Ridgewood NJ, the Go Fund Me page for Ridgewood Police officer whose son has been stricken with Neuroblastoma , has raised over $52,000 since April 26th . According to the Go Fund Me sight ,Stephanie and Kevin McKeon recently had their world turned upside down with news that their sweet little boy, Cole, has Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Please read a post from Kevin below:
‘Our happy and seemingly healthy son Cole was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. It is a fast moving cancer that is in a form of a tumor near a kidney and it’s already moved away to take on more space. This came as a complete shock to us since he showed no significant signs of being sick. After investigating a stiff neck, something didn’t “sit right” with our amazing pediatrician and she ordered blood-work. Follow up blood work in the Hackensack ER turned from just anemia to a small mass on his kidney to a CT Scan that showed a much bigger problem. Every corner we have turned has been devastating.
Collogues and the local community have rallied to the support of Cole !
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 ridgewoodlwv@gmail.com.
Ridgewood NJ, in their latest campaign pitch , the Willett and Harwin camp have accused Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen and deputy Mayor Mike Sedon of being NAZI sympathizers for among other things posing with the Easter Bunny , planting flags with American Legion Post 53 at Valleau Cemetery for forgotten veterans ,and thanking all those who helped with the Memorial Day Service and Remembers the Fallen military hero’s, on this blog.
While the Willett and Harwin campaign have already been outed for being anti Catholic ,undermining the police and fire department you can now add hating the Easter Bunny and denigrating the US Armed Services and its veterans to the list.
In the mailing the Ridgewood blog was called a “right wing blog “, who dared to state the obvious that using children to make cheap political points is a bit reminiscent of “Hitler Youth” , sorry folks it is what it is.
Still no word from Harwin and Willett denouncing the bigoted Hans Lehmann letter or explaining their position on the anti minority ,white only LGBT flag that they attempted to pressure the council into hosting over Village Hall?
The entire mailing fails to understand how the Ridgewood blog functions and how news is disseminated on this site .
Councilman Voigt may be confused because liars are being outed and that is not supposed to happen in the Aronsohn playbook. Did anybody hear what Matt Rogers said about refusing perpetual troublemakers the right to speak unless they applied for reinstatement in writing and said they wouldn’t do it any more? Halaby and Lehmann should be so censured. Nobody has the right to appear at meeting after meeting and harangue the council out of personal anger and spite. It sets a dreadful tone for the meeting and serves no purpose except to gratify the hysterical whims of those who are unhappy about who won the last election. Halaby and Lehmann should have that rule applied to them immediately. They have more than earned it. It’s embarrassing that they (Halaby in particular) are permitted to continue to appear time after time and spew their vicious bile. That is most assuredly not what the public comment section of the meeting is for. As for allowing Mr. Lehmann to be on a very important board, much less preside over it, he absolutely must be removed. He must know he was risking that with his email and mailer of hate and lies. I can’t imagine letting him stay. He should be barred for life from membership on any appointed committee, commission or board. I hope the council will do this right away.
Ridgewood NJ, Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest LGBT advocacy and education organization, today announced its endorsements for the May non-partisan municipal elections taking place in New Jersey.
The candidates receiving endorsements from GSE are:
Czezre Adams for Newark City Council;
Ras Baraka for Mayor of Newark;
Reed Gusciora for Mayor of Trenton; Alexandra Harwin for Ridgewood Village Council;
Elvin Montero for Trenton City Council; and
Jason O’Donnell for Mayor of Bayonne.
According to Garden State Equality , “Each of these candidates has a clear and defined history of working with and supporting issues of importance to the LGBT community, according to the organization. Whether it be marriage equality, anti-bullying laws, flying the pride flag, or engaging in proactive discussions on how to best achieve true equality and fairness for the LGBT community, these individuals have shown they are committed to the cause of LGBT rights”
Willett and Harwin have also not distanced themselves from the clearly bigoted and anti Catholic “Hans Lehmann letter ” . Suggesting those who preach are usually guilty of what every they are trying to promote . Silence on this both issues only implies that Willett and Harwin are in full agreement with anti Catholic and minority sentiments.
This is the first time we have sent an email about an election, but in the case of Wildscape, the stakes could not be higher. We are not a
501C3 entity, thus we can support candidates. We are endorsing Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon.
As you know, the current council has been 100% behind Wildscape, and has applied for grants, paid for spraying invasive plants, supported
the ad hoc committee recommendations for minimal development at Schedler, preserving the house, planting trees, spending money to
protect our resources.For the first time, the East Side of Ridgewood is being considered as
valuable residents of Ridgewood.
All previous councils supported our cleanups,because under the Stormwater Act, cleanups of brooks qualify for grants. We have no
problem with allowing us to do the dirty work!But it is the other support we previously were not given.
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.
We are asking you to re-elect Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon. They, along with Council members Walsh, Hache and Voigt have supported our
efforts.
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 (how to plant in tree wells, and how to keep
trees alive) as well as planting and replacing “right tree-right place”.
Wildscape received support and resolutions for our efforts to inform every resident who abuts a waterway to be aware that dumping
leaves/grass only harms us. No other council has done this. This can alleviate flooding as well.
The opponents do not seem to care about our environment; one has said the Schedler property should be developed, leaving many of our
families, our neighbors, subject to more noise and pollution. False facts about costs to save the historic home have been issued.
No support for anything environmental, which is so 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.
Please vote on May 8 to keep our big supporters: Mike Sedon and Susan Knudsen. We have made such progress it would be a cruel blow to our
environment if they are not re-elected.
Time for some RIDGEWOOD TRUTH!
#1
False: A disgraceful allegation that, then Councilwoman, Knudsen accepted a prize in return for her NO vote to opposing the garage from OLMC.
Truth: In the Spring of 2016, upon leaving 11am OLMC mass, Knudsen purchased a 50/50 raffle ticket from the Academy of Our Lady HSA, in Glen Rock, in support of Catholic School Week Scholarship Program. Each year 600 raffle tickets are sold by the HSA. Subsequently, hers was drawn as the winning ticket. Throughout 2015 and 2016, Knudsen is consistently on record as stating the garage was too big and inappropriate for the lot and area. To advance the project, she voted for the funding while repeatedly stating the footprint and design must be reduced. The June 21, 2016 referendum decided the fate of the oversized structure, not Mayor Knudsen.
#2
False: Knudsen reportedly profits from the non-profit Jamboree event.
Truth: To accuse a longstanding, 10 years and counting, member of the Jamboree family, and therefore Jamboree, of misrepresenting their 71 years of volunteerism, and put them in a position of defending their longstanding non-profit status with this baseless accusation, is disgraceful.
#3
False: Nepotism helped Knudsen’s sons secure employment in Ridgewood Public Safety Departments as Police Officers and Fire Fighter.
Truth: Decades ago Ridgewood became a New Jersey Civil Service community. The Village must comply with New Jersey Department of Personnel hiring rules as defined by New Jersey statute. Civil Service by design prevents nepotism, cronyism and corruption. The State of New Jersey sets residency preference, administers competitive testing, and certifies the hiring order based on rankings. The Village Manager must be in full compliance with State rules, and Village Council is prohibited by law from any interference. On May 6, 2014, then Village Manager was in receipt of the New Jersey Department of Personnel 2013 Civil Service hiring list, before Knudsen was even elected. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPgiMwxkCew
#4
False: A July 9, 2014 Village Council discussion and subsequent ordinance helped Knudsen to advance her son’s employment as Ridgewood Police Officers.
Truth: Knudsen was advocating having regular civilian jobs first offered to Village residents, having nothing to do with public safety positions. Reviewing the entire audio and minutes, not just the section the author points you to, clearly reveals the unequivocal truth that the discussion of the ordinance excluded police and fire. Official, unaltered documents reveal Knudsen was in fact advocating for regular civilian jobs, such as clerk typist, receptionist, mechanic etc. See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPgiMwxkCew
#5
False: That Knudsen or any Village Council member “affirmed” the residency preference for police and fire.
Truth: State Statute and Administrative Code governs the residency preference for all Public Safety titles in Ridgewood. The Village is a Civil Service community (not all towns are) and the State of New Jersey governs the hiring process for Ridgewood’s Police and Fire Departments. Village Council has no jurisdiction over this whatsoever. The amended ordinance was specific to those civilian jobs mentioned earlier. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPgiMwxkCew
Please also note that those attempting to discredit Knudsen have filed three separate ethics complaints against her, including the disgusting allegation of collusion with Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Months ago, the State of New Jersey dismissed all three complaints.
There are more claims listed, but those are well refuted by the Mayor herself, on her website, with supporting documents. We encourage all of you, if you STILL HAVE QUESTIONS to go to https://www.VoteRidgewood.com , attend a coffee, and be sure to attend or watch the League of Women Voters debate on April 30th.
ALSO WATCH THE ENTIRE COUNCIL MEETING FROM LAST NIGHT-IT IS PRICELESS. IF I WAS HARWIN, I WOULD QUIT NOW.
Ridgewood NJ, Kevin grew up in town and is now one of our amazing Police Officers. He and his little family are facing the unimaginable.. please consider donating and say a prayer for little Cole!
‘Our happy and seemingly healthy son Cole was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma. It is a fast moving cancer that is in a form of a tumor near a kidney and it’s already moved away to take on more space. This came as a complete shock to us since he showed no significant signs of being sick. After investigating a stiff neck, something didn’t “sit right” with our amazing pediatrician and she ordered blood-work. Follow up blood work in the Hackensack ER turned from just anemia to a small mass on his kidney to a CT Scan that showed a much bigger problem. Every corner we have turned has been devastating.
Ridgewood NJ, The Valley Hospital is proud to have been recognized with an “A” grade for patient safety for the twelfth time from The Leapfrog Group, an organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. Valley was one of 750 hospitals to receive an “A,” ranking it among the safest hospitals in the United States.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades rate how well hospitals protect patients from preventable medical errors, injuries, infections and accidents within the hospital.
“We are pleased and proud to once again receive an ‘A’ for patient safety,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “This top grade is a result of Valley’s longstanding dedication to ensuring patient safety and high-quality care.”
Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. It is peer reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public.
“This is the only national rating of how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm and death, such as medical errors, infections and injuries,” said Leah Binder, President and CEO, The Leapfrog Group. “Receiving an ‘A’ Safety Grade means a hospital is among the best in the country for preventing these problems and putting their patients first, 24 hours a day.”
To see Valley’s full grade details, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey collects and transparently reports hospital performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
About The Valley Hospital
The Valley Hospital, a 451-bed, acute care, not-for-profit hospital located in Ridgewood, NJ, is part of Valley Health System, which also includes Valley Home Care and Valley Medical Group. Valley is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. These include Gold Seals of Approval from The Joint Commission in 14 clinical areas, including six for cancer care, more than any other hospital in the nation. Valley has been recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for both Stroke Care and General Surgery, and has been named in the top five percent in the nation for stroke care, general surgery and cranial neurosurgery. Additionally, Valley has also received Excellence Awards from Healthgrades in the areas of cranial neurosurgery, stroke care, general surgery, pulmonary care and neurosciences. Valley has also been honored three times with Magnet designation – the nursing profession’s highest honor. Valley is a cardiovascular affiliate of the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute, and an academic and clinical affiliate of the Mount Sinai Health System. Key services include cardiology, oncology, women’s and children’s services, emergency care, orthopedics and neurosciences.
Ridgewood NJ, after last night Village council meeting antics it is clear that Chairmen Lehmann can not impartially represent the people of Ridgewood , it is time for him to step down or be removed from office.
Board of Adjustment
MISSION:
The Zoning Board of Adjustment shall follow the provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.) and Chapter 190 of the Ridgewood Village Code and accordingly shall have authority to:
(1) Hear and decide appeals where it is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement, decision or refusal made by the Zoning Officer based on or made in the enforcement of the zoning regulations. (2) Hear and decide requests for interpretation of the Zoning Map or zoning regulations or for decisions upon other special questions upon which the Board is authorized to pass by any zoning regulation or Official Map regulation, in accordance with this chapter and the Municipal Land Use Law. (3) Hear and decide requests for variances. Notwithstanding the above, the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall not have the power to hear and decide variances if the application also requires subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval, unless the application involves a “D” variance. (4) Exercise control over and review of subdivisions, site plans and conditional uses, only when such applications involve a “D” variance. (5) Direct the issuance of building permits for buildings or structures in certain areas shown on an Official Map, unless such building permits also require subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval. (6) Direct the issuance of building permits for buildings or structures on a lot not related to a street, unless such building permits also require subdivision, site plan or conditional use approval. (7) Prepare at least once a year a report for the Village Council and Planning Board, based upon its review of its decisions on applications and appeals for variances since any previous report. The report shall be adopted by resolution of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and shall comment on the zoning regulations which were the subject of variance requests and shall make recommendations for any amendments to the zoning regulations that the Board may deem appropriate based upon prior variance applications.
MEETINGS: Meeting are held twice a month in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Courtroom on Level Four
Click here Form:
Variance Instructions and here to download the Application of Variance.
Zoning table Application form and Instructions on the Lot,Bulk and Intensity of Use Standards.
Variance Application Checklist and Zoning Board of Adjustment Meetings and Hearing Procedures.
MEMBERS:
Hans-Jurgen Lehmann, Chairman (6/30/19)
Sergio Alegre, Vice Chairman (6/30/21)
Gary Negrycz (6/30/20)
Diana Ruhl (6/30/20)
Alyssa Matthews (6/30/18)
Ines Bunza (6/30/19)
Gregory Brown (6/30/21)
Jonathan Papietro (Alt. #1) (6/30/19)
Isaac Lebow (Alt. #2) (6/30/18)
CONTACT:
Counsel Bruce E. Whitaker, Esq. McDonnell & Whitaker, LLC 245 East Main St P.O. Box 379 Ramsey, NJ 07446-0379
Secretary Jane Wondergem 131 North Maple Ave. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Meeting dates are published in the Village Calendar and are shown in Calendar of Events on this Website.
Ridgewood NJ, The Pro Arte Chorale is very pleased to welcome Bryan Zaros as its new Music Director, effective July 1. The search for a new music director was launched late last year, following the announcement that the Chorale’s music director of six years, Steven Fox, was stepping down having accepted the position of Music Director for The Cathedral Choral Society in Washington DC. After a four-month selection process with several outstanding
candidates that included auditions with members of the Chorale, Bryan Zaros was offered the position which he enthusiastically accepted.
“For over 50 years, the Pro Arte Chorale has been a leading musical presence in the New York metropolitan area,” said Bryan. “With a distinguished history performing the great masterworks, this community of committed
musicians has continued to thrive and inspire audiences under a legacy of great conductors. It is my great joy and privilege to join Pro Arte as their next Music Director and continue the great performance legacy of this
ensemble. I look forward to leading them to a renewed era of artistry, impassioned music making and community engagement.”
“I am delighted that Pro Arte will be in such good hands with Bryan as their new musical leader,” said Steven Fox. “Having had the chance to meet Bryan a little over a year ago in New York, I think that he is just the right person for this special role. I am so happy for both the Chorale and for Bryan.” Bryan is a young conductor recognized for his “strong musical imagination” and “deep sense of musicality and communication.” A native New Yorker, he received a Bachelor of Music in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of Michigan. He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting at the Manhattan School of Music.
Bryan began his professional musical training as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus and as a boy chorister at The Church of the Transfiguration NYC. At the age of sixteen he was appointed the
Assistant Choirmaster at Transfiguration while also serving as the Assistant Choirmaster at St. Bartholomew’s Park Avenue. Recent conducting engagements have included invitations with choirs and orchestras in
England, Italy, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Argentina, Greece, Slovenia, Ireland and Romania. Most notably he has conducted concerts at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center and at American Choral Director’s Association
Conferences.
He is a recipient of several conducting awards including an American Prize award in Conducting. Most recently, Bryan served as the Director of Choral Activities at Avon Old Farms School, as the Conductor of the Archdiocesan Choir and Orchestra at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Hartford, and as a conductor of choirs at the University of Hartford.
Bryan is the Associate Choirmaster at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine and made his conducting debut with the Cathedral’s Choirs at Westminster Abbey, London.
“I am extremely proud of the work Bryan Zaros has done as Associate Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, and also through his doctoral studies at the Manhattan School of Music,” said Kent Tritle, Director of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
“He embodies that rare combination of musicality, excellent people skills and a commitment to doing the hard work it takes to truly be a fine conductor. It gives me great joy to see him take on the music director position with the Pro Arte Chorale, and I look forward to witnessing his work with this cherished and esteemed ensemble!”.
The Pro Arte Chorale wishes Steven Fox continued success in his endeavors, and we are grateful for the years of musical excellence he brought to our singers and audience. We look forward to building on this success and level of excellence under Bryan’s new leadership and talent.
Ridgewood NJ, take ways from last nights meeting ;
The parking garage design presented last night; was for 255 cars, with a $11,000,000 maximum guaranteed price (currently estimated around $10,000,000).
The garage does not encroach on the street and fits the current lot ,unlike the previous Garagezilla versions .
The construction company recommended was Epic Construction. The full council still has to vote on the project.
A new Park Mobile contract goes in effect shortly and when it does the revised contract removes the 15 cents per transaction and 3% fee, which the former Village Manager signed off on .
Word is the suicide bike lane may be on the way out finally !
And as expected neither Ms.Willett or Ms Harwin were present at the council meeting .
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Public Schools launches mobile app: Download the new RPS mobile app by searching for Ridgewood Village School Dist. in your App/Play store! Features staff directory, calendar, news, sports, Skyward and more!
The Central Business District Advisory Committee
invite you to attend the second
Central Business District Community Forum
Ridgewood Village Hall
131 North Maple Ave
Anne Zusy Youth Center
Monday, May 14, 2018, 6-8pm
RSVP cbdac@ridgewoodnj.net
Bring your ideas how to make the CBD better.
see you there!
May 14th, 2018
Ridgewood NJ, both Mr. Halaby and Mr. Lehmann used public comment to again attack Mayor and make unproven and spurious accusation. The Mayor for the “umpteenth time ” refuted the false claims called out those who made them “liars, and morally bankrupt and ethically challenged” . Lehmann through his antics once again demonstrated why he should be immediately removed as Chair of the Board of Adjustment .
Village council Attorney Matthew Rogers, read a statement concerning “nepotism ” and Village of Ridgewood hiring practices . Rogers first read a statement outlining his job and reiterating that he represents the Village of Ridgewood not any one particular member of the council. Rogers went on addressing civil service laws of New Jersey and how they foster “merit based hiring” . Specifically Rogers referred to the fact that qualitied candidates for civil service positions can not be bypassed .All civil service appointments must be made by the civil service test.
Councilmen Voigt attempted again to misrepresent the Village of Ridgewood and how the Civil Service system in New Jersey works . The councilmen as well as Mr. Halaby and Lehmann seem to have no understanding of the civil service system . Councilmen Walsh summed it up ,”the state test is the state test ” end of story ,there is no way around it.
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