Tag: Ridgewood Fire Department

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Long Time Ridgewood Administrative Employee Heather Mailander Picked to Fill Village Manager Post

The Ridgewood Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Heather Mailander with Councilmen Jeff Voigt and Bernie Walsh

With 28 years of dedicated service to the Village of Ridgewood, it’s an honor and privilege to appoint Heather Mailander as Village Manager. Heather has assumed the responsibilities of Acting Village Manager three times during her tenure and each and every time she has served with a level of professionalism and dedication coupled with kindness and fairness.
The Ridgewood Village Council wishes Heather the very best and, as always, we are grateful for the continued support of our fellow residents……Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen

March 2,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, in a move that makes all to much sense, the Village Council enthusiastically approved long time employee Heather Mailander, to permanently take over the village’s top administrative position.

Residents know Heather Mailander, as the Village of Ridgewood’s long-time clerk. The Village Council unanimously appointed the next village manager on Wednesday night, effective immediately.

She was the acting village manager following the September 2016 resignation of Roberta Sonenfeld and this was the third time she has served in that capacity. Her first time as acting manager came in 2009 for a five-month period after the resignation of James Ten Hoeve. Heather also took over for six months after the ouster of Ken Gabbert in September 2013.

Last night Council members cited her dedication to the village with nearly three decades of service and a tenure marked by a and high level of professionalism, responsiveness and positive relationships she has with professionals and residents alike.

In a post in August 2013 Readers asked the Ridgewood Blog , “Why is Heather A. Mailander capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position” https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-asks-why-is-heather-a-mailander-capable-enough-to-fill-in-but-not-to-actually-be-appointed-to-the-position/

At that time it was asked , “Why is she capable enough to fill in but not to actually be appointed to the position. Another woman running a dept and not being recognized. She is better than Gabbert and Ten Hoeve

Heather Mailander would make an excellent choice for Village Manager. She is highly capable, has a tremendous work ethic, she knows the town and she well respected and liked by both Village employees and residents. Most importantly she has good common sense………..which is in short supply in Village Hall.”

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Wednesday Morning Lightning Strike on Sunset Avenue In Ridgewood

Wednesday Morning Lightning Strike on Sunset Avenue In Ridgewood

photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook

March 2,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood PD and FD personnel responded to a reported lightning strike in front of 125 Sunset Avenue, Ridgewood on the morning of Wednesday, 03/01. Responding units found evidence of significant lightning damage to a tree, whose fallen limbs had struck a primary electric power line. A PSE&G crew was summoned to remove the dangling limbs and restore electric power to any nearby homes that had lost it.

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Seven Benjamin Franklin Middle School student musicians have been selected for Region I Choir

christmas-music-notes-border-singing_8355-1
March 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ms. Justine Kawash, BFMS Choral Director, reports that seven Benjamin Franklin Middle School student musicians have been selected for Region I Choir, including: Francesca Alvidrez (Soprano 1, top score); Sydney Strauss (Soprano 2); Maeve Marron (Soprano 2); Sophie Hartstein(Alto); Nikki Bernabe (Alto); and Georgia Young (Alto).

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Wilsey Square Business in Ridgewood Loses it’s Sheep

sheep

March 1,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Officer Ptl. Raymond Tarino responded to a business located on Wilsey Square to investigate a theft on February 25. Upon arrival the business owner reported the theft of a life-sized fiberglass sheep. The sheep was displayed outside of the business and reportedly valued at $750. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

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Ridgewood Council to Appoint New Village Manager at Tonight’s Council Meeting

New Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

Reminder: RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL Meeting
MARCH 1, 2017
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA – REVISED

1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
7. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda (below)
9. Presentation – Removed from Agenda
10. Discussion
a.Ridgewood Water
1.Award of Contract – Water Billing and Data Collection Services – Second Year
2.Proposed Ordinance – Water Emergencies
3.Agreement to Exchange Geographical Information System Data with Bergen County
a.Parking – None
c. Budget
1.Budget Reserve Transfer
2.Award of Professional Services Contract – Vehicle Parts & Service
3.Award of Contract – Horticulture Supplies – Year One
4.Award of Contract – Coach Bus Transportation Services
5.Award of Contract – Graydon Pool Water’s Edge Cafe – Concession Refreshment Service
11. Discussion Cont’d
d. Policy
1.Proposed Ordinance – Facility Use and Rental Fee Updates
2.Proposed Ordinance – Land Use and Redevelopment

12. Review of March 8, 2017 Regular Public Meeting Agenda

13. Manager’s Report

14. Council Reports

16. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)

17. Resolution to go into Closed Session

18. Closed Session

A. Legal – Valley Hospital Litigation; Settlement for Property Damage; Contract for Parking

B. Contracts/Negotiations – Bulk Water Purchase; Potential Purchase of Property

C. Personnel – Blue Collar & White Collar Negotiations; Appointments to Boards and Committees; Village Planner Consulting Services

19. Adjournment

VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING

MARCH 1, 2017 7:30 P.M.

1. Call to Order – Mayor

2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act

MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided

by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall,

by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”

3. Roll Call

4. RESOLUTIONS

17-56 Appointment of Planning Consultant – COAH Matters and Related Litigation

17-57 Appointment of Planning Consultant for Land Use Boards,Village Council, and Review of Applications

17-58 Appoint Members to Planning Board

17-59 Appoint Members to Library Board of Trustees

17-60 Appointment Members to Community Relations Advisory Board

17-61 Appoint Members to Stigma-Free Task Force

17-62 Appoint Members to Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board

17-63 Appoint Village Manager

MOVE: SECOND: ROLL CALL VOTE:

5. Adjournment

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5 Reasons to Love The American Legion on Its Birthday

american legion post 53

At Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood NJ placing flags at the graves of Veterans. Thanks to American Legion Post 53 and Andy Haderthauer for allowing us the opportunity to participate in this beautiful tradition.

EOD Warrior Foundation helps EOD veterans and recognizes the importance of historical organization, The American Legion

February 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Over the course of two days in 1919, March 15-17, members of the American Expeditionary Force met for the first caucus of The American Legion in Paris, France. Little did they know the organization they would form, would go on to become the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, and one of the most influential nonprofits in the U.S.

“We are very proud of The American Legion, and appreciative of all of the great work they have done over the last 98 years,” explains Nicole Motsek, executive director of the EOD Warrior Foundation. “They have touched many lives, set an incredible example, and made a tremendous impact on our country.”

There are many reasons to love The American Legion, including these five:

  1. Advocating patriotism and honor. Especially during the times when people are questioning and marching against the government, it’s great to have an organization that reminds people why it is important to have a spirit of patriotism. It is this patriotism that reminds us that we have a country are worth fighting for, and it is one of the American Legion’s primary focus areas.
  2. Mentoring youth. The youth of the nation are the next ones who will help care and protect it. Today’s youth will step into the active duty boots of tomorrow’s veterans. Mentoring them is crucial and is a big part of what The American Legion does. They have created a wide variety of youth programs, ranging from baseball and scholarships to youth cadet law enforcement.
  3. Promote national security. Without being able to defend the country and its borders, our national security is at risk. The American Legion works to promote a strong national security, making it part of their mission for the protection of us all.
  4. Temporary financial assistance. The organization has programs to help veteran’s families and veterans themselves when financial crisis arises. Their programs range from providing temporary financial grants to help cover shelter, food, utilities, and health expenses, as well as programs that help veterans who have experienced disasters.
  5. Fight for veterans. While veterans have fought for the country, The American Legion has their back and fights for them. The organization advocates for benefits for them, offers resources to homeless vets, and has programs and initiatives to help care for the nation’s veterans.

“The organization has helped many people around the country, with no signs of slowing down as they approach their 100th year,” added Motsek.

The American Legion, an organization dedicated to helpfulness, has 2.4 million members, with 14,000 posts around the world. The group was evolved from a group of war-weary veterans during World War I.

The EOD Warrior Foundation is an organization that helps the families of the 7,000 people in our military who are Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, who perform bomb disposal duties. The EOD Warrior Foundation helps this elite group by providing financial relief, therapeutic healing retreats, a scholarship program, care of the EOD Memorial Wall located at Eglin AFB, Fla. and more. Their work is supported by private donations and the generosity of those who support the organization.  To learn more about the EOD Warrior Foundation, or see their fundraising events calendar, visit their site at: www.eodwarriorfoundation.org.

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Its Tax Season and the old IRS Phone Scam is in Full Swing

phone_scam
Februray 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to sources the old IRS phone scam is in full swing in New Jersey once again !
The Ridgewood blog is reposting the IRS updated notice on these scam calls. Ridgewood was the scene of many of these calls last year and continues to be a prime target.
Scam Phone Calls Continue; IRS Identifies Five Easy Ways to Spot Suspicious Calls

Update September 2016 — To file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant, choose “Scams and Rip-Offs” and then “Impostor Scams.”

IR-2014-84, Aug. 28, 2014

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today providing taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves from telephone scam artists calling and pretending to be with the IRS.

These callers may demand money or may say you have a refund due and try to trick you into sharing private information. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They may know a lot about you, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. If you don’t answer, they often leave an “urgent” callback request.

“These telephone scams are being seen in every part of the country, and we urge people not to be deceived by these threatening phone calls,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said. “We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business.”

The IRS reminds people that they can know pretty easily when a supposed IRS caller is a fake. Here are five things the scammers often do but the IRS will not do. Any one of these five things is a tell-tale sign of a scam. The IRS will never:

Call to demand immediate payment, nor will we call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill..

Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.

Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.

Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money, here’s what you should do:

If you know you owe taxes or think you might owe, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS workers can help you with a payment issue.

If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to believe that you do, report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1.800.366.4484 or at www.tigta.gov.

You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Impostor Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.  [See update at top of page.]

Remember, too, the IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. For more information on reporting tax scams, go to www.irs.gov and type “scam” in the search box.

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The 29th annual Super Science Saturday is March 4th at Ridgewood High School

Super_Science_ Saturday_theridgewoodblog

February 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday, is coming this Saturday March 4th, 9am to 1:30pm at Ridgewood High School 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07451.This is the 29th annual Super Science Saturday!

Super Science Saturday hailed as the “Greatest Science Extravaganza in Northern New Jersey,” brings fun and excitement to science through professional presenters and student projects. As a joint project of the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Super Science Saturday Volunteer Committee, we aim to bring all science lovers together for a day of fun and learning for all ages.

In an effort to make Super Science Saturday an even better experience, we have changed venues to Ridgewood High School, giving more space for student presenters in our “Hall of Science.” Our adult presenters will also have generous space throughout hallways, the Cafeteria, and the Campus Center.

Super Science Saturday will appeal to everyone from the casual observer to the aspiring scientists. Most of all, we hope to spark an interest in science among children, showing them the wonders of science. Through interactive exhibits such as a wheelchair maze, live animals, and demonstrations of chocolate making to more complex brain wiring demonstrations, Super Science Saturday will satisfy the scientific appetite of everyone.

We encourage everyone to join the fun! Check out our volunteer page to learn about getting involved. This day cannot happen without the support of dedicated volunteers. Sign up now and make this Super Science Saturday one to remember.

For information please contact :Super Science Saturday
201-300-2900
info@supersciencesaturday.org

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Reader says “Today’s matured residents were yesterday’s school budget voters, Simply Not True

Ridgewood Teachers

“Today’s matured residents were yesterday’s school budget voters.
I imagine today’s residents with “Support Ridgewood Teachers’ and “Yes to Full
Day Kindergarten” signs in their yards will be tommorow’s matured residents.”
… Matured resident here, not complaining, just facts. Always voted NO on the school budget, we have the same number kids/schools enrolled in the school system now as we did back then, 1970’s. Voted no on the $1 Million Budget in the 1980’s, ..fast forward, voted no on the $100 Million Budget. There’s no end. Imagine when those downtown apartments get built, how many more school age kids will add to all the systems.
… the support Ridgewood teachers crowd, won’t become the tommorow’s matured residents in Ridgewood – they’ll be long gone once their kids are done with RHS. I know several who’ve done that and many who say this now and in neighboring towns – Glen Rock.
… know many longtime retired residents now that don’t even bother to vote the BOE budgets anymore, say why bother, they get passed anyway. It only benefits the ones who were strongly encouraged to vote for it, with kids in the system. Other towns experiencing the same.
… ask any realtor how many homes in pre-forclosure, auction, foreclosure in Ridgewood, Paramus, Saddle River, in Bergen County. A large number shown on zillow listings, $1m,$2m, $3mill.houses I know a number of seniors who have big reverse mortgages to remain in their homes, even in million dollar Saddle River homes. That revolving door may get stuck when comes time to sell – who will be able to afford to buy into high taxes?

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the Ridgewood News and The Record have a long history of fact-checking letters to the editor

Ridgewood News letter

You are incorrect on so many levels. First of all, the Ridgewood News and The Record have a long history of fact-checking letters to the editor and making the author correct the letter or it does not get printed. A person does not have the right to say whatever the hell they feel like when writing a letter to the editor, unless it is purely opinion. To state that Roberta Sonenfeld was “capriciously fired” by the mayor was an out-and-out lie. To state that the council is enacting scams is not an opinion, it is an indictment. A scam is an intentional fraudulent act that usually involves getting money from someone. For Ms. Semler to state that the council is involved in scams requires some kind of factual back-up (of course there is none). An opinion would be something along the lines of “I think that what they are doing is wrong” or “I think they are all out of their minds” but not to state that they are doing things that are factually untrue. The Ridgewood News was completely irresponsible in letting this letter get through and their pitiful attempts to correct or alter have fallen way short.

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4 Tips For Finding A Career Mentor

waren_buffett_theridgewoodblog

February 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, It’s not unusual for careers to get off to wobbly starts as young people, hampered by their lack of experience and contacts, find it difficult to achieve a firm footing.

That’s one reason they should make it a goal to find mentors who could help guide them through the rough patches.

“One of the biggest benefits of having a mentor is that person’s success can act as a catalyst for your belief in yourself,” says Lauren Davenport, CEO and founder of The Symphony Agency (www.symphonyagency.com), a marketing and technology firm.

“It’s also a way to expand your network because a mentor can introduce you to people who could help you with your career and who you otherwise might not meet.”

While mentors can be a great asset for young people in their career advancement, don’t expect the mentor to materialize out of nowhere and then do all the heavy lifting, Davenport says. Much of the onus is on the mentee to seek the relationship, cultivate it and make the most of it.

She says a few ways to do that include:

• Don’t be afraid to reach out. A simple LinkedIn search can help you find people who are currently in your dream job. Somehow, they managed to get the very thing you want. How did they pull that off? Send them a short message and tell them your aspirations. Ask if they can spare 30 minutes for you to visit their office and “pick their brains” about how they achieved success.
• Do your homework. After you went to all the trouble to set up that meeting, you don’t want to show up unprepared. Learn all you can about this potential mentor with a Google search. Write down any questions you want to ask. For the meeting, dress like you already have a job with the person’s company and be 10 minutes early, Davenport says.
• Join a networking organization. If reaching out to an individual isn’t in your comfort zone, seek a networking organization that focuses on career growth. Sign up for a MeetUp group taught by someone you admire. “Take notes as the person speaks,” Davenport says. “After the event, you’re also going to need to muster up the courage to introduce yourself. To find a good mentor, in most cases you really are going to need to take the first step.”
• Pay attention to the mentor’s advice. You may not follow through on every suggestion, but you do need to listen to what they have to say. After all, the wisdom and experience they can provide is the whole point of having a mentor. Davenport recalls early in her career joining a networking group and trying to pitch her company to the members without success. She mentioned to her mentor her inability to generate any business. “She told me if I wanted to be taken seriously as a business woman I needed to change my wardrobe,” Davenport says. “I put away the summer dresses I typically wore and bought some tailored jackets and other clothes that helped present a business-professional look.” Soon after, business picked up.

“I still actively seek women who are in my industry and at similar career levels,” Davenport says.

“Sometimes they even work for competitors. We don’t share any company secrets, but we often are experiencing similar struggles, so we swap stories and give each other advice on how to overcome those challenges.”

About Lauren Davenport

Lauren Davenport is chief executive officer at The Symphony Agency (www.symphonyagency.com). She founded the company after discovering that businesses were struggling to understand how to implement marketing and technology to reach their full potential in the digital age. Her natural entrepreneurial drive grew the organization from a boutique consulting business into a multi-million dollar agency. She is a contributor for the New York Daily News and has been featured on PBS, ABC Action News, iHeartRadio, AMEX OPEN, and more.

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Purple Foods Fighting Cancer?

purple foods

February 27,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, What do purple foods, coconut and spiralizing have in common? They are the top 2017 food trends according to your local food market, Kings Food Markets Eater.com and CNN.com.

  • Purple Everything– The color means that ingredients contain strong level of anthocyanins, which have been shown to fight cancer, inflammation and ageing, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. Some popular purple-food recipes include:

o   Braised Purple Artichokes

o   Purple Sweet Potato Salad w/ Crisped Prosciutto

o   Pignoli and Olive Stuffed Eggplant

  • Coconut Craziness– The coconut craze began in 2016 with coconut flavored water, and its expansion is underway. From comfort foods to body scrub to cocktails, popular coconut recipes this year include:

o   Citrus Body Scrub

o   Coconut and Panko Crusted Filet of Sole

o   Amy’s Thai Coconut Soup

  • Spiralize It– Whether you own a spiralizer or not, spiralized veggies are here to stay. Kings offers pre-cut spiralized vegetables, made fresh in-store, including zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potato, butternut squash and beets, so you can get cooking on recipes like:

o   Butternut Squash Noodles with Italian Sausage Ragu

o   Spiralized Zucchini Pesto Pizza

 

Additionally, Kings also released its Spring 2017 Cooking Studio Calendar for all those interested in learning how to create their own trending recipes. Hint, many classes relate to the above mentioned trends!

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Ridgewood Ranked 20th in highest average property tax bills in the Garden State

Ridgewood Realestate

file photo

30 towns with the highest property taxes in N.J.

Updated February 27, 2017
Posted February 27, 2017

By Samantha Marcus | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The average property tax bill in New Jersey rose to $8,549 in 2016. But many homeowners pay much, much more.

So which towns pay the most in the state that pays the most for property taxes?

Here are the 30 New Jersey municipalities with the highest average property tax bills, according to data from the state Department of Community Affairs.

20. Ridgewood

This Bergen County village cracks into the top 20 with a $17,180 average real estate tax bill. Schools account for about 65 percent of taxes levied there, while the municipality collects 24 percent and the county, 11 percent.

Neighbors…
28. Glen RockOf New Jersey’s 21 counties, Bergen is the most represented on this list, occupying 14 of the 30 spots. Living in this small Bergen County Borough costs, on average, $15,459 in property taxes.

25. Ho-Ho-Kus

In Ho-Ho-Kus, Bergen County, the average real estate tax bill is $15,580, $18 higher than Woodcliff Lake.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/02/njs_2016_top-taxed_towns.html

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RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION – Wednesday, March 01, 2017, 7:30PM

ridgewood deer

Amazingly friendly Ridgewood deer…just hanging around this afternoon! photo by Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen

Mark Your Calendar:

VILLAGE COUNCIL WORK SESSION – Wednesday, March 01, 2017, 7:30PM

MEET THE MAYOR – MARCH 4, 2017 – 9:30 A.M. TO 11:30 A.M
Caucus Room – Village Hall 4TH floor – Please call the Village Clerk’s Officet 201-670-5500 ext. 206 to make an appointment or just stop by… those with an appointment will be seen first at time of the prescheduled appointment.

VOLUNTEER FAIR FOR 55+ – SUNDAY, MARCH 5TH
For those age 55+, let us help you redefine your free time and connect with just the right volunteer opportunity to match your skills, interests and availability. Please stop by our Volunteer Fair on Sunday, March 5 from 2-4pm in the Library’s Auditorium and meet representatives from many organizations. A great chance to sign up or explore some options. We hope to see you there. Sponsored by the Ridgewood Library and Age Friendly Ridgewood

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“Semler” Letter Editor of the Ridgewood News Requires Even More Corrections

Ridgewood News letter

February 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, The now infamous letter to the editor from Kira Semler required 2 corrections.The Semler letter to the editor of the Ridgewood news caused a furor on social media at the time. Initially, the letter suggested among other things that the former “breath of fresh air ” Village manager was fired when in fact she resigned.The misinformation in the letter was later edited out by the Ridgewood News but not before the damage was done.

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The Ridgewood New has now for a second time corrected the letter, the “clarification ” came this past week just as the social media firestorm was dying down. The Ridgewood reaffirmed critics of its editorial policy that the former Village manager did in fact resign on September 6th and she was relieved of her duties on the very same day.

As previously reported the staff of the Ridgewood blog had noticed the letter but felt it was what we call a “put up job” where a local special interest, usually a supporter of the former mayor and his schemes puts up a relative or friend to promote garagezilla and to attack the current council.