Tag: Ridgewood Schools

>I was infuriated by the members of the BOE, who seemed to be patting themselves on the back for raising our taxes, AGAIN, in last week’s RN article about the budget! Does anyone else agree that the BOE does NOT have a mandate to propose a budget that uses every bit of Trenton’s “allowable” annual increase, every year.

Isn’t it the BOE’s responsibility to try to deliver a budget that does NOT increase automatically every year? Only infrequently and in unusual circumstances should the annual allowable increase actually be used.When is enough really going to be enough?

If Rudy Giuliani could reduce or eliminate 23 different taxes in NYC during eight years, why can’t Ridgewood manage to even hold taxes (let alone reduce them)? In the past six years the average increase from the BOE has been 4.59% per year and the cummulative increase from the BOE in that time has been over 25%. This is a disgrace. Our BOE members don’t seem to understand that it is NOT “OK” to keep dipping into our pockets. Perhaps it is time to take back control of our village’s educational destiny from the teachers’ union…

>BOARD OF EDUCATION

Ridgewood, New Jersey

Special Public Meeting/Public Hearing on the Budget

7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Education Center

>”I am a student in Ridgewood, and several of my friends are homosexual or bisexual. Gay people can’t help their sexuality, just like straight people can’t help theirs. Homosexuality is just another thing that people discriminate against, and aren’t schools supposed to help lessen that discrimination? Prejudice against skin color is horrible, but when you discriminate against love- well, that’s just sickening.We have Black History Month. We have Women’s History Month. We learn about the things that they had to go through to get the same rights as white guys, yet there is always a hullabaloo when someone tries to stand up for gay rights.So, are you against organizations sponsoring schools, or are you against taxpayer’s money being used this way (and BTW, staying silent doesn’t exactly cost a whole lot) or are you just HOMOPHOBIC?Oh. I’m reading the above comments…you know, I really had no idea that so many homophobes live in Ridgewood. They make me sick, they really do. My stomach begins to churn when I read their words. I bet that NONE of them even know a single gay person, so why don’t they shove their stupid homophobic comments up their arses? “

>Recall — Firm Press Release
FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Menu Foods Issues Recall of Specific Can and Small Foil Pouch Wet Pet Foods
Contact:
Sarah Tuite
(416) 848-1703

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Emporia, KS — March 16, 2007 — Menu Foods, Emporia, Kansas, is initiating a North American recall of dog and cat food manufactured in its “cuts and gravy” format between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. There has been a small number of reported instances of cats and dogs in the United States (none in Canada) becoming sick from kidney failure after eating the affected products. There have been approximately ten deaths reported.

Consumers who have product which is being recalled should stop using it and return it to Menu Foods in accordance with the procedure found at www.menufoods.com/recall. This procedure will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007. If your dog or cat is showing any signs of kidney failure, consult your veterinarian.

The recall includes an extensive list of brand names and lot numbers. In order to determine whether cat and dog food is subject to recall, consumers should refer to the comprehensive list of products at www.menufoods.com/recall. This list of products will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007.

Menu Foods voluntarily recalled the products after learning of complaints of vomiting and renal failure in dogs and cats following their consumption of product produced between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. FDA has been apprised of this action.

Following feedings of the product, some cats and dogs refused further feedings, while others exhibited signs of renal failure (signs of renal failure include loss of appetite, lethargy and vomiting) and others died from renal failure. Menu Foods has undertaken extensive testing of the products in question, employing both internal and external resources, but to date has been unable to confirm any causal relationship to our product. Specifically, tests of some affected products have not revealed the cause of sickness, and testing will continue until a better understanding of the facts has been achieved.

Menu’s products are distributed to supermarkets, pet specialty stores and mass merchandisers across the United States. It can best be identified by reference to the list of products found at www.menufoods.com/recall. This list of products will be available from 6 a.m. Saturday March 17, 2007.

Menu Foods is notifying its customers by telephone and mail and is arranging for the return of all recalled products. The products were distributed throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

While the number of complaints has been relatively small, Menu Foods is taking this proactive step out of an abundance of caution, because the health and well-being of pets is paramount to Menu Foods.

Consumers with questions may contact Menu Foods at 1-800-551-7392.

####

>Well if your looking a causal and interesting dinning experience check out Joel’s at 14 Oak Street (201)493-9477 , the food is excellent .At Joel’s there is a unique twist on many standard dishes . The presentation is enticing and the service grand and friendly so if you looking around town and not up to fine dinning but have an inquisitive pallet Joels’ has something for everyone .

A Mano : Chestnut Street at Franklin : Ridgewood, NJ : 201.493.2000 , an upscale pizzeria, serving real Neapolitan style pizza. The freshness of the ingredients is readily apparent. The brick ovens give a very warm ambiance. Considering the place had just opened service was good with the staff looking to find there grove. A Mano is a pizza lover’s delight and could easily win converts.

Bagelicious 19N. Broad Street (201)652-9421 ,so you thought you could only get good bagles in NYC ,not so Bagelious has some the best around .Dont forget to ask about some of their special combo sandwiches

Email the blog if you have any of your own ideas [email protected]

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE

>WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 AM EDT SATURDAY.

MODERATE TO OCCASIONALLY HEAVY SNOW AND SLEET WILL LIKELY CHANGE TO SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN THIS EVENING. TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW AND SLEET WILL RANGE FROM 6 TO 10 INCHES BEFORE THE ACCUMULATING SNOW ENDS LATER TONIGHT. UP TO A HALF INCH OF ICE ACCRETION FROM FREEZING RAIN IS ALSO POSSIBLE… MAKING DRIVING AND WALKING CONDITIONS QUITE HAZARDOUS.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW… SLEET… AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Weather updates brought to you by ;

Voted the “Most Innovative Real Estate Company” by Inman News, Keller Williams® Realty takes a different approach, one that is built on personal touches, a professional approach and positive results. Michael Saltzman utilizes the latest technologies, market research and business strategies to meet your expectations. However, more importantly, we listen and that means we find solutions that are tailored to you.

Michael Saltzman 954-829-1524

[email protected]

>BOARD APPROVES PRELIM BUDGET – The Board of Education at its March 12, 2007, meeting approved a preliminary budget for the 2007-2008 school year to be submitted to the Bergen County Superintendent. The public hearing on the proposed budget is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2007. The budget calls for $79,404,637 in expenditures, which represents a 3.5 percent increase in the tax levy. For the average Ridgewood home owner, whose home is assessed at $473,330, the budget represents an increase of $289. The Board also approved a Second Question to be placed on the ballot for voter approval along with the budget. The Second Question covers the replacement of outdated equipment at Ridgewood High School. The total is $669,087 for the new technology and would cost the average home owner an additional $80.29. Elements of the preliminary budget are subject to change. The final budget will not be available until the public hearing on March 27. The Annual School Election and Budget Vote is Tuesday, April, 17, 2007. Polls are open from 7 AM to 9 PM. Please vote!

PUBLIC COMMENT POLICY – The Board is considering a new public comment policy to replace the one that expired last month. The new policy reads, “In order to permit the fair and orderly expression of such comment, the Board shall provide for two periods of public comment at all regular meetings. At all meetings the public comment periods will be scheduled at approximately 7:30 PM and approximately 9 PM or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity for public comment may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8 PM in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity for public comment will occur at about 9 PM at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.” The second reading and final adoption of the policy will take place at the next Board meeting.

>MC AVEY LLC – An amended application for the development of property at 237
Godwin Avenue, Block 2202 Lot 20 in an R-3 zone. Applicant is seeking
approval for a re-orientated, two-lot subdivision with the proposed lots
facing on Godwin Avenue instead of South Monroe Street. The uses will be as
follows: the existing three family house now located on the property will
be modified to two family use, (proposed lot 20.02) which is permitted in
the zone and the vacant Bozzo house located at 54 South Monroe Street, Lot
21, Block 2403, moved to the proposed new corner lot (lot 20.01), remaining
a single family home. The net result will be a reduction from the four
dwelling unit proposal currently before the Board to a three dwelling unit
proposal permitted by the regulations. Variances for lot 20.01 are as
follows: Front yard setback will be 17 feet where 40 feet is the minimum
required, building height will be 33.3 feet where 30 feet is the maximum
permitted. Variances for Lot 20.02 are as follows: Coverage by
improvements within 140 feet of the front lot line will be 47.6% and
coverage by improvements for the total lot will be 46.6% where 45% is the
maximum permitted for both.

>Registration opens March 1st for the next season – September to November 2007 for children 1st to 12th grades. A variety of programs are offered for all skill levels. Please go to www.ridgewoodsoccer.org for details. To access online registration system visit www.ridgewoodsports.org. Only credit card payments will be accepted this year. After May 1st a $50 late fee will be assessed and travel players will be put on a wait list to determine space availability.

>
Ridgewood BOE members will meet on Monday, March 12 at @ 7:30 p.m. in the Education Center on Cottage Place to adopt a tentative 2007-2008 budget for submission to the County Superintendent.

>Although no professional engineering study has been undertaken, Mayor Dave Pfund has publicly insisted that repairing and restoring the Pease Library building would cost taxpayers $1 million. Mayor Pfund has also publicly indicated his reluctance to issue municipal bonds that would cover such costs.

Knowing that Mayor Pfund and Village Manager Jim Ten Hoeve don’t want to spend $1 million to fix things up at Pease, could they be considering swapping the Pease property for 120 Franklin Avenue (The Town Garage), which Mr. Wells now owns? Cost avoidance of $1 million at Pease could justify swapping the Garber Square location for a property of lesser value.

If a property swap is indeed being considered, some potential issues for the Mayor and Village Manager to think about:

What happens to the E911 center now in Pease’s lower level? Would they pay rent to Wells, or move to a municipally owned location?
Is there a way for the Village to ensure that Wells wouldn’t eventually demolish the landmark building and replace it with something modern?
How would public access to Pease (if left standing) be guaranteed if the Village didn’t own it?

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE

>Oh great…The Hummmmmer is back. He is always good for some intelligent comments…

Several posts above have asked you conspiracy theorists to explain what is so illicit, shady, unlawful, unethical, or whatever else you think it may be, about this transaction. So far not one of you has presented a clear explanation. All you idiots do is spead innuendo.

Here’s a radical idea…maybe Wells saw an opportunity to make a quick buck.

Comsider this. The Angellos won’t move without a new site. The Village Council can’t make such a land swap as part of their offer. Wells recognizes this and steps in with a deal that satisfies the Angellos by offering a lower price than the Village’s offer, but includes a long term lease at a new site that actually saves the Angellos money and improves their cash flow. Now Wells owns the Town Garage property and is free to sell it to the Village at their original offer price for a quick $400-500K profit. Meanwhile he collects rent from the Angellos at their new site for the next ten years.

I don’t know if this is what happened. But, if it did, all you could say about Wells is that he is a shrewd businessman, who had the foresight and financing to make it happen. By the way, if it went down this way, the Village’s interests were served because they needed a private partner to offer a land swap anyway. Furthermore, in this scenario, the Village pays the same price that the Angellos originally turned down. Notice, by the way, that this scenario did not involve any discussions between the Village Council and Wells about non-public information.

So, I ask you Fly, Hummmmmmmer and anyone else who insists that our Mayor or Wells are involved in some nefarious scheme, what are you complaining about? That Wells saw an opportunity that you didn’t? Or, is it just that Wells is wealthier than you and a lot smarter than you (which is how he became wealthier than you to begin with)?

>Jeffery Wells owns of the 21-room Blauvelt mansion in Oradell a property on Kinderkamak road are no strangers to controversy and have been the subject of much community debate in Oradell. After years of hosting events at the mansion ,the Wells family wants to turn the property they own into a banquet business but their neighbors are opposed to a commercial business located in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The Wells’s attempted to sell the four-acre property for $8 million, hoping to keep the house intact and find someone interested in restoring the house. According to sources the only offers came from developers, who wanted to raze the mansion and build new homes — an option Wells rejected. The Wells family saved the mansion from possible destruction in 1978, when Jeffrey’s father, Raymond Wells, purchased the property from a developer who had sought to develop the property with single-family homes .

>
No rent payments over a 10 year occupancy period, but a promise to undertake “significant” building improvements/restorations to the Pease Library. That’s the deal being offered by Village Council members to Wells Associates – Architects.

What’s your opinion? Should the Village collect monthly rent and contract for the improvements/restorations itself, or should officials agree to the deal proposed by Wells Associates?

Let’s hear what all of you Anti Government Grumblers have to say!
Thanks.

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE