>Ridgewood to make Graydon Pool more accessible to handicapped residents Saturday, March 26, 2011 BY HANNAN ADELY THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
RIDGEWOOD — Village officials are planning improvements to Graydon Pool to meet new federal guidelines giving handicapped residents access to public pools.
The new rules are part of a major revision of the American Disabilities Act — the first in 20 years — that are aimed at improving accessibility at recreational facilities and public spaces. The regulations took effect March 15.
I must confess that before a Tea Party group in Massachusetts asked me to speak to them about Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap for America’s Future,” I had never read it. Sure, I had a general idea from news media accounts that Rep Ryan had charted a Republican alternative to the insanity of our current fiscal policy. But the actual plan is a real eye-opener. Every Conservative and Libertarian ought to read it. Not because it’s any good—in fact it’s a horror—but because it is a perfect object lesson in why we can’t trust Republicans or politicians in general (or either one) to solve our problems. Rep Ryan has done America a true service in this regard. The same way Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi have shown us what we don’t want in government, Ryan has shown us what we don’t want from the opposition.
The “Roadmap” has a lengthy introduction (about half the document) and it’s as good an introduction as one could hope for. And that is our first lesson: Politicians write terrific introductions! And Ryan’s is as good as any. He quotes Jefferson to the effect that
“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.”
Of course, the plan Ryan offers up is very much more like Obama’s vision of government than Jefferson’s, but the quote is great!
He tells us that “This plan is not a slimmer version of the “progressive’ ideology. It is a true alternative.” And then Ryan serves up a (slightly) slimmer version of ‘progressive’ ideology.
Mr. Ryan recalls how great empires of the past have collapsed under the weight of their debt. You might guess that this will be a prelude to advocating a speedy end to our federal deficit. But you’d have guessed wrong.
He waxes nostalgic over the time (1930) when federal spending was only 3.4% of GDP. And then advocates increasing federal spending to 24%… permanently.
Finally, The Wisconsin Republican is eloquent in his warning about the destruction done to the national character by our bloated government:
“Americans have been lured into viewing government—more than themselves, their families, their communities, and their faith–as their main source of support. [This] trend drains individual initiative and personal responsibility. It creates an aversion to risk, sapping the entrepreneurial spirit necessary for growth, innovation and prosperity.”
Of course, he then goes on to propose zero reductions in government and a few additional responsibilities he would have our government take on.
Ultimately, Mr. Ryan believes that Republicans can do a better job of managing all the bloated programs with which the Democrats have burdened our federal government. And, perhaps, they can. But for most patriotic Americans (The Free Market Warrior included) it is well past the time that such a strategy is feasible. He wishes to completely avoid the discussion of what government ought to be doing. But it is just that discussion that our country needs, more desperately than anything thing else.
So, what is in the Ryan plan?
It has four parts: Health Care. Here he advocates what could best be called “smarter Pelosi.” Get rid of all the nonsense that was used to bribe reluctant Democrats to vote against their constituents’ wishes, but keep the basic idea that healthcare is the responsibility of the federal government. Refundable tax credits are used instead of outright subsidy, but the effect is the same. Moreover, it completely ignores the real problem with American Healthcare: there’s too much insurance. Costs will not go down until people start paying their own bills. That is an immutable law of economics.
Retirement Security. Ryan correctly proposes raising the retirement age (although too slowly for my tastes.) What started out in 1938 as a plan to provide retirement income for the minority of workers who lived longer than average, has grown into a guarantee that everyone gets to spend the last 25% of their life in leisure, paid for by the younger generation of workers. But he also adds a guarantee that social security equal 120% of the poverty line: a brand new entitlement! He seems completely averse to the concept of making it voluntary. Indeed, he allows workers to put a portion of their money in private accounts (a la Bush) which is good, but then insists that the government must approve the funds This is sure to become the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack of retirement!
Taxes. Here we are urged to simplify our complex tax laws. This is a very nice idea but usually means that the writer is not interested in reducing the tax burden at all. Such is the case here. Fewer deductions, lower rates, silliness like the Alternative Minimum Tax done away with, but the burden stays the same. He even replaces the current corporate tax with what is essentially a Value Added Tax. The “VAT” is the curse of European socialism wherein taxes go up invisibly and more and more money is drained from the economy. But what about all that talk of “not taking from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned?” It would seem that Mr. Ryan hoped that no one would read past his introduction.
Job Training. I was surprised to see this in here at all… especially as one of the four main parts. Our Congressman complains about the 49 different govern programs that handle ‘job training’. Does he propose to get rid of any of them? Of course not! This is Washington! He only wants to coordinate them better and give them better ‘metrics!’ Also, he thinks that the government needs to put public service announcements on television reminding Americans that they should get job training! I think we could divide all Americans into two ideological groups: those who think we have 10% unemployment due to a shortage of public service announcements on late night television reminding us to get job training, and those who think it’s because the government is too insanely big and the taxes are too darn high. Clearly Mr. Ryan is in the first group.
What’s most striking of all, about “The Roadmap for America’s Future” is what it doesn’t include: Like spending cuts. There are none. Earmarks, Department of Energy, National Endowment for the Arts, Grants for Public Television, ‘stimulus’ grants that pay to study the “social milieu of male prostitutes in Thailand”. It all stays. Mr. Ryan is absolutely silent on the issue of the Century: cutting the budget.
Does he get rid of the deficit? No. Does he shrink the deficit? No. In the short term, he just reduces it rate of increase! When do we get a balanced budget under this “true alternative”: according to Mr. Ryan’s own numbers his deficit peeks in 2044 and the budget gets balanced in 2060!
My readers under 30 (who might live long enough to see that great day brought to us by Mr. Ryan’s ‘Roadmap’) will be interested to see what he says next: . “Congress should seriously consider reducing taxes when surpluses are achieved [i.e. 2060].” If you think, as I do, that Mr. Ryan’s plan is a joke. I believe that that is the punch line.
We can and we must really change our government and restore it to what our Founder’s intended. In the process we can return to Americans the hard earned fruits of their labors, even as we balance the budget (how about next year?) Mr. Ryan has shown us how not to achieve that.
Loren Spivack (The Free Market Warrior) is the author of the recent published book “The New Democrat” (OBAMAPARODY.COM). He also provides a seminar in “Economic Literacy” to Republican and Tea Party Groups across the country.
I notice that none of the four candidates specifically addressed anything about academics in the article. We have serious concerns about the math curriculum, yet I don’t know where the two new candidates stand on the issue. Also, no one said anything about tenure or teacher compensation and benefits.
Here are my concerns about the four:
Goodman and Brogan, the incumbents, have presided over the implementation of a sub-optimal math curriculum and the $48 million bond referendum that gave us turf fields and lights that we didn’t need, but raised my taxes by over $300 per year.
Krauss looks like an anti-Valley NIMBY, based on the cryptic inclusion of anti-Valley buzz phrases at the end of her section of the article. I know nothing about her views on educational curriculum or where she stands on the critical issues related to the district’s finances, such as teacher compensation.
Clark look like he is focusing on the field lights issue, on which I agree with him. However, the fact that his wife is a disctrict employee concerns me, because he may need to recuse himself from union negotiations. Also, he may not be as aggressive a cost cutter as we need. Finally, I have no idea where he stands on budget and curriculum issues, which are what really matter in this election.
In summary, we need more details from all of the candidates, espeically about the topics that really matter: curriculum (especially math) and the budget, (ecpecially teacher compensation and benefits). It would also help to know more about their educational backgrounds.
>Sex Education: The relationship between me and my children is no one’s business but my own
The relationship between me and my children is no one’s business but my own. And it certainly isn’t up to the state to decide what “small price” of my parental rights is appropriate to usurp. No, this is not about safe sex or anything like it. It is about a progressive mentality that believes that they know what is best for society. Come hell or high water, these liberals are determined to dictate the most intimate aspects of our lives and relationships.
If your child is having sex, it is not because they didn’t know how to put on a condom or use a dental dam. It is because you haven’t been a very good parent. And all the “instruction” in the world, by a state run education entity, on how to use such devices, is going to change that. Quite the contrary, by making young teens comfortable with such things we, as adults, are promoting it.
One must ask the poster of this thread; do you expect that your children will have sex before they reach the age of 18? If so, you need to ask yourself, why. It is telling how easily you throw in the towel by saying, “I seriously doubt that preaching abstinence is going to be very effective.” That is what all the libs said about Nancy Reagan’s campaign to, “Just say no.” But in reality, it worked; didn’t cost any money and was an empowering tool for children because adults were telling them that it was OK to say, NO!
Abstinence and the promotion of its value will go a lot further than any program to make children feel comfortable with using condoms or dental dams in reducing teen sex and STDs. 8:47’s comment that perhaps, a “semester of human relationships that focus on loving, committed relationships,” might be a better deterrent, is spot on.
So, the little things matter like telling 14 yr-olds it is ok to explore condoms at a Rite Aid. Would you suggest that we send kids to the liquor store to explore the array of various beverages and to familiarize themselves with the percentage of alcohol content per unit? After all, they are going to drink, aren’t they?
>Four candidates vie for two seats on Ridgewood BOE Friday, March 25, 2011 BY KELLY EBBELS THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS Staff Writer
Four candidates – including two incumbents – have cast their hats into the ring for the upcoming Board of Education (BOE) election.
Village residents Gerald Clark and Christina Krauss are challenging incumbents Sheila Brogan and Laurie Goodman for three-year terms on the school board. Elections, during which residents will also be voting on the school budget, are scheduled for Wednesday, April 27.
VFW: “We Can Do Better” By Major Erik K. Kober, AV, US Army
The Veteran of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) is probably the single-most bitter-sweet organization that exists in the United States of America. The organization exists, though we wish it did not have to, because we live in a time and a Nation, that when duty calls, many have answered. That answered call often leads to sacrifices of which only those who have sacrificed themselves can fully comprehend. VFW leadership comes from those who have served once or more in combat overseas, and continue to serve selflessly in their national, state, and local communities to recognize and assist the men and women who continue to protect the very rights and freedoms we so cherish as Americans. Its members come from that very same body of men and women who feel that awe-inspiring urge of camaraderie that develops from serving in combat in harsh unrelenting environments so that friends, families, and compatriots do not have to endure such harsh realities. As Thomas Jefferson historically described, we are talking about that citizen who “loves his country on its own account” and “can never refuse to come forward when he finds that she is engaged in dangers which he has the means of warding off.”
Our Nation has been engaged across a simultaneous global front in the longest period of sustained combat since its own inception. The number of veterans of foreign wars has increased exponentially up to the last decade, and with this increase, the Veterans of Foreign Wars finds itself navigating through a challenging time; it must achieve new heights in its ability to reach out and recruit the most recent proud young men and women volunteers who have fought hard and valiant over the last decade. While technology has both enhanced and encumbered our own progress in this endeavor, we must even further leverage the linguistic reality of today. With the advent of the internet, social network creation has never been easier or more complex. In a world that thrives on bottom-up, decentralized social networks, organizations must holistically adapt themselves in order to remain relevant and effective. Two major points stem from this phenomenon that can enable the VFW to successfully reach the newest generation of foreign war veterans. The first is COMMUNICATION, and the second is CONNECTION.
In order to effectively COMMUNICATE to our new generation of combat veterans,we must recognize that we all speak a different language. Current emergent language is hyper-computerized, handheld “I-everything”, Skype, Twitter, and You-Tube virtual-reality at your fingertips. The language of books, telephones, television, and face-to-face interaction is quickly morphing as nanotechnology changes the way we live at what seems a geometric rate. The difference is only a matter of the age we live in; this does not at all change how much we care about our servicemen and women, it merely changes how and where we can successfully engage each other. The National VFW has made tremendous efforts to bridge this communication gap, but while there are some states and local posts that have also attempted to embrace technology, it has not happened to the extent that the national, state, and local post structure lives, acts, and breaths as one system, but more like three disparate systems that struggle to bring each level into communication with the next.
If we desire to successfully COMMUNICATE with the young men and women who are returning from combat and integrating back into the civilian ranks, it is critical to provide them the interactivity they require to feel CONNECTED as a Veteran of Foreign Wars. The second point of emphasis is this necessity of CONNECTION. In hand with COMMUNICATION, today, more than ever before, there is an inherent need for CONNECTION. Whether on the battlefield, in a tank, a ship, a helicopter, or in the internet cafés, or even in the privacy of his own home, the young warrior today desires to be part of a network, CONNECTED to others, surrounded by information, virtual as well as real relationships, and with a vast expanse of attainable opportunities within his grasp. Our efforts must begin CONNECTING these young men and women, if not during their service, at the least through the Army Career Assistance Program, a link for which can be found on at least one VFW website at www.vfwdistrict2nj.com under ABOUT VFW>ASSISTANCE. There is no better time than NOW to CONNECT these foreign veterans to the VFW. It is critical to CONNECT these Soldiers with the opportunities that exist in and through the VFW in a language they understand. Blogging experiences, corporate CONNECTEDNESS, and the vast body of opportunities that our VFW already hosts must merely be COMMUNICATED in the language in which our latest veterans understand and can easily CONNECT.
Being at war for over a decade, this nation needs more than ever before an organization such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars because as comrades we understand, we care, and we will continue to be there when others will have long forgotten. COMMUNICATION techniques between each level within the VFW is just as important as the relevant COMMUNICATION techniques of today that must be used to bring our young veterans within our ranks, to successfully carry on the duty and tradition of the VFW. It is essential that we uniformly COMMUNICATE ‘we care’ in the language these young veterans understand, and ensure we provide them with the ways to CONNECT that will make our veterans the success they deserve to be in today’s challenging environment. Our local posts are the backbone to the success of this transformation, and state and federal agencies in addition to local community groups should provide the local posts the necessary resources and means to become the bottom-up organization that will thrive in today’s complex environment.
“Major Erik K. Kober is a resident of Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. He is currently attending the School of Advanced Military Studies, Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he is preparing to deploy in the Spring to Central Asia as a planner for XVIII Airborne Corps. He has served faithfully in Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq (2 tours) asan AH-64 (Apache/Longbow) helicopter pilot, and is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Washington Elm Post 192, Ho-Ho- Kus, NJ.”
>Aetna sues doctors over bills it calls ‘excessive’ Friday, March 25, 2011 BY MARY JO LAYTON AND LINDY WASHBURN THE RECORD STAFF WRITERS
One of the nation’s largest insurers has sued six North Jersey physicians over bills it considers “unlawful and excessive,” including $56,980 for a 25-minute bedside consultation.
In one case, Aetna Inc. claims it paid a Ridgewood neurosurgery practice $3.9 million more than it was entitled to receive. It also alleges the practice billed a patient $116,000, even after the insurer had provided payment in full.
In another case, Aetna claims a cardiologist at Hackensack University Medical Center increased his charges more than sixfold for catheterizations, from $3,000 to $18,720. The fees drove his income from Aetna up from $155,310 in 2006 to $2.5 million in 2008, according to the lawsuit obtained by The Record on Thursday
>In wake of pension-fund value hike, Pennacchio urges action on reforms
Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-26), of Montville, who sits on the Senate Budget Committee, hailed a report Thursday from the state Treasury Department’s Investment Division that found the value of the state’s pensions funds increased by 15 percent, thanks to a booming stock market. (Staff, State Street Wire)
>Toll collectors charge N.J. Turnpike with being vindictive with privatization plan
Toll collectors for the New Jersey Turnpike have filed suit against the authority that oversees the state’s major toll road, saying the agency vindictively removed a clause that would have given existing collectors the first opportunity for jobs under a new privatized system that begins this summer. (Frassinelli, The Star-Ledger)
NJ Transit wrote checks for unused vacation time to 722 current and retired employees last year, including its former executive director, and paid sick time cash-outs for 1,743 workers, which totaled almost $3.6 million, a practice that Gov. Chris Christie called an abuse of public funds that must end. (Higgs, Courier-Post)
New Jersey officials continued Thursday to move the state’s $71.6 billion pension fund into more aggressive – and riskier – investments, as returns have missed their targets for a decade. (Method, Asbury Park Press)
>Many parents may be appalled by the “condom field trip”
As a parent of two 14 year olds, I can tell you that the best approach to teaching them about sexuality is direct and honest discussion that begins at home, and is reinforced by their sex ed program at school.
It may not be comfortable for some, but it may mean everything in terms of fostering positive attitudes about their sexuality and self-esteem.
We are living at a time when teenagers are more mature and are becoming sexually active at a much earlier age. It’s a little late to try to determine where to place the blame and I seriously doubt that preaching abstinence is going to be very effective. Humans are sexual beings.
We talk about safe sex practices with our kids as often as they will listen. As parents, I can tell you it makes us cringe to think that at 14 years old they may be sexually active. Still, we have accept that this indeed may be a reality, if not now, at some point in the not so distant future. We can’t pretend otherwise simply because it makes us more comfortable.
To be blunt, kids have a low tolerance for bullshit. They don’t want to be confused by a lot of half truths or sugar coated explanations and quite frankly, that’s not going to help them to make intelligent decisions for themselves.
Many parents may be appalled by the “condom field trip”. It’s too graphic, too explicit, etc. But if your kids learned anything that might keep them healthy and safe, in the long run, being appalled may be a small price and you might be thankful for lessons learned.
>All parties seeking dismissal of charges in Graydon Pool lawsuit Friday, March 25, 2011 BY MICHAEL SEDON THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS STAFF WRITER
A web of litigation is still in Bergen County Superior Court relating to the 2008 drowning death of a 14-year-old boy at Graydon Pool.
“All the parties — Ridgewood, the Park family as third-party defendants and the Kim family as third-party defendants — have all filed motions to dismiss” all charges in the matter, said Neil S. Weiner, the Park family’s legal counsel. “A decision won’t be forthcoming until at least a couple of weeks, perhaps longer.”
Soo Hyeon Park, 14, drowned at Graydon Pool on July 15, 2008. The Park family was guests of the Kim family, who recently moved to Ridgewood at that time, and had joined Graydon Pool for the first year, according to the “factual and procedural history,” contained in court documents.
Initially, attorneys representing Park’s family filed an intent to sue, providing the village with notice that they intended to seek damages of up to $30 million. The boy’s family then filed a complaint in Bergen County Superior Court on Feb. 19, 2009, claiming the village was negligent in the drowning and sought judgment for “damages, punitive damages, interest, cost of suit and other such relief as the court deems proper,” according to the complaint.
It’s almost EASTER! This year give them what they really want
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>Montclair is reviewing a contract awarded to M. Disko Associates after an engineer who worked for the firm was charged with bid-rigging
Montclair reviews Edgemont Pond pact Thursday, March 24, 2011 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY MARCH 24, 2011, 1:26 AM BY LINDA MOSS THE MONTCLAIR TIMES OF THE MONTCLAIR TIMES
Montclair is reviewing a contract, regarding Edgemont Pond improvements, after an engineer who worked for the firm the township retained was charged with bid-rigging in Union County.
Township Attorney Ira Karasick said that the municipality is reviewing a contract awarded to M. Disko Associates to do engineering work to prepare for $1 million in improvements to Edgemont Pond.
Last September the Township Council granted M. Disko Associates of Kenilworth, N.J., a $38,700 contract to provide engineering consulting services such as surveying, design, permit and construction inspection services, for the dredging and wall reconstruction of Edgemont Pond in Edgemont Memorial Park.
