Ridgewood NJ, In an interesting turn of events Ridgewood ‘s own Paul Vagianos of Its “Greek to Me ” has announced his candidacy ,running as Democratic for State Assembly – District 40.
The campaign will host a major fund raiser on May 9th , Vagianos is relative unknown outside of Ridgewood. So the question is why didn’t our Mayor throw his hat into the ring? He has more name recognition and political background and he has developed a strong friendship with State Senator Kevin O’Tool . Could it our mayor Paul Aronsohn has other plans or is there some other issues like his unenthusiastic support for the Roy Cho campaign against Congressmen Scott Garrett or maybe even some potential fallout from the Bob Menendez blow up with President Obama ?
To many the town question remains if he win will he take his planters to Trenton?
May 9th Event: Vagianos & Ordway for N.J. Assembly
Thank you for supporting the Vagianos & Ordway for N.J. Assembly May 9th Fundraising event with Special Guest Brendan “Tom” Byrne, Jr.!
The event is on Saturday, May 9th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Home of Christine and Ed Ordway, 102 Evergreen Court, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Cocktails and a Dinner Buffet will be served.
You may make your contribution online on this page, or you may mail with your contribution via check to:
Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly, Finance Office, P.O. Box 370, Ridgewood N.J. 07451
Check contributions should be made payable to: Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly
Paid for By Vagianos and Ordway for N.J. Assembly, 717 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, N.J. 07432
APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 9:22 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Village Council is getting ready to introduce its spending plan for the 2015 fiscal year after a final discussion last week pertaining to some items contained in the 2015 operating and capital budgets.
All five council members stated at least some support for the staff recommended budget, which calls for a 1.2 percent tax increase. A home assessed at the village average of $690,672 would see a $46.72 increase.
The budget is scheduled for introduction on April 22, while village officials are targeting May 27 for a public hearing and adoption.
One of the changes proposed in the budget is increasing the hours for senior human resources professional Sharyn Matthews from 29 to 35 hours, making her position full-time.
Councilman Michael Sedon questioned Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld as to why it was necessary to increase Matthews’ role from part-time to full-time.
Sonenfeld responded that the full-time human resources professional will work on an organizational redesign with the significant retirements the village is facing in the coming years, as well as putting a strong process in place for a performance evaluation system.
There will also be a general savings to the village in having Matthews handle responsibilities currently borne by other professionals such as the labor attorney, Sonenfeld said.
Treasurer Steve Sanzari noted that the village budgeted $60,000 for labor attorney fees, but actually spent $96,210 last year. With a full-time human resources staffer on board, $50,000 needed to be set aside.
Ridgewood NJ, In Ridgewood ,there seemed to be far less accidents involving pedestrians and automobiles this past year? I do not know the numbers .
So we asked Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward if we did have decrease what in your mind was particularly effective in mitigating pedestrian incidents. If we had an increase what policy can the Village , the Schools or the Ridgewood PD do to increase awareness of public safety and make our streets safer ?
The Chief took time out to respond , “We did have a decrease in pedestrian related accidents in 2014. I can say we have experienced a significant decrease in the level of injury to pedestrians. That being said in December (2014) we did have several but again still well below last year. As far as why, I can say we have increased our efforts in the areas of education and enforcement as well as the efforts in the area of engineering to enhance safety. As you know there are too many variables to attribute a causal nexus between our efforts and the reductions in pedestrian crashes , but one could argue that there appears to be a correlation.
While according to the Record there has been an increase state wide , the Chiefs efforts in Village suggest that simply “awareness ” from both drivers , walkers and cyclist may be the key .
N.J. pedestrian deaths rise; police look for reasons
APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 6:47 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
Sad to say, each time you read your favorite newspaper, there’s a good chance you’ll learn about someone like Anila Lluka or Lisa Borsellino or Donna Marie Wine, whose lives were cut short at the rate of one every other day in New Jersey — twice a month in Bergen County.
These deaths happen so routinely that we often barely recognize their significance because the victims were doing something as common as crossing River Street in Hackensack, where Borsellino was struck down last October, or Paramus Road in Paramus, where Lluka was killed last November.
Tragically, such passings have become much more frequent lately, according to updated figures recently released by the New Jersey State Police fatal accident unit.
Pedestrian deaths totaled 169 statewide last year, including that of Ms. Wine, a beautician who was standing with others on Grand Avenue at an outdoor market in Hawthorne last August when a truck plowed into her. In Bergen, walking deaths peaked at 24 last year. Victims included Stephen Petruzzello, a 22-year-old Cliffside Park police officer who was run down crossing Walker Street two days after Christmas while on the job with his partner.
With Bergen now accounting for more pedestrian fatalities by far than any other county in the state, traffic cops in many of its 70 municipalities have begun digging into their files to find better ways to prevent such deaths.
Please join us tomorrow night for the next Planning Board Meeting Available
Tuesday, April 21 at Village Hall (not the HS)
Deliberations to begin at approximately 8:45 to 9 pm.
(The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but the discussion on High Density Housing is not the first item on the agenda)
Agenda: The Planning Board will continue deliberating and Village Planner, Blais Brancheau, will provide some detail regarding issues put forth by Planning Board members last month. We are hoping Blais addresses concerns raised by several Planning Board members — concerns also shared by CBR.
To refresh your memory, below is a reprint of our reap from the 3/17/15 Planning Board Meeting:
CBR’s recap of 3/17/15 Planning Board Meeting
CBR Note:
The first condition of this amendment, aside from density and height issues, is changing the usage in the zones from commercial to residential. Keep in mind that when the planning board members state that they support the usage change, that does not necessarily indicate that they approve the densities that are proposed. Changing the zoning in an area of our CBD from commercial to residential is a big step in itself, as presumably once residential is built, there is no turning back to commercial usage on that site.
Once usage is addressed, the next issue is how much residential do you allow? Currently, most residential properties in the CBD have commercial usage on the first floor. Under this amendment, commercial usage on the first floor is no longer required. Allowing housing in our downtown at density higher than the 12 units per acre that is currently permitted makes sense, and anything over 12 units an acre constitutes “higher density.” Considering that the average density that currently exists in our downtown now is actually 22-24 units per acre, CBR would be quite comfortable with setting 22 or 24 units per acre as the new limit for density. We feel that doubling those numbers is too much, and that 35-40 units an acre and beyond would significantly alter the character of our Village. It is very important that our planning board finds the right balance in this amendment.
CBR ReCap:
We took notes on each of the Planning Board member’s comments and would like to share them here. Our notes are not direct quotes.
Absent from this meeting was Nancy Bigos. She has yet to weigh in.
Charles Nalbantian, the Chairman of the Planning Board, agrees that the usage (housing rather than commercial) is good, but said the “devil is in the details.” He expressed reservations about the height and RSIS (state mandated parking requirements), and indicated that he is not sure yet about the density.
Richard Joel, the Vice Chairman of the Planning Board, agrees with the usage (housing in our CBD) and believes it will promote the general welfare. He feels that we need to develop these under-utilized sites and there is a need for a variety of housing. He said that he doesn’t know what the right balance between height and density should be.
Kevin Riley, supports the use of housing in our downtown but is concerned with height and density. He said he would like to see the density reduced from what is currently put forth in the amendment.
Wendy Dockray, thinks concept of multifamily housing is a good one but has her “yellow flags” or reservations. She is not sure this is actually what seniors are looking for in terms of space and affordability. She is concerned that the height and scale will negatively impact the historical character of Ridgewood. She said going from 12 units per acre to 40-50 is a “huge jump” and she is not sure if building 40 – 50 units an acre is necessary or appropriate to achieve housing. She is also concerned with the fiscal impact and noted that our schools are “at capacity.”
David Thurston, supports the amendment AS IS. He doesn’t want to “play chicken” with developers by giving them less than what they want. He said this is his business and if the Planning Board comes back with less than the amendment, it may not be “economically sound” for the developers. He is in favor of the 40 – 50 units in our CBD and is worried about what our town will look like in 40 years if we don’t allow the developers to build.
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen, not in favor of the amendment as it is written. She is concerned with the density, height, impact of adding more pedestrians that will impede traffic, open space and the changing character of Ridgewood. She said the she would like to see developers move forward with something, but would like to see a balance.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn, feels this is an opportunity for Ridgewood. He feels like we have enough information to make a decision and we should move forward soon. He said that people who don’t want their big houses could move to these apartments, but we need to strike the right balance. His stated that his issues are 1) density, 2) amenities (he would like to find a way to incentivize the developers to build high end apartments), 3) housing for special needs residents, 4) parking (he wondered if developers not providing sufficient parking could be forced to pay money into a fund to use for public parking), and 5) can separate amendments be crafted to address each zone individually?
Michele Peters, concerned about the density. Not in favor of the current amendment. She questioned whether the parking that was being considered as part of the proposals in the redevelopment zone on N. Walnut would alleviate some of the parking deficit in Ridgewood, but was told the deficit is beyond what could be added in the redevelopment zone.
Isabella Altano, (1st alternate on PB) wants to see more consideration given to the impacts. She feels we need a lower density. She asked about the potential costs to our infrastructure, if projected school enrollment could be provided that included approval of 400+ new apartments and what could be done to address our open space deficiency.
Khidir Abdalla, (2nd alternate on PB) said that we shouldn’t be afraid of change and supports the amendment. He is not concerned with the density and scale and feels that this type of housing fits in well to an URBAN downtown. He feels we need increased density in order to get pedestrian traffic that is needed to revitalize our downtown.
Chinese Mahjong, Instructional, Tuesday, April 17, 7pm. Registration required and space limited. Please contact Jin Lee at [email protected] or 201-670-5600, ext. 125. Drop-in practice, Tuesday, April 24, 10am. No registration required.
Highlights of Italian Opera: La Traviata, Sunday, April 19, 2pm. Sung by students of tenor Francisco Casanova. All welcome. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Mysterious China, Tuesday, April 21, 6:30pm. Dr. Jim Kane shares lecture of his 300-mile journey. Free, all welcome. Light refreshments.
Women & Finance, Thursday, April 23, 7pm. RW resident and UBS VP Kathy Entwistle and guest speaker, Randi Bale, teach how to improve your financial picture and get your life in order. All welcome.
MakerSpace Saturday: Poetry Magnets, Saturday, April 25, 11am-12pm. Drop in to celebrate April Poetry Month. Complimentary for RW residents; $5/project for visitors. Kids under 10 should be accompanied by an adult.
Rave On!, Sunday, April 26, 2pm. Classic early rock from Buddy Holly, Orbison, more. All welcome. Donations are greatly appreciated.
*NEW* Memoir Writing Club, Tuesday, April 28, 3pm. Ever think your life story could be a novel? Want to share your family stories with future generations? We have a new writing group to help turn your memories into memoirs. No writing experience required. Contact Kerri for more information at [email protected] or 201-670-5600, ext. 103.
Documentary Screening—Blue Gold: World Water Wars (2008, 90 min), Wednesday, April 29, 7pm. What can we do to save our dwindling water supply? Screening of award-winning documentary followed by q&a with Barry Scheibner, business manager, Ridgewood Water. Co-sponsored by the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) and the League of Women Voters of Ridgewood.
World Language Café: Italian, Thursday, April 30, 2-3pm. Meet in our auditorium and brush up on your Italian. Registration required and space is limited. Register atwww.ridgewoodlibrary.org or contact Kerri at 201-670-5600, ext. 103 [email protected].
Making a Good Impressionism, Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm. French Impressionist and American paintings from art museums of Montclair, Princeton University and Newark. Speaker: Dr. Michael Norris. Free, all welcome. Light refreshments.
Ridgewood Library Valley Hospital Wellness Partnership
Saving the Spring in Your Step, Tuesday, April 28, 7-8:30pm. Foot and ankle problems are caused by injuries, diabetes, arthritis, genetics—or maybe just the wrong shoes. Learn about prevention, symptoms and relief. Speaker: Dr. Andrew Brief, M.D., orthopedic surgeon. All welcome, registration required. To register: 1-800-825-5391 or www.valleyhealth.com/events.
Local History & Genealogy
Internet Genealogy, Monday, April 20, 7pm. Learn the best steps to accessing genealogy records and information on the Internet. For info/registration, please contact Sarah Kiefer [email protected] or 201-670-5600, ext. 135.
Researching Civil War Ancestors, Saturday, April 25, 10:30am. For info/registration, please contact Sarah Kiefer at [email protected] or 201-670-5600, ext. 135.
Ellis Island, Monday, Monday, April 27, 7pm. Monthly meeting of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County. All welcome.
Great Decisions Discussion Group
“Sectarianism in the Middle East,” Thursday, April 23, 12:30-2pm. Many of the current Middle East conflicts have been attributed to sectarianism, a politicization of ethnic and religious identity. How have governments manipulated sectarian differences? And what is the U.S. doing about it? Pre-registration and readings required. Please contact Eileen Colyer at 201-670-5600, ext. 132 or [email protected].
ESL for Adults
Spring Conversation Group, Wednesdays, 1-2:30pm, March 18-May 6. No class on April 1. Free for all ESL students. No registration required. For info, contact Eileen Colyer, ext. 132 [email protected].
Readers Choice Book Group
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Friday, April 17, 1-2:30pm. Copies available at the Circulation desk. Led by Dr. Ginny Hyman.
Movies
Monday Night Movie, Birdman (2014; R; 119 min), Monday, April 20, 6:30pm. Washed-up actor tries to overcome former superhero role. Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone. Academy Award Best Picture.
Friday Matinee, Gone Girl (2014; R; 149 min), Friday, April 24, 1pm. When Amy disappears, her husband is suspected of murder. Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike
$519,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508045
176 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
23
$520,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1506035
484 Grove St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Sharon Barbaro, Sales Associate
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty, Hawthorne
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
22
$529,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509389
228 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Monis Young, Broker
Exclusive Properties Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
22
$538,777 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1507471
425 Prospect St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Paula Clark, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Hillsdale
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
25
$550,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511458
367 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
21
$620,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1430875
495 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
$649,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509653
511 N Monroe St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Edward Ditroia, Broker Associate
RE/MAX Elite Associates
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
25
$649,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1513456
496 Smith Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, B/L
Alina Nolan, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
18
$650,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1506057
428 Sterling Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Robert Stemple, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
14
The Ridgewood Guild is proud to be sponsoring its 5th Annual Spring Film Festival! The two day event is slated for Wed. and Thurs. April 29 and 30, 2015 at the BowTie Cinema (formerly Clearview Warner) in downtown Ridgewood, NJ. The Festival will include a red carpet ceremony, an awards presentation, and after party. All proceeds of the festival will go to The Ridgewood Guild to help “Create a Better Ridgewood.”
The Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival is in its fifth year of celebrating excellence in US and International independent films of all genres.
With celebrity guests and film screenings complemented by lively and informative Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers, the annual RGIFF is highly anticipated by independent filmmakers, professionals, film lovers and enthusiasts as well as students who participate in our ‘Student Filmmaker Night’
This year a new evening of Foreign Films at the Ridgewood Public Library has been added to the Festival.
Join us at the Film Makers Lounge which has been added on Thursday from 4:30-6pm at Park West Tavern, 30 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ. Come and enjoy a special food and drink menu for Filmmakers and Filmgoers before attending the Red Carpet event and Film Festival.
Thursday’s Film Festival After Party and Awards Ceremony will take place from 10:45pm at Park West Tavern, 30 Oak Street, Ridgewood, NJ. Join us and mingle with the Filmmakers, Actors, Festival Goers, Ridgewood Guild Members while enjoying complimentary bites as we announce the winners of the 2015 Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival.
Tickets are always available each night of the Festival at the door [even when online sales have ended]
Tickets are now on sale for THE 5TH ANNUAL RIDGEWOOD GUILD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL! WEDNESDAY 4/29 & THURSDAY 4/30 AT THE WARNER THEATER/BOW TIE CINEMA.
FRIDAY 5/1 FOREIGN FILM NIGHT HAS BEEN ADDED AT THE RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY!
All are invited to join us as we kick off to our Ridgewood Guild International Film Festival!!
About the 2014 Film Festival
The two day event took place on Wednesday and Thursday April 23 and 24, at the Bowtie Cinema (formerly Clearview Warner) in downtown Ridgewood, NJ. The Festival included a red carpet ceremony, an awards presentation, and after party at Park West Tavern (30 Oak St.). All proceeds of the Festival went to help “Create a Better Ridgewood.”
About the 2013 Film Festival
The two day event took place on Wednesday and Thursday April 17 and 218, at the Clearview Warner Theater in downtown Ridgewood, NJ. The festival featured over 40 films from award winning filmmakers from around the country, as well as local artists and student films from Ridgewood and surrounding towns. All proceeds of the Festival went to help “Create a Better Ridgewood.”
About the 2012 Film Festival
The two day event took place on Wednesday and Thursday April 25 and 26, at the Clearview Warner Theater in downtown Ridgewood, NJ. All proceeds of the Festival went to help “Create a Better Ridgewood.”
Tim Cronin and Nancy Bigos of the Dept. of Parks & Rec have posted the Graydon schedule on the Graydon page of the Village calendar as follows (asterisks have been added):
2015 SEASON
Early Season – Saturday, June 6 to Thursday, June 18
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
Regular Season – Friday, June 19 to Sunday, August 16
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
July 4th – Holiday hours, 10 am to 4 pm
Late Season – Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30th
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
****POOL CLOSED – Monday, August 31 through Friday, September 4****
Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
1. Graydon will open two hours late (at noon) on the first 9 weekdays in June following theJune 6-7 opening weekend (that is, June 8-12 and 15-18). Full opening hours (10 AM to 7:30 PM) will begin on Friday, June 19, the day after the last day of school. Late opening resumes for 10 weekdays in late August (Aug. 17-21 and 24-28).
Total of short days: 19 = 38 lost hours of beach time.
Note: Crestwood Lake in Allendale will open two full weeks earlier, on May 23. Weekday hours until school is out will be 1-5 PM throughout that period.
2. Graydon will be CLOSED for the entire 5 days before Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 4). Rationale: lifeguards will not be available because they’ll be in school, with Ridgewood and some other schools opening before Labor Day (Sept. 7)–but none as early as Aug. 31, and Ridgewood with a half-day on Wed. 9/9 and only 2 full days of school, why close all week?
The other part of the argument is that pool managers will be unavailable because they are teachers.
So maybe hire a couple who aren’t teachers? There’s still time.
Total of lost hours that week: 47.5 (9.5/day x 5 days)
Total lost beach time: 38 hours (late opening) + 47.5 hours (week before Labor Day weekend) = 85.5 hours
That’s the equivalent of 9 full lost days (9.5 x 9).
Full hours all season would include 893 hours. Since the first Saturday in June is late this year (June 6), the season is already short. From the first Saturday in June through Labor Day runs 13 weeks 3 days, or (13 x 7) + 3 = 94 days; that’s 9.5 hours/day x 94 = 893 hours. Removing 85.5 hours constitutes a 10.44% reduction. An additional 3.5 hours of closing occur on July 4, when Graydon is closed at 4 PM as a “drop zone” for fireworks.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY to demonstrate to the council every year that people still care about Graydon? I don’t know, but it is.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE if people show up at a council meeting to express their views/displeasure? I don’t know, but it often helps. And the less familiar their faces are, the better–also odd but true.
I am not attempting to convene a rally. However, next Wednesday’s council meeting is our last shot at trying to get this year’s proposed reduced hours rolled back. THE COUNCIL MUST STILL VOTE ON IT, although it would have slid through this important step if I hadn’t noticed the web page announcement and yawped at them at the April 8 council meeting. There was no meeting this week; Graydon, I’m told, will be on the agenda for next week. (The agenda has not been posted yet; https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/agenda.cfm/)
If you care about this, please make your voice heard.
The council is tired of hearing my voice and so am I. It has been amply demonstrated that a show of strength and interest at a council meeting makes an impression on elected officials. It may not help, but it can’t hurt. And there is always next year and beyond for the council to consider and plan for.
Village Council
Public Work Session
Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 PM
Village Hall courtroom, 4th floor
Public comment is likely to begin shortly after 7:30, after the Pledge of Allegiance. Please consider stating briefly why the opening hours matter to you and why you believe our council and staff should make whatever effort is required to keep Graydon open for full summer hours–a situation that was assumed and unquestioned for decades.
Be specific, if possible: morning swim fan; work schedule prevents going when it’s open; want to invite guests or take children/grandchildren when a late opening is now scheduled; like to take vacation days from work to go swimming, but want to arrive before noon; council claims to care about seniors; school-aged children do not comprise Graydon’s only constituency; unnecessary to shut down for the entire week before Labor Day, even considering school schedules; why not at least open from 3 to 7:30 on those days?
If you can’t come, please consider contacting the council to express your views. Their email addresses will pop up in an email form through this link:
https://www.preservegraydon.org/write-council
And then we’ll see! Thanks.
Swimmingly,
Marcia
===========================================
Marcia Ringel, Co-Chair
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
www.PreserveGraydon.org
APRIL 16, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015, 3:38 PM
BY BY TIFFANY KATEHAKIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
With this year’s dreary winter weather officially a memory, Ridgewood is gearing up for a blossoming spring season with its Daffodil Festival and Earth Day celebration set for Sunday
This year for the first time, the Conservancy for Ridgewood Public Lands (CRPL) and the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee (REAC) have teamed up to create a joint event.
The theme of the event is “Ridgewood Grows Green and Yellow.” Attendees are encouraged to wear green and yellow attire to the event.
CRPL organized last year’s first ever Daffodil Festival; REAC organizes the village’s annual Earth Day celebration.
“The yellow symbolizes the daffodils and the green symbolizes trees for Earth Day,” said Councilman Michael Sedon.
The two organizations have similar environmentally conscious initiatives in the village and when they held meetings to discuss the potential combination the two events, “It seemed like a natural partnership, combining the family fun of the Daffodil Festival with the environmentally conscious mind of Earth Day,” said Angela Leemans, REAC chair. “The message is to focus on the environment and making Ridgewood a more beautiful community.”
APRIL 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY AIMEE LA FOUNTAIN
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Christie Kim
Six-year-old Ridgewood resident Christie Kim is making her Broadway debut as an ensemble member in Lincoln Center’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I”
The musical, which is directed by Bartlett Sher and opened on Thursday night, tells the story of an unlikely relationship between British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens and the imperious King of Siam.
Christie was thrilled to learn she was cast in the show.
“I was jumping up and down and I almost fell off my chair at dinner,” she said.
Christie auditioned for the show at the suggestion of her vocal coach, Jackie Moro.
“Because I’ve been involved in the entertainment business for a long time, I know what kind of child can go through the audition process,” Moro said. “I knew that Christie was the type of child who had the right stamina and work ethic.”
APRIL 14, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015, 9:42 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Council has approved new construction code fees, adopting the implementing ordinance by 3-2 vote during its meeting last Wednesday.
Council members Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon voted against the fee changes.
Knudsen did not offer explanation for her vote; however, Sedon said he reviewed the Building Department’s upcoming budget when reaching his decision. In comparing anticipated revenues and expenditures, the councilman said the department is turning a $134,000 profit.
“My feeling is we’re covering the cost of the department and able to make a little bit of money while still offering residents a bit of a deal on inspections when they have work done,” Sedon said, suggesting the higher fees were unnecessary.
With the new ordinance, the building department is aiming to bring the village’s construction code fees more in line with surrounding towns and the state of New Jersey.
Tom Yotka, the new director of the Building Department and construction official, said the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) requires the construction official in each municipality to review the fees a minimum of every two years. Yotka noted the last effective change to the ordinance was in 2009, but did not know when the department last reviewed its charges.
If you have traveled around the state lately, chances are you have come across construction of some kind.
According to the State Department of Labor and Workforce Development, there has been a spike of 10,000 construction jobs in 2014 and an increase of 7,900 during January and February of this year.
One housing and economics expert said there are five main factors driving the construction increase.
“The first is higher education which is the result of the bond issue and universities and colleges are leveraging those funds in public/private partnerships,” said James Hughes, dean of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
The second is demographically driven.
“The real growth in the population is millennials and aging baby boomers who are resizing in the housing market. So, we have almost record high numbers of multifamily construction. The multifamily rental housing sector is now about 60 percent where historically, it’s been about 30 percent,” Hughes said.
New Jersey is also the third largest warehouse distribution center in the country, a sector that has been growing very rapidly as a result of e-commerce.
“Instead of building conventional warehouses, what are now being erected are very large fulfillment centers, like the one for Amazon in Robbinsville. With people shopping on the Internet, a lot of space is needed to store items before they are shipped,” Hughes said.
Data centers are a significant factor to the increase in construction as well, namely because of New Jersey’s geography.
“In many cases, the big New York brokerage houses need vast data centers to store their information and they want them on a different power grid than the main headquarters, but they can’t be too far away from the major trading centers because those milliseconds are very important in high-speed trading. New Jersey is in a good location for that,” Hughes said.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. , Ridgewood Police with the help of Fish and wildlife officials tranquilized a bear found roaming through the Village in a sign that bear-sighting season is here.
Chief John M. Ward ,”I would like to thank Bergen County, Glen Rock and Ho Ho Kus Police Departments, TYCO animal control and NJ Fish & Game for their assistance in the tracking, containment and capture of the bear. Additionally I would like to thank Ridgewood Fire, Emergency Services, and OEM for their valuable assistance with notification of the public and helping to secure the perimeter, area sports fields and schools during the incident. Finally I would like to thank our residents for their cooperation and understanding which allowed us to deal with the situation as quickly and safely as possible. “
Authorities speculate that the 175-pound male black bear that was seen Saturday morning in Ridgewood,may have been the same one seen in Hawthorne Friday night.
Experts tell The Bergen Record that bear sightings pick up at this time of year as the bruins emerge from hibernating to look for food. Males can roam as far as 50 miles from their dens.
Bears have been seen all around New Jersey but sightings have been mainly concentrated in the northwest part of the state.
New Jersey hosts a state-sanctioned bear hunt that has killed about 1,900 bears since 2010 and the state has proposed expanding the hunt in coming years.
APRIL 13, 2015, 8:02 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015, 8:03 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
SOUTH NYACK, N.Y. — Six additional charges were filed on Monday against Kurt G. Ludwigsen, the 43-year-old Ridgewood resident accused of inappropriately kissing and touching several softball players he had coached at Nyack College.
The additional charges were revealed at Ludwigsen’s arraignment in South Nyack court on Monday evening.
More than 90 charges of forcible touching of another’s sexual/intimate parts and harassment were brought against Ludwigsen last Thursdayfollowing interviews with between 10 and 20 of his players, who ranged from 18 to 23 years old, South Nyack-Grand View Police Chief Brent Newbury said.
Newbury confirmed another victim had come forward on Monday, resulting in six more “similar charges.” Those charges were not outlined during Ludwigsen’s arraignment. However, Newbury said three were harassment related and three were related to unwanted touching.
Dressed in khaki pants with matching shoes and a purple, white, and dark green plaid shirt and carrying a black backpack, Ludwigsen sat at the back of the court room audience, occasionally cracking his knuckles.
Before his name was called by Judge Thomas Mascola, Ludwigsen — also known as Kurt Vogner — also sent text messages and checked sports scores on his phone.
Ludwigsen approached the bench with his attorney, David Goldstein, who didn’t once remove his sunglasses.
Goldstein waived a reading of the charges against his client, and a not guilty plea was entered on his Ludwigsen’s behalf. The Ridgewood man will return to South Nyack for another hearing on May 11.
Mascola on Monday also approved a protective order sought by the most recent player to press charges against Ludwigsen.
