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.
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,
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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
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.
file photo by Boyd Loving
February 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Lt. Brian Pullman and Ptl. Kyle Scarpa were approached while on patrol and notified of two male parties soliciting money for candy in the area of North Walnut Street on January 28. The parties were then located and found to be soliciting without a permit. Both parties were identified and found to have active warrants for arrest out of Jersey City, N.J. Both parties were arrested at the scene and transported to Ridgewood Police headquarters. Both arrestees were issued summons for Village of Ridgewood ordinance violations and Jersey City P.D. responded and took custody of the arrestees.
February 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Gigantic garage sale starts today! Woman’s Club of Ridgewood, 215 W. Ridgewood Ave. Fri and Sat 9 – 3, Sun 9 – 12. A variety of all kinds of stuff, too much to mention, so come check it out. We have a cafe selling bagels, coffee, donuts, homemade soups, sandwiches and treats, too!
photo by ArtChick
By Dino Flammia February 2, 2017 3:47 AM
The war rages on in North Jersey against short-term rentals made possible through companies such as Airbnb.
Pavel Losevsky
Residents using these services can link with folks looking for a place to stay for a night or two, or a week. And their home, or a room, essentially becomes a temporary hotel.
Due to their proximity to New York City, many residents of North Jersey counties are bringing in big bucks through the rental market. But one by one, municipalities are saying the practice has to go.
In the middle of January, Ridgewood became the latest in a growing list of Bergen County towns to ban rentals of 30 days or less.
“Upwards of $1,000 is the fine for violation of that ordinance,” said Mayor Susan Knudsen.
According to Knudsen, town officials received a number of complaints from concerned residents, disturbed by increased traffic volume and different faces and vehicles entering and leaving driveways on a weekly basis.
“We have small residential neighborhoods that were never intended to be bed and breakfasts or homes that were seconding as an inn,” she said.
Ridgewood may revisit short-term rentals in the future, Knudsen said, if proper regulations are in place.
Read More: More NJ towns getting rid of Airbnb and short-term rentals | https://nj1015.com/more-nj-towns-getting-rid-of-airbnb-and-short-term-rentals/?trackback=tsmclip
file photo
February 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, According to the Ridgewood police on January 27, patrol units responded to the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and Prospect Street on a report of a motor vehicle accident involving two pedestrians. Upon patrol’s arrival at the scene, two pedestrians had been struck while attempting to cross Prospect Street along the south curb of East Ridgewood Avenue. The pedestrians were struck by a silver colored Acura driven by 56-year-old female from Ramsey, N.J. Pedestrian #1, 55-year-old female was treated at the scene and refused further medical attention. Pedestrian #2, a 63-year-old male reported he did not sustain any injures from the collision and refused medical treatment. The driver of the motor vehicle was issued a summons for failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
February 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Police a Waldwick, N.J. resident reported he was admitted and treated at the Valley Hospital emergency room on January 27 where he became the victim of theft. The victim reported while being treated he was asked to remove an 18 karat gold bracelet from his wrist and he complied. The victim reported upon being discharged the bracelet, valued at $1500, was never returned to him.
February 2,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood police a 38-year-old male from Ridgewood, N.J. was arrested on January 29 and charged with criminal attempt, theft of moveable property and possession of burglary tools after Ptl. Raymond Tarino observed the man attempting to utilize burglary tools to remove a locked bicycle from the train station fence. The arrestee was transported to headquarters, processed and served with a complaint summons.
Agreed on the criteria listed for governance of the FAC, but the post above seems to be a deliberate attempt to mislead people. The FAC is NOT a financial decision body and does not make binding decisions. Their sole purpose is to offer independent, expert advice to the Council members on financial matters including budgeting, municipal tax policy, contract negotiations, and long-term financial planning for capital improvements to the Village. Ridgewood has many talented residents with financial, tax, contract law and budgeting experience. These people are tax paying residents just like all of us and are willing to volunteer their time to give their advice on how the Council can make better financial decisions on behalf of all taxpayers. Why wouldn’t Council members want this?
