Posted on Leave a comment

Temporary Stay Issued in Ridgewood Planning Board Conflict of Interest Lawsuit

Susan
file photo by Boyd Loving
November 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as has been reported the Ridgewood Planning Board  has a number of multi-family, high-density applications in front of it .
A lawsuit was filed in May by attorney Kevin Mattessich on behalf of a resident’s grassroots organization, Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development Inc. (RCRD).The  lawsuit that claims “conflicts of interest” by multiple former planning board members paved the way for high-density development proposals.

According to Susan Knudsen the motion to stay was adjourned to December 19th, but the judge issued a temporary stay on all applications before the planning board.

Posted on 3 Comments

Pedestrian Struck On Goffle Road in Ridgewood

Ridgewood ,07450, 201, Village of Ridgewood , Ridgewood NJ,  Village Council , Ridgewood Board of Education, Ridgewood Schools, Ridgewood Water , Ridgewood Train Station, Ridgewood Police , Ridgewood Fire Department ,shop Ridgewood, Ridgewood Moms and Dads

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

November 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, An adult female was transported by ambulance to The Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries sustained after being struck by a motor vehicle in front of 505 Goffle Road, Ridgewood on Thursday evening, 11/10. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS units responded to aid the victim. Traffic control assistance was provided by Midland Park and Wyckoff PD units. The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene and was cooperating with police. It did not appear that the victim was in a marked crosswalk at the time she was struck.

15042155 599993033520067 3998001206855597112 o

 

Posted on 4 Comments

Ridgewood High School Commemorative Brick

RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving
November 10,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Please help support the RHS Alumni Association by honoring your favorite alum, teacher, local business, coach, team or academic club.

Ridgewood High School is built on a tradition of excellence. You can continue to support and inspire students by purchasing your own brick paver today. Commemorate an event, reunion or significant milestone by purchasing a brick. You can memorialize a treasured individual or simply declare your love of RHS through this program. These bricks will line the walkways of our campus and honor the past and the future of RHS.

To purchase your commemorative brick, first select your brick size from the dropdown option above. Then, you must enter the text you would like to appear on the brick in the Custom Message field to have your message engraved on the brick.

4X8 bricks allow for 3 lines of text, 18 characters per line.
8X8 bricks allow for 6 lines of text, 21 character per line.

This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and the community to be a part of RHS history and to leave their lasting mark. Also, don’t forget to purchase your commemorative certificate here.

Posted on Leave a comment

“A Day in the life of Police Chief” program at the Ridgewood Public Library

"A Day in the life of Police Chief" program at the Ridgewood Public Library

photo by Boyd Loving

November 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Chief Jacqueline Luthcke read a story to, and answered questions for, children and parents who attended the Ridgewood Public Library’s “A Day in the Life of Police Chief” event on Thursday morning, 11/10 at the RIdgewood Public Library, 125 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood. The “get your photo taken with the police chief” session that immediately followed questions and answers seemed to be more popular with children and parents than when Santa Claus visits the Village!

DSCF5934

DSCF5956

DSCF5953

Posted on 18 Comments

Ridgewood residents felt the post-election let down

van_nest_square_theridgewoodblog

November 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Many Ridgewood residents felt the post-election let down yesterday . Months of acrimonious campaigning has left people feeling blue if they came out on the short end of the vote yesterday . Some wore black to symbolize a funeral . Another Ridgewood resident even offered free hugs to those who were in inconsolable pain .

Ridgewood like much of Bergen County was split about 60/40 in favor of the loser Hillary Clinton and in many ways Ridgewood is the stereotypical Clinton supporting town.

One reader emailed the Ridgewood blog,   “I know you must be elated over the election results. I am happy for you but as a progressive and a woman, I am so sad.  I think you are doing our town a great service with The Blog”

GOP President-elect Donald Trump pulled off one of the biggest electoral upset in decades Tuesday evening, causing Hillary Clinton supporters around the country and in Ridgewood to cry.

It seems that many of Clinton’s supporters may have shared the feeling Clinton expressed in late September when she wondered aloud why she wasn’t ahead of Trump by 50 percent.

As for the staff of the Ridgewood blog we enjoyed a quite afternoon.

5031 1173485101931 4896545 n 1

Posted on 9 Comments

Highlights from the Village of Ridgewood Council Public meeting on November 9th

Ridgewood Village Council

file photo by Boyd Loving

November 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Highlights from the Village of Ridgewood Council Public meeting on November 9th.
1. As always, meeting minutes are prepared and approved in a timely manner, unlike the previous administration, under which minutes were aged for months and in some cases years.

2. Acting village manager Heather Mailander named all employees who are veterans and thanked them for their service during this Veterans’ Day holiday week.  It is so wonderful to have a manager who is pleasant, supportive, and a champion of employees.  Hoping this will be the model when a permanent manager is hired.

3. Parking was discussed, including a long-since dismissed garage plan that actually would fit on the Hudson St. lot.  Really.  The garage was voted down by a massive margin.  So they are back at it?  Also, central valet was mentioned again, an excellent idea.  A discussion of changing times and fees for various parking lots was so confusing that even the council members seemed to not understand what they were aiming for, and an error in their paperwork indicated that the meters would go until 10 PM.

4. Mayor Knudsen will hold office hours quarterly, joined by one of her council colleagues.  This Saturday November 13 she will meet with residents from 11-1 in the 4th floor conference room.  Call Heather’s office for an appointment.

5. Three ordinances regarding salaries were introduced.  Titles are being updated.  Some are being deleted.  Notably the Human Resources Manager position is not scheduled for deletion at least not in this round.  Sharyn Matthews is gone, as is her mother hen Roberta Sonenfeld.  Possibly the HR position will be eliminated for good once the new manager is hired.

6. The public hearing on Ordinance 3556 Parking Restrictions on Pomander Walk was held.  Many residents from The Walk pleaded to keep the street as a zero parking zone.  This prevailed.  The street remains a no parking street.  This is a street that is paid for by public tax money but the public cannot park on it.  OK.  This seems unfair.

7. They authorized studying the feasibility of an Uber Pilot Program.  This may help ease parking around the train station.

8. The Transportation Alternatives  Program (TAP) Grant application was approved. It was made clear that there will be NO BIKE LANES included in this project, if the grant is awarded.  Nope, no bike lanes along very busy thoroughfares, thank God.  The jackass project presented a few weeks ago by a bike-lane advocate and a surly village engineer was scrapped.  The Grant, if approved, will just include new sidewalks and curb cuts.

9. As always the five elected officials were pleasant, professional, and held productive and meaningful discussions for all to hear.  Residents’ questions and concerns were heard and answered with respect and even humor.  Total transparency with total civility.  The absence of Tony Damiano and Rurik Halaby meant that there was not a single dark cloud in the room.

Posted on Leave a comment

This Thursday, November 10th @ 6:00pm Tony Bennett will Sign his New Book at Bookends in Ridgewood

Tony Bennett

TONY BENNETT will sign his new book: Just Getting Started ($27.99).

Click the link below to pre-order:
https://mkt.com/bookends

Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. He is also a painter, having created works under the name Anthony Benedetto that are on permanent public display in several institutions. He is the founder of the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, New York.

Born and raised in Astoria to an Italian-American family, Bennett began singing at an early age. He fought in the final stages of World War II as a U.S. Army infantryman in the European Theater. Afterward, he developed his singing technique, signed with Columbia Records and had his first number-one popular song with “Because of You” in 1951. Several top hits such as “Rags to Riches” followed in the early 1950s. He then refined his approach to encompass jazz singing. He reached an artistic peak in the late 1950s with albums such as The Beat of My Heart and Basie Swings, Bennett Sings. In 1962, Bennett recorded his signature song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. His career and his personal life experienced an extended downturn during the height of the rock music era.

Bennett staged a comeback in the late 1980s and 1990s, putting out gold record albums again and expanding his reach to the MTV Generation while keeping his musical style intact. He has won 19 Grammy Awards(including a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in 2001) and two Emmy Awards, and was named an NEA Jazz Master and a Kennedy Center Honoree. He has sold over 50 million records worldwide.

Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.

Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.

While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed.  We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.

Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ   07450   201-445-0726

Posted on Leave a comment

Village of Ridgewood Jobs : MANAGER PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION

yogi-bear_L01

JOB POSTING – MANAGER – PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION – DECEMBER 19

 

NOTICE OF MANAGER PARKS AND GROUNDS POSITION

The Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation is internally posting the full-time position of Manager Parks and Grounds.

Job duties and responsibilities include supervision of work involved in maintaining and caring for all park properties and village trees. Applicant must have three (3) year’s experience, in grounds/shade tree maintenance (ISA Certification Preferred) and possess a CDL Class B. The Village of Ridgewood is an EOE and Civil Service Community.

Send resume with letter of intent and copies of all valid licenses to: Heather Mailander, Acting Village Manager, Village of Ridgewood, 131 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or by Email to [email protected]. Please note resumes will be accepted through 5 pm, Monday, December 19, 2016.

Posted on 3 Comments

A Thank You to All the Village of Ridgewood Employees for a Job Well Done on Election Eve

Ridgewood_-Village_Hall_theridgewoodblog

So we all went in and voted however we chose. Takes is 5 seconds and we all are so proud. Tomorrow we will see the varying answers in earnest.
I would love if every person realized who actually helps behind the scenes of these elections. Our acting village manager, Heather Mailander, acting village clerk Donna Jackson, and a dedicated group of amazing people: village employees, poll workers, and so many other people/volunteers, are at work from dawn until WELL past now, counting our votes, adding them up and getting the information to the papers and to all of us. By HAND in some cases.


They are painstakingly writing in everyone’s joking, wasted, ludicrous write in votes for Mickey Mouse, and Elvis Presley. They’re adding up the numbers for dozens of candidates and dozens of districts. It takes a long time and a lot of work. And they do it with a smile and without expressing their opinion to a side.


They stay up as late as anyone at any local meeting for the village, and they then come in to work the next day because it’s their actual day JOB.


It wouldn’t be a bad plan to reach out and say thank you. We all should really appreciate this work. And it’s really really hard work.


I’ll spare Heather and Donna and so many others posting their email addresses here. But they’re available on the village website, or ask me for them and I’ll send them to you.


It’s a job we have seen done less gracefully, and it’s nice to have someone in these positions who deserve a heartfelt thank you.

-Melanie Whobin

Posted on 14 Comments

Ridgewood Specific Election Results : Full-day Kindergarten Carries

Vote Ridgewood NJ
President

DONALD TRUMP / MICHAEL PENCE  4,245 36.1%
HILLARY CLINTON / TIMOTHY KAINE  6,958 59.1%

House
SCOTT GARRETT      4,407 37.4%
JOSH GOTTHEIMER  6,444 54.7%

Freeholder
MAURA R DENICOLA 4,574 38.9%
JOHN J DRISCOLL Jr 4,567 38.8%
ROBERT A DI DIO  4,425 37.6%
THOMAS J SULLIVAN 5,158 43.8%
MARY J AMOROSO  5,239 44.5%
GERMAINE M ORTIZ  5,122 43.5%

RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL PROPOSAL
YES 4,580 38.9%
NO  4,444 37.8%

PUBLIC QUESTION # 1 – PERMIT GAMBLING IN 2 COUNTIES OTHER THAN ATLANTIC COUNTY

YES 1,967 16.7%

NO  8,054 68.4%
PUBLIC QUESTION # 2 – CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO DEDICATE ADDITIONAL REVENUES TO STATE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
YES  6,876 58.4%
NO   2,809 23.9%
Posted on Leave a comment

Attorney General Will Station 350 Deputy Attorneys General Throughout all 21 Counties

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

Attorney General Porrino Announces Election Safeguards

November 8th 2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced today that approximately 350 Deputy Attorneys General (DAsG) will be assigned throughout the state on Election Day, November 8, to help ensure a fair and smooth-running election, and to assist county election officials in resolving voting-related legal issues.

According to Porrino, DAsG from the Division of Law will be stationed in each of the state’s 21 counties to handle any court applications, and to provide timely legal advice to County Superintendents of Election and Boards of Election on emergent, voting-related matters.  The DAsG will be on duty from the time the polls open until they close.

“Our purpose in assigning DAsG throughout the state is to ensure the integrity of our election processes by protecting peoples’ right to vote, and by promptly — and fairly — resolving any voting-related legal issues that may arise,” said the Attorney General.

Porrino explained it is a criminal offense to solicit or electioneer voters within a “protective zone” as they enter or exit a polling location. The “protective zone” extends 100 feet from the outside entrance of any polling site. Attempts to interfere with voters within this zone are usually handled by law enforcement officers from the appropriate agency.

According to Porrino, any person who believes his or her right to vote has been  interfered with, or who wishes to report other voting-related problems or concerns, should contact the state’s hotline at 1-877-NJVOTER.

Members of the public also can direct election-related questions to their County Superintendent of Elections and county Board of Elections. A list of county-level election office contacts, as well as other useful elections-related information, can be found on the Division of Elections Web site at www.NJElections.org.

Posted on 3 Comments

Ridgewood Councilmen Ramon Hache: “Get out there and vote today, regardless of who your candidate is. You can’t complain about what’s wrong if you don’t do anything about it”

Vote Ridgewood NJ
file photo by Dana Glazer

November 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Councilmen Ramon Hache reminds everyone to ,”Get out there and vote today, regardless of who your candidate is. You can’t complain about what’s wrong if you don’t do anything about it. And if you think your vote doesn’t count, it actually counts a lot less if you don’t vote. Voting is not just a right, it’s a privilege. If you can vote, it means you have the privilege of being a citizen of the United States. Despite all our problems, this is still the greatest country in the world. We are fortunate to live in a country where there can be an orderly transfer of power every four years. This country is still the number one destination for people all over the world who are looking for opportunities and a better way of life. Don’t throw away your privilege.”
Posted on 2 Comments

Sunday Morning Crash in Ridgewood Transports Three to Valley Hospital

Sunday Morning Crash in Ridgewood Transports Three to Valley Hospital
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
November 8th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A two (2) vehicle crash at the intersection of North Monroe Street and West Glen Avenue in Ridgewood on Sunday morning, 11/06 resulted in three (3) individuals being transported by ambulances to The Valley Hospital with crash related injuries. The crash was reported by members of Ridgewood FD Engine Company #31, whose fire house is located near the intersection. One (1) of the vehicles involved in the collision left the roadway and crashed into a home located at 259 West Glen Avenue. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS personnel responded to assist the injured parties. Engine Company #31 members attended to a crash related fluid spill. Both vehicles were removed by a flatbed tow truck. There was no apparent structural damage to the home that was hit. Ridgewood PD is investigating the cause of the crash.
Posted on Leave a comment

There’s Still Time to Nominate The Women Who Have Made the Difference to You and Your Organization

Lynda Carter Wonder Women

November 6,2016

the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County’s Most Prestigious Women’s Recognition Event, Less Than a Month Away
Meet our Newest Honoree

There’s Still Time to Nominate The Women Who Have Made the Difference to You and Your Organization

November 2, 2016—YWCA Bergen County is proud to congratulate our newest Tribute to Women of Influence (TWIN) 2016 Honoree and to welcome her into a pantheon of extraordinary TWIN women. Roseanne Buscemi, Oritani Bank’s Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, is set to stand among this year’s honorees thanks to a generous sponsorship from Oritani Bank.

Among Roseanne’s many accomplishments, within Oritani Bank and beyond, she is Board of Directors President of the Center for Food Action. In fact, Rosanne gives tirelessly to other nonprofit organizations helping the region’s most vulnerable residents with basic needs. She leads Oritani’s annual summer drive to benefit multiple food banks in its coverage area. She has volunteered with Bergen Habitat for Humanity, and works with Oritani to raise funds and set up workdays for Habitat in the communities the bank serves. Roseanne is also a former instructor, a board member and current President of the North Jersey Institute of Financial Education. She serves as a deacon of the Reformed Church of Closter, and President of the Closter chapter of the American Association of University Women.

“Roseanne is a stunning example of what we mean by an empowered and an empowering woman,” said YWCA Bergen County CEO Helen Archontou. “Her contribution and willingness to help others help themselves set her apart as a woman of admirable generosity and, yes, of great influence in her community. We are so proud to honor Roseanne and our other remarkable TWIN Honorees as we continue this wonderful tradition.”
YWCA Bergen County is now accepting nominations from corporate and community leaders for its Tribute to Women of INfluence (TWIN) program. These honorees will be joining a growing list of “stand out” women, including the YW’s own honorees, founder and managing consultant of KEY HR Consulting, LLC and Mocha Moms member Tanisha Russell Day and owner and President of Belvedere Building and Contracting, Mary Anne Belvedere.

The TWIN 2016 Ceremony is set for December 1, 2016 (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) at The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ.

The keynote speaker is Joann Lublin Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and management news editor at The Wall Street Journal and author of Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World

But, as always, the stars of the event are the year’s TWIN honorees! To nominate the deserving women in your life, a company or organization agrees to sponsor YWCA Bergen County TWIN. There’s still time!

For more information and to take part in this important and time-honored celebration, contact Mary Eastwood, [email protected].

Posted on 2 Comments

Ridgewood Open Houses for November 6th 2016

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

1643943.1 MLS # 1643943
590 Cliff St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
18

1621787.1 MLS # 1621787
379 S Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, C/C
Jee E. Chang, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors, Fort Lee

  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
  • Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1643983.1 MLS # 1643983
228 Canterbury Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Ranch
Stephanie Langone, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
16

1623138.1 MLS # 1623138
182 Mountain Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Frances Blakely, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Hometowne Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
24

1642275.1 MLS # 1642275
211 Bellair Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kristin Gildea Fox, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
23

1642225.1 MLS # 1642225
566 Highland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ann Ewell, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
24

1630138.1 MLS # 1630138
143 Kenilworth Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1641999.1 MLS # 1641999
645 Witthill Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Christine Gubb, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1644082.1 MLS # 1644082
676 Terhune Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Ranch
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
24

1643207.1 MLS # 1643207
313 Woodside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Margaret A. Marino, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1643798.1 MLS # 1643798
1090 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
24

1644183.1 MLS # 1644183
650 Wall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Anne C. Ryoo, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1635581.1 MLS # 1635581
260 The By Way , Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kimiko Miller, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25

1628304.1 MLS # 1628304
123 Woodland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer M. Parsekian, Broker
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/6
25
Open Houses for Sun 11/13

1637243.1 MLS # 1637243
286 Highland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
3 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer M. Parsekian, Broker
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/13