Tag: Ridgewood Real estate

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Readers debate Paramus Catholic’s Alledged Firing of a teacher based on her same sex marriage

Kate Drumgoole (on right) was FIRED from her job at Paramus Catholic High School,

August 21,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood , many readers have different takes on Paramus Catholic’s alleged firing of a teacher based on her same sex marriage .

The staff of the Ridgewood blog thinks there is far more going on than the typical media template would have us all believe .

Catholic teaching does not recognize  same sex marriages , but there seems to be a lot of inconsistencies in the application of that teaching from the school administration.  Should these inconsistencies be enough to force the institution to violate one of its tenants ? Or was that tenant merely used as an excuse for other issues . The main stream media has clearly taken the side of the teacher but is that the whole story.  Things are seldom as they seem to be.

………………………

Many religions do not recognize homosexuality. If you are employed at a Catholic institution you must support the values of the church. From the Archdiocese of Newark website teacher employment page:

CATHOLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS AND OPENINGS
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS:
Commitment to the Catholic Church’s teaching mission and philosophy
Dedication to a values-based education

You cannot force a religious institution to go against their beliefs. If you disagree with this then you should work at a public school – they have better salary and benefits. Ridgewood teachers have nothing to complain about.

or………………………………….

If the school ever took any grant money from the county, the state, or the federal government, then they cannot discriminate. And I am betting my last dollar that PC has taken plenty of grant money. They are discriminating against her because she is gay and that is against the law. Against the law. Do you understand this?

Catholic Schools do not require that all employees are catholic. They can be jewish, episcopalian, muslim, atheist, you name it. But they cannot be gay???!!! Again, this is discrimination plain and simple and it is sickening.

I am betting the pope would be appalled that she was fired and I hope he finds out and reverses this travesty.

I am rooting for Kate Drumgoole all the way. She deserves to get her job back or be compensated hugely. She is clearly a good person, a great teacher, a great coach, loved by all. This is disgusting what they did to her.

Shame on Paramus Catholic. Shame on them. What would Jesus Do? sure as hell he would not fire and humiliate this fine young woman.. sickening.

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CATO Institute Ranks New Jersey 47th in Overall freedom

Trenton_New_Jersey
August 20,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The overall freedom ranking is a combination of personal and economic freedoms. This year the Cato Institute ranks New Jersey 47th and here is the analysis :

About 50 years ago, New Jersey was considered a tax haven. It grew wealthy under that regime, but over the past two decades it has competed with California for the position as the second-worst state for economic freedom. As long as it is better than New York, it will probably continue to get tax refugees from that state, but more New Yorkers now move to Florida than to New Jersey.

New Jersey’s state-level taxes are slightly higher than average (5.7 percent of income), while local taxes are much higher than average (5.5 percent). New Jerseyans have more choice of local government than any other state, with 6.2 effective competing jurisdictions per 100 square miles. Government subsidies and debt are above average, but state and local employment is a little below average. We show a small improvement in each of those three areas between 2010 and 2014.

Land-use freedom is quite limited in New Jersey. The state lets cities adopt rent control, and local zoning rules are often highly exclusionary, even though the state has been losing population for years. Renewable portfolio standards are among the highest in the country, raising electricity rates. In 2013–14, the state adopted a minimum wage. Labor-market freedom was already bad because of strict workers’ compensation rules, mandated short-term disability insurance, mandated family leave, no right-to-work law, and a stricter-than-federal anti-discrimination law. Occupational freedom is, perhaps surprisingly for such a corrupt state, close to average. However, in 2013–14, nurse practitioner freedom of independent practice was abolished. Insurance regulation is fairly strict, and there is a price-gouging law, which Governor Christie deployed after Hurricane Sandy to devastating effect. The civil liability system is somewhat better than average.

New Jersey has improved over time on personal freedom and is now better than average. Incarceration and victimless crime arrest rates, drug and nondrug, have all fallen since 2000. Asset forfeiture, however, has not been reformed much. New Jersey is a bad state for tobacco freedom, travel freedom, and gun rights, but it is a good state for gambling and same-sex marriage. The picture on educational freedom is mixed. Homeschools and private schools are barely regulated, but there are no public or private school choice programs. Cannabis freedom is similarly mixed. The state has a limited medical cannabis law, but otherwise it has done nothing to reduce penalties. Alcohol freedom is a bit above average, but the state interferes here too. Direct wine shipment is tightly regulated, and the rules on when a grocery store may sell wine are complicated—perhaps to create a “tollbooth” where state politicians can extract rents.

Policy Recommendations

Fiscal: Cut spending on parking lots; New Jersey spends almost three times as much as New York. It also spends more than average in the “miscellaneous” category and on employee retirement. Income, utilities, and property taxes are abnormally high and could be cut.
Regulatory: End rent control. This move would have raised New Jersey four places on regulatory policy.
Personal: Decriminalize low-level cannabis possession, and make high-level possession a misdemeanor. These reforms would have raised New Jersey two places on personal freedom.

https://www.freedominthe50states.org/overall/new-jersey

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Your Zip Code Should Not Determine Your Success in New Jersey

kids- ArtChick

file photo by ArtChick

August 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Franklin Center, a non-profit, public-interest media and public policy organization invited the Ridgewood blog to attend  their “Amplify School Choice” conference in Denver.

The conference took place all day Thursday, August 11 through noon on Friday, August 12 at the SpringHill Suites in downtown Denver. Over 50 of America’s top bloggers and citizen journalists attended the event .

While we are advantaged with quality schools in Ridgewood , it is simply not true for so many parents and so many young people in New Jersey . We have all read about chronically under preforming schools  all over New Jersey . The reality is your zip determines your educational opportunities and success.

The fact is urban education, despite 30 years of New Jersey Supreme Court required intervention by the state, is still failing students and their parents at an alarming rate.  The theory from the Supreme Court was that money would solve the problem.

“But as we have all become aware is , “The Abbott school experiment is a colossal failure because it is based on the theory that throwing money at a problem fixes it. Problems facing urban schools are cultural and socio-economic. When people in power face up to that, we can make progress.
There’s not a lot of political profiles in courage because it is easier to toss tax money or make excuses than to say until underlying causes are dealt with, it won’t get any better, just more expensive with more kids’ lives wasted. A few politicians do get it.  (Ingle, Gannett)
https://www.app.com/article/20110821/NJCOLUMNIST06/308210033/-1/NJCOLUMNIST/BOB-INGLE-Nutter-delivers-a-message-to-youth”

Not only have the policy been a abysmal failure but the cost to non “Abbott School” tax payers has been astronomical.

Governor Chris Christie pointed out recently the , ” New Jersey spends the 3rd most in the nation per pupil on K-12 education.  For the upcoming fiscal year we spend 13.3 billion dollars on aid to K-12 education.  How do we spend it?  $9.1 billion goes back to school districts in direct aid.  $3.25 billion is to pay for the pensions and health benefits for retired teachers.   $936 million goes to pay the debt on schools, mostly in urban districts, to build new schools.  $13.3 billion—and that does not count the money paid in local property taxes.

Who gets the $9.1 billion? Well, that begins to tell the story.  By order of the Supreme Court, and coerced acquiescence by the elected branches of government, this coming year $5.1 billion goes to the 31 urban or SDA districts.  $4 billion goes to the remaining 546 districts.  That’s right.  58% of the aid from the state’s taxpayers goes to 5% of the state’s school districts. 42% of the aid goes to the remaining 95% of our districts. This is absurd.  This is unfair.  This is not working.  And it hasn’t been working for 30 years.”

This is why Govenour Chris Christie has proposed giving all school districts same amount of aid, and provide some towns like Ridgewood property tax relief.

It is clearly time for some new ideas , and new student centered education policies . Here are a few we discussed at  the  “Amplify School Choice” conference in Denver.

School choice: a wide array of programs offering students and their families alternatives to publicly provided schools, to which students are generally assigned by the location of their family residence.

Open Enrollment : the process by which parents/guardians residing in a district may enroll their children into any school district in New Jersey.

Charter Schools:  a publicly funded independent school established by teachers, parents, or community groups under the terms of a charter with a local or national authority.

Home Schooling : A “must read” for new homeschoolers! In New Jersey, the Legislature under the compulsory education law (N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25) has permitted children to receive “equivalent instruction elsewhere than at school,” including the home.

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SPECIAL PROPERTIES REAL ESTATE SERVICES AND CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE BRING A NEW ADVANTAGE TO HOME SALES IN BERGEN COUNTY

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Stunning new listing in Rio Vista Estates, 6 Finn Ct., Mahwah

Northern Bergen County Specialists Bring a New Perspective to Real Estate Sales

August 14,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood , NJ , Buying and selling homes are two of the most important steps in anyone’s life. The deep experience of Special Properties Real Estate Services, a growing real estate brokerage group in northwest Bergen County, combined with the name recognition and respect that comes with the Christie’s International Real Estate brand, is paying dividends for both buyers and sellers and bringing a new perspective to real estate in the region.

“Over more than two decades, Special Properties has enjoyed a successful partnership with Christie’s International Real Estate. With this long-standing relationship, our local clients have enjoyed some of the most lucrative property values on both the buy and sell side,” said Vicki Gaily, Marketing Director for Special Properties. “For those coming into or moving beyond the region, our brokerage, in cooperation with Christie’s deep network of international real estate experts, brings significant advantages to helping these clients find their dream homes.”

With the exclusive affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate, Special Properties brings access to more than 135 brokerages, working out of 1,200 offices, and engaging more than 32,000 agents in 45 countries across the world. With more than $110 billion in global sales, Christie’s brings access to a new worldwide pool of potential buyers, Christie’s real estate standards require the highest expertise of its affiliated agents and a level of service that is second to none.

“The Christie’s brand is instantly recognizable to clients and truly distinguishes one property from another,” continues Gaily. “Christie’s confidence in Special Properties, and in this region, ensures that homeowners and communities realize the highest levels of exposure and, consequentially, increasing property values. With its affiliation with the Christie’s network, Special Properties can assist in the relocation of clients anywhere in the world, while exposing northwest Bergen’s local communities to a larger universe of buyers from around the world.”

Supported by the esteemed art business, Christie’s International Real Estate is a global network offering exclusive home and luxury real estate services to buyers and sellers worldwide. Christie’s only admits real estate brokerages to its network that demonstrate a proven record of success and best customer satisfaction. With a majority of buyers initiating their home searches online, the Christie’s International Real Estate network receives more than 490 million annual web page views from discerning buyers worldwide.

About Special Properties Real Estate Services Group
Special Properties Real Estate Services embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah and Franklin Lakes, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call (201)962-9555.

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Ridgewood Open Houses for August 14,2016

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog
file photo by Boyd Loving

1631685.1 MLS # 1631685
382 S Broad St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Beth O’Hara, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
24

1633570.1 MLS # 1633570
263 Lincoln Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Karla Cino, Broker Owner
Karla K. Cino, LLC

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
22

1627943.1 MLS # 1627943
583 Spring Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Deborah Monroe Tarvin, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1632133.1 MLS # 1632133
275 Meadowbrook Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Miranda Jones, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
23

1627914.1 MLS # 1627914
828 Arrow Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Beth O’Hara, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1631121.1 MLS # 1631121
359 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer McSherry, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
24

1632091.1 MLS # 1632091
501 Darby Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, B/L
Dennis Matera, Broker Associate
Century 21 Gold Properties Realty, Inc

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
17

1632957.1 MLS # 1632957
111 Somerville Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Sarah Wei, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1617354.1 MLS # 1617354
618 Morningside Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ann Ewell, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1623884.1 MLS # 1623884
104 Hampton Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Priscilla Reynolds, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14

1614612.1 MLS # 1614612
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. 8/14
24

1629185.1 MLS # 1629185
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. 8/14
24

1628863.1 MLS # 1628863
329 Cantrell Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Suzanne Lenihan, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1626762.1 MLS # 1626762
571 Knollwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Ranch
David Shein, Sales Associate
Anhalt Realty

  • Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
23

1620432.1 MLS # 1620432
87 Madison Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Deborah Monroe Tarvin, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25
Open Houses for Sun 8/21

1632931.1 MLS # 1632931
26 Daniel Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Twnhs
Charlene Bai, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Fort Lee

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/21
23

1630227.1 MLS # 1630227
266 Gardner Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kathleen Falco, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Accomplished Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/21
25

1620183.1 MLS # 1620183
71 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer Wilkes, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/21
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/28
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North Jerseyans can reach estate tax threshold easily

Ridgewood_realestate_theridgewoodblog

BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

Peggy Sheahan Knee, an estate lawyer in Hackensack, often works with families that think they don’t have to worry about estate taxes because they don’t own all that much.

So they’re surprised to find that if the estate comes to more than $675,000, their executor is going to be writing a check to the state of New Jersey.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/personal-finance/north-jerseyans-can-reach-estate-tax-threshold-easily-1.1641057

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Ridgewood Open Houses for August 5th 2016

realestate_forsale_theridgewoodblog

1630325.1 MLS # 1630325
349 Marshall St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath, C/C
Wendy Dessanti, Broker Associate
Weichert Realtors, Tenafly

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1631685.1 MLS # 1631685
382 S Broad St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Beth O’Hara, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
24

1624919.1 MLS # 1624919
80 Pershing Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Youkyung Lee, Sales Associate
Eastern Realty, Inc.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
21

1622744.1 MLS # 1622744
300 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Glenn Hefferan, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1631890.1 MLS # 1631890
355 Walthery Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Joan Marie Monton, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
22

1627914.1 MLS # 1627914
828 Arrow Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Beth O’Hara, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1628866.1 MLS # 1628866
695 Kingsbridge Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Beth Freed, Broker Associate
Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty-Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
24

1619731.1 MLS # 1619731
262 N Van Dien Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Cynthia A. Farley, Sales Associate
Jody Earley, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1628041.1 MLS # 1628041
135 Woodside Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath, Col
Erin Pruitt, Sales Associate
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1630446.1 MLS # 1630446
329 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7

1630227.1 MLS # 1630227
266 Gardner Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kathleen Falco, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Accomplished Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1630856.1 MLS # 1630856
213 Melrose Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
MaryAnn Eldredge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
13

1629185.1 MLS # 1629185
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. 8/7
24

1615483.1 MLS # 1615483
200 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Till Horkenbach, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
22

1628863.1 MLS # 1628863
329 Cantrell Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Suzanne Lenihan, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1620183.1 MLS # 1620183
71 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer Wilkes, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
25

1632381.1 MLS # 1632381
34 Clinton Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Elizabeth H. Thauer, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 8/7
25

1629427.1 MLS # 1629427
305 West End Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Victoria Wilkinson, Sales Associate
Solutions Realty, LLC

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/7
24
Open Houses for Sun 8/14

1632133.1 MLS # 1632133
275 Meadowbrook Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Miranda Jones, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 8/14
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Readers Say we auditoriums in EVERY single school , Why do we need a performing arts center? Not to mention that the property is in a flood zone

ridgewood elks

file photo by Boyd Loving

From the July 2015 Ridgewood Library Board of Trustees Meeting

A couple of library board trustees said they want to move ahead with the original plan, which called only for the renovation of the library, and add in the construction of a performing arts center next to the library and village hall. This would turn the library and its surrounding area into the cultural hub the members are seeking.

The cost of the library renovations alone is estimated at around $5 million, according to Ralph Rosenberg, who was responsible for the renovations 20 years ago. Rosenberg has agreed to advise the trustees throughout the process as “owner’s representative.”

The estimated cost of the renovations, including the hypothetical performing arts center, is unknown.

(Community News | At the Library | Ridgewood Inside NorthJersey.com)

See any common threads here?

Board of Trustees Ridgewood Library

John Johansen, President 12/31/2015
Elisa R. Legg, Vice President
Arlene Sarappo, Secretary 12/31/2018
Gail Campbell, Treasurer
Christine Driscoll 12/31/2018
John Saraceno 12/31/2017
Janis Fuhrman 12/31/2018
Paul Aronsohn, Mayor
Albert Pucciarelli, Mayor’s Delegate
Dr. Daniel Fishbein, Superintendent of Schools
Linda Diorio, Superintendent’s Delegate

Don’t we have auditoriums in EVERY school which can be rented for a very reasonable price. Why do we need a performing arts center? Not to mention that the property is in a flood zone.

Yes, the National Elks organization appears to have been “gotten to”, at least indirectly, by a cabal of local supporters of the idea of building a performing arts center where the Elk’s Lodge now stands. The Local Elk’s club membership is probably reeling at the treatment they have been receiving from their national – level hierarchy. The tax status of the property on which the Elk’s Lodge now sits appears to have also been the subject of hijinks or skullduggery of some sort. Its valuation was dropped by more than half, if memory serves, with no apparent explanation for the change, which sounds like a setup.

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Reader says Vote NO on all day Kindergarten, it will drive out Seniors

kindergarten-cop-comedy

The school system is eating up my income.

They are having committees to study why people over 55 are leaving. Shiela Brogan is on the committee. The survey showed that moving is a financial decision. She needs to pay attention.

Complete agreement with all of the above. Taxes are out of control. And as for the moving truck option, don’t think for a minute that Ridgewood taxes will make the town and your home desirable to young families. Nice towns with lower taxes and higher rated schools surround us. Pay for your own pre-K and Ridgewood teachers need to get a grip on reality when it comes to their demands.

Driving out seniors is not going to help the school population or tax base. Add-ons like this may be the last straw for many who already get nothing from approximately 2/3 of their enormous property tax bite. Tired of hearing that good schools help property values, etc. The fact is that this school system has been going down the tubes for years and the world at large is finally starting to realize it. Throwing more millions at it won’t help. Eliminate half the jobs at the Ed Center and resolve the teachers’ contract dispute before coming to taxpayers for more and more.

As for property values: People will just look at other towns – Allendale, Wyckoff, HoHoKus Upper Saddle River, Ramsey, Montvale, Woodcliff Lake all have lower taxes and comparable if not better schools. Yes, Ridgewood may have a certain status and reputation in its favor but times are different now. The town has changed and more changes are could be on their way. BOE needs to keep a strong position that considers taxpayers. Our teachers are already higher paid than most and pre-school should be the parents’ responsibility.

Schools used to be top class in the entire country 25 years ago. Now it’s all on fumes of past reputation. Current teachers care more about their health benefits than they do about our students, which is sad.

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Reader says Vote NO on Full-day Kindergarten

The+Partridge+Family+PartridgeFamily

vote no

There has to be a point where homeowners taxpayers say enough is enough,12 13000 dollars a year taxes for a postage stamp house in the average ridgewood home district like Somerville or BF DISTRICTS is too much already ..111 per year will be 10000 dollars more in Ten years.

Is not 102 million a year plus taxes for schools and pensions enough..have you no ends to the reaching into my bank accounts ..red flag ..enough is enough,Private options are available for those who look for me and you to pay for
an additional three to four hours of K afternoon class and lunch time,While parents are at yoga or starbucks with errands or at Daddy or Mommy time .

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Governor Chris Christie brings his Fair School Funding Message to Over Taxed Bergen County

Chris_christie_theridgewoodblog

July 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fair Lawn NJ, Governor Chris Christie took his #fairschoolfunding message to Fair Lawn in Bergen County on Thursday, making the case for a new K-12 state aid formula to a town hall audience .

Governor Chris Christie proposed drastic changes to New Jersey’s school-aid formula that would distribute an equal amount for each student regardless of income, a move that would redirect money from cities to suburbs.

Over the past 30 years, New Jersey taxpayers have sent $97 billion to those 31 systems, while the other 546 have received $9 billion less. Worse yet by all standards the Abbott Schools have been a complete failure and are in violation of the very law that requires them to exist.

The average Ridgewood homeowner would save the second most at $4209 in Bergen County after Tenafly at $4478 .

Even Steve Sweeney’s home town, a leading opponent of the plan, way down in South Jersey would receive 58% more funding per student in addition to average net property tax decreases.

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N.J. bill seeks to regulate Airbnb-type rentals

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New Jersey vacation rentals booked through online services such as Airbnb would be subject to the same state and local occupancy taxes as hotel and motel rooms under a bill introduced in state Assembly. John C. Ensslin, The Record Read more

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Reader says The REA just wants more money taken from the students and extracurricular’s to pay for their average annual above inflation (and above 2% property tax cap) wage increases and “platinum” health plan benefits

REA Members come out to greet our Board of Ed

#DOITFIRDAKIDZ

The REA just wants more money taken from the students and extracurricular’s to pay for their average annual above inflation (and above 2% property tax cap) wage increases and “platinum” health plan benefits covering 96% of all medical benefits with $10 co-pays. Why are Ridgewood residents paying above average property taxes in Bergen County for schools to only cut spending on students to pay even more for teachers who already earn the highest average salaries in Bergen? Does this make any sense? Won’t our property values decline if our schools keep declining like they have?

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Ridgewood Open Houses For July 24th 2016

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file photo by Boyd Loving

1622744.1 MLS # 1622744
300 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Glenn Hefferan, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1627914.1 MLS # 1627914
828 Arrow Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Beth O’Hara, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1623884.1 MLS # 1623884
104 Hampton Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Priscilla Reynolds, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
21

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. 7/24
24

1630446.1 MLS # 1630446
329 Northern Pkwy, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
17

1614612.1 MLS # 1614612
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. 7/24
24

1630856.1 MLS # 1630856
213 Melrose Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
MaryAnn Eldredge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/31
11

1630227.1 MLS # 1630227
266 Gardner Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Kathleen Falco, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Accomplished Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1615483.1 MLS # 1615483
200 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Till Horkenbach, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
22

1629185.1

1628863.1 MLS # 1628863
329 Cantrell Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Suzanne Lenihan, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1620432.1 MLS # 1620432
87 Madison Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Deborah Monroe Tarvin, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1620183.1 MLS # 1620183
71 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jennifer Wilkes, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/31
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. 7/24
25

1621050.1 MLS # 1621050
325 Gardner Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Peter C. Marron, Jr., Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
25

1629427.1 MLS # 1629427
305 West End Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Victoria Wilkinson, Sales Associate
Solutions Realty, LLC

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/24
24
Open Houses for Sun 7/31

1630457.1 MLS # 1630457
687 Howard Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

  • Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 7/31
25
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Kennedy Odede, NYT bestselling author and CEO of Shining Hope for Communities, explains how to counter the emptiness, despair and lack of meaning that fuel violence and terror

Kennedy Odede

July 15,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Kennedy Odede knows a thing or two about falling into the clutches of a terror group.

Raised in devastating poverty in Africa’s largest urban slum, Kibera, Odede fell into a violent street gang as a child, drawn by the sense of belonging to a community united in its struggle for survival.

Now founder and CEO of the acclaimed nonprofit Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) and co-author of the New York Times bestselling book Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss and Hope in an African Slum, Odede understands that similar to street gangs, terrorism is fueled by emptiness, despair and a lack of meaning.

Messages such as “Join the fight for freedom,” and “The western world is ruining us,” resonate with and attract people when their own communities, government, parents and social networks have nothing to offer.

The only viable solution, Odede says, is to attack the root cause — social disconnection — by engaging vulnerable individuals in their communities through activities such as sports, clean-up projects and education.

This is exactly what Odede and his wife Jessica Posner Odede did in founding SHOFCO, which transforms poor, urban communities in Kenya through tuition-free education for girls and holistic social services for all, filling the dangerous void created by despair with supportiveness and hope.

There’s much more on SHOFCO’s story and the outcome in Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss and Hope in an African Slum, which Odede and Posner wrote together.  It releases in paperback on July 26 (Ecco / Harper Collins).  The book has received glowing praise from Chelsea Clinton, Gloria Steinem and several Nobel Prize Winners.

 

About Kennedy Odede
One of Africa’s best-known community organizers and social entrepreneurs, Kennedy Odede the co-author with Jessica Posner Odede of the New York Times bestselling book Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss and Hope in an African Slum. Founder and CEO of the nonprofit Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) based in Kenya, he is a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and was awarded the 2010 Echoing Green Fellowship, which is given to the world’s top emerging social entrepreneurs. He also won the 2010 Dell Social Innovation Competition and was named one of Forbes’ 2014 30 Under 30: Social Entrepreneurs.

Kennedy speaks six languages, is a senior fellow with Humanity in Action, and an Aspen Institute New Voices Fellow.   His work has been featured in the PBS documentary Half the Sky, by Chelsea Clinton and Maria Menounos on NBC, by President Bill Clinton, and on multiple occasions by Nicholas Kristof in The New York Times.

SHOFCO combats extreme poverty and gender inequality by linking schools for girls to a set of high-value, holistic community services for all. In 2016 it will reach 100,000 people.