I see TrainWreck has some friends at Tarvin? Goody for you
9:10 comment- looking for a legacy, right on! maybe even a wing, at Audrey’s Medical Center? Which should renew within it’s current structure or expand in Paramus instead of a neighborhood!
9:23 comment- Bucket #6, has been added and it’s for the current plans to be placed 6 feet under. Valley needs to restructure within it’s current boundaries and elevation. Dirty deals after 30 years of NO should not prevail now or ever. Town vote now please!
In no way is this East vs West either! WE have intelligent voters throughout this town who know the blight this will cause ALL OF US. This filthy rich, non-profit, non taxpaying Hospital will bring this town to it’s knees. I now hear Valley just started paying for water? What the ….
We can’t afford new town signs:
Welcome to VALLEYWOOD: “where a dirty few ruined an entire town and neighborhood”
More people moved out of New Jersey than all but four other states between 2000 to 2008, underscoring broader demographic shifts and, some say, a decline in the state’s attractiveness.
Even with a constant influx of newcomers, the Garden State had a net loss of nearly 304,000 residents over the eight-year-period, who took combined annual incomes of $12.3 billion with them to other states, according to figures accessed through a database launched today by the Tax Foundation, a policy research group in Washington, D.C. that advocates for lower taxes.
The data confirms residents are leaving for states like Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas faster than they are being replaced — a phenomenon that economists attribute to factors such as climate, high taxes and a lack of job opportunities.
“People are being pulled out, and they’re being pushed out,” said Joseph Seneca, a Rutgers University economics professor who studies migration. “They’re pulled because of retirement and climate reasons. They’re pushed by taxes and costs and — through this decade — a relative lack of economic opportunities in terms of job growth.”
View full sizeNew Jersey trails only New York, California, Illinois and Michigan for outmigration, according to the database, which tracks domestic movement by tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The number of residents moving were calculated based on tax exemptions, and incomes were adjusted for inflation
>Donovan Proposes Major Reform to Protect Taxpayers from Official Corruption Thursday, September 23, 2010
PLEDGES TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY FOR GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Kathleen A. Donovan, Republican candidate for County Executive, said today that she will bring accountability to all county independent agencies including the notorious Bergen County Improvement Authority by taking full responsibility for their actions. Ms. Donovan contrasted this to incumbent Dennis McNerney who, in her words, has “knowingly or incompetently allowed these agencies to run wild and unchecked during his eight years in office.”
Ms. Donovan said that the first step to bringing the independent agencies and authorities under control will be to change their governance and require that she or her designee serve as a voting, ex-officio member of each board. Ms. Donovan said that her presence (or that of a designated senior member of her administration) “will make us responsible for the actions of the boards.” Adding, “in a Donovan administration there is no way that the BCIA or any other agency will increase its debt from $15 million to $450 million, spend tens of millions on consulting contracts to political cronies and allow spending to go unchecked. We will be accountable and responsible.”
Referring to McNerney’s appointment of a long time Democrat contributor to “investigate” the BCIA, Ms. Donovan said, “You don’t protect taxpayers by appointing a political crony to review or investigate the actions of a runaway agency after the proverbial horse has left the barn and the damage is done. Taxpayers can only be protected by public officials who take full responsibility. That’s a major difference between McNerney and me. He hides out while his political allies disregard prudency and plunder for the benefit of their pay to play cronies. I’m a proactive leader who takes her oath to protect taxpayers seriously.”
Ms. Donovan noted that during her tenure as County Clerk she has saved each Bergen County family more than $300 through management efficiencies. She compared this to McNerney who during his eight years in office has increased government spending by over $34 million while overall county debt has spiraled to over $1 Billion, an increase of over $600 million during McNerney’s tenure. “While I am putting money back in the taxpayers’ pockets, Dennis is taking it out…tenfold”, said Donovan.
Ms. Donovan noted that in addition to ongoing federal investigations of the BCIA, the Board of Trustees of Bergen Academies, appointed by McNerney, has also come under strong rebuke by the State Department of Education.
> REWARDS CARD SPECIALS Sept 23, 2010 This week we’re starting a “new video feature” the cheese of the week and other interesting items from the Cheese Shop. First efforts can be a little interesting as we get the kinks out. We’ll be listing these efforts and other news about the store on our face book page facebook/supercellars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WGMp2148o8 Cheese of the week….check out the video Pleasant Ridge Reserve…America’s most decorated cheese!
Deals that continue……. ————————————————————————————————- 20% OFF Any One Pound Piece Of Fresh Cut Cheese! Buy “one pound” or more of any one cheese and receive a 20% discount on that piece! (can’t combine with any other offers, sale items, baskets, or special order platters)
>“Open Letter” : It should clearly state that it was paid for by Valley, or it might mislead people
That’s fine that these guys are sending a letter out on behalf of Valley. However, it should clearly state that it was paid for by Valley, or it might mislead people.
I think it’s great that these guys volunteer at the hospital. That’s their perogative.
However, I know a ton of people in this town. 90% of people are against the expansion as it now stands. It’s not to say that they are all against expanding Valley, but not to the extreme buildout now contemplated.
I’d say that most residents fall into several buckets regarding the expansion: 1. Opposed to any expansion or change 2. Opposed to a 1.1m sq foot structure, 94 foot structure (double the height of any other structure in town) but potentially ok with something scaled back 3. Clueless about what’s going on or proposed 4. Nervous about the expansion but think it’s necessary 5. Gung ho about any expansion because it’s a hospital
I personally am in bucket 2 and so are many people I know.
When I look at Barclay’s letter and it says that they will construct attractive buildings with signfificant attention to landscape design, i laugh. How could they possibly disguise buildings of the size they are proposing by “landscaping”. I drive by Valley now and all trees are less than 30 feet. Even if there were room to plant Oak trees around, you can’t transplant large trees. And furthermore, the buildings will be so close to the street due to the 110% lot coverage they are proposing, you couldn’t hide them if you wanted to.
There are reasons why so many people I know across a broad cross section of town are against the expansion as it stands, and it is not just “property values”. These include virtual disenfranchisement from the decision process, change of neighborhood character, concern for the underlying undisclosed long-term plans for the hospital in a residential neighborhood, and finally the impact of a large hospital next to multiple schools.
If that makes me a NIMBY, then I am. You can’t make such a significant change to the town we choose to live in and raise our children in without full buy-in by the community.
Put it to a vote. If that is not possible, vote by proxy for the councilman that will ensure that our needs our heard.
>Oprah to host N.J. Gov. Christie, Newark Mayor Booker for $100M school gift by Facebook CEO
LOS ANGELES — N.J. Gov. Chris Christie and Newark Mayor Cory Booker will make a surprise appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show Friday to announce an unprecedented restructuring of Newark’s school system and the gift of $100 million from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, two officials with direct knowledge of the plan told The Star-Ledger tonight. (Margolin and Giambusso, The Star-Ledger)
The Ridgewood YMCA will be having evaluations for their Youth Basketball League on Saturday, November 6th at 2:00 P.M. in the YMCA gym. Everybody plays in this basketball league! Evaluations are available for three divisions; Grades 1/2, Grades 3/4, Grades 5/6. After evaluations on the 6th, practices will be held on Saturdays 11/13, 11/20, and 11/27, and games will be on Saturdays 12/4 – 3/19 (excluding Christmas and February recess).
Play basketball at the place basketball started! Call Chris at 201 444 5600 ext. 339 or [email protected] for more information or to pre-register for evaluations!
Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Hosts Inaugural Stickball Tournament
Ridgewood-NJ-September 22, 2010: The Ridgewood Knights of Columbus Council #1736 held their inaugural stickball tournament Saturday, September 18th on Passaic Street in Ridgewood. Proceeds from the event were used to make a donation to the Ridgewood PBA and the New Jersey Firefighter’s Mutual Benevolent Association.
Ridgewood’s Finest and Ridgewood’s Bravest went head-to-head with various teams from the Ridgewood Knights council for local bragging rights. “For a brief moment, the streets of Ridgewood were transformed into an urban landscape from a bygone era”, said Joe Hernandez from the Ridgewood Knights, co-organizer of the event. Hot dogs and hamburgers were served, and a good time was had by all.
Why stickball? “A lot of our members are older gentlemen that can relate to this sport,” said Rich Paliotta, a Knight and event co-organizer.
First place winners were Andy Meyer, Sean Noble, Scott Gammer and Michael Dougherty from the Ridgewood Knights; second place was awarded to Tom Shortway, Joe Ferraro, Sean Daly, and John Judge from the Ridgewood Fire Department; and third place went to Tony Lupo, Kevin Casey, Rich Paliotta, and Bill Fahey from the Ridgewood Knights.
>NJ school choice bill: Will there be a stampede out of troubled schools?
Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law last week that allows parents who are dissatisfied with the schools in their district to transfer their children to schools anywhere in the state. The bill, A355, even provides money to pay transportation costs for the students. (Morgan, The Jersey Journal)
The public is behind Gov. Christie on many of his initiatives to reform government. Increasing state workers’ health care premiums and eliminating double-dipping both get the green light. But a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Press Media Poll out today is divided on cutting benefits for current employees. (Ingle, Asbury Park Press)
>NJ Assemblyman requests criminal investigation into ex-sheriff’s move to Port Authority
A state lawmaker has added his voice to a growing chorus of calls for an investigation into whether former Passaic County Sheriff Jerry Speziale’s withdrawal from his re-election bid was part of a politically motivated deal that rewarded him with a high-paying job at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. (Strunsky, The Star-Ledger)
The questionable,”Open Letter to Ridgewood Residents from Doug Dittrick & Lindsey D. Barclay”
Many of you have read the letter in support of Valley Hospital that was sent to Village residents from Lindsay Barclay and her father Doug Dittrick? Dated on September 13th .
This letter is misleading in that the stationary says “From the desks of” but the return address is 223 N. Van Dien Avenue. 223 N. Van Dien happens to be surprisingly Valley Hospital.
Do the Dittricks live at 223 N. Van Dien? No, I doubt they live at Valley Hospital. What also stood out was the tone, spirit and format of the letter that suggests that the letter writers sent this on their own but in fact it appears that postage was paid for by Valley.
As one reader said , “ Overall, I laughed at the letter. I don’t take national political advice from rock stars or actors. I am not going to take local political advice from real estate agents. “
>Do you think Facebook should be allowed in school? Is it a tool or a distriction? Should we take time from our school day to teach kids how to be a good digital citizen?
Last Spring a Ridgewood NJ principal urged parents to not let their children have Facebook pages. His district bans social media (as does mine).
Here is a push-back I found , shown as an overlay on an ABC news interview with the principal.
Do you think Facebook should be allowed in school? Is it a tool or a distriction? Should we take time from our school day to teach kids how to be a good digital citizen?
>Washington Township, Chatham, NJ, will pay municipal employees to opt-out of health insurance
As towns try to find new ways to save money, a protocol issued by Gov. Chris Christie is outlining ways for municipalities to pay employees to opt-out of a town’s health insurance, provided they have coverage by another means. (Roman, Daily Record)
>Cooperative Nursery School of Ridgewood Expands Kindergarten Enrichment Program
The Cooperative Nursery School of Ridgewood is adding a morning class to its new Kindergarten Enrichment Program. Classes are set to begin October 4th.
The program supports all the major district initiatives including Handwriting Without Tears, Envision Math and Words Their Way. Classes meet twice per week. There is no co-op requirement for parents who enroll their children in the kindergarten enrichment class. Students can also participate in our extended day programs.
A nonsectarian school, The Co-op also offers morning and afternoon classes for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, as well as Mommy & Me classes. Setting the school apart from other nursery schools, The Co-op is organized and run by the parents, which enables the 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 to schedule a visit to the school. The school is located at 100 Dayton Street in the center of Ridgewood.
