>Congressman Scott Garrett will test spending authority
Garrett will test spending authority
Congress could easily get federal spending under control if it would simply follow the Constitution, Rep. Scott Garrett says. (Jackson, The Record)
https://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/112791144_Garrett_will_test_spending_authority.html
>Bergen begins GOP reign with Driscoll as top freeholder
Three new Bergen County freeholders assumed the oath of office today and affirmed Freeholder John Driscoll, Jr. as their chairman to formally create a Republican majority on the governing body of New Jersey’s most populous county. (Pizarro, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/43810/bergen-begins-gop-reign-driscoll-top-freeholder
>
Missing In Action – Official Village of Ridgewood 2011 Calendar
Surprise, surprise; the Village’s Official 2011 Calendar did not arrive at taxpayer’s homes prior to the start of 2011!
Every year for decades, the Village has published a annual calendar. Don’t you think Village Officials would have the publication process down to a science by now? What excuse could they possibly have for not getting it out on time?
Commercially produced 2011 calendars were being sold at kiosks in Paramus Park as early as September of 2010. And here were are already into 2011 and the Village’s calendar isn’t out yet? My bank offered me their 2011 calendar back around Thanksgiving. Duh?
20 bucks says that someone in the Village Manager’s office will blame last week’s blizzard. Let’s wait and see.
>Port Newark/Port Elizabeth : Economic Power House in New Jersey
If you’ve ever seen the Regina Maersk try to squeak under the Bayonne Bridge, you’d realize it needs to be raised. Many ship “lighter” offshore right now which is dangerous and expensive. Some come in only on the lowest tides to fit under the bridge’ another dangerous condition. Raise the bridge or shut Port Newark/Port Elizabeth; the busiest container and automobile port on the east coast.
The alternative to Port Newark/Port Elizabeth is to build an offshore island to facility a deepwater with rail transfer capabilities (although we cant double and triple stack in this region) or let all of the cargo (and jobs, taxes, etc) go to Norfork or Nova Scotia. This is a regional commerce issue; not just about raising the Bayonne Bridge.
Unfortunately most people in this area are clueless as to the importance of the port to the regional economy.
>Readers Sound off on Unions
You are mistakenly giving credit ton the unions for the efforts of individual laborers and services. No union deserves credit for any noble deeds after 911 or for building anything in the USA, the workers, contractors and municipal departments themselves deserve that credit. The USA was built by contractors and companies, whose employees may or may not have been union members.
The only things that unions can take for is perpetuating a culture of excessive entitlements, labor contract negotiations that continuously escalate the cost of doing business far beyond the rate of inflation and forcing union members to pay dues. so that union leaders can line their pockets and attempt to influence the political process. This is a culture that is rife with conflict, financial abuse and, frequently, criminal behavior.
Over the past 25 years, unions greed and short-sightedness has been primarily responsible for the loss of our industrial manufacturing base, the decline (and bankruptcy) of the US automotive industry, as well as the skyrocketing cost of education and municipal taxation, while the quality of service has generally declined across the country. This is a systemic macro-economic problem that has very little to do with the short-term cycle of layoffs and hiring during that period.
While unions served an important role 75-100 years ago, they have failed to evolve with the current employment landscape across this country and today are outdated concepts that serve as an economic and productivity impediment in most industries today.
>
Mahwah council eliminates its health benefits
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2011
BY SAMANTHA FELLER
STAFF WRITER
MAHWAH SUBURBAN NEWS
Mahwah — The Township Council passed a resolution on Thursday, Dec. 15, that would eliminate health benefits for all elected officials beginning in 2013.
According to the resolution, elected officials who don’t receive benefits will no longer have the option to. However, the two council members who currently receive benefits — Lisa DiGiulio and John Spiech — will continue receiving them through the end of next year.
Six members of the council voted in favor of the resolution, with an abstention by Spiech, at around 12:30 a.m. after an executive session. Before the executive session, Council President John Roth had said the governing body would not reconvene afterward.
Mayor William Laforet had voiced the lone objection to the resolution, saying he wanted the council to eliminate health benefits for all elected officials immediately.
>
GOP hopefuls have been thoroughly queried on a laundry list of issues Yet, the man they hope to defeat next November has rarely been asked by news reporters about many of these issues.
By Richard Benedetto – December 30, 2011
Over the past five months, the Republican presidential candidates participated in 13 debates where they fielded dozens of penetrating questions on every major issue facing the nation, and some not so major.
The nationally televised and/or Internet-streamed forums each drew an average of 5 million to 6 million viewers, along with breathless wall-to-wall coverage, commentary and criticism from the news media, radio and TV talk shows, Internet blogs and partisan websites.
Indeed, the GOP hopefuls have been thoroughly queried on a laundry list of issues ranging from immigration problems to the faltering economy, Iran’s nuclear program to trade deficits with China, the intricacies of climate change to strategies to combat terrorism, exploding government regulations to skyrocketing public debt, plus some uncomfortable questions about their pasts and their personal lives.
Yet, during all that time, the man they hope to defeat next November has rarely been asked by news reporters about many of these issues. Since August, President Obama has held only one formal White House news conference. That came on Oct. 6, nearly three months ago. It lasted 74 minutes, shorter than any single Republican debate, and the president was asked 17 questions, most of them softballs on the economy and his latest legislative proposals to create jobs.
>the Village of Ridgewood Looking Back on 2010 Part 2
THURSDAY, APRIL 08, 2010
David Bolger on Graydon Pool : “the Fiscal Climate is Very Hostile for Ridgewood at this time “
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/04/david-bolger-on-graydon-pool-fiscal.html
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2010
$89 million dollar budget : I’m Voting NO for the following reasons.
I’m Voting NO for the following reasons.
From today’s BOE Newsline, I see that there is 1.4% increase in teacher’s salary. So rather than allow some of the other teachers to stay by forgoing a raise, the teachers who are left are still getting one while other teachers are left go. That’s for the kids, of course.
Also in today’s BOE Newsline, I see there is a 21.5% raise in employee benefits. The teachers refuse to chip in just 1.5% of their salary for benefits. If the average teacher’s salary is $65,000 a year, we are looking for $975 a year for full medical, dental and vision. (Come on, who gets free vision anymore?) However, those same teachers are very willing to pay an average of $720 a year for union dues. These are their priorities, not our tax dollars, not our kids.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/04/89-million-dollar-budget-im-voting-no.html
SUNDAY, MAY 02, 2010
Readers Allege bullying epidemic at B F Middle School while administrators do little or nothing
the Ridgewood blog recieved so many of these coments they could not be ignored:
Hey here’s a little story from last year that will give you a clue about how Mr. Orsini handles a child’s repeated cries for help from him regarding another child who had been relentlessly bullying her at school (not on line).
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/readers-allege-bullying-epidemic-at-b-f.html
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 2010
$89 million school budget : a “NO” vote does not “send a message” to anyone.
I don’t disagree with the sentiments expressed here. Unfortunately, some people don’t seem to understand the implications of this vote.
First, a “NO” vote does not “send a message” to anyone. It does not have an impact on teachers benefits or their raises for next year. It simply means that the budget will get turned over to the Village Council (who know NOTHING about the school’s needs or situations) to determine the amount of the tax for next year. They can assign ANY tax rate they want. They can increase the budget and raise taxes more, or they can cut the budget and limit the taxes. They are accountable to NO ONE on this issue. The most likely outcome is that they cut the budget more and reduce taxes, which will result in further teacher cuts…unfortunately, they will be the newer and more enthusiastic teachers, who most of us would prefer to have teaching our children. I, for one, do not want Annie Z or Keith K making any decisions about my children’s education.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/04/89-million-school-budget-no-vote-does.html
MONDAY, MAY 03, 2010
SCHOOL ELECTION RESULTS : Laurie Goodman ,” I think we’ve cut enough.”
Numbers show Ridgewood’s extremely lean staffing.
https://lauriegood.blogspot.com/2010/05/numbers-show-ridgewoods-extremely-lean.html
Over the past few weeks, Governor Christie and the media have made a big deal about some recently-released data. It showed that statewide, over the past 10 years, enrollment in New Jersey schools has grown 3%, while staffing in NJ schools has grown 14%. The Governor and others used these statistics to back-up the claim that there has been a “hiring spree” in our schools and that today there is “plenty of room to cut.” I would totally agree on a statewide level.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/school-election-results-laurie-goodman.html
TUESDAY, MAY 04, 2010
Valley “Renewal” more than doubles the size of the medical center
Valley’s revised plan is called workable
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
BY MARY JO LAYTON
The Record
STAFF WRITER
https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen/92741259_Valley_s_revised_plan_is_called_workable.html
The Valley Hospital’s proposed expansion , but the latest building plan is a good compromise, experts hired by Ridgewood testified Monday.
Village Planner Blais Brancheau said the plan, which adds three beds to the 451-bed hospital “does not intensify operations. The overall policy is to keep the intensity of use as it is roughly today,” he said.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/valley-renewal-more-than-doubles-size.html
THURSDAY, MAY 06, 2010
HOLY COW ARE CRONK-DOWD TRYING TO BUY RIDGEWOOD VOTE
Papers just posted with the New Jersey Campaign Financing and Lobbying Disclosure – NJ Election Enforcement Commission on candidate spending for the Village of Ridgewood Council election indicate that Committee to Elect Cronk and Dowd have spent over $6,654. and have a total receipts of $9,750.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/holy-cow-are-cronk-dowd-trying-to-buy.html
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
Graydon Pool Named one of N.J.’s 10 most-endangered historic sites!
Preservation NJ names N.J.’s 10 most-endangered historic sites
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/style/preservation-nj-names-njs-10-most-endangered-historic-sites
Ron Emrich, Preservation NJ director, said in Trenton, “The endangered historic sites program spotlights irreplaceable historic, architectural, cultural and archeological resources in New Jersey that are in imminent danger of being lost. The act of listing these resources acknowledges their importance to the heritage of New Jersey and draws attention to the predicaments that endanger their survival and the survival of all historic resources throughout our state.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/graydon-pool-named-one-of-njs-10-most.html
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2010
Councilwoman Anne Zusy Undergoes Rehabilitation at Local Nursing Home
In a statement read by her son Alexander Ortiz during Monday evening’s Village Council meeting, Councilwoman Anne Zusy reported that she is a patient in a local rehabilitation center.
The reason for Ms. Zusy’s admission to a rehabilitation center was not disclosed during her remarks.
In addition to her elected position as a member of the Village Council, Ms. Zusy also serves in an appointed position as a full member of the Ridgewood Planning Board.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/councilwoman-anne-zusy-undergoes.html
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010
Ridgewood Sports: LAX Parents claim Coach Pounds punished the team by losing on purpose
Many RHS lax parents angry at coach Pounds. #6 Ridgewood played the #11 team in the states and lost. The coach refused to start his senior goalie (would not give a reason). He passed over all the other goalies in the program and started his inexperienced freshman son – IN THE STATE PLAYOFF!!! We were missing 3 sophomores but in this game it would not have mattered. It was easily winnable.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/ridgewood-sports-lax-parents-claim.html
WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 2010
N.J. taxpayers question school administrators’ pay
Lately, when Cheryl Gismonde logs onto her Facebook account, she often finds messages that veer wildly from the usual array of restaurant recommendations and photos of other people’s children. A recent post from one of her friends reads: “Burlington County has 39 school districts!! So let’s figure the average Super makes $150K, maybe an assistant at $100K, and a Business Administrator at $90K. That’s approx. $13 million and some of these Supers have districts with just 2-3 schools. Entirely too much $$ wasted on positions that arent hands-on with the ki. . .ds.” (Osborne, Inquirer)
https://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100525_N_J__taxpayers_question_school_administrators__pay.html#axzz0p05Tpj8g
FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2010
State Troopers Look to Ring the Register this Memorial Day Weekend ,Drive Carefully
Troopers writing more tickets on NJ toll roads
The Associated Press
https://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/207/2010/may/27/troopers-writing-more-tickets-on-nj-toll-roads.html
State troopers are writing more tickets on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.
State Police figures show tickets for all motor-vehicle violations increased 61 percent on the parkway last month, compared to April 2009. It was up 45 percent on the turnpike for the same period.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/05/state-troopers-look-to-ring-register.html
TUESDAY, JUNE 01, 2010
Kathleen A. Donovan : “Time to close NJ Sports Authority and save taxpayers millions”
“Time to close NJ Sports Authority and save taxpayers millions” Says Donovan.
May 28, 2010
Kathleen A. Donovan, Republican candidate for Bergen County Executive, today called on Governor Christie to cancel the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority’s purchase of Personal Seat Licenses (PSL’s) and season tickets for the New York Giants and New York Jets. According to Ms. Donovan, “This latest slap at New Jersey taxpayers is proof positive that the Authority has clearly outlived its usefulness and should be put out of its misery.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/kathleen-donovan-time-to-close-nj.html
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010
Graydon Pool : “it was the biggest opening day crowd in 5 or 6 years”
The staff stopped counting at 1200 people on Saturday, June 5. Pool manager Steve Diamond said it was the biggest opening day crowd in 5 or 6 years.
Open for business: Last weekend Graydon had its biggest opening day in 5 or 6 years, said pool manager Steve Diamond. What a great community gathering place!
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/graydon-pool-it-was-biggest-opening-day.html
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2010
Readers Sound off Chairman Nicholson disrespect and condescension towards Ridgewood residents
CHRIS RUTISHA– USER – Village Engineer rips down posters at Planning Board public meeting on June 14
A lecture in civility was offered by Chairman Nicholson as he called the June 14th Planning Board H-Zone meeting to order. Yet, just moments before the meeting was called to order informational posters, neatly placed on the walls of the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, were violently ripped down by a Village Employee. The posters were crumbled and stuffed into garbage pails.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/readers-sound-off-chairman-nicholson.html
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010
Valley Renewal: Readers Question Motivations
Two questions arise, (1) what has Ridgewood to lose if the Planning Board does not approve Valley’s Expansionist plans, (2) what have the individual members of the planning board to loose if the plan is not approved?
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/valley-renewal-readers-question.html
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010
Village Council: And The Band Played On . . .
And The Band Played On . . .
Despite Worker Layoffs, Village Council Will Hold Elaborate After Reorganization Meeting Event
The Fly has just learned that Village Council members and their invited guests will convene at Gen Sushi, 15 East Ridgewood Avenue, for an “after reorganization meeting” luncheon on Thursday, July 1st.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/village-council-and-band-played-on.html
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010
Valley Renewal: Sleazy Tactic Mar H-Zone Vote
As if the last-minute change of venue wasn’t bad enough to jerk residents around…now the village says parking will be unavailable. This from the Record:
“Parking will be extremely limited tonight at the middle school where the Ridgewood Planning Board is voting on Valley Hospital’s expansion plans.
The Planning Board secretary announced this afternoon that the village just discovered that parking will not be available at the large church lot across from George Washington Middle School.
https://theridgewoodblog.net/2010/06/valley-renewal-sleazy-tactic-mar-h-zone.html
>Ridgewood Crossing Guard Position Applications
The Ridgewood Police Department is accepting applications for anyone interested in becoming a School Crossing Guard. Posts are a minimum of two (2) hours a day. Work may even be available during times when school is closed (winter/summer breaks). Please contact the Ridgewood Police Records Room at (201) 251-4531 for blank applications and questions. The Village of Ridgewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
>Happy New Year : Once again we ask , New Years Resolutions anyone?
PJ, So do we really make New Years Resolutions as future goals we want to accomplish or do we simply make New Years Resolutions to make us feel better about all the things we haven’t done that we should ? For instance ;instead of facing the fact that we are FAT we make a resolution to loose wait in the future eat healthier or exercise regularly ?
from the staff of the Ridgewood Blog
>Ridgewood Blog Readers Tired of having their pockets picked over Xanadu
Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck, put you hands back in your pockets.
Xanadu is not a viable project without outside support (I guess that means the government and tax payer dollars). The alternative is to demolish everything but the garage parking. Personally, that’s the option I prefer.
The idea of Christie writing these guys a check is peverse enough-but the idea of you, the unions and the dems getting a skim off that graft is sickening me.
I know this means that all the prior, under the table, deals that McGreavy and Corzine negotiated for all his crooked political friends will not be honored but they are either in jail or dead now. Let it go.
>Ridgewood Co-op Holds Open House for 2011-2012 School Year
The Cooperative Nursery School of Ridgewood, a nonsectarian school, will hold an Open House for the 2011-2012 school year on Thursday, January 13th, 2011 from 9:30-11:30 and 12:45-2:45. The school is located at 100 Dayton Street in the center of Ridgewood.
The Co-op offers classes for children from one and one half to five years old. Classes range from Mommy and Me classes to four day per week classes for 4 year olds. A Kindergarten Enrichment and Mommy and Me programs are also available. The school has both morning and afternoon classes. The school’s seasoned professional teaching staff members guide students toward social, emotional and physical well-being. Children learn and play in an environment ideally suited to their needs as developing individuals. The program encourages independence, self-discipline and a love for school.
Setting the school apart from other nursery schools, The Co-op is organized and run by the parents. This enables parents to actively participate in their child’s early learning experience. Music, physical education, field trips, indoor and outdoor play time and an in-house library are just a few of the experiences to which the children are exposed as supplements to the daily education plans.
Please call the school at (201) 447-6232 for more information or if you would like to schedule a private tour
>A look at the year that was in Ridgewood
Thursday, December 30, 2010
COMPILED BY JOYCE VENEZIA SUSS
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
For The Ridgewood News
A look back at the news for 2010 in Ridgewood uncovers a variety of issues and incidents, including more pedestrians struck by vehicles in downtown crosswalks; financial struggles as the village copes with a struggling economy; the ongoing debate over The Valley Hospital Renewal; Internet-related issues in village schools; and the deaths of some well-known village residents.
Large crowds gathered during Ridgewood Planning Board hearings concerning The Valley Hospital’s ‘Renewal.’ The board approved amendments to the master plan in June.
Here is a recap of the top stories in The Ridgewood News from each month in 2010:
more: https://www.northjersey.com/news/politics/112670404_A_look_at_the_year_that_was.html
>NJ lawmakers want changes to hearsay exception
Lawmakers took a step Thursday toward invalidating a proposed state Supreme Court rule that would permit intimidated witnesses to provide testimony from outside the courtroom in all criminal cases. (Symons, Home News Tribune)
https://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20101230/STATE/101230039/NJ-lawmakers-want-changes-to-hearsay-exception-
>N.J. pension funds performed worse than stated, audit finds
The director of the state Division of Investment Thursday restating its annualized performance numbers for fiscal years 2008-09 and 2009-10. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
https://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/state/nj-pension-funds-performed-worse-than-stated-audit-finds
