>“Blackmail?” How is it blackmail? He’s not forcing anyone to do anything. He is expressing his opinion and a lot of people agree with him. Tell me we all haven’t become more prudent with our spending. Tell me we all haven’t “cut back” and tried to save more. He’s trying to do the same thing on the State level.
Tell me how the State of NJ lost 121,000 private sector jobs in 2009 and local municipalities and school boards added 11,300 jobs and that makes sense. Tell me how teachers are going to take 4% pay increases when inflation is running at zero, people are getting laid off, property values continue to decrease and health care costs continue to rise and that makes sense. Tell me if in your job you can pay $124,000 towards your retirement, retire at age 49 and receive life time pension payments and health care benefits totaling $3.8 million dollars. My guess is you can’t but at least one retired state employee can.
Look, the system is broken. We’ve got a $11 billion gap on a $29 million dollar budget that doesn’t make for a lot of wiggle room.
Things need to change, dramatically and fast or we’re all going to be in big trouble. The Ridgewood BOE has cut $6+ million dollars out of the budget and some of it is unpleasant because people are going to lose their jobs but you want to know something? Take a good look at what they’ve cut and you’ll see in the total scheme of things there is not going to be a whole lot of difference in the education and activities the students will get. That just gives you a little taste of how much fluff is in not just our school system but the system as a whole. My guess is the next two years at least will be more of the same. We’re actually going to see school budgets shrink, not go up the state cap of 4% and then we can all afford to head back up town and shop or go out to dinner. Someone might want to let the Chamber of Commerce know they are wasting their time bitching about $.25 parking meter rates. No one cares about the quarter it costs to park, no one has money to spend, that’s why no one is up town anymore.
>Dems to Propose $23B ‘Putting Off Hard Decisions’ Fund [Daniel Foster]
National Review blog today: Democratic leadership in the Senate is proposing a $23 billion ’emergency’ fund that would act as a stopgap for states considering layoffs — primarily in education — to overcome budget deficits.
While nobody wants to see widespread teacher layoffs, this bill would represent yet another unpaid-for (hence the ’emergency’ bit, which lets Dems get around PAYGO rules) bailout of state and municipal governments, allowing them to once again put off getting their fiscal houses in order.
Closer to home, it could undermine the gutsy work being done by Gov. Chris Christie in my native New Jersey. As part of an across-the-board effort to close a nearly $10 billion budget deficit (in a $30 billion budget!),Christie has slashed state aid to local schools, but promised to restore it in districts where teachers agree to a one year pay-freeze, and to a 1.5 percent salary contribution to their health insurance. (Most New Jersey teachers currently pay zero for benefits that cover employees and their families from the first date of hire until their deaths — I know!)
A federal bailout to New Jersey could thus short-circuit any chance Christie had of balancing the powerful teacher unions by holding them accountable to parents and taxpayers for their out of control wages and benefits.
>Rockland County, NY-based composer, pianist and percussionist John McDowell teams up with Canadian violinist Emmanuel Vukovich and cellist Julia MacLaine to create the musical ensemble Music For Farms which will perform a concert entitled “An Agricultural Rite of Spring” at the Threefold Auditorium at 260 Hungry Hollow Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY on Friday, May 7, 2010 at 8pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door and are $20 ($15 for students, $10 for children). For more information, call 845-362-0207 or email [email protected].
John McDowell and Emmanuel Vukovich, who practice music and farming side by side (McDowell at Camp Hill Farm in Pomona, NY; and Vukovich in Quebec, Canada), have formed an international initiative, Music for Farms (www.johnmcdowell.net/musicforfarms), which works to revive and sustain local organic agriculture and farming communities through the arts. Julia MacLaine joins them for this special concert. The program, described below, includes the music of Bach and several original works in contemporary and classical idioms, such as their own composition based on the Parcifal legend. The trio’s creative arrangements reflect a weaving of eastern and western traditions, incorporating African drum rhythms. This concert will be a benefit for the Rockland Farm Alliance (RFA). The mission of the RFA (www.rocklandfarm.org) is to facilitate local sustainable agriculture in Rockland County, New York.
Juilliard and McGill trained Emmanuel Vukovich is the recipient of Canada’s first Golden Violin Award, as well as the Canada Council for the Arts Orford String Quartet scholarship. His twin passions of farming and music are brought to expression in this artistic Rite of Spring. John McDowell is best known as composer of the score to Oscar winning Born into Brothels. He has toured with platinum selling rock/world band Rusted Root as a pianist and percussionist and founded/led the internationally acclaimed band Mamma Tongue. Cellist Julia MacLaine has been consistently singled out by critics for her rich tone, sweet vibrato and superb musicianship. Her performances at Carnegie Hall, in Europe, North and South America and Iceland have established her as one of today’s prominent cellists.
The program for “An Agricultural Rite of Spring” will be drawn from the following selections:
Parcifal and Zazamanc, by John McDowell and Emmanuel Vukovich F major, by John McDowell Pachamama’s Catharsis, by Pedro Malpica Swara Kakali (transcription of a work by Yehudi Menuhin and Ravi Shankar) Solo violin works by Bach Popular Tango and Brazilian selections
Following a series of public hearings, New Jersey Transit is considering increasing bus and light rail fares an average 10 percent instead of the 25 percent hike it initially planned. Also, three Monmouth County bus routes scheduled to be axed by NJ Transit could be spared, including two Route 9 commuter buses and a local route serving Brookdale Community College and county offices in Freehold. (Higgs, Gannett) https://www.app.com/article/20100412/NEWS03/4120329/1007/NEWS03/NJ-Transit-scales-back-fare-hikes
Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh : “I just don’t feel that the site that it’s on supports a further, major expansion,” Walsh said. “There are two schools within a block of Valley. If we have the construction going on for that amount of time, it’s going to disrupt everyone. It’s going to disrupt the traffic flow coming in and out of that area. It’s going to disrupt the children going to school … I just think it’s going to be a problem, and I don’t feel it warrants a zone change.”
Douglas Cronk : “We’ve got to understand that the neighbors aren’t just ‘not in my back yard’ people,” Cronk said. “They’re all for Valley being an improved facility, and focusing on its core competency. I think what they don’t want to see is Valley expand into all sorts of outpatient services that is going to increase traffic.”
Brian Dowd : I think certainly the hospital has to modernize, and I think we do have to be mindful of the immediate impact [in the neighborhood],” Dowd said. “We’re all going to benefit from a better hospital, but those people right there are going to have to put up with it in the interim.”
Thomas Riche : There is no formal plan in front of the board for an actual building, Riche said, but he did express a desire to “protect the overall neighborhood and the Village of Ridgewood,” while recognizing Valley Hospital as an asset, to arrive at a solution that is “good for all parties.”
> Using Children to Raise Revenue Where have I heard that before ?
They are just trying to give towns a revenue generating law. Now the towns can make up for lost state aid by ticketing residents. Profiling made easy.
This law does not add anything to safety. It is just a few state representatives trying to make a family feel that their daughter’s death will not be forgotten. Maybe an awareness campaign would have been just as good.
Looking forward to the repeal after the first court case.
The Cartel movie has been scheduled for a series of one-night-only screenings throughout New Jersey, all to be followed by a Q&A with Director Bob Bowdon. All tickets $15; includes both the screening & town hall meeting. These events will benefit distribution of the film.
Date Town Location Time April 19Westfield*, NJRialto Theatre, 250 East Broad Street7:30pm April 20Sparta*, NJSparta Theatre, 25 Centre Street7:30pm April 21Hoboken*, NJHoboken Clearview Cinema, 409 14th Street7pm, 9pm April 25Atlantic City*, NJResorts International Casino, Screening Room2pm April 26Mount Laurel*, NJBurlington Community College, Enterprise Center, 3331 Route 387:30pm April 27Red Bank*, NJRed Bank Clearview Cinema, 36 White Street7:30pm April 28Paramus*, NJBergen County Community College, Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre, 400 Paramus Road7:30pm April 29Trenton*, NJNJ State Museum Auditorium, 205 W. State Street7:30pm
The Trenton Screening on April 29 will be followed by the 2010 New Jersey School Choice Rally.
It’s clear now that many of the New Jersey screenings will sell out. Don’t delay getting tickets
>Election update: If you are a Ridgewood resident who loves Graydon, please vote in the Village Council election on Tuesday, May 11, for Tom Riche and Bernadette Walsh—the only candidates running for the two open Council seats who want to preserve Graydon.
The other two candidates: Doug Cronk is the husband of Melinda Cronk, co-chair of the Ridgewood Pool Project, with its concrete agenda. Brian Dowd, Cronk’s friend, has lived here for all of five years. Their theme: “change.”
Tell your friends that just because two candidates run as a team does not mean they must be voted for (or against) together.
If you do not live in Ridgewood but know people who do, please tell them that the pro-Graydon votes are for Riche and Walsh.
Ridgewood Council elections typically draw no more than 20% of registered voters to the polls. The $48 million school bond in December won by 62 votes. Do not doubt that your vote will make a difference.
Sign-up sheet to help Riche or call him: 201-652-1494 (home); 201-394-0951 (cell).
Sign-up sheet to help Walsh. Her web site: Walsh home page.
BOTH NEED MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AND “MEET THE CANDIDATE” COFFEES. PLEASE CONTACT THEM NOW. The election is four weeks from Tuesday.
Absentee ballot: Might you be out of town on May 11, or simply prefer to vote by mail? Pick up an application to obtain a ballot in the Village Clerk’s office at Village Hall or call 201-670-5500 x201 and ask to have one mailed to you. You’ll mail this form to request a ballot. Caveat: your ballot must reach (actually get there, not just postmarked) Hackensack by May 4. May be hand-delivered.
Voter registration: Here is the Bergen County registration form. For further information, visit https://www.njelections.org/ or call toll free 1-877-NJVOTER (1-877-658-6837). Deadline to register to vote in Council election: Tuesday, April 20. Last shot: Village Hall lobby, 4:30-9 PM, April 20 (noted on that date in Village calendar). Anyone who will be 18 years old by the day of the election may register now. Encourage old-enough teens who love Graydon to vote to preserve it.
This election will be likely to determine Graydon’s future. Please do not miss this opportunity to help.
Need a ride to the polls? We have a list of willing drivers. Contact us—in advance, if possible.
>BJ. Penn Tuesday, April 13th @ 7:00pm Current UFC Lightweight Champion, B.J. Penn, will sign his new book: Why I Fight. Books available April 13th.
Kathie Lee Gifford Wednesday, April 14th @ 7:00pm Television personality on the TODAY SHOW, Kathie Lee Gifford, will sign her new book: Party Animals (Ages 4 to 8). Books available April 13th.
Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark Friday, April 16th @ 7:00pm New York Times bestselling Mother/Daughter Duo, Mary Higgins Clark & Carol Higgins Clark, will sign their new books: The Shadow of Your Smile & Wrecked. Books available April 13th
Bookends, 232 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
>Gov. Chris Christie pushes powerful NJEA teachers union into corner
Some of the state’s more powerful leaders have privately complained for years about the power of the state’s teachers union. Yet virtually none would voice those issues in public or even respond to reporters’ questions. (Method, Asbury Park Press)
Gov. Chris Christie pits teachers against one another with wage freeze offer
When the Hackettstown School District presented its $28.5 million 2010-11 budget April 1, the document lacked 18 full-time positions — seven of them classroom teachers — who are working this year. (Novak, Express Times)
The Hackensack Green – Corner of Main and Court Streets, Hackensack, NJ
Please call the Governor’s office today and insist that New Jersey join the 18 other States (so far) that are filing lawsuits against the Federal Government declaring the Health Care reform unconstitutional.
Believe it or not, the Governor still can’t decide whether or not to join in the lawsuit!
Call the Governor at 609-292-6000. If you are more comfortable faxing a written letter, you can fax your remarks to 609-292-3454. Get your family and friends to do so as well.
A new brochure provides residents and the public with general information about the Village Council and their meeting schedule. It explains the procedure for addressing the Council at meetings. It provides contact information for elected officials. Click Here for more information.
the History of the Ridgewood blog Monday, October 26, 2009
The Ridgewood blog ( https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/ ) was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger .[1] Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey and is a graduate of Ridgewood High School .[2] [3]
After many years living in New York City[4] Mr Foytlin returned to Ridgewood after a divorce and the tragic events of 9/11 . Once he settled in he noticed a lack of sufficient news coverage of local events . One day a friend from Brazil[5] showed him her home town on the internet and to Mr. Foytlin’s great surprise when he tried to reciprocate he was utterly dismayed at the absolute lack of coverage of his home town. After all Ridgewood is only 18 miles from midtown Manhattan[6] the media capital of world and there was not a single picture of Ridgewood to be found . How could this be? Ridgewood is a picturesque upper middle class village of around 25,000 located in Bergen county in northern New Jersey[7] . Founded by Dutch settlers before it became an English colony[8] . The town or village as its called is steeped in rich history and tradition .Known for a large amount of Victorian era housing , a quality school system and a family friendly atmosphere.
Though busy getting reacquainted with his home town the fact that the Village of Ridgewood was so under represented on the internet continued to disturb Mr. Foytlin. Mr. Foytlin had been writing news letters for his job in financial services since the mid 1990’s . The popular flip, off beat investment strategy news letters had become email blasts with the advent of readily accessible internet.[9] By 2004 the email blasts were converted into blog format for the One Small Voice blog ( https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/ ). [10]
Around that time the Village of Ridgewood had finally completed it’s much anticipated and long delayed renovation of the Village hall which has been flooded out due to Hurricane Floyd.[11] The renovation was marred by huge cost over runs and lengthy delays. In 2005 it opened with great fan fare , was once again flooded with the very first rain . Mr. Foytlin was more shocked by the abject lack of responsibility taken by elected officials than the fact that the $9 million dollar renovation had to some extent been a failure . That was the breaking point and Mr. Foytlin had had enough so he decided to give , citizen journalism a go and created the Ridgewood blog in March of 2006. [12]
The birth of PJ Blogger .By this time Blogging its seems had become quite the rage and mainstream news anchors such as Dan Rather had questioned the validity of information from non professionals sitting around in their Pajama’s blogging.[13] Mr. Foytlin not a fan of Dan Rather or any of the mainstream media decided to blog under the name PJ Blogger as a play on words and to plant himself firmly in the camp of the new digital media.
Innovations by the Ridgewood blog to citizen journalism.
“The Fly” is a column on the Ridgewood blog the originates from the expression ,”I’d like to be a fly on the wall “ . The idea is that every citizen has both a unique perspective and experience and these two factors can be used to gather news and opinions about local issues. Originally only of handful of people in town participated but with time the Ridgewood blog can now count on 20–40 semi regular contributors. These post are both anonymous and signed and are largely opinion as well a breaking news.[14]
The Ridgewood blog brings a free market lassie fare point of view to local issues . Mr. Foytlin aka PJ Blogger has stated that for local issues there are only two kinds of people ;the ones who say spend what every you want because I will not be around to pay the bill and the second group which are more focused on the ,”be careful this is my money your spending” . The Ridgewood blog is dedicated to the interplay of there two groups.[15]
[1][12] the Ridgewood blog website https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com/ [2] Birth Certificate born in Valley Hospital , Ridgewood 04/09/1962 [3] Ridgewood High School Class 1980 [4] 444 East 86th street ,530 East 72nd [5] Monica Rocha [6] Mapquest [7] United States 2000 Census, the village population was 24,936. [8] https://www.americantowns.com/nj/ridgewood/organization/village-of-ridgewood [9] Fahnestock & Co. now Oppenheimer & Co. [10] https://onesmallvoice.blogspot.com/ [11] https://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/localhistory/lh_vh_pease.htm [13] https://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110005611 [14] [15] James J Foytlin
