Ridgewood NJ, Many Ridgewood residents felt the post-election let down yesterday . Months of acrimonious campaigning has left people feeling blue if they came out on the short end of the vote yesterday . Some wore black to symbolize a funeral . Another Ridgewood resident even offered free hugs to those who were in inconsolable pain .
Ridgewood like much of Bergen County was split about 60/40 in favor of the loser Hillary Clinton and in many ways Ridgewood is the stereotypical Clinton supporting town.
One reader emailed the Ridgewood blog, “I know you must be elated over the election results. I am happy for you but as a progressive and a woman, I am so sad. I think you are doing our town a great service with The Blog”
GOP President-elect Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest electoral upset in decades Tuesday evening, causing Hillary Clinton supporters around the country and in Ridgewood to cry.
It seems that many of Clinton’s supporters may have shared the feeling Clinton expressed in late September when she wondered aloud why she wasn’t ahead of Trump by 50 percent.
As for the staff of the Ridgewood blog we enjoyed a quite afternoon.
Ridgewood NJ, Highlights from the Village of Ridgewood Council Public meeting on November 9th.
1. As always, meeting minutes are prepared and approved in a timely manner, unlike the previous administration, under which minutes were aged for months and in some cases years.
2. Acting village manager Heather Mailander named all employees who are veterans and thanked them for their service during this Veterans’ Day holiday week. It is so wonderful to have a manager who is pleasant, supportive, and a champion of employees. Hoping this will be the model when a permanent manager is hired.
3. Parking was discussed, including a long-since dismissed garage plan that actually would fit on the Hudson St. lot. Really. The garage was voted down by a massive margin. So they are back at it? Also, central valet was mentioned again, an excellent idea. A discussion of changing times and fees for various parking lots was so confusing that even the council members seemed to not understand what they were aiming for, and an error in their paperwork indicated that the meters would go until 10 PM.
4. Mayor Knudsen will hold office hours quarterly, joined by one of her council colleagues. This Saturday November 13 she will meet with residents from 11-1 in the 4th floor conference room. Call Heather’s office for an appointment.
5. Three ordinances regarding salaries were introduced. Titles are being updated. Some are being deleted. Notably the Human Resources Manager position is not scheduled for deletion at least not in this round. Sharyn Matthews is gone, as is her mother hen Roberta Sonenfeld. Possibly the HR position will be eliminated for good once the new manager is hired.
6. The public hearing on Ordinance 3556 Parking Restrictions on Pomander Walk was held. Many residents from The Walk pleaded to keep the street as a zero parking zone. This prevailed. The street remains a no parking street. This is a street that is paid for by public tax money but the public cannot park on it. OK. This seems unfair.
7. They authorized studying the feasibility of an Uber Pilot Program. This may help ease parking around the train station.
8. The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant application was approved. It was made clear that there will be NO BIKE LANES included in this project, if the grant is awarded. Nope, no bike lanes along very busy thoroughfares, thank God. The jackass project presented a few weeks ago by a bike-lane advocate and a surly village engineer was scrapped. The Grant, if approved, will just include new sidewalks and curb cuts.
9. As always the five elected officials were pleasant, professional, and held productive and meaningful discussions for all to hear. Residents’ questions and concerns were heard and answered with respect and even humor. Total transparency with total civility. The absence of Tony Damiano and Rurik Halaby meant that there was not a single dark cloud in the room.
JOB POSTING – MANAGER – PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION – DECEMBER 19
NOTICE OF MANAGER PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION
The Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation is internally posting the full-time position of Manager Parks and Grounds.
Job duties and responsibilities include supervision of work involved in maintaining and caring for all park properties and village trees. Applicant must have three (3) year’s experience, in grounds/shade tree maintenance (ISA Certification Preferred) and possess a CDL Class B. The Village of Ridgewood is an EOE and Civil Service Community.
Send resume with letter of intent and copies of all valid licenses to: Heather Mailander, Acting Village Manager, Village of Ridgewood, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or by Email to hmailander@ridgewoodnj.net. Please note resumes will be accepted through 5 pm, Monday, December 19, 2016.
So we all went in and voted however we chose. Takes is 5 seconds and we all are so proud. Tomorrow we will see the varying answers in earnest.
I would love if every person realized who actually helps behind the scenes of these elections. Our acting village manager, Heather Mailander, acting village clerk Donna Jackson, and a dedicated group of amazing people: village employees, poll workers, and so many other people/volunteers, are at work from dawn until WELL past now, counting our votes, adding them up and getting the information to the papers and to all of us. By HAND in some cases.
They are painstakingly writing in everyone’s joking, wasted, ludicrous write in votes for Mickey Mouse, and Elvis Presley. They’re adding up the numbers for dozens of candidates and dozens of districts. It takes a long time and a lot of work. And they do it with a smile and without expressing their opinion to a side.
They stay up as late as anyone at any local meeting for the village, and they then come in to work the next day because it’s their actual day JOB.
It wouldn’t be a bad plan to reach out and say thank you. We all should really appreciate this work. And it’s really really hard work.
I’ll spare Heather and Donna and so many others posting their email addresses here. But they’re available on the village website, or ask me for them and I’ll send them to you.
It’s a job we have seen done less gracefully, and it’s nice to have someone in these positions who deserve a heartfelt thank you.
DONALD TRUMP / MICHAEL PENCE 4,245 36.1%
HILLARY CLINTON / TIMOTHY KAINE 6,958 59.1%
House
SCOTT GARRETT 4,407 37.4%
JOSH GOTTHEIMER 6,444 54.7%
Freeholder
MAURA R DENICOLA 4,574 38.9%
JOHN J DRISCOLL Jr 4,567 38.8%
ROBERT A DI DIO 4,425 37.6%
THOMAS J SULLIVAN 5,158 43.8%
MARY J AMOROSO 5,239 44.5%
GERMAINE M ORTIZ 5,122 43.5%
RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL PROPOSAL
YES 4,580 38.9%
NO 4,444 37.8%
PUBLIC QUESTION # 1 – PERMIT GAMBLING IN 2 COUNTIES OTHER THAN ATLANTIC COUNTY
YES 1,967 16.7%
NO 8,054 68.4%
PUBLIC QUESTION # 2 – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEDICATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO STATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Ridgewood NJ, Councilmen Ramon Hache reminds everyone to ,”Get out there and vote today, regardless of who your candidate is. You can’t complain about what’s wrong if you don’t do anything about it. And if you think your vote doesn’t count, it actually counts a lot less if you don’t vote. Voting is not just a right, it’s a privilege. If you can vote, it means you have the privilege of being a citizen of the United States. Despite all our problems, this is still the greatest country in the world. We are fortunate to live in a country where there can be an orderly transfer of power every four years. This country is still the number one destination for people all over the world who are looking for opportunities and a better way of life. Don’t throw away your privilege.”
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of North Monroe Street and West Glen Avenue in Ridgewood on Sunday morning, 11/06 resulted in three (3) individuals being transported by ambulances to The Valley Hospital with crash related injuries. The crash was reported by members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #31, whose fire house is located near the intersection. One (1) of the vehicles involved in the collision left the roadway and crashed into a home located at 259 West Glen Avenue. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS personnel responded to assist the injured parties. Engine Company #31 members attended to a crash related fluid spill. Both vehicles were removed by a flatbed tow truck. There was no apparent structural damage to the home that was hit. Ridgewood PD is investigating the cause of the crash.
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County’s Most Prestigious Women’s Recognition Event, Less Than a Month Away
Meet our Newest Honoree
There’s Still Time to Nominate The Women Who Have Made the Difference to You and Your Organization
November 2, 2016—YWCA Bergen County is proud to congratulate our newest Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) 2016 Honoree and to welcome her into a pantheon of extraordinary TWIN women. Roseanne Buscemi, Oritani Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, is set to stand among this year’s honorees thanks to a generous sponsorship from Oritani Bank.
Among Roseanne’s many accomplishments, within Oritani Bank and beyond, she is Board of Directors President of the Center for Food Action. In fact, Rosanne gives tirelessly to other nonprofit organizations helping the region’s most vulnerable residents with basic needs. She leads Oritani’s annual summer drive to benefit multiple food banks in its coverage area. She has volunteered with Bergen Habitat for Humanity, and works with Oritani to raise funds and set up workdays for Habitat in the communities the bank serves. Roseanne is also a former instructor, a board member and current President of the North Jersey Institute of Financial Education. She serves as a deacon of the Reformed Church of Closter, and President of the Closter chapter of the American Association of University Women.
“Roseanne is a stunning example of what we mean by an empowered and an empowering woman,” said YWCA Bergen County CEO Helen Archontou. “Her contribution and willingness to help others help themselves set her apart as a woman of admirable generosity and, yes, of great influence in her community. We are so proud to honor Roseanne and our other remarkable TWIN Honorees as we continue this wonderful tradition.”
YWCA Bergen County is now accepting nominations from corporate and community leaders for its Tribute to Women of INfluence (TWIN) program. These honorees will be joining a growing list of “stand out” women, including the YW’s own honorees, founder and managing consultant of KEY HR Consulting, LLC and Mocha Moms member Tanisha Russell Day and owner and President of Belvedere Building and Contracting, Mary Anne Belvedere.
The TWIN 2016 Ceremony is set for December 1, 2016 (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) at The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ.
The keynote speaker is Joann Lublin Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and management news editor at The Wall Street Journal and author of Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World
But, as always, the stars of the event are the year’s TWIN honorees! To nominate the deserving women in your life, a company or organization agrees to sponsor YWCA Bergen County TWIN. There’s still time!
For more information and to take part in this important and time-honored celebration, contact Mary Eastwood, meastwood@ywcabergencounty.org.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Art Institute is home to many talented artists. We welcome you to visit us and view our Annual Members’ Holiday Show and Sale, usually featuring over 150 pieces of beautiful artwork. In addition, this year we are also including a Small Works Fundraising Exhibition with pieces priced at $150, all proceeds benefit The Ridgewood Art Institute.
What better way to kick off the Holiday Season, than to meet our artists and other art enthusiasts in a festive setting? Please join us for our opening reception on Sunday, November 20, 2016 from 1-4 pm. Work will be on view daily from 11am-3pm till December 24th, 2016.
Art makes a unique gift that can be treasured for a lifetime. Also, your gift helps support this fine institution, which is a gift to so many.
The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at any time. Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. For more information on class scheduling, this and future events please visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org
The Ridgewood Art Institute
12 East Glen Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201.652.9615
They are definitely Aronsohn cronies. You should have seen them at those civility meetings Aronshon held. Some of those education people, some of the well-known ones were there, who are now pushing for full-day kindergarten, and they really catered to Aronsohm treating him like he was a favored king. I never saw anything like that before, such sycophants; such ingratiation; remember he was the mayor at the time. Yup, they want you to vote “yes” to full-day kindergarten. Well, do you really think that is best for our little kids?
Daylight savings just another excuse to work on your Golf Handicap
Ridgewood Distracted by the Election, Did you forget to Fall Back this morning at 2am
November 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, its official this morning the time moves back one hour at 2 a.m. local time Nov. 6; unless you are out and about or have a late night rendezvous you should have reset your clocks before going to bed so you won’t arrive at appointments an hour early today .
While many question whether anyone in New Jersey really knows what time it is , Arizona and Hawaii are now the only two states that do not observe daylight saving time. During daylight saving time, parts of Arizona matchup with Pacific Time instead of the Mountain time zone that the state is in. U.S. territories where time simply does not have the same meaning like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas also do not observe daylight saving time.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act into law, making daylight savings time the law of the land . The U.S. Department of Transportation is the keeper of daylight saving time.
So why does it exist ; one argument for daylight saving time is that fewer accidents happen during daylight hours, so extending morning daylight in winter and evening daylight in summer results in a slight reduction in automobile accidents.
The idea behind daylight saving time is to take advantage of daylight hours and save energy. This theory has come under debate inn recent years ,with many “daylight deniers ” out there . In 2008 federal Department of Energy study, U.S. electricity use decreased by 0.5% for each day of extended daylight saving time, resulting in a savings of 0.03% for the year as a whole.
While the savings may seem small in percentage terms, in absolute terms, if the theory is true added up to 1.3 billion kilowatt-hours ,which is enough to power about 122,000 average U.S. homes for a year.
Others point to the time change is actually is rooted in an agricultural society. The idea of “extending” daylight was meant to provide more time to work in the fields.Remember humanity spent most of its pre-Edison existence siting around in the dark .
The staff of the Ridgewood blog would like to put forth one more theory , and that is golf . As we have witnessed through US modern history a good game of golf can not be under estimated by any administration with extended daylight adding much to handicaps .
Most pollsters will tell you that the majority finds it more a nuisance rather than a benefit but, they secretly take pleasure in their friends and coworkers who show up late or early the next day and we do too.
Ridgewood Nj, sometimes you just do not understand your millennial ? The main problem may be that words have different meaning to different generations .
Millennial vs Boomer Generation in 10 Words
1. Diversity – For Millennial’s: Blending of different backgrounds and perspectives within a team. Makes the team better verses Boomers: It’s like eating food at a buffet, getting to pick different things.. It’s just what it is, it defines people.
2. Acceptance – For Millennial’s: The want to blend in and be part of the team. Boomers: They have more confidence in their ability as an individual to change the circumstances, they don’t need to blend in.
3. Work – For Millennial’s: They don’t have confidence that working hard will give them what they want. Boomers: Through hard work you build your individuality. If you work hard you get what you want.
4. Communication -For Millennial’s: Use technology to verify who they are talking to, rather than face to face. Boomers: View it as networking, face to face interaction.
5. Inclusion – For Millennial’s: They believe in the “process” a collaborate participate environment. Boomers: Focus on the goal. They want to get the job done.
6. Career – For Millennial’s: Multiple tracks because they don’t feel confident in the system, so they like to keep their options wide spread Boomers: Would focus on the career goal and will do anything to conquer opticals to meet their goals with confidence.
7. Commitment – For Millennial’s: Idea of commitment doesn’t exist. They don’t have goal focus or feel confident in the process. Boomers: You have to put in an effort be it a relationship or career, and it takes time.
8. Global – For Millennial’s: View the whole world with its big issues such as global warming. If there is pain anywhere and everywhere. If one guy in India is hungry, then we are all hungry. It’s everyone’s problem. Boomers: “global” is a playground, an adventure. Is part of your journey. If there’s a problem in one place of the world it’s not in another, not my problem.
9. Language For Millennial’s: They don’t feel the need to articulate themselves fully. They use acronyms. They don’t assume anything will change. They take things as face value. What you see is what you get. Boomers: More expressive with language and express more of the grey area. Everything is not black and white.
10. Transparency For Millennial’s: There should be an openness all the time. All decisions are group decisions. Boomers: There are somethings better left unsaid. Just a requirement to fill the job.
Re: “Planning Board lawsuit dismissed,” The Ridgewood News, October 28, Page A-2.
Former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s contention that both his and former Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli’s acceptance of gratis tickets to a political fundraiser, and subsequent attendance at the event, was entirely appropriate based on who else was in attendance, is simply preposterous.
Of those attendees referenced by Mr. Aronsohn (“all five Council members at that time,” “the Village Manager, County Executive, and multiple Freeholders”) only he and Mr. Pucciarelli were full voting members of the Planning Board at that time. As such, only he and Mr. Pucciarelli were in positions to cast votes on a then pending amendment to the Village’s Master Plan that could have favorably impacted the local real estate developer who provided the gratis tickets. Neither Mr. Aronsohn nor Mr. Pucciarelli should have set foot in that event venue for any reason whatsoever.
And with respect to Mr. Aronsohn’s claim that Village Attorney Matt Rogers previously advised that “it was both fine and appropriate that we attended as a courtesy to the visiting governor,” you and your reporter should have treated this statement as nothing more than hearsay unless Mr. Aronsohn was willing and able to produce a piece of correspondence or official transcript verifying its authenticity.
It was brought to our attention that many landscapers operating in the Village are doing so without the requisite permits and vehicle decals required under Village of Ridgewood Code 186.
When we started asking some landscapers why they did not have Village of Ridgewood issued permits and decals, several told us that the Village has no authority to regulate their respective operations; the NJDEP is the sole authority with respect to regulating landscaper contractors.
We don’t know if this is true or not. Can anyone help us understand if Village Code 186 (excerpt noted below) is lawful or unlawful?
All landscapers and landscaping firms depositing yard waste in the street for customers within the Village of Ridgewood shall display an annual decal as evidence of a current annual permit as required by the provisions of this chapter. Proof of being permitted pursuant to this chapter shall be demonstrated by the display of a decal, which will be issued to each permit holder. The decal shall be displayed by the permit holder on each vehicle the permit holder owns or operates within the Village of Ridgewood in connection with the permit holder’s landscaping business.
The sole exception to the above permitting requirement will apply only to landscapers who do not utilize a motor vehicle to transport equipment used to provide landscaping services.
