>The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood Reminds YOU: Don’t forget to Vote Today, November 2. Polls open from 6AM-8PM. Your polling location is listed on the sample ballot that was mailed to every registered voter.
Please read the sample ballot carefully. There are three sections: General Election; Public Question; and NonPartisan Municipal.
Ridgewood’s municipal election candidates are listed on the very bottom of the ballot.
Voting is our most basic right!
>CNN POLL: 75 % of Americans who say things are going badly in the country
CNN Poll: Those who say things going poorly higher than 1994 or 2006
Washington (CNN) — The number of Americans who say things are going badly in the country, at 75 percent, is higher than it has been on the eve of any midterm election since the question was first asked in the mid-1970s, according to a new national poll.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Monday also indicates that the economy remains, by far, the top issue on the minds of Americans. Fifty-two percent of people questioned say the economy’s the most important issue facing the country.
“That’s more than the deficit, education, health care, terrorism, energy, illegal immigration and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq combined,” says CNN Polling Director Keating Holland. “No other issue was named as the country’s top problem by more than 8 percent.”
https://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/01/poll.election/index.html?hpt=C1
>
Where the heck are the candidates’ names on the ballot?
(photos courtesy Preserve Graydon Coalition )
>FACEBOOK AND TEXTING: PRESENTATION TO BE HELD AT BFMS AUDITORIUM ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Generation Text: Facebook and Texting
Are Your Kids Safe?
Free Presentation by Detective Sergeant Tom Rich and Jill Brown, Founder of ItsMyLocker.com
Monday, November 1
7-9 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium
335 North Van Dien Avenue
>Fed-up small-business owners may use their votes to vent
Leslie Kwoh/The Star-Ledger
Most small-business owners are leaning Republican going into next month’s midterm elections, a sign of their growing frustration with the status quo, according to a study scheduled for release today.
Fifty-one percent of small employers across the nation said a Republican-controlled Congress would be better for the economy, compared to 37 percent who leaned Democrat and 12 percent who said they were unsure, according to the Discover Small Business Watch for October.
The results indicate that small-business owners have a growing desire for change that goes beyond party allegiances, said Jon Drummond, a spokesman for the study. When asked which party best understood the needs of small businesses, for example, 45 percent responded Republican, 30 percent said Democrat and 20 percent chose neither. Five percent said they were unsure.
“It’s not traditionally a very political group,” Drummond said. “These people are economically frustrated, so they’re not so much leaning toward Republican as they are toward change.”
https://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2010/10/fed-up_small-business_owners_m.html
>Gallup poll points to GOP rout
In a compelling sign that the Republican tide on Tuesday will produce a historic sweep in the House, the final pre-election poll by the Gallup Organization gave the GOP a 55 percent to 40 percent lead over Democrats among likely voters in its generic congressional ballot test. (Cohen, Politico)
https://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/44468.html#ixzz141VH46iF
>Clash of ideas in NJ’s 12th District
Rep. Rush Holt and venture capitalist Scott Sipprelle have little in common politically other than their mutual desire to represent the 12th District in Congress. (Delli Santi, The Associated Press)
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101030/POLITICS/101030004/1098/POLITICS
>New Jersey’s hottest race: Adler v. Runyan
South Jersey’s Third Congressional District is the closest race in the Garden State. It’s a David versus Goliath struggle, but which candidate fits each role depends on whether you’re talking political clout or physical stature. (MacDonald, WHYY)
https://whyy.org/cms/news/government-politics/2010/11/01/new-jerseys-hottest-race-adler-v-runyan/49669
>Statewide ballot question causes confusion
TRENTON, N.J.— It will be up to voters to determine if the state should be prevented from doing something it’s already not supposed to do.
That’s the issue in a statewide referendum Tuesday that addresses whether the state can continue diverting money originally designated for certain employee benefit funds. Such transfers have occurred 22 times since 1993, with $5.4 billion paid by workers being used for other purposes. (Jordan and Symons, Courier Post)
>138th Annual Harvest Fair at Old Paramus Church November 6th
Woman’s Guild of of Old Paramus Church
Come early, shop for the holidays, have lunch and bring friends! Saturday, November 6th from 10am to 4pm at Old Paramus Church, 660 East Glen Avenue at Route 17. Christmas Corner, Farm Stand, Linens & Attic Treasures, Country Kitchen, Baked Goods, Garage Sale, Books and Records, Gift Basket Raffle…and more! FREE ADMISSION! https://www.oldparamus.org/
>The Ridgewood blog has decided to whole heartily endorse Stephen Wellinghorst in the upcoming Nov 2nd election for Council.
The staff of the Ridgewood blog after careful and cautious research and analysis of the four candidates, their platforms, statements they have made in the media, their performance at the debate, and certain topics discussed on the Ridgewood blog has come to a unanimous decision in support of Stephen Wellinghorst.
The key issues facing the Village at this time are revitalizing downtown, the current fiscal crisis, village parking, Graydon Pool, the Valley expansion, pedestrian safety, and the candidate’s ability to articulate a clear vision for the Village of Ridgewood.
However no issue has more disenfranchised taxpayers and voters than the “Valley Renewal” better know as the Valley Hospital expansion. This issue is not a matter as it has been so often characterised as those for or against Valley Hospital . The real issue in plane terms is; is an expansion of this magnitude in a residential neighborhood in the Village’s best interest?
By Valley’s own estimate the hospital is tyring to pigeonhole a 30 plus acre site into what amounts to 15 acre site . It is simply to big ,need it or not. Before the expansion Valley was one of the most respected institutions in the Village , but the tactics employed by the hospital in order to pursue this expansion have brought this into question.
The Ridgewood blog feels that Steve Wellinghorst is the only candidate with the maturity ,experience,work ethic,clarity of vision and brains to move the Village forward on this issue. Like the Train station before it ,the Village worked tirelessly to resolve many issues with New Jersey Transit and in the end each side got what it wanted .The Village got a newly renovated ADA compliant historically land marked train station with a minimal amount of down town dislocation .While NJT got to spend away to a tune of $41 million.
This same energy should be used to resolve the Valley Expansion issue and we believe that Stephen Wellinghurst will be the much needed catalyst to move the issue forward to a positive resolution for the Village.
thank you,
PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog
>DOCTORS KNOW BEST: PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS TO ENDORSE LITTLE
(HIGHLANDS, October 28) – Republican Congressional challenger Anna Little will receive the endorsement of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons this evening, at an event in New Brunswick at 7 PM.
“Anna Little understands that medical decisions are the most personal decisions in our lives, and should be kept between doctors and patients,” said Dr. Alieta Eck, President-elect of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS), who will announce the endorsement on behalf of the AAPS. “Anna understands that the government takeover of health care will be damaging to our citizens’ abilities to choose their own doctors, make their own medical decisions, and receive the quality care of their choice.
“Government bureaucrats simply don’t know what’s best for patients,” continued Eck. “They cannot. Only patients and their doctors should make those decisions. Ann Little understands that, and Frank Pallone clearly does not. That’s why endorsing Anna Little was an easy decision.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons,” said Little. “They’re battling on the front lines of health care every day, and they know better than most just how destructive ‘PalloneCare’ is going to be.
“We need to repeal this bill as soon as possible – that’s why I’ve signed the Independent Women’s Voice ObamaCare Repeal Pledge, and that’s why I’m committed to fighting with everything I’ve got to get this law overturned once I get to Washington.
“If you think we’re headed in the right direction, then Frank Pallone is your man,” said Little. “But if you think we’re moving in the wrong direction, then I need your vote – because you cannot change Washington without changing the people we send to Washington!”
The endorsement announcement will take place at the Ginger-N-Olive Restaurant at 120 Albany Street in New Brunswick at 7 PM. New Jersey Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean Jr. will be on hand to introduce Little.
>Election Day Fraud Hotline
US Attorney Paul J. Fishman has established an Election Day Hotline to receive and respond to reports of election irregularities, voter intimidation, or other questionable Election Day activities.
The Election Hotline is (609) 656-2558.
>RHS Dance: modified our procedures to keep events drug and alcohol free
Dear Parents,
I am writing to you today to inform you about some issues we dealt with at the dance on Saturday night. After an unacceptable dance 2 years ago we modified our procedures and we conducted a number of incident free events.
We had an overwhelming turnout for the Oct 30th dance with over 1000 student in attendance. After noting the numbers we asked the Ridgewood Police to send 2 uniformed officers to assist our staff of 16 staff members including my wife and I. It was necessary for us to send 2 students to Valley Hospital as they were intoxicated and needed medical attention. In addition, we sent 3 students home with their parents as they were under the influence. Three students were identified as being under the influence and after being interrogated fled the scene. The parents have been contacted and their students will not return to school until we meet with them and their parents.
There were reports that a student was smoking pot on the dance floor but this incident was not confirmed. We did smell cigarette smoke in the campus center and stopped the dance to address the issue. Some students informed us who the smokers were and we are dealing them.
Despite these issues a considerable number of students behaved in an acceptable way and had an enjoyable evening, though we concluded the dance a 1/2 hour early.
We will continue to conduct these events for our students as they have little to do on the weekend. We are trying to provide school activities that will engage students in a positive way. We ask that you partner with us and urge your children to attend these events drug and alcohol free.
If you have any questions please contact me.
John Lorenz
Principal
>many wonder what are Mr. Trains true motivations.
Some readers of this and other blogs have noticed that Mr. Train has been hyper-critical of Mr. Wellinghorst. In several blog postings, Mr. Train pointed out Mr. Wellinghorst’s absence from a specific council meeting yet Mr. Train went to great lengths to avoid admitting that certain other candidates were also not in attendance. Other examples could be listed here as well. This type of one-sided criticism makes many wonder what are Mr. Trains true motivations.
Is Mr. Train a “Fifth Column” as several Villagers have previously suggested? Is he, not a candidate for Council but rather a candidate to split the Stop Valley and Preserve Graydon Coalition?
The Villagers are watching very carefully.
