>Democratic leaders look to skirt cap public-employee raises
N.J. Assembly tables vote on measure to allow exceptions to proposed cap on public-employee raises Josh Margolin/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie beat back the Democratic leaders of the Legislature Monday — and he used one of their own to do it.
Christie joined with the Democratic Essex County executive to stop a legislative effort to water down his proposal to cap public-employee raises. And by day’s end, even the governor’s most vocal adversaries could do nothing but admit defeat.
Democratic lawmakers were trying to pass a bill that would have allowed exceptions to Christie’s proposal for a so-called “hard cap” on salary increases in public-worker contracts.
>Voters overwhelmingly prefer a free market economy to an economy managed by the government
Only 14% Prefer Government-Regulated Economy Over Free Market
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Email to a Friend ShareThisAdvertisement Voters overwhelmingly prefer a free market economy to an economy managed by the government and think government economic control helps big businesses at the expense of small ones.
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely U.S. Voters think a free market economy is better than an economy managed by the government. That’s up five points from December 2008 following Barack Obama’s election as president but consistent with findings in surveys since then.
Only 14% think government control of the economy is better. (To see survey question wording, click here).
The Political Class isn’t so sure. Ninety percent (90%) of Mainstream voters prefer a free market economy. Among Political Class voters, however, just 34% feel that way, while 30% like a government-managed economy better and 35% are undecided.
Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all voters think increased competition rather than increased government regulation is the best way to hold big business accountable. Thirty-four percent (34%) say increased regulation is the best way to go.
But again while 74% of Mainstream voters favor increased competition, 70% of the Political Class prefer increased regulation.
>MacMurphy’s Restaurant in Ridgewood invites all to watch the World Series, or Jets and Giants football on one our our 10 screens.
We have Direct TV and FOX5.
On Saturdays, we have most of the college football conference packages. We will certainly accommodate you if your favorite team is playing and you want to watch on one of the screens.
The Jets and the Packers are on Fox5 this Sunday. Cablevision customers welcome. Stop in for our new Sunday specials including $1.00 wings, $1.50 sliders, and $2.00 Coors Light.
Happy Hour during the week from 4 pm to 6 pm. Thursday night drink specials. Trivia on Tuesday’s @ 8 pm. Outdoor patio dining
Stop in and say hello
Scott & Eileen Smith MacMurphy’s 8 Godwin Ave. 201-444-0500
>Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation Seeks Christmas Tree
The Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation is seeking quality pine tree,a minimum of 45 feet to 55 feet tall to use as the Village’s traditional holiday adornment in the central business district at the foot of East Ridgewood Avenue.Resident who would like to provide a tree are asked to call the Parks Division office at 201-670-5565.
>Census response down in N.J.: loss of seat feared
Seventy-four percent of New Jersey households returned their 2010 Census forms, according to the federal Census Bureau, a figure equal to the national participation rate, although down by 2 percentage points from the state’s performance 10 years earlier. (Statehouse Bureau, Asbury Park Press)
>Extreme left leaning Career Politician Steve Rothman vs Republican candidate retired Army Michael Agosta in 9th District
Stark differences of Rothman and Agosta in 9th District debate
PARAMUS – In a Democratic district that snakes though southern Bergen County and touches Passaic and Hudson, U.S. Rep. Steve Rothman (D-Fair Lawn) has a challenger from inside his home town. (Carroll, PolitickerNJ)
Republican candidate Michael Agosta spent 20 years in the Army, five years as a federal air marshal, and also calls Fair Lawn home.
Rothman’s resume is also extensive: lawyer, mayor of Englewood, county surrogate, and seven-term congressman.
THE ARC tunnel may be on again. The Access to the Region’s Core project is New Jersey’s own version of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” One day you can ask, one day you can’t and the next day, it’s back into the closet. Or in the case of the great train rip-off, back into the subterranean station. (Doblin, The Record)
>Barack Obama made politics cool again,but now most students have moved on
For college students, it’s so not ‘08
On college campuses where Barack Obama made politics cool again, most students have moved on. They’ve quit bugging their friends about change, they’re no longer trying to sign up new voters and the knock-on-door day trips now draw only the most hard-core. (Negrin, Politico)
>Assembly bill would bind arbitrators in effort to keep tax hikes in check
TRENTON – Ask a New Jersey mayor what he or she needs most to keep property-tax increases in check and chances are you’ll hear about changing the salary-arbitration process for police and firefighters. (Lu, The Philadelphia Inquirer)
>CRR was directed to the tread over the weekend. Whoever posted this tread implies that this was done on behalf of CRR.
CRR states categorically that this thread was NOT issued or sanctioned by CRR, its Steering Committee or Officers. CRR does NOT condone personal attacks innuendo or slander.
Paul Gould on behalf of Concerned Residents of Ridgewood
Village Council Elections: We feel Steve will look out for the majority of Ridgewood residents 1110, Steve clearly has a platform other than Valley. at least as much as any of the other candidates. read the ridgewood news profile. all of the candidates like graydon more or less in its current form, want to improve the downtown, want to lower taxes somehow, etc.
who’s Steve running against?
Forenza – a Valley shill Lembo – effectively a Valley shill (he worked there and his wife works there. how do you think he’ll vote?) Train – has some good ideas but is unelectable
Wellinghorst has proven government experience (no matter how much some foes try to belittle it. just like bernie walsh was belittled for her experience). What the town will gain from Steve’s experience, both as an attorney and with his work as a planning board attorney and on the zoning board, is another perspective on the direction this town is headed. the previous administration totally caved to Valley (changed the laws to let Valley rewrite the zoning and then the PB rubberstamped Valleys recommendations) as opposed to listening to residents about what they want. We feel Steve will look out for the majority of Ridgewood residents. Ridgewood CAN improve without setting forth dangerous precedents regarding the growth of business in this town. And make no mistake about it, Valley is a business.
We’ve said all along that we are not against Valley. We feel that Valley has tried to go to the well one too many times when it comes to its ambition of becoming a truly regional medical center in our town. We fully support modernization within reason and hope that any savings that can be obtained by scaling back expansion in Ridgewood can be channeled into a cooperative agreement with Hackensack or an alternative provider to improve the Pascack Valley facility.
So, please recognize that the CRR does respect Valley’s purpose and mission but insists that Valley’s wants need to be sensitive to the impact on the neighborhood and the Village as a whole. As it stands, Valley has not done a whole lot of compromising on any material issues.
>Gov. Christie extends deadline to consider Hudson River rail tunnel
TRENTON — It appears the deadline has been extended to determine whether to continue the biggest public works project under way in the nation.
Gov. Chris Christie had said he would tell U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today whether he would stand by his decision to scrap a new rail tunnel linking the Garden State with New York City. (The Associated Press)
Concerned Residents of Ridgewood has decided to endorse Stephen Wellinghorst in the upcoming Nov 2nd election for Council.
Over the last month CRR has reviewed each candidate’s, platform, statements made by the candidates in the media, witnessed their performance at the debate, and most importantly, interviewed each candidate personally. The personal interviews covered a wide range of topics including; revitalizing downtown, the current fiscal crisis, parking, Graydon Pool, Valley, safety, and the candidate’s vision for Ridgewood.
“We are looking for a candidate that fulfills the following criteria”, said Paul Gould, spokesperson for the group. “Credibility, aligned with our platform on a broad range of critical Village issues, electability, and the candidate’s ability to work with the existing Council. We feel that Stephen Wellinghorst scores best on all these measures and so he has received CRR’s endorsement for Nov 2nd.”
Asked about the current situation with the legal case Gould said that, membership of CRR continues to grow from all neighborhoods and people’s resolve remains strong. “We are currently focused on building up our legal fund and preparing for the court battles that are coming” he said. “We call on new members to join us in this fight to preserve Ridgewood’s character in the interests of all Ridgewood residents.”
>Candidates’ Night Bombshell – Russell Forenza and Louis Lembo Reveal Ties to The Valley Hospital
During Wednesday evening’s Candidates’ Night, candidates for Village Council Russell Forenza and Louis Lembo revealed that they each have a close relative who is currently employed by The Valley Hospital. In Mr. Lembo’s case, it is his wife. Mr. Forenza did not reveal who the relative is.
This being the case, The Fly questions whether either of these gentlemen could legally vote on any ordinance involving The Valley Hospital if they were elected to the Village Council?
