Tag: Ridgewood news

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Readers show no love loss for Bergen Record and Ridgewood News sale

Bergen record Newspaper-vending-machine2

file photo by Boyd Loving

“Borg and Aronsohn are very close politically, with Borg regularly providing political support for or cover to the Mayor (like during the never ending jihad against “incivility”), and bending and shaping news coverage of local events to portray Aronsohn in the best possible light. Plus giving him a recurring column in The Ridgewood News. One wonders if our new mayor will be provided the same platform to expound his or her views and priorities.”

“The Recorg is a rag and I have enjoyed watching it die a slow painful death.
I hope the Borg family lost money on the sale. They damaged my familie’s business back in the early nineties with a politically biased false narrative published in The Record based on the Borg family’s liberal progressive anti business bias. Good ridence…”

“Borg’s sold the Record property, sold the Record, sold out NJ news integrity because of a traffic jam. But they love Ma Weinberg and her crew of Southeast Bergen and Hudson County Democrats. It’s a great day in America.”

“Maybe we can count on some un-biased news coverage under new ownership? It really couldn’t get any worse. The Ridgewood News used to be a decent community newspaper that covered all of the school plays and neighborhood happenings. Recently it’s been a megaphone for union bozos and local political hacks.”

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Gannett buys Ridgewood Blog Arch Nemesis the Bergen Record

Bergen record Newspaper-vending-machine2

photo by Boyd Loving

June 16,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Gannett is adding to its stable of New Jersey papers by snapping up The Record , the Ridgewood News and some other weekly papers now owned by the North Jersey Media Group according to Media Ink.

According to insiders at the paper the announcement came as a shock to the Record newsroom and its already beleaguered staffers.

The 121-year-old paper long known as the Bergen Record is the second-largest daily paper in the state behind the Star-Ledger in Newark, which is owned by the Newhouse family. Gannett, the nation’s No. 1 newspaper publisher, also owns the Asbury Park Press and five other New Jersey papers.The Record seemed tired in recent years and after decades of playing a major role in setting the news agenda in New Jersey with its far left pro union slant .

While it bashed Governor Christie and harped on the tedious “Bridgegate” scandal it may have derailed presidential ambitions of New Jersey’s  Gov. Chris Christie but circulation plunged , reporting lagged and the overtly biased coverage drove away advertisers .

The Record was purchased by the Borg family in 1930. Malcolm Borg is chairman, while son Stephen Borg — leader of the fourth generation of the family in control of the paper . Insiders say Stephen’s tenure at the helm has been a disaster.

The financial terms couldn’t be learned, although the properties have remained modestly profitable.
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Email Circulates Calling on Ridgewood News to Cover Ethics Complaint against Mayor and Village Manager

Village of Ridgewood

Dear Neighbor,

I’m writing about the upcoming garage election and specifically about something that has happened which now puts the whole process into question.

On June 9th, a ‘Vote yes’ video and other materials were posted on our Village website, along with an e-notice that was sent out by our Village Manager, which directed residents to this site. To use government funds to make such slanted materials and to post them on a government website goes beyond inappropriate.

NJ Fog, a government watch group, has filed a formal complaint against Mayor Aronsohn and Village Manager Sonenfeld, which can be viewed here.

It is imperative that every resident knows about the situation.

So, I am asking you to a) share this email with every resident that you know and b) contact the Ridgewood News at 201-612-5400 and ask for either Alexandra Hoey or Jaime Walters to request that this issue be given a front page article, which it deserves. Please call them this morning as they go to print shortly.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our Village.

Sincerely,

Dana

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Ridgewood News Drops Key Election Eve Coverage on Ridgewood Council Elections

Reading_theridgewood_news_theridgewoodblog
Editors Note : Folks the Ridgewood blog would welcome the opportunity to host any letters in support of candidates ,even on election day it self ; email onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com Fyi the blog traffic nears 20,000 unique visits per month thank you
May 7,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood News squashes story garage petition, certification and special election, days before pivotal Village Council election.

From the Facebook page It Takes a Village , “Before you read the Ridgewood News tmrw, please know this-We, Lorraine and I, were interviewed by a smart, new reporter recently employed by the Ridgewood News who was excited to report our side of the story on the garage petition, certification and special election. We had an hour long conversation and she even was speaking to our attorney to share her response.The reporter called me today to apologize and tell me they will not be printing the article due to “space constraints”. Maybe next week she said. I told her we know it was not her decision, and encouraged her to find a new job at a real newspaper. I have cancelled my subscription.”  , Gail McLaughlin McCarthyIt is also being reported that Janice Willet’s campaign manager is a long time employee of the North Bergen Media Group (who owns the Ridgewood News), Pam Wyne. Big surprise.!The inequity of the media coverage in our area is disgraceful. I hope everyone cancels their subscriptions to all of their publications immediately and sends them the message loud and clear that we do not tolerate bias in our journalism, period. Laurie Bender

If you do a quick search on line there are many instances of this-bias newspapers are part of our culture and are protected-they can turn ads away all they want if they don’t adhere to the publishers bias-and of course editorial content is under their discretion. The real problem is that ALL our local news outlets are owned by the same people-this is an issue worth examining. Ellen D’Arcy Simpson

We have already reported that the Ridgewood News decided not to print any letters to the editor in support of candidates on the eve of the election yet felt in necessary to post pro Village manager commentary and advertising.
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Ridgewood News Accused of being a one-sided promoter

Reading_theridgewood_news_theridgewoodblog

May 4, 2016
Customer Care
The Ridgewood News
1 Garret Mountain Plaza
Woodland Park, NJ 07424-0471


To whom it may concern,


Please consider this note an official cancellation of my Ridgewood News subscription. I have received the Ridgewood News every Friday for the past 16 years, when I first moved to Ridgewood. I am canceling now because it has become very clear that the paper, and those who run it, are no longer attempting to be objective, as a true work of journalism should be. The paper is nothing but a one-sided promoter of very controversial issues in town at the moment. It’s unfortunate, because these issues will resolve themselves in time, but the Ridgewood News will forever be remembered for the way the paper “reported” them, be it the parking garage, the petition, high density housing, the campaign for Village Council. Our local paper comes out on one side every time. That side, it just so happens, is closely aligned with “big business” here in Ridgewood. I’m referring to developers, not Mango Jam, It’s Greek to Me, and the rest of our small shops and restaurants, although they’ve been drawn into the fight as well. Often the preference for the “big wigs” is subtle – the placement of an ad on the very page the opposition was told was “never used for ads.”


I don’t need “reporting” like this. I will miss the photos of my friends and their kids, the special events in town, the letters to the editor, which, when balanced, offer a much better perspective on what’s going on in town than your journalists are permitted to. I always thought the paper presented a kind of Mayberry, unrealistic, pollyanna shot of Ridgewood. Now I’m seeing how dark that approach can become. I will not be renewing my subscrition any time soon. I will let you know if I hear the Ridgewood News has decided to tell the truth, as objectively as possible.
Sincerely yours,


Ellen McNamara

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Ridgewood News Denies One Group the Use of Photos But Allows Another Group?

it takes a village

photo Courtesy of It Takes a Village Facebook Group 

April 10,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Apparently the Ridgewood News denied the use of photos to one group but approved them for another ?

Perhaps its time some further investigation . Perhaps the state board of elections and the state attorney generals office. To begin with.
We have a question for the folks who paid for this ad. So the Petition folks ask “WHY WERE YOU PERMITTED TO USE PHOTOS FROM THE VILLAGE WEBSITE, AND WE WERE NOT?”. They are Ridgewood residents also.

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Ridgewood News controversial edit of “Letter to the editor” Sparks Furor

BCIA petition OLMC

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 9,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood News controversial edit of “Letter to the editor” sparks further controversy on Hudson Garage and  a the referendum at next general election.

Ridgewood News letter: In support of the petition :
https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-in-support-of-the-petition-1.1540981

According to Gail McLaughlin McCarthy  ,”They edited. We gave them our attorneys contact info and they chose not to call them to fact check. ridiculous. The petition will be submitted April 12. We are confident that if a special election is called, it is because the council majority chooses to spend more money. On top of the $600,000.00 already spent according to Gwenn.

Here is the letter we actually submitted, before the editors got hold of it. We supplied backup of all statements, yet they still edited.

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Ridgewood News, Patch, and Daily Voice missing when Ridgewood Residents need them most

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving

March 16,2016

by Saurabh Dani

Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council has planned a public hearing and possibly a vote on March 23rd on High Density Housing Issue. It’s widely expected the three outgoing council members are going to vote to increase the residential density in some downtown lots from the current 12 units per acre to 36 units per acre, while the residents have asked them to consider 20-24 units per acre.

 
This is a big change for Ridgewood, which will probably alter our village  forever. The local newspapers have so far reported from the press releases issued by the village administration or from the commentary of what happened at the meetings. Proactive journalism on this issue has been missing so far.
 
Residents have asked the reporters:
 
1. When are they going to cover the conflict of interest on the garage vote by Tony and Jim at HPC?
2. When will they be talking to taxpayers ahead of the 3/23 vote to measure opinions?
3.  When will they be asking the candidates for VC office to state their positions on the 3/23 vote?
4. When will they talk to the superintendent about class sizes at the middle schools and high school which were not covered by the studies?
5. When will they ask Orchard and Ridge School principals if they can accept the increased class sized?
6. When will they ask the consultants (Ross Haber Associates) on how did he reach to a conclusion of 63 new kids from 4 new developments, while similar sized apartments in the village and the number of school aged children from those apartments suggest that it can be close to 225 new children in the Ridgewood schools?
7. When will they ask and report on the question of ‘what happens to all the 1 acre or more lots that are available in Ridgewood downtown and are waiting for these first four to be approved”?
8. What are the financial impacts to the taxpayer (police coverage, etc.?)?

If you would like our local reporting to question our village government on these very important questions, before next Wednesday’s March 23rd VOTE, see below for contact information.

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Potential Ridgewood Council Candidate Letter to Editor contains “misinformation”

Hudson Street Garage bogus renderings
photo courtesy of Saurabh Dani
March 6,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgwood NJ, March 4th Edition of Ridgewood News features a letter to editor from Bob Hutton who is potentially running for the council in May.
Bob writes “The latest rendition seems to accomplish consensus on many levels – even one level less of a deck”.
This is absolutely WRONG. The plan D, which is currently being pushed by Council Majority is NOT one level less. It’s same as Plan A, with only few inches removed from each level – and is STILL 5 LEVELS. So, overall height is decreased by 3 feet, but a level is NOT reduced.
This type of misinformation is part of the campaign by current council majority and Bob Hutton will be one of them, and he has already proved this from this letter to editor.
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“Progress Ridgewood” ad in the Ridgewood News Pushes Hudson Garage with the same old Insults

Hudson Street Garage bogus renderings
photo by Saurabh Dani
March 2,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, it has been pointed out that an ad recently placed in The Ridgewood News from a group called “Progress Ridgewood” is asking the Council to vote unanimously on March 2nd to reintroduce the Village bond ordinance. The ad states that a small group is objecting again to the garage and that its based on incorrect information. They feel that the Council will agree to the Village bonding the garage if they all agree to the current garage revision.

According to sources , “Progress Ridgewood” was based on an email that was sent around, it was paid for by Mr. and Mrs. Halaby. They solicited names of people who wanted to be included in their ad. The ad’s characterization of “a small ground of vocal residents” is quite inaccurate, as it is now well known that over 1300 signatures were put on the petition to stop the BCIA funding, with more coming in this weekend. It must be emphasized that this grass-roots effort is totally within the laws of the United States’ democracy, and has been conducted with proper respect for the law. These citizens should be applauded for exercising their rights. The petition does not seek to stop the garage, but to stop the funding by the County. The ad’s characterization that “a small group…..stalled the project” is an unfortunate choice of words, as it is more accurate to state that a large group is seeking to keep the project funded in town. Something else to note is that least two of the signers are not Ridgewood residents and thus do not even vote in Ridgewood.

The Halaby name gives it all away .They are clearly not the best arbiters of what’s good for Ridgewood, as we have seen over the years as they seem to agree with every single major change that is called for and use rabid name calling as you have seen on this blog.

While many debate whether Ridgewood is or is not on a downhill slide; Mr. Halaby’s gloomy assessment is dead wrong as is his support for an over sized hospital, high density housing , and Godzilla garages in the central business district. Mr Halaby seems to have unwavering support for the council majority and is always on the wrong side for Ridgewood. Once again With all the distrust and misinformation flying around town its best to put off all major decisions for the New Council in June .

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Ridgewood News, article to try to pressure Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen to vote for bonding the garage through Ridgewood.

Reading_theridgewood_news_theridgewoodblog

All — On page 3 of the Ridgewood News, there was an article to try to pressure Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen to vote for bonding the garage through Ridgewood. If you are skeptical of the viability of the proposed garage, please send Mike and Susan an email to let them know to stay firm on their vote and allow the referendum on the BCIA to go forward. Here’s what I sent to them:

Sent: Friday, February 26, 2016 4:23 PM
To: ‘sknudsen@ridgewoodnj.net’; ‘msedon@ridgewoodnj.net’
Cc: ‘paronsohn@ridgewoodnj.net’; ‘ghauck@ridgewoodnj.net’; ‘apucciarelli@ridgewoodnj.net’
Subject: garage

Susan and Michael,

With regards to the full page ad in the Ridgewood News today, I urge you to maintain your position on the bonding of the proposed garage.

I do not believe that a garage in that location will cover its costs and the taxpayers are going to wind up funding it. There is simply not enough demand for parking at the proposed location. There are usually many spots open right across the street. I’d support a smaller structure located more centrally and I know a lot of my fellow residents would too.

Please stay the course and know that most of the residents who voted in support of a garage did not know any specific information at that time therefore there is NO MANDATE to build anything at this time.

Feel free to contact me via email or at 201-445-8222.

Regards,
Derek Schnure

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Another Garage Letter that was not Printed by the Ridgewood News

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving , Council majority ie the 3 Amigos

Good morning-
Here is the Letter to the Editor Jim wrote that wasn’t printed this past wknd.

February 17, 2016

Letter to the Editor

What is really going on?

The Town Council voted 3-2 on February 10th to fund the Hudson Street Garage with the Bergen County Improvement Authority. Councilmembers Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck voted to turn the project over to the county.

Some questions to ponder:

If the goal is a functional, non-partisan government, WHY has our Mayor been off “forming a partnership” with the BCIA for 3 years?

If financial stewardship is important, WHY are we paying more to finance through the BCIA versus funding it ourselves?

If we are going to incur an obligation to the county of more than $10 million, WHY isn’t there a payment plan in place to pay off this obligation?

If we truly care about the look and feel of our historic downtown, WHY haven’t designs/renderings been shown to the taxpayers of Ridgewood?

If all 5 members of our Town Council are independent thinking stewards of our village, WHY haven’t Councilmembers Sedon and Knudsen been privy to all discussions and reports in a timely fashion?

If we want real informed input from our fellow residents, WHY was the Maser study, which showed the 12 feet encroachment into Hudson St., thereby narrowing Hudson to 18 feet, not made public until after the November referendum, when the Village Manager had it on her desk in October?

If the upcoming election isn’t a factor, WHY are Councilmembers Aronsohn, Pucciarelli and Hauck in such a rush to fund this with Bergen County?

Too many unanswered questions.
Lets make sure we have answers before it’s too late.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim McCarthy

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Aronsohn connection with the Ridgewood News goes deep

civility

February 20th ,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, readers question, ” How dare the newspaper try to squelch letters from anyone on any side of the story, as long as they are respectful?! What the people are doing who are trying to stop the funding via the BCIA is completely legal and they are well within their rights. A grass roots effort like this stopped the turf field in Glen Rock. Citizens of this country have a right to act in accordance with the law. Clearly the triumvirate is very, very nervous because they are being outsmarted by honest, energetic and very intelligent individuals.”

Aronsohn connection with the Ridgewood News goes deep.. This is not the first time letters have not been published right Linda. Lets see who are owners of the Ridgewood News NorthJersey Media AKA The Record and who is the owners of the Record North Jersey Media Group (NJMG) is an independent, family-owned media company providing local news, information and services to the residents of northern New Jersey. The company is headquartered in Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and is best known for its daily newspaper, The Record. Stephen A. Borg Yes the same Stephen Borg that was the key speaker at one of our Mayors civility meeting. Let not forget the ex reported for the Record aka Aronsohn Press Officer. Get real poster what you read is being manipulated

Readers also Voice Concern on the Mayors Overly Cozy Relationship Stephen Borg, Publisher and President, North Jersey Media Group
https://theridgewoodblog.net/readers-also-voice-concern-on-the-mayors-overly-cozy-relationship-stephen-borg-publisher-and-president-north-jersey-media-group/

Readers feel the Mission of the “Civility Forums” is nothing more than Censorship and Control political speech of Village residents.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/reader-feel-the-mission-of-the-civility-forums-is-nothing-more-than-censorship-and-control-political-speech-of-village-residents/

Civility forum moves forward to squelch public dissent
https://theridgewoodblog.net/civility-forum-moves-forward-to-squelch-public-dissent/

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Readers say Ridgewood News offers too Many Puff Pieces in Support of Mayor Paul Aronsohn

Paul_Aronsohn_theridgewood blog

file photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood News has usual lets paper over the complainers and get on to our glorious futures..complete Puff piece on how everybody was really supporting the 4 studies all along including our recalcitrant mayor chiming in on how bright the future looks after Jan 6 meeting then traffic school housing etc studies are all done..Oh joy Paul says it will all be alright despite the small community of objectors to the Village Council GRAND plans for thee parking and rental housing megaplex coming soon to your rear view mirrors as the moving trucks are packing up your hard earned equity in this town gone off the Rails.

Well first Paul Aronsohn had Chris Harris now he has Steve JANOSK from the Record He has the new reporter from the Ridgewood News and the Daily Voice is doing a pretty good job of keeping his smiling face and the parking garage on the front page these last couple of week.

Steve Janoski also needs to be schooled. He writes with a tone of finality. What he is really writing is what the mayor tells him to write. So much of hard hitting objective reporting. But then it is The Record.

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Celebrate Ridgewood’s Downtown for the Holidays-30th Anniversary

ridgewoodtreelighting_thridgewoodblog

Downtown for the Holidays-30th Anniversary
Fri, December 04, 2015
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: East Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood NJ

30th Year Celebration !

Santa IS in Ridgewood-bring your list!

Lots of Music and entertainment !

Early Event – “for the kids”
5:30 – 6:30 – Santa in the park for the “wee tots” along with live entertainment by the “clock”, in the stores and restaurants along E. Ridgewood Ave featuring the RHS Marching Band, RHS Ridgewood Carolers, RHS Orchestra, Taekwondo All In

NEW THIS YEAR -5:30-9pm Special Feature-Holiday Express Train-bring the family and ride this fun train up and down E. Ridgewood Ave.

7-8 – “on stage live”
Live entertainment and tree lighting Celebration featuring performances by Porch Light Productions, From the Top Studio, Art of Motion, Arthur Murray Dance Studio, Santa and Much More!

8-9 “Merriment on E. Ridgewood Ave
Shh – Santa will be back in the park
Lots of music on the avenue
Restaurant reservation suggested

Specials going on during the Tree Lighting…
Femmebot has music and 10% store wide sale until 9pm on 12/4/15

Alex and Ani having in-store events-
10% off Store Wide at Femmebot

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS
for the 30th Anniversary Celebration

Columbia Bank
Valley Health System
Van Dyk Health Care
Freedom Bank
CareOne at Ridgewood
Ridgewood News
Boiling Spring Saving Bank
PNC Wealth Management
Park West Tavern & Loft
West Bergen Mental Healthcare
ConnectOne Bank
Ulrich, Inc.
C.C. VanEmburgh Funeral Home
Pearl Restaurant
Daily Treat Restaurant
Atlantic Stewardship Bank
Bagelicious
Country Pancake House and Restaurant
Life Opportunities Unlimited
Pink Bungalow
Hillmann Lighting
Lazarus & Williamson
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood
Christ Church
Cupcakes by Carousel
Femmebot Clothing
Beauty Plus Salon
Gold Fish Swim School
Ridgewood Public Library
West Side Nursery School
Ridgewood YMCA
Ridgewood Party Rental

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email info@ridgewoodchamber.com www.experienceridgewood.com