>Experience among BOE members is invaluable Friday, March 23, 2012 The Ridgewood News
Experience among BOE members is invaluable
To the editor:
I believe BOE candidate Jim Morgan’s recent letter in The Ridgewood News (“Morgan running for BOE seat”; March 2) was misleading and disingenuous. The 2 percent tax increase isn’t “there for the taking” – it’s already taken by contracted salaries, healthcare and special ed tuitions that are all out of the BOE’s hands. Trenton wants you to believe the budget cap serves taxpayers and doesn’t harm our schools, but the truth is, Ridgewood’s BOE has made cuts and eliminated important programs every year to live within the cap….
>RFP – Concession Refreshment Services at Graydon Pool – Bids Open April 3
Click Here for complete RFP: https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2012ConcessionRefreshSvs.pdf
Request for Proposals
Request for proposals will be received by the Village of Ridgewood’s Department of Parks and Recreation, up to 2:00 p.m. prevailing time on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at The Stable, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, for the following:
CONCESSION REFRESHMENT SERVICES – THE WATER’S EDGE CAFÉ, GRAYDON POOL
Proposal instructions may be obtained from the Department of Parks and Recreation, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., telephone 201-670-5560. Prospective professional responders requesting proposal documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration. No Specifications and/or Proposal forms shall be given out after 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012.
Prices quoted must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Proposals may be submitted prior to the due date in person or by mail, addressed to the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any proposal sent to it prior to the proposal opening.
Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the responder thereon and endorsed, “Concession Refreshment Services – The Water’s Edge Café, Graydon Pool”.
All professional service responders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).
The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informalities or to accept a proposal which, in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty-days (60) after the date and time set for the opening of bids.
“Professional Responders are required to comply with the requirements of P.L.1975, C. 127. (NJAC 17:27) regarding Affirmative Action, and Executive Order No. 11246 regarding equal employment opportunity, as amended”.
>…it seems the Glen Rock Patch has spearheaded a drive to revitalize the downtown garage project .The council or most of the council except Paul would only say that a private/ public partnership to save the tax payers from funding the whole amount would be the only way to go .Given the said garage was built on Village property, the Village would consider a deferment of the property taxes for say 10 years. Oh of coarse you didn’t read all that in the Patch it was all about Paul and his buzz words which are also being spread by several other candidates and proxy Dom in the current Patch-Paul-Valley-talking points memo that should be all the rage at Village cocktail parties this weekend .
But the fly has seen’em come and seen’em go and one mans garage is a taxpayers Xanadu and as we know these things always seems to go back to the same old taxpayer funded socialize the risk and save the profit for your politically connected friends which is as DOA as the “Action park” redo of Graydon pool.
re: “If your boss came to you and said “It’s time to renegotiate your compensation package”, are you all honestly expecting us to believe you would say, “Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits for the good of the company”.”
No, we wouldn’t say that… we’d say:
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits so the company stays in business and I can keep my job”.
OR
“Well, the economy is hurting and I know this company is running on fumes now, so let’s forgo the raise and benefits while I put my resume out there ASAP and pray that the company stays in business long enough for me to find a new job and move to a more financially stable company.”.
You are so clueless.
Companies cut back and fire and layoff people when they have no money.
Schools are very restricted in their ability to do this due to unions and legal constraints
Companies go out of business.
Schools cannot.
Companies can’t pay for things with money they do not have.
Schools can raid the taxpayers for more money
People do not have jobs guaranteed for life.
Teachers do
People are responsible for their own personal financial situation – they leave bad situations.
Teachers rarely leave
People cannot force a company to pay them for things with money they do not have.
Unions do
You can negotiate with the company and get what you want, but they will compensate in some other manner… they may pay Peter more money by firing Paul.
Teachers have lifetime guaranteed jobs
You blame “the SYSTEM”. What a weak and “uneducated” response.
First of all, “the SYSTEM” is comprised of people – it is not some autonomous monster over which you have no control (although this is a convenient place for you to hide).
Secondly – if you think “the SYSTEM” is broken, don’t bemoan it like a weak victim – try to fix it and support those who are attempting to reform it – don’t hide behind it and fight for it.
The teacher’s union (and the teachers in their support for the union) is acting like spoiled ignorant greedy children.
It is not surprising, when they react like spoiled ignorant greedy children when caught and confronted with their bad behavior.
And like spoiled ignorant greedy children, they do not appreciate the good thing that they have.
>March 22 PSE&G Paving in Ridgewood- List of Locations
This is to inform you that our company is scheduling to work in Ridgewood on Thursday March 22, 2012. We will be milling and paving over where PSE&G previously installed the gas mains on S.Broad St between Leonard Pl. and E. Ridgewood Ave.,on Dayton Street from S. Maple to Hope Street and on East Side Ave. from Maxwell Pl to Grove St
Watch out what you wish for, general public! I am a teacher. You all keep saying that we should join the public sector if we are so unhappy. If we did, that would create a glut in the marketplace on jobs (an ever bigger one than there is now) and we’d be competing with YOU for your jobs. Want that? I don’t see any of you in the private sector beating down our doors to come into the trenches and teach today’s distracted youth.
I work hard at my job every day. NO, I am not complaining. I am proud and stating a fact. I am asked EVERY year to do more and more. Now I am liable to report each and every bullying instance I hear/see/hear tell of, etc. I can get sued if I don’t and something happens. More paperwork, more distraction from doing my job, which is to teach.
>NJ has mandated that teachers pay a greater share of healthcare premiums. But the annual increase is still FAR FAR below the actual increase in costs.
Information has been seriously miscommunicated and this needs to be corrected.
For over forty years, Ridgewood teachers have contributed towards health care costs. In June, a legal mandate was passed whereby public school employees were required to contribute additional money towards health care; a four-year phase-in was created. This year, the REA’s medical contribution to the BOE is $800,000the following year $1.4 million culminating in 2013-14 with medical contributions to the BOE reaching $2.1 million based on current premium costs. As health costs rise, so does the % of contribution. In three years, the Ridgewood BOE will have collected over $4 million in employee contributions. This money comes directly from teacher contributions and isn’t being culled from add’l school taxes. Teachers are asking for a fair contract based on a more equitable distribution of these BOE funds
How about if you REALLY correct the misinformation and tell the WHOLE story. What percentage of his/her health care premium does the individual teacher currently pay? What percentage does the teacher pay for family care? And what are the yearly increases in the percentage, based on the law?
I’ll let you fill in those percentages (forget the total $$ amount, it means nothing without context).
How much is the real COST of the premiums increasing this year? I’ve got that one — 20%. And that’s a typical annual increase.
What do you mean that in three years the BOE will have “collected” $4 million in employee contributions? Where do you think that money will be? Not sitting in the bank, no, it will have been spent each of those three years — every last penny of it plus MUCH MORE — on paying your premium costs. Where do you think the rest of the money to pay the FULL premium cost will have come from? Yes, as you put it, “culled from taxes.” Now can you see the problem?
You are making the mistake — as teachers’ union groupthink has done for generations — to think that any funds which the district has must be “distributed” equitably. When some aid comes in, or a savings is reached, the union’s immediate thought is “give some to the teachers.” That is no way to run a business.
You are correct, the state of NJ has mandated that teachers pay a greater share of healthcare premiums. But the annual increase is still FAR FAR below the actual increase in costs. With the state cap on the amount the district can raise taxes, the system simply cannot continue to stand. The deficit between costs and income can only come by cutting programs.
>BOE Elections: Support for Hutton’s reelection FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012 THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Support for Hutton’s re-election
To the editor:
We are writing this letter to endorse Robert Hutton for the one-year term as a candidate or the Ridgewood Board of Education. Bob has served as a trustee for almost 12 years. He has worked tirelessly for the Ridgewood Public Schools and has been a staunch advocate for the educational needs of its students. He is objective in his thinking, dedicated in his commitment to the needs of the school district and has volunteered tirelessly to represent the community.
>Ridgewood Knights of Columbus to Host Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance.
Ridgewood-NJ-February 20, 2012: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus are once again proud to be sponsoring their annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance on Saturday, March 24th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Mount Carmel gymnasium at 52 Passaic Street in Ridgewood.
The Best of Everything will cater a full-course of traditional Irish fare including corned beef and cabbage. The renowned Willie Lynch Band will be playing Irish classics and great dance music. There will also be a special appearance by the Irish Step Dancers from the McLoughlin Dance School.
Tickets are $50 each. Payment can be mailed to: Mark Stappenbeck 452 Hunter Road Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (201) 444 – 3346
Come enjoy this annual celebration as the Knights of Columbus continue the tradition that the People of Ireland started over a thousand years ago. And what better way to celebrate the life of Saint Patrick then to gather with friends and family, enjoy a fine meal, and dance to great music!
Come out and celebrate St. Patrick’s with the Ridgewood Knights !
> ‘No Knock’ List Would Keep Away Solicitors March 14, 2012 11:21 AM
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) – After the murder of an 80-year-old woman in her home last fall, the City of Royal Oak is looking into possibly adopting a so-called community “no knock” list in an attempt to tighten the limits on door-to-door solicitors.
WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Royal Oak City Attorney Dave Gillam.
“A homeowner would have the ability to have their name and address put on that list. And, essentially, that would make it illegal or unlawful for a solicitor to approach someone at that address for commercial purposes,” Gilliam said.
Nancy Dailey was murdered in her house on November 20, allegedly by two parolees who authorities said did lawn work for her prior to the murder.
> Residents frustrated by property owners who show disregard for Village ordinances
I think your comment re “police state” is a bit much. No one is expecting the town to goose-step their way in and demand they comply or else. But certainly many places (NYC included) can levy fines against both residences and businesses that do not comply with their policy’s. That is far from a police state.
Why this town has no policy in regards to litter or basic ordinances regarding distance of cell towers from residences, schools, etc. is extremely disappointing. Especially for a town of Ridgewoods “stature” it truly boggles the mind that the village simply passes the buck on these issues.
While the village leadership continues to shrug their shoulders, these issues will help destroy home values, decimate tax revenues, and turn off new families who would consider moving here to raise a family.I am experiencing some serious buyers remorse because of stories just like these.\
Editors Note: It is important to not that the Village did issue summons to the property owner and that the proposed cell tower would need a zoning variance which has not been heard nor approved by the board of adjustment or heard nor approved by the Village council.
>Ridgewood Knights of Columbus to Host Pancake Breakfast.
Ridgewood-NJ-March 11, 2012: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus will be hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday March 31st, from 9:30 a.m. until 12 noon in the parish center of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, One Passaic Street in Ridgewood. In addition to a special appearance from the Easter Bunny, attendees will have an opportunity to meet former New York Giants legend Jeff Feagles.
A donation is requested of $10 per child under 13, $15 for adults and a maximum of $40 per family. All the pancakes and sausages you can eat! Proceeds will fund the Knights’ local charities. For additional information, please call Brian Conn at 201-444-0752.
>Bob Hutton addresses James Morgan’s letter to the editor
FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012 THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS To the editor:
I welcome Mr. Morgan as my opponent for the one-year unexpired seat on the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE). I believe public dialogue about public education and its finances is a vital democratic exchange.
Given my time on the board, numerous quotes of mine are available from numerous sources. I will be the first to admit that I have said, “We know what the answer is” many times at the board table. In light of our preliminary budget discussion on Feb. 27, I did say that remark in light of the state-mandated 2 percent spending cap and the resulting $1.8 million maximum increase Ridgewood Public Schools could have in its 2012-2013 budget.
Mr. Morgan’s letter in this space last week (“Morgan running for BOE seat; March 2; The Ridgewood News; page A6) classified me as having a “we have it, let’s spend it” attitude. On this point, Mr. Morgan is completely off base and willfully misstating my actual comments. When addressing at the recent board meeting the increase proposed for the 2012-2013 budget, I stated the following facts that cannot be disputed. If one was to sum up the contracted and currently under discussion salary increases, the projected net increase in the district’s health benefit costs, and the cost to roll out the new science program, the district is already in excess of the state-mandated $1.8 million cap. That is not a “narrow view” as Mr. Morgan states. It is simply math.
> RHS Grad a Franklin Institute Presenter at 24th Annual Super Science Saturday March 10
Super Science Saturday, a celebration of science and technology in our daily lives, returns for its 24th year on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ridgewood High School, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue. Admission is free.
The event features a science show from the well-known Franklin Institute of Philadelphia. One of the presenters will be Sarah Rowley, a 2005 graduate of Ridgewood High School. A magna cum laude graduate of Mount Holyoke College, with a master’s degree in Special Education, Ms. Rowley has enjoyed a lifelong interest in science. She volunteered at Liberty Science Center and was a presenter at the Buehler Challenger & Science Center. At the end of the Franklin Institute Show, scheduled from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m., Ms. Rowley will create a rain cloud indoors.
Super Science Saturday, the greatest science extravaganza in Northern New Jersey, offers everyone with an interest in science a fun-filled day to explore hundreds of science experiments appropriate for all age groups. This year, visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits from dozens of professional and amateur scientists, including auto-guided, stealth aircraft; how to computer-model molecules; technology used by our police, fire and EMT professionals; plus the environment, medicine and much more.
The Hall of Science will feature science experiments from well over 200 students from elementary through high school level. The day also includes traditional favorites, such as “The Great Paper Airplane Contest,” finding out how things work at the “tinker table” and live model rocket launches on the high school football field at 1:20 p.m. Refreshments will be available in the Rainforest Café throughout the event.
Super Science Saturday Super Science Saturday is underwritten for the fourth-consecutive year by The Valley Hospital, provider of a wide range of state-of-the-art medical, emergency and preventive care in Northern New Jersey, and the Ridgewood Education Foundation, which supports innovative learning programs and enrichment activities for Ridgewood Public Schools.
To learn more about the event, visit: www.supersciencesaturday.org.
