Tag: Ridgewood schools will be OPEN on Friday

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Reader says the teachers’ current contract is almost up. I would expect job actions to begin sometime next year in anticipation of a new round of negotiations

Ridgewood Teachers

This post is not appropriate for a public forum. We can disagree without name calling and snarky remarks about our neighbors. The level of anger and nastiness in all debates in Ridgewood is over the top. Our current council election is a disgrace. I feel terrible for Mayor Knudsen and will definitely not be voting for her opponents given the sleazy and dishonest statements that they are circulating about her.
As for the school board – newcomers to the school budget woes need to take a step back and educate themselves about how we got here. It is not the fault of the the 5 volunteers who have run unopposed for the last few elections because no one wants that thankless job. You should be thanking them – not abusing them.
If you really want to know how we got here go back 2 years to the last teacher contract negotiation. This board held the line against unreasonable teacher demands as long as they could. Over a year, and in the face of destructive job actions that impacted kids in the schools every day. In the end the dispute went to a state mediator who pretty much gave the teachers what they wanted.
So if you really want to stop this from happening again, stop wasting your time beating up on these people and educate yourself on the state contract resolution process. Take your concerns to your state legislators. Because the teachers’ current contract is almost up. I would expect job actions to begin sometime next year in anticipation of a new round of negotiations.

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My overall impression of Candidate Harwin was one of insufficient substance and a lack of familiarity with the issues to such a degree that I do not understand what she offers to the Village.

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From Jim McCarthy,

Candidate Alexandra Harwin Asked Me to Send You All This Note

Earlier this evening (April 23rd) I attended a meet and greet Alexandra Harwin held at a Downtown business. At the end of the evening she said that municipal election turnout is frequently light and because “people have a hard time processing information” that it would be helpful if we contacted our friends and neighbors and shared our impressions of the evening’s session.

Ok, not my idea but I always try to be helpful when someone asks me to do something for him or her.

My overall impression of Candidate Harwin was one of insufficient substance and a lack of familiarity with the issues to such a degree that I do not understand what she offers to the Village.
The candidate is clearly bright, but anyone who has been to more than 1 Village Council Meeting (a category that may not include Ms. Harwin) knows these are not Mensa conventions.

The platform consisted of only 4 planks, 3 of which came across as pure platitudes:
Lower taxes
Better Services
A revitalized downtown

These were presented as if the incumbent candidates support higher taxes, worse services and have downtown decay as a goal. Luckily they don’t, and they have the added benefit of an extensive command of the facts and a demonstrated willingness to do what’s right in a professional and civil way despite being relentlessly bullied and subjected to slanderous attacks.

Stylistically, there was a large amount of talking at people about the theoretical components of a problem like parking (eg it is because there is a multi-year “overall shift toward more a more parking intensive set of service oriented businesses like restaurants and nail salons”- mystery solved) but not much substance on solutions, nor any demonstrated familiarity with the history that preceded this moment in time. There was also a fair amount of ungracious Monday morning quarterbacking about things the Council had done to try and solve various issues (eg “the downtown valet experiment was ill conceived”). Those who cannot do teach; those who have not even tried commentate.
The one area in which Ms. Harwin spoke more passionately was about inclusion. I agree with her overall conclusion that the Council’s handling of the Pride Flag display was not good. I completely disagree with her theory as to the cause. There is no evidence in the record that the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or any other Council member was unsympathetic to the issues represented by the LGBTQ community. In prior years the Council authorized display of the flag but in this case the request got bogged down. If you have spent any time watching the Council work, the overall style was consistent with their usual methodical and process oriented mindset. But that missed the boat on the empathy and emotional side. In direct conversation with the Mayor, I know she feels similarly and she has expressed a resolve to do better this time around.

In summary, I was left with the impression of a candidate who has much less to offer the Village than the Village needs. We have capable and dedicated candidates in Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon, who while human and imperfect, are the most engaged, capable and collaborative people on the ballot. I hope this helps you all if you are having trouble processing all the available information ☺.

Jim McCarthy

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Reader says Ridgewood Public Schools has gone down the toilet since I move in and yet, I pay more and more each year

RHSfieldflood2_theridgewood+blog

I moved in 30 years ago, years before I had kids. I’m still here after my kids have left RPS. My taxes have quadrupled but I’m still paying. I worked full time when my kids were young. and I paid good money for kindergarten enrichment. My kids are successful despite not having full day kindergarten . . . why did people think free kindergarten baby sitting was the way to go. There’s no reason to have full day K in our socioeconomic cohort. Just because I want to dump my brats and go to yoga and lunch is not a good reason for full day kindergarten (and no, I don’t hink our real estate value was in jeopardy because we didnt have full day K. No self respecting Mommy around here works). Lots of waste. at the BoE and I just want some form of reasonable increases directed at quality education (BTW . . . RPS has gone down the toilet since I move in and yet, I pay more and more each year) . I can well afford to live here but really don’t want to continue to allow the BoE to spend foolishly. Very little of the proposed increase are going toward classroom and education goals; have you looked at the budget or is your smarmy ass head stuck in the sand?

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After the Council Elections are over, we will have to take back the Ridgewood Board of Education

cottageplaceBOE_theridgewoodblog

April 24,2018

Take Back Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, form the Facebook page Take Back Ridgewood , After the council elections are over, we will have to take back board of education from Brogan, Lancto and Wilson.
Here is a post from resident Dan Creed.

I am told that the BOE has decided to not spend $755k on windows after all. I guess the windows weren’t as dangerous as once thought.

Unfortunately, instead of staying under the state cap of 2%, the BOE is planning on keeping the $755k in the budget and do other projects with the money.
So let’s be crystal clear here- we are not going over the state cap because of benefit costs, we are going over the cap because the BOE wants to stick pork in the budget for projects.
In November, the BOE will come to the voters with somewhere between a $60-90 million bond referendum for more projects. My rough math is this will add another $6-7 million per year onto the BOE budget for decades to come.
Bottom line is that if you like our 4% increase this year, get ready for another 5-8% next year. My math might not be exact, but it is not too far off.

Let’s remember, there is a 1% increase for regular education…that’s right, 1%. There is precious little in the budget that adds incremental resources to educational outcomes.
The BOE and the Trustees Brogan, Loncto, and Wilson currently support the budget as presented. Please see the link below if you wish to email them.

https://ridgewood.ss10.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=207600&pageId=433666

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Reader says Aronsohn “hold no prisoners” philosophy has been applied with a vengeance, and has turned people off in a big way

aronsohn and jan phillips

After observing early smear tactics I expected a preparatory scorched-earth policy to be followed by “and now see why we are better.” But all they did was to repeat a few false accusations in different media. Demonstrating relevant experience (civil rights attorney job is not relevant) or even superior character (hah!) was the next logical step after an unfortunate opening salvo, but it never happened and clearly won’t/can’t. Besmirching one’s opponents is not enough in itself. Challengers must also demonstrate why they would do a better job. If anything, these tactics, besides warning anyone with eyes and ears that the Aronsohn “hold no prisoners” philosophy had been applied with a vengeance, have turned people off in a big way. /We are not indifferent to, but frankly alarmed by, the possibility of handing over the village’s daily oversight to people who behave in this way and should clearly know better. Election night is often dreaded because of what it might bring, and sometimes has, but this time (as before) the landslide that will tell that crew to give up and, if possible, get out will be a tremendous relief.

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Reader calls Harwin Unqualified

Alexandra Harwin

While there is no law to my knowledge that sets out a minimum time that a candidate for Council needs to have lived in town, Ms. Harwin is a perfect example of someone who has just not lived here long enough to be considered qualified. From an issues standpoint, she did not experience the battle that Valley waged on the Village or the Village Hall construction fiasco. While she incorrectly blames the current Mayor and Deputy Mayor for our unsustainable tax increases, she didn’t even live here when the real problem started. Her very short tenure as a resident really shows through in her lack of familiarity with the issues. She didn’t live through the personal agenda driven rancor that the previous Council majority spewed for 4 year nor did she see how those agendas were voted down in the last election by a two thirds to one third majority. Funny that she talks about how we need change while campaigning on a platform that was in place for four years and was so roundly rejected just two years ago. Of course how can she be expected to know these things because she’s so new to town. I would suggest that she go to a couple of Council meetings before trying to sit on the dais. Sit in on a budget meeting or two as well. Mike Sedon, for example sat in on every Council and budget meeting for years before he ran. Our current Mayor is a long time resident who served on several committees before running for Council herself. All of Ms. Harwin’s mud slinging and misrepresentation of the truth aside, she’s just not nearly experienced enough to take on the job that she seeks.

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Hudson Street Garage Update

hudson Garage meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

HUDSON STREET GARAGE UPDATE

April 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to Councilmen Ramon Hache on Wednesday, April 25, there will be a discussion and presentation regarding the design and plan for the Hudson Street Garage. The Village Council has concluded negotiations with various construction companies. The negotiations began in March, with the goal of selecting a final proposal that balances the best fit, value and functionality, while incorporating a design that fits within the existing lot. Designating the existing Hudson Street lot as an area in need of redevelopment in 2017, has allowed us the opportunity to negotiate directly with the construction companies, instead of simply accepting or rejecting bids. The Village Council will also be discussing and voting on a resolution to hire a financial adviser that will provide guidance on project financing options in addition to comprehensive financial analysis.

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RCRD (formerly CBR) Endorses Knudsen & Sedon for Ridgewood Village Council

knundsen and Seden

VOTE KNUDSEN & SEDON FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL, TUESDAY, MAY 8TH.

Dear Residents and RCRD/CBR Supporters:

Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development (RCRD), formerly known as CBR (Citizens for a Better Ridgewood), proudly announces a strong endorsement for Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Michael Sedon in their re-election to Village Council.

RCRD/CBR is committed to ensuring that Ridgewood thrives with fitting development and proper master planning. For many years, Susan and Mike’s positive words and actions have been closely aligned with our cause. Right now, they are spearheading Ridgewood’s first New Master Plan in over three decades. This long overdue, “real” Master Plan will include broad outreach to Residents ensuring that our voices are finally fully heard in the planning arena. Work on it begins this year.

That’s not all they’ve done. Promptly upon taking office, they repealed Ordinance #3066, the loophole that opened the floodgates for oversized development in Ridgewood. During the high-density crisis, they fought overdevelopment and spoke and voted with our interests at heart. It was never easy and the other side came at them relentlessly, and often wrongly. But they never backed down.

The high-density housing issue is far from over. 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.

Susan and Mike have earned our support. There is a reason that other resident-focused groups, including C.R.R. (“the Valley group”) and Friends of Schedler, endorsed Susan and Mike as well. Susan and Mike look out for us, our Village and they wisely represent all Residents of Ridgewood. In our many meetings with them, we’ve found their only agenda is to put Ridgewood first. They promote positives, not negatives. We need more of that.

In just two years as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Knudsen and Sedon have made Ridgewood a stronger and kinder community. So 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.

Please help Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon finish the important job they started.

ON TUESDAY, MAY 8th, VOTE KNUDSEN AND SEDON.

If you have any questions, please email RCRD at [email protected]

Respectfully,

Dave Slomin
Christine Clay
Todd McNamara
Ellen McNamara

Community Outreach,
Ridgewood Citizens for Reasonable Development

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Ridgewood School Board Meeting Tonight

cottageplaceBOE_theridgewoodblog

April 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 9:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8:00 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at about 9:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.

AGENDA: https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_207516/File/Our%20District/Board%20of%20Education/Board%20Business/04-23-18.pdf

At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics.
At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times.

Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds.

Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, or watch it live on Fios channel 33, Optimum channel 77, or on the “Link in Live” tab of the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.
April 23 2018 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Location Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center

 

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Reader says All these comments on the Village Council and spending or saving money but not a word about the BOE

RHS_theridgewoodblog

All these comments on the Village Council and spending or saving money but not a word about the BOE. Remember 2/3 of your tax bill goes to them. I saw were a few post on the BOE budget. Nothing about the members of the BOED . They spend our money and run unopposed. I don’t understand it.

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Reader says mud slinging is no way to run a campaign

Harwin

Whether or not mountains were moved with the council today I fear the mountains that will be built and collapse with Harwin who is supported by Aronsohn
The last 2 years were spent undoing a lot of damage left behind by Sonenfeld and the other 3. Now let’s give them the next 4 years to move forward and show us what they can do and promised to do
I would much prefer this option to the other…mud slinging is no way to run a campaign. If nothing else it showed poor judgement and a flawed character. So when I went into this with an open mind it was quickly tainted by the type of campaign Harwin chose to run with.
It was all too familiar. Mean spirited and uninformed

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Reader says If you went to the council meetings, you could see Arohnson and Pucc always had chips on their shoulders

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ

file photo by Boyd Loving

If you went to the council meetings, you could see Arohnson and Pucc always had chips on their shoulders about any one and everyone who were not like them or who didn’t kiss their butts. They presented themselves as a pair of self-loathing buffons who perpetually expressed the view that they were better than everyone else, even when you could see they are not comfortable in their own skins. That can be the worst combination in human nature.

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Reader says Mike and Susan fought the Paul Aronsohn high rise apartments that are coming to the village every step of the way

high density housing Ridgewood

Mike and Susan fought the Paul Aronsohn high rise apartments that are coming to the village every step of the way. Now Susan and Mike are closing the loophole that Pfund opened. Harwin runs with the FULL support of the apartment builders. Harwin runs with the FULL support of the special interests who would swamp Ridgewood with more density than we can handle. The density that will crush our roads, schools, and taxes. Stopping Harwin is simply a continuation of the last council vote, these people want you to pay so they will profit. HARWIN = ARONSOHN. That’s why she LIES about Susan and Mike’s voting record.

https://ridgewood.dailyvoice.com/news/hundreds-turn-out-to-protest-proposed-ridgewood-master-plan-change/592766/
https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/clerk-minutes/637-20150930-village-council-special-public-meeting-minutes
https://patch.com/new-jersey/ridgewood/high-density-housing-plan-ridgewood-downtown-approved

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Reader Still no word from Harwin and Willett about why they are either embracing or rejecting the hate filled Jurgen letter

no place for hate1

Still no word from Harwin and Willett about why they are either embracing or rejecting the hate filled Jurgen letter and the despicable supporters who spread those hate filled words. Its clear where they stand. Some civil rights lawyer! Some duo for inclusivity!! Its clear they are both a pair of disreputable frauds and phonies, along with their core supporters.

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Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet said he recognizes the need for modernizing the school funding formula

ridgewood schools

April 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In his opening statement to the Senate Budget Committee, Acting Commissioner of Education Lamont Repollet said he recognizes the need for modernizing the school funding formula by addressing adjustment aid and growth caps. “I stand with the governor to work with this body to work on statutory adjustments to the school aid formula,” said Repollet.

But Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-36) still wanted more detail.“Any reason why the [$37.4 billion] budget was introduced without a discussion of adjustment aid and growth caps?” A final budget will have to include reworking both, Sarlo said.
“Are you prepared to have these difficult conversations with these school districts that are receiving more than 100 percent in state aid?” the senator wanted to know.

Repollet responded to Sarlo by saying he and the Governor are willing to rework and begin to modernize the formula now.

“The governor’s committed to working with this legislative body,” the acting commissioner said. “A conversation is going on right now with the legislative leaders.”