If you know you will not be here on May 10th to vote or have family members (i.e., college students) who are not home, go to this link to request a Mail-In Ballot.
https://www.state.nj.us/…/vote-mail-ballot-bergen-english.pdf
2012 Ridgewood Election Results
Albert J. Pucciarelli – 2078
Keith Killion – 1711
Rissell R Forenza – 817
Paul Aronsohn – 2479
Mary Jane Shinozuka – 1484
Gwenn H Hauck – 1727
There has been no better opportunity than now to unite all Village neighborhoods. Citizens for a Better Ridgewood has its roots on the West Side and favors slower growth in high density housing. The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood is based in the Travel/BF/Somerville neighborhood and favors a smaller-scale modernization effort by the Hospital. Friends of Schedler are in the neighborhoods east of Route 17 and favor preserving the woodlands on that property. Most recently, a group of tax payers from all over town that favors a 4 level garage over a 5 level garage has successfully petitioned to bring that issue to a vote.
After 4 years of a “Council majority” that has claimed to know what’s best for the rest of us and has insulted anyone that has disagreed with them, it looks like we might actually be able to take the town back from special interest groups and Council members with personal agendas.
Candidates Bernie Walsh, Jeff Voight and Ramon Hache have the very unique opportunity to unite these neighborhoods in our quest to preserve our property values and the charm of our Village. Please vote for them on May 10.
Hi James – here is a reader says story for you. Please take it if you find it interesting. I was surprised to find this fact and thought the voters should know:
Was Evan Weitz planted in Ridgewood by special interest groups?
It is a widely known speculation that our current mayor was sent to Ridgewood to bring Hudson County politics to Ridgewood. He ran for the office as soon as he moved to Ridgewood and has strategically placed the right people in different committees over the years to get the job done for developers and politicians. Rumors are that he is already renovating his house and preparing to move out once his task is done.
We looked at the council candidates for 2016. All but one are long term residents. Something VERY interesting came up for Evan Weitz. He moved to the village in late 2012 and in 2015 he was appointed to Financial Advisory Committee and made it’s CHAIR by resolution 15-301. We DID NOT find any other committee or volunteering experience from Evan before his role in Financial Advisory Committee and when he was made the chair, Janice Willet was Vice Chair of the committee already. She wasn’t promoted to the CHAIR of the committee and instead he was brought in and made the chairman. He has no prior experience with municipal financing in other towns or any experience with how Ridgewood works and our village’s finances or resident needs. He has not served in any other committee. Evan is an attorney by trade and has no experience or degree in Finance. This was evident with his answers in council meeting when he was cross examined.
So the reader asks what is the rationale for bringing a new comer to Financial Advisory Committee and bring him as the chair. Who brought him in? Who are his backers? This is he representing there? Is he being planted to complete some work that PA could not complete?
“Ms. Hauck got elected last time because the West side of Ridgewood voted and the Eastside did not. Check the records. I believe this “committee” came into existence after that election. Most of those in administration, on the board, and doctors from Valley that live in Ridgewood are also from the West side, and, I would be willing to bet, most of this front they call a Financial Advisory Committee live on the West side. Get it ? It is nothing more than a power play by a relatively small group of people with big money and egos that could care less about the overall well being of Ridgewood. And you are right 1:44, that could easily happen, but not just to that neighborhood.”
While others say , ” please don’t make this a West v. East thing. That tears a community apart and it’s insulting. I happen to live on the West side, within spitting distance of the East side – the argument that we are 2 separate groups doesn’t fly.”
Lets face it , “that has been the undercurrent for several years and now with all of the disputes going on, especially with the so called “crown jewel”, a lot of people are making this an east side west side thing… and some postings implying people living near the hospital are suckers, selfish, nimby etc. has done wonders to cement that feeling…and yes it is unfortunate but it is becoming a huge reality…”
“I’ll stick to my original comment for which I think I’m entitled after 33 yrs. It’s a power play, pure and simple. I have not said anything that people who have resided here have not said privately, trust me. But if nothing else, maybe it will get the people in this town to wake up, vote these people and their friends out, and stop the train wreck. That’s what the statement was intended to do. Sometimes being “politically correct “”does not work.”
“I live on the west side and I have email from Gwenn saying the previous administration did not take care of the west side and she and the current administration are making sure that west side is not neglected. So, she definitely tried to play that card.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
April 18,2016
Ridgewood NJ, from the Friends of Schedler Facebook page :
Outline of Proposed Terms for the Development of the Schedler Property
1. In order to provide the Village with much needed passive park and recreational space, the field shall be no larger than 60’.
2. Any design will include a sound wall to block out the sound of the highway for the entire length of the property. In addition, to a sound wall near the highway, the park will include a berm on West Saddle River Road to block off the sound and view of the park. The berm shall include several rows of regularly maintained evergreens in order to provide the neighborhood with a “green shield”.
3. All demolition, including removal of trees (downed, diseased or otherwise) will not occur until completion of a development plan and budget approved by the Village Council. Demolition shall occur in conjunction with the overall project in order to avoid a gap between demolition and construction.
4. The plan and design of the park will be developed by an independent civil engineer and landscape architect specializing in park design with input from representatives of the neighborhood and the Village.
5. The development plan and budget will be based off of independent, comprehensive studies which would include:
* Addressing the issues already identified by environmental and wildlife impact studies
* The noise study to be conducted on the property and the surrounding area
* A third party traffic and safety study on West Saddle River Road and the surrounding side streets as recommended by the council committee. The traffic and safety study will include a determination of an adequate parking lot, as well as a review of potential ingress and egress into the parking lot from Rt. 17. In addition, the traffic and safety study will include a determination of appropriate parking restrictions on West Saddle River Road and, if practical, the surrounding streets off West Saddle River Road
6. Prohibition on the inclusion of (1) lights, both permanent and portable as required by the conservation easement, (2) a public address announcement system and (3) a concession stand.
7. The hours of the park will be from dawn to dusk.
8. Installation of police monitoring system to monitor any criminal activity.
9. Preserve the Schedler house by moving forward with registering the house with the historical society. The house will be used to benefit the entire community by, for example, providing meeting space for different community groups and providing restrooms for the park participants.
file photo by Boyd Loving
by Rurik Halaby
Amazing scoop, worthy of Woodward and Bernstein. A Pulitzer in the offing?
For the record, I am personally supporting Rich Brooks, Evan Weitz, and Janice Willett. Rich I have known since he and Cynthia were active in the Red Cross. Evan and Janice I have only met recently.
For the record, I have not contributed a red cent to their campaign, and I have no plans to do so.
For the record I never interviewed them before I endorsed them and so I don’t know their positions on Valley, the Apartments, the Garage or Schedler.
For the record I am supporting them because they are people of the highest integrity, who embody the decent Ridgewood we moved to 47 years ago. People with vision and intelligence to help us meet the challenges of the future.
For the record, I don’t have a foggy idea who Valley is supporting if they are supporting anyone. I support Valley’s Renewal because the interests of Ridgewood’s Residents are best served with a world class hospital keeping up to date. And yes, wake up and smell the coffee, the courts will no BUT support Valley, Ridgewood’s Crown Jewel. And No, Valley does not pay me. It does not pay my wife either. She is a long-term volunteer who would be rich if she got paid minimum wage for every hour she spent volunteering there.
For the record, for you miscreants who criticize my wife: Ask the 1,000 people who enjoyed yesterday’s Daffodil Festival what they thought of the event which she organized. If every one of you misfits would spend a minute volunteering for every hour you spend belly aching, Ridgewood would be the proverbial Camelot you think you live in.
For the record for you ignorami who criticized my wife for planting daffodils and day lilies in the CBD, the topic of the Festival was to protect the pollinators. She was able to obtain a large supply of milkweed seed which grade school kids are planting at Twinney’s and elsewhere.
For Anon 1:16:
Rurik Halaby is a long-term resident who cares about the future of Ridgewood. Identify yourself and I will be pleased to discuss what Ridgewood is going through.
Rurik Halaby is the person who paid out of his own pocket for two mailers to go out to every household in Ridgewood encouraging people to vote. And to vote for whoever. But to vote.
Rurik Halaby, 75 years old, believes in the old Greek proverb: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”
Adult male jogger found unresponsive in Ridgewood
Ridgewood to Participate NJ Tree Recovery Campaign
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey will be giving out free trees , in partnership with the NJ Tree Recovery Campaign, the state will be handing out up to 5 free tree seedlings per resident in Ridgewood : Sat., May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, Van Neste Square
The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign is providing some 102,000 free tree seedlings to state residents. The effort is a joint public-private venture between the New Jersey State Forest Service’s Community Forestry Program and State Forest Nursery, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, Brothers International, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and FedEx.
“Trees serve many important functions, including creating habitat for wildlife, stabilizing areas that are prone to erosion, conserving energy use, and beautifying our communities,” Commissioner Martin said. “The State Forest Nursery in Jackson is providing seedlings from more than 38 different tree species for the campaign, including a wide range of trees native to New Jersey such as oaks, dogwoods and maples.”
Although forests are the greatest land use in New Jersey, every county in the state is declared “urban.” As developed areas encroach on forested areas, we see an increase in land conversion, fragmentation, and parcelization. Development may degrade water, reduce wildlife habitat, increase disturbance, and even encourage invasive plants. Development also impacts the habitat of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. We protect our forest land from conversion to urban development to maintain the sustainability of our forest resource. (https://www.stateforesters.org/forest-action-plans/new-jersey )
Ridgewood : Sat., May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, Van Neste Square
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MLS # 1612261 231 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, C/C Alina Nolan, Sales Associate Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
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MLS # 1612679 482 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C Joyce Albert, Sales Associate Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood
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MLS # 1615014 272 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C Tony Nabhan, Broker Associate Keller Williams City Views Realty
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MLS # 1613106 34 Daniel Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Twnhs Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate Keller Williams Village Square Realty
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MLS # 1613689 300 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C Glenn Hefferan, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1605312 395 Hamilton Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, S/L Olivia O. Yang, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614224 114 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Eileen Krenn, Sales Associate RE/MAX Elite Associates
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MLS # 1614648 520 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Maureen Mole, Sales Associate RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River
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MLS # 1614873 270 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Janis Fuhrman, Sales Associate Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614642 676 Howard Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col Beth Freed, Broker Associate Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Ridgewood
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– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.ACMskRWk.fnahRBZG.dpuf
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MLS # 1604193 729 Mary Ann Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614979 421 Eastgate Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Laura Gill, Sales Associate Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614875 251 Sollas Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, B/L Olivia O. Yang, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1611591 169 Melrose Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, S/L Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614432 227 Mckinley Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Ranch Angele Ekert, Sales Associate Keller Williams Village Square Realty
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MLS # 1520745 352 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col David H. Larsen, Sales Associate Keller Williams Village Square Realty
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MLS # 1508087 365 Heights Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Caren White, Sales Associate Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.
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MLS # 1603099 51 N Hillside Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Barbara Masarky, Broker Associate Tarvin Realtors
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MLS # 1610883 212 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Lynn Scerbo, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1610486 71 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Ranch Jennifer Wilkes, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.ACMskRWk.fnahRBZG.dpuf
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MLS # 1602593 362 Crest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate Tarvin Realtors
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MLS # 1613891 150 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 6 Bedroom, 6 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Anne C. Ryoo, Sales Associate Tarvin Realtors
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MLS # 1604701 353 Highland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Michael Machinski, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1604049 150 Brookside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 8 Bedroom, 8 Full Bath, 3 Half Bath, Col Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate Keller Williams Village Square Realty
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MLS # 1614822 240 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, B/L David Snyde, Sales Associate DRI Real Estate Co.
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MLS # 1604193 729 Mary Ann Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614463 130 John St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, Col Louise Jennee, Sales Associate Terrie O’Connor Realtors-Ridgewood
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MLS # 1614822 240 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, 1 Half Bath, B/L David Snyde, Sales Associate DRI Real Estate Co.
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– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.ACMskRWk.fnahRBZG.dpuf
April 16,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Choral — Women in Song and Service — will hold its 88th annual Spring Concert on Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. at West Side Presbyterian Church (6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood ). Under the direction of Marjorie Vandervoort, with Susan LaFever at the piano, the Choral will perform Rachmaninoff, Opus 15, Six Songs for Women’s Voices; music by American composers/American poets; and the songs of Richard Rodgers.
Saxophonist Marina Sakellakis of Paramus, a senior at Bergen County Academies, will perform at the concert as the Choral’s 2016 winner of the Florence Reinauer Memorial Music Award.
A reception with light refreshments will follow the music. Join us as we welcome Spring with this beautiful blend of choral pieces. Tickets are $15 advance/ $20 at the door. Call 201-327-8184 or visit www.ridgewoodchoral.org for more information.
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council Candidate asked for clarification with candidate yard signs after the incident earlier this week were “Ramon Hache” signs were targeted for removal . Bernie asked Village Clerk Heather A. Mailander, “Just for clarification. During the Vote Yes for the garage campaign. The Village manager and Village Council approved and allowed signs to be placed in planters throughout the CBD. I’m assuming this practice will be permitted for the Village Council campaign.”
Heather Mailander responded , “To clarify, based on last Fall’s regulations, the campaign signs may be placed in the public right of way (planting strip between the curb and sidewalk) anywhere in the Village, including planters in the CBD. However, they may not be placed on Village property. This includes all parks, the train station parking lot and green spaces near the train station, or other Village-owned property (Village Hall, both library properties, water properties, DPW properties, the Recycling Center, etc.). The signs cannot be a sight hazard or a pedestrian hazard. If you are unsure whether or not you can place a sign somewhere, please contact me. Also, please be aware that any signs found on Village property will be removed and not returned. ”
Resident Boyd Loving responded , “Last Fall’s regulations?” What “regulations?” I don’t recall any regulations ever being announced last Fall.
In fact, “Vote Yes for Parking” signs WERE prominently placed along the Garber Square side of the train station, along the Linwood Avenue side of Vets Field, at the entrance to the Village Recycling Center, AND within/around numerous municipal parking lots.
So clearly the “regulations” are different now that there are messages the “Council Majority” isn’t interested in seeing.
What a joke this Village government of ours has become”
Village of Ridgewood Budget Highlights and Low lights
Budget Summary
Operating & Capital Budgets done together. ◦ $47.8 Million Operating Budget ◦ $4.2 Net Million Capital Budget
1.6% Municipal Tax Increase ◦ $67.40 annual increase on an average assessed home value of $693,904.
Estimated outstanding bonds & notes $36.6 Million (12/31/15) $38.8 Million (12/31/14)
Revenues & Expenses are up approximately 1.4% from prior year.
General operating staffing levels flat to last year
2016 BUDGET PRESENTATION AT APRIL 13TH VILLAGE COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING
For the 2016 Budget Report that was presented at the Village Council Public Meeting on April 13, 2016 Click Here
file photo by Boyd Loving
NOTICE: PSE&G ELECTRIC UPGRADE IN RIDGEWOOD CBD – APRIL 14
April 14,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, PSE&G has notified the Village that they will begin the electric upgrade project this week – starting at Highwood and South Broad, working their way northward. This is to alert you to potential traffic issues.
“Thank you so much to everybody who supported our petition. Total signatures: 1,227. The BCIA ordinance has been rescinded. It is our understanding that the local bond is now suspended until the council takes further action on our petition. One level down, shovels in the ground. Power to the people!”
Saurabh Dani,Dana Glazer,Ellen Mcnamara,Lorraine Reynolds,Melanie McWilliams
Ridgewood NJ, Whole Foods Market is recalling ten ounce packages of Asparagus, Pea and Ricotta salad because it was mislabeled and actually contained miniature Asparagus, Sun Dried Tomato and Swiss Frittatas. Due to the labeling error, an egg allergen was undeclared. The product was produced at the Whole Foods Market North Atlantic Kitchen in Everett, Massachusetts.
People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. No illnesses or reactions have been reported.
The recalled product (UPC Code 0 36406 30344 5) contains frittatas and has a “sell by” date of April 14, 2016 and was sold on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at fourteen Whole Foods Market locations:
Connecticut:
Darien, CT
West Hartford, CT
New Jersey:
Millburn, NJ
Middletown, NJ
Montclair, NJ
Ridgewood, NJ
New York:
Upper West Side, NYC
Rhode Island:
University Heights, RI
Massachusetts:
Wellesley, MA
Cambridge (Prospect St), MA
Cambridge (Fresh Pond), MA
Dedham, MA
Hingham, MA
Wayland, MA
Signage is posted in affected Whole Foods Market stores to notify customers of this recall.
Consumers who have purchased this product from Whole Foods Market may return it to the store for a full refund. Consumers with questions should contact their local store or call 617-492-5500 between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST.
