burglaries in Ridgewood

Ridgewood _police_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

“Guys. To my knowledge there have been 4 reported burglaries in our neighborhood the past 2 weeks. A couple were on spring and 1 today on John st. The pattern is mid day breaking glass to enter homes. Heard it’s a white male in a hoodie. We should encourage everyone to take the necessary precautions – hide jewelry, valuables, etc. Set your home alarms and lock doors.

As a member of the safety patrol, BE SAFE!”

Anyone have any further info about this. I see nothing in the town blog, Patch, etc. and I suspect this would be bigger news than busting a couple of unauthorized candy sellers in town — from which some would extrapolate a budding crime wave.

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Reader says The Village Council should be challenging Valley’s “not-for-profit” status

Valley Hospital theridgewoodblog.net 131

They should be paying for these services but they don’t. The Village Council should be challenging Valley’s “not-for-profit” status in court based on the Morristown precedent but they do nothing. We’re literally leaving millions of dollars of payments in lieu of taxes from Valley on the table as a result. Taxpayers should be sickened by this inability to protect Ridgewood tax payer interests but no one seems to care.

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Are Ridgewood Schools truly a “melting pot” , or is this another Solution Looking for a Problem ?

Dan-Fishbein-10

Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff:

Over the past year, we have all become aware of an increase in vocalized negative rhetoric concerning immigrants and foreign-born visitors to the United States. This problematic discourse has led to a corresponding buildup of concern and uncertainty for many, including for some of our own Village students and their families.

I feel that it may be helpful to remind everyone that our Ridgewood schools welcome and embrace children from all over the world, who by federal, state and local law are guaranteed equal access to an education. Our student database shows that we are truly a “melting pot,” with children from the following countries:

Albania Egypt Lebanon South Africa Australia El Salvador Malaysia Spain Bahrain Ethiopia Mexico Sri Lanka Bangladesh France Monaco Sweden Belarus Germany Netherlands Switzerland Belgium Guatemala Northern Mariana Islands Syrian Arab Republic Bermuda Honduras Pakistan Taiwan Bolivia Hong Kong Panama Turkey Brazil India Peru Ukraine Bulgaria Iran Philippines United Arab Emirates Canada Ireland Poland United Kingdom China Israel Puerto Rico United States Costa Rica Italy Romania Uruguay Czech Republic Japan Russian Federation Uzbekistan Denmark Kazakhastan Saudi Arabia Venezuela Dominican Republic Korea Singapore Vietnam

Far beyond our legal and moral responsibilities for educating all children, the Ridgewood Public Schools have a long and proud history of incorporating and celebrating the diverse cultures of our student body into our regular curricular programming. From the annual Asian Festival held at Ridgewood High School each spring, to the International clubs at the middle school level, and down to International Day at our elementary schools, we affirm our respect and admiration for other nationalities in large ways. We are fortunate to have numerous families and community members from other countries who are willing and eager to share their traditions and we are enriched by the numerous opportunities they give us to learn firsthand about other cultures and beliefs.

Through these opportunities, we are also able to teach our children about tolerance and respect for the dignity of every being. Of course, as we are all prone to making mistakes on occasion, we also have a longstanding official policy of zero-tolerance for prejudice and disrespect that is strictly enforced if the need arises.

In sum, long before the recent uptick in negative rhetoric on immigration issues, inclusivity has been a top priority in the administration of our schools. We have worked hard to be inclusive and we will always continue to work even harder to make all students and their families feel welcome and valued in the Ridgewood Public Schools.

I conclude with the meaningful words found at the base of the Statue of Liberty, that wonderful symbol of welcome to visitors and immigrants from afar:

The New Colossus Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. “Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! Emma Lazarus (November 2, 1883) 

If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out to your child’s principal or me.

Sincerely yours,

Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
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Ridgewood discusses update to parking requirements

Parking Spots in Ridgewood

Mark Krulish , Staff Writer, @Mark_Krulish11:38 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2017

RIDGEWOOD — With the growth of online retailing, suburban downtowns have undergone a shift toward more service-based businesses. And with that shift has come a greater demand for parking.

Ridgewood is grappling with that need. Recognizing that changing times call for changing parking strategies, officials are taking a look at the village code.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2017/02/03/ridgewood-discusses-update-parking-requirements/97402790/

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Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors Parlance Chamber Concerts and Art of Motion

Ridgewood 3 amigos

file photo by Boyd Loving

February 4,2017

the  staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Arts Foundation Honors were held on Sunday, January 29, 2017, 4-6pm, at Fish Restaurant in Ridgewood. Honorees for this inaugural event are Parlance Chamber Concerts and Art of Motion, two iconic Ridgewood performing arts organizations.

The event was hosted by former deputy mayor Albert Pucciarelli, now president of the Ridgewood Arts Foundation. Pucciarelli opened the evening by acknowledging those in attendance, including members of the Board of Education, council members and you guessed it former mayor Paul Aronsohn.

The Ridgewood Arts Foundation, a public charitable 501(c)(3) foundation, was created to provide funding for the many worthy artistic endeavors within our village, to encourage the further development of the arts in our community, and to establish a scholarship fund for art students from Ridgewood.

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Reader says Ridgewood remains among the most crime free towns in the County, the State and the Nation — garage or no garage

crime-scene

“We are seen as a town of soft targets.” Not sure what this means or how you arrive at this conclusion.

Ridgewood’s crime rate (measured in instances per 1000 of population) is historically low (9.3/1000) as compared to neighbors like Paramus (52/1000) or Paterson (39/1000). On a national basis, Ridgewood is in the top 17% of the safest (read: low crime) communities.

Are you implying that suburban privilege is inversely proportional to urban street smarts — giving Ridgewoodians only an illusion of safety — when in fact — we are easy pickings — or “soft” because our average income ranks 37th out of 702 municipalities — according to the 2010 census — and rich folks are easy pickings for criminals? It seems logical that a “good” criminal would want to steal from rich folks, but the opposite is overwhelmingly true. Nationwide, the poor living in poor communities are the most frequent victims of crime hence, considerably more “soft” than we are in this town.

I’m no fan of parking garages, and such structures do bring with them a degree of urban blight and perhaps a bit more property crime — mostly because they afford bad guys a convenient place to hide and steal cars and stuff from cars — which accounts for much of the Paramus spike. But by any reasonable measure, Ridgewood remains among the most crime free towns in the County, the State and the Nation — garage or no garage.

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Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit called in for Liberty Street break-in in Ridgewood

PoliceCarClose 0318 RN tif

file photo by Boyd Loving

February 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to Ridgewood Police,on January 25, a Tappan, N.Y. resident reported a burglary and theft from a motor vehicle while it was parked at 44 Godwin Avenue. The victim reported that when she return to her vehicle she discovered an unknown actor shattered the window and removed a Lenovo laptop computer valued at $500. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

The PD also reported on January 28, patrol units responded to Liberty Street on a report of a burglary and theft from the residence. Upon arrival the victim reported discovering the home disheveled and property missing. Det. Peter Youngberg responded to the scene to further investigate the incident as well as the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit. The scene was processed and it was discovered forced entry was made through a locked window and an unknown amount of jewelry, handbags and other property was removed at this time.

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Reader says kudos to the Mayor for Actions on AirBnB

Susan

While I have zero interest in letting anyone rent my home, I have enjoyed AirBnB in cities around the world. They are terrific. As for Ridgewood, I seriously doubt our location would attract many tourist types. More likely visitors with work or other commitments in the immediate area. I guess I am too busy with my own life to watch who is parking in someone else’s driveway and in any case I know most of my neighbors well enough to trust their judgment on this, It seems a balanced approach with some regulation is the right response. So kudos to the Mayor for recognizing some compromise may be appropriate.

Another reader says its more generational than ideological but its always easy to blame it on the left when you’re devoid of facts… bottom line is the state will step in, towns will adjust by licensing, taxation and limits… as our council tends to be ahead of the curve I think this will incrementally change over the next few months…. for the better

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New Car park app offers users reward to snitch on people parking illegally

Parking CBD

Car park app offers users £10 reward to snitch on people parking illegally

i-Ticket pays a small commission to users who upload a picture of the vehicle and its registration number

Aatif Sulleyman

A private parking firm has created an app that promises to pay users to report illegally parked cars.

UK Car Park Management’s (UK CPM) i-Ticket app, which is available for free on Google Play and the App Store, pays a £10 commission to users who upload a picture of the vehicle and its registration number.

The company then uses DVLA data to send a £60 fine to the vehicle owner, a fee that rises to £100 if it isn’t paid within two weeks.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/new-car-park-app-pays-users-pay-snitch-10-reward-illegal-parking-vehicles-a7560881.html