Workers from Downes Tree Service place Ridgewood’s Christmas tree at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and South Broad Street.
Ridgewood Christmas tree honors fallen Waldwick police officer
DECEMBER 4, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014, 2:09 PM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood’s Christmas tree will be lit this Friday at 8 p.m., as tradition dictates.
Adding to the tradition this year is a particularly special, and seasonally appropriate, gesture.
The tree was taken from the Midland Park home of the uncle and aunt of Waldwick Police Officer Christopher Goodell, who was 32 years old and engaged to be married when he lost his life this past summer in a tragic car accident while he was on the job.
The tree is meant to honor the beloved police officer, ringing in the true meaning of the season.
In the same spirit, the Goodell family has been invited by the village to help light the tree on Friday night.
High-performing N.J. school districts will no longer have intensive state monitoring
DECEMBER 3, 2014, 1:42 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014, 9:04 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Print
TRENTON — High-performing school districts will no longer have to participate in an intensive state monitoring and evaluation system used to measure schools, education officials said Wednesday.
Districts can now request waivers from the commissioner of the state Department of Education if they meet certain benchmarks, Acting Education Commissioner David Hespe announced Wednesday. The move will allow schools to focus more time and resources on students and instruction and free up the department’s time and staff so they can work more closely with struggling schools, he said.
To get a waiver, schools must score 80 percent or higher in all areas of review under the system, known as the Quality Single Accountability Continuum. The areas are instruction and program, fiscal management, governance, operations and personnel.
The exempt districts will have to submit proof that they remain high-performing, in lieu of receiving a full review every three years.
Hespe said that about half of all districts could be exempt, but that it will remain a critical method to assess struggling districts.
The changes will help ease the burden on school districts, which have complained about the time and paperwork associated with the review. The typical performance review takes several months to complete and consumes large amounts of time for district and county staff to complete.
Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Board Administrators, welcomed the decision.
“This effort to streamline the process, increase efficiency, and provide flexibility for educators are educational reforms that the NJASA supports and changes that will benefit New Jersey’s students,” he said.
DECEMBER 3, 2014, 12:16 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014, 9:28 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
A small arts-themed high school in Paterson and a large Bergen County magnet school had perfect graduation rates in 2014 and were the only schools in their counties to achieve that distinction in a year when graduation rates went up across North Jersey, reflecting a statewide trend, according to state data released on Wednesday.
Across New Jersey, 88.6 percent of students who entered high school in 2010 graduated last spring, up about one percentage point from the year before. Throughout the state, minorities and low-income students had larger gains than the average student, but the achievement gaps remained wide.
The largest gains were in places like Paterson, Garfield, Cliffside Park and Passaic that are lower-income, urban and home to many immigrants. Those districts have made targeted efforts to help more students graduate by creating smaller schools, using more support staff and allowing failing students to make up credit via online classes, among other methods. Graduation rates at many smaller suburban districts stayed mostly steady, with only tiny gains or dips, largely because they have had strong graduation rates for years.
In Bergen and Passaic counties, a 100 percent graduation rate was achieved at two high-performing, but very different high schools.
Recent Ridgewood Ridgewood School Bear , sound a sleep after tranquilized
New Jersey bear hunt fueled by emotion over mauling death
By Frank McGurty
WEST MILFORD, N.J. (Reuters) – New Jersey’s annual black bear hunt is stirring up even more emotion than usual this year after the mauling of a student by a 300-pound male bruin and controversy over how much humans may be responsible for the fatal encounter.
For opponents of the six-day hunt that starts Monday, the September death of Darsh Patel could not have come at a worse time, since the state is considering expanding hunting as part of a new five-year bear management plan.
Hunters say the mauling of the 22-year-old Rutgers University student was an extreme consequence of allowing black bears to encroach on populated areas by failing to cull their numbers.
“Animal rights activists have been calling bears ‘the dolphins of the forest’ … but things like this can happen,” said New Jersey Outdoor Alliance Chairman Anthony Mauro.
“I think that is why the attack may have been good, to help sober up people a little bit,” he said.
The attack on Patel while he was hiking in New Jersey’s Apshawa Preserve, some 30 miles west of New York’s bustling Times Square, marked the first fatal mauling ever recorded in the state. It came during a year when sightings and complaints about bears have jumped, despite their reduced numbers, in the northwest corner of New Jersey.
The state determined that the mauling was a rare case of predatory behavior by a male black bear, which, unlike the more aggressive grizzly of the western U.S. states, tends to be shy and avoid conflict with humans.
In North America, only 63 people have been reported killed in black bear attacks from 1900 to 2009, according to a study led by University of Calgary professor Stephen Herrero.
Opponents say bears in New Jersey have gravitated to populated areas in part because hunters are allowed to use bait, conditioning the animals to seek out garbage, barbecue grills and even kitchen pantries.
At the same time, there are no state requirements that New Jersey residents use bear-resistant garbage containers.
“Hunting does not solve any problems; it creates new ones,” said Susan Russell, wildlife policy director at the Animal Protection League. “Residents and public safety are far better served by removing attractants and learning how to behave in the presence of bears.”
IMPORTANT VILLAGE ROAD WORK NOTICE -PSE&G Paving – December 8 & 9
We have just received word that PSE&G will be paving the following streets on December 8 & 9 : Vesta Ct.; Down St.; Meadowbrook Ave.; Rose Ct.; Libby Ave.; Pearsall Ave.; Northern Parkway.
LEAVES ON THESE STREETS WILL BE COLLECTED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH – Residents are asked to NOT put leaves in the street over this weekend.
Historic Ridgewood parking studies have familiar findings
DECEMBER 3, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014, 10:32 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
They’ve been mentioned. They’ve been complained about. They’ve been disbelieved.
And now, for easy referral, all four of Ridgewood’s much-discussed parking studies – from 1945, 1967, 1971 and 2002 – are on the history page of the library’s website.
They were put online this fall by local realtor Bill Gilsenan, partly for the public’s research and perusal, and partly just to add urgency to what has been characterized by some members of the public as an increasingly tiresome parking conversation.
“They [the studies] were all around in different places, but they weren’t around in one central location … People don’t believe us when we say this has been going on forever,” said a half-laughing and half-exasperated Gilsenan.
Gilsenan, who owns Gilsenan & Company on East Ridgewood Avenue, scanned all the studies and worked with Ridgewood librarian and local historian Peggy Norris to get them online.
The realtor, who was in possession of the 1971 and 2002 studies, happens to have a personal connection to the studies: His uncle was president of Ridgewood’s Chamber of Commerce for many years and is actually mentioned in one of the studies, Gilsenan noted.
To complete the study package, Gilsenan obtained the 1967 study from longtime local businessman Tom Hillmann. The library had the 1945 document.
T’is the Season – join the Celebration in Ridgewood 2014
The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Wishing everyone Happy Holidays
The Seasons is here!
Ridgewood presents its 29th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration and
Downtown for the Holidays.
Bring you family, friends and neighbors to share the excitement of this evening,
Friday, December 5th, 2014
5:30pm-9pm … enjoy
the music, lights, shopping, dining,
and (you bet) Santa!
Tree Lighting will happen around 7:30pmish!
For more details: [email protected]
201-445-2600 www.experienceridgewood.com
see you there!
NJ TRANSIT ROLLS OUT NEW RAIL SAFETY VIDEO FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS
“Chicken on the Tracks” Video to Promote Rail Safety
November 18, 2014
NEWARK, NJ — At an assembly hosted at Hackensack Middle School, NJ TRANSIT today debuted an updated version of its “Chicken on the Tracks” video, a dramatic depiction of incidents on the rails involving young people – to educate students on the possible consequences of trespassing near rail lines. The video was accompanied by a presentation and interactive session by NJ TRANSIT personnel from the agency’s Office of System Safety.
The RHS Department of Fine & Applied Arts is looking for alumni to participate in the Tenth Annual Alumni Art Show. Last year’s show was a great success and it is hoped to reach even more of our alumni this year. The exhibition will be a showing of work created after graduating from RHS. It will be held in the Carroll Art Gallery, Room 137, from December 15 through January 9, 2015. There will be a reception for the artists on Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 p.m. All students, alumni, friends, family and staff are invited to the reception as well as to view the exhibition during school hours.
Participating artists should drop off their ready-to-hang artwork by the week of December 8. Question may be directed to the Department of Fine & Applied Arts at 201-670-2800, ext. 20542, or email the department in care of [email protected].
Event information and other news is continually updated on the Arts at Ridgewood Public Schools’ Twitter profile: @Arts_at_RPS and Facebook account page, www.facebook.com/TheArtsatRPS.
James, I think people here are really more eager just to ban “hate lawn-signs”.
Ridgewood blog asks what qualifies as “Hate Lawn Signs” lol
Any lawn sign that criticizes a regionally significant inherently beneficial use of otherwise tax-revenue-generating chunk of real estate is a “hate lawn sign”.
your views are repulsive, and I am ashamed of you for propagating them. There are no “sensible restrictions on free speech,” and whoever thinks that stifling speech eliminates hatred, anger, and violence, is plainly wrong. The answer to hate speech is more speech, not less.
By the way, anyone who wishes to cling to “fire in a crowded theater,” just remember that the ruling was used to imprison Yiddish-speaking pacifists for handing out fliers to protest World War I. Is that “sensible,” #16?
brought to you courtesy of one of our nation’s finest institutions of higher learning (much more where that came from):
Reader says People post and make comment on this blog when they want their cause championed but turn around and condemn this blog when they don’t need it anymore
Mayor Paul Aronsohn,Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck hosted the meeting and , Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, made comments. Well it sound like an open public meeting which was not posted in a timely manner ( Friday for a Monday Meeting) The next questions. Were there meeting minutes taken and if so when will they be available to the public?
“Baney also called out The Ridgewood Blog, a news and opinion aggregation website, for contributing to incivility.” Baney Who is a member of the anti Valley Hospital group had no problem when commenter on this blog blasted Valley Hospital. Where was she the?. These people are all cut from the same cloth.
Baney also called out The Ridgewood Blog, a news and opinion aggregation website, for contributing to incivility.
James you know what ironic. People send thing for you to post and make comment on this blog when they want their cause championed but turn around and condemn this blog when they don’t need it anymore or they disagree with other posters. Which ever way the wind is blowing like the Three Amigos.
Reader suggests that if the Mayor would start representing the interest of Ridgewood the blog would be irrelevant
the 3 clowns Huey, Dewey, and Louie should focus on representing tax payers ,residents and the interests of Ridgewood and then people would not be criticizing them on this blog 24/7 .
Ridgewood is not Hudson County , nor do we have the demographic , Ridgewood is Ridgewood , best to pack up the Hudson County mafia and your developer friends and move back ..
Reader suggest “Civility ” meeting was violation of NJ Open Public Meetings
Wait just a Ridgewood minute – Mayor Paul Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck all participated in this meeting. Isn’t that considered a quorum in terms of the Village Council? If so, why wasn’t this billed as an offical meeting of the Council, with minutes taken and legal notice given? A violation of the NJ Open Public Meetings Act or not? Matt Rogers where are you?
Ms Hauck has been counted before even when she was not present . It is my understanding that there were two member of the council hosting the meeting on civility last Monday. What is confusing is that the Deputy Mayor was in the audience and even took part in the conversation so I been told. If true does this now become a official public meeting which should have been post in a timely manner ( not on Friday for a Mondaymeeting? ) Where there minuets taken and will they be available? Can someone shed some light on this. Did the Deputy Mayor speak ?
But the Deputy Mayor only introduced himself we are told , but its the spirit of the law that is still of concern?
Of course Mr. Pucciarelli was there, he is attached by a firm cable to Mr. Arohsohn Mr Arohsohn should keep his ATTACK DOG on a shorter leash. So was not the purpose of the Deputy Mayors presence to quell dissent , and intimidate people ?
The Deputy Mayor cannot for one moment pretend ignorance of the Sunshine Law. His adherence to the law was called into question early in his term – this gave him plenty of time to learn the law that he had been accused of breaking. The Village Attorney looked into the matter and decided that the DM had not violated the law at that time. Regardless, Mr. Pucciarelli knew full well that he should not speak last Monday night, but……………surprise surprise………….he spoke! Presto, the law was broken.
Reader says “Civility” meeting, What a bunch of nonsense.
The mayor is simply taking a page out of the resident’s playbook, calling for civility only after he and his minions have already distorted the public discourse, intimidated or demonized well-meaning political opponents, and generally done the damage he intends to do.
Even this event is nothing more than a belligerent shot across the bow to those who would come to public meetings in the future and dare to voice a contrary view at the public microphone, or otherwise level any well-deserved criticism the Mayor’s way.
To his mind, now that we’ve gone and taken the trouble of having a silly public meeting about the need for ‘civility in public discourse’, we have established a new norm, in accordance with which anyone who goes to the microphone to disagree with or criticize the Mayor or his friends is, by definition, engaging in a social ‘taboo’, and will therefore have voluntarily opened themselves up to immediate public abuse from the elected official DuJour, shamelessly served with a culturally toxic side-dish of relish, impunity, and maddening condescension.
The purpose of this photography project is to highlight the lives of residents over 60 yrs. old, who have stayed in Ridgewood even after raising children.
We are seeking beginner or professional-level photographs of 60+ residents that portray the variety of reasons people over 60 yrs. old do chose to stay in our Village. They can be at social events, at work, or play, at sporting events, at clubs, committees, concerts, restaurants, downtown, etc….
Also, in individual, group, only-senior, or in intergenerational settings…….
A kick-off event will take place at 12 Noon, November 18, in The Senior Center at the Village Hall. A professional photographer will explain photography tips for novices and cameras (donated by Wholesale Camera in Midland Park) will be available for anyone who needs a loaner camera.
Photographs must be submitted by December 21, 2014 to the Ridgewood Village Hall Clerk’s office or sent electronically to [email protected]. Submit photos as often as you want. A editing team will select the best photos for the Final Project. These photos will be made into a slideshow and a book to be displayed at the Ridgewood Library and in the Community Center in February, 2015.
“One picture is worth a thousand words!” 50 photos should tell a lot about the 3500 seniors who live in Ridgewood; their friends, families and connections……
The Deputy Mayor cannot for one moment pretend ignorance of the Sunshine Law. His adherence to the law was called into question early in his term – this gave him plenty of time to learn the law that he had been accused of breaking. The Village Attorney looked into the matter and decided that the DM had not violated the law at that time. Regardless, Mr. Pucciarelli knew full well that he should not speak last Monday night, but……………surprise surprise………….he spoke! Presto, the law was broken.