>New Jersey Governor Defies Political Expectations
A momentous deal to cap property taxes was all but done, but Gov. Chris Christie was taking no chances, barnstorming the state to commiserate with squeezed homeowners and keep pressure on the Legislature. Outside a farmhouse here in central New Jersey last week, buttoned up in a dark suit despite the triple-digit heat, Mr. Christie promised to tackle rising pension costs, transportation financing, municipal spending — all while poking fun at his opponents, the news media and, mostly, himself. (Perez-Pena, The New York Times)
THESE STEAMY, hot summer days are tiring and tough to get through. Good thing there’s Graydon Pool.
The number of members is up an astounding 37 percent after seasons of decline, thanks to the tireless lobbying of a core group of citizens that helped clean and preserve Ridgewood’s century-old jewel. Set in a 7-acre park, historic Graydon is a nearly all-natural swimming experience, complete with minnows and the occasional duck. It was created in 1918 by damming the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, expanded in 1936 and filled with eager swimmers for decades.
But in recent years, the 2.8 acre “plake” was losing its luster and revenues as its reputation shifted from relaxing to dirty. A $13 million plan to replace it with four concrete, chlorinated pools emerged. Thankfully, Graydon fans lobbied against that plan and pushed for improvements.
Waters are clearer now that they are being aerated by new diffusers and treated with natural chemicals. Workers are covering rafts with tarps and employing border collies to chase geese away.
The results are good. Some 3,410 badges have been sold this year, compared to 2,426 last year, according to the parks department. Along with more visitors and revenues, activities are coming back too, with a lending library and story times for children. The redevelopment plan appears dead, since recent municipal elections brought more plake supporters to the Village Council.
Credit the Great Recession for keeping families closer to home. Credit the blistering heat for sending them into the water. But especially, credit the fact that citizens cared, that volunteers rallied, that voters supported a cause.
Whatever the reasons, the push and the pull both, we’re heartened to see more interest, and more swimming, in Graydon Pool.
#printDesc{display:none;}New Jersey would close its centralized car inspection lanes and motorists would pay for their own emissions tests under a sweeping set of recommendations set to be released by the Christie administration today.
State parks, psychiatric hospitals and even turnpike toll booths could also be run by private operators, according to the 57-page report on privatization obtained by The Star-Ledger. Preschool classrooms would no longer be built at public expense, state employees would pay for parking and private vendors would dish out food, deliver health care and run education programs behind prison walls.
All told, the report says, New Jersey could save at least $210 million a year by delivering an array of services through private hands.
“The question has to be, ‘Why do you continue to operate in a manner that’s more costly and less effective?’ rather than, ‘Why change?’ ” said Richard Zimmer, the former Republican congressman who chaired the task force.
It is unclear how many of the recommendations will be adopted by Governor Christie, who commissioned the report in March. Christie’s spokesman declined comment Thursday.
But the car inspection proposal is sure to stir up controversy in a state with a tortured history of privatizing emissions testing.
The report says that beginning next July, “New Jersey should withdraw entirely from direct participation in the vehicle inspection process.” Before then, the state would develop a plan to certify service stations and other shops “to make the transition seamless for motorists and assure that private inspection fees will be transparent and reasonable.”
The state would then sell the land where its facilities now operate.
The proposal would require breaking the state’s contract with Parsons Corp., which is two years into a five-year, $276 million deal to do emissions and mechanical inspections. The mechanical inspections were already phased out under the budget that went into effect July 1.
The state conducts more than 1.94 million initial inspections a year and pays for all of them. Drivers pay only if they fail the inspections and have to make repairs.
Zimmer pointed out that motorists are already paying for the system through their tax dollars.
Critics said Christie is returning to dangerous territory after Parsons’ early years of managing the inspection program were steeped in controversy. When the inspection network was opened in December 1999, it was plagued by computer malfunctions and frozen equipment that left drivers fuming in lines four hours long.
Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey director of the Communications Workers of America state workers union, said the plans outlined in the report would create “bad service” and “less safety” while failing to save the state money.
But Zimmer stressed “stringent” controls will be put in place.
Despite past predictions that up to 2,000 public employees could lose their jobs to privatization, the report does not specify the number of layoffs to come. But its impact could be felt from parks — where private recreation firms would run concessions, operate facilities and perhaps collect a fee — to preschools.
The report says the state should end public funding to construct preschools and change rules to make it easier for private providers to run them.
David Sciarra, an attorney and advocate for children in the poorest districts where the state Supreme Court has mandated the preschool program, said the report is “misleading and erroneous” in claiming the private sector is being crowded out.
“If anything, the collaboration between districts and providers … has grown stronger, and the private sector is an integral part of the program,” he said. “They should go back to the drawing board on this one.”
New Jersey would close its centralized car inspection lanes and motorists would pay for their own emissions tests under a sweeping set of recommendations set to be released by the Christie administration today.
State parks, psychiatric hospitals and even turnpike toll booths could also be run by private operators, according to the 57-page report on privatization obtained by The Star-Ledger. Preschool classrooms would no longer be built at public expense, state employees would pay for parking and private vendors would dish out food, deliver health care and run education programs behind prison walls. All told, the report says, New Jersey could save at least $210 million a year by delivering an array of services through private hands.
“The question has to be, ‘Why do you continue to operate in a manner that’s more costly and less effective?’ rather than, ‘Why change?’ ” said Richard Zimmer, the former Republican congressman who chaired the task force.
It is unclear how many of the recommendations will be adopted by Governor Christie, who commissioned the report in March. Christie’s spokesman declined comment Thursday. But the car inspection proposal is sure to stir up controversy in a state with a tortured history of privatizing emissions testing.
The report says that beginning next July, “New Jersey should withdraw entirely from direct participation in the vehicle inspection process.” Before then, the state would develop a plan to certify service stations and other shops “to make the transition seamless for motorists and assure that private inspection fees will be transparent and reasonable.”
The state would then sell the land where its facilities now operate. The proposal would require breaking the state’s contract with Parsons Corp., which is two years into a five-year, $276 million deal to do emissions and mechanical inspections. The mechanical inspections were already phased out under the budget that went into effect July 1.
The state conducts more than 1.94 million initial inspections a year and pays for all of them. Drivers pay only if they fail the inspections and have to make repairs.
Zimmer pointed out that motorists are already paying for the system through their tax dollars. Critics said Christie is returning to dangerous territory after Parsons’ early years of managing the inspection program were steeped in controversy. When the inspection network was opened in December 1999, it was plagued by computer malfunctions and frozen equipment that left drivers fuming in lines four hours long. Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey director of the Communications Workers of America state workers union, said the plans outlined in the report would create “bad service” and “less safety” while failing to save the state money.
But Zimmer stressed “stringent” controls will be put in place. Despite past predictions that up to 2,000 public employees could lose their jobs to privatization, the report does not specify the number of layoffs to come. But its impact could be felt from parks — where private recreation firms would run concessions, operate facilities and perhaps collect a fee — to preschools. The report says the state should end public funding to construct preschools and change rules to make it easier for private providers to run them.
David Sciarra, an attorney and advocate for children in the poorest districts where the state Supreme Court has mandated the preschool program, said the report is “misleading and erroneous” in claiming the private sector is being crowded out.
“If anything, the collaboration between districts and providers … has grown stronger, and the private sector is an integral part of the program,” he said. “They should go back to the drawing board on this one.” E-mail: [email protected]
>For those of you complaining about the “monstrosity of a water tank” on Valley View…
If you recall, the new water tank on Valley View (which replaced an obsolete and much less attractive tank) is significantly smaller than what the village proposed as “necessary to serve the residents demand for water.” The new tank has improved landscaping and (I believe) has less visible height above ground than the old tank, even though it is slightly larger. It was NIMBYs in the area (who formed a steady “parade of protestors” at the microphone at public meetings), letters to the Editor of RN and posters on this blog, who pressured the village to compromise on a large reduction in the storage capacity of the tank, in the interest os aesthetics.
Eliminating the water tank is not an option. But, perhaps if you had listened to the people, who actually understand the facts and argued for the larger tank, we would not be facing stage 4 water restrictions now, and most likely, every summer in the future.
WAY TO GO, MORONS!
It was a mistake to reduce the size of the tank. We should have built the tank that was most appropriate for our future needs, as proposed by the village. It just goes to show that residents should be careful to understand the consequences of their demands. Does this sound similar to another current debate in town???
>Yesterday’s Ridgewood News article (July 2, 2010) reported that more Graydon badges had been sold by July 1 than by the same date last year. That was an understatement; in fact, by July 1 of this year, more seasonal Graydon badges had been sold for this summer than in ALL of last year.
Furthermore, as of July 7, according to the badge office at Graydon yesterday, ongoing sales of seasonal badges and day/guest passes had brought in nearly a quarter of a million dollars, with more to come. The Parks & Rec office is receiving 10 calls a day from people asking how to join. The trend is UP. Use the FREE ONE-DAY PASS (any day, weekend or weekday) from the spring Parks & Rec flier (ask for a copy if you can’t find yours) for a family of up to 6 (bring proof of Ridgewood residency–owner or renter), valid through July 18, during the heat wave and see what you’re missing. The water’s cool, the sand is soft, and the rafts are as popular as ever.
Enjoy ping-pong, basketball, volleyball, bocce, croquet, brand-new decks of cards, dominoes, board games, Pro Kadima (big wooden paddles, played on beach without table or net), freshly painted shuffleboard and hopscotch courts, and more. Bring your child to Story Time today (Thurs. 7/8) at 2 PM. Former mayor and longtime Councilman Patrick A. Mancuso will read the first story, followed by teacher Anna Spalckhaver. The reinstated beloved tradition of Story Time continues every Thursday for the rest of the summer (through September 2).
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From the moment you step on board a Seabourn yacht, you begin to appreciate what it means to travel well – enjoying open bars and alternate dining venues, Charlie Palmer’s award-winning cuisine, and the Marina with its complimentary water sports.
The Spa at SeabournSM is a lavish sanctuary where healing therapies soothe the senses and ocean views renew the spirit. You’ll also find your suite a relaxing retreat, a luxurious haven after spending the day ashore.
But it’s the service you may appreciate most of all – the staff member who knows your name, the suite stewardess who draws your lavender bath, the deck attendant who brings you a fresh fruit sorbet. You can sense instantly that they are consummate professionals, often anticipating your needs before you ask. Not surprisingly, Seabourn service has become the gold standard of the industry.
And now, The Travel Center / American Express is pleased to introduce the newest yacht in Seabourn’s fleet…The Seabourn Sojourn. Currently in Scandinavia, the Sojourn will travel through the Mediterranean before making her maiden voyage in the Caribbean in late Fall. She will carry 450 passengers through the Panama Canal over the holidays and then sail to Australia to embark on a World Voyage.
The Sojourn offers the finest of amenities with gratuities neither required nor expected. Enjoy open seating dining options which range from formal to laid-back. In addition to 24 hour room service, meals can be served course by course in the privacy of your suite.
Stay tuned as we anticipate the addition of another yacht in the fleet…Seabourn Quest, which will debut in June 2011.
Exclusively for readers of The Ridgewood Blog, Seabourn is offering $50 off per person now through July 23, 2010 in addition to the Cardmember Annual Travel Benefit and features provided by the American Express Cruise Privileges, Mariner Club, or Gold Card Destinations programs. Contact your Travel Center / American Express travel professional today:
Our motto regarding Graydon is “Come see for yourself,” so this spring’s Parks and Recreation flyer included a special coupon for a free day at Graydon, any day, weekday or weekend, through July 18, for Ridgewood residents. Families (up to 6 members) residing in Ridgewood (bring proof of residency) are eligible.
If you or someone you know (Ridgewood residents only) would like to try Graydon Pool for free, this coupon is a wonderful opportunity. If you did not receive the flyer in the mail, ask at the badge office about the spring Parks & Rec flyer containing this year’s coupon.
Come to Graydon and join in the fun! Cool off and bring the kids to Story Time.
Swimmingly, Marcia Ringel and Suzanne Kelly, Co-Chairs The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation “It’s clear—we love Graydon!” [email protected] https://www.preservegraydon.org/
The state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) plans to push to reform the state’s questionable and confusing ‘pay to play’ law to strengthen the measure that took effect in 2006. The commission, which is responsible for tracking campaign finance in the state, called the law “confusing” and said with the inclusion of the “fair and open” provision, which allows municipalities to bypass the pay to play restrictions in awarding contracts so long as the request for bids is advertised on the township’s Web site or in a local newspaper, the law has a huge loophole. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
>FAQ: How Gov. Christie’s Property Tax Reform Would Work
The historic deal reached this weekend between Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers over a new 2 percent property tax cap includes several exemptions. And lawmakers will be in session over much of the summer to consider a package of other legislation that could profoundly affect how local governments manage and pay their employees. We’ve prepared this guide to help you understand the cap, and the proposed legislation. (Celock, Westfield Patch)
>Ridgewood Water – Stage IV Water Restrictions Now in Effect
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY – STAGE IV WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT FOR GLEN ROCK, MIDLAND PARK, RIDGEWOOD, AND WYCKOFF
EFFECTIVE JULY 6th, 2010 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Due to recent weather conditions and the resulting increase in demand for water, the normal reserve maintained for fighting fires and maintaining pressure in the system has dropped to unacceptably low levels. Ridgewood Water, which serves the Boroughs of Glen Rock and Midland Park, the Village of Ridgewood, and the Township of Wyckoff, has been forced to impose mandatory Stage IV Restrictions effective IMMEDIATELY.
Stage IV prohibits any type of irrigation at any time.
These restrictions will be in effect until further notice. We apologize for the need to restrict your outdoor irrigation but public health and fire safety are primary responsibilities. Updates to these restrictions will be posted on our website at https://water.ridgewoodnj.net and the Village of Ridgewood website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.
The following is the text for Reverse 911 Calls made to customers – Hello,
This is a message from Ridgewood Water your water provider. Due to the extreme temperatures and lack of rainfall, all outdoor irrigation is banned until further notice. Public health and fire safety are our primary responsibilities. If you have any questions, please call 201-670-5520 or 201-670-5526. Additional information and updates are available on the Village of Ridgewood website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.
Meet under the pavilion at Graydon for Story Time! The beloved tradition returns weekly starting THIS THURSDAY, July 8, at 2 PM. Ages 4-8 (approximately). Former longtime Councilman Patrick Mancuso will read the first story. Bring a towel to sit on. No signup necessary.
Information: Dept. of Parks and Recreation, 201-670-5560.
>Trenton continues to wage war on New Jersey’s drivers
TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey is taking aim at residents who fraudulently register their vehicles or obtain auto insurance in other states.
The Assembly recently passed a measure that makes so-called reverse rate evasion a form of insurance fraud.
Under the practice, vehicle owners register and insure their vehicles in other states to get cheaper premiums, even though the Garden State is their principal residence or the insured vehicle is mostly kept in New Jersey.
Critics say this results in the loss of state revenues and causes higher premiums for those who properly register their vehicles. They also note that many out-of-state policies provide lesser coverage than what’s mandated under New Jersey law. If the bill becomes law, it would make reverse rate evasion a fourth-degree crime, which means violators can be jailed for up to 18 months. Specific fines would be determined by a judge under the state’s Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, according to the text of the bill.
Education Commissioner Bret Schundler speaks at annual Charter School Association conference. Glen Ridge officials will consider converting schools into charter or private schools.
GLEN RIDGE — Faced with burdensome mandates and diminishing returns from Trenton, one of the state’s top public school districts is considering a path that could make it the first to effectively secede from New Jersey’s public education system.
The Glen Ridge school board will enter largely uncharted waters when it gathers at a retreat this month to discuss converting some or all of the four schools in the 1,932-student district to charter or private schools.
In a community where the average property tax bill tops $16,000, the idea of becoming a breakaway district emerged as word spread that Glen Ridge’s already small portion of state aid would vanish and that New Jersey might embrace a new cap limit to tax increases in order to encourage school districts to merge.
Parents in Glen Ridge already aggressively raise money for everything from bleachers and classroom smart boards to paving and roof repairs. Meanwhile, per-pupil spending in Glen Ridge is below the statewide average.
“There’s got to be a better way,” said Kathy Weissenberger, who co-chairs the district’s Alternative Funding Committee. “Everyone kind of says they don’t go to public school, they go to a private Glen Ridge school. … That’s the way it feels.”
New Jersey will allow a public school to become a charter school if 51 percent of the teaching staff and parents sign a petition for it, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association. That has never happened.
“There have been no conversions to date,” said Beth Auerswald, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.
Glen Ridge perennially ranks as one of New Jersey’s best school districts. Its high school students average a hearty 1748 on the SAT (out of 2400), and nearly half the seniors are in advanced-placement classes.
The idea of becoming a breakaway district first surfaced in March, at a tense forum in which parents learned of Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed cuts in state aid, which would reduce Glen Ridge’s state school funding to zero.
“The strings are still there, but there’s no money,” said John M. Mucciolo, the district’s school superintendent.
By adopting a charter, Glen Ridge would have increased autonomy, but whether enough to make a real financial impact is open to question.
In theory, at least, the district would be spared from such mandates as QSAC, or Quality through a Single Accountability Continuum. “The people hours, the money it costs us,” Mucciolo said of the monitoring of schools’ progress. “Why does it have to be every three years? Why not every seven years? … Many times, the money we spend complying with state mandates is diverted from students.”
full story: https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/diminishing_state_aid_prompts.html
