>Lawmakers approve bill on rewards for preventing, controlling illnesses among N.J. poor
Declaring the health care system “hopelessly broken,” lawmakers in Trenton are advancing legislation that would provide financial rewards to doctors, hospitals and insurance companies for preventing and controlling illnesses — rather than just treating them — in New Jersey’s poorest communities. (Livio and Augenstein, The Star-Ledger)
>Home Rule: State Senate President Stephen Sweeney plans bill that would pull funding for towns that don’t share
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney plans bill that would pull funding for towns that don’t share
New Jersey Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney says he is working on legislation that would pull state funding from municipalities that do not share services with neighboring towns. (Weaver, Press of Atlantic City)
Toll road officials took the first step to privatizing toll collection by releasing a request for proposal containing what is expected from potential contractors. (Higgs, Daily Record)
>National School Choice Week January 23 – 29, 2011
On January 23 – 29, 2011, School Choice advocates will gather all across the nation to shine a spotlight on effective education options for every child.
Our message is simple: we need a K-12 education system that provides a wide array of options. We need an effective education system that has the flexibility to personalize and motivate students and allow parents to choose the school that is best for their child.
National School Choice Week was created to provide a concentrated focus on this mission – a time for the media and the public to hear our resounding message and a time to bring new voices into the chorus. There is no one organization behind this effort; those working on setting it up come from a variety of school reform organizations. We may each have a specialty: charter school growth and success, universal vouchers and tuition tax credits, corralling out-of-control spending, or union accountability, but each is equally important and all should plan to be a part of this special week.
National School Choice Week needs your participation to succeed as a bullhorn for the school choice movement. Sign up for updates about this national upcoming event and stay tuned to learn how you and your organization can maximize its opportunities and help the school choice movement pump up the volume.
A free society cannot survive unless the people understand what is going on. Loren Spivack, The Free Market Warrior, has committed himself to helping an entire generation of Americans understand how economics works. The information is given in straightforward accessible format, with the goal of preparing a new “army” of regular Americans ready and equipped to fight for freedom, in that area where freedom is most crucial: our economic lives.
Join us for the Free Market Warrior Seminar on February 22 & February 23 from 7PM-10PM at the Knights of Columbus , 79 Pascack Road , Washington Township, NJ 07676
>Nanny State: The problem is that we, as a society are unwilling to hold specific parents accountable for their actions
There is no law stopping you from putting helmets on your children.
There is no law stopping ski resorts from making rules to require helmet use (and you can decide to go there or go to a “non-helmet” ski-resort) – see 1:16’s comment as well.
What we don’t need is the government telling us how to live our private lives.
If you are an unfit parent and can’t keep your kids safe on your own, then there are laws already on the books to take your children away from you.
The problem is that we, as a society are unwilling to hold specific parents accountable for their actions and would rather intrude on everyone’s lives rather than admitting that people are different – some are good parents, some are unfit parents.
Walt Clyde Frazier Wednesday, January 26th @ 7:00pm Legendary New York Knicks Guard and Color Analyst for the New York Knicks, will sign his new book: Rockin’ Steady.
Brooke Burke Tuesday, February 1st @ 7:00pm Host of Dancing with the Stars will sign her new book: The Naked Mom. Books available: Feb. 1st
“Wierd Al” Yankovic Wednesday, February 2nd @ 4:30pm Best known as America’s leading satirist of popular music & culture. Has won three Grammy Awards and has sold more comedy albums than anyone else in history. Will sign his new release, When I Grow Up. Book available Feb. 1st
>SNOW REMOVAL Ordinance for the Business District in Ridgewood
249-1 Snow and ice removal. Who is responsible for the sidewalks and around the meters? The following information was provided by the Village of Ridgewood.
A. The owner of any land abutting upon the streets or public highways in the Village, if such land is owner-occupied or vacant, otherwise the tenant or occupant of such land situate in all zones of the Village of Ridgewood as shown on the 1990 Zoning Map, with the exception of the B-1, B-2, P and P-2 Zones of the Village, shall remove all snow and ice from the abutting sidewalks of such streets or highways within 24 hours after the same shall fall or be formed theron. No snow or ice so removed, however, shall be deposited or place in the street or highway in such a manner or location so as to impede the flow of traffic. For purposes of this section, such land shall be deemed owner-occupied by either the owner or owners or record or any agent, servant or employee thereof.
B. …Special regulations are adopted for the business and office zones in order to maintain an attractive and safe environment in the buiness and professional office zones of the Village by assuring that the snow will be removed from the sidewalks in and around the central business district on a timely basis.
C. …Snowfalls commencing during the evening, that is, after 6:00pm., will be cleared by no later than 9:00am the following morning, Sundays and holidays included. During weekday storms, M-Sat, occurring during business hours, sidewalks shall be cleared to a five-foot minimum width to provide access from the storefront to the curb, between meters, if meters are installed. After 6:00pm and on Sundays and Holidays, sidewalks will be completely cleared into the street.
D. A court appearance will be required to answer any summons issued for a violation of this section. Thomas Rica, Public Works Inspector, Village of Ridgewood 201-670-5500 X248.
SUPPORT RHS BANDS: ANNUAL CITRUS SALE IS JANUARY 30
Ridgewood High School band members will be on a door-to-door campaign throughout Ridgewood on Sunday, January 30, taking orders for delicious produce to raise money for the band program.
Fruit boxes being offered: · 20 lb. box of navel oranges; · 20 lb. box of red grapefruits; · 24 navel oranges/12 red grapefruit mix; · 6 apple/6 pear/10 navel orange mix.
Price: $25/box Deadline for orders: February 11 Citrus Delivery Day: March 5 and 6 For more information, contact: Jennifer Gellman ([email protected] or 201-493-0474) or Carol Gyzander ([email protected] or 201- 447-2442).
Village History : 1828 The Naming of Godwinville ie… Ridgewood
The Naming of Godwinville (In 1828) (Ridgewood, NJ) Reprinted from Short Sketches on Passaic County History, 1935
by Edward Graf
The ceremony of naming this village, in Bergen County about four miles north of Paterson, was performed in the following manner. On the morning of January first, 1828, the persons particularly interested in the cotton industries, established at that time in the neighborhood, proceeded from Paterson with a number of friends to that place where they met a number of its inhabitants assembled on the same occasion, who had prepared a splendid Liberty pole. This pole was borne to the corner of the road, near the store of David Lydacker by the unanimous assistance of the company present. After being decorated by an elegant Gilded Liberty Cap, presented by General Abraham Godwin, at the signal given by a discharge from a six-pounder, it was raised amidst the cheers of the surrounding multitude. The flag of the United States, also presented as above, was then hoisted to the top of the pole under a discharge of canon and cheering of the assembled citizens. After this they formed and marched to the new cotton factory of Messrs, Munn and Whitehead, where an excellent collation was provided by the proprietors of the respective cotton establishments in the vicinity, of which the whole party partook, and fared most sumptuously.
Abraham Van Rypen, one of the oldest inhabitants then addressed his neighbors in the following words:
Friends and fellow citizens – as one of the oldest residents of this neighborhood, I take the liberty on this occasion of welcoming among us the gentlemen who have availed themselves of our water powers and established manufacturies, destined, I trust and at no very far distant day, to make them rich and happy – give employment to the industrious and clothe and feed the needy. Already do we see and feel the good effects of their genius and enterprise. Out property has risen in value, our recently vacant houses have become tenanted, and many new ones erected and erecting, giving to what was, as it were yesterday a wilderness, the appearance of a thriving village. Permit me therefore to give it a name whereby it may be perpetuated and handed down to posterity.
In commemoration of one of the few that now remain of that worthy band, who breasted the storm of war in defense of our liberties and independence, and which enable us at this day to sit down under our own vine and fig tree, and to enjoy uninterruptedly such happy festivity as we have on the present occasion the pleasure of partaking and to testify our respect for the Revolutionary Patriot whose company we now have the pleasure to enjoy; I propose to you for this place the name of Godwinville.
The above was received with unabounded applause and General Godwin being present made the following brief reply:
Fellow citizens, with sentiments of unfeigned gratitude, I rise to tender to you my sincere acknowledgement for the flattering compliments you have paid me, and the honor conferred in selecting my name, in preference to any other, wherewith to perpetuate your village. My sincere wish is, that it may be a rising prosperous and happy one and that its general characteristic may be that of industry and honesty, and genuine republican principles and by pursuing strictly the last three qualifications, I have no doubt of your obtaining the former ones; and that it may be the case with each and all of you, permit me to reiterate my ardent solicitude.
This reply was also received with marked approbation. The company then again formed procession and returned to the Pole and after appending to the same in handsomely painted letters the newly acquired name of the village, it being about sunset, the flag was lowered until another discharge of cannon and the company retired to their respective places of abode, apparently well pleased with the proceedings of the day.
>Rasmussen : 68% Prefer A Government With Fewer Services, Lower Taxes
House Republicans are proposing to follow their repeal of the national health care bill with billions in spending cuts, and most voters continue to favor a government that offers fewer services and lower taxes.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of Likely Voters prefer a government with fewer services and lower taxes rather than a more active one with more services and higher taxes. This is virtually identical to last month and consistent with findings since September
This week I voted to repeal the so-called “Affordable Care Act.” The repeal easily passed the House of Representatives, but it faces opposition in the Senate and veto threat from the White House. Nevertheless, our action this week was an important first step in fulfilling a top Republican priority for the 112th Congress.
Public outcry against this law has been rampant, and I remain convinced it is fundamentally flawed legislation that will stifle economic growth and job creation and weaken the health care for Americans. Additionally, the legislation’s individual mandate is unconstitutional and in direct violation of the vision the founding fathers had for our country.
JOBS
When this legislation was passed, then-Speaker Pelosi promised it would create four million jobs – 400,000 immediately. Obviously, it hasn’t. Instead of encouraging America’s leading job creators, the government takeover of health care hits small businesses with more mandates, new taxes, administrative burdens and higher health care costs.
Specifically, the law disincentivizes growth for companies by creating costly penalties for failing to meet regulations. Employers will be forced to decide between hiring more employees and facing strict mandates or cutting hours and salaries of current employees to make up the costs.
Businesses are the engine of our economy, and they need room to grow and create jobs. They don’t need the roadblock this legislation represents.
COST
During last year’s health care debate, I asked numerous health care professionals in New Jersey what issue they most wanted addressed in health care reform. Medical liability was consistently at or near the top of every list. Yet, the current law does nothing to address this problem. While patients should be compensated for gross negligence by physicians, little doubt exists that our current tort system is broken.
Indeed, rising costs are a primary obstacle preventing many Americans from accessing health insurance. Yet, the Affordable Care Act does nothing to reduce costs; if anything, it drives costs even higher. In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that this law will continue to increase health insurance premiums in the individual market by 10-13%. This is unacceptable.
Government regulations and intervention are not the solution. History has shown that efficiency is hardly a hallmark of government operations. The best that government can – and should – do is safeguard an environment of freedom in which businesses and individuals can work, grow, and maximize their opportunity for success.
CONSTITUTIONALITY
Much has been said about the individual mandate in the health care law, and with good reason. Never before has the government forced people to purchase a product as a condition of citizenship. Such an act moves far beyond regulating economic activity to regulating inactivity. If we allow Congress to get away with this, then there is virtually no limit to the control Washington can exert over our lives.
On the opening day of the 112th Congress, I introduced H.R. 21, the Reclaiming Individual Liberty Act, which would repeal the individual mandate in the health care law. This mandate is far removed from what our nation’s founders envisioned when they wrote the Constitution, and it’s far beyond the authority Congress rightfully has.
While I support a full “repeal and replace” of the health care law, should that effort fail, repealing the individual mandate is critical to undoing the damage caused by the Affordable Care Act.
LOOKING FORWARD
Beyond repealing the Democrats’ job-destroying health care bill, we need to replace it with real reforms that do not stifle job creation and economic prosperity.
The House has passed a resolution instructing four major committees each to develop legislation proposing replacements to the Affordable Care Act. The legislation must be designed to use market-driven solutions to decrease the number of uninsured Americans. Primarily, the proposals must:
• foster economic growth and private-sector job creation, • lower health care premiums through increased competition, and • provide individuals with pre-existing conditions access to affordable health coverage while preserving the doctor-patient relationship.
Health care affects every American, but the current law is not the solution. Absent a vibrant exchange of ideas and perspective from experts, this job-destroying monstrosity was rammed through Congress and thrust upon the public. It is our duty in this new Congress to repeal this law and replace it with a practical solution that will promote job growth and make health care more affordable for all Americans. Sincerely,
>Owner of Charlie Brown’s steakhouses to sell Office Beer Bar & Grill chain for $4.7 million Published: Friday, January 21, 2011, 8:04 PM Leslie Kwoh/The Star-Ledger
MOUNTAINSIDE: The company that owns Charlie Brown’s steakhouse chain said today it is selling its seven Office Beer Bar & Grill restaurants for $4.7 million.
CB Holding said it received approval from the U.S. bankruptcy court in Delaware to sell all seven of its Office eateries to Villa Enterprises, the highest bidder in an auction earlier this month for the casual dining chain.
The locations are in Bridgewater, Cranford, Morristown, Montclair, Ridgewood, Summit and Westfield.
The sale comes after the Mountainside-based company abruptly shuttered nearly half of its Charlie Brown’s restaurants in November and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The next step is to unload the company’s remaining 32 Charlie Brown’s and Bugaboo Creek locations along the East Coast, said Michael Freitag, a spokesman for CB Holding.
