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Reader says, “Fact is there are some awesome teachers and great educators who can pivot under any circumstance, but unfortunately the fact is there is no shortage of those that can’t”

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“Fact is the Ridgewood’s school rankings have been on a downward slide for a while now, before COVID. Fact is when the schools closed last year, many kids slipped in their performance relative to benchmark because teachers weren’t able to get the kids to thrive in those circumstances (not the teachers fault per se, but some were notably disengaged). Fact is there are some awesome teachers and great educators who can pivot under any circumstance, but unfortunately the fact is there is no shortage of those that can’t. Fact is the rate of transmission in NJ, Bergen County, and specifically Ridgewood are all materially down since the peak, with only a miniscule number or new cases in the last month. Fact is parents aren’t paying taxes for full time teachers to teach part time. Fact is if all-remote implemented, there is a plethora of excess teachers/administrators that can be furloughed until school resumes normal operations, yet the fact is no such plan was ever contemplated.
Fact is the truth sometimes hurts when pointed…”

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Governor Murphy Has Turned His Back on the Restaurant Industry

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The 10th District Legislators are echoing the sentiments of restaurant owners who feel Governor Murphy has turned his back on an industry hit hardest because of his extended shutdowns.

Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano are calling out the Governor for dragging his feet and ignoring the cries of the restaurant industry while avoiding a necessary discussion with the New Jersey Restaurant Association on a proper reopening date for indoor dining.

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One Village One Vote Group Heads to the Courts to Fight the Village Clerks Rejection of their Voter Suppression Petition

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the vote suppression group One Village One Vote has now headed to the courts to fight the Village of Ridgewood’s rejection of their voter disenfranchisement and voter suppression petition .

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Reopen Health and Fitness Centers while Failing to Lift Prohibition on Indoor Dining ?

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NJBIA Statement on Governor’s Decision to Reopen Health and Fitness Centers while Failing to Lift Prohibition on Indoor Dining:

NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka released the following statement regarding the partial reopening of health and fitness centers that was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy today.

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NJ Planet Fitness Statement on Gyms Reopening

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Below are statements from two Planet Fitness franchise owners in New Jersey in response to Governor Murphy’s announcement that gyms may reopen as of Tuesday, September 1st.

Hon. Craig Benson, former Governor of New Hampshire and Planet Fitness Board Member and franchise owner in New Jersey who operates 18 gyms. Governor Benson is a New Jersey native 

“Fitness centers are critical to the mental, physical and financial health for New Jerseyans, and we are grateful that Governor Murphy has announced that we can reopen with safety protocols in place. Throughout the reopening process, we will continue to collaborate with local, county and state health officials to ensure that our members can work out again in a safe, clean, and welcoming environment, and our staff can get back to work.

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Parent Company of Kings Supermarket Accepts Purchase Bid, Files For Bankruptcy

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the staff of the Ridgewod blog

Ridgewood NJ, KB US Holdings, Inc. (“KB or the Company”), parent company of the Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market subsidiary banners, today announced it has accepted a stalking horse bid from TLI Bedrock to purchase the Company for $75 million. To facilitate an orderly sale, KB and its subsidiaries have commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Court”).

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Reader says ,”what an overwhelming majority of parents want for their kids, which is more in-person learning”

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“If the BOE wants to be taken seriously (including those at the top with very obvious and unethical conflicts of interest, who shall not be named), they should remain keenly focused on what an overwhelming majority of parents want for their kids, which is more in-person learning…5 days a week. The taxpayers already pay way to much for the school budget, and while we may tolerate some non-sense and waste in the spirit of town civility, the one thing that will most certainly cause residents to “storm the castle” is if we are forced to spend our hard earned dollars to incentivize lazy and ineffective teachers, who are using COVID as a tool for their personal agenda. Every profession is exposed to the risks of COVID, so why should they be preferentially treated at our expense? Either opt out if you are truly scared, or just follow the damn protocols…”

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One of a Kind Virtual 5K Adds an Ultra Marathon

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the staff of the Ridggewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Brian Gatens of Ridgewood, NJ is an ultra-endurance adventure racer, competing in round- the-clock races involving trail running, mountain biking, kayak paddling, and orienteering. This year, with his race season cancelled due to Covid-19, he is re-directing his efforts to the Verizon Virtual Corporate Classic 5K

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The Latest Checklist for Buying a New Home

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In one’s life, there are rarely any huge substantial investments except for buying a new home. This is a step that you have got to take at some point in your life, sooner or later. The process of buying a new home isn’t just overwhelming, but it can get quite confusing and filled with regrets if you make the wrong choice. 

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“Fair Share” Housing and the Secret Democrat Plan to turn NJ-05 Blue

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By Frank Pallotta GOP Congressional Candidate for District 5
“As I have traveled the District these past 18 months, I’ve heard from a number of residents eager to speak openly about a wide variety of issues. They have also been willing to offer both real insight and practical solutions.
Regardless of county or town, there is one matter that consistently comes up. The High-density housing mandates that are being forced upon our State by predatory developers and the extremist wing of the Democrat party are ruining small and large towns across New Jersey – all under the guise of “Affordable Housing”. “

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Bill reimbursing restaurant owners for ‘Murphy almost opening’ passes Assembly panel

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Senate President Steve Sweeney, to reimburse restaurants that had spent money on supplies in preparation for indoor dining’s return passed unanimously out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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You Can Walk from an Assault Charge but Not a Parking Ticket

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Currently, New Jersey driver’s licenses can be suspended for failure to pay a traffic ticket or failure to show up in court to address the fine. The court notifies the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to suspend a person’s driving privileges until the debt is paid.

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Recent Village Visitor Says,”It turned out to be an expensive breakfast”

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ a recent visitor to the Village had this to say about the central business district on Facebook, “Things are tough enough for businesses with a governor who shuts everything down – We have a home in Florida with a governor who knows how to keep business open or at least moves toward reopening. NJ is ridiculous. We go to Village of Ridgewood to support local restaurants. Roads are closed – good to see accommodation yet Ridgewood squeezes $8,000 a weekend out or restaurants to use the street. We see a parking area in poorly marked lots and my wife sees spots open – went too far and turned around to park. Parked wrong way in the lot. I got out and paid the machine. After breakfast we came back to find a $55 parking ticked for parking the wrong way. It turned out to be an expensive breakfast. Well played Ridgewood – parking is messed up with streets closed, so why be so aggressive with enforcement? This is not a time for screwing with people with over zealous enforcement. We can afford the ticket and will pay it. Many people are hurting and can’t. But we will not be back to Ridgewood anytime soon. I feel bad for the business and the mess they’re dealing with but if the Village treats the customers like this, unfortunately the businesses suffer until they force change. This experience and the difference how things are done in Tampa Bay Area of Florida and the state in general shows why people are voting with their feet and leaving NJ and NY.”

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CDC UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

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photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The CDC has published updated guidance regarding school openings. The updated guidance provides additional recommendations for a myriad of topics, including ventilation, food service, and mask use as schools continue to prepare and implement their plans to start the 2020-21 school year. The guidance also expands on previous iterations regarding students with “special healthcare needs and disabilities” with a new section dedicated to these challenges. Schools may need to develop individualized plans for some students and staff, including those with limited mobility, those with visual or hearing impairments, those with underlying health conditions, or those who may have difficulties understanding or adapting to new routines. The information notes that some individuals may struggle with social distancing or isolation or mask use, or they may need additional visual or verbal reminders or assistance implementing the school’s social distancing protocols. The information also links to guidance regarding protections related to service animals.

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