Urban homogeneity
July 21,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Springing up all over town, a clock, brick work at the crosswalks , vintage street lights and turf fields, some of the things that make the Village unique?
Not so fast towns all across the state from Hoboken to Woodridge all share some of the same features of Village ,why Hoboken even has two clocks .
So why all the sameness ,what happen to home rule and the unique experience that was the Village of Ridgewood ? Is the uniformity mandated from the state ?What about town character and who is making all the money ? We are not fans of urban homogeneity .
Other things spreading like turf fields are down town parking garages , didn’t get a picture of that yet in Ridgewood .
At my company, Honest Landscaping and Interiors, I have been hearing from my customers a lot about allergies. Millions of people suffer from severe allergies. Some people don’t even plant a garden for fears of making their allergies worse. Fear not, I have some hypoallergenic plants and tips for naturally eliminating your runny nose and headaches.
What to plant:
You can always count on boxwood. Boxwood are slow growing, flowerless, deer resistant, and hypo allergenic. Boxwood makes a great hedge row or standalone plant. They also tolerate sun or shade.
Hibiscus is a tropical plant that can only be outside in the spring and summer months. They get a large flower but the pollen is heavy and does not travel through the air. Rose of Sharon is a perennial variety that does grow in our area. Be sure to plant in sun or part sun for best results.
If you are looking for a more traditional plant Hydrangea may be what you want. There are many varieties of hydrangea including bush, tree,and climbing. They get an abundance of flowers in bright colors. Be aware that the Deer love to consume the flowers so you may want to use a natural deer repellant. Some selections will grow in sun some in shade.
Daffodils and Tulips bloom in the spring. Once again you have an assortment of colors and varieties. Plant them in rows or clumps for the best showing and be sure not to plant them too deep. Ask your local garden center about the varieties you are planting. Plant your bulbs in full sun or partial shade.
If you want fruit trees plant Apple, Pear, Plum or Cherry. Be sure to net your fruit trees to prevent birds or deer from eating your fruit. The first year of planting will sometimes not yield any fruit. Be sure to trim your
trees properly. Call a professional like me if you need someone to do it for you. Partial sun or full sun is the best for all fruit trees.
There are plenty of annuals you can plant in spring that will not agitate your allergies. Let’s start with the ones that grow in the sun. Sunflowers, Petunias, Periwinkles, Daisies and Pansies are great and add lots of color to your garden beds. For shady areas plant Begonias. The Periwinkle and Begonias are also considered deer resistant.
If you like Roses you are in luck. Believe it or not roses are considered hypoallergenic. I would say to plant smaller budded Roses. Roses have large pollen and that is not transmitted through the air, they are pollinated by insects. You may also cut them and bring them in your home. Roses prefer sun or partial sun for best growth.
Finally, plant a cactus garden. There are so many beautiful selections that thrive in this area. Don’t be afraid to mix them up. I would recommend speaking to your local garden center about which Cactus they will be carrying. If you ask for different types they can probably order them. Cactus love sunny and dry conditions. Perfect this year.
This article is presented by www.honestlandscapingandinteriors.com, a greener way to do landscaping and interior remodeling. Please contact Lisa with any landscaping questions or for a free estimate at (727) 637-8014 or [email protected].
The ‘other’ online charters get ready for new school year in NJ
They are the online charter schools that haven’t gotten much attention in New Jersey, the ones that will blend online tools with in-person teaching.
That lack of attention is likely to change soon, however.
Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf on Monday cleared the way for two of the so-called hybrid or blended charter schools to open out of Newark next month, offering students a full-day experience in the classroom, along with a heavy dose of online learning.
It’s a big distinction from the all-online programs that generated so much debate in the past month, where students would be taking classes out of their homes. The state on Monday postponed the opening of two such virtual schools for at least a year. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
Reader says , “The summer school “rules” were never clearly presented. “
The summer school “rules” were never clearly presented. I knew that they had summer school but the hours per day for remedial and new credit were not clear. A borderline D/F student had 24 hours to get registered if they failed the class at the final exam.
I researched summer school programs at other schools in New Jersey in an attempt to figure out how Ridgewood probably worked. There was a school that had summer school for less weeks and an hour more per day. This would be much more attractive to a family that had to make summer plans around a student in school.
They should have had the marketing club get the information out to the students. No one wants to go to summer school and it is targeted to students who did not do well the first time. Don’t make it like a punishment.
It would have been good to know what teachers would be in the classroom for summer school. My son had a terrible English teacher this year and there was no way we would send him to summer school with her. She should be editing book jackets in a cubicle somewhere away from children
The state’s first proposed full-time virtual charter school will have to wait at least year to begin educating students.
The state Department of Education today announced approval of nine new charter schools for September, but said the New Jersey Virtual Academy Charter School, a full-time online charter school, would instead be given a “planning” year to further develop “academic and operational components.”
However, two offering a mix of online and traditional learning did receive approval. Both Newark Prep and Merit Preparatory of Newark Charter School intend to offer “blended” learning in a school setting, Newark Prep serving high school students, and Merit Prep starting by enrolling sixth-graders. (Rundquist, The Star-Ledger)
Banning those whom you disagree with is intolerant and un-American
In a recent letter to the editor (The Ridgewood News, July 13, 2012) ( https://tinyurl.com/7hb3xvs ) the writer noted “I cannot understand why the continued and growing presence of the Tea Party in the Ridgewood Fourth of July parade is tolerated or permitted.” The writer then goes on to say that the Tea Party’s presence in the parade “alters the parade’s naturally inclusive character.” I don’t understand the logic: ban a group that the writer does not like to make the parade more inclusive, huh? The writer also states that the Fourth of July parade is a “non-partisan celebration of community service,” really?
July Fourth is not a day, as the writer says, “to honor public servants, elected officials, police, fire and other emergency service workers, military veterans, schools, hospital workers” (however honorable that may be). Even the parade rules state that the purpose of the parade is to celebrate The Declaration of Independence. I will point out that The Declaration is an extremely politically charged document, or as King George would have thought: partisan. We should not dishonor the sacrifice of our founders by changing the meaning of the day to some politically correct idea void of any connection to its true meaning of: Independence.
On March 23, 1780 a Revolutionary War battle was fought right here in Ridgewood, and many of our Bergen County citizens died in the Revolution. On July Fourth it is our duty to celebrate our freedoms, independence, and to remember the sacrifice of not only the American Revolution but all who have loved freedom. As Abraham Lincoln admonished us in his Gettysburg Address – “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
The New Jersey Tea Party Coalition (a citizens movement) marches in Ridgewood on July Fourth to celebrate the birth of our nation and to promote a new birth of freedom. We are proud Americans and we participate in the parade to support the tradition of what John Adams called “the great anniversary.” We march as people of this great land to celebrate and promote our American freedoms, and the preservation of liberty. Those ideals belong to “We the People” – not to either political party. Supporting the principles within our Nation’s foundational documents is not partisan or offensive – It’s American!
Banning those whom you disagree with is intolerant and un-American.
Tim Adriance Co-founder of the New Jersey Tea Party Coalition
“Municide” : Unless the Village starts looking at new forms of revenue this would not come as a surprise
As a former resident I would never wish “Municide” on my old hometown. Though unless the Village starts looking at new forms of revenue this would not come as a surprise.
In particular, solar panels paid for by utilities, cell phone towers which offer recurring revenue, and tasteful advertising to subsidize the annual losses at Graydon. “Tasteful” could use as a touchstone the same types of advertising found on little league baseball uniforms.
I’m not in favor of sacrificing the town’s character or visual appeal. I am in favor of avoiding casting the local unions and teachers as the cause of Ridgewood’s inevitable fiscal cliff. Teachers, Police, and Fire salaries and pensions are not the problem.
The Village has to realize that a massive number of real estate tax appeals and people moving to lower tax municipalities are the problems and that these are being ignored.
Ridgewood needs some creative types to work on raising revenues and not taxes.
NJEA looks to limit School choice takes tough stance on new charters
The relationship between the New Jersey Education Association and charter schools has been a checkered one.
In the early 1990s, the powerful teachers union fought against the state’s charter school law before ultimately signing on. Since then, it has openly said it supports charters — and has organized unions in a dozen of them — while raising protests about some aspects of the alternative schools.
Now, the union is again mixing it up, as the Christie administration is about to announce the latest round of final charters for schools opening this fall, including possibly New Jersey’s first all-online schools. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
The other foreclosure crisis: Losing a home over $400 in back taxes
By Les Christie @CNNMoney July 11, 2012: 9:59 AM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — People are losing their homes over unpaid tax bills that, in some cases, add up to just a few hundred dollars.
Outdated state laws that allow local governments to sell tax liens on delinquent properties to investors in order to more quickly collect on overdue property taxes is sparking a second “foreclosure crisis,” a report from the National Consumer Law Center said Tuesday.
When homeowners don’t pay property taxes or other municipal bills, like water or sewer fees, local governments have less money to maintain services like schools, police and fire departments and road maintenance. By selling tax liens, those governments can collect on what it is owed.
Investors, in return, effectively own a claim against the property until the homeowner pays the county or municipality back or until they default on the debt entirely. The investor can either collect interest on the taxes owed from the homeowner. Or, if the homeowner fails to pay up, the investor can take possession, or foreclose, on the home.
Another piece of history lost
July 14.2012
the staff of the Risgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , Another piece of history lost . The Zabriskie Slave Tenement house was demolished in Paramus yesterday .This was an ongoing battle over the past 3 years, and according to all accounts the demolition came without warning.
This was not the Schedler house in Ridgewood.
In September Freeholder John D. Mitchell came to the Dunkerhook site and met with Ted Manvell and Joe Suplicki who had spearheaded the movement to save the house. Mitchell was the first elected official to visit the site and show an interest in the status of the house.
Mitchell said on Facebook , “The shame of this is that all the pieces to a very complex puzzle were actually coming together. The mover was ready to move the house for free, the college was making plans for its permanent home as a learning center, grant requests and other funding avenues were promising, stubborn legal challenges were finding solutions, and many, many fine people were pitching in. We were really close.”
Hopefully this tragedy will energize preservationist in Northern New Jersey especially in Bergen County to speak up to save our precious history,. Bergen county holds many unique treasures dating back before the founding of the country . These include the Schedler house in Ridgewood which is still standing today but is also slated to be demolished to make way for more ball fields. Once these site are gone they are gone forever .
“Municide” not so sure its out of the question
July 14,2012
James Foytlin
Ridgewood NJ, On Tuesday San Bernardino became the third California city in less than a month to seek bankruptcy protection, with officials saying the financial situation had become so dire that it could not cover payroll through the summer and the city is facing a $46-million deficit.
So this begs the question with residential real estate at decade low valuations and commercial real estate still falling it seems only a matter of time before the dominoes begin to fall.
Ridgewood itself is experiencing a massive amount of tax appeals which some question whether the Village is underestimating our liability.
While vested interests and Muni Market promoters attacked Meredith Whitney for most of 2011 because of her ill timed call as to what some have called “Municide”, where she dared to predict that catastrophic muni default rates were in the cards.
Many argue that the size ,depth and variety of the muni bond market as well as the lack of institutional players coupled with insurance and the states infinite ability to tax makes a massive muni default or “Municide ” highly unlikely ,even sighting the lack of defaults during the Great Depression as proof.
The current low interest rate environment has done much to prop up muni prices. but with the print your way out of trouble attitude coming from Washington logic suggests it only a matter of time before price inflation begins to spiral and the breaks will have to be applied by ratcheting up interest rates.
Low valuations of residential property are pressuring property tax revenues ,with massive unemployment the states ability to continue to raise taxes seems to be challenged by a the law of diminishing returns . Add to that a fleeing population to lower tax destinations leaving an ever larger tax burden for those left behind .
Now add to this scenario the new willingness of towns, cities and county’s to seek bankruptcy protection and I am not so sure a “Municide” is out of the question ?
Americans Will Work More than 6 Months to Pay Cost of Gov’t in 2012
By Sabrina Gladstone
July 12, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – This year, Americans have to work until July 15 to pay for the burden of government, more than six months.
In a new report, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has calculated that Americans will spend a total of 197 days toiling to pay for the cost of government.
“Cost of Government Day is the date of the calendar year on which the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of the spending and regulatory burden imposed by government at the federal, state and local levels,” reads the report.
The report, Cost of Government Day, shows that Americans will work 88 days to pay for federal spending; 40 days for state and local spending; and 69 days for total regulatory costs.
“From a different perspective, the cost of government makes up 54.0 percent of annual gross domestic product (GDP),” reads the report. “What’s more, the largest tax hike in the nation’s history is scheduled to take place at the end of 2012 unless Congress acts to protect taxpayers. If this tax increase is allowed to hit, COGD [Cost of Government Day] could permanently be pushed back into August and beyond.”
“Late Show with David Letterman” has made 327,832 fat jokes about Chris Christie
Chris Christie “by the numbers”
The New Jersey governor’s office somehow managed to determine that the “Late Show with David Letterman” has made 327,832 fat jokes about Chris Christie. As for the number of questions he’s received about running for either president or vice president? His aides could only summarize, “Too many to count.”
A press release titled “Chris Christie by the numbers” went up on the governor’s website Wednesday, taking “a look back at everything across three balanced budgets.” Ranging everywhere from Twitter followers (125,820) to bills vetoed (39) to Politifact.com ratings of “Pants on Fire” (four), the list boils down to the apparent point of the list: “Tax increases: 0.” (Boerma, CBS News)
Proposed changes of leaf collection on Ridgewood Village Council agenda tonight
June 11,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, tonight’s Village Council work session will look to address some nagging issues in the Village like leaf collection and some new ideas put forward by New Jersey Transit (NJT) for advertising and cleaning up the pedestrian underpass at the train station.
New Jersey Transit (NJT) will make a presentation at the Village Council work session tonight on proposed advertising program for the pedestrian underpass at Ridgewood’s train station.
The Village Council will also discuss the proposed changes to Ridgewood’s leaf and debris collection policy. After years of public criticism and much debate Village Public works officials last month began a push to end the old way of collecting loose leaves at curb side and require residents to bag leaves for pickup.
In a blow to the development of North Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue property ,known as the “Town Garage ” the Ridgewood News is reporting that environmental officials have said that several large fuel tanks located beneath the parking lot at North Walnut Street and Franklin Avenue must be removed. The site remediation is expected to be a long and costly process with sources estimating anywhere from $600,000 to $800,000.
The property already has a rather checker past and has been stuck in a zoning no mans land since 2009 .
The Village Council work session begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Sydney V. Stoldt Courtroom.
file photo the online revolution is public education is here
Finally NJ’s first online charters could just be days away
As New Jersey awaits a decision on its first online charter schools, the operator of three of those proposed schools isn’t taking any chances.
Officials of K12 Inc., the nation’s largest online education firm, are in Newark this week continuing to wrap up the details for the three schools it would manage, one an entirely online venture from kindergarten through 12th grade and two others that blend online and in-person instructions for high school students.
The three have each won preliminary approval from the state. Now, they’re waiting for a decision this week on the final charters needed to open in the fall. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
