April 7th 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Cottage place Surface Lot A case of Neglect & Danger . The lot is a disaster, perhaps that is why no one wants to park there .
Cottage place Surface Lot A case of Neglect & Danger
Tag: Ridgewood
No Political Signs on Village Property Period
April 7,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, When placing political signs for candidates, please be aware that political signs shall not be permitted to be placed on any publicly owned property, including, but not limited to, municipally owned property, library property, parks, right of ways, the planting strip between the curb and the sidewalk of any residential or commercial property, trees, telephone poles, lighting stations, street or traffic signs, tree wells or planters, water utility property, and/or any other such publicly owned property within the Village.
Judge declares a mistrial in Ridgewood Doctor Bomber Case
April 7,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A Superior Court judge declared a mistrial in the state’s case against Ridgewood Resident Dr. Roberto Rivera, a physician who was indicted in 2012 for stockpiling large amounts of bomb-making materials in his Ridgewood home.
At the time authorities including the Ridgewood police discovered a stock of hazardous materials during a 2012 raid on Rivera’s Union Street home, including nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, sulfuric acid, calcium hypochlorite and potassium perchlorate. Along with multiple weapons, authorities also recovered 10 thermite lighters, which can be used as detonators.
In 2012, Dr. Roberto Rivera, 60, was reported to be active in the Occupy Wall Street movement and a far left wing activist .His license to practice medicine temporarily suspended in 2013 and in 2015, he was cleared by a court to represent himself in his trial.
This past Wednesday Judge Frances McGrogan made her decision after a juror independently obtained information about the case during deliberations, said Joseph Torre, a Bergen County assistant prosecutor.
The three-day trial in March saw testimony from detectives who seized two Cobray M11 9mm assault rifles and a large-capacity ammunition magazine from Rivera’s house, Torre said.
Rivera is charged with possession of assault weapons and a high-capacity magazine. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
A new trial will take place in June,and the state will also hold a second trial in October on charges related to the explosive material, including possession of a destructive device and creating risk of widespread harm.
Reader says The old saw that the SAT is a test that you can’t study for is still that: an old, false saw
The old saw that the SAT is a test that you can’t study for is still that: an old, false saw. Perfect or near perfect scores were once a rarity, perhaps because students were (wrongly, as it turns out) warded away from preparing in a focused, methodical way. Now, however, admissions offices at the nation’s top-rated colleges are swimming in applications from students sporting such gaudy scores. Fully a quarter or more of freshmen matriculating at places like Yale or Princeton totally body-slammed the SAT. Hence, schools who informally market themselves the “Harvard of the South” or similar monikers that identify them as non-Ivy League, but striving for recognition and a healthy share of the rest of the best students, are competing heavily for students with those kinds of obscenely high scores by offering large merit-based scholarships. But, and this is a big but, those same schools are prone very quickly to lose interest in students who do not score perfectly or near-perfectly on the SAT. Respect for the SAT as a tool for admissions offices to make fine distinctions between and among good students has plummetted. Many detractors of the SAT see it merely as a narrowly-focused test of a certain raw academic-related skills, perhaps predictive of first year college performance, but of no real value beyond that. The ACT, by contrast, has a much different format. The ACT is broken down by subject matter and gives admissions offices a good idea how much of the pure substance of a given academic subject a student has ingested and comprehended. The ACT’s popularity among college-bound high school students is increasing as more and more people recognize the real weaknesses of the SAT.
Reader says Less expensive homes resell more often
file photo by Boyd Loving
Look at which houses in Ridgewood have the highest turnover rates. Less expensive homes resell more often. People still move to Ridgewood, often from NYC, for the schools and leave when their kids graduate. Yes. Taxes are high, but they are far lower than the cost of private school tuition plus taxes in a town with lower rated schools. A year of property tax payments on an average Ridgewood home (Roughly $16,000) is roughly one third the cost of tuition at a New York City private school (over $50,000). That is the choice many parents have made. For a family with multiple children, the savings are even more substantial
Reader says When the new apartments open, our schools are going to be overwhelmed with new students
One family makes $50,000 or less and one family makes well over $300,000. The average of that is really quite high. So, don’t brag about all the millionaires who live here. Even a mean would be slanted to the higher end. Many of our residents live in small apartments so they can send their children to Ridgewood schools. They can’t afford that nice cheap $400,000 home. When the new apartments open, our schools are going to be overwhelmed with new students. So, yes, many of our teachers are paid much more than many of our residents. Even at starting salaries because they are getting thousands of dollars in free benefits that even our millionaires might find it tough to meet. Don’t forget, the salaries are not based on 12 months of education. Many teachers make a lot at their “summer jobs”. Ridgewood is fortunate to have very talented teachers who do inspire their students but we have almost as many who are sick of teaching and are just counting down to their very well padded retirements.
MULTI-SPORT CAMP WITH TGA PREMIER SPORTS
April 4,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, This 4-day multi-sport camp for students in Grades 1-7, will be held Monday through Thursday, April 9 through 12. It offers a half-day session from 9 am to 12 pm ($145) or a full-day session from 9 am to 3 pm ($170). Rain make up will be Friday, April 13th if needed.
Introductory classes provide fundamentals of each game, teaching skills that increase in difficulty as the players progress, with the promotion of teamwork, spirit, respect, fair play and much fun. Sports include golf, tennis, cheeerleading, flag football, floor hockey, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee and volleyball. Activities are held at Maple Park, Leuning Park, the Hockey Rink and Graydon Pool (check-in at Maple Park each morning).
Registration can be made online at CommunityPass, www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass, or in person/by mail to the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
MULTI-SPORT CAMP WITH TGA PREMIER SPORTS
From Monday, April 09, 2018 – 9:00AM
To Thursday, April 12, 2018 – 3:00PM
Contact Ridgewood Recreation, 201-670-5560
RHS Junior New Players summer program
April 6,2018
Morgan Knight
Good afternoon, Ridgewood families! I’m the staff supervisor for the RHS Junior New Players summer program. If your child is interested in theater — or just wants an inclusive place to call home this summer — please consider signing them up for Junior New Players! We are open to district students who have completed grades 4 and up! No previous stage experience is required!
This three week workshop is facilitated by advanced RHS students (under the direction and supervision of adult staff) and culminates in performances on the RHS Little Theater stage. Junior Co. (approaching its 25th year) is special and unique to our district. As a Junior Co. alum, I can attest to some very happy memories and close friendships being made here. The performances are great fun but, more importantly, our J-Co. kids learn life skills like public speaking, teamwork, time management, and self-confidence; our high school students make for positive role-models and mentors.
For additional information and registration, see the attached file, or visit our website at rhsnewplayers.com
Feel free to send me a personal message, or email me at [email protected] with any questions about our program!
The RHS New Players Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; donations are tax deductible.
Reader to the Ridgewood CBD quit whining and at least make an effort to help yourselves!
Damiano, you still seem to think your only salvation is a garage. If it is so important for downtown businesses, when are you going to get the members together to force the landlords to contribute towards it? When are you going to contribute at least a wee bit? Quit firing at the people of the Village because most of us don’t want to build a garage. The businesses in Ridgewood basically all have the same problem. Landlords who think nothing better than milking you all dry. Take some responsibility for your own problems–make your employees walk a distance to work so your customers can park close enough to your business to make it worth their while to shop with you. The Village council and the residents of Ridgewood are not your Mommies-who would happily give you anything you wanted. You are grown up now. quit whining and at least make an effort to help yourselves!
Reader suggests some Ridgewood BOE members are out of touch
Completely tone deaf and out of touch with reality – Loncto and Fishbein wouldn’t even respond to a resident’s honest concern about these windows and their cost, just saying “We need them now”. Well maybe these out of touch redecorated aren’t up to the jobs they have, time to resign because we don’t need them now.
Ridgewood Water All four stream crossings are now operational and in service
Water Main Replacements at Stream Crossings
April 6,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Devens Construction has recently completed the fourth and final stream crossing as part of the 4-Stream Crossing Project for Ridgewood Water. All four stream crossings are now operational and in service.
Devens Construction will be moving equipment and materials off site followed up by restoration efforts. Due to muddy conditions and the inclement weather we have been experiencing, final restoration delays are to be expected until weather conditions improve. Final pavement restoration will be completed in the following months.
Ridgewood Water will provide updates as to upcoming traffic detours or road closures while the restoration phase is in progress
Political Signs Can Not Be Posted The property between curb and sidewalk
April 6,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Reminder: The property between curb and sidewalk is owned by the Village, not by individual property owners. As such, this rule applies:
From VOR Ordinance #3540: Temporary, non-illuminated, political signs advancing the candidacy for elective office of any candidate or group of candidates or a cause subject to political judgment. Subsection B. General Sign Regulations. (l) General Prohibitions. Add: (j) All temporary signs, including political signs, shall not be permitted to be placed on any publicly owned property, including, but not limited to, municipally owned property, library property, parks, right of ways, trees, telephone poles, lighting stations, street or traffic signs, tree wells or planters, water utility property, and/or any other such publicly owned property within the Village.
PSE&G Reminds Everyone to Call 811 Before They Dig
file photo by Boyd Loving
April is National Safe Digging Month
April 6,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Nearly 40 percent of Americans who plan home projects that require digging this year don’t plan on calling before they dig, according to a recent national survey conducted by Common Ground Alliance. Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, reminds customers, contractors and excavators to call 811 to request a mark-out before digging to avoid hitting underground pipelines, conduits, wires and cables. The service is free, and absolutely critical to avoiding injuries and disruptions to vital utility services.
“Each year, PSE&G responds to about 220 incidents because someone didn’t call before digging,” said Joe Forline, PSE&G vice president of gas operations. ”Summer and spring are the peak seasons for accidental damages to gas lines by contractors, construction workers or residents, so please put safety first and call us.”
PSE&G has more than 8,200 circuit miles of underground electric lines, and 35,000 miles of buried natural gas distribution lines. In addition to the electric and gas lines, there are other buried utility lines, including communications cables, and water and sewer lines.
When you call 811 or 1-800-272-1000, you are automatically connected to the One Call center, which collects information about your digging project. The center then provides the information to the utility companies, who send representatives to mark the locations of underground lines in the immediate vicinity of the planned work location with flags, paint or both. After lines have been marked and you receive confirmation, you are free to carefully dig around the marked areas. In New Jersey, the marks are valid for 45 business days. The call must be made whether you are hiring a professional or planning to do the job yourself, using shovels or other hand tools.
Important information to consider:
- Call 811 at least three full business days before each job to have underground pipes, wires and equipment located. Utility workers will respond and place markers where utility lines are buried, free of charge.
- If you hired a contractor, confirm that a call to 811 has been made. Do not allow work to begin if the lines are not marked.
- Property owners must maintain and respect the marks. Always hand dig within two feet of marked lines.
- Various colors are used when marking lines. To learn what each color represents and for more information, go to www.call811.com.
If you accidentally damage gas piping or smell gas when excavating, call 911 immediately from a safe area. Also notify PSE&G by calling 1-800-880-7734. Call before you dig is more than a good idea — it’s the law.
Click here to find out more about the importance of knowing what’s below before you start digging.
Ridgewood Taekwondo Athletes 2018 Spring Forward
April 5 ,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, With the turn of the new year, the competitive Taekwondo season has started anew. What has not changed is the impressive showing by the young athletes at Taekwondo All In, a school that teaches the Korean martial art. In two state championships – Maryland and New Jersey – the Taekwondo All In students earned 30 gold, 15 silver, 17 bronze, 62 in total. Moreover, all competing students earned spots to compete at the National Championship to occur in Salt Lake City Utah on July. The following 15 athletes won medals at the Maryland State Championship on February 24, 2018
3 Gold – Emily Kam,
2 Gold – Kaylin Lee, Tyler Minn
1 Gold and 1silver – Lianne Shin, Abraham Lee, Ricardo Merino
1 Gold and 1 Bronze – Jenna Slota, Lucas Woods, Timothy Lee
1 Gold – Liam Woods, Kate Minn
1 Silver and 1 Bronze – Riddhima Chandel
2 Bronze – Ryan Kam
1 Bronze – Audrey Kim, Jack Raines
At the New Jersey State Championship on March 25, the following seventeen gained medals:
2 Gold and 1 Bronze – Kaylin Lee, Emily Kam
2 Gold – Donghyun Kim
1 Gold and 2 Silver – Kate Minn
1 Gold and 1 Silver – Isaac Yi, Elliott Yi, Lianne Shin, Riddhima Chandel,
1 Gold and 1 Bronze – Lucas Woods, Sunghyun Kim, Taddeo Wang
1 Gold – Liam Woods
1 Silver and 1 Bonze – Tyler Minn, Ryan Kam, Jenna Slota
1 Silver – David Ahn, Elias Chi
1 Bronze – Maximilian Jimenez, Jack Raines
The owner and head instructor of Taekwondo All In Youngmin Kim commented, “This a great start to a new year. Our athletes have trained diligently all winter and it shows in how they performed at the competitions. I am very proud of all my students.”
Taekwondo All In, located at 33 Chestnut Street in Ridgewood, is a school that dedicates to teaching the Korean Martial Art, an Olympic sport. The benefit of learning the sport ranges from better physical conditioning to mental strength and discipline. For additional information, the school can be reached at (201) 857-0445.
Real Estate Agents in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood among Top Performers
April 5,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
BERGEN COUNTY, NJ Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC, an exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate and the fastest growing real estate brokerage in northern New Jersey, recently recognized a number of its agents in the Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood offices for their overall sales performance in 2017 and for their recent rankings with New Jersey Multiple Listing Service (NJMLS).
“Whether the listing or selling agent, the success of our agents is testament to their hard work, Special Properties’ client-centric approach to customer service, and the power that Christie’s International Real Estate brings to the northern New Jersey real estate marketplace,” said Ilija Pavlovic, President and CEO of Special Properties Real Estate Services LLC.
Special Properties recently recognized the following agents for outstanding performance in overall sales in 2017:
- Grazyna “Grace” Ziarko, Franklin Lakes
- The Dator Team (Linda Dator, William “Bill” Dator, Lauren O’Rourke), Mahwah
- Margaret Gregorek, Mahwah
- Patricia Lomupo, Mahwah
- Sharon Georgevich and William Savas, Mahwah
- James “Jim” McElroy, Mahwah
- Maureen Kuntz, Mahwah
- Christina Gibbons, Ridgewood
- Marisa Traverso, Ridgewood
NJMLS, a cooperative information network of real estate offices across Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Hudson Counties, ranks its member realtors by total dollar values of real estate transactions in three categories: total production, listing agent and buyer’s agent. In Mahwah, Margaret Gregorek and Linda Dator were recently ranked second and third, respectively, for both total production and listed properties. For Ridgewood, Christina Gibbons was ranked fourth in the role of buyer’s agent.
“We congratulate the outstanding performance of our agents in a very competitive marketplace,” concluded Pavlovic.
About Special Properties Real Estate Services
Special Properties Real Estate Services, LLC embraces the history and traditions of its flagship brokerage location in Saddle River, NJ, into an expanded, modern presence in Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Ridgewood, NJ. With a staff of accomplished real estate brokers, its clients across northern New Jersey and southern New York are provided with customized, personalized services, backed by the luxury real estate brand of Christie’s International Real Estate. Special Properties provides local expertise with global connections. For more information, call 201-934-0607 or visit www.specialpropertiesres.com.
Top performing agents for Special Properties Real Estate Services recently gathered at the brokerage’s Mahwah location. Pictured (L-R) is James McElroy, Patricia Lomupo, Graznya “Grace” Ziarko, Sharon Georgevich, Marisa Traverso, Lauren O’Rourke, Margaret Gregorek, Maureen Kuntz, Christina Gibbons, and William Savas.
