Tag: Ridgewood NJ

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Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad

Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
Parked Ridgewood Police Cruiser Struck on South Broad
October 26,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, An adult female driver of a Ford Escape lost control of her vehicle after making a right turn and crashed head on into an unoccupied marked Ridgewood police cruiser shortly after 7:30 PM on Sunday, 10/25.
There were no injuries in the crash, which occurred in front of 26 South Broad Street, Ridgewood, but both vehicles sustained heavy front end damage and had to be removed from the scene by separate flatbed tow trucks. Ridgewood FD personnel were called to contain a crash related fluid leak.
Witnesses to the crash reported that the Escape was traveling at a high rate of speed and had just passed another vehicle moments before the crash occurred, but no summonses were issued at the scene. The driver and her passenger were observed sitting at an outdoor cafe as the crash was being investigated. The police car was parked at the location because officers were investigating the sudden death of a resident in a nearby apartment building.

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Valley Physicians Well-Represented on NJ Monthly Top Doctors List

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

October 21, 2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Monthly magazine has named 58 doctors from The Valley Hospital’s Medical staff to its 2015 “Top Doctors” list.

To compile their list, New Jersey Monthly commissioned an independent survey of every licensed doctor in New Jersey.  Each of the doctors was asked to vote for physicians he or she would choose to treat him or herself or a family member. The list names 647 doctors in 57 medical specialties.

Included on the “Top Doctors’ list are 58 members of Valley’s medical staff in a range of specialties, including cardiac electrophysiology, gynecologic oncology, hematology and oncology, maternal/fetal medicine, neonatology, obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, surgery and vascular surgery.

Valley physicians who were listed in the special issue of New Jersey Monthly magazine are:
Thomas Ahlborn, M.D., General Surgery; Mutahar Ahmed, M.D., Urology; Frederick Alexander, M.D.,Pediatric Surgery; Douglas Avella, M.D., Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery; Eric Avezzano, M.D.,Gastroenterology; Hooman Azmi, M.D., Neurosurgery; George Becker, M.D., Emergency Medicine;Jessica Blume, M.D., Allergy and Immunology; Neal Breit, M.D., Endocrinologist; Crystal Broussard, M.D., Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine; Cindy Chang, M.D., Allergy and Immunology; Daniel Char, M.D., Vascular Surgery; John Chuback, M.D., Cardiac Surgery; Jeff Chung, M.D., Rheumatology

Sameera Daud- Ahmad, M.D., Endocrinology; Mark Dombrowski, M.D., Family Practice; Frederick Fakharzadeh, M.D., Orthopedic Hand Surgery; Frank Ferraro, M.D., Plastic Surgery; Susan Flanzman, M.D., Internal Medicine; Gregory Gallina, M.D., Colon and Rectal Surgery ; Rajinder Gandhi, M.D.,Pediatric Surgery; Carol Glaubiger, M.D., Internal Medicine; Michele Gliksman, M.D., Gynecology;Edward Gold, M.D., Oncology Medical and Internal Medicine; Noah Goldman, M.D., Gynecologic Oncology; David Goldstein, M.D., Gastroenterology; Richard Goldstein, DPM, Podiatry; Lawrence Harrison, M.D., Surgical Oncology; Joel Jacowitz, M.D., Cardiology; George Kaptain, M.D.,Neurosurgery; David Konigsberg, M.D., Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery; Peter Lee, M.D., Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Bennett Leifer, M.D., Internal Medicine & Geriatric Medicine; Rafael Levin, M.D., Orthopedic Surgery;Joseph Licata, M.D., General Surgery; Frank Manginello, M.D., Pediatrics, Neonatology; Farshad Mansouri, M.D., Colon and Rectal Surgery; Zvi Marans, M.D., Pediatric Cardiology; Stephen Margulis, M.D., Gastroenterology; Monica Meyer, M.D., Obstetrics & Gynecology; Mary Ann Michelis, M.D.,Allergy & Immunology; Sessine Najjar, M.D., Internal Medicine; Joel Nizin, M.D., Colon and Rectal Surgery; Kumar Patel, M.D., Vascular Surgery; Rajnik Raab, M.D., Neurosurgery; Roger Rosenstein, M.D., Orthopedic Surgery and Hand Surgery

Steven Rosner, M.D., Rheumatology; Patrick Roth, M.D., Neurosurgery; Viral Shah, M.D.,Endocrinology and Internal Medicine; Leonard Silverstein, M.D., Allergy and Immunology; Carol Sotsky, M.D., Infectious Diseases; Gerald Sotsky, M.D., Cardiology; Jacques Tohme, M.D., Endocrinology and Internal Medicine; Roy Vingan, M.D., Neurosurgery; Howard Weizman, M.D., Nephrology and Internal Medicine; Ronald White, M.D., Colon and Rectal Surgery; Luis Zapiach, M.D., Plastic Surgery and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery; Ira Zucker, M.D., Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine.

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Readers call Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee Conclusion on Hudson Street Parking Garage Questionable at Best

Hudson Garage

Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee Concludes Hudson Street Parking Garage can be funded entirely by parking revenues. Well maybe they would like to sign a contract that they will be financially responsible for any shot falls of the garage for the term of the bond. That board both past and presents members are all tied in to the 3 amigos.

Timing alone of this released opinion is more than questionable.let them release the Data or withdraw these Statements.NO ONE GETS CALLED OUT ON ANYTHING IN RIDGEWOOD.We are talking Millions in underfunded liabilities including New village Emoloyees and associated Liabilities also for their Employment and Benefits Costs.

The scary issue is what utilization the garage has to achieve to cover its fixed cost ( salaries, debt service, etc.). If it covers with 50 % of spaces occupied during the day that might be OK, but if it takes 90%+, then we’re probably looking at a money pit.I don’t see where this issue was addressed by the FAC. As others have said, “can” is not the same as “will” or even ” will probably”

Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee Concludes Hudson Street Parking Garage can be funded entirely by parking revenues
This title is misleading. Maybe it “can” be funded by parking revenues, but maybe it cannot. Maybe it “can” be if the rates go up town-wide, if the hours of paid parking are extended, if the lot is occupied 24/7…….or maybe even then it cannot be.

“We recognize that while parking revenues should cover the cost of the garage, funding the garage still creates an additional financial obligation for the Village, which would need to be met by other sources in the unlikely event that parking revenues fell short. However, we think the substantial benefits offered by a garage support taking on that obligation. * * *”

SHOULD is not the same as WILL. “IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT PARKING REVENUES FELL SHORT” – If the economy tanks as it did in 2008, parking revenues WILL FALL SHORT and taxpayers will be stuck paying for this money pit.

Why wouldn’t they recommend a public private partnership (PPP) between the Village and business owners in the CBD? If it’s so beneficial to the Village’s core, wouldn’t business owners want to contribute to the cost of the garage? Village taxpayers will get better cost oversight from private business people than if it’s just the Village engineer overseeing it… $500,000 golden toilets anyone?

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Pending projects in Ridgewood call for compromise

20151022_115458

Calling for compromise

OCTOBER 23, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print

Calling for compromise

To the Editor:

Pending projects in Ridgewood call for compromise.

1. Development in the Central Business District: So many people have weighed in on this issue and the overwhelming majority want to scale back the proposed housing density change from 35 units per acre to approximately 24, when 12 is currently allowed. At a low estimate of 800 total people speaking out at recent meetings, sending emails and signing petitions, multiplied by 20 (a standard political statistic for surveying public opinion), 16,000 people spoke against the higher density change.

That number represents just about every adult resident living in town. This is a mandate. No further discussion is needed. The council should take the vote off the table and revise the resolutions.

2. Parking Garage: The projected costs are huge and people are concerned. Former Mayor Pat Mancuso suggested two parking tiers at several locations throughout the CBD. Many thought this was a great idea.

This solution would be much easier to manage and possibly a benefit to those wishing to park a bit closer to their destination.

3. Schedler: This is not the place for a 90-foot baseball diamond. The neighborhood will be adversely affected for a multitude of reasons including its close proximity to Route 17. The integrity of the historical house is in jeopardy and we lose 4.5 acres of woods.

Friends of Schedler are in favor of a smaller field which will allow for the trees to be saved and protect the house with meaningful land abutting it. A playground similar to the one at Ridge School would be a wonderful addition for all of Ridgewood’s children. It is the right thing to do and the most practical.

In addition, I believe the compost facility should be considered as a location for the larger baseball field. The facility had been problematic and the neighbors might prefer a playing field. The site is level on land we own, it is on the west side of town, convenient to get to and we don’t have to remove acres of trees.

I also propose hiring additional people in the Shade Tree Division, which has been decimated over the years, and get back in the business of planting and maintaining our trees. We moved here for the schools, the town and the trees.

Linda McNamara

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-calling-for-compromise-1.1439342

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November 17th Planning Board Meeting Pushed Forward to November 9th

clock_cbd_theridgewoodblog

Planning Board Meeting – Cancelled November 17 – Scheduled November 9

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Cancelled: November 17, 2015, Public Meeting

Scheduled: Work Session & Special Public Meeting: Monday, November 9, 2015

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Ridgewood Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for Monday, November 9, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Annie Zusy Room on the ground floor at the Village Hall, at 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. Formal action may or may not be taken. The meeting scheduled for November 17, 2015 has been cancelled.

The agenda for the meeting includes the following, subject to change:

1. An executive session to discuss pending litigation, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and concluding at approximately 7:30 p.m.

2. Continued discussion of the reexamination of the Master Plan and development regulations, pertaining to the topics of circulation and community facilities.

3. Discussion of the preparation of the housing element of the master plan.

4. Adoption of minutes.

With the exception of Executive Sessions, all meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Michael Cafarelli

Secretary to the Board

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Ridgewood man sentenced to four months in child pornography case

11-17-14_Scott_Selders

OCTOBER 23, 2015, 7:05 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 7:49 PM
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

HACKENSACK – A Ridgewood man was sentenced on Friday to four months in jail and three years’ probation for possessing dozens of images of child pornography.

Scott Selders, 50, who appeared in Superior Court in Hackensack dressed in a black suit, was asked to remove his belt and tie before being handcuffed and led out of Judge James J. Guida’s courtroom to begin serving his sentence in the Bergen County Jail.

“I’m filled with deep shame and remorse for my dark behavior,” Selders told Guida. He also said that he was sexually abused at the age of 6.

elders has attended weekly therapy sessions and support group meetings for sex addicts, his attorney, Laura Sutnick said. She added that he has a sponsor and has participated in daily conference calls with members of the support group.

“He has done everything he can to better himself since his arrest,” Sutnick said.

Selders was caught when the files he had downloaded were uploaded to a cloud-based virtual file storage system, Assistant Prosecutor Brian Sinclair said.

Sinclair said that despite the steps Selders has taken since his arrest, “I have to speak for the kids in these pictures.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-man-sentenced-to-four-months-in-child-pornography-case-1.1440191

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Demarest Resident Falls Victim of Credit Card Fraud in Ridgewood

Credit card fraud
October 21,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Monday, October 19, 2015, a Demarest resident reported his/her credit cards taken from his/her wallet while in Ridgewood.

The victim realized that the cards were missing after being contacted by the issuer regarding suspicious activity at several local high end retail stores.
Detectives were able to obtain surveillance photographs of a male and female suspect presenting the victim’s stolen credit cards to make fraudulent purchases. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.
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Fair Lawn Resident arrested twice at Valley Hospital maternity ward on drug charges

Valley_Hospital_theridgewoodblog
October 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested at the Valley Hospital possession of a syringe containing a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) while a patient in the maternity ward at Valley Hospital. Ms. Gerianne was issued a summons pending a municipal court appearance.

On Sunday, October 18, 2015, police were again dispatched a second time to the Valley Hospital maternity ward where Jessica Gerianne, 23, of Fair Lawn, New Jersey was arrested when she was found to be in possession of a suspected controlled dangerous substance (heroin) and narcotics paraphernalia (syringe). Ms. Gerianne was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a syringe, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and possession of prescription legend drugs. She was released pending a municipal court appearance.All defendants are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

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IRS payment Scam Hits Ridgewood and Glen Rock once again

phone-scam
October 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood Police report that on Friday, October 16, 2015, a Fairway Road resident reported receiving a telephone call from an individual identifying himself as a representative of the United States Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit. The caller stated that victim had “willfully defrauded” the IRS and that the victim would be arrested, have his/her assets frozen and driving privileges/passport revoked if the victim did not wire funds ($4986.45) to an account number provided that was alleged to be an IRS tax payment account.

Numerous incidents of this type of scheme are reported to this agency on a weekly basis. Neither governmental agencies nor public utilities handle criminal investigations/delinquent accounts in this manner. Do not fall victim to this type of scam and please spread the word regarding this fraudulent activity, particularly to your elderly relatives and neighbors who often fall victim to these crimes. The matter is under investigation by the detective bureau.

This type of scam was also reported by the Glen Rock Police department on Wednesday October 21st.DO NOT provide funds or info to anyone over the phone. Reports of IRS calling residents to collect back due taxes, is a scam.

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Cousins plead not guilty in connection with shooting up Historic Ridgewood church

Old-Paramus-Church

OCTOBER 19, 2015, 6:19 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015, 6:25 PM
BY PETER J. SAMPSON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Two cousins, one dressed in a black suit and tie, the other in an orange jail uniform and shackles, stood before a judge Monday and formally denied weapons charges relating to two incidents in which more than 40 bullets were fired into the Old Paramus Reformed Church in Ridgewood, damaging the historic structure.

The church was unoccupied on Nov. 16 and Dec. 26, 2014 when, authorities allege, rounds from a high-powered rifle were fired, breaking a stained glass window dating to 1875 and sending one bullet through the front of the building and out a rear wall.

A Bergen County grand jury returned an eight-count indictment against Joseph Galli, 22, of Somerville and his cousin, Alexander Norrell, 23, of Ridgewood, on Sept. 2. Both are charged with possession of a CMMG Inc. MK-47 assault rifle with the purpose to use it unlawfully against the property of another between the two dates in question.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/cousins-plead-not-guilty-in-connection-with-ridgewood-church-shooting-1.1436311

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Village of Ridgewood : How Hate Speech Laws Work In Practice

FREE SPEECH NOT

An instructive example out of Kenya (and a few from our own backyard).

Elizabeth Nolan Brown|Oct. 20, 2015 8:00 am

One of the most baffling things about the newfangled “liberal” push for laws against so-called hate speech is their inability to imagine these bans backfiring. In their zeal to punish those who spread sexist, racist, transphobic, or otherwise out-of-fashion speech, they seem to forget that history has a bad track record of using censorship to suppress religious, social, sexual, and political minorities. And that’s exactly what’s been happening in Kenya, according to Nairobi-based newspaper The Star.

“There is growing evidence that the government is using prosecution for hate speech as a tool to silence its opposition critics,” writes John Onyando. “The norm is incendiary speech by pro-government politicians and online activists going unchecked while law enforcement agencies enthusiastically pounce on the mildest expressions by critics.”

The agency tasked with prosecuting hate speech in Kenya is called the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC); it was formed in 2008 to address ethnic conflicts in the nation. Onyando asserts that NCIC has ignored the bulk of complaints it has received and acts “more like an arm of the ruling coalition” than an independent agency, honing in only on those who speak out against the Jubilee Alliance, a coalition established in 2013 to support the candidacy of current President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

https://reason.com/blog/2015/10/20/how-hate-speech-laws-work-in-practice

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Ridgewood to apply for Bergen County grant for Schedler Park

Roberta Sonenfeld

file photo by Boyd Loving

OCTOBER 19, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015, 10:08 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

After a lengthy public hearing on Oct. 14, the Village Council decided to move forward with the process of procuring a grant for phase one of the Schedler Park project and accept a monetary gift from the Ridgewood Baseball/Softball Association (RBSA).

The approval of the two resolutions came with the notion of exploring other possible sites for a 90-foot field while scaling down the playing field at Schedler to a 60-foot diamond, which was supported by some residents in attendance.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld started the hearing with an update to the grant money available to the village. Sonenfeld reported that Bergen County received a high number of requests and the village lowered its amount to $75,000.

The RBSA also decided to increase the amount offered in its gift to the village to $150,000, Sonenfeld said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-will-apply-for-county-grant-for-schedler-park-1.1435952

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Ridgewood mulls over new design options for Schedler Park

Schedler Park

file photo by Boyd Loving

OCTOBER 19, 2015    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015, 10:45 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The latest drawings for the proposed Schedler Park, which includes a large multi-purpose field, were unveiled last week during a presentation made by village officials.

The Schedler property and the historic Zabriskie-Schedler house have come back to the forefront in recent weeks with a resolution passed by the council to endorse recommendations made for the site in the 2012 Open Space report and the submission of an application for a matching grant that would fund preliminary cleanup work in the area.

Some of the features of the potential park include an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible walking path, restrooms and playground, a woodland and nature area, and the most-discussed feature, a 90-foot baseball field with multi-purpose field overlay for soccer, lacrosse and football. A parking lot at the southern end of the triangular shaped parcel contains 74 spaces and a drop-off lane.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld emphasized this was “the beginning stages of a public discussion on the actual design of the park.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/new-designs-for-ridgewood-s-schedler-park-unveiled-1.1435966

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Politically Appointed Community Board Now Regulating Free Speech in Ridgewood and Glen Rock ?

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving

“What Would Yogi Do? Guidelines for Athletes, Coaches and Parents”author John McCarthy will speak to the Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 7:30 P.M. in The Village of Ridgewood Municipal Building, 131 North Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ in the first floor Garden Room.

Professor John McCarthy provides specific strategies to get athletes, coaches and parents on the same page. Referring to the three entities of sports as co-dependent parties, McCarthy uses Yogi Berra’s career and his own life experiences to illustrate how sports done the right way can enhance everyone’s life.

John McCarthy is an adjunct Professor at Montclair State teaching, “Coaching Principles and Problems,” in addition to, “Sports Psychology,” and “Social Problems in Sports.” McCarthy is a former two-sport, first team, nonpublic All-State athlete.  He is co-founder of the Institute for Coaching.

The Advisory Board has been working to expand its, Respect, Give it to Get it Campaign by encouraging a community wide dialogue regarding civility.

All Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and provide a safe environment for community members experiencing or witnessing bias-related crime to be heard.

 Individuals working or living within the Ridgewood Environs who have experienced bias intimidation, housing discrimination, racism, sexism, or an injustice based on their sexual orientation are urged to contact the board at [email protected].

The Community Relations Advisory Board, Appointed by the Mayors of Ridgewood and Glen Rock was created to overcome bias attitudes toward persons or groups based on their race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability. The all-volunteer Board meets the third Wednesday of each month. Visit us on Facebook @ Community Relations Advisory Board of Ridgewood and Glen Rock.

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Ridgewood’s Ben & Jerry’s Catering offers New Treat for Holiday Parties

ben and jerrys beautiful flowers 2

Try Something New This Year With Ben & Jerry’s Catering Parties

Hot Chocolate Shake Bar – Employees can warm up with these delicious hot chocolate fudge milk shakes while the fake fire video crackles in the background. Create some fun and healthy competition with board games and an ugly sweater contest and you’ve got yourself a party!

Ice Cream Eating Contest – Create stronger teams this holiday season with our famous Vermonster ice cream eating contests. Get teams of 2 – 4 to register to compete who can eat their mini Vermonster first. Create cheering sections and fan favorites. Get an MC and DJ to host and make sure you have enough ice cream for the fans, they are going to want their own!

Ice Cream Gram Event – Celebrate your employees and let them know how much you care with an Ice Cream Gram event. Employees get their favorite flavor and a customized note from their manager. Ben & Jerry’s will make it easy with a friendly user interface for all managers to submit their employees name, favorite flavor and personalized note. You pick the day to celebrate and we will deliver the WOW and make your employees feel warm and fuzzy.

These fun ideas and more are waiting for you at Ben & Jerry’s Catering. Let us customize your holiday party this year. If you book before October 31, we will waive the set up fee. Use Code: UniqueIdeas.

CALL TODAY – 201-867-1111