>A look at facts on NJ from the US Census Bureau
Selected details on New Jersey’s population in 2010 from new census data published Thursday. All rankings of communities considered only municipalities with at least 1,000 residents. (The Associated Press)
>CEOs give N.J. a better grade
New Jersey is becoming a friendlier place to do business, but it still fares worse than many other states, according to a survey of business leaders released Wednesday. (Lederman, Gannett)
https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110526/BUSINESS/105260309/CEOs-give-N-J-better-grade
>Fire at the Stable Restaurant
A General Alarm Fire started just before 7 PM on Wednesday, 5/25/2011 in the kitchen of The Stable Restaurant, 20 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood. The fire quickly spread through ductwork to the restaurant’s roof and ceiling. Ridgewood Fire Department personnel were assisted by members of the Glen Rock Fire Department. All restaurant employees and diners were safely evacuated from the building. No injuries were reported, however the restaurant is closed indefinitely until repairs are made.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
>
Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament Set for Monday, June 13.
Ridgewood-NJ-May 25, 2011: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 is once again proud to be sponsoring its annual golf tournament on Monday, June 13th at The Emerson Golf Club.
Prizes will be awarded for the First and Second Place foursomes, in addition to Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin competitions. There will also be a silent auction of sports tickets, memorabilia, and other valuable items. “This event is open to all, and is an excellent opportunity to meet the Knights and find out more about the deeds we do throughout the year”, said Sean Noble, organizer of the event. “We also want to thank the many local businesses who are sponsors to this event”, said Noble.
Registration is $150 per golfer, which also includes a buffet lunch. For more information and to register,
go to: https://www.seannoble.com/kocgolf/registrationinfo.htm
Come out swinging for the Ridgewood K of C!
>DOG RABIES CLINIC – May 25Dog Rabies Clinic, Wednesday, May 25 from 6 to 7pm at the Recycling Center, East Glen Avenue
>SCIENCE REVIEW PRESENTED TO THE BOARD
Click here to view the Science Five Year Plan, presented to the Board of Education on May 23, 2011.https://tinyurl.com/4xn4bmm
>
>Court orders taxpayers to continue to subsidies failed Abbott Schools and NJEA
Court orders New Jersey to increase aid to failed Abbott schools
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a major piece of Gov. Chris Christie’s cost-cutting was unconstitutional and ordered lawmakers to raise spending for poor, urban schools by $500 million next year, despite a state budget shortfall estimated at $10 billion. (Pérez-Peña and Hu, The New York Times)
>Gov: Constitutional ball in legislature’s court
In a press conference, Gov. Chris Christie today called the state Supreme Court’s ruling on Abbott v. Burke “disappointing but not unexpected,” and underscored his own opinion that it is not the role of the court to dictate policy. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/48001/christie-says-constitutional-ball-legislatures-court
>White House Adds New Position to Deal with Unfavorable Online Media
By Chris O’Shea on May 23, 2011 2:32 PM
The White House has named Jesse Lee to a new position within its communications department titled Director of Progressive Media & Online Response. According to The Huffington Post, Lee will essentially be responsible for building up Obama’s online presence as he prepares for his reelection bid, and squashing any negative stories:The post is a new one for this White House. Rapid response has usually been outsourced to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), if not done on an ad-hoc basis by administration officials. And it signals that the White House will be adopting a more aggressive defense of the president and his policies as his re-election campaign gears up.
>Valley Hospital Did you know…?
Valley Health System is comprised of The Valley Hospital, Valley Home Care and Valley Health Medical Group.
More than 4,300 professionals are employed by Valley Health System.
There are more than 1,000 physicians on Valley’s active medical staff.
More than 51,000 individuals were admitted to Valley in 2010.
More than 3,000 babies were born at Valley in 2010.
More than 72,000 people were treated in the Emergency Department in 2010.
More than 1,000 babies have been born with the assistance of our Fertility Center.
More than 1,600 Volunteers and 2,000 Auxilians donated more than 195,000 hours to Valley Health System in 2010.
https://www.valleyhealth.com/FastFacts_Default.aspx
>I’m glad to see that nobody was fooled by that article: Readers remain very skeptical of the Bergen Records Sunday piece ,”In North Jersey, teacher tenure is no sure thing”
All I can say is “That’s nice, but irrelevant”. The discussion is not about the three years spent busting your butt to get tenure, it’s about the next 40+ spent being essentially unfireable. At the High School level, no less.The article quoted is probably a plant by, the NJEA to build sympathy.
Readers were also highly skeptical of the use of the term ‘highly qualified”. It is a misnomer that many of our teachers are categorized as ‘highly qualified’, unless by qualified, you mean “compensated”.About half my children’s teachers each year are no longer effective and some are just biding time.Thank you, ‘no sure thing’ tenure.
The problem with tenure is not who gets it, but the fact that once a teacher gets it they are guaranteed a job for life. People change,needs change, and there is no way to guarantee that your best performers on day one, will be your best performers in 5, 10, 20or 30 years. Tenure needs to go. Teachers should be evaluated based on performance every year, just like other professions, which is the only way to keep standards up and costs down.
When it comes to tenure most readers thought critical results based annual evaluations are needed for teachers – no tenure, no guaranteed job for life. Teachers who work in more challenging districts should have evaluations different from those who teach in districts like Ridgewood where there is parental support for the schools and parental involvement in education…not all kids are so lucky.
>Residents continue to flee New Jersey in droves
Census shows more moved out of NJ than into state
Nearly 190,000 residents fled New Jersey for other states in 2009, accelerating a trend that has seen tens of thousands leave the Garden State in the past decade. (Mike, Gannett)
>Assembly Education Committee: Wins one for the NJEA
Assembly Education Committee approves bill requiring charter schools to win voter approval
A bill that would require charter schools to win voter approval in their communities was voted out of the Assembly Education Committee today, after a number of charter school advocates testified that requiring a referendum could divide communities and doom some schools. (Rundquist, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/assembly_education_committee_r.html
>From Medicaid to managed care: The Christie Administration’s plan to slash NJ healthcare costs
Theodora, a 20-year-old Summit resident, is unable to walk, talk or eat on her own. With a tracheotomy that requires careful cleaning and constant monitoring, she even needs help to breathe. (Stainton, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0524/0311/
