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).
Many, many Harwin supporters have and still do post on the blog. I post on the blog and find that James is the only one who goes into detail about town politics. As far as contributing money, I don’t remember a single request for monetary contributions. I vote issues. Susan and Mike have accomplished much. But the recent Lehman and Harwin fliers are the worst I’ve seen in our local elections ever. A vote for the challengers brings back the old guard( Aronsohn and company) along with Voigt who thinks he is our next mayor. Now there is another reason to vote on May 8th for Knudsen and Sedon!
photo is Abraham Godwin the Patron Saint of the Ridgewood blog
April 30,2018
the PJ Blogger and the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in Ridgewood It takes a village ,It takes a village to raise a child, It takes a village to worship Groupthink, It takes a village to become a lynch mob, yes it takes a Village . According to Thomas Sowell , “One of the most pathetic—and dangerous—signs of our times is the growing number of individuals and groups who believe that no one can possibly disagree with them for any honest reason.”
In the heat of the political season , the staff of the Ridgewood blog thought it would be a good time to review how the Ridgewood blog actually works .
The guiding principle of the Ridgewood bog can best be summed up by former New York Mayor Ed Koch, “If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.” The second principle can best be summed up with a quote from local landscape architect James Rose, “the problem is you live here” . Meaning that the issues you face in your community are your own fault ,not Trump, Bush, Anonymous posters or anyone else.
The nature of the Ridgewood blog is to generate discussion from a multitude of sources and contributors .We don’t expect everyone to love the blog. It is not a public service . Some of our biggest critics are often the best commentators. The fact that so many people in the Village are so engaged in the schools or the Village Council is part of what makes Ridgewood a great community.
Todays controversial post becomes yesterdays news; for example the blog questioned the use of parking meters ,was berated and years later someone was caught stealing the money from the very parking meters.
Anonymity is used to protect the posters from fear of retribution . Anonymity also equals the playing field forcing the reader to focus on the content rather than the posters standing in life .People only complain about anonymity because they are looking to exact revenge on the poster and stifle dissent. Everyone knows there are occasionally nasty comments , the nasty comments come from the same people that make them in town, at Village Council meetings and at sporting events . People who complain about comments not being represented or posted or censored are the people who make the nasty comments . Trolls and stalkers get blocked .
Just to be clear while the Mayor Knudsen , like other Village Mayors has been the subject of many posts on this blog , she is not a contributor to the blog as has been alleged. She has however on occasion graciously asked us to remove something or complained that a post was inaccurate or unfair to her one of her collogues . She would not be the only resident to do so.
The Ridgewood blog has also run articles and posts on Governor Phil Murphy and he is not a contributor either.
If you are the subject of a post on the Ridgewood blog , no one expects to answer every anonymous comment posted .
The Ridgewood blog is not a Newspaper .You are directly responsible for what you write . There are no protected sources. The Ridgewood blog is a peer to peer forum , with several administrators trying and sometimes failing to keep a balance . Those of you who use Facebook understand how quickly things can get out of control.
We are always promoting diversity in town , the Ridgewood blog represents diversity of thought and opinions.
The Ridgewood blog is not a Republican blog or Democrat blog , doubt it just ask the Bergen County Republican Organization. Yes the blog does have a tendency to represent non mainstream points of view . Its says right on the mast head ” The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues ”
I know totally radical , as bad as Kanye West’s declaration of support for President Donald Trump.
Much of the content is meant to be both informative and provocative, if that’s stirring the pot so be it. Periodically a post causes some public outrage, we suggest you save the outrage for the $110,000,000 school budget .
There are many contributors to the Ridgewood blog ,some write articles, some advertise, some send in pictures and comments, some comments become posts , some people live in the area and some are ex pats.
Because you contribute to the blog does not mean you agree with everything on the blog , once again , “If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.”
Opposing a particular idea ,like turf fields in flood zones, Valley Expansion , Ridgewood Train station expansion , cement bottom pools , high density housing , destruction of historical significant properties, and Garagezilla’s to name a few does not imply the Ridgewood blog is somehow against the organizations that propose theses ideas. We like Ridgewood Sports , just not turf fields in flood zones, we like Valley Hospital but the expansion was just far to big for the lot, we like development but the high density housing projects in the CBD are just too big and too nom conforming with the spirit of the towns downtown.
The Ridgewood blog attempts to focus on issues and ideas, however , bad behavior is bad behavior and no one is above reproach or given a free pass to act like a “jerk” . Unfortunately Some people can not separate themselves from issues they are passionate over and take everything personal.
If you have ever been upset be something on this blog , keep in mind that on this blog a commenter from town defended a child molester , someone defended children buying drugs from an armed drug dealer , many have defended driving 50 mph over the speed limit crashing their vehicle and complained about being photographed , many have defended hitting pedestrians , someone even defended the old parking meter system of stealing all the money , just to name a few things that upset most of the staff.
While the blog has many critics , its amazing how they come running when Valley Hospital or NJT looks to pave over their house for a project.
And finally we don’t confuse critics of content with enemies of the blog. The fact is that the real enemies of this blog are enemies of free speech and free thought .
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Singers proudly presents: NATURE SINGS,Sunday, May 6th at 3:00PM at Ridgewood United Methodist Church. The address is 100 Dayton St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
Susan LaFever is the Conductor
Erik Clark will be the Pianist
The Ridgewood Singers invite you to their spring concert, “Nature Sings,” on May 6. Songs play with aspects of how nature exhibits herself in spring, through water, sky, and that perennial favorite ‘spring fever.’ So, let me “Colour My World” (and hopefully, yours) by weaving a few of our song titles into this invitation, as follows:
For instance, come out of your “Castle on a Cloud” so you can be “Flying Free” while you “Follow Rain and Rivers” to our concert! Our “Serenade to Spring” is in the afternoon, after “Morning Has Broken” and any churchgoers have been “Down to the River to Pray.”
You’ll hear music of the Beatles, Sondheim, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, and more… composing a nice variety of light pieces about nature, moonlight…. and (Everything’s Coming Up) roses.
This uplifting spring concert,
TICKETS:
General Admission $18.00
Senior/Student $15.00
Tickets are available in advance
Call: Cynthia at 201-692-9899
Email: [email protected]
At the door: On the day of the performance
The Ridgewood Singers Present Nature Sings Sun, May 06, 2018 Time: 3:00 PM Location: Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St. Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Arts Council in conjunction with Ridgewood Guild’s Film Festival presents an evening of conversation with Hollywood Producer: Scott Rosenfelt
Scott is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed film producers whose credits include Home Alone, Mystic Pizza, Smoke Signals, Teen Wolf and Extremeties. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Scott holds a degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Tickets on sales at the door or in advance from an RAC Member
Ridgewood Arts Council Presents an Evening of Conversation with Hollywood producer Scott Rosenfelt
Thu, May 10, 2018
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Bow-Tie Warner Theater, 190 E. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Registration is Open for the Family Promise Hike or Bike event.
April 29,2019
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Join us on Sunday, May 6th as we Hike or Bike to support Family Promise of Bergen County. Choose your route – 3 mile hike or bike OR 15 mile bike. We begin and end at Van Neste Square in Ridgewood. Fun for everyone with food, music, games, prizes, giveaways and more!
Form a team with your family, friends, colleagues, school,
congregation, scout troop, sports team, etc.!
Create your own fundraising page! Have fun!
Family Promise is the only organization in Bergen County that provides shelter and support to homeless, working families with children. Thank you for your support.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or 201-833-8009
Family Promise of Bergen County Hike or Bike Event
Sun, May 06, 2018
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Van Neste Square in Ridgewood, Van Neste Square in Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood NJ, On May 6, the stellar Neubauer-McDermott Family will bring our eleventh season to an exhilarating conclusion. Violist Paul Neubauer (of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society), violinist Kerry McDermott (of the New York Philharmonic), and their children, violinists Oliver and Clara Neubauer, will be joined by Kerry’s sister, CMS pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, in music of Bach, Dvořák, Ravel, and Schumann.
The concert will include the World Premiere of Gilad Cohen’s* Quintet for Three Violins, Viola, and Piano, commissioned by PCC especially for this event. Inspired by the familial theme, Cohen’s work will focus on children’s songs from Israel and America.
*Gilad Cohen is a Ridgewood resident and a music professor at Ramapo College. A Princeton Ph.D., he is the winner of the 2016 Barlow Prize and the 2010 Israeli Prime Minister Award for Composers.
Johann Sebastian Bach Preludio from Partita No. 3 arranged for 3 violins & viola
Antonín Dvořák Terzetto in C, Op. 74 for 2 violins and viola
Maurice Ravel Tzigane for violin and piano
Gilad Cohen World Premiere for 3 violins, viola and piano
Robert Schumann Sonata No. 1 in A minor, Op. 105 for violin and piano
Mark O’Connor F.C.’s Jig for violin and viola
Charles Dancla Variations on Ah! Vous dirai-je, Maman for three violins and viola
Y. Donbon Zowie! Goes the Weasel for 3 violins and viola
Parlance Chamber Concerts:
West Side Presbyterian Church
6 S. Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ
Adults $40, Seniors $30, Young Adults $20, Students $10.
for more info call 800-838-3006
https://www.parlancechamberconcerts.org/2017-2018-season/may-6-2018.
https://www.parlancechamberconcerts.org
Visit parlancechamberconcerts.org for ticket info
Parlance Chamber Concerts Presents Neubauer-Mcdermott Family Concert Sun, May 06, 2018 Time: 3:00 PM Location: West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood NJ 07450 Cost: 40
Ridgewood NJ, Emmy Award Winning Actor William Daniels appearing in Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World and St. Elsewhere among others, will sign his new book on Sunday, April 29th @ 2:00pm: There I Go Again
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
