>New Jersey Pension Reform : Skipped payments fueled pension crisis, actuary says
New Jersey’s pension crisis will get worse in the next several years, even if state officials add $500 million to the pension systems as planned, a state actuary testified last week. (Method, New Jersey Press Media)
>Replace government incompetence with real charity
If you think government is a competent solver of social problems, think again. The Star Ledger reported (“N.J. tax to help low-income people pay cable TV bills was instead used to plug budget hole,” Feb. 6) that a fund established in 2006 by the Corzine administration to help low income and disabled New Jerseyans pay their cable bills has never been used as it was intended. (Sabrin, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/murraysabrin/44655/replace-government-incompetence-real-charity
>Debate rages on Online Only legal notices
Not that there is ever a good week for the newspaper industry these days, but this last one was especially difficult for the Gannett New Jersey family. (Roh, Couroer-Post)
https://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110206/NEWS01/102060350/Debate-rages-on-legal-notices
>NJ Schools brace for another round of budget cuts
The election isn’t until April but school districts already have been planning their budgets for the 2011-12 fiscal year. (Loyer and Bichao, Gannett)
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20110206/NJNEWS/110206001/0/njnews/Schools-brace-another-round-budget-cuts-?odyssey=nav|head
>New Jersey senators try to revive tunnel plan
Seeking to revive the idea of a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River, New Jersey’s two senators and Amtrak officials are planning to study the feasibility of building a tunnel that could carry commuter trains and high-speed intercity trains in and out of Manhattan. (McGeehan, The New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/07/nyregion/07tunnel.html
>Who are you rooting for in the Super Bowl ?
Green bay Packers
61%
Pittsburgh Steelers
39%
>
JWOWW
Tuesday, February 8th @ 7:00pm
Star of MTv’s The Jersey Shore, will sign her new book: The Rules According to JWOWW. Books available: Feb. 8th
Chris Jericho
Tuesday, February 15th @ 7:00pm Former WWE Champion will sign his new book Undisputed.
Book Available Feb. 15th
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
>
>Americans recall Reagan legacy on his 100th birthday
Ronald Reagan – 40th President
At the end of his two terms in office, Ronald Reagan viewed with satisfaction the achievements of his innovative program known as the Reagan Revolution, which aimed to reinvigorate the American people and reduce their reliance upon Government. He felt he had fulfilled his campaign pledge of 1980 to restore “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth and optimism.”
On February 6, 1911, Ronald Wilson Reagan was born to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois. He attended high school in nearby Dixon and then worked his way through Eureka College. There, he studied economics and sociology, played on the football team, and acted in school plays. Upon graduation, he became a radio sports announcer. A screen test in 1937 won him a contract in Hollywood. During the next two decades he appeared in 53 films.
From his first marriage to actress Jane Wyman, he had two children, Maureen and Michael. Maureen passed away in 2001. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis, who was also an actress, and they had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott.
As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan became embroiled in disputes over the issue of Communism in the film industry; his political views shifted from liberal to conservative. He toured the country as a television host, becoming a spokesman for conservatism. In 1966 he was elected Governor of California by a margin of a million votes; he was re-elected in 1970.
Ronald Reagan won the Republican Presidential nomination in 1980 and chose as his running mate former Texas Congressman and United Nations Ambassador George Bush. Voters troubled by inflation and by the year-long confinement of Americans in Iran swept the Republican ticket into office. Reagan won 489 electoral votes to 49 for President Jimmy Carter.
On January 20, 1981, Reagan took office. Only 69 days later he was shot by a would-be assassin, but quickly recovered and returned to duty. His grace and wit during the dangerous incident caused his popularity to soar.
Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.
A renewal of national self-confidence by 1984 helped Reagan and Bush win a second term with an unprecedented number of electoral votes. Their victory turned away Democratic challengers Walter F. Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
In 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.
In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve “peace through strength.” During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub.
By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war. In keeping with the Reagan Doctrine, he gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa.
Overall, the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp.
>Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine
Americans recall Reagan legacy on his 100th birthday
>The Ridgewood Guild
The Ridgewood Guild is an exciting new organization dedicated to making Ridgewood a more enjoyable place to shop, dine and visit. Our board is made up of a group of high-energy, hard working individuals who plan to make a difference. Because we have no rent, overhead, or salaries to pay, our annual dues are minimal. This gives us the opportunity to give back to the community via a carefully planned out series of events, fundraisers and marketing strategies.
The Guild’s membership includes retailers, restaurateurs, non-profits, professionals and residents who have an interest in seeing our village thrive. We are always looking for ideas and suggestions, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you will join us!
201-493-9911 • [email protected]
>HILT Senior Citizen Meeting Open House and Speaker Peter Fenzel
Ridgewood residents 55 and older are invited to join Highlights In Leisure Time (HILT), a senior organization under the auspices of the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation. Monthly meetings include entertainment and/or informational presentations, followed by refreshments. Also, a variety of monthly trips are offered.
In February, HILT will be hosting an Open House for new members on Thursday, February 10 at the Ridgewood Community Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. Annual membership dues are $15.00. Peter Fenzel, a loyal supporter of the Concerned Citizens of Allendale (instrumental in the acquisition of the Fell House), will be the featured speaker. The Fell House, a national historic treasure, was purchased by the town through fund raisers and donations. Fenzel will discuss John Fell’s life in Bergen County as a merchant and also his involvement in the American Revolution.
On February 17th, a HILT trip has been planned to the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. The Playhouse is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the presentation of a new musical revue entitled, “The Great American Songbook.” The program will consist of music and songs that immigrants brought with them from their native lands. The bus departs from Graydon Pool at 9:45 a.m. (boarding at 9:30 a.m.) and returns at 5:30 p.m. The cost for HILT members is $48.00; non-members $53.00. For more information, please contact the Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Department at (201) 670-5560
>N.J. population shifting from heavily Democratic North
By Shane D’Aprile – 02/04/11 12:32 PM ET
New detailed Census data released Thursday for New Jersey shows population growth concentrated in the central and southern parts of the state, which could make it harder for Democrats to ensure the loss of a single congressional seat comes at the expense of a Republican.
The state must shed a congressional district this year, and two potential Republican targets will use the new data to bolster the argument to leave their districts alone.
Seniority tends to rule the roost in the state’s congressional redistricting process, so speculation has centered on GOP Reps. Leonard Lance and Jon Runyan, who was just elected in November.
But Runyan’s district contains Ocean County, which saw the largest population growth of any county in the state, further bolstering the case that he won’t be a redistricting target
>Assembly panel unanimously passes school-choice bill
A startup program that would allow businesses to help finance the private and parochial education of some students in failing public schools was approved Thursday by an Assembly panel after hours of often passionate testimony on school choice. (Delli Santi for The Associated Press)
>N.J. lawmakers advance bill allowing towns to post legal notices only online
State lawmakers Thursday advanced a bill eliminating the requirement for governments, businesses and citizens to run legal notices in newspapers and instead allow them to only be posted on government websites. (Megerian, The Star-Ledger)
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/nj_lawmakers_advance_bill_allo.html
