Tag: Ridgewood Schools

>Letter to the Editor, The Record

We would like to thank The Record and Road Warrior John Cichowski for the attention focused on the issue of pedestrian deaths in New Jersey (“Deaths jump 33%,” Page A-1, Nov. 10; “Walking is hazardous for nearly all,” Road Warrior, Page L-1, Nov. 10). Of course, prevention is key and pedestrians must be aware of their surroundings. But something not mentioned is driver accountability.

A year and a half ago on Mother’s Day, our 24-year-old son, Dan, was walking in a crosswalk in broad daylight in Ridgewood, with a green light, when he was struck from behind and killed by a motorist making a left turn. We were shocked and outraged to learn that the driver’s only charge was “failure to yield to a pedestrian.” He received a $300 fine and lost his license for three months. Based on accounts of both attorneys and other victims’ families, unless the driver is drunk or leaves the scene of the accident, greater penalties are seldom imposed.

A car can be a deadly weapon. When drivers get behind the wheel, they must assume responsibility for their actions. Far too many drivers are in such a hurry or are engaged in cellphone use that they are not fully aware of defenseless pedestrians.

Perhaps if drivers knew there were a penalty for injuring or killing a pedestrian, they would slow down and pay more attention to what is going on around them. New Jersey laws do not adequately address drivers’ responsibility regarding pedestrian safety. We urge lawmakers to consider enacting laws more in line with the horrendous consequences of these acts.

Andrea and Roger DeVries
Paramus, Nov. 12

>if you voice a ‘NO’ in this town, you become a target. Your business gets blacklisted. You don’t get invited to houses to lunch. You become a social outcast. Why? Because you are viewed as a miscreant.

I have coached, volunteered for numerous Village, sports and school groups and committees. I raised a LOT of money with other dedicated parents.

And I have seen the waste, control and abuse. I’ve had enough. I’m voting NO because it is what my conscience tells me to do. It’s what my kids would expect of me because of the values I have taught them.

I’ll never engage in the ad hominem attacks against those who disagree with me have leveled against me. However, I will never try to lie and attempt to deceive people into voting NO along with me.

I am of the opinion that that BOE has not been up-front with us and expects us to blindly follow. I will not. That is why I spend time educating myself on issues here and within Bergen County.

Here in Ridgewood, I hear the phrase “we can’t do that” instead of “why can’t we do that?”. These extreme times demand representatives on the board that have imagination and intestinal fortitude. Instead, I see capitulation and group think. The last free thinkers have been assimilated by the machine that is the BOE. I used to respect them, and unless they have a change of heart before the bond goes to vote, they will never again receive my vote or financial support.

You’re right, 1133, we should let the garbage take a rest – but I ask you, do you believe in this bind ref 100%? Because if you have any reservations that this is the latest lapse of imagination and leadership by those who work for and represent us, I would ask that you hold them to the job they promised to do.

Money will not solve this problem. It’s time for a new plan.

>War criminals should not get civilian trials nor receive US constitutional rights unless they are citizens.

Despite the obstructionist tactics used by the Left, the Bush administration should have moved to begin war tribunals faster.

Were I arguing for the defense, I don’t see how these guys can get a fair trial, especially being blocks from the scene of an American tragedy.

If it took four years to prosecute Zacarias Moussaoui. This circus will take years, cost tens of millions of dollars and give a forum to these bastards as they are paraded in and out of court. The families and friends of the 3,000 will be forced to relive this over and over.

This Obama Administration and AG Holder have set a catastrophic precedent for years to come.

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Friends,

Well, yesterday was quite a day. The response to our call to action has been overwhelming. We have almost 100,000 signatures on our letter challenging Obama’s flawed policy of trying the terrorists/war criminals who murdered our family & friends on September 11, 2001 in civilian federal courts.

The signatures include our many families of the victims of September 11, 2001 as well as many from the FDNY, NYPD and PAPD and retired military. But most of the signatures are from proud Americans who are as disgusted as we are with this abomination. We are organizing all the information and we will post all the signatures on Monday.

Check back here for updates and stay tuned for our next move!

THANK-YOU!

Tim Brown

theBravest.com

[email protected]

Michelle Malkin says:

If this White House thought Tea Party activists were an “angry mob,” wait until they see the backlash from 9/11 family members and their supporters nationwide. We’re not going to sit down and shut up about the reckless, security-undermining Obama 9/10 agenda and conflict-of-interest-ridden AG Eric Holder.

Call them out.

Recently, Congress voted down a bi-partisan bill that would have ensured that the terrorists who brought death and destruction to our homeland on September 11, 2001 would be tried as war criminals in military courts, not as common criminals tried in civilian courts with full Constitutional protections on American soil. The Obama administration has not been truthful with the public about the risks associated with bringing these cases in federal court, where critical evidence will be excluded, classified intelligence will be made available to our enemies, foreign counterterrorism partners will be exposed and the “mastermind of 9/11” will be allowed to mock his victims just blocks from where they died.

theBravest.com has partnered with 9/11 Families for a Safe & Strong and America and Keep America Safe to bring attention to this travesty. We are recruiting the families & friends of the FDNY to combat this ill-conceived policy of the current administration.

This week letters were sent to President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates questioning the wisdom of bringing these terrorists onto US soil to try them in civilian courts for their grievous crimes against this great country, including the murder of 343 New York City firefighters.

93 of them were my friends.

They were all my brothers.

I cannot stand by and let this happen without a fight.

Read the letter HERE. https://www.thebravest.com/ObamaLetter110909.htm

CLICK HERE if you would like to add your signature. https://www.keepamericasafe.com/petition_signup/

Thank-you,

Tim Brown

FDNY-Retired, 9/11 Survivor

[email protected]

>We need to look at how our BOE is run, and how Trenton wastes out tax dollars. Beyond that? Its way too easy to call out the Super’s Blackberry and laptop. Its easy to post comments on a blog, being critical of what a secretary gets paid. Low hanging fruit.

All of these are symptoms of a much larger problem: government waste. NJ is corrupt. Fight to change it, locally with our village gov and the bathroom at vets… then fight in Trenton with your vote.

Until then, dont make the children of Ridgewood pay for past mistakes. This bond vote comes at a critical time. Our schools are in need of repair.. NOW, not later, after you all “send your message” to the administrators, secretaries, and teachers out there. Stop mixing the facts until their suit your view. PS… same secretaries, teachers, and administrators whom you’ll all be buying holiday gifts for next month. Tell them then to their faces that you think they’re overpayed. Opps..! I didnt think you would.

Critical vote… critical time. My family supports this and we are willing to pay more per year to service this debt. Interest rates are historically low. Do it now. 3-4 years from now, when the economy has turned around, you’ll all be on board? No way. You’ll then be complaining about the high interest rates on the bond. You cant have it both ways.

If you have a leaky pipe in your house, or a leaky roof over your head, do you fix it? Do you take out a home equity loan, at low rates, to do so? Or do you sit your family down at the dinner table and say “This is a lesson for you all. We’re going to suffer through it. Just ignore the water and the mold.” OR, do you address the need… fix it, and get on with your life? Find a way to pay for much needed repairs and improvements? Would you tell your kids that the leak was from the previous homeowners, so you dont want to pay to repair it?

We support this, as do MANY families in Ridgewood. Dont bother with your references to my “BRATS”… it wont change my vote.

YES !

>Seeking home sale vendors

A lovely home space has been offered to the Coalition for a holiday bazaar fundraiser on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend (November 29). And we want to hold one!

Know of any vendors who do high-quality home-based sales (candles, kitchen equipment, holiday specialties, hand knits, quilts, toys, and so on) in the Ridgewood area? Please write to Pat Hensley immediately at [email protected]. Provide as much contact information for each vendor as you can.

If you create or sell unique items yourself, this will be a fine way to share your wares, help your neighbors do their holiday shopping early, enjoy a social day, and aid the Coalition.

Our new car magnets, lawn signs, and possibly other items will be sold there, attracting Coalition supporters.

Please ask your friends if they can recommend vendors also. Thanks!

Swimmingly,

Marcia Ringel and Suzanne Kelly, Co-Chairs
The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
“It’s clear—we love Graydon!”

[email protected]
www.PreserveGraydon.org