February 6, 2015 Last updated: Friday, February 6, 2015, 12:31 AM
The Ridgewood New
Super Science Saturday, the annual celebration of science and technology, will take place from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at Ridgewood High School. The event, now in its 27th year, is free and open to all members of the public.
Scientists from the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia will present one of the day’s featured shows, “Chemistry,” that demonstrates everything from substances that explode (safely) to chemical “detective work” performed by laboratory scientists. The half-hour show begins at 9:30 a.m. and is presented by former Ridgewood High School graduate Sarah Rowley.
The event also has interactive exhibits from dozens of professional and amateur scientists, including 3D printers, solar telescopes, drones, robotics, the environment, health and medicine, physics and the technology used by Ridgewood’s police, fire and EMT professionals.
Ridgewood Resident Hit by Phone Scam
February 6,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood police report that on January 29, 2015 a Ridgewood resident reported getting a call from “American National Award” stating that she had won a cash award. The caller advised that she needed to wire money in order to receive her winnings. The victim complied and sent $539.00 to the caller. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.
Often, scammers who operate by phone don’t want to give you time to think about their pitch; they just want you to say “yes.” But some are so cunning that, even if you ask for more information, they seem happy to comply. They may direct you to a website or otherwise send information featuring “satisfied customers.” These customers, known as shills, are likely as fake as their praise for the company.
Here are a few red flags to help you spot telemarketing scams. If you hear a line that sounds like this, say “no, thank you,” hang up, and file a complaint with the FTC:
You’ve been specially selected (for this offer).
You’ll get a free bonus if you buy our product.
You’ve won one of five valuable prizes.
You’ve won big money in a foreign lottery.
This investment is low risk and provides a higher return than you can get anywhere else.
You have to make up your mind right away.
You trust me, right?
You don’t need to check our company with anyone.
We’ll just put the shipping and handling charges on your credit card. (https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0076-phone-scams)
IRS Warns of Pervasive Telephone Scam
IR-2013-84, Oct. 31, 2013
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned consumers about a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, throughout the country.
Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.
“This scam has hit taxpayers in nearly every state in the country. We want to educate taxpayers so they can help protect themselves. Rest assured, we do not and will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer,” says IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel. “If someone unexpectedly calls claiming to be from the IRS and threatens police arrest, deportation or license revocation if you don’t pay immediately, that is a sign that it really isn’t the IRS calling.” Werfel noted that the first IRS contact with taxpayers on a tax issue is likely to occur via mail
Other characteristics of this scam include:
Scammers use fake names and IRS badge numbers. They generally use common names and surnames to identify themselves.
Scammers may be able to recite the last four digits of a victim’s Social Security Number.
Scammers spoof the IRS toll-free number on caller ID to make it appear that it’s the IRS calling.
Scammers sometimes send bogus IRS emails to some victims to support their bogus calls.
Victims hear background noise of other calls being conducted to mimic a call site.
After threatening victims with jail time or driver’s license revocation, scammers hang up and others soon call back pretending to be from the local police or DMV, and the caller ID supports their claim.
If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, here’s what you should do:
If you know you owe taxes or you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040. The IRS employees at that line can help you with a payment issue – if there really is such an issue.
If you know you don’t owe taxes or have no reason to think that you owe any taxes (for example, you’ve never received a bill or the caller made some bogus threats as described above), then call and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1.800.366.4484.
You can file a complaint using the FTC Complaint Assistant; choose “Other” and then “Imposter Scams.” If the complaint involves someone impersonating the IRS, include the words “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
Taxpayers should be aware that there are other unrelated scams (such as a lottery sweepstakes) and solicitations (such as debt relief) that fraudulently claim to be from the IRS.
The IRS encourages taxpayers to be vigilant against phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels. The IRS also does not ask for PINs, passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts. Recipients should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail [email protected].
More information on how to report phishing scams involving the IRS is available on the genuine IRS website, IRS.gov.
Ridgewood adjusts parking rates, plans to create spaces
FEBRUARY 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — In its effort to improve parking downtown, the council has adjusted prices for some parking permits and expanded spaces in the village.
Part-time employees working at Ridgewood businesses will soon be able to purchase an annual permit for $25 allowing them access to the lot on Cottage Place. Motorists with these permits will still need to feed the meters or use a mobile app in the future to pay for time, though they can repeat park for up to six hours or buy an all-day pass for $7, officials said.
No change was made to the permits for full-time employees, which still cost $80 a month and permit all-day parking.
A vote is set for next week on a resolution to partner with Atlanta-based Parkmobile, the makers of a smartphone app that allows motorists to pay for parking with credit cards.
In addition, those with resident stickers, which can be obtained for free, can also buy same-day passes for $10 using Parkmobile. Non-residents interested in day passes will be charged $20.
Reader asks How do I get my own private street? The next question is why is this street closed? Next these people will want gates put up on both ends.
“Citizens Safety Advisory Committee sided with a contingent of Clinton Avenue residents, who told officials that the sidewalks weren’t needed or wanted”
As a West-Side resident, I wanted sidewalks on this street. Paying over $500k for bike lanes that now produces traffic and blocked intersections, but they can not install sidewalks?
These residents pay for landscapers for snow removal, so they would not have to perform any manual labor.
Another example of the council using “safety” as an excuse for one project but not for the next.
The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee makes recommendations to the Village Council on issues concerning pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety on all roads, parks and open space in Ridgewood and promotes awareness of pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety in order to improve the safe travel of all people in Ridgewood.
OK, so that is the official charge to this committee. How in the hell does letting children walk with cars on Clinton Avenue fit with these guidelines? Answer……..it fits if a member of the Committee is a Clinton Avenue resident. Mr. Fuhrman should be ashamed of himself, this is blatantly wrong.
§ 265-17 Closing of certain streets. [Amended 6-12-2013 by Ord. No. 3383] No person shall operate a vehicle on those streets or parts of streets as described in Schedule XIV (Village Code § 265-64), attached to and made a part of this chapter, during the times of the days indicated in said schedule unless he is a resident of the said street needing access to his home or can demonstrate or document a need to access a residence on the streets or parts of streets as described.
Translation – Anyone can drive on Clinton Avenue at any time so long as he/she has a business or personal reason to be at an address on the street. So even drivers who are not aware that groups of children walk down the middle of the street going to and from school are welcome to drive on the street.
“Police records show there have never been any traffic incidents along Clinton Avenue.”
Erroneous statement. Police records do indeed indicate that there have been reported traffic incidents (aka crashes) along Clinton Avenue, just not any involving pedestrians (thank goodness).
“Citizens Safety Advisory Committee sided with a contingent of Clinton Avenue residents” What credentials do they have on traffic or safety? They only thing the bitch about is speeding.
Yes the piece of the puzzle is votes and future donation to the campaign.
A resident of Clinton Avenue who is a member of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (Robert Fuhrman) reportedly did NOT recuse himself from either the Committee’s discussion or vote regarding this matter.
FEBRUARY 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Over the course of two evenings, Ridgewood residents had the chance to speak their minds about the proposed amendment to the master plan currently being sought by three developers who wish to build apartment complexes in the village’s downtown.
Citizens brought a variety of concerns before the Planning Board, with some favoring the high-density development and others calling for a scaled-back proposal decreasing the amount of units per acre currently being entertained.
Three separate developments are being proposed: the Dayton, a 106-unit luxury development in the old Brogan Cadillac lot; Chestnut Village, a 52-unit luxury development slated for Chestnut Street near the village’s central garage; and the 52-unit Enclave proposed for the intersection of East Ridgewood and North Maple avenues (the site of the old Sealfons building).
While very few of the more than 50 residents who spoke at the two meetings were completely against development, the idea of tripling or quadrupling the housing density in the Central Business District did not sit well with the majority of those who came to the podium to oppose the changes.
“It’s time for a compromise,” said resident Frank Schott. “Going from 12 units per acre to 50 is not a compromise, it is a surrender. Let’s make a generous offer of settling for doubling the permitted density to 24 units per acre.”
February 5, 2015 Last updated: Thursday, February 5, 2015, 3:11 PM
Town News
A New Jersey Transit bus found itself on the lawn of a Ridgewood home after it accidentally drove through a snow bank and stopped on the front yard on Linwood Avenue.
At the time of the accident, only the driver of the bus and one passenger were on board. The passenger said he was not paying attention to the driver before the accident and did not see the cause. It was only when the driver yelled out as he hit a roadside pile of snow and drove onto the front of a property that the passenger looked up to see the incident.
Small-plates restaurant Finca is now open in Ridgewood
JANUARY 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015, 1:20 AM
THE RECORD
NOW OPEN
Finca
20 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
201-444-1199; fincanj.com
* How it began: Marcelo Czernizer is no stranger to the Ridgewood restaurant scene. In addition to having owned The Stable, Finca’s prior incarnation, the Hillsdale resident owns Cravings Tapas Bistro, which is just across the railroad tracks on Wilsey Square. He closed The Stable in October and remodeled for three months before reopening two weeks ago as Finca, which means “estate” in Spanish.
For Finca, Czernizer jettisoned The Stable’s rodizio-style menu in favor of a selection of small-plate “global tapas,” which run the gamut from crab cakes and charred octopus to skirt steaks and shrimp tempura.
The two restaurants are differentiated by their size (Cravings has about 60 seats; Finca more than 100) and their décor (Cravings is modern and upbeat; Finca a calmer, statelier spot).
FEBRUARY 3, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015, 10:52 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
With coin meters becoming obsolete, Ridgewood may soon implement “cutting-edge” technology that lets users pay with their phone to park.
The council last Wednesday discussed three parking proposals, but ultimately expressed support for piloting an option that would require no capital investment for the village except for minor signage costs: Parkmobile, a smartphone app that will let people pay by phone and remotely extend their parking time.
If a resolution to award a contract to Parkmobile is approved at the next council meeting, then some concurrent ordinances would also need to be passed, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.
It would then take several weeks to get the pilot going, starting in the lots only, in the first phase of implementation.
“It’s at least a six week to eight week implementation time frame,” Sonenfeld said last Thursday, noting that the efforts are very “preliminary.” “If we can get it done faster, we will obviously.
FEBRUARY 1, 2015, 10:45 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2015, 10:46 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In an effort to cut down on rising costs, the state is capping a program that allows students to attend schools outside their own district at no extra cost, limiting some Bergen and Passaic schools to just a handful of open spots for the coming school year.
“It’s fiscally unsustainable,” state Education Commissioner David Hespe said in an interview. “The program has increased fivefold. The cost has increased fivefold.”
The education commissioner is also considering preventing additional students from high-performing schools, which would include many in Bergen County, from participating. The program was meant to give students access to better schools, but many of the students who took advantage already had good schools in their hometown, Hespe said.
State officials say they need to stop the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program’s growth because it has ballooned to about 5,000 students at a cost of $50 million a year. But supporters of the program say the decision to cap it seems to contradict the Christie administration’s stated policy of creating more taxpayer-financed options for students who don’t want to attend struggling local schools.
How did Camden, N.J. come to have one of the highest spending AND worst performing school districts in the nation?
The recent history of Camden, New Jersey, which is the poorest small city in America, provides a case study of the tragic ineffectiveness of government programs at ameliorating poverty. State and federal taxpayers have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on various redevelopment programs in Camden over the years, but the money never ended up where it was supposed to and the promised revival of this fallen manufacturing town never happened.
By far, the largest initiative to combat poverty with government largess has been directed at Camden’s public schools. New Jersey spends about 60% more on education per pupil than the national average according to 2012 census figures, or about $19,000 in 2013. In Camden, per pupil spending was more than $25,000 in 2013, making it one of the highest spending districts in the nation.
But all that extra money hasn’t changed the fact that Camden’s public schools are among in the worst in the nation, notorious for their abysmal test scores, the frequent occurrence of in-school violence, dilapidated buildings, and an on-time graduation rate of just 61 percent.
This is the story of how Camden became one of the nation’s best funded and worst performing school districts, which is the first in a three-part video series on Camden public school system.
Another round of ‘school report cards’ released; include new career, tech info
January 30, 2015, 7:58 PM Last updated: Friday, January 30, 2015, 7:58 PM
By HANNAN ADELY
Staff Writer | The Record
New Jersey school report cards released Friday show how well schools are educating children and include for the first time a breakdown of how many students take career and technical courses.
The School Performance Reports, searchable online, give a school-by-school picture on measures including test scores, graduation rates and absenteeism and offer comparisons among schools that have similar demographics.
“Each year, the school performance reports present information designed to give local districts a more complete snapshot of where their schools stand in terms of how well their students are moving toward college and career readiness,” said state Education Commissioner David Hespe.
Participation in career and technical education was added as a school measure under a package of bills that Governor Christie signed in December to boost vocational education.
Letter to the Editor published in The Record, Sunday, June 8, 2014
Underpass woes in Ridgewood
Ridgewood’s underpass brouhaha won’t be over until it’s over.
Meanwhile, the question is how to go under.
We’re assured that a full complement of staff professionals worked on this plan for years and the council approved it unanimously. Responding to public outcry, however, the council quickly agreed to demolish 800 to 900 feet of just-poured curbing to halve the center divider’s width from eight feet to four feet. Previously it was 3.5 feet. That enables two driving lanes to be restored later, if desired.
Good, but what a waste. And aren’t the bicycle lanes the basis of a $146,500 grant under the state’s “Complete Streets” program? Would removing them forfeit the grant?
Since a narrow median can’t support trees, wood chips or gardeners, it will be “hardscaped,” not landscaped. That’s okay, said new Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, because the median plantings on Grove Street have gone to weeds anyway. Moreover, the $5,000 “saved” on trees and $20,000 “saved” on an irrigation system can go toward the $45,000 needed to replace the new curbing.
Communications were inadequate, admitted Sonenfeld. Residents who instantly saw the plan as untenable would have weighed in long ago had they been informed.
During World War II, my father worked with Army traffic in Europe. Pins were stuck into road maps with different pin colors representing the number and extent of accidents at intersections. Where “too many” deaths were tallied, someone was sent to direct traffic.
Ridgewood should have State of the Village address
January 30, 2015 Last updated: Friday, January 30, 2015, 9:37 AM
The Ridgewood News
Start work today; think of tomorrow
Rurik Halaby
Ridgewood
To the Editor:
This month’s State of the Union address made me think, why not start a new tradition in Ridgewood where the mayor delivers an annual State of the Village address?
The speech would review all the important issues that affect our lives as residents of Ridgewood. It will encourage the political process to be proactive and focused on the long-term. Most importantly, it will hopefully attract a wider cross section of Ridgewood residents to become more involved in the affairs of our hometown.
As an example, one of the major issues that will need to be addressed is the village’s infrastructure, where we all have to think long-term, let’s say Ridgewood in 2025, and where the solutions are complex, intractable, and dependent on bureaucracies that are beyond our control. What do we need to think long-term? Maybe a “touch” of Napoleon.
It is said that the beautiful allées lining the old national highways in France go back to his time. Napoleon came up with an idea of planting trees to provide shade for his soldiers. The official who he gave the order to agreed that it would be a good idea but pointed out that it would take 20 years for the trees to grow large enough to provide shade. To which Napoleon supposedly responded, “I agree, so start today and don’t wait until tomorrow.”
So many of our infrastructure challenges, such as the urgent need to bury our utilities, are dependent upon super bureaucracies like PSE&G and will take years to fix, but that only means we have to start working on the fix today and not wait until tomorrow..
This topic along with many others that affect the quality of life in Ridgewood can be addressed in the speech. And with some luck, maybe this will be the catalyst for a spirited but civil debate on what needs to be done.
Local Realtor Adds International Marketing To Repertoire
January 30, 2015
Michael Shetler has become a KW Global Property Specialist (GPS), allowing him to leverage specialized knowledge and technology to more effectively work with international buyers and sellers.
In its 2012 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of International Home Buying Activity, the National Association of REALTORS® estimated the volume of international sales for the period April 2011-March 2012 at $ 82.5 billion. And in Bergen County, the area Mr. Shetler serves, about 28% of the population is foreign born (U. S. Census Bureau, 2006-2010).
“It’s important for me to be able to understand the wants, needs and customs of international clients,” says Shetler. “KW GPS helps me do that.”
KW GPS is an exclusive group of Keller Williams agents who recognize the importance of their international clientele. Members receive regular training on topics as diverse as legal issues, cultural fluency and financing hurdles. In addition, KW GPS provides a bundle of international marketing tools including Proxio, a marketing platform which gives international visibility to US property listings.
SEARCH BERGEN COUNTY HOMES FOR SALE
“With so many buyers in NJ coming from other parts of the world, it’s critical that my listings be marketed outside the US,” continues Shetler. “And home sellers in Bergen County recognize the importance of international marketing.”
Proxio also enables local real estate agents to network with agents from around the world.
About Michael Shetler: Michael Shetler is a real estate agent in Bergen County recognized for patiently, skillfully and diligently helping residential buyers and sellers in Bergen County. Since 2005, Michael has been a full-time REALTOR® based in Ridgewood. He earned the NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award in 2009, 2011 and 2013 and ranks in the top 7% of the 200+ agents in his office. Michael is a Glen Rock, NJ resident.
About Keller Williams Ridgewood, NJ: Keller Williams Village Square Realty is the number one ranked real estate office in the New Jersey MLS (NJMLS) based on both sales volume and sales units (2013, 2014). Located at 257 E. Ridgewood Ave in Ridgewood, NJ, the office has more than 200 real estate agents.
About KWRI: Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the largest real estate franchise company in North America, with 700 offices and 107,000 associates in more than a dozen countries around the world. In 2014, Keller Williams was named the No. 1 training organization in real estate and No. 2 training organization across all industries in the world by Training magazine. The company has grown exponentially since the opening of the first Keller Williams Realty office in 1983, and continues to cultivate an agent-centric, education-based, technology-driven culture that rewards associates as stakeholders. The company also provides specialized agents in luxury homes and commercial real estate properties. For more information or to search for homes for sale visit Keller Williams Realty online at (www.kw.com). For more information about KWWorldwide, please visit kwworldwide.com.
About Michael Shetler
Michael Shetler is a real estate marketing professional and Bergen County Market Master. He has a particular expertise in internet marketing and real estate video. Michael is a full-time Realtor® residing in Glen Rock, NJ and recipient of the NJAR® Circle of Excellence Sales Award in 2009 , 2011 and 2013.
Pressure builds for fresh look at N.J. building codes in wake of Edgewater fire
JANUARY 29, 2015, 5:39 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015, 8:31 PM
BY JEAN RIMBACH AND LINH TAT
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Pressure is mounting for a review of state building codes — and even a potential construction moratorium — in the aftermath of a fast-moving fire that destroyed more than half of an Edgewater apartment complex last week and left hundreds homeless.
Officials in Mercer County on Thursday called for an emergency review of state construction codes before a residential community planned by the same developer for Princeton gets evaluated by the state. And Assemblyman Scott Rumana, R-Wayne, said he is working on legislation that will put a moratorium of up to two years on the approval and construction of multi-family housing developments until the state’s building code is revised.
“The goal is not have any New Jersey residents’ lives at stake. But equally as important, it’s to not put our first responders into these buildings, which I would call fire traps,” said Rumana. “I have too much experience in seeing the failures of these types of facilities — if this fire happened seven or 10 hours later, who knows how many people could have died?”
A five-alarm blaze at the Avalon at Edgewater destroyed much of the 408-unit complex, shut schools and roadways, temporarily displaced nearby residents and brought to the surface long-standing issues in the firefighting community about lightweight wood construction — a cheaper, faster and legal style of building that is common in New Jersey and elsewhere.
