MAY 9, 2015, 11:30 PM LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2015, 11:41 PM
BY KATHLEEN LYNN AND DAVE SHEINGOLD
STAFF WRITERS |
THE RECORD
Andrea and Joe Buccino bought their first home, a Cape Cod in Wallington, for $385,000 in 2005. A decade later, they put it on the market for $299,000 — one of many examples of how home values in North Jersey, like much of the nation, have struggled to recover since being slashed in the Great Recession.
An analysis of 2014 property sales data by The Record found that prices across most of Bergen and Passaic counties saw virtually no change last year. Overall in Bergen County, the median price of $405,000 remains 14.7 percent below the 2006 median peak of $475,000; Passaic County’s median is still off 25 percent, at $285,000. (Nationally, prices are about 16 percent below their peaks.)
And the slow recovery is most dramatic in the region’s lower-income, lower-priced housing markets.
At the top end of the market, in towns where the median value was at least $700,000 in 2006, prices are about 11 percent below their peaks. Homes in the middle range of values are about 17 percent off their peaks.
But at the lower end — in towns like Hackensack, Wallington, Garfield and Paterson — values held down by a greater concentration of foreclosures and distressed sales have barely recovered. They continue to languish 30 percent below their peaks — 26 percent if you take out Paterson and Passaic, where housing distress has been especially acute.
In actual dollars and cents, the housing troubles translate into median prices that are down in Paterson from $340,000 in 2006, to $185,000 in 2014; from $330,000, to $205,000 in Hackensack; $410,000, to $281,000 in Garfield; $380,000, to $250,000 in the city of Passaic; $423,000, to $260,000 in Wallington; and $410,000, to $300,000 in Elmwood Park.
At the high end of the market, the numbers tell a much different story. The median price in Ridgewood, for example, has climbed back to $685,000, near the 2006 peak of $710,000. In Ho-Ho-Kus, the median price in 2014 was $725,000, compared with $750,000 in 2006. While in Englewood Cliffs, the 2014 median of $1.1 million surpassed the $1.09 million median in 2006. Saddle River’s 2014 median of $1.5 million is approaching 2006’s $1.71 million. And agents in those towns describe the market as hot.
The picture is similar statewide, though there’s less gap between the low and the high ends of the market.
Comparisons with the peak of the market can be tricky. Prices in the years before the crash shot up annually, often by double digits, fueled by loose lending standards that led many households to borrow more than they could afford, leading to foreclosures and short sales, in which lenders accept less than is owed on the mortgage. The collapse, according to some experts, merely brought prices back to more realistic levels.
While the relatively stagnant prices at the lower end are good news for some buyers, homeowners who bought at or near the peak and are looking to move up, face being stuck with a big loss, or just stuck.
Ridgewood NJ, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein has won a New Jersey Press Association award for his monthly columns in The Ridgewood News. Dr. Fishbein won Second Place in the category of column writing for a weekly newspaper in the organization’s annual Better Newspaper Contest 2014. The winning columns were Schools Cannot Do It Alone and Taking the Mask Off Addiction.The columns were submitted by Edward Virgin, Editor, The Ridgewood News, as part of its package of contest entries encompassing a variety of reporting categories. Ed accepted the award for Dr. Fishbein at the organization’s annual Press Night on April 23 .
MAY 8, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
There’s good reason to opt out
To the editor:
On April 2, all district parents received from our Superintendent of Schools a status update on the first round of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) testing.
The letter tallies the students whose parents refused the PARCC tests (opting out is not technically an option): 1,135 out of a total of 4,111 students, or nearly 28 percent. The refusal rate for grades 3-8 was over 11 percent.
In line with NJ Education Commissioner David Hespe’s recent threats, the letter states that Ridgewood Public Schools may suffer ill effects as a result, including losing federal grant money and losing our status as a high-performing school district.
The letter does not mention that no district has ever lost federal grant money as a result of low participation, nor does it question why a brand-new assessment should carry such weight in terms of evaluating our district’s schools.
I, along with no doubt all Ridgewood residents who are shouldering 95 percent of the $101 million school budget via property taxes, wish to maintain Ridgewood’s status as a high-performing district. I do not think that the way to do this is to sit by as corporate-led reform, the stated goal of which was to create a “national uniform market” for standardized tests and prep materials, attempts to convert our public schools into profitable test factories without corresponding benefit to students.
We’ve always had standardized tests. However, the low-stakes, sporadic CAT and Terra Nova tests took up a fraction of instruction time as compared to the high stakes, annual standardized testing that began in 2001 with NJ ASK under NCLB.
PARCC and PARCC test prep take excessive standardized testing to a new level.
Further, like other standardized test results, PARCC scores will not tell teachers what they don’t already know. The delay in receiving them exacerbates this: Results from the March testing won’t be out until October 2015 at the earliest. Relying on such data for student placement or special needs or anything else seems more than a bit delayed.
The bottom line is, as Dr. Fishbein stated in an op-ed piece last summer, ever-increasing state mandates including PARCC are objectionable because they displace instruction time and shunt teachers into offices and behind desks to fill out reports and pore over data.
Many parents agree and are acting, in a lawful and respectful way, to try to roll back the intrusion of corporate “reformers” and politicians under their influence in the classroom.
I understand that Commissioner Hespe has directed administrators to encourage participation in PARCC. The Department will view such attempts as a “mitigating factor” in how districts with high non-participation rates are evaluated, as Commissioner Hespe stated at an April 29 hearing in Trenton.
At the same hearing, the Commissioner claimed not to understand why parents are refusing permission. Rather than merely carrying out the Commissioner’s directives, our administration would serve us well by helping to explain that to him and the Department publicly.
$7,500 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1445893
221 Bedford Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, House
Pam Christian, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
15
$425,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1443545
1103 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, C/C
Jane L. McGuire, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
4
$489,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1515972
347 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Steve Pluchino, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
24
$495,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511458
367 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
21
$499,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508045
176 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
23
$539,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1515635
314 Kenilworth Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, C/C
Megan Murphy, Sales Associate
Angele Ekert, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
23
$600,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1430875
495 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
25
$635,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1515612
448 Fairfield Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Lindsey Barclay, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 5/3
20
APRIL 26, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015, 4:24
BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
In Montvale, land is being cleared for a new town house development near the New York State line. In Wood-Ridge, new town houses are rising on an old industrial site. And 150 new town houses are under construction in Allendale.
As the economy and housing market continue to recover in New Jersey and nationwide, these and other projects suggest a renewed interest in the attached, two-story homes. The construction of town houses and other for-sale homes still lags behind the much healthier pace of rental construction in the state, as tough lending standards and memories of the housing crash weigh on many households.
But builders see town houses as a more affordable alternative to single-family homes. Town houses also are more suited than detached homes to the type of development that is dominating North Jersey. Instead of the sprawling, single-family subdivisions of an earlier era, builders now are focusing on so-called infill construction, in walkable, transit-friendly areas closer to New York City.
Open Houses for Sun 4/26
$6,500 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512451
218 Richards Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, House
Laura Gill, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
11
$425,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1507656
140 Bellair Rd, Unit N, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Condo
Donna Dever, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$499,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514786
414 Godwin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Pam Christian, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
23
$519,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508045
176 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
23
$529,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509389
228 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Monis Young, Broker
Exclusive Properties Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
22
$550,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511458
367 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
21
$600,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1430875
495 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$600,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512449
205 Hempstead Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, S/L
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
1
$615,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508212
201 Walthery Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Joanne W. Cheng, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/26
$649,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1513456
496 Smith Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, B/L
Alina Nolan, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
23
$650,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511568
225 Oak St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Sabrina Aversa, Sales Associate
Maria Angela Almojuela, Sales Associate
Le Conte Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
12
$650,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514075
332 Cedar Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
William C. Ryder, Sales Associate
Gilsenan & Co.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
17
$779,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509652
249 Lockwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
24
$799,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1503174
274 Franklin Tpke, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Theresa Druce, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$825,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514804
157 Woodland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michelle Stojanovic, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/26
1
$849,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509106
235 Demarest St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
17
$859,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512129
348 Fairfield Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Qizhan Yao, Broker Owner
Realmart Realty, LLC
Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$898,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510044
900 Glenview Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Katherine Montgomery, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/26
18
$899,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514675
403 Colonial Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Gina Fierro, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sat. 4/25
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
$899,999 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514579
720 Maxwell Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Gregory J. Maglione, Broker Associate
E Real Estate Agency LLC
Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$919,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510766
210 Manor Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Ranch
Michael Machinski, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$979,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514759
125 N Walnut St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Janis Fuhrman, Sales Associate
Terrie O’Connor Realtors/Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
17
$1,045,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511984
21 Theyken Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Joseph M. Hurley, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$1,100,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514674
454 Old Stone Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$1,215,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1514162
388 Highview Ter, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath, Col
Lynsey Kemp Jackson, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc. Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
20
$1,299,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508087
365 Heights Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Caren White, Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
17
$1,399,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512450
218 Richards Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Laura Gill, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
10
$1,550,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1513916
280 Greenway Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 5 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Ghada Abbasi, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
$1,650,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1513862
199 W End Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Lorraine Sinnott, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$1,750,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512266
144 Fairmount Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Judith MacLennan, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$1,799,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1507256
250 Fairmount Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Peter C. Marron, Jr., Sales Associate
Marron Gildea Realty, Inc.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
25
$1,925,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510505
150 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 6 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Carole Lynn Brescia, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/26
APRIL 23, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
* Employment, interest rates cited as Passaic, Bergen home sales rise
Fueled by a stronger job market, housing sales activity is picking up steam, with existing home sales up 6.1 percent nationwide in March, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday.
A separate report, from the Federal Housing Finance Agency, said that home prices nationwide were also on the rise — up 5.4 percent in the 12 months ending in February. But prices were up only 2.6 percent in the Middle Atlantic region, which includes New Jersey.
That story was reflected in Bergen and Passaic counties, which saw little price improvement but an increase in sales activity.
“After a quiet start to the year, sales activity picked up greatly throughout the country in March,” said NAR economist Lawrence Yun. “The combination of low interest rates and the ongoing stability in the job market is improving buyer confidence and finally releasing some of the sizable pent-up demand that accumulated in recent years.”
Existing-home sales nationwide in March were at an annual level of 5.19 million.
Ridgewood NJ, In Ridgewood ,there seemed to be far less accidents involving pedestrians and automobiles this past year? I do not know the numbers .
So we asked Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward if we did have decrease what in your mind was particularly effective in mitigating pedestrian incidents. If we had an increase what policy can the Village , the Schools or the Ridgewood PD do to increase awareness of public safety and make our streets safer ?
The Chief took time out to respond , “We did have a decrease in pedestrian related accidents in 2014. I can say we have experienced a significant decrease in the level of injury to pedestrians. That being said in December (2014) we did have several but again still well below last year. As far as why, I can say we have increased our efforts in the areas of education and enforcement as well as the efforts in the area of engineering to enhance safety. As you know there are too many variables to attribute a causal nexus between our efforts and the reductions in pedestrian crashes , but one could argue that there appears to be a correlation.
While according to the Record there has been an increase state wide , the Chiefs efforts in Village suggest that simply “awareness ” from both drivers , walkers and cyclist may be the key .
N.J. pedestrian deaths rise; police look for reasons
APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 6:47 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
Sad to say, each time you read your favorite newspaper, there’s a good chance you’ll learn about someone like Anila Lluka or Lisa Borsellino or Donna Marie Wine, whose lives were cut short at the rate of one every other day in New Jersey — twice a month in Bergen County.
These deaths happen so routinely that we often barely recognize their significance because the victims were doing something as common as crossing River Street in Hackensack, where Borsellino was struck down last October, or Paramus Road in Paramus, where Lluka was killed last November.
Tragically, such passings have become much more frequent lately, according to updated figures recently released by the New Jersey State Police fatal accident unit.
Pedestrian deaths totaled 169 statewide last year, including that of Ms. Wine, a beautician who was standing with others on Grand Avenue at an outdoor market in Hawthorne last August when a truck plowed into her. In Bergen, walking deaths peaked at 24 last year. Victims included Stephen Petruzzello, a 22-year-old Cliffside Park police officer who was run down crossing Walker Street two days after Christmas while on the job with his partner.
With Bergen now accounting for more pedestrian fatalities by far than any other county in the state, traffic cops in many of its 70 municipalities have begun digging into their files to find better ways to prevent such deaths.
Please join us tomorrow night for the next Planning Board Meeting Available
Tuesday, April 21 at Village Hall (not the HS)
Deliberations to begin at approximately 8:45 to 9 pm.
(The meeting starts at 7:30 pm, but the discussion on High Density Housing is not the first item on the agenda)
Agenda: The Planning Board will continue deliberating and Village Planner, Blais Brancheau, will provide some detail regarding issues put forth by Planning Board members last month. We are hoping Blais addresses concerns raised by several Planning Board members — concerns also shared by CBR.
To refresh your memory, below is a reprint of our reap from the 3/17/15 Planning Board Meeting:
CBR’s recap of 3/17/15 Planning Board Meeting
CBR Note:
The first condition of this amendment, aside from density and height issues, is changing the usage in the zones from commercial to residential. Keep in mind that when the planning board members state that they support the usage change, that does not necessarily indicate that they approve the densities that are proposed. Changing the zoning in an area of our CBD from commercial to residential is a big step in itself, as presumably once residential is built, there is no turning back to commercial usage on that site.
Once usage is addressed, the next issue is how much residential do you allow? Currently, most residential properties in the CBD have commercial usage on the first floor. Under this amendment, commercial usage on the first floor is no longer required. Allowing housing in our downtown at density higher than the 12 units per acre that is currently permitted makes sense, and anything over 12 units an acre constitutes “higher density.” Considering that the average density that currently exists in our downtown now is actually 22-24 units per acre, CBR would be quite comfortable with setting 22 or 24 units per acre as the new limit for density. We feel that doubling those numbers is too much, and that 35-40 units an acre and beyond would significantly alter the character of our Village. It is very important that our planning board finds the right balance in this amendment.
CBR ReCap:
We took notes on each of the Planning Board member’s comments and would like to share them here. Our notes are not direct quotes.
Absent from this meeting was Nancy Bigos. She has yet to weigh in.
Charles Nalbantian, the Chairman of the Planning Board, agrees that the usage (housing rather than commercial) is good, but said the “devil is in the details.” He expressed reservations about the height and RSIS (state mandated parking requirements), and indicated that he is not sure yet about the density.
Richard Joel, the Vice Chairman of the Planning Board, agrees with the usage (housing in our CBD) and believes it will promote the general welfare. He feels that we need to develop these under-utilized sites and there is a need for a variety of housing. He said that he doesn’t know what the right balance between height and density should be.
Kevin Riley, supports the use of housing in our downtown but is concerned with height and density. He said he would like to see the density reduced from what is currently put forth in the amendment.
Wendy Dockray, thinks concept of multifamily housing is a good one but has her “yellow flags” or reservations. She is not sure this is actually what seniors are looking for in terms of space and affordability. She is concerned that the height and scale will negatively impact the historical character of Ridgewood. She said going from 12 units per acre to 40-50 is a “huge jump” and she is not sure if building 40 – 50 units an acre is necessary or appropriate to achieve housing. She is also concerned with the fiscal impact and noted that our schools are “at capacity.”
David Thurston, supports the amendment AS IS. He doesn’t want to “play chicken” with developers by giving them less than what they want. He said this is his business and if the Planning Board comes back with less than the amendment, it may not be “economically sound” for the developers. He is in favor of the 40 – 50 units in our CBD and is worried about what our town will look like in 40 years if we don’t allow the developers to build.
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen, not in favor of the amendment as it is written. She is concerned with the density, height, impact of adding more pedestrians that will impede traffic, open space and the changing character of Ridgewood. She said the she would like to see developers move forward with something, but would like to see a balance.
Mayor Paul Aronsohn, feels this is an opportunity for Ridgewood. He feels like we have enough information to make a decision and we should move forward soon. He said that people who don’t want their big houses could move to these apartments, but we need to strike the right balance. His stated that his issues are 1) density, 2) amenities (he would like to find a way to incentivize the developers to build high end apartments), 3) housing for special needs residents, 4) parking (he wondered if developers not providing sufficient parking could be forced to pay money into a fund to use for public parking), and 5) can separate amendments be crafted to address each zone individually?
Michele Peters, concerned about the density. Not in favor of the current amendment. She questioned whether the parking that was being considered as part of the proposals in the redevelopment zone on N. Walnut would alleviate some of the parking deficit in Ridgewood, but was told the deficit is beyond what could be added in the redevelopment zone.
Isabella Altano, (1st alternate on PB) wants to see more consideration given to the impacts. She feels we need a lower density. She asked about the potential costs to our infrastructure, if projected school enrollment could be provided that included approval of 400+ new apartments and what could be done to address our open space deficiency.
Khidir Abdalla, (2nd alternate on PB) said that we shouldn’t be afraid of change and supports the amendment. He is not concerned with the density and scale and feels that this type of housing fits in well to an URBAN downtown. He feels we need increased density in order to get pedestrian traffic that is needed to revitalize our downtown.
$519,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508045
176 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
23
$520,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1506035
484 Grove St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Sharon Barbaro, Sales Associate
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Rand Realty, Hawthorne
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
22
$529,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509389
228 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Monis Young, Broker
Exclusive Properties Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
22
$538,777 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1507471
425 Prospect St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Paula Clark, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Hillsdale
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
25
$550,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511458
367 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
21
$620,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1430875
495 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
$649,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509653
511 N Monroe St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Edward Ditroia, Broker Associate
RE/MAX Elite Associates
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
25
$649,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1513456
496 Smith Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, B/L
Alina Nolan, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
18
$650,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1506057
428 Sterling Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Robert Stemple, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/19
14
Tim Cronin and Nancy Bigos of the Dept. of Parks & Rec have posted the Graydon schedule on the Graydon page of the Village calendar as follows (asterisks have been added):
2015 SEASON
Early Season – Saturday, June 6 to Thursday, June 18
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
Regular Season – Friday, June 19 to Sunday, August 16
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
July 4th – Holiday hours, 10 am to 4 pm
Late Season – Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 30th
Weekends, 10 am to 7:30 pm
Weekdays, ***12 noon*** to 7:30 pm
****POOL CLOSED – Monday, August 31 through Friday, September 4****
Labor Day Weekend – Saturday, Sept 5 through Monday, Sept 7
Daily, 10 am to 7:30 pm
1. Graydon will open two hours late (at noon) on the first 9 weekdays in June following theJune 6-7 opening weekend (that is, June 8-12 and 15-18). Full opening hours (10 AM to 7:30 PM) will begin on Friday, June 19, the day after the last day of school. Late opening resumes for 10 weekdays in late August (Aug. 17-21 and 24-28).
Total of short days: 19 = 38 lost hours of beach time.
Note: Crestwood Lake in Allendale will open two full weeks earlier, on May 23. Weekday hours until school is out will be 1-5 PM throughout that period.
2. Graydon will be CLOSED for the entire 5 days before Labor Day weekend (Aug. 31-Sept. 4). Rationale: lifeguards will not be available because they’ll be in school, with Ridgewood and some other schools opening before Labor Day (Sept. 7)–but none as early as Aug. 31, and Ridgewood with a half-day on Wed. 9/9 and only 2 full days of school, why close all week?
The other part of the argument is that pool managers will be unavailable because they are teachers.
So maybe hire a couple who aren’t teachers? There’s still time.
Total of lost hours that week: 47.5 (9.5/day x 5 days)
Total lost beach time: 38 hours (late opening) + 47.5 hours (week before Labor Day weekend) = 85.5 hours
That’s the equivalent of 9 full lost days (9.5 x 9).
Full hours all season would include 893 hours. Since the first Saturday in June is late this year (June 6), the season is already short. From the first Saturday in June through Labor Day runs 13 weeks 3 days, or (13 x 7) + 3 = 94 days; that’s 9.5 hours/day x 94 = 893 hours. Removing 85.5 hours constitutes a 10.44% reduction. An additional 3.5 hours of closing occur on July 4, when Graydon is closed at 4 PM as a “drop zone” for fireworks.
WHY IS IT NECESSARY to demonstrate to the council every year that people still care about Graydon? I don’t know, but it is.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE if people show up at a council meeting to express their views/displeasure? I don’t know, but it often helps. And the less familiar their faces are, the better–also odd but true.
I am not attempting to convene a rally. However, next Wednesday’s council meeting is our last shot at trying to get this year’s proposed reduced hours rolled back. THE COUNCIL MUST STILL VOTE ON IT, although it would have slid through this important step if I hadn’t noticed the web page announcement and yawped at them at the April 8 council meeting. There was no meeting this week; Graydon, I’m told, will be on the agenda for next week. (The agenda has not been posted yet; https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/agenda.cfm/)
If you care about this, please make your voice heard.
The council is tired of hearing my voice and so am I. It has been amply demonstrated that a show of strength and interest at a council meeting makes an impression on elected officials. It may not help, but it can’t hurt. And there is always next year and beyond for the council to consider and plan for.
Village Council
Public Work Session
Wednesday, April 22, 7:30 PM
Village Hall courtroom, 4th floor
Public comment is likely to begin shortly after 7:30, after the Pledge of Allegiance. Please consider stating briefly why the opening hours matter to you and why you believe our council and staff should make whatever effort is required to keep Graydon open for full summer hours–a situation that was assumed and unquestioned for decades.
Be specific, if possible: morning swim fan; work schedule prevents going when it’s open; want to invite guests or take children/grandchildren when a late opening is now scheduled; like to take vacation days from work to go swimming, but want to arrive before noon; council claims to care about seniors; school-aged children do not comprise Graydon’s only constituency; unnecessary to shut down for the entire week before Labor Day, even considering school schedules; why not at least open from 3 to 7:30 on those days?
If you can’t come, please consider contacting the council to express your views. Their email addresses will pop up in an email form through this link:
https://www.preservegraydon.org/write-council
And then we’ll see! Thanks.
Swimmingly,
Marcia
===========================================
Marcia Ringel, Co-Chair
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”
www.PreserveGraydon.org
APRIL 16, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
* Bergen, Passaic benefit, aided by rise in port activity and need for warehouses
Spurred by increased activity at the port, industrial space remains in high demand in New Jersey, with a vacancy rate of 8 percent in the first quarter, according to a new report from the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield in East Rutherford.
Space is even tighter in Bergen County, with a 7 percent vacancy rate in the first quarter, down from 8.3 percent in the first quarter of 2014, and Passaic, with a 5 percent rate, down from 7 percent.
The growing demand for industrial space reflects a 7 percent rise in activity at the Port of New York and New Jersey, which has increased the need for warehouse and distribution sites in the state, according to Ron Lo Russo, president of Cushman & Wakefield’s tri-state region.
“As both online retail sales and manufacturing are expected to trend higher, the New Jersey industrial market is earning a position as one of the healthiest markets in the nation,” Lo Russo said in a statement.
A rise in e-commerce has led to more demand for warehouse space in this densely populated region, as online retailers aim for quick deliveries to their customers.
NEW YORK (MainStreet) — Imagine owning a cozy second home at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in scenic Estes Park, Colo. Elk saunter through your backyard and you enjoy fishing and snowshoeing in the crisp fall air. Exhausted and rejuvenated, you eventually pack up and head home, locking up your vacation villa for the winter.
But Estes Park autumns can be a bit on the brisk side. Some friends of Richard Jensen, a resident of nearby Fort Collins, found that out the hard way.
“Not realizing the drastic change in temperatures in the winter months, they forgot to leave the heat on when they left the house after using it September,” Jensen says. “Estes Park experienced freezing temperatures in October, and when family members went to check on the house they discovered a pipe had burst and the house was flooded with water. This resulted in an insurance claim that has exceeded $20,000 in repairs.”
Jensen, a real estate broker and vacation home owner himself, knows the reality of remote homeownership.
“It’s a good idea to be on good terms with your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on the property for you,” he says. “Otherwise, hire a property management company that will check on your home while you’re not using it.”
$519,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508045
176 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
24
$549,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509389
228 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Monis Young, Broker
Exclusive Properties Realty, LLC
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
22
$550,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511458
367 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
21
$620,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1430875
495 E Saddle River Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael Shetler, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$629,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1500062
251 Steilen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, S/L
Diane LoDrago, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors, Wayne
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
14
$635,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511844
956 Barnes Dr, 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. 4/12
$689,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1506057
428 Sterling Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Robert Stemple, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
15
$699,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1500976
154 Claremont Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Gina Fierro, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
20
$699,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511609
427 Dorchester Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Bethel Borgeson, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
19
$699,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512506
312 Thompson Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Anthony Comunale, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Alpine/Closter
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
17
$699,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511090
763 Newcomb Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Jeanne Williams, Sales Associate
Venture VR Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$769,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510329
615 Grove St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Pam Christian, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
14
$799,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511383
427 Red Birch Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
William F. Gilsenan Jr, Broker
Gilsenan & Co.
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
15
$799,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1503174
274 Franklin Tpke, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Theresa Druce, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$825,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512123
153 Waiku Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Maria Shammas, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$829,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509652
249 Lockwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Tisha Ramge, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
$849,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512219
30 Circle Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Michael E. Senchak, Sales Associate
RE/MAX Properties-Saddle River
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
20
$850,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512029
167 Highland Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Elsa Felipe Machin, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$859,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512401
442 Wastena Ter, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Till Horkenbach, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
24
$879,900 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511796
218 W Glen Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Laura Gill, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
17
$898,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510044
900 Glenview Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Col
Katherine Montgomery, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
18
$899,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512246
443 Wastena Ter, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$919,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510766
210 Manor Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, Ranch
Michael Machinski, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$930,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1508158
114 Hamilton Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Christine McKinley, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
24
$949,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512178
658 Shelton Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Christine Bremer, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$959,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509199
216 California St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
$1,045,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1511984
21 Theyken Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath, Col
Joseph M. Hurley, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$1,275,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1509637
5 Maynard Ct, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 4/12
24
$1,395,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1500415
215 Beechwood Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Barbara Masarky, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$1,739,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1510354
427 Spring Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Jane Certo, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
25
$1,775,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1512269
151 Sheridan Ter, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
5 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Linda Aktar, Broker Associate
Pamela Chmiel, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 4/12
April 10, 2015 Last updated: Friday, April 10, 2015, 12:31 AM
The Ridgewood News
To the Editor:
In a March 27, 2015 column in this paper, our Superintendent of Schools Dan Fishbein argued in support of “good digital citizenship,” a reprint of which all district parents received via email subsequently. In it, Dr. Fishbein told an amusing, cautionary tale about divulging one’s identity to vendors and its far-reaching consequences, a vexing aspect of modern life. He then related this experience to students posting about PARCC testing via social media.
I object to Dr. Fishbein’s column and email because I am worried that they minimize legitimate concerns about what appears to be an effort by private agents and public officials to squelch dissent to the new PARCC standardized tests.
It came to light the other week that Pearson, the testing giant, and the NJ Department of Education contracted with a security agent, Caveon, in order to trawl social media sites for mention of PARCC by students. This is ostensibly to protect PARCC test questions from breach and promote fairness, as well as to protect intellectual property. The identity of any student committing a so-called security breach is then reported to the NJ DOE, which has happened to at least one student in Watchung (as reported by its alarmed superintendent).
What used to be one of the few ways to wring value from a standardized test, namely discussing test questions and answers with peers and mentors after a test, is now illicit in this era of Big Standardized Testing.
Further, it is not just “security breaches” that are being swept up by corporate security agents working in tandem with state government. In practice, as Caveon has explained, it is casting an even wider net that may include mere mention of PARCC.
Yes, posting on social media is public and there should be no expectation of privacy. However, so is talking at a playground or on the phone in a pizza parlor. Are we just as comfortable with Pearson agents hiding at the outskirts of school grounds with microphones and cameras, or conducting surveillance through children’s smartphones?
Perhaps children should not be allowed to have social media accounts because they lack maturity and judgment about what to post and not post, an issue that’s come up in many contexts. I agree that we have to guide children in making good judgments in their digital lives.
However, more important than good digital citizens in my view is the raising of courageous citizens who are aware of their right to discuss, dissent, even to disparage ideas, institutions, their leaders. That is what makes American democracy unique and valuable.
If a child tweets that “some PARCC questions were dumb” or “PARCC stinks” or “I wish I could find out before next year how I did on the PARCC so I could learn something,” there should be no risk that that child’s identity will be reported to the state government or that he will incur a permanent black mark on his record.
