FAC: “The status quo in Ridgewood is unsustainable from a financial perspective,”
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014, 10:36 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Now that Ridgewood and Glen Rock have scrapped plans for a shared municipal vehicle repair facility, a team of economic gurus is advising the village to step back and conduct larger studies and explore more alternatives.
In its annual report to the Ridgewood Council, the Financial Advisory Committee acknowledged that the village’s existing fleet services building on Chestnut Street is in “decrepit condition,” and options other than constructing a new facility might be available.
Over the past year, an ad-hoc committee comprised of Ridgewood and Glen Rock officials had investigated moving the public works operations of both towns to a new shared facility. Last month, however, the site of the proposed project, which is located adjacent to the village’s water treatment plant in Glen Rock, was deemed too small to meet the needs of the two municipalities.
At a council meeting last month, Roberta Sonenfeld, FAC vice chair, recognized the ad-hoc committee’s desire to move quickly on the fleet services project, but she advised that even more research is required.
N.J. students in low-income districts struggle on SATs
No seniors at Paterson’s Eastside High School campus last year did well enough on the SATs to meet the College Board’s threshold for being “college ready.”
In Bergen County, 13 percent of Garfield High School seniors who took the SAT hit that benchmark, along with 18 percent of their counterparts atLyndhurst High School, according to the new School Performance Reports released Tuesday.
At a time when helping students become “college ready” is a mantra for New Jersey education officials, a startling share in many poor and moderate-income districts failed to meet the score deemed by the College Board to predict probable success in college — 1,550 points out of a possible 2,400.
That benchmark has been in the spotlight since Camden Schools Superintendent Paymon Rouhanifard used it last month to say it hit him like a “kick in the stomach” to learn that only three students in his city tested as college-ready. Governor Christie jumped on the figure in his recent State of the State speech to argue for his education agenda, including merit pay for teachers and a longer academic day.
The College Board, which administers the SAT, says that students who hit the benchmark have a 65 percent or greater chance of earning at least a B-minus average in their freshman year of college, and are likely to get a degree. Studies show SAT scores are highly correlated with parents’ income and education level.
The SAT is much harder than the state’s graduation exam. Indeed, in 46 of the 71 public high schools in Bergen and Passaic counties, most of the seniors who took the SAT did not hit 1,550. The Bergen County Academies, a selective magnet, fared the best, with 98 percent of its students hitting that target or better.
Education Commissioner Chris Cerf said low SAT scores in many districts — among other indicators – showed the urgent need to raise the bar for learning. (Brody/The Record)
Readers Not buying Village’s Ignorance on Mobil Cell Tower
I’m floored that the Village hasn’t demanded the structure be removed immediately. If a resident had one of these in their driveway, all hell would break loose.
Rutishauser can spot an illegal 2′ x 4′ contractor’s sign on a front lawn from 6 blocks away and issue an immediate summons, but misses a 100 foot cell tower? I smell a deal being brokered between the Village and AT&T.
No one from the town noticed the tower which has been up over 4 weeks??.The town searches DAILY for the smallest violation like a sign on YOUR OWN LAWN. They missed a cell tower?? Something is going on here. By the way, make sure you get your garage sale permit too!!
Reader says DO not be fooled into thinking these properties are sitting vacant because there is nothing that can be done on them
The property owners of those so called “eyesore” sites are not going to do anything until they at least try to get their density limits raised. Right now each of those properties is worth X on the open market. Raise the densities from 12 to 50 units an acre and each of those properties is worth at least 3X. That is precisely why they sit there vacant. DO not be fooled into thinking these properties are sitting vacant because there is nothing that can be done on them. There is plenty that can be done, they are just waiting for the mother ship to arrive.
Reader: with development comes more parking issues
I am typically pro development as long as it’s well thought out. So let’s think about a parking garage.
Parking rates will need to economically sustain the cost of building the garage, so they will be higher than the meter rates around town. That will create an imbalance, and people will park in the garage only as a last resort. People who live in Ridgewood (and pay for all this) will also face the squeeze (unless Ridgewood pulls a Hoboken and blocks out street parking areas for residents only).
Fast forward: some bright bulb with a newly minted MBA interns in Village Hall, and realizes that the Village could capitalize on the imbalance between street parking prices and garage parking prices. They commission a “study”, a red herring really, but someone’s friend could use the money so why not. The “study” will reveal the obvious: The Village can raise the price of on-street parking to be more in line with the garage prices because, you guessed it, fuck you, that’s why.
If that’s what you want, then stick your head back in the sand.
Veterans Day – Ridgewood, NJ – November 11, 2013 – American Legion Post 53
Nov 11, 2013
by Joe Burns
Ridgewood NJ, Selected pictures from yesterdays Veterans Day Ceremonies at Veterans Field in Ridgewood.
The focus of this year’s ceremony was the Korean War. The Master of Ceremonies was Bob Paoli, Commander of American Legion Post 53; The National Anthem was sung by the Harmony Celebration Chorus; Reverand Kyu Tae Pak, Midland Park United Methodist Church opened the ceremonies with a prayer; Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn made opening remarks; Sgt. 1st Class Ron Zier spoke about the Korean War and his service there; Retired HoHoKus Police Chief Robert Re spoke about the war and his service in Korea at that time; veterans in the audience were honored for their military service, and Sally Ann Tumas-Skoric sang “God Bless America” with the audience joining in. Many students from Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Ridgewood High School were in the audience.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Veterans Day 2013 Ceremony in Ridgewood
November 11,2013
Boyd A. Loving
12:39 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood 2013 Veterans Day services began at 11 AM on Monday on Veterans Field in Ridgewood. The ceremony was coordinated by members of American Legion Post 53 based in Ridgewood. This year’s event was held, as always, to honor all veterans, but especially those from the Korean War era military.
A Veterans Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan
Each year at this time I struggle to find the words that will appropriately reflect the deep respect and admiration I hold for our U.S. military veterans..
There are, I have come to learn, no words that can adequately reflect our gratitude and repay the debt we collectively owe to the men and women who served in the U.S Armed Forces and continue to serve us to this day.
The simplest and best words I can come up with to commemorate this day are simply to say to our veterans: Thank You.
Thank you for your sacrifice and your commitment to your country. Thank you for your bravery on the battlefield; thank you for putting your lives on the line and your personal lives on hold while you protected America’s interest around the globe. And thank you for giving us the freest nation on earth – the shining beacon of hope for the rest of the world.
For the past 240 years, beginning when our colonialist first embraced the fight for liberty, Americans have made an unwavering commitment to freedom and a pledge to fight tyranny wherever it exists in the world. When the call to arms has come, American men and women have answered, willingly and unselfishly.
The unique American commitment to Liberty has never waned, no matter what the price. And the price has been steep for many individuals and their families.
Millions of American families have been heartbroken by the loss of a loved one who fought and died in uniform — and millions more have been forced to live with wounds, both physical and psychological that have afflicted our U.S. servicemen and women.
The families who stand by proudly while their sons and daughters serve the cause for freedom deserve our thanks today too. They live with fear every day for their children. I pray that their sons and daughters will be returned safely to them.
And so, at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, we pause and remember and thank our veterans.
A little history lesson on Halloween for the Christians who believe it’s a Pagan holiday
Djmc King Cassanova
So since I can’t help myself… Lets have a little history lesson on Halloween for the Christians who believe it’s a Pagan holiday reserved for witches and devil worshippers (not saying any names to avoid the impending embarrassment that is surely heading your way)
Oh, and for those who think this Athiest can’t possible know anything about religion lets just add this little tidbit: I was raised Catholic, have read the bible all the way through many times, have done extensive research and am well versed on many religions, (and yes this does include Wiccan). I am not one to tell anyone they are wrong for their religious views, unless of course they are wrong based on fact and plain common sense. So, lets have a history lesson, shall we? I think we all could use one.
Halloween falls on the eve of the Christian holy days of All Hallow’s Day and All Saints Day. the days are collectively known as Hallowmas. Like many other major “holidays” in Christianity, celebrations begin the night before. This includes All Hallow’s which is where Halloween got its name from: Hallow’s Eve.
Hallowmas is used to honor the saints and to pray for recently departed souls who haven’t reached Heaven yet. It was customary for people, known as criers, to dress in black and ring a bell to call on Christians to remember departed souls. The custom of trick or treating came from the Christian custom of “souling”. Children would go door to door collecting “soul cakes” as means of praying for souls stuck in purgatory. During Hallowmas, Churches that were too poor to have displayed relics of saints allowed parishioners to dress up as martyred Saints as a way to honor them.
In many countries of Europe, Christians believe that once a year the souls return for a party known as the “danse macabre” which is actually depicted in decor on the walls of many churches and cemeteries. This is where the custom of modern day costume parties originates.
Halloween was (and still is) celebrated to honor the Saints and the souls of the deceased. In many countries children dress as departed Saints and other biblical figures.
Yes there are some Christians (nonconformist protestants in particular) who at one point believed that the spirits who returned were evil since they believed in predestination therefore redefining Hallow’s Eve without purgatory. Their homes and barns were blessed to protect themselves from evil spirits and the witches that were thought to accompany them.
My history lesson on “witches” and Wiccan religion will have to be another time. That being said, as with anything in life, things can be twisted to reflect your own personal beliefs or changed completely. Excellent example would be the Swastika which, up until Hitler got his hands on it, represented life and good luck. Hallowmas didn’t have a negative connotation until the Protestants tweaked it to coincide with their own beliefs.
Halloween was and still is a Christian holiday.
That concludes our history lesson. Be sure to hand out the big candy bars to the pagan children running the streets worshipping the devil.
“HUMAN TRAFFICKING : A GLOBAL AS WELL AS LOCAL CRISIS”
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 7PM
RIDGEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER, VILLAGE HALL, 131 NORTH MAPLE AVE.
Suburban communities like Ridgewood are not immune to the problems of human slavery and trafficking, which have reached crisis proportions all over the world.
Kate Keisel, Director of the NJ Polaris Project, founded 10 years ago, the only national grassroots organization which provides networking in order to identify and stop this problem will be our speaker. She will explain the problems as well as the role of communities.
In the 10 years since it was founded, Polaris has trained police and other law enforcement agencies and educated community leaders. In 2005 it became the only organization devoted solely to combating all forms of human trafficking in New Jersey. That same year, Congress passed laws to create programs to aid trafficking victims, to give transitional housing and support, to work to strengthen state laws. Polaris initiated a 24 hour hotline. As of 2011,over 450,000 calls have resulted in rescuing at least 5,500 victims, and identifying trafficking networks. Last year, Polaris lobbied to help pass 18 new state laws to strengthen protections for victims. You may remember that it was Polaris who was responsible for removing online
(esp. Craigslist) and print want ads which were used to advertise victims forced into the commercial sex industry. The Department of Defense has established its own network to alert civilian and military members.
It is sad to say one of the increased sites for trafficking of young men and women in the U.S. is the Super Bowl. Because New Jersey is hosting the Super Bowl in 2014, it is imperative that as many people as possible are aware of this problem.
We are proud that New Jersey is listed in Polaris’ annual ratings as a top state in fighting trafficking, with excellent law enforcement cooperation, but as much information as possible should be disseminated.
We are inviting all neighboring community leaders, law enforcement officials and, of course, all residents to hear this presentation.
On Saturday October 12, 2013 The Ridgewood Guild will sponsor the most fun-filled event ever! This event takes participants on a treasure hunt throughout town, making stops at local businesses, collecting items, and answering questions pertaining to Ridgewood.
Tag teams of 5 people will began the race at 1:00pm and continued on until 4:00pm where all teams will come together at a secret location for a Happy Hour with specially priced drinks. What a great way to support the town, and have some fun on a Saturday afternoon before Halloween! Costume dress is suggested and encouraged, but not a requirement.
All residents are invited to view the 9/11 Portraits Exhibit in the Belcher Auditorium at the Ridgewood Library.
The exhibit will be open beginning September 3 and be up for the month of September. This exhibit of portraits of “Ridgewood’s 12” offers a place for all to remember and reflect
9/11 Anniversary Prompts More Transit Security
By Dino Flammia September 10, 2013 5:24 AM
Mass transit officials are on high alert this week as we mark the twelfth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks.
“We know we’re a target, as is every transit agency in the country,” said Jim Weinstein, executive director of New Jersey Transit. “So we take this seriously.”
While he wasn’t willing to share specifics, understandably, Weinstein said special efforts are underway from the agency’s police department. People can expect more cops, as well as K9 units, in major bus and train hubs across the state.
Federal officials have learned that the visibility of a police officer is the best deterrent to terroristic activity, according to Weinstein.
All residents are invited to view the 9/11 Portraits Exhibit in the Belcher Auditorium at the Ridgewood Library. The exhibit will be open beginning September 3 and be up for the month of September. This exhibit of portraits of “Ridgewood’s 12” offers a place for all to remember and reflect.
