December 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Hey Josh, we get it it, you won. All I want for Christmas is for you to take that sign at the underpass down.
All I want for Christmas is for you to take that sign at the underpass down
Tag: Ridgewood Fire Department
Reader says We’ve all learned a valuable lesson that taxpayers get screwed far more at the local level than at the Federal level others not so sure
file photo by Boyd Loving
Let’s just hope that residents don’t fall into the slumber again that allowed these shysters to get where they did. We’ve all learned a valuable lesson that taxpayers get screwed far more at the local level than at the Federal level.
“Let’s just hope residents don’t fall into the slumber again”…that’s pretty funny. Aside from the usual social gadflys that rattle about everyone else is and will always be in a slumber. Don’t you get it? That’s exactly the way the union thugs want it and 90 % of the dopes in Ridgewood are more than happy to oblige. Nobody cares….
Reader says Unintended consequence of the “pedestrian has right of way” laws is pedestrians feeling invulnerable
file photo by Boyd Loving
Unintended consequence of the “pedestrian has right of way” laws is pedestrians feeling invulnerable. They are not. Sometimes well-meaning drivers simply don’t see them. Cars are easier for pedestrians to see than the reverse. Solution? Repeal these pedestrian laws and give cars right of way. Then pedestrians can cross when it’s clear (or when a driver allows them to). As long as they do they won’t get hit. If they don’t then it’s their fault.
New Bank on Godwin Avenue Near Whole Foods May add to Ridgewood Traffic Woes
file photo by Boyd Loving
December 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, New bank at the site of a former gas station on Godwin just up from Garber square and the Ridgewood train station is starting to look like an accident waiting to happen.
In a recent email a reader pointed out; “How will people drivers try to make a left into their from town side approach Its entrance looks to be right next to the whole foods exit only driveway ..add in a Ped crosswalk right there and you have a problem, Houston. So much for Village planning. A no left turn from town might solve it but the drive thru bank will likely not stand for that, most days traffic comes from town. I’m sure the drive up is a selling point. No problem from midland park side if town nor soft exit towards the train side if people let them merge into the deadman’s curve.”
Its Time for Ridgewood and Surrounding Towns to Take Pedestrian Safety More Seriously
file photo by Boyd Loving
CDC: Walk This Way! Taking Steps for Pedestrian Safety
December 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, According to the CDC and as many readers have noted over the years on the Ridgewood blog it is important to take steps to be safe when walking on roadways. This includes exercising caution at intersections and crosswalks and increasing your visibility at night by wearing retro-reflective clothing and carrying flashlights.
Walking is good for your health, and it’s good for the environment too. But before you head out on foot for a stroll, power walk, or errand, there are important safety tips to remember.
What’s the problem?
Pedestrians—people who travel by foot, wheelchair, stroller, or similar means—are among the most vulnerable users of the road.
In the next 24 hours, on average, 430 people will be treated in an emergency department for traffic-related pedestrian injuries.1 In the next 2 hours, on average, one pedestrian will die from injuries in a traffic crash.2
A total of 4, 735 pedestrians were killed in traffic deaths in 2013,2 and more than 156,000 were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal injuries. With numbers like these, it’s critical to understand the risks and learn how to stay safe.
Who’s at risk?
Pedestrians of all ages are at risk of injury or death from traffic crashes, but some people are at higher risk.
Male pedestrians are more likely to die or be injured in a motor vehicle crash than females.2
Teen and young adult (ages 15-29 years) pedestrians are more likely to be treated in emergency departments for crash-related injuries compared to any other age group.1
The rate of pedestrian death generally increases with age.2
In 2013, 34% of all pedestrians killed in traffic crashes had a blood alcohol concentration of greater than or equal to 0.08 grams per deciliter.2
As pedestrians, children are at even greater risk of injury or death from traffic crashes due to their small size, inability to judge distances and speeds, and lack of experience with traffic rules.
One in five traffic deaths among children ages 14 and under are pedestrian deaths.2
Take Steps for Safety
Whenever you’re walking, keep these tips in mind:
Whenever possible, cross the street at a designated crosswalk or intersection.
Increase your visibility at night by carrying a flashlight and wearing retro-reflective clothing.
It’s safest to walk on a sidewalk, but if one is not available, walk on the shoulder and face traffic.
Avoid distractions such as electronic devices that take your attention off the road.
Reader says the people in Ridgewood, deserve to know what is driving your unbridled hatred of our much-loved mayor???
You know Jeff, a lot of people worked very hard and contributed plenty of money and time to get you elected. Now you have gone off the rails like a lunatic with your ever-present hatred of Susan. You have accused her of breaking the law but have not backed that up with anything. Nothing. Don’t the people who worked for you, and in fact all the people in Ridgewood, deserve to know what the hell is driving your unbridled hatred of our much-loved mayor???
Reader says Very important not to assume they are truly gone
Very important not to assume they are truly gone. They still have much skin in the game and want more. Every person appointed to a committee/board/etc. as a future source of information/votes should be dismissed, as should every preexisting staff member drawn to their questionable glow and continuing to feed them information and work on their behalf (grants for construction, etc.). Every committee or other group created solely to further Aronsohn’s post council career should be eliminated pronto, starting with the super-bogus Financial Advisory Committee.
RIDGEWOOD YMCA OFFERS SCHOOL VACATION CAMP DECEMBER 26-31
December 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood YMCA will be offering School Vacation Camp from Monday, December 26 through Friday, December 31 from 9:00am to 5:00pm with extended hours of 8:00-9:00am and 5:00-6:00pm also available. The camp is open to all children grades K-8 and no YMCA membership is required.
School Vacation Camp at the Ridgewood Y offers kids the opportunity to enjoy daily recreational and educational activities including swimming, arts and crafts, and special theme days. For parents, the camp offers an affordable daycare alternative during the February school holiday.
The cost for camp is $65 per day for Ridgewood YMCA members, $85 per day for non-members and $60.00 per day for those registered for Ridgewood YMCA 2016 Summer Camp.
For further information, please contact Mike Rainere at 201 444 5600, ext 339 or email mrainere@ridgewoodymca.org
The Ridgewood YMCA is located at 112 Oak Street in Ridgewood.
Valley’s Women For Health Designates Funds Towards Reach for Hope Fertility Preservation Program
December 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, On Tuesday, November 15, more than 90 Women For Health group members gathered at the Ridgewood Country Club for their Annual Meeting to vote on the designation of their collective gift to Valley. This year, the members are donating $170,000 to The Valley Hospital Fertility Center’s Reach for Hope program. This gift is Women For Health’s largest gift since its inception in 2011. The Valley Hospital Fertility Center (VHFC) is committed to offering fertility preservation options for cancer patients, and their Reach for Hope Program reduces the oncology patient’s financial responsibility for her IVF cycle. This gift will provide financial assistance and hope in the form of fertility preservation options to qualified oncology patients.
This year’s gift has an additional level of meaning for the group’s philanthropic members, as they are making the gift in memory of one of their founding members who passed away in June of this year – Ann B. Alford. In addition to being a founding member of Women For Health, Mrs. Alford was an honorary trustee of The Valley Hospital Foundation and a trustee of Valley Health System. Present for this announcement were two of Mrs. Alford’s daughters, Elizabeth Hogan and Maria Suehnholz.
Formed in 2011, The Valley Hospital Foundation’s Women For Health philanthropic group has grown from 30 charter members to its current membership of 170 women, primarily from Bergen, Passaic and Rockland Counties. These women have pooled their social and philanthropic resources to assist The Valley Hospital and Valley Home Care in providing the best possible healthcare. Each year the members gather to hear presentations on three funding opportunities at Valley and then vote to determine which program will receive their collective gift.
If you are interested in becoming a member of this unique group of women philanthropists, please contact Sandy Carapezza at 201-291-6300 or acarape@valleyhospitalfoundation.org.
Help For Michele
December 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, some of you may remember Greg May, he ran for Ridgewood School Board a number of years ago . Greg’s sister needs our help .
I am writing this on behalf of my sister. In the beginning of November, she was viciously attacked and held captive for a couple days. During that time, her attacker assaulted her and threatened her life. During her escape she suffered numerous injuries, including a fractured vertebrae and a broken ankle. While her attacker was arrested and given a bail of $500,000, he was able to post bail and is now walking the streets while awaiting trial. I unfortunately can not go into more details as there is an ongoing criminal investigation; however, we are thankful that she was able to escape with her life. Since her attacker was bailed out, we had to quickly move her from the hospital in the town she was living at and move her into hiding for her safety as her attacker had already violated a no contact order. We really don’t know what her attacker is capable of as he has tried to contact her and find her location since he was released on bail. As you could imagine this has caused quite a hardship for my sister. At this time, she has no job and no means of support outside of her family. She is using the services provided by the state but sadly we have had to move her out of her state of residency for her own safety thus making her ineligible for some of the state sponsored programs. She is facing a long road to recovery and is in need for some assistance. We are hoping we can raise $20,000 to help her cover some of her medical expenses, counseling, and basic daily living expenses. She currently is disabled and is not going to be able to work for approximately six months according to her doctors. From the conversations we have had from the prosecutor and lead detective, we are expecting her attacker to be going to trial sometime in mid 2017 so we have to keep her in hiding till her attacker goes to trial. Her world has really been turned upside down and wrecked. My sister would appreciate any help folks could give. Any monies donated will go to supporting her daily living expenses like food, shelter and such and to help cover her medical and counseling expenses. Thank you in advance and I will post any updates we can as long as it doesn’t compromise her safety or jeopardize the criminal case against her attacker.
Reader says Knudsen and Sedon went through Hades for two years with the Three Amigos insulting them at every turn.
file photo by Boyd Loving
Knudsen and Sedon went through Hades for two years with the Three Amigos insulting them at every turn. They do not deserve this kind of treatment from Voigt. It really must grate on them. If you think about it, that must be the desired result — to demoralize them, wear them out, and persuade them not to run for re-election. They are certainly under no obligation to run again but Ridgewood would be very fortunate if they were to do so. We need as many people like them as we can get in elected office. The amount of destructive energy the Three Amigos mustered and expended on a regular basis while in office was prodigious. They were constantly conniving and dissimulating, spewing their duplicitous rhetoric like possessed Energizer Bunnies. How good officeholders can justify dealing with that kind of stuff without resigning on the spot is a mystery but we are lucky here in Ridgewood.
Who’s “normalization of hateful rhetoric and behavior” is it anyway ?
December 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Its the idea we have the problem with not the people proposing it. Folks is manners learn them they are not just for other people.While we have been told in no uncertain terms, that this is “nothing like the anti-free speech civility committee” we are always concerned and suspicious about “good intentions” of people as well as the whole idea of “intolerance” seems to have morphed into ; if you say anything I disagree with you are automatically “intolerant” . This is not a justification for poor manners but sorry folks there is just some bull sh$t no one should have to put up with. There we go with the”normalization of hateful rhetoric and behavior”. So another words if I don’t do or say exactly what you like and what you want all the time I am hateful. No that’s not going to work sorry just watch TMZ or any of your favorite garbage on TV and you will see nothing but the atrocious behavior.Oh that’s right the rules are different for some of us I forgot but again we saw too much of that with the ex-Hudson county Mayor Ridgewood used to have so I think I’ll pass on that as well.
Friends,
Some residents and I in New Jersey have created a movement called ‘Gate The Hate’ in which we are reaching out to our local town leaders/clergy and getting them to make a statement against intolerance. Below is a video statement that the mayor of the town where I reside just put forth last night as a result of our outreach.
The purpose is to get our local leaders to publicly acknowledge the normalization of hateful rhetoric and behavior, to treat it as non-partisan and to publicly condemn it. This action should not be seen as a ‘one off and we’re all good’ affair but in terms of creating a relationship with our local leaders which can be built upon.
Our hope is to have this action spread from town to town and across our country. If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved, please pm me.
Thanks for your time and all of your effort to protect our great nation.
Dana
Car Ends Up in Drainage Ditch in Ridgewood
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
December 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The adult male driver of a Ford Thunderbird failed to observe a “Dead End” sign and drove his vehicle into a drainage ditch on Franklin Avenue near the PSE&G right-of-way in Ridgewood on Thursday evening, 12/15. The undamaged vehicle was winched out of its predicament by a hydraulic lift tow truck. The driver, who was attempting to locate the Bone Fish Grill in Paramus, was uninjured in the mishap. Ridgewood PD officers stood by with the driver until towing company representatives arrived.
The Ridgewood Blog Asks Once Again Where is the Value Added for The Taxpayer from the Financial Advisory Committee?
December 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, one of Paul Aronsohn’s babies and was clearly set up as a ruse to manipulate spending priorities, like pushing Garagezilla. Where is the Value Added for The Taxpayer from the Financial Advisory Committee?
At the time Councilman Tom Riche “expressed some trepidation that the governing body might surrender some of its decision-making powers by forming a new committee.” (from the RidgewoodNews)
In May a reader suggested, a reader said the Financial Advisory Committee was created by the mayor solely as a breeding ground for future council members willing to live in his shadow and image. It didn’t work. Disband it!
https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-financial-advisory-committee-political-hacks-or-valuable-input/
FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Resolutions:
13-88
14-171
Members:
NAME TERM EXPIRES
Charles DiMarco 6/30/17
Alex Kisilevich 6/30/17
Brian Lahey 6/30/17
Evan Weitz – Chair 6/30/18
Rei Shinozuka 6/30/18
John Cavanaugh 6/30/19
David Hough 6/30/19
Robert Kotch 6/30/19
Nick Whitney 6/30/19
Councilman Jeff Voigt is the Council liaison
MISSION AND BY-LAWS
Establishment:
A new committee known as the “Financial Advisory Committee” was created by the Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood on April 24, 2013, by Resolution No. 13-88.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Committee is hereby charged with the following duties and responsibilities:
The Committee shall assist the Village Council by marshaling and channeling its expertise and insight to complement the judgment of the Village Council and Village management with respect to financial matters.
The Committee shall identify both short- and long-term financial challenges. As potential issues are raised, the Committee shall study selected issue(s) at its own initiative and at the request of the Village Council and recommend solutions/potential actions to the Village Council.
The Committee shall have ongoing responsibility for the following:
Analyze and evaluate the annual Village budget process (expense and capital) and the resultant budget, to advise the Village Council in their decision-making process to ensure that necessary revenues are raised in an equitable manner and that taxes are spent effectively and efficiently.
Review the quarterly financial reports and the current year’s revenue and expenditure projections.
Advise on the development and implementation of effective financial reporting policies and procedures for the Village Council and Village management that build upon and retain the public’s faith and trust in the Village’s policies and procedures.
Assist in the review and improvement of organizational structures and recurring contracts arrangements, including collective bargaining agreements, with due regard for applicable legal requirements governing civil service, procurement and labor relations.
Provide an annual report to the Council.
The Committee may also perform the following:
Study critical issues and perform independent research to formulate and develop thoughtful and well-developed recommendations on strategies and opportunities.
Provide a forum for community education and discussion concerning the financial condition of the Village and various alternatives for improvement.
Meetings:
The Committee shall meet once per month and/or on an as-needed basis. Decisions shall be made by consensus and if necessary, by majority vote. The minutes for regular monthly meetings shall be kept, transcribed, and made available to the Village and Council and such other Village officials as the Village Manager shall direct. Public comment will be requested at the beginning of a meeting and will be capped at 3 minutes per person; public comment will not exceed 15 minutes. The Committee may also hold closed working sessions as needed.
Composition and Terms:
The Committee shall comprise up to nine (9) regular members of the public appointed by the Village Council, a liaison from the Village Council, and a liaison from the Department of Finance of the Village at the discretion of the Council and the Village Manager. The public members of the Committee shall be appointed on July 1 of each calendar year and serve for a term of three (3) years, with the exception of the initial Committee appointed as of July 1, 2013, with three members appointed for a term of three (3) years, two members appointed for a term of two (2) years, and two members appointed for a term of one (1) year.
If a public member resigns, the Village Council shall appoint a replacement as
soon as possible to serve out the remainder of his/her term. The Financial Advisory Committee, through the Village Council liaison, will provide input into this process.
Ridgewood Police Recover Stolen Merchandise
Ridgewood Police : Stolen Merchandise Recovered
Ridgewood NJ, If any residents are missing UPS or Fed Ex packages that were scheduled to be delivered to your home today please confirm with the carrier that they were delivered. If the items were confirmed delivered and are missing contact Detective Shortway of the Ridgewood Police Department 201-251-4536. We are currently in possession of several articles recovered during an investigation into package thefts.
