>Superior Court nominee rose to prominence as key voice of N.J.’s Muslim community
One of Gov. Chris Christie’s nominees for Superior Court judge isn’t the typical judicial hopeful. (Sebastian, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/christie_nominee_would_be_supe.html
>NJ municipalities privatizing garbage collection
Some New Jersey municipalities that provide garbage collection to residents are exploring privatization or service cutbacks amid rising employee costs and the constraints of a new 2 percent property tax cap. (Jennings, Daily Record)
https://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110213/NJNEWS/102130314/Garbage-becoming-private-matter
>Abbott v. Burke in Suburbia
From the heart of New Jersey suburbia, Montgomery’s public schools would seem an unlikely Exhibit A in the epic Abbott v. Burke school equity case. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0213/2116/
>Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint, and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the history of this centuries-old holiday, from ancient Roman rituals to the customs of Victorian England.
The history of Valentine’s Day — and its patron saint — is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.
https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day
>After NJEA, Christie’s next fight is with state workers as contracts come up for renewal
By Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — When Gov. Chris Christie went to war with the teachers union last year, leaders of unions representing New Jersey state workers nervously watched in the wings.
Now it’s their turn to go toe-to-toe with the governor.
With contracts for 49,000 state workers due to expire this June, Christie has publicly proclaimed he wants no pay raises and expects state workers to fork over much more for health and pension benefits. Union leaders say they have had no meetings with the governor’s office and worry this doesn’t bode well for getting a deal before the current contracts are up.
“It’s going to be pretty ugly,” said Jeff Keefe, a labor professor at Rutgers University. “I’m not sure we’re going to be well-served by what comes out of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if in September we’re still in negotiations.”
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/next_fight_contracts_for_state.html
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“LIGHTS OUT”
Tom Kossoff
Ridgewood NJ-I am Tom Kossoff, one of the neighbors by the fields. I am sure most of you know me by now on this issue. I wanted to say at this point we all must move beyond some of the vitriolic language and side issues. We also should come foward and go to the next BOE meeting of 2/28 and then the Village Council meeting when they discuss the Fields Committee recommendations.
Whatever your viewpoint if you only blog and do it anonymously, and then don’t participate in the open forums, I don’t see the value at this point in the discussion. We are beyond the initial hurling of rumors, insults and innuendos.The major point right now is everyone’s position on “Lights Out” for sporting events. We live in a very dense residential neighborhood where not so much the lights but the noise that is part of any game plus the limited parking will create a disruptive situation for homes adjacent to the fields.
The proposed 10:00 cut-off does not mean everything goes silent or dark at 10:00. Figure 10:30 at least until it’s dark and quiet again. So the question is what is your opinion. Sports is important but so are neighborhoods and more important the children and adults who will have their sleep disrupted by a game.
I have been involved in the sports programs since I moved to Ridgewood almost 20 years ago. I appreciate them for the kids, the adults and the community. BUT I would never be so
bold to say that my little league baseball game should be more important than the lives, health and welfare of the homes next to the field.
Games that go to 10:00 and then beyond in leaving the fields after the game will in my opinion and many others hurt the neighbors. The homes are just too close to the fields and lights. If nothing else in Ridgewood, we should protect sleep time which I think as a community we can say should be no later than 9:00. There are many good people on both sides of the issue. I look forward to seeing everyone at the 2/28 BOE meeting. State your opinion on
“Lights Out” and the quality of life for our neighborhood which in the future may be yours too. There is a Master Plan and what’s decided now for “Lights Out” here will follow into other neighborhoods, maybe yours. It’s important we then do the right thing now regarding the proposed new Fields Committee policy.
>Case is made against historic house
Saturday, February 5, 2011
BY STEPHANIE AKIN
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
PARAMUS — The original structure of a house linked to Bergen County’s historical freed slave community is in such poor condition that it would be almost impossible to preserve, an architect representing a developer testified on Thursday.
A developer wants to build homes on the site of the Zabriskie-Wessells-Board house in Paramus, which housed freed slaves.
Speaking in support of a plan to raze the so-called Zabriskie-Wessells-Board slave house on Dunkerhook Road, architect Peter Wells said that renovations and neglect during the building’s 250-year history have diminished its historical value.
“It doesn’t even actually resemble the way it was originally built,” Wells said.
The testimony was among the first since developer Sal Petruzzella’s proposal was submitted to the borough in March, inciting opposition from preservationists and descendants of the original occupants as far-flung as Baltimore.
https://www.northjersey.com/community/115349934_Case_is_made_against_historic_house.html
>PEDESTRIAN SAFETY :Unlike Grand Theft Auto the goal of driving is not to hit other cars and people
Peter Coti
Ridgewood NJ- On Thursday I was walking up Glen avenue, one of the most dangerous roads due to its steepness, curves and lack of sidewalk. I had just passed under the bridge and then I see a completely incompetent teenager who was obviously putting his pedal to the metal. I then put up my arm in a “Sir, your head seems to be up your ass, I advise you to slow down before you kill someone,” manor and what does he do in response? He flips me off. So since he refuses to care about his safety and others I have decided to write him a letter.
To the teenager driving the green late 1990’s BMW:
I know you think you are “hip” and “cool” for driving fast like they do in movies, while in fact you are just a “mindless mingebag”. I could honestly care less about you hurting yourself but I hope you know you are endangering others with your reckless driving. Just because you are speeding on a local road in comparison does not mean you won’t get into a car accident, in fact 88% of car accidents occur on local roads! Did you know that “in 2009, about 3,000 teens in the United States aged 15–19 were killed and more than 350,000 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes.” 37% of those people who were killed were speeding of their own accord (illegal substances were not a contributing factor.)
Pedestrians cross the streets that you drive on in addition to cars. If you were to hit a car going 60mph it would be less lethal then hitting a pedestrian at 30mph. Unlike Grand Theft Auto the goal of driving is not to hit other cars and people. Do you really want to have to go through life knowing you killed someone while driving?
In conclusion I hope you now to slow down when you drive. BUT if you really want to speed then I advise you to move to a rural area. That way there is a less chance of you surviving and you would hopefully be eliminated from the gene pool which would help benefit humanity.
The RPD needs to step up enforcement on Glen to keep people like you off the roads! In the words of Helen Lovejoy “won’t someone please think of the children.”
>Yansi Fugel 2011 Spring Trunk Show
Thu, February 17, 2011 – Sat, February 19, 2011
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location: Yansi Fugel Flagship Store, 66 East Ridgewood Avenue
Event Description
Yansi Fugel present the 2011 Spring Trunk Show!
February 17th-February 19th
10:00am – 6:00pm
66 East Ridgewood Avenue
201-493-7060
Shop early for Spring with the latest fashion from
Yansi Fugel. www.yansifugel.com for the updates.
>Valley Renewal : Is the expansion was good for Ridgewood, or is the expansion just good for business ?
Ridgewood NJ – Someone who supports the valley expansion wrote a letter to the Ridgewood Newa. The letter was supposed to be about why the expansion was good for Ridgewood, but it sounded more like why the expansion was good for business.
These days, no one goes to the closest hospital for non emergency procedures. We are all in control of our health, we research and get second opinions. The research will help us select the doctor and hospital that our insurance will cover.
In the NY Metro area there are a lot of great hospitals to choose from. Valley is not known for anything. My first stop for medical treatment in Bergen County would be Hackensack Medical Center. They already have the resources and technology that valley would like to have. For emergency services I would go to the closest hospital. Valley’s ER should be updates to offer the best services possible.
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Postal Service warns of default as losses mount
By Ben Rooney, staff reporterFebruary 9, 2011: 3:47 PM ET
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — The U.S. Postal Service warned Wednesday that it may default on some of its financial obligations later this year after reporting yet another quarterly loss.
The USPS, a self-supporting government agency that receives no tax dollars, said it suffered a loss of $329 million in the first quarter of federal fiscal year 2011. That compared with a loss of $297 million a year earlier.
https://money.cnn.com/2011/02/09/news/economy/postal_service/index.htm
>Village Hall to Raise Room Rental Rates
the Staff of the Ridgewood Blog
Ridgewood NJ – In a continued effort to raise revenue for the Village the Village council has raised the fees for use of meeting rooms in Village Hall.The new rules are for applications to use the Garden Room, Senior Lounge and Youth Center must be turned in to the village manager’s office for review at least 30 days prior to the date requested. Payments are required when the use is approved.
For Village municipal government and its appointed boards and committees and groups that meet under the sole jurisdiction of the Village of Ridgewood and activities co-sponsored by the village will pay no fees during normal business hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will, however, be a security charge of $50 an hour during off hours, weekends or holidays, according to the ordinance.
Ridgewood-based charities and civic groups with a village mailing address and more than 60 percent resident membership will be charged a $30 fee for the first two hours and $15 for each additional hour in the Garden Room; $50 for the first two hours usage and $25 each additional hour in the Senior Lounge; and $70 for the Youth Center, with $35 each additional hour.
Ridgewood residents and groups must pay a flat rate of $150 for the first two hours usage and $45 for each additional hour. Non-residents will be required to pay $200 for the first two hours and $75 for each additional hour of rental for any room. Classes requiring use of the kitchen will pay a flat rate of $25 an hour and renting the Youth Center will require a $100 deposit that could be returned upon an inspection of the room and equipment.
>Democrats fight Gov. Christie’s plan to privatize N.J. government functions
Democrats are pushing back against Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to privatize some state government functions by calling for a change in the state constitution to put a short leash on agencies that want to hire private firms. (Friedman, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/democrats_fight_gov_christie_p.html
>S & P drops New Jersey’s credit rating
Standard and Poors credit rating agency cut the state’s credit rating from AA to AA- today, citing the state’s health care and pension obligations for its action. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/44739/s-p-drops-new-jerseys-credit-rating
>Antonio Starita, World-Famous Pizza Master, to Share Neapolitan Pizza Techniques at A Mano in Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood NJ – Ridgewood New Jersey’s authentic Neapolitan trattoria A Mano, will proudly host celebrated Italian Pizza chef, Antonio Starita, for a viewing of the craftsmanship of pizza. Taking place on Saturday, March 5th, 2011 at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM by reservation only, maestro Starita will teach the art of Neapolitan pizza, including dough making and stretching, traditional recipes and expert techniques. The cost of the demonstration is $ 10 per person, which will be credited towards lunch or dinner
immediately following the events, should guests choose to enjoy a meal at A Mano.
Mr. Starita will visit A Mano for one day only, as he travels back to Italy after competing in the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. During his appearance at A Mano, Pizzaiuolo Starita will highlight the secrets of perfecting classic Neapolitan pizza and specialty pizza “Vesuvio”, a delicious stu!ed pizza, filled with fresh ricotta, homemade mozzarella, and Neapolitan salami on the inside, topped with mozzarella, Italian ham, mushrooms tomato sauce and basil on the outside.
A fourth generation owner of one of the oldest pizzerias in Naples, PIZZERIA STARITA a Materdei, established in 1901, Mr. Starita is an icon in the Neapolitan Pizza Industry. During his illustrious career, master Starita has travelled the world spreading the word of pizza Napoletana, and enjoyed many accolades, including having his pizzeria featured in Sophia Loren’s film “Oro di Napoli”, and being the lead delegate called on by the Vatican to present “pizza” to Pope John Paul II. Mr. Starita is a passionate advocate of the Neapolitan Pizza Industry, who serves as Vice President of the Association of Neapolitan Pizzaiuoli (APN), the Italian governing body that teaches the art of Neapolitan pizza making, and certifies adherence to authentic procedures.
A Mano is located at 24 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, 201,phone . 493.200 .
