>Hackensack University Medical Center awaits Pascack ruling
Hospital awaits Pascack ruling
Sunday, January 9, 2011 BY LINDY WASHBURN THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
The state Health Department has not decided whether to give Hackensack University Medical Center an opportunity to start over again with its application to reopen the former Pascack Valley Hospital.
“It is under review,” said Donna Leusner, a department spokesman, of Hackensack’s Dec. 16 petition to the state health commissioner.
The Westwood hospital closed more than three years ago.
Hackensack’s 2-inch-thick petition, obtained by The Record last week, asks Commissioner Poonam Alaigh to call for applications “to open a new hospital in Westwood.” But it recommends criteria that would allow only one entity — Hackensack and its for-profit partner — to apply.
“In view of the immediate need for this service, and the lead time involved in bringing a new hospital into operation,” the document says, “we recommend that applicants should be limited to those who own property that is currently zoned for hospital use” in Westwood.
>Man linked to Giffords shooting rampage called ‘very disturbed’
By Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star | Posted: Saturday, January 8, 2011 3:11 pm
The man linked to the shooting today of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and others is 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, the Associated Press reported.
Saturday afternoon, police surrounded a house at 7700 N. Soledad Ave., which is the address listed by a man with the same name on a variety of online accounts and in the volunteer registry for the 2010 Tucson Festival of Books. The home is near West Magee Road and North Thornydale Road on the northwest side, about five miles from the shooting scene.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik would not confirm Loughner is the suspected shooter. He said the person arrested for the shooting is uninjured and uncooperative.
The suspected shooter has made death threats before and been contacted by law-enforcement officers, but the threats weren’t against Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Dupnik said. The suspect is unstable, Dupnik said, but the sheriff would not say he is “insane.”
A former classmate of Loughner at Pima Community College said he was “obviously very disturbed.” “He disrupted class frequently with nonsensical outbursts,” said Lynda Sorenson, who took a math class with Loughner last summer at Pima Community College’s Northwest campus.
Sorenson doesn’t recall if he ever made any threats or uttered political statements but he was very disruptive, she said. He was asked to leave the pre-algebra class several times and eventually was barred from class, said Sorenson, a Tucson resident.
>Congressman Scott Garrett Condemns Shooting in Arizona
WASHINGTON, January 8, 2011 – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) issued the following statement today in response to the attack on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) and her staff at a public event in Tucson, AZ.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic shooting in Arizona today of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her staff. I strongly condemn this deplorable act of violence. It has no place in our public discourse and it has no place in our society. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to Rep. Giffords, her family, her staff, and all the other victims and their families involved in today’s shooting.”
>U.S. District Judge John Roll faced death threats in 2009
Jan. 8, 2011 03:49 PM The Arizona Republic
The killing of U.S. District Judge John M. Roll comes two years after he received death threats while he presided over a $32 million civil-rights lawsuit filed by illegal immigrants against an Arizona rancher.
When Roll ruled the case could go forward, U.S. Marshal David Gonzales said in 2009 that talk-radio shows cranked up the controversy and spurred audiences into making threats.
In one afternoon, Roll logged more than 200 phone calls. Callers threatened the judge and his family. They posted personal information about Roll online.
“This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords… We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers.
“I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.” – Speaker of the House, John Boehner
The NJ Tea Party Coalition joins with all peace loving Americans who condemn violence. Please pray for all who were hurt in today’s shooting, their families and their loved ones.
>Ariz. Rep. Giffords Shot At Public Event In Tucson by NPR STAFF
A gunman opened fire Saturday onto a crowd at a public event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz., killing at least six people and critically injuring the congresswoman.
The dead included U.S. District Judge John Roll and a 9-year-old girl, President Obama said in a brief statement. Giffords, who was shot in the head, was among at least 12 people injured, according to the Pima County, Ariz., sheriff’s office.
>The character of Ridgewood changed when they subdivided the property across from the high school at what used to be known as the Mastin House and the windmill was torn down
For me, the character of Ridgewood changed when they subdivided the property across from the high school at what used to be known as the Mastin House. The windmill was torn down, the put up the stone house to the south of the Mastin house and then, a few years ago, the house at the corner property on Brookside and E.Ridgewood. It’s a beautiful house but the promise that sledding would be allowed was neutralized by the huge retaining was that destroyed the hill and the homewoner put up mature trees and other plantings which completely block the view of the Brook and the hill. Not saying I would not have done the same thing if I was a newbie but . . . I’m just sayin’
The sight of the Mastin house standing majestically above the Brook was Ridgewood to me.
Wasn’t it though? A wonderful windmill it was too. In the late 90’s it was only 1 of 4 of its kind left standing in NJ. Years ago, the snow covered hill swept laughing students perilously close to the brook while seated in their lunch trays.
Now, the folks who live there can only imagine what it might have been like. As for the new neighbor to the north, who planted mature pines, he was only trying to add value to his home. After all, who wants to look out onto an artificial lawn in front of the high school?
I think the northern neighbor did a good job with landscaping and it looks terrific however, when they did the landscaping, there was no artificial turf. I would have done the same thing as the homeowner; my point was it blocked the view of the hill and the brook and the large retaining wall took away the hill.
I once wound up in the brook trying to stop my child’s speeding sled as it came down the hill far to fast!
>Businesses could give N.J. another look Published: Friday, December 31, 2010, 8:45 AM Leslie Kwoh/The Star-Ledger
John Boyd Jr. may work in New Jersey, but as a corporate site selection expert he’s often advised clients against it.
While his firm has helped big companies like JPMorgan Chase, Time and Royal Caribbean find office space in other states, New Jersey is usually perceived as “too congested, expensive, business unfriendly,” said Boyd, a principal with the Boyd Company Inc. in Princeton.
Local businesses seem to agree. Only one in 10 companies said the Garden State is an ideal location for new or expanded facilities, according to a recent survey by the New Jersey Business and Industry Association.
However, that may soon change, according to Boyd, who said he detects “a new sense of optimism” among businesses that are giving New Jersey a second look.
In the kind of out-of-the-box thinking many feel we need around here A reader asks can I bring my own BYOB to Village Council meetings? It would increase the numbers in attendance, don’t you think?
>Congressman Scott Garrett: Internship Opportunities
My district offices in Glen Rock and Newton are now accepting intern applications for the spring and summer semesters. The program is open to all college students, regardless of major. Cover letter and resume are required for consideration. Please contact Christina Garfinkle at 201-444-5454 for more information.
>Towns losing money to illegal scavengers of valuable recyclables Friday, January 7, 2011 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY JANUARY 7, 2011, 9:42 AM BY HANNAN ADELY THE RECORD STAFF WRITER
In Garfield, residents can call the city to haul away a refrigerator left for scrap at the curb. But that doesn’t mean the fridge will still be there when the DPW truck comes around.
And West Milford’s recycling director now personally goes out early on recycling day to ensure his trucks aren’t beaten to bulk items left for municipal collection.
Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) will be received by the Village of Ridgewood, in the Village Manager’s Office, Level 5 Conference Room, at the Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time, then publicly opened and read aloud for: “Request for Proposals For Taxi Concession For the Village of Ridgewood And Vicinity”
The Village of Ridgewood is seeking proposals for a Taxi Concession for the Village and surrounding area. The Concession shall operate out of the former baggage station building on North Broad Street adjacent to the New Jersey Transit railroad in the manner described in the Request for Proposals.
The RFP package may be obtained from the Office of the Village Manager, Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, (201) 670-5500, extension No. 204. Proposal packages may be examined or picked up in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450, Monday through Friday. Prospective respondents requesting proposal documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration. No proposal forms shall be given out after 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Prices quoted in the proposal must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Proposals may be submitted in person or by mail prior to the proposal opening, addressed to the Office of the Director of Parks and Recreation. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any proposal sent to it prior to the date and time stated for receipt of proposals.
Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the respondent thereon and endorsed, “Request for Proposals for Taxi Concession for the Village of Ridgewood and Vicinity”.
There will be a non-mandatory pre-submission conference scheduled to be held at the site (at the Taxi Stand Structure) on Friday, January 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM, prevailing time. Directions to the site may be obtained from the Village’s website: www.ridgewoodnj.net
All respondents shall present satisfactory evidence of being authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. All respondents shall also provide a copy of their New Jersey Business Registration Certificate with their proposal. All respondents shall adhere to the requirements presented in the “Request for Proposals”. The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informality or to accept a proposal, which in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village.
“RESPONDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF P.L.1975, C. 127. (NJAC 17:27) regarding Affirmative Action, and Executive Order No. 11246 regarding equal employment opportunity, as amended”. A complete statement as to these requirements is included in the Request for Proposals.
>Both Houses look to make New Jersey More business Friendly
Both houses pass Back to Work bills
Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) celebrated the passage of about 20 bills designed to create jobs and economic development throughout New Jersey, their self-described “Back to Work NJ” initiative. (Staff, PolitickerNJ)
>Ridgewood Planning Board creates an AH-1 zone specifically for property at 234 South Broad St
Ridgewood drafts COAH ordinance Wednesday, January 5, 2011 BY MICHAEL SEDON THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS Staff Writer
Despite the state’s current efforts to abolish the New Jersey Council On Affordable Housing (COAH), the agency is still forcing planners and planning boards to submit ordinances that make towns comply with its regulations.
At a Ridgewood Planning Board meeting on Tuesday night, Village Planner Blais Brancheau introduced a 30-page draft ordinance that implements the final part of the village’s affordable housing element and fair share plan with a focus on the South Broad Street area and a property owned by West Bergen Mental Health (WBMH).
The village created an AH-1 zone specifically for property at 234 South Broad St., which is the location of a group home operated by WBMH, according to village zoning maps. The AH-1 zone is surrounded by a R-3 residential zone. The council initially voted down an expansion of the group home, but the issue resurfaced a year later when a threat from WBMH to bring a developer’s lawsuit to the village for not allowing its group home expansion caused the council to revote and approve the proposal.
MORE FROM MICHAEL SEDON :https://www.northjersey.com/news/112961034_Ridgewood_drafts_COAH_ordinance.html
