The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on April 27, 2018.
Dare I say that springtime is finally here? The crocuses and daffodils have had to push a bit harder to get to the surface due to some late snowstorms but it seems winter is now well behind us as we move from school closures and delayed openings to the spring sports calendar, Earth Day celebrations and the first barbecues of the season ahead … and yes, cutting the grass.
Along with turning our thoughts to the great outdoors, this is also the time of year in which the Ridgewood Board of Education finalizes and approves the next year’s school budget. For the past several months our administrators have been working to develop a 2018-2019 budget that provides resources for our outstanding instructional and co-curricular programs, our fine staff, and for the maintenance and operations of our facilities. Given rising costs and legal mandates, it is a tall order to put together a fiscally responsible budget but I am happy to say that once again we have succeeded.
The 2018-2019 budget, which will be approved by the Board of Education on May 7 and is approximately $110,000,000, maintains our outstanding staff, upholds and improves our excellent and rigorous academic offerings and supports new initiatives. As detailed in our 2018-2019 budget presentation, next year’s budget will also permit us to add new staff and programs, maintain and continue to upgrade our instructional technology equipment, implement new curriculum at all grade levels and undertake some facility renovations and improvements to school security.
How do we develop the budget? We start the process by creating instructional goals, which focus our work on the budget. Those goals for next year are as follows:
• Build capacity to create and implement authentic growth-based, innovative assessment practices to measure progress and foster student success. We do this through a review and update of curriculum and assessments, through formal and informal observations in classrooms, and by continuing to shift and leverage technology integration and learning environments.
• Continue to build capacity for implementation of interventions and instructional strategies for diverse learners to maximize students’ individual success. Examples of this goal are the two-year training of 21-plus staff members in multi-sensory reading strategies, and also curricular improvements such two new A.P. classes (Physics C and Human Geography) at the high school and many other courses in grades K-12.
• Build capacity to foster student wellbeing by focusing on social/emotional learning as an integral component of student health and achievement. We will do this by replicating our Ridgewood High School therapeutic program at our middle schools, by continuing to grow and infuse mindfulness activities into our classrooms and programs, and by fostering building initiatives like the “Choose to be Nice” programs within our schools. In addition, we are adding significant security measures to improve physical safety for staff and students.
Goals aside, some thoughtful residents have asked whether Ridgewood’s tradition of excellence continues to be upheld over the years. I want to share with you here some basic information taken from New Jersey official reports showing how the Ridgewood Public Schools continue to be effective and efficient:
• SAT and ACT scores: The RHS Class of 2017 had an average SAT score of 1272 and ACT score of 27, which exceed the average New Jersey SAT score of 1103 and ACT score of 23.75 and the average national SAT score of 1060 and ACT score of 21.
• Per pupil spending: Our per pupil spending continues to be significantly lower than surrounding districts. According to the 2016-2017 NJ Department of Education Comparative Spending Guide, Ridgewood came in at $15,119, while for example, Paramus was $18,826, Mahwah $18329 and Tenafly $17,049.
For additional information and commentary, I invite you to take a look at the full 2018-2019 budget presentation, which may be found on the home page of our website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. I would also encourage you to browse through the Program of Studies for the elementary schools, middle schools and high school, which are located on the website under Academics/Departments. I also welcome any questions about the 2018-2019 budget, which may be emailed to [email protected].
The Ridgewood community is a critical partner in financing our mission of educational excellence. Due to the manner in which the State of New Jersey funds schools, the majority of our school funding is generated through the local property tax. Our proposed total budget for 2018-2019 of $110,167,997 will add $250.71 to the local tax bill on the average-assessed Ridgewood home.
In closing, the Ridgewood Public Schools continue to be fiscally prudent and efficient as well as educationally successful. For your support of the budget through taxes, and for the community’s further generous donations that this year exceeded one million dollars for curricular and co-curricular programs, I am grateful.
As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools
20180502 – Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MAY 2, 2018
7:30 P.M.
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Contract – Roof Repairs at Various Village Water Facilities
b. Parking
1. Ordinance – North Broad Street Valet Parking & Requirements for Signage for Valet Parking
c. Budget
1. Award Contract – Animal Control Services and Waterfowl Management 2. Award Contract – School Bus Transportation – Recreation Department
d. Policy – None
e. Operation
1. Revisions to Skate Park Ordinance – Rules and Regulations
2. Approval of Application for Community Development Grant – Tables for Senior Center
7. Manager’s Report
8. Council Reports
9. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
10. Resolution to go into Closed Session
11. Closed Session – None
12. Adjournment
This has been said before, but it seems we need to say it again. The Ridgewood Blog is the voice of the people. It is here, on this Blog, where people can speak their opinions without fear of retribution from the BOE, the police, their neighbors, or their enemies, or even their spouses. Honesty and truth prevail on the Blog.
Yes indeed we hear some racist comments on this Blog. Well, that is good to know. Not everyone in town is open minded. Yes, indeed we hear some bullying comments on this Blog. Well, that is good to know. Not everyone in this town is calm. We also hear a great deal of positive stories, supportive comments, articles about good things, etc. People might not notice these as readily as the negative commentaries, but they are here, every day, all the time.
On Facebook, everyone has a name and face attached to their posts. Therefore they might easily post what they think they want their neighbors-friends-enemies to hear, which could be completely false. Probably false more often than not.
On the Blog, honesty prevails.
We also know, for a FACT, that people like Jeff Voigt and Robert Carroll (aka Mr. Sonenfeld) and David Hauck (aka Mr. Gwenn) post anonymous slurs about elected officials who they do not like. What does this kind of activity tell us? It tells us that they are scum, which is good to know. Janice Willett, what a complete joke – she blames the Blog all the time, hell she even opened her remarks last night slamming the Blog……all of which tells us that she reads it daily and posts her own defensive comments regularly. Willett even posted a photo from The Blog on her lame campaign page. Albert the Pooch, remember how he used to have steam coming out of his ears about the Blog? That is because (a) he read it every day and (b) the truth about his unpopularity was posted by citizens. Paul Aronsohn once called the police about a posting on the Blog that he felt posed a “threat” to his pansy ass (it did not pose any such threat, but we learned that Aronsohn, like everyone else, is a Ridgewood Blogger). It goes on and on, ladies and gentlemen. The Blog is read by everyone and contributed to by everyone and favors no one and discriminates against no one.
Furthermore, we know that all allegations that certain people control the Blog are totally bogus. For example, that moron Alexandra Harwin states that Susan Knudsen is a contributor to The Blog. NOT. Mayor Knudsen is drawn and quartered on The Blog regularly. Why would she contribute? Boyd Loving, whose photographs often appear here from his Facebook page, is likewise torn apart by Blog posters on a regular basis. Even people that we know Jame Foytlin likes are eviscerated on here, like his old chum Siobhan Crane. Hell, people even tear James himself apart on a regular basis – do you think James would put up postings that slam him if he controlled the Blog. So, no one controls The Blog. It is a living, breathing organism that does its own thing, and above all it is dead honest.
I trust postings on The Blog far more than any I see on facebook. This is where you come to see what your friends and neighbors and enemies and elected officials really think.
Ridgewood Moms and Dads Facebook cuts people off the membership if they even look crosseyed at Harwin or Willett or Sonenfeld or Voigt. Ridgewood Jolt cuts people off who dare say anything about a local issue. Facebook pages that do not allow open membership are not honest – they are slanted echo chambers that provide nothing of substance. There are two FB pages that seem to allow everyone on – Moms and Dads with Free Speech and It Takes a Ridgewood Village. They seem to allow posts from both sides of “the house,” so to speak. Kudos to them. But, still, total honesty does not prevail there because people are cautious about saying what they really feel.
Ridgewood NJ, For the second day in a row, a black bear first spotted in Paramus ,then today in Ridgewood wandered around a neighborhood in New Jersey and has been tranquilized by animal control crews.
The black bear reported to be 148-pound male , was the same seen Monday in Paramus, who eluded the Paramus Police .
The wandering black bear was captured in the rear of 15 Circle Avenue, Ridgewood on Tuesday afternoon, 05/01. The male bear is believed to be the same one that was spotted in nearby Paramus on Monday, 04/30. Ridgewood Police, Fire Department, and Emergency Services personnel assisted representatives from Tyco Animal Control Services and the NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Division during the incident.
No injuries were reported to the bear, or any humans who assisted in his capture. Traffic on East Ridgewood Avenue and Circle Avenue was detoured while emergency responders worked. A K9 unit from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office also provided assistance at the scene.
Like Monday the bear climbed up into a tree, where he was tranquilized by Tyco Animal Control Services. It jumped onto a garage roof and then ran up another tree and was tranquilized a second time. Mayor Knudsen was on the scene filling in live on Facebook as events unfolded. The Mayor thanked Carol, Dawn Jowett Cetrulo, Chief Luthcke, the amazing Ridgewood Police Department, Fire Department, Tyco Animal Control, and everyone else who helped bring this little bear to safety! Special thanks to Alexa Topolski for hosting!
(this photo courtesy of Mayor Susan Knudsen)
The bear will eventually be taken to a wildlife management area in Passaic County.
Police are urging everyone to use caution and say that if you see the bear, you should not approach it. Instead, call 911.
In a Facebook post, Paramus police said they expect to be seeing more bears.
Ridgewood NJ, the forum last night was devoid of any major fireworks perhaps except other than Willett who opened her introduction by calling the Ridgewood blog “Hate Mongers” , funny given her campaign called the Mayor a “Nazi” for posing with the Easter Bunny and Working with veterans and also sponsored a grotesque anti catholic hate mail piece sent out to Village Residents. .On the upside Willett vowed to stay awake last night , but the jury is still out .
So a couple a quick take a way’s from last nights candidate forum :
As expected Harwin sounded like a light weight ,with no grasp of the issues facing the Village .
Harwin virtually bragged about not attending Village Council Meetings, adding to her cluelessness .
Aronsohn the puppet master used Willett to be the heavy , or play the bad cop trying and failing to attack the Mayor over and over.
Both Willett and Harwin read off the Arosohn script even repeating some of the lines he said when he first ran for council.
Several people questioned Harwin’s speaking style, even questioning if she was wearing an ear piece .
Both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor came out fighting and appeared to be in total grasp of the issues .
Both the mayor and Deputy came off as experienced and as advocates for the Village of Ridgewood .
While the challengers claimed a “new direction” they repeated the same Aronsohn ideas that almost destroyed the Village of Ridgewood .
On a side note:
Funny how everyone claims taxes is the biggest issue ,yet the biggest burden on Village Taxpayers is the Board of Ed ,with a budget of $110,000,000 and most of the BOE members have run unchallenged in recent years. On top of that Phil Murphy who promised to raise taxes was elected Governor so maybe taxes are not the real issue after all.
And one final thing :
It is clear that anyone involved in any way with former Mayor Paul Aronsohn are unfit for political office and or unfit to work for the Village or even volunteer for any boards .
We endorse Knudsen and Sedon for Village Council Let’s re-elect the dedicated duo on Tuesday, May 8
The Preserve Graydon Coalition enthusiastically endorses Michael Sedon and Susan Knudsen for reelection to the Village Council.
Susan and Mike are in sync with those who support Graydon because they:
Love, respect, and understand Graydon and what it means to the village. In their four years on the Council they have demonstrated a deep commitment to historic preservation and to making positive, fiscally prudent improvements at Graydon. Thanks in part to their efforts, the Graydon bathrooms will finally undergo a long-sought overhaul next year—provided that Susan and Mike are reelected.
Recognize the value of open space. Knudsen and Sedon understand the importance of planning and implementing measures to preserve and increase open space in our community even as pressure has intensified for overdevelopment in Ridgewood. They would never sell Graydon down the river.
Believe that trees are essential and integral to Ridgewood. Mike was instrumental in having the Shade Tree Commission restored to village government. As a result, our trees, which had been sorely neglected by previous councils, are a priority again. In 2014, no new trees were planted; last year, 221 were planted. If a matching grant comes through, a villagewide tree inventory will be done and a plan made to remove and replace any dangerous ones and plant even more. Mike works with the Green Team, the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee, and other landscape-oriented groups to beautify our residential neighborhoods and downtown.
Care, observe, research, respond. Susan and Mike are responsive to all residents to an extent seen in few previous council members. They really look out for us. As the Council liaison to Ridgewood’s special-needs community, for example, Susan made sure that longed-for special-needs housing would be incorporated into the new apartments—as a previous mayor promised to do for years, but did not.
Will make sure the upcoming Master Plan overhaul does not shortchange Graydon—or the village. A significant item at stake in this village council election is who will oversee the upcoming rewrite of our 35-year-old Master Plan. This major effort will begin shortly and take about three years into the about-to-be-elected council members’ four-year terms. Residents will be invited to state their opinions. Susan and Mike can be trusted to do it right, listening to the wishes of the people, not the developers.
Candidates’ Debate
On Monday, April 30, the four candidates participated in a panel at the League of Women Voters’ biennial Candidates’ Debate at Village Hall. Throughout there was no question about which candidates knew what they were talking about and which were all at sea. Of the latter, one has lived here for a long time and one just arrived, but their cluelessness was mutual.
The standing-room-only crowd was treated to the classic squawks of people scrabbling for something to say, hoping catchphrases and hot-button items would attract voters: Taxes are high. (Their solution: Stop blaming the Board of Education even though it controls two-thirds of our property taxes.) Parking is a problem. (Their solution: Shuttle shoppers from the Graydon lots. Ask downtown professionals to share their private parking lots. Build a garage that displaces the sidewalk despite longtime vocal opposition to letting it extend beyond its site.) Safety is paramount. (We know.) “Ridgewood needs a fresh voice.” No, it doesn’t. It needs experienced leaders who comprehend the complex, layered issues that must be attended to immediately.
When near the end of the event one challenger dared to speak of the importance of “tone” and the way council members should treat each other, our jaws dropped. Was this the person who had distributed and/or supported mass communications for weeks that accused her opponents of all manner of dastardly invented deeds? She called herself “respectful and collaborative.” Really? How would she expect to interact with either of them on a shared board?
Both challengers said they would reinstate the Financial Advisory Committee, which has simply been reorganized and renamed. Both said they would fly the pride flag at Village Hall, when it has already been decided that the banner, which is larger, will again be placed in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, far more visibly and with a ceremony. They had nothing to contribute. The challengers’ favored gambit was to mouth platitudes and object to whatever the current council is doing. It was kinda sad, really.
In contrast, Susan and Mike were at the top of their game and conversant with every topic. The evening proved convincingly that unless we re-elect Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon, we will be in big trouble.
Grassroots endorsements
All six grassroots groups in Ridgewood have endorsed the reelection of Susan and Mike. Their full statements, posted at https://www.voteridgewood.com/endorsements.html/, include important points that pertain to the future of Graydon either directly or indirectly.
Here’s a summary.
Ridgewood Wildscape Association
In its first political endorsement since its founding in 1976, the Ridgewood Wildscape Association released a statement that included this: “Finally the Ridgewood Environmental Advisory Committee will have the expertise of a grant writer, something we have asked for in the past but never had; finally the Shade Tree Commission has support to solve the downtown tree problem as well as planting and replacing ‘right tree–right place.’
“For years residents of the King’s Pond area asked for help and received none. Only with this council, and especially the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, has help arrived.
“The opponents do not seem to care about our environment; one has said the Schedler property should be developed, leaving many of our neighbors subject to more noise and pollution. False facts about costs to save the historic home have been issued. They offer no support for anything environmental, which is distressing to us.
“The current council has been so supportive, hearing both sides of every issue relating to things we care about at Wildscape. We have had our best years, and we don’t want to go back.”
Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (resisting Valley Hospital overexpansion)
Susan and Mike have consistently voted against high-density projects and other overdevelopment that would negatively change our landscape. Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR), which has spent over a decade resisting overdevelopment on the Valley Hospital site, says: “We feel their votes demonstrate a strong understanding of the appropriate size and scope of development in Ridgewood and reflect what Ridgewood taxpayers want.”
CRR notes that the Valley issue is far from over: “Last year, Valley finally decided to move their main campus to Paramus, and then agreed that the Village Council can rewrite the hospital zone ordinance to prevent further expansion of the Ridgewood campus. . . . We need the Council to continue to transform the legal settlement into an effective Village Master Plan and Ordinance. If the community lets its guard down before future plans are codified, we believe our Village will NOT BE FULLY PROTECTED against future overdevelopment at the Ridgewood site. The incoming Council will appoint new members to the Planning Board, which is rewriting the Master Plan, and it will finalize our settlement by rewriting and adopting the new H-Zone Ordinance governing the Ridgewood Campus.”
Friends of Schedler
At a recent council meeting, Susan announced that Isabella Altano, who died last September, had posthumously received the 2018 Bergen County Historic Preservation Award. The Preserve Graydon Coalition wrote a letter supporting her nomination. Isabella was a friend to Graydon as well as to the Zabriskie-Schedler house and property. An architect, landscape architect, teacher, and proud Ridgewood resident, Isabella supported and fought for all historic preservation. We are confident that she would have firmly endorsed Susan and Mike’s reelection.
The group that Isabella founded, Friends of Schedler, has done so, saying: “All too often, interest groups either ignore or fail to recognize the many different neighborhoods that comprise the Village of Ridgewood. Susan and Mike have demonstrated a government of inclusion, providing residents from all areas of Ridgewood the opportunity to be heard.”
In a follow-up message, Friends of Schedler wrote: “It is imperative that we all show up on May 8 to vote for Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon. The other two candidates were seen at the Ridgewood Baseball–Softball Association parade speaking with RBSA officials. The 90-foot field is not dead. If Susan and Mike lose, we will be fighting that battle once again.”
Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development
“The high-density housing issue is far from over,” warns Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development (RCRD), formerly known as Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR). “Right now, outside forces are trying to impose high-density ‘overlay development zones’ throughout Ridgewood, including in residential areas. This could open our Village to more oversized development in the future. We need Susan and Mike’s experience to limit this.” If that doesn’t scare you, nothing will. Among the candidates, only Knudsen and Sedon can be relied upon to fight this proposed incursion into our neighborhoods and threat to our way of life.
RCRD continues: “In just two years as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Knudsen and Sedon have made Ridgewood a stronger and kinder community. Much of the division and negativity we experienced from the prior administration is gone. For a long time, RCRD/CBR had to mobilize supporters to attend every Planning Board and Village Council meeting to ensure that nothing unexpected could happen without notice to residents. For the past two years we have been able to call off that guard. That’s because we know the Council is in such experienced, open and honest hands.”
In an announcement on Monday, the group wrote: “It’s important that Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon retain their seats so they can finish the thoughtful job they’ve started, putting residents first in all planning and development decisions. The prior administration’s ‘pro big development’ forces are strongly behind the opposing candidates. After so much hard work by citizens’ groups, including CBR/RCRD, Ridgewood is on a calmer, kinder, more open, and more reasonable path. We don’t want a return to the infighting and negative campaigning of the recent past. Sadly, other candidates are trying to do that with a sour misinformation campaign.”
Ridgewood Chinese American Association
“The village should keep its charming style for residents and the generations to come,” says the Ridgewood Chinese American Association. “This vision should be reflected in and protected by the new Village Master Plan.”
The statement continues: “We value inclusiveness in both government and education and encourage better communication of village government with the residents. We support a lean management in the village government in terms of both fiscal and operational effectiveness. We expect an open and transparent village government with a high ethical level.”
The road to our Council cannot be paved with bad intentions
Supporters of the two candidates seeking to assume the incumbents’ seats have issued a long and libelous pack of lies widely disseminated in glossy mailers, via email, and on social media and websites, some signed by the current chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. This behavior suggests just how badly the group supported by the former mayor wants to regain control of the Village Council. Candidates with experience and character do not behave in this way. It stinks of desperation.
This shocking and despicable effort has taken local politics to a new low. Around town, residents have expressed their distaste for the mudslinging that has characterized one faction of the campaign. Who knows what fabrications they’ll come up with in the next week? Be wary.
Susan Knudsen and Michael Sedon have withstood the barrage of insults with remarkable poise. They could easily have responded by listing the deficits and faults of their accusers, but that is not their style. Instead, they continue to discuss their plans and impressive Council track record at coffees and on their websites and to explain how, if reelected, they will help Ridgewood embrace a potentially troublesome future safely.
Susan and Mike have the hands-on experience, knowledge, integrity, and leadership skills that will be essential in the coming years. We believe a significant motivation for the appalling negativity that has characterized the campaigns of the challengers is desperation to oversee the Master Plan, which is our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and architectural blueprint for the future all in one.
Inexperienced people who seem confused about what ethics means in Ridgewood must not be allowed on our Council.
Please VOTE on TUESDAY, MAY 8.
Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM. Fourteen hours for a five-minute task!
Because turnout is often low around here, even a few votes can sway election results. YOUR VOTE COUNTS.
If you need a ride, please let us know.
Swimmingly,
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!” [email protected] PreserveGraydon.org
I hear what this person is saying. I was new to this village too a few years ago. I too made it to VC meetings, followed a lot of discussions on FB groups, was very interested in the well being of of my newfound “heaven” until I realized that this place tends to attract a lot of nuts who feel very strong that they need to turn this town into the neighborhood they came from. In the process I also learned that this place in the breeding ground of many political snakes who will do anything, ANYTHING to advance their party’s or personal agenda. I have learned that there are tons of dimwits who can very easily be taken advantage by of the political scum. Schools are led by politically motivated people, boards are populated with people who find it a hobby to play with residents money etc etc. So I have come to the point where I am slowly trying to get away from being so passionate about things. I follow this blog because most of the time it seems to attract people who know what they’re talking about.The future of Ridgewood is bleak in my opinion. If it would be possible financially I would leave this place in a heartbeat before ship starts sinking.
A new resident to the Village ran two years ago. Lawyer. Smart and well spoken. Made a nice pitch at the council debate that “newcomers to the town have voice and perspective”, and it sounded ok. Problem was more apparent in hindsight that we was pushing a pro-development agenda that few longtimers wanted (and few newbies wanted either). And he really had been “planted” on FAC for the sole reason of building a resume for a run council. Essentially, either he came here with HIS ideas to push on us, or, he wanted a job in politics and our former Mayor thought he could implant the guy on council for their mutual benefit. Harwin is like that guy, but on STEROIDS. Why is she even running? It’s not out of love for Ridgewood, that’s clear. In fact, one could reasonably infer that sewing discord IS her aim. Newcomers should get involved. But recent history suggests newcomers running for office is a really bad idea.
don’t get too nostalgic for the “no lawn sign” days of yore. Current residents know now that we are under seige. Yard signs appearing in large numbers for Knudsen and Sedon show that people are adjusting to the new reality. The best possible situation is that political animals like Aronsohn will tire of trying to establish dominion over Ridgewood and move on to other towns whose residents do not yet “have their number”, i.e., see through their dirty tricks. And Voigt–we had his number as early as December 2016, six months aftet his election to the Village Council, when in the course of discusion and commentary on a blog post or two about his unaccountably bad behavior, we came to the realization that he was not at all a simple bully or madman, but that he was simply trying to demonize our Mayor and Deputy mayor a year and a half before they were to come up for their own re-election, so that he could more easily promote the campaign of two blatant Voight lackeys to defeat Sedon and Knudsen and subsequently cooperate in a plan by which he himself would become mayor in 2018. Now tell us — has this not transpired exactly as we surmised in December 2016? This is the value of political awareness. Yard signs are a cheap price to pay for the ability to defend ourselves against crave political opportunism by the likes of Voigt and Aronsohn.
To the original poster: First, welcome to town. Second, let me apologize for all of the political BS that you have witnessed. By and large the people here are good and really care about the place. Most are hard working, family oriented folks that are good neighbors. Third, no, you don’t have to have lived here forever to contribute. On the contrary. Fresh, constructive points of view are not only valuable but welcome. It sounds like you are already engaged in the town’s activities and have taken the initiative to familiarize yourself with the local issues so good for you – I hope our paths cross one day if they haven’t already. Finally, don’t be put off by or tolerate being compared to people like Ms. Harwin who have moved to town expecting to be installed onto the Council with no qualifications. Ms. Harwin has never sat through a full Council meeting. She has yet to participate in any town activities that were not related to her personal campaign. She is not familiar with most of the issues that we face. She has circulated lies about our Mayor and Councilman Sedon who are two of the hard working neighbors that I talk about above. Unlike you, Ms. Harwin is in the process of learning the hard way about what it takes to be a good neighbor in a new town.
Ridgewood NJ, Imagine taking a seat behind the wheel of a real police cruiser, climbing aboard a shiny fire truck, exploring up-close a fleet of the other emergency and public works vehicles you’ve only seen at a distance. Treat your children to a day of hands-on adventure at Ridgewood Touch-a-Truck Day 2018!
A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT SPONSORED BY THE RIDGEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | THE VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD
Touch A Truck – Interactive Day of Fun for Children
THURSDAY, May 17, 2018
9:00 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
MEMORIAL PARK AT VAN NESTE SQUARE, RIDGEWOOD
I’m not a Harwin supporter but i’m so tired of reading comments like 7:56. it would seem unless a person is born and raised in the town you have nothing to contribute or can possibly have any understanding of the problems of this town. I’m new to this town but I make a point of reading up on issues, watching and attending village council meetings, voting in elections and try to contribute to this town as best I can.
I’ve lived here since 1970. I attended the schools here and I can assure you there never was any intolerance of any sort. The problem is when new people move here they try to stir shit up to get attention since they usually have nothing worthwhile to contribute to the community. As I have said to many of them, if you don’t like it, you can always move back to where you came from . We do not need inconsiderate nasty people here.
Looking at the various mailers side by side, what is apparent is that Ms. Harwin’s pieces are all attack oriented, using false innuendo to smear opponents. There is little to her pieces that hints at any actual experience in governance . Mayor Knbudsen has long standing roots in the community, as dses Councilman Mike Sedon. They have participated in many ways to help our Village – any number of advisory boards, committees, you name it. Mike was even a writer for the Ridgewood News, giving him a special insight in what is going on here, and how issues evolved over time. That is why they have not been looking for quick fixes to complex issues like housing, master plans or parking garages. Instead they have been doing things the right way, with comments from Village residents and thorough research and hard work. You don’t just parachute into a community and now how it works, what it’s’ soul is. You need to know the network of people who make our Village work. Ms. Harwin in contrast is a relative newcomer. She has relied on advisors such our recently tossed out Paul Aronsohn to tell her that the issue are. Looking over her mailings, her qualification seems to be a career in civil rights litigation. And while I am sure she fights hard for her clients, this does not prepare her for governance. At best she is qualified by being well meaning. And from what we have seen recently in Washington, lack of experience in governance at best leads to delay in getting to know ho things are done. At worst…
Vote for the qualified, proven candidates running for Council. Don’t be complacent and assume that the people you know will be the best Councilmen in our Village will win. in the election. Seeing the way this campaign is turning with such well organized attacks on quality people, you can bet that there well be a get out the vote effort – make sure you get out to vote too. And do not be surprised if a late mailing arrives on your doorstep with new false accusations with no time to rebut them – that is the way apparently Ms. Harwin’s team works.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood League of Women Voters will hold a forum for candidates who are running for Ridgewood Village Council in the Municipal Election. Voting for the election will take place on Tuesday, May 8, 2018.
The Forum will be held at 7:30 pm on Monday, April 30, 2018 at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, in the courtroom.
There are four candidates (listed in alphabetical order) for two seats on the Ridgewood Village Council:
Alexandra Harwin
Susan Knudsen
Michael Sedon
Janice Willett
The candidates will each provide a background statement and will answer questions provided by the League of Women Voters of Ridgewood and members of the community. The Candidates Forum will be televised live on Cablevision-Channel 77 and Fios-Channel 34, and Livestreamed on YouTube.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation in government. We welcome all individuals aged 16 years or older to join. Please note that membership eligibility reflects changes made this year by the National League of Women Voters to open membership to non-U.S. citizens as well as to young adults who are 16 and 17 years old.
If you have any questions related to the League of Women Voters, please contact [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, according to NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife Black bears are the largest land mammal in New Jersey. They are an integral part of the state’s natural heritage and a vital component of healthy ecosystems.
Since the 1980s the Garden State’s black bear population has been increasing and expanding its range both southward and eastward from the forested areas of northwestern New Jersey. Within the most densely populated state in the nation, black bears are thriving and there are now confirmed bear sightings in all 21 of New Jersey’s counties.
Division of Fish and Wildlife personnel use an integrated approach to managing New Jersey’s black bear population, fostering coexistence between people and bears.
The most common bear problem New Jersey’s residents experience is black bears getting into their garbage. Bears are attracted to neighborhoods by garbage odors, so properly securing your garbage is one of the best ways to prevent bears from becoming a nuisance in your community. Residents are encouraged to work within their community to make sure all garbage is secured and kept away from bears.
For tips on proper garbage management and coexisting with bears. Black bears learn very quickly and bears that are fed intentionally or unintentionally by carelessly leaving out food or garbage will associate people with food. Bears will eat almost anything including human food, garbage, pet food, birdseed and small livestock. Once they find an easily accessible food source, like garbage in a housing development, they will lose their wariness of people and may return to the available food source. These bears can become a nuisance or aggressive and may have to be trapped and aversively conditioned or destroy
Remember: Never feed bears! It’s illegal in New Jersey, and it’s dangerous. Anyone who feeds bears could face a penalty of up to $1,000 for each offense.
Report black bear damage or nuisance behavior to the DEP’s 24-hour, toll-free hotline at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).
