Tag: Ridgewood Moms and dads

>With all due respect 1:52, the “urgency” of these palans, as you refer to it, is clear. Valley’s plans are the result of prudent long-range planning on the part of the hospital’s management team and board. They are doing what any good business or institution does to anticipate the level of service and type of service that will be required of them in 10, 20 or 30 years…not just today.

Frankly, this is where the Valley opposition’s argument begins to fall apart. No business manager, board member or trustee of any institution would undertake an improvement project of this scope and financial commitment without being absolutely sure that they will be able to see the project to fruition without risk of being stopped (for whatever reason) after investing tens of $millions 5 or 10 years from now. They MUST address all these issues now.

All you have to do is look at Pascack or any number of failed healthcare providers in recent years to understand how critical Valley’s initiative is. But, before you start drawing unrealistic comparisons between Valley and Pascack, understand that Pacack did not have the stellar management team and board, with a proven record of fiscal responsibility and management efficiency, which has been recognized on a national level. You are all looking the proverbial “gift horse” in the mouth.

But, where your agument loses all credibility is regarding the zoning. While it is true that much of the surrounding homes existed 56 years ago, the neighboprhood HAS developed around them since 1951. More importantly, the zoning restriction have become much more RESTRICTIVE during that that time. However, the zoning restriction are focused on RESIDENTIAL issues, without regard for the operational requirement that Valley faces. IOt is simply UNREALISTIC and IMPRACTICAL and UNREASONABLE to reqiuire Valley to mantain its level of excellence 30 years into the future while treating them like a residence. It is that simple. This an isse that has been been exacerbated by the Village’s zoning restrictions, many of which did not exist in the 1950’s or 1960’s. And it is a problem for the Village and its residents, as much as it is for Valley.

By the way, I don’t know what statistics your are referencing. But, we are seeing the greatest increase in aging populations, particularly here, in over 100 years. Have you heard about something called the “aging Baby Boomer generation”? Nonetheless, it is not simply the number of patients that Valley will serve, but HOW they will need to be serves. This is really the driving issue. The business of healthcare service is changing and how service providers are equipped to deal with those changes is at the heeart of this issue.

One final note, you stated that “remember this is the same hospital that wanted our children to play on top of a parking garage”, as if Valley somehow acted irresponsibly. If you speak with any Village official or BOE member, they will tell you that residents failure to approve Valley’s proposal to build an underground garage below BF field and provide a brand new turf field above it, at ground level, may have been the greatest SCREW UP (my words) in the Ridgewood in the last decade. It would have been a huge positive for the BOE and our youth sports teams. It would have provided the BOE with $millions for needed improvements and/or avoided the need for tax increases. It would also have eliminated the need for much of what Valley is now forced to propose in their current plan. How ironic is that???

If those incredibly shortsighted people responsible for voting the BF proposal down had approved it, Valley might actually have been able to accomplish their current plan without requiring new (more appropriate) zoning. I am sure that those people are largely the same people who are opposing Valley’s plan today. Too bad we can’t hold YOU accountable today.

It is you who do not deserve the our trust or faith. For you have not acted in the best interest of our children and our families. Valley act in good faith then and is doing so now. They may not be perfect. But, we are lucky to have them 5 minutes from our homes. Maybe the Valley opposition should get off its self-righteous NIMBY soapbox for a minute and consider how they can act to correct a situation that they made inevitable when they voted the BF proposal

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Fundraiser for Ridgewood Pool Project 9/29/07 “Dancing Under the Stars” is the theme for the Ridgewood Pool Project Fundraiser, Saturday, September 29th from 8 to 11pm. Event is casual and will be held Poolside at Graydon. Click Here

>Village Council members were briefed last night on three separate and unrelated topics regarding the Pease Library building.

First, Councilman Patrick A. Mancuso introduced the members of his volunteer group, who for the past several months have been investigating options for restoring and using the facility. Mancuso’s committee members outlined their work, which has led to a possible long-term use interest by County of Bergen officials. The County has interest in using Pease to house the Bergen County Historical Society, which is currently homeless. Mancuso suggested the formation of a four person task team to finalize negotiations with County officials. Members of the team would be Mancuso, Mayor David T. Pfund, Village Manager James M. Ten Hoeve, and resident Frank Del Vecchio.

Next, Councilman Jacques Harlow suggested that the Village Council has waited too many years to restore Pease, and outlined his multi-phase plan to begin fixing the building immediately by using taxpayer generated revenue. It is reported that Harlow is still bitter over Mancuso’s role in calling an end to the Council’s relationship with a possible tenant, the consortium led by architect Jeff Wells. The final phase of Harlow’s proposal is directed at finding a suitable tenant.

Lastly, it was revealed that local philanthropist David Bolger has offered to fund a feasibility study focused on the design and construction of a parking structure in the front of Pease. It is believed that Mr. Bolger’s motive would be to gain parking so that the building would then be appealing to potential commercial tenants (with rental income funneled to the Library Board). Bolger is a known supporter of many Library initiatives.

>Councilwoman Kim Ringler-Shagin single-handedly burst the bubble of Ridgewood Community Center Director Nora Muzio’s plans for “Make a Difference Day” by scrubbing any possibility of activity participants working to raise money for the “Habitat for Humanity” organization.

Muzio had hoped the fund raising theme for October 27th’s “Make a Difference Day” in Ridgewood would be raising money to build a house, as was done in neighboring Glen Rock, but Ringler-Shagin squashed the idea by stating it would be inappropriate for a government sponsored event to raise money for a private organization.

So, back to the drawing board it is for Ms. Muzio with respect to developing an overall fund raising theme for this year’s event.

The Fly wonders when it is that Ms. Ringler-Shagin will just shut up.

https://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/index.html

>Although Dr. Deborah Ives has tendered her resignation effective November 11, 2007, the BOE is scheduled to appoint a secretary to her position at Monday night’s Special Public meeting.

iv. Appointments Dr. Brennan

Secretary

MANAHAN, Antonia – secretary to Supervisor of Mathematics 6-12, effective September 25, 2007, through June 30, 2008. $27,610 Cl. VIII, St. 3, prorated

>From Monday’s BOE Meeting Agenda:

ii. Approval: Contract with School Leadership, L.L.C., for Superintendent Search Dr. Brennan

Approval of a contract with School Leadership, L.L.C., New York, New York, to conduct the superintendent search at a fee of $8,000 plus reasonable and necessary expenses, subject to Board approval (expenses anticipated to be no more than $1,000).

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ARIJIT MITRA

*click on the Post title to see a picture

DOB: Jan 29, 1992

Missing: Sep 10, 2007

Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)Eyes: Black Race: Asian

Age Now: 15 Sex: Male Weight: 140 lbs (64 kg)Hair: Black

Missing From:RIDGEWOOD NJ United States

Arijit was last seen on September 10, 2007. He may be in the local area.

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE

>Read Dr. Brennan’s update as of 4:00 p.m. Thursday.
Superintendent’s Update
Thursday, September 20, 2007 4:00pm
To update you on recent events:
1. There has been no bomb threat directed at any Ridgewood public school. We are in constant communication with the Ridgewood Police Department, which is keeping us fully informed.

2. We have an RHS sophomore who has been missing since September 10, 2007. We are working with the Police, the family, and other agencies to locate this student.

3. There is no evidence of any connection between the missing student and the threats made against the communities in Northern Bergen County.

4. We are again implementing heightened security at all buildings tonight.
The safety of your children is our primary concern. Thanks for your cooperation and support. If there is any change in this information, we will update you immediately on the website and by e-news. To subscribe to e-news: email [email protected]. In the subject line type: subscribe rps.enews.

Tim Brennan, Interim Superintendent

>RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS ARE OPEN TODAY, THURSDAY, SEPT. 20, 2007
After hearing late yesterday afternoon that the Emerson mayor had received a bomb threat letter, I immediately contacted the Ridgewood police. After several conversations we concluded that there was no specific threat to the Ridgewood schools. Nevertheless, additional security measures were initiated at all buildings overnight. We continue to feel that it is safe for students to come to our schools today. Therefore, Ridgewood public schools are open today for a full session. Dr. Timothy Brennan, Interim Superintendent

>This is not a new idea. You know when your kid is in Kindergarten and they show you his “portfolio” and that is how he is measured…this is “portfolios” for high school students.

There are several issues with this, the first being that a child’s grade is already measured by class work, class participation, group work and the midterm and final. Midterms and Finals in Ridgewood High are only a portion of a child’s grade already(25-40%), so implementing this doesn’t make sense since there is already a “blended” grading system in effect.

The down side is that by removing standard midterms and finals they are eliminating the “test” that 1)ensures that all teachers teach the same content 2)ensures kids get ready for real midterms and finals in college 3)ensures students and parents have leverage if the class participation and “group work” is marked low but the midterm and final grades are high they can lobby for a decent grade.

This is a stupid trend that is not used in any top tier college. When they do it in Harvard, then Ridgewood should adapt it. Otherwise they are buying into a fad presented by a private consulting group who charged them tons of money for training in the concepts. Grant Wiggins is not a nonprofit think tank, it’s like the EST of education.

Ask the President of Princeton if she’s using any Grant Wiggins there…really this is absurd.