I saw the incident being referred to on the Blog. It was Rurik once again who instigated the encounter and it was Ms.Gruber trying to defend herself against his wild rantings. She also tried to insert some common sense and he was not having it as usual. Others of us tried also. It is interesting to note that none of the Harwin and Willett supporters showed up on election night and no one came to the council meeting last night for the Gay Pride proclamation. This campaign on one side only was terrible and divisive. I’m not over it because now I see even more clearly the harm they have caused in order to win at all costs.
Ellie Gruber has more intelligence, class and dignity in one pinky finger than Rurik Halaby has in his enter body. She is an enormous asset to Ridgewood; Habably not so much. If you were in the room that night, you would have seen Rurik Halaby go after Ellie Gruber and you would have seen Mrs. Gruber stand her ground.
Congratulating Knudsen for Ridgewood win
The Record (Bergen County)May 11, 2018
I wish to extend my congratulations to Mayor Susan Knudsen on her re-election to the Ridgewood Village Council, as I applaud the commitment and devotion to Ridgewood of all the candidates for council.
We have concluded a hard-fought municipal election campaign where the best of civic duty was at times marred by harsh accusations and allegations, and even by reference to Nazi imagery.
We deplore all hateful language whether it be racist, sexist or anti-LGBTQ, anti-Jewish, anti-Muslim or anti-Catholic.
While we may not always be immune from such discourse in our village, we do have the opportunity to rise above it and close ranks while we work toward our common interests.
Mayor Knudsen has been a friend to the Jewish community. I look forward to continuing to work with her in securing Ridgewood’s values as a village committed to all of its citizens, their rights, their freedoms and their dignity.
David J. Fine
Ridgewood, May 9
The writer is a rabbi at Temple Israel and Jewish Community Center in Ridgewood.
“Harwin should be treated courteously. I am really shocked at the above going back to the campaign and not moving on and being happy we won. After all dirty politics in America is not new. And if it is legal; you just have to make the best of it and move on. I am really sorry now I didnt vote for her. I am ashamed of people who incite violence like the above. That has no ;place in American . It does in the Third Reich. And I just read that a swastika was put on a door in Ridgewood. Was that you.?”
“Are YOU a Nazi. Harwin lost. That is enough.PerhapsYou are fermenting hate and violence. Perhaps Harwin had a point. Perhaps there is a violent divisive component in Ridgewood after all. Perhaps I made a mistake by not voting for her. After all she is a civil rights lawyer.”
so someone puts out outrageous smears in an attempt to win a campaign. People are disgusted, fired up and fight back against such disgusting mudslinging. You are upset over the fight back but not the disgusting lies and smears that provoked such reactions? That’s weird. Ellie is a badass for confronting such disgusting mudslinging. I’d take her side any day. Using Nazi parallels, lies and more lies that attack a candidate and her family and you expect defenders to not react is naive and frankly, ridiculous. If someone attacked you, or someone you love, so publicly in efforts to win a council seat you wouldn’t fight back? I would, fiercely- People are ridiculous when they say both sides were ugly/negative, I call bs, it was one side. Thank goodness there was a fight to push back on this crap. Today, if you don’t fight back people assume there is truth in those lies, you have to defend yourself. I still hope Susan files a lawsuit against Hans for defamation and, I hope he hires Voigt to represent him, lol. People need to stop acting like Harwin, Willett and their supporters were victims, they knew darn well what kind of campaign they ran and if it got them votes, so be it, it’s politics. Says a lot about their character. Call me crazy, but a rabbi’s wife participating in such a filthy campaign, was disgusting. I expected better, nothing to be proud of the way they campaigned.
Ridgewood, NJ – May 10, 2018 – The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee today announced the second annual 50/50 raffle* to help support its 2018 celebration.
The Committee will sell tickets at various community events now through July 4, 2018. The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is entirely funded by private donations and
run by volunteers. Raffle tickets are $100 dollars each, with a maximum of 600 tickets sold. If the maximum number of tickets is sold, the Grand Prize winner will receive
$25,000 dollars. There will also be ten $500 prize winners. Winners will be announced at 8:30PM on July 4th, prior to the fireworks display at Veteran’s Field. Entrants do not need
to be present to win. Visit www.ridgewoodjuly4th.com or contact 201-602-1922 for information on where to purchase tickets.
“We are grateful for our generous and committed sponsors and donors, as well as community members who buy tickets for the fireworks show to Support the Tradition,”
said Tara Masterson, President of the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration Committee. “But we are an all-volunteer, community-funded event that receives no direct funding
from the village, so we need to look for creative ways to fundraise given rising costs for things like security. The 50/50 also provides another element of excitement to the day’s
events!”
The 2018 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Rockin’ Ridgewood: Celebrating All-American Music!” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Wednesday,July 4, 2018.
The day’s full festivities include:
• Flag Raising: 9:00AM Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot) Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and
firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910.
• Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine) Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown,
turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park. Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot.
Don’t miss the competitive elementary school float competition and the great bands that will rock their way through Ridgewood.
• Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood)
The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks but don’t forget to come early to rock to the No Big Deal, The Dad’s Night Band and more. Food and beverages
are available for purchase from various vendors.
Tickets are sold in advance online at www.ridgewoodjuly4th.com for $11, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free.
About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration The Ridgewood 4th of July is 501(c)(3) non-profit funded entirely by private donations,
organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration, including fireworks, bands,
evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require
the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition, Bergen County’s largest Fourth of July Celebration, alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when
the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on
Patriotism.
*NJ LGCCC # 420-8-31389. All proceeds support the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc. Each ticket costs $100. Grand prize winner subject to applicable taxes.
No one under the age of 18 is permitted to participate. If gambling is a problem for you or someone in your family, dial 1-800-GAMBLER.
Ridgewood NJ, U.S. News & World Report released its annual list of best high schools in the country. The U.S. News rankings include data on more than 20,500 public schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Schools were awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on their performance on state assessments and how well they prepare students for college.
New Jersey high school students are assessed in math and English language arts via the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, exams. High school students are required to study a world language to graduate, according to the New Jersey Department of Education.
Ridgewood High School was ranked No. 24 in New Jersey and No. 577 in the country.
US News ranked Ridgewood High School 24th within New Jersey. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Ridgewood High School is 60 percent. The student body makeup is 48 percent male and 52 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 28 percent.
The US News Score card :
College Readiness Index
55.5
AP® Tested
60%
AP® Passed
89%
Mathematics Proficiency
69%
Reading Proficiency
68%
To compare, Princeton is similar is size :
Princeton High School is ranked #230 in the National Rankings and earned a gold medal. Schools are ranked based on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for college. Read more about how we rank the Best High Schools.
All rankings:
#230 in
National Rankings
#9 in
New Jersey High Schools
#95 in
STEM High Schools
Ridgewood NJ, Neighbor, please help and share! The destruction of approximately 250+ trees left fellow residents and their homes exposed to Route 17 and hazardous elements.
It is a violation of State and Village Code to remove a mandated buffer. In utter disregard of residents, the laws of this state and municipal land use approvals, the owners unilaterally truncated the required buffer (as seen in picture).
On 5/17/18, 4:30pm, this matter will be heard at Ridgewood Municpal Court (the public can attend). Please sign this online petition asking the Village of Ridgewood to fully enforce code and order full restoration of the required buffer. You can also print a copy of the online letter and PM me for pickup or mailing address.
Sign Petition: “Stand up to Clear Cutting in Ridgewood”
Margaret Sullivan Prosecutor Village of Ridgewood 131 N Maple Ave Ridgewood, NJ 07450 Re: Commons at Ridgewood Summons: SC 015063 Violation: Chapter 190-94d
thepetitionsite.com
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on May 4th, patrol units were dispatched to a vacant residence on Pershing Avenue for a report of criminal mischief graffiti found on the exterior of the residence. The painted symbol resembled a swastika and other graffiti was written on the exterior in orange paint. The Ridgewood Detective Bureau responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on May 6th, patrol units responded to 175 Franklin Avenue on a report of an intoxicated female in front of the business. Upon arrival patrol located the female party and requested the Ridgewood Ambulance respond to the scene. The Ridgewood Ambulance responded and was preparing to transport the female to the hospital for treatment and the female became combative and struck three volunteer ambulance E.M.T.’s with her arms and fist. The female was restrained and transported to the Newbridge Medical Center for treatment. All three E.M.T.’s denied injury at the scene.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that on May 4th, Ptl. Joseph Dibenedetto responded to a residence on Hillcrest Road on a report of a suspicious person who was observed urinating on a front lawn. Ptl. Dibenedetto responded, located and identified the accused. The event was reportedly videotaped by the homeowner and a civilian complaint was provided however the homeowner did not wish to pursue complaints at the time.
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Police ,Patrol units responded to the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and South Pleasant Avenue on May 7th for a verbal dispute in progress. Upon arrival an employee of Optimum reported a female party unlawfully entered a utility vehicle and turned off the bucket truck while the cable employee was working in the bucket, thus causing the utility worker to be stranded mid-air.
The actor then removed utility property from the truck and walked away. Patrol units located the accused and arrested a 59-year-old female from Ridgewood, N.J. and transported the arrestee to Ridgewood Police headquarters. The arrestee was served with criminal complaints for harassment, false imprisonment, disorderly conduct and criminal trespass. The arrestee was released with a pending court date.
Congrats to the winners
It’s not a mandate but many of us would never vote for someone like Harwin who sent nasty political mailers and had no ideas but simply ran as the “anti incumbent”.
As another poster pointed out, her support must have been from the newbies in town. Based upon the location of the lawn signs I’d have to agree.
Historically incumbents lose their popularity (siting of the firehouse, village hall renovations by prior councils) so for incumbent candidates I’d say they did very well “bitch slapping” at least one nasty challenger .
Thanks to the Ridgewood blog for pointing out the connections so we could see who was on the nasty challengers team and “connecting the dots”.
Ridgewood NJ, Photos taken during a Ridgewood Police Department Awards and Recognitions Ceremony, held during a Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Village Council meeting on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in the Sydney V. Stoldt Court Room, Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood.
A. CPR Save – Sergeant Michael Lembo, Sergeant Peter Bolten, Police Officer Brandon Donnelly
B. Assisting in Birth of Baby with umbilical cord around its neck: Lifesaving Award – Police Officer Patrick Elwood; Honorable Service Award – Police Officer Douglas Christopher
C. Lifesaving Awards for Choking Victim: Police Officer Joseph DiBenedetto, Police Officer Peter Tuchol, Jr., and Police Officer Rosario Vacarella
D. Grand Cordon Medal – Sergeant John Chuck
E. Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Recipient – Sergeant Michael Lembo
Congrats to Knudsen and Seldon.
.
However, it is shockingly sad that Harwin (especially) and Willett each got over 2000 votes.
Just goes to show what an ugly direction Ridgewood is heading.
The fact that over 2000 RW residents support the hatred, lies and vitriol of the Harwin campaign is a strong indicator of the caliber of individuals migrating to RW and it does not bode well for the future of the town.
When a candidate infiltrates our village with the manifest intent to promote outside interests inimical to our own, advances that candidacy by generating animus and calumny, and is assisted by outside organization and outside financing, that interloper ought be prepared to reap the derision sown so thoughtlessly by that person’s own campaign.
![mudslinging[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mudslinging1.gif "Reader says The fact that over 2000 Ridgewood residents support the hatred, lies and vitriol of the Harwin campaign is a strong indicator of the caliber of individuals migrating to RW and it does not bode well for the future of the town")
