>Ok I have heard enough lying about Mr Riche ,the FACT is when Riche left the Village council he and the rest of the Village Council only signed off at $4.7 million for the renovation of the Village hall at Jane Reilly’s urging. The public was told it would be $2 million and six months but Jane wanted to spend $5 million. So 5 years and $9 million later the “TAJ” as it is called was born a monument to the egomania and incompetence of Jane Reilly end of story!
The finally tally was over $9 million ,for that piece of junk that virtually floods every time it rains ! The job was so badly handled that the drainage pipes under verts field were never even touched,which was the whole point of the renovation to begin with!
The “TAJ” was a criminal misuse of public funds by Jane ,she should have been indicted but instead because she made nice nice to the BOE during the last budget vote down remember when that dope tried to sell Benjamin Franklin School to Valley Hospital behind everyone’s back ,she got a make work job at taxpayers expense from Dr. Porter as her reward.
Tom Riche did not screw everyone with the Village “TAJ” Hall Jane Reilly did and every time it rains she does it over and over and over.
>Open Letter to Jane Morales, Co-Chair The Ridgewood Pool Project
I have not received any financial contributions in my campaign from anyone other than my husband. I take offense to your RPP letter that states otherwise.
Please stop spreading rumors throughout the Village. I have handled myself respectfully in this campaign would appreciate you and your co-chair doing the same.
Well, well, well, the Ridgewood Pool Project is at it again. I just received an email signed by only Jane Morales. This is the first time I have ever received a letter from the RPP that was not signed by both its co-chairs, Jane Morales and Melinda Cronk. Melinda most likely wrote the letter but was probably advised by her lawyer not to sign it.
Why would her lawyer advise such a thing? The RPP is a 501c3 organization. This means they are not to engage in any political activity. If they do so they are violating federal tax law. The Preserve Graydon Coalition is not a 501c3 organization. That decision was made deliberately because the co-chairs of this group knew that Graydon would become a political issue and knew that they needed to have the freedom to engage in political activity. In other words, the Preserve Graydon co-chairs, Suzanne Kelly and Marcia Ringel, made a decision to play by the rules.
Once again the RPP continues to ignore the rules. This letter tells their supporters that they are not allowed to endorse political candidates because they are a 501c3 organization, and then they go ahead and endorse political candidates. They instruct their supporters to vote for the two candidates that share their views about Graydon. As a lame attempt to sound apolitical, the letter doesn’t refer to any candidate by name, but the message is loud and clear. The letter reads:
“The Preserve Graydon Coalition has endorsed 2 candidates” “There are four candidates running. ” Find out their positions on Graydon and vote for the candidate that you feel best represents your view”
Isn’t this a blatant disregard to abide by federal law? Haven’t the leaders of this group proven time and time again to be manipulative and dishonest? How can the leaders of this group be trusted when they say that they have no pre-conceived ideas about what to do with Graydon? How could they be trusted when they tell their constituents that the concrete pool will not cost the Village taxpayer a dime? How can they be trusted when they say that the Cronk/Dowd campaign has nothing to do with the Ridgewood Pool Project’s mission? Are these the people whom you will place your trust in for the future of Ridgewood?
Will they will stop at nothing to get want they want…. not even abiding by the law?
>Dear Fellow Ridgewoodians: As our little village heads into what has turned into a very important election next Tuesday, I can no longer sit and read this blog without pointing out a few issues of concern.
Although the Village Counsel Election is a non-partisian election, it has been twisted into something worse. A opportunity by the Preserve Graydon Committee to fire off one cheap shot after another at Mr. Dowd and basically the entire Cronk family. If there is anything that I have learned from this bullshit behavior by the “Swimmingly Sisters” is that Mr. Cronk and Mr. Dowd are indeed the better people here. Because if someone EVER made up such straight lies and childish comments to the public media toward my wife or myself, I would be wallpapering this Village with Gag Orders and Orders of Protection against the PGC and for good measure anyone with those unsightly signs on their lawns. Let’s call it like it is… only fair, because correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t that what the Swimmingly Folks did, or attempt to do with Mr. Bolger? But luckily for us and the common good of the many good people of Ridgewood, Messrs. Cronk and Dowd have chosen to do the right thing and turn the other cheek to the b.s. that is being thrown out there about them, and in doing so they have won my vote on Tuesday.
You have to ask yourselves, do you want a past POLITICIAN who approved the $10 MILLION renovation to Village Hall without addressing the fact it is in a flood zone, or someone who seems to be running just to counteract the concerns of preserving Graydon or do you want to vote for two gentlemen that have given more thought and in doing so seem to have a logical and more efficient approach to the big picture that lays beyond Graydon. On that note: Graydon had just celebrated it’s 100 birthday. Now let’s take that fact and mix in a good amount of REALITY.
Say you purchased a Ford Model T in 1908 when they were first produced. If the engineers had subscribed to the same mentality of those wishing to preserve Graydon we all would be driving highly unreliable and inefficient cars with wood rims and no heat, no a/c, no seat-belts, no airbags, and no antilock brakes. Unfortunately for Graydon, change is almost impossible to stop.
What I am trying to say here is that us Americans have been thinking in the “box” for way too long now and it has lead us to cold reality that the price of the Disney Dollar holds more value than the U.S. Dollar, the highest property taxes in the country, school budgets getting slashed and teachers being made the villains because they make too much in some people’s opinions.
I am not up at this hour of the morning typing a political ad for Mr Dowd and Mr. Cronk. I am writing to the people of Ridgewood; my neighbors and friends to BEG of you to go vote on Tuesday, and when you do, do so with the BIG PICTURE in mind and not a patch of property at the corner of Linwood and North Maple.
Finally, I feel compelled to note that this election is not a vote FOR or AGAINST the renovation of Graydon, but for many other issues much more important to our Village.
>Come on. Everyone knows teaching in NJ is a racket. Work half a year, make $100K — more with summer work — pay nothing into healthcare except for a 10 dollar copay and then retire with 80% of pay as a pension.
This year we’ve seen just how greedy teachers and the unions are.
While many of us have taken 10-20% pay cuts, have not gotten raises in 2 years, or have been unemployed for months, the teachers are so greedy, they wouldn’t accept a pay freeze for just one year!!!
What’s wrong with that picture?
And the ultimate in greed — they tell us unless we vote for a 5% tax hike to pay for a 3% raise, our children’s education will suffer.
Shame on you, you greedy pigs.
If our children’s education suffer it is directly correlated with your own greed. Some teachers will need to be fired so that others can get their 3% raise.
>Don’t you see that Dowd/Cronk haven’t said one thing about what they want to do other than “cut waste” blah blah blah. Typical p.c. politician-speak.
Walsh has taken a stand on the issues that a lot of people care about.
Cronk is a puppet of his wife Melinda. I’m sure she is having Doug run to help her real estate business and also to push here Graydon initiative through.
Funny how she tried to shut her mouth the last couple months while her husband has been running. Also funny how she hasn’t showed up for any Pool Project meetings claiming to be too busy. I’m sure that will change if her husband is elected.
And Dowd has not said one thing other than regurgitate whatever Cronk has said.
The school budget vote was a referendum on the out of control spending that Cronk supported — he was a big proponent of the school bond. The Cronks believe that “you” can afford the taxes if you live here. Don’t tell me why I moved here what I should be spending my money on.
If you think you will get original leadership from these guys that won’t involve spending great sums of money (yeah, really original), think again.
>I have overheard people saying that it’s just the new people in town, the ones that just move here, that are putting up the Cronk/Dowd signs. I’ve lived here my whole life and I am seeing friends I grew up with moving back to Ridgewood and starting families. I also see Cronk/Dowd signs on their front yards. I wish them luck. It’s nice to see some of the Natives move back to the, “WOOD,” and want to raise their children in the town they grew up in, but also nice to see that they support some fresh ideas coming to the table too.
Tom Riche, is a been there done that candidate. The Village Hall bares his name, from the last time he was in office, and your wallet bares the cost ($14,000,000). Yup that’s six zeros following two numbers. You can also add him to the blame of the central business district’s failure. He sits on the Historic Preservation Commission. This committee has stopped and slowed many businesses from opening up in town. Don’t believe me, go take a look at the corner of Broad Street and Ridgewood Ave. A new Restaurant called, “Blue Fish,” just opened up. The Historic Preservation Commission told the owner that he could only place one sign with the restaurants name on it, because it’s located on the corner. Go take a look, and while your there, turn around and look at The Stable Restaurant. You’ll notice that The Stable is located on a corner also, but they have two signs. Has this commission been fair? The new restaurants owner had to come back to them with his new design, one that clearly isn’t fair. This is just one example of how the Historic Preservation Commission has slowed down an opening. There are tons, don’t believe me, go ask any business that has recently opened up in the last five years. The owners will the tell you tales of stories about Red Tape that this Commission creates. I read in the Bergen record today that he also owns EXTEL Communications Inc. in North Haledon. This company, I believe is a vendor or has been a vendor, to the Village at one time or another, and we all know how Jersey politics and bidding seem to play out down the road. I’ll admit I voted for Tom once, but as the old saying goes. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. This time I’m sorry to say, but I can’t, and will not not support your bid for office.
As for Bernadette Walsh, I really don’t know anything about you, besides what little bios I read in the local rags. I understand you seem to have the support of the, “Save Graydon,” peeps. Graydon has being dieing. It died with the fish kill. I was born and raised in this town and spent every summer living at the pool. I love it and it has a special place it my heart, but it’s only open for two months and it’s been losing money hand over fist. This season it’s being opened, yet Village employees are facing losing their job. It doesn’t seem right, does it? I can’t vote for you this time around based on what little knowledge I have of you. Enjoy your Summer at Graydon 🙂 Maybe next time around I’ll give you a shot.
Tuesday May 11th, can’t come soon enough. I can’t wait to vote for Ridgewood’s future, because this Native is tired of living in the past, and looking for a rebirth.
As for Doug Cronk and Brian Dowd you have promised that you will resolve some long standing issues. I’m giving you a shot, and holding you to it. If you win, I hope I’m happy with some of the results.
Good Luck to everyone, and make your vote be heard!
>I didn’t realize that there is nothing as important in this town as some made up projected view of Graydon. Not education cuts, not other wasteful spending (like that done under Riche’s first term as Councilman), not property taxes.
Just Graydon – something that has been losing money despite Riche’s boondoggle there, despite Walsh’s silence on what should be done to stem the loss of money going forward.
What about all of the other very important issues facing this Village? Is one issue that doesn’t even register as a top ten issue for most residents supposed to trump the other very real issues going on and facing this Village?
Get real–
let’s look for real comprehensive and responsible leadership. Not “one issue” blinders that ignore most of the Village.
Vote for real leaders with real ideas, not ones endorsed by single issue groups that ignore everything that is important to everyone else in the Village.
TRENTON — A state appeals court today rejected Gov. Chris Christie’s executive order curbing political donations by public worker unions.
The three-judge panel said Christie’s action infringed on separation of powers with the Legislature, and such donation limits cannot be imposed by a governor unilaterally.
“We do not reach this conclusion lightly. Nor do we otherwise discount or question the Governor’s policy objectives or his considerable and well-established constitutional authority over the Executive Branch and the management of the State workforce,” the judges wrote. “We simply hold that what (the executive order) seeks to achieve must be pursued through legislation.”
• N.J.’s largest state worker union files challenge to Gov. Christie’s ban on political donations The order, signed by Christie on his first full day in office in January, broadened campaign finance rules to limit donations by labor unions that have public contracts. Christie said he was simply bringing unions in line with other “business entities,” such as law and engineering firms that have state contracts worth more than $17,500. Those businesses are barred from donating more than $300 to statewide campaigns, but freer to give in local races.
Several unions sued, saying the order violates members’ First Amendment rights by barring them from supporting candidates and participating in the legislative process. Organized labor, a traditional Democratic constituency, worked feverishly against the Republican Christie during the gubernatorial campaign.
They also said collective bargaining contracts could not be treated like business deals.
The ruling will take effect July 1, “in the interests of accommodating potential review by the Supreme Court.”
The Communications Workers of America, the largest state workers’ union, said it was “gratified” by the ruling.
“The Court rightly held that the Legislature never intended to restrict the right of labor unions to participate in the political process, and the governor has no power to do so on his own,” said Hetty Rosenstein, CWA New Jersey State Director. “Today’s decision is a valuable reminder of the wisdom of our system of three co-equal branches of government.”
Christie said he was not happy to see the order struck down, and would consider whether to appeal the ruling, seek legislation, or pursue another route to accomplish the same goals.
“We’re going to look at all of our different options,” Christie said at a press conference. “The executive order was about achieving a policy objective, and that is to level the playing field.”
“I don’t think that there is one class of speech that should be regulated, and another class of speech that should not be,” the governor said.
Adding unions to the pay-to-play restrictions had been praised by the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the state’s campaign finance watchdog agency.
>Assumes Senate Sponsorship of Bill to Remove Decal Provision
Senator Tom Goodwin (R-14) announced that he will be introducing legislation that would remove the decal provision in Kyleigh’s Law. The legislation would remove the requirement that all drivers under age 21 who hold provisional licenses would have to display a reflecting decal on each license plate of any motor vehicle they drive.
“I understand the tragedy that prompted Kyleigh’s law, but I am concerned that a well-intentioned response to that tragedy will put other teens at risk,” stated Goodwin. “I continue to support the common-sense reforms to our graduated driver’s license system that will make teen driving safer, such as the extended nighttime driving curfew and revised passenger restrictions in Kyleigh’s Law.”
Under the current law which went into effect on May 1st, a holder of a special learner’s permit, examination permit or provisional driver’s license would have to display the decal while driving. The legislation is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Robert Schroeder, Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk, and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll.
“I worry that the decal requirement will turn our children into targets for criminals and predators,” said Goodwin. “We want to make certain that our children drive safely while ensuring that the entire community is safe.”
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I heard from the Mac Murphy’s owners the Cinco De Mayo promotion you listed on the Ridgewood blog was a great success. The restaurant was packed all night.
Numerous people that check your blog attended. It was so great they ran out of some specials and Corona’s.
Appears you site is getting more viewers and locals that are supporting local businesses.
Ridgewood residents get more info from you that the papers.
>New Jersey Laborers Union Endorses Republican Kathleen Donovan for Bergen County Executive
One of the state’s most powerful unions, the New Jersey Laborers Union, endorsed Bergen County Clerk Kathleen Donovan for Bergen County Executive today, citing her management experience, her ability to reach across party lines and build consensus, and her vision for responsible economic development in Bergen County as well as her commitment to improving infrastructure and creating jobs for local residents.
With more than 20,000 members statewide, including 900 members of Building Laborers Local 592 of Fort Lee, and 8,000 members of General and Heavy Construction Laborers Local 472, which represents Northern New Jersey–the New Jersey Laborers Union is committing its full resources to the Donovan campaign.
It is anticipated that hundreds of laborers will volunteer time to the campaign through phone banking, voter registration drives, get out the vote drives, and member-to-member education.
Laborers Vice-President and Eastern Regional Manager Raymond M. Pocino called the early endorsement a sign of the union’s confidence in Ms. Donovan. “Through the years, no matter which political party was on the rise or what party was down, Bergen residents time and again re-elected Kathe Donovan for public office. There is a reason for that. It is because of her consistency of effort, her commitment to put people first and her ability to solve problems and create opportunities,” said Pocino. “We support her candidacy for county executive, and more importantly, we support her vision for Bergen County.”
Pocino praised Kathe Donovan’s leadership and experience with economic development as a key factor for endorsement. “Kathleen Donovan was the first woman to chair the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and she understands that prosperity won’t happen without smart public investment and job growth,” said Pocino. “Kathe Donovan not only has a vision for Bergen County’s future but she also has a track record that residents can trust.”
The New Jersey Laborers Union is affiliated with the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), and represents more than 20,000 members statewide in various industries, including construction, clean energy, environmental remediation, sanitation and recycling, security, and education. The New Jersey Laborers are widely viewed as having been instrumental in helping to lift living standards and workplace safety for employees in construction, clean energy, and hazardous materials removal, and for developing innovative cooperative relationships with employers.
>Several residents of the area surrounding Ridgewood High School made accusations at Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session that the Village Planning Board and Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser have inappropriately approved soil movement permits for several upcoming Ridgewood BOE projects (3 turf fields and a building expansion project).
Specifically, charges are that Mr. Rutishauser waived requirements pertaining to supporting documentation and fees without proper authorization, and in violation of established Village Code pertaining to soil movement. It is also alleged that the Planning Board overlooked these requirements, based solely upon the recommendation of Mr. Rutishauser. Further charges are that the applications were signed by an individual who is not an authorized agent for the BOE.
Deputy Mayor Keith D. Killion directed Village Attorney Matthew S. Rogers to investigate the charges and report back to Council members as to the legality of all documents required by existing Village Code.
Council members are scheduled to take a formal vote on the soil movement permits during their May 12th Public Meeting.
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