West Side Presbyterian Church hosts photography exhibit
Friday, January 18, 2013
BY EILEEN LA FORGIA
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
“I view sports photography as a sport in itself because you have to anticipate what is going to happen – stay focused on the event and you have to be aware of everything that is going on around the field or court,” said Robin Gottesman.
Her exhibit at the West Side Presbyterian Church Gallery, “For the love of sport, a labor of love,” consists of 40 sports photographs she has taken during the last few years; they were chosen to display the many facets of sport. The subjects photographed are of all ages. Only one is a professional athlete – the winner of an Ironman competition. Many of the athletes are from local schools.
“Tiger Team” tells Ridgewood to make tough choices
Friday, January 18, 2013
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
The Record
RIDGEWOOD — The village has to take severe and immediate action if it is serious about quelling budgetary spending, a report by the volunteer finance committee has recommended.
The report — to be used by the council as it enters budget season — was released this week and is the result of nine months of research and analysis by more than a dozen residents, assembled over the summer at the request of Mayor Paul Aronsohn.
Consisting of lawyers, accountants, financiers and local business owners, the group — nicknamed the Tiger Team — was given 90 days to, in Aronsohn’s words, “fix the village budget and reform village government.”
The team was asked to find ways to cut costs, increase revenues and enhance the central business district. The group was also given the task of identifying “structural fixes to the budget” that would not deplete service levels to taxpayers.
The team discovered in its round-table discussions that municipal taxes had risen by 410 percent since the early 1980s. Property tax rates, the report shows, have risen “by a compound rate of more than 5.6 percent a year since 2001.”
“It became obvious that Ridgewood faces dire financial challenges,” states the report, adding that “material change is required in many areas of village management, operation and culture” in order to stop the bleeding.
“Bad Parents” Opens at the Ridgewood Clearview Warner Quad for 4 Night Screening Red Carpet event
Ridgewood NJ , The movie features a well-known cast. Janeane Garofalo (Truth About Cats & Dogs, SNL) stars as the the suburban every-mom who signs her seven-year-old daughter up for club soccer.Quote end
I’m That Parent! Ridgewood Filmmaker Caytha Jentis’s film, Bad Parents, is a satirical comedy inspired by her own experiences in North Jersey about the over-zealous parents on an under 8 girls club soccer team. It takes a poke at the world of over-obsessed parents in soccer, though the theme is so universal that any parent of a child athlete may realize “I’m That Parent!” Bad Parents has been premiering throughout the country and is coming home to the Ridgewood Clearview Warner Quad, 190 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, NJ for (4) 7:30 pm showings on January 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st.
An edited version children will enjoy will be shown on January 24th at 5pm. A Special Red Carpet Event will be held on Opening Night only, January 23rd, at 6:30pm in the lobby. Scheduled to appear are: Reiko Aylesworth from Bad Parents (also Hawaii 5-0, 24), Emmy Winning Actress/Producer Martha Byrne, Jaqueline Madden (of VH1) and other special guests.
Tickets are $12 each for the 7pm showings. Prices are $8.00 for children and $10 for adults for the children’s screening. The public is invited to the free Red Carpet Event on opening night, but a ticket will be needed to see the movie. Sponsoring the Red Carpet for Opening Night is Moxie Salon, 57 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood. Tickets can be purchased with cash at the theater box office from now until the the showings. You can also visit https://www.BrownPaperTickets.com for tickets. Fore more information visit https://www.Badparentsmovie.com, visit Bad Parents on Facebook or contact info(at)foxmeadowfilms. After each evening screening in Ridgewood ticket holders are invited to Park West Tavern, 30 Oak Street in Ridgewood for a meet and greet with discounts on beverages.
In addition to a well-known cast, the film was shot entirely in North Jersey and features actors and soccer players from area. Lauren Sudol, age 7 of Ridgewood, stars as the daughter. The movie also features many local soccer players from Bergen and Passaic Counties. Residents of North Jersey will recognize many of the locations in the film.
The movie features a well-known cast. Janeane Garofalo (Truth About Cats & Dogs, SNL) stars as the the suburban every-mom who signs her seven-year-old daughter up for club soccer. Christopher Titus (Titus, Comedy Central) plays Coach Nick, who helms this young ‘dream team’ and is worshiped by all. Cheri Oteri (SNL), plays the perky, former cheerleader, know-it-all mom. Her fr-enemy “mean mom” Allison is played by Rebecca Budig (All My Children). Michael Boatman (Spin City, Arliss) plays Gary the Assistant Coach, a perpetual outsider longing for his moment of acceptance from everyone including his ever-disapproving wife, Tracy, played by Kristen Johnston (Bride Wars, 3rd Rock From the Sun) Reiko Ayleworth (24, Hawaii 5-0) plays Laurie the social climbing divorcee. Bill Sage (American Psycho, Boardwalk Empire) plays Dan, the college scholarship obsessed husband. Ben Bailey (Cash Cab) plays soccer parent Graham. Real Housewives of NJ Jacqueline Laurita also makes a cameo appearance in the movie.
Writer/Director/Producer Caytha Jentis, with insider authenticity and specificity, shares the absurd yet very real world of the dark side of yourth sports with humor and heart.
“Bad Parents,” based on Jentis’ award-winning play “It’s All About the Kids” is the fourth produced feature film written by Caytha Jentis and her second outing as director. Her directorial debut, “The One” (2011), a romantic comedy starring Jon Prescott, enjoyed sold-out screenings at Cinefest, Frameline, Ridgewood, and Qfest and was released theatrically and on DVD/VOD through TLA Releasing. Jentis’ first produced screenplay “And Then Came Love” (2007) starred Vanessa Williams, Eartha Kitt, Michael Boatman, Stephen Spinella and Ben Vereen. Jentis also executive produced and produced the film, which – after following the festival circuit – opened theatrically and was licensed to Warner Premier Video for DVD/VOD. It continues to enjoy great success airing extensively worldwide on premium cable networks. “Exposed”(2009), a psychological thriller written by Jentis was produced by Media at Large and recently won “Best Suspense Feature Film” at the New York Independent Film & Video Festival in both New York and Los Angeles. The short film, “The Dream House”, written and produced by Jentis is currently out to festivals. Jentis is President of Fox Meadow Films.
Jentis is a Ridgewood resident as is much of her crew and team, which includes Ridgewood Resident and Producer Dorothy Fucito, Line Producer Aimee Denaro, Anthony Savini , Director of Photography and Verne Mattson, Editor.
The movie will also be shown in Clifton on January 28th, Kinnelon on January 31st and Levittown, NY on February 21st. A dedicated movie screening is also available as a fundraiser to soccer organizations and teams. Please contact Caytha Jentis at caytha(at)foxmeadowfilms.com or visit the website for more info. The movie is scheduled to be available on DVD later in 2013.
Aaron Swartz was ‘killed by the government,’ father tells mourners
By Michael Muskal
January 15, 2013, 1:57 p.m.
Aaron Swartz, the 26-year-old Internet genius, was eulogized on Tuesday as a person who wanted to make the world better but was hounded into killing himself by harsh government policies.
Swartz was “killed by the government,” his father, Robert Swartz, said at the service at Central Avenue Synagogue in Highland Park, Ill., according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “He was killed by the government, and MIT betrayed all of its basic principles,” he said.
Facing the possibility of a long prison sentence if convicted of charges that he illegally downloaded millions of academic journal articles, Swartz hanged himself in his New York apartment Friday. The death of one of the founders of news and entertainment website Reddit and a longtime activist for an open Internet has ignited outrage among many in the electronic community who view him as a martyr to government prosecution.
Ridgewood NJ, In July 2012, incoming Ridgewood Mayor, Paul Aronsohn, and the Village Council asked 12 Ridgewood residents with varied backgrounds and expertise to serve on a temporary Financial Advisory Committee (informally known as the “Tiger Team”). The committee members included local business and commercial property owners, consultants, finance executives, accountants, lawyers and life-long Village residents. The Mayor told the members ofthe Financial Advisory Committee, “I believe we live in a community of smart people, many of whom have finance experience. Thus, the Council and the community as a whole could benefit from (resìdents’) experience.” To that end, he outlined a specific 90-day mandate with a simple goal…to fix the Village budget and reform Village government.”
The committee was instructed to:
– Identify cost-cutting opportunities
– Identify non~tax related revenue enhancements
~ Identify structural fixes to the budget and (Village) organization and enhance the residents’ value of service provided for taxes paid
– Identify related Central Business District enhancements
The financial Advisory Committee was to be “completely independent and organized as its members saw fit.” We were given access to members of Village management, several years of budget documents and all collective bargaining agreements. The committee was asked to “produce a document with recommendations in time for the 2013 budget, regardless of whether consensus is achieved.” Finally, the team was asked to decide on its preferred means for sharing its final recommendations with the Village Council and then disband.
The Members of the 2012 Financial Advisory Committee (alphabetically)
Rich Barclay
Bayard DeI\/Iallie
Ed Feldsott
Nancy Johansen
Charlie Kime
John Maxwell
Jim McCarthy
David Sabath
Jim Schimmei
Fran Shovlìn
Roberta Sonenfeld
Bob Zeller
Editors Note : On first glance it looks like they did a great job putting together a well thought out report , without commenting on the specifics , I see a lot of things that have been talked about on this blog , since the beginning of time . PJ
Reader I guess the BOE has not heard of the “New Normal”
I guess the BOE has not heard of the “New Normal”. None of us get the raises we used to get or for that matter get payed as much as we used to .
The fact is taxes are raising and going to continue to raise ,while salaries shrink and Ridgewood will just have to do without an over priced superintendent .
The district’s potential ability to pay a salary up to 15% over the capped salary level, which is $170,000. In this day and age that more than adequate.
According to some readers its not about about an “increase” or “raise” and it’s not in reference to Dr. Fishbein’s current $220,000 salary.Its about the state interfering with the BOE’s ability to do its legislated job, which is to make decisions that the locally-elected officials feel will provide the best possible education for the town’s children. The fallout from this arbitrary cap will negatively affect the state’s schools through extremely high turnover among superintendents and a shrinking pool of experienced educators, yea right ,do it for the children.
Interesting that the BOE only complains about state intervention when it comes to pay raises for staff but never with it asks for state aid? The state is always a handy excuse while the board pisses away money and fails to prepare children for the future . Sorry folks sending a kid to Bergen Community is not worth $90 million a year.
Ridgewood’s School rank has dropped in recent years and and we have fared poorly on state standardized tests people need to be held accountable .
Readers takes a different view of School Safety debate
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that bricking up the windows at each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that solid steel doors with bank quality time release locks at each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that arming student at each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that a moat around each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that forcing all students to disperse and home school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that a double enclosure of electrified and barbed wire fences at each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that requiring each student to wear a bullet proof vest and full Kevlar suit with full face mask at each school would provide some additional protection.
We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that bulldozing all of the schools and providing a virtual classroom experience for students at each school would provide some additional protection.
Readers Says Police officer in School is the answer to School Safety
Unfortunately, from what I am hearing, Ridgewood’s Superintendent, Dr. Fishbein, and the slight majority of the village council, are not interested in measures like this that would actually protect our children. Apparently, they want to rely on more video cameras as a solution.
If the government offers funds and Ridgewood’s elected (and unelected officials) say “no thank you” our town’s schools and children will be even more of a likely target for crazy people. The town should take immediate steps to protect the children NOW. We can all debate about what other measures would help, but there is no question that an officer at each school would provide some additional protection.
NJ anti-big brother bill makes its way through state Legislature
Rebecca Forand/South Jersey Times updated January 11, 2013 at 8:16 PM
As technology continues to advance and schools are embracing it for their students, new legislation is making its way through the state Assembly that guarantees parents are made aware of any tracking or monitoring software included in that technology.
Assembly bill A-2932, and its companion Senate bill, S-2057, dubbed the “anti-big brother act,” come in response to a Pennsylvania case where at least one student was monitored at home through a webcam that had been remotely activated by school officials.
“Everyone hopes that what occurred in the Pennsylvania school district was a one-time occurrence that you will never see happen anywhere else,” said Mike Yaple, a spokesman for the New Jersey School Boards Association. “This legislation says if you do have any kind of tracking software, you just have to tell the parents and the kids.”
The bill, which was introduced in May and amended last month, requires any school district that furnishes a student with a laptop computer, a cellphone of other electronic device, to provide notice if that device can record or collect information, or if it includes a camera or global positioning system that can be remotely accessed.
I’d like to get your opinion on something. I own a building. Most of the building is made up of non-living areas, but there is one apartment in the building that is a suitable residence. That apartment, however, is not usually occupied by any people. From time to time, I might let a friend use other parts of my building, but I am usually very careful to lock the door to the hallway leading to the apartment because I don’t want anyone in there. In addition, my building has an internal alarm system that will let me know if something moves in that apartment. By accident, one day I forgot to lock those hallway doors when one of my friends came by.
A few days later, my building’s internal alarms went off — alerting me to the fact that something had entered the apartment. I sent someone to inspect and they reported back to me that there was some food remnants found in the apartment that were not in there before. There were other signs that something had been or was in the apartment as it did not look the way it normally did. He could not say for sure whether it was a person, an animal, insects, or something else, but that there was a good chance that it could be a person. I spoke to a friend of mine who has a similar building and she said that, from time to time she had found a homeless person in the usuaully unoccupied apartment at her building.
I really was not interested having something in the only residential apartment I had in my building, so I hired someone to fumigate the apartment. When he arrived at the door to the apartment, the fumigator called me on his cell phone to say that he could hear something in the apartment but he could not tell for sure if it was an animal or a person.
I told him I didn’t want to know what it was and that I just wanted whatever it was out of my apartment. So I told him to open the door and place the fumigating bomb in the apartment so that whatever was in there would not cause me any more problems. So he did just that and left.
When I told some people about what happened they were extremely upset with me. They claimed that I had no right to do that and that if there was a person in the apartment — and the person died from the poison — I and the fumigator had committed murder!
Who the hell do these people think they are? Are they insane? It is my building and my apartment. What right do they have to say anything about what I do with my building? Besides, the fumigator and I did not know for sure that it was a person — it could have been a rat or something else as far as we knew. Even if it was a homeless person, why should I be held responsible for whatever happens to him/her when he/she was the one trespassing in my building? Just because I forgot to lock the door to the hallway one day does not mean that some homeless person had the right to start living in my apartment when I didn’t want them to live there.
So what do you think? Did I do something morally wrong?
What if I told you the “building” is my body, the “apartment” is my womb, and the fumigator is an abortionist?
Are you still pro-choice?
To me, it is simple. If you don’t know for sure that what is in the womb is not a human life, then how can you justify taking actions that will kill it?
Now, can there be exceptions? Of course there can. For example, if another person’s existence is threatening to end your life, you have every right to defend yourself, including by killing that other person if necessary. There may be other limited exceptions that reasonable people can discuss (e.g., rape or incest). But the point of the above story is to stop all of this “It is my body and I can do whatever I want with it” nonsense in circumstances when your actions may cause the termination of another human life. The starting point should always be that innocent human life should be protected whenever possible. Mere inconvenience is not a justification for ending an innocent human life.
Bottom line, if we are not sure whether something is or is not a human life, shouldn’t we error on the side of protecting that life?
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT PUBLIC NOTICE [Block 4703, Lot 14] PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Village of Ridgewood (the “Board”) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Court Room, 4th Floor, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, for the purpose of reviewing and taking action upon the application of 657 Ridgewood LLC (the “Applicant”), which seeks preliminary and final site plan approval with use and bulk variances in order to redevelop the existing Shell gas station and provide new fuel dispensers and a 2,400 sq. ft. convenience store (proposed to be a 7-Eleven) on the property commonly known as 657 Franklin Turnpike (at the intersection of southbound Route 17) and designated as Block 4703, Lot 14 on the Tax Map of the Village of Ridgewood (the “Property”). The Property, which is located within 200 feet of the property owned by you, is located in the OB-2 (Office Building) District. In connection with the foregoing, the Applicant seeks all variances, waivers, exceptions and other relief necessitated by the plans it has currently filed with the Board, together with any additional variances, waivers, exceptions and other relief that may be necessitated by changes to the plans requested by the Board, and any and all other relief that the Board may determine to be appropriate or necessary. This relief may include but may not necessarily be limited to: (i) a variance to permit more than one principal building on a lot (i.e., the convenience store and gas station canopy and kiosks if the latter are construed to be a separate principal building or buildings) where the Ordinance may not permit same; (ii) variances to permit a combined gasoline station/convenience store where same is not a permitted use in the OB-2 District; (iii) a variance for a front yard setback from Route 17 (for the building) of 28.1 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (iv) a variance for a front yard setback from Route 17 (for the canopy) of 9.4 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (v) a variance for a front yard setback from Franklin Turnpike (for the canopy) of 8.5 feet where the Ordinance requires 30 feet; (vi) a variance for a side yard setback (for the building) of 5 feet where the Ordinance requires 12 feet; (vii) a variance for no off-street loading space where the Ordinance requires at least one off-street loading space, which must be located on the same property and in the side or rear yard; (viii) a variance for five building mounted signs where the Ordinance permits a maximum of one sign; (ix) a variance for a total building mounted sign area of 145.2 sq. ft. where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 30 sq. ft.; (x) a variance for two freestanding signs where the Ordinance permits a maximum of one freestanding sign; and (xi) a variance for freestanding sign areas of 78 sq. ft. (Route 17) and 78 sq. ft. (Franklin Turnpike) where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 30 sq. ft.; (xii) a variance the freestanding sign heights of 24 feet 4 inches (Route 17) and 18 feet (Franklin Turnpike) where the maximum permitted by Ordinance is 15 feet; and (xiii) a variance for freestanding sign dimensions of 13 feet by 6 feet (Route 17) and 13 feet by 6 feet (Franklin Turnpike) which exceed the maximum permitted by Ordinance. Any person interested in this application will have the opportunity to present any objections or otherwise be heard at the public hearing. Members of the public may also inspect the plans, reports, application and supporting materials on file at the Village of Ridgewood, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, during normal business hours Monday through Friday. John M. Marmora, Esq., Attorney for Applicant 657 Ridgewood LLC K&L Gates LLP One Newark Center, 10th Floor Newark, New Jersey 07102 (973) 848-4000 Ridgewood News-3426546 Fee: $43.46 January 11, 2013
Downtown Development guidelines the “big picture”
January 13, 2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ Looks like the Ridgewood News has brought their A game to Village Central Business District development debate by proposing the planning board consider the big picture ,not only the impact to the CBD but the impact to the whole town , the schools,services ,infrastructure and commuting in their latest Ridgewood News editorial: Developing guidelines ( https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/186420401_Ridgewood_News_editorial__Developing_guidelines.html )
According to the News , “Ridgewood officials are considering the potential impact on the village. A draft ordinance is being drawn up that contains specifications each developer must follow, such as floor area ratio, setbacks, sign usage and minimum parking. That’s an important first step, but we believe much more must be considered.
Then the good stuff ,”In addition, the impact on traffic downtown – already a concern for many, especially regarding pedestrian safety – must be an important factor for Ridgewood’s planning board. The draft ordinance will guide officials in decisions such as units per acre and appropriate maximum building height. But we hope Ridgewood officials will consider the “big picture” and the impact of so much potential housing in one small geographic area.( https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/186420401_Ridgewood_News_editorial__Developing_guidelines.html )
What is the “big picture”, the “big picture” is the is the overall impact on the community as a whole , the schools, Village services, ,parking, infrastructure, commuting , medical , traffic, EMS , fire, safety and of course the over all viability.of Ridgewood’s downtown .With Urbanization comes added costs to the whole Village as well as quality of life issues that are very hard to put a price tag on .
If the Ridgewood Station project , the Dayton, Chestnut Village and the Enclave it will add over 300 new housing units within five blocks of each other forever changing the Village and the nature of the Village itself.
The 10 most economically-free countries in the world
Free markets and private properties are much talked about. But the phrase economic freedom definitely gives rise to policy debates. This is a list of the top 10 countries based on the ‘2013 Index of Economic Freedom’ by The Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Wall Street Journal.
The index measured economic freedom based on four broad categories: Rule of law, limited government, regulatory efficiency and open markets.
India is ranked at 119 with an overall score of 55.2 for its economic freedom.
1 Hong Kong 89.3 -0.6
2 Singapore 88.0 0.5
3 Australia 82.6 -0.5
4 New Zealand 81.4 -0.7
5 Switzerland 81.0 -0.1
6 Canada 79.4 -0.5
7 Chile 79.0 0.7
8 Mauritius 76.9 -0.1
9 Denmark 76.1 -0.1
10 United States 76.0 -0.3
Ohio Town tries novel Approach to School Security : Arming Janitors Armed-janitor plan draws mixed reaction from Montpelier parents
BY MARK REITER
BLADE STAFF WRITER
MONTPELIER, Ohio — As the mother of three children in Montpelier Exempted Village Schools, Teresa Hickman calls the district’s plan to arm the custodial staff with guns an effective way to prevent incidents like the shootings in Newtown, Conn.
Shannon Siler, the mother of two girls, says she is leery about Mont-pelier’s plan despite the training that she knows will be involved. She said gun control starts at home, with making sure weapons are kept locked up. Shannon Siler, the mother of two girls, says she is leery about Mont-pelier’s plan despite the training that she knows will be involved. She said gun control starts at home, with making sure weapons are kept locked up. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Buy This Photo
“I don’t have a problem with it. With all the shootings going on in these little schools this will make me feel more at peace,” said Mrs. Hickman as she waited Friday in her minivan for her two sons and daughter to be dismissed.
CTY montpelier11p 01/11/2013 The Blade/Lori King Montpelier Exempted Village School District superintendent Dr. Jamison Grime talks about guns in Montpelier schools. CTY montpelier11p 01/11/2013 The Blade/Lori King Montpelier Exempted Village School District superintendent Dr. Jamison Grime talks about guns in Montpelier schools. THE BLADE/LORI KING Enlarge | Buy This Photo
Montpelier schools may be the first in Ohio to ramp up security by authorizing employees to carry weapons.
The district has about 1,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade and 75 teachers in one building in this Williams County village of 4,000.
Seniors: Top Row (left to right) Chris Solis, Justin Ok, Chris Turnbull, Nick Simon
Bottom Row (left to right) Jay Kerwin, Mike Cunningham, Tyler Chatfield (https://www.ridgewoodbasketball.net/)
RHS Basketball looks to put together a hot streak
Friday, January 11, 2013
BY ELI NACHMANY
CORRESPONDENT
The Ridgewood News
RIDGEWOOD — An attacking, offensive-minded team is rare in today’s day of conservative high school basketball schemes.
The Ridgewood High School boys team has put together quite an impressive group of scorers and can truly light up the board.
For most offensively gifted squads, the mindset is that it’s fine to be below average defensively as long as the shots are falling. In Ridgewood, no such concept exists.
While the team has shot the ball at an efficient clip for the entire season, it’s been their defensive efforts that have impressed head coach Mike Troy.
“Defensively, we’re a far better team than I thought we would be at this point,” he said. “Our ability to play man-to-man is ahead of where I thought it’d be.”
