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Dozens of these wildlife species in NJ could be headed for extinction

bald eagle

By Dino Flammia May 1, 2017 2:00 AM

The lives of more than 80 wildlife species in New Jersey are either in immediate danger or close to it.

Bobcats, bald eagles and multiple species of snake, sea turtles and birds should have a healthy presence in the Garden State, but they’re struggling to survive, according to the latest endangered and threatened list from the state Division of Fish & Wildlife.

The database describes endangered species as those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are bleak “because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination.” Threatened species may become endangered if conditions around them begin to or continue to worsen.

Several species on New Jersey’s list are endangered federally as well.

The piping plover, a small shorebird on both the state and national list, is considered “one of New Jersey’s most endangered species,” according to the division. “Without intense protection and management, it is unlikely that the piping plover would survive in New Jersey,” the species description states.

Read More: Dozens of these wildlife species in NJ could be headed for extinction | https://nj1015.com/dozens-of-nj-wildlife-species-could-be-headed-for-extinction/?trackback=tsmclip

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Schedler Park in Ridgewood Saved from Destruction

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House3
photo by Boyd Loving
April 14,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Council rescinded Resolution #15-257 Wednesday night, saving the Schedler Park from being clear-cut and destroying acres of trees and wildlife habitat.

The council’s unanimous vote to do the right thing was another blow for the disastrous plans of former Village administration.

This is a huge victory for the neighborhood who has been fighting to preserve both the natural environment at Schedler but also preserve the historic significance of the sight .

Neighbors felt the sight was unsuitable for a baseball field for many reasons including the noise from Route 17, parking issues and the lack of road infrastructure ,which they felt would overwhelm the neighborhood.

There was also fears that wildlife habitat would be lost when it was discovered eagles used the area as a food source.

In October 2015 Resident Jacqueline Hone raised several issues pertaining to the Schedler Park Project including the allegation that the applications for Open Space Funds were fraudulent .

Ms Hone basically received the blow off from former Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld .

Hone sent a second email exclaiming ,”A citizen’s complaint should not be viewed as a threat, but rather an opportunity to dismiss wrong doing and restore/gain public trust. As public servants, Village Manager and Council, have a fiduciary obligation to investigate citizen’s complaints and afford the complainant due process. The complainant has a right to receive a panel decision, with detailed explanation, as to whether allegations are sustained, not sustained, deemed unfounded or exonerated.”

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Resident Suggests Former Village Manager’s Staff should be Investigated

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

September 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Ridgewood resident Jacqueline Hone spoke during both public comment segments. She explained why Roberta’s departure is just the tip of the iceberg and suggested her staff also needs to  be investigated.

see the video : https://www.tubechop.com/watch/8400128

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Schedler Park Development in Ridgewood put on hold

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House

June 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the major news from last nights council meeting was that Schedler Park has been put on hold until 2017 and only under the direction of the new Village Council with the use of expert studies.

This is a huge victory for the neighborhood who has been fighting to preserve both the natural environment at Schedler but also preserve the historic significance of the sight .

Neighbors felt the sight was unsuitable for a baseball field for many reasons including the noise from Route 17, parking issues and the lack of road infrastructure ,which they felt would overwhelm the neighborhood.

There was also fears that wildlife habitat would be lost when it was discovered eagles used the area as a food source.

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Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood

Village_Manager_Roberta_Sonenfeld_theridgewoodblog

Ms. Hone,

I find your email to be threatening, highly inaccurate and defamatory; as such I will not respond to it.

 

Roberta

Roberta Sonenfeld
Village Manager
201-670-5500, ext. 203

From: Paul Aronsohn

Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2015 2:49 PM
To: Matt Rogers; Heather Mailander; Donna Jackson
Cc: Roberta Sonenfeld; Janet Fricke
Subject: Re: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood

Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 6, 2015, at 2:45 PM, Matthew Rogers <msr@mrogerslaw.com> wrote:

This should be shared with Heather/Donna because of the allegations of improper notice of the meetings.

 

From: Paul Aronsohn [mailto:paronsohn@ridgewoodnj.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 1:52 PM
To: Roberta Sonenfeld; Matt Rogers; Janet Fricke
Subject: FW: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood

 

​Roberta, Janet, Matt —

 

FYI

 

Paul

 

Paul S. Aronsohn, Mayor

Village of Ridgewood

@paularonsohn

From: Jacqueline Hone <jhone201@yahoo.com>
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2015 1:48 PM
To: Gwenn Hauck; Paul Aronsohn; Susan Knudsen; Michael Sedon; Albert Pucciarelli
Subject: Notice of Complaint Village of Ridgewood

 

Mayor and Council Members: 

 

In regards to the Schedler Park Project, I would like to file a complaint and draw your attention to the following for scrutiny and disciplinary action. 

On 9/8/15 and 9/16/15 it was brought to your attention, that the applications used to obtain approximately $2 million in Open Space grants, were completed with intentional omission, false and misleading information, without municipal endorsement, and without public notification as required.

Village Manager and Counsel quickly diverted attention and dismissed the matter saying submissions of incomplete applications, to Bergen County, is acceptable and common practice.  This is not a matter of submitting incomplete applications. The applications are fraudulent and were submitted with the intent to receive funds. If the facts were known, the site plan for Schedler would be in violation of County and State provisions. Thus, the Village should not proceed with the Schedler plan as is. 

1) Village Manager, Roberta Sonenfeld, submitted an application, on or about 9/1/15, seeking $100,000 of Bergen County Open Space Funds. This application was submitted with blatant, intentional, false and misleading information, without Council endorsement and public notification as mandated. The application shows the Village Manager committed $100k of municipal funds (tax payer’s money) without Council approval. What authority, if any, does the Village Manager have to authorize and commit tax payer’s money without Council approval? Under what authority was this done?

When confronted about the allocation of municipal funds, Village Manager stated the 100k would eventually come from the Ridgewood Baseball Association (RBSA) via gift donation. However, since the RBSA money was yet to be received, municipal funds were allocated in its place. Once the gift is received, it will be moved into the municipal funds account. What authority does the Village Manager have to front tax payer’s money and act as a temporary lender to the RBSA? This accounting practice is suspect and I believe also constitutes commingling of funds, which is prohibited. If this was done for the RBSA, why wasn’t this preferential treatment extended to the Friends of the Historic Zabriskie House. 

2) Land Use Restriction: The State and County have strict provisions regarding Open Space, Green Space, Historic Preservation and full disclosure of threatened wildlife, vegetation and environmental impacts. As such, development at Schedler would have strict limitations, regulated land use and mandated historic, wildlife and vegetation preservation. 

-Site Plan: The initial Open Space application, used to acquire the Schedler property, stated the land would be used for 60/40 active/recreation use and no lights. It was under this plan that the Village was granted Open Space funds. Violating the County Deed of Conservation Easement, the Village of Ridgewood revised and adopted a new plan showing 70/30 active/passive recreation area, lights, and a two-story concession building with recreation hall. 

-Revenue/Profit: This park will generate a substantial amount of money…concession stand, hall rental, field time, uniforms, player enrollment fees, membership fees, field rentals etc. Additionally, site plan includes two-story building. Full second floor to be used as meeting room or rented for sports related functions (possible discrimination). RBSA involvement is an arguable breach of contract with the County and in violation of Open Space and Green Space guidelines. 

-Historic Structure/Features /Elements: Historic house, features and elements were not fully disclosed to County. In some circumstances they were completely omitted. The preservation of the home and parcel was abandoned by the Village. Proper disclosure would mean strict preservation and limitations of park development and use. (See attached NJ DEP National Register of Historic Places, 2009, 2015 grant application). 

– Environmental/Wildlife/Vegetation: Adverse environmental factors, threatened wildlife and threatened vegetation were not disclosed on applications. Full disclosure would mandate preservation and impose strict site limitations. This omission is how the Village is proceeding with Phase 1, demolition and clear-cutting of the last green acre parcel in our area (7 acres), which will expose hundreds of residents and wildlife to noise, pollution, Route 17,  high volume traffic, dangerous conditions and irreversible damage.

– State and County Clearance: This property, directly on Rt. 17. North, within feet of an interstate commuter Park & Ride, is the last green space in the area. All this is being done without expert studies and without notification to or clearance from Bergen County, New Jersey Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Historic Preservation. 

3) Public Meeting Notifications: The Village has demonstrated a pattern of questionable omission and secrecy (see attached). Now, out of the blue, a meeting has been scheduled (10/7) to accept a second 100k donation form the RBSA and to present another revision of the Schedler Park plan. The agenda was just posted to the Village website. The general public has not been notified these matters will be discussed on this date. As such, again residents are being robbed of their right to participate, review the process, verify gifts and prepare for public comments/questions prior to the meeting. This matter must be tabled until all of the above is addressed. County Open Space Guidelines States: 

      As part of the application submission, the municipality shall hold a Public Hearing on a proposed park development project before it submits its application. The applicant shall publish a notice of the public hearing in the official newspaper of the municipality. The hearing must be advertised as a display ad at least 15 days before the hearing. The hearing notice must specifically reference the proposed Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Municipal Program Park Improvement application. The public hearing must be held in the evening, and may be held as part of a public meeting, as long as the hearing is properly advertised. 

Council has a fiduciary obligation to cease and desist the Schedler Park Project, until this matter is investigated and cleared of wrong doing.  Continued dismissal of the above, is gross negligence and an act against public good. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.  Failure to act and proceeding with Phase 1, intentionally permits irreversible damage to public health, safety, general welfare, public land and historic/vegetation preservation. 

I believe State/County provisions and the Deed of Conservation Easement prohibits most of everything the Village is proposing at Schedler. We want due process, expert studies and a park which represents the true needs and desires of our neighborhood residents. Please allow us to present the facts before it’s too late. 

We look forward to hearing from you and moving forward in the right direction. In the meantime, thank you so much for your attention.

 

Respectfully,

Jacqueline Hone

 

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Central Business District Signs, amended minutes and Schedler Park dominate Ridgewood Council Meeting

Village Council Meeting
photo by Boyd Loving
May 5,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the May 4th work session Gary Cirillo of Project Pride proposed an idea for an ordinance that would keep campaign signs 15-25 feet from the curb and out of the planters:  if the village owns the property, you can’t use it in the CBD.  Aronsohn supporter Jim Griffith said,” signs are an inexpensive expression of our rights.”  They don’t crush flowers in planters when there are no flowers planted.”

A special public work session was called to discuss minute changes in closed session meetings that Ms. Knuden felt were important to better address some statements that didn’t fully express the intended sentiment. This all came up due to an OPRA request. Albert recused himself, and so Paul and Gwenn tried to make an issue out of it. In the end the vote was 2to2 as was expected and it was up to Matt Rogers who advised the council to allow the amended minutes to be released as the unofficial minutes.  The vote this time was 3 to 1 with Paul being the dissenting vote.

Next on the agenda was a request from members of the Chamber of Commerce to allow A Frame signs in front of businesses. Ed Sullivan, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and present member of board of trustees stood in front of the Council tonight and made his pitch of A frame signs or billboard to be allowed in the CBD Although there is a long standing ordinance on the books preventing them, enforcement seemed to begin as of April 1st.  There is a good case for their value in attracting walking shoppers to come into the stores which is good for business. The council is currently looking at a Princeton ordinance and it was decided that at the next public meeting, enforcement would be rescinded for a period of time while the council discussed a new ordinance and businesses could continue the practice of A Frame signs for advertisement. It seems an easy way to help our CBD.

The down side is now not only do he have signs post on ever corner with the stores name we have vote for the parking garage , political signs and  A-frame  signs in front of the stores. Will the sidewalks in the Central Business District now be turned into a obstacle course. Is this ABA complaint ? Will the Village be liable if some should fall into one of these signs because it is the Village right of way. People can just about walk on the sidewalk now with all the tables and let not forget the Greek to Me planters.What is the right balance between promoting access and quality of life? Residents remain skeptical this council majority can come a proper resolution.

For many, the most interesting part of the meeting came in closing Public Comment when resident Jackie Hone came to the mic to state all the inconsistencies in Roberta Sonenfeld’s manager’s report regarding Schedler Park.  Jackie spoke of all the emails many of which were published on this blog that she has sent to the council and village manager to discuss her findings that went unanswered. Roberta’s recollection of recent meetings with the Bergen County Trust Fund Staff were a bit misleading. The council majority may not have been required to take action, and by not they are clearing hindering the process of historical preservation. One can obey the law and still not do the right thing. Case in point: the Bergen County Historic Preservation Society has stated that the Schedler/ Zabriskie house is eligible for registry but no steps have been made by the village to request the forms to register the house.

Infrastructure was next and there were a few water facility expenses reported on and about a disintegrating pipe on Dayton Street which was releasing sludge.

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Village of Ridgewood Council Ducks Schedler Historic and Wildlife Preservation Responsibilities

bald eagle
May 4th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, They just don’t respond.  Jackie Hone has offered so much in the way of information that she asked openly to share with the council/ village manager.

According to the County public meeting minutes of March 28. The Village was put on notice regarding Schedler historic preservation of both parcel and house, wildlife and migratory act.

As such, the Village must move forward with historic registry of the Schedler house, historic eligibility of parcel and enforce wildlife preservation. Additionally, nothing can be done on this parcel, NO clean up/Phase 1, until after July 31 and only after historic and wildlife preservation/eligibility/registry is complete.

The Village council has not responded Jackie Hone’s emails or comments . Perhaps the Village manager and Council Majority was too busy with Earth day celebrations.

Council Members:

I did not receive a response or acknowledgement to my email below. Our mayor and village manager said they would provide an update “next time.” I don’t see Schedler on the agenda fortomorrow night. Will an update be provided? Is our Historical Preservation Commission aware of the County notice and will they move forward accordingly? Does this task fall under their responsibilities and/or Village administration? Who would be the person ultimately responsible in seeing that this get done?

Regards,
Jackie Hone

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Outline of Proposed Terms for the Development of the Schedler Property in Ridgewood

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House3

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 18,2016

Ridgewood NJ, from the Friends of Schedler Facebook page :

Outline of Proposed Terms for the Development of the Schedler Property

1. In order to provide the Village with much needed passive park and recreational space, the field shall be no larger than 60’.

2. Any design will include a sound wall to block out the sound of the highway for the entire length of the property. In addition, to a sound wall near the highway, the park will include a berm on West Saddle River Road to block off the sound and view of the park. The berm shall include several rows of regularly maintained evergreens in order to provide the neighborhood with a “green shield”.

3. All demolition, including removal of trees (downed, diseased or otherwise) will not occur until completion of a development plan and budget approved by the Village Council. Demolition shall occur in conjunction with the overall project in order to avoid a gap between demolition and construction.

4. The plan and design of the park will be developed by an independent civil engineer and landscape architect specializing in park design with input from representatives of the neighborhood and the Village.

5. The development plan and budget will be based off of independent, comprehensive studies which would include:

* Addressing the issues already identified by environmental and wildlife impact studies

* The noise study to be conducted on the property and the surrounding area

* A third party traffic and safety study on West Saddle River Road and the surrounding side streets as recommended by the council committee. The traffic and safety study will include a determination of an adequate parking lot, as well as a review of potential ingress and egress into the parking lot from Rt. 17. In addition, the traffic and safety study will include a determination of appropriate parking restrictions on West Saddle River Road and, if practical, the surrounding streets off West Saddle River Road

6. Prohibition on the inclusion of (1) lights, both permanent and portable as required by the conservation easement, (2) a public address announcement system and (3) a concession stand.

7. The hours of the park will be from dawn to dusk.

8. Installation of police monitoring system to monitor any criminal activity.

9. Preserve the Schedler house by moving forward with registering the house with the historical society. The house will be used to benefit the entire community by, for example, providing meeting space for different community groups and providing restrooms for the park participants.

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Ridgewood to Participate NJ Tree Recovery Campaign

Schedler Park

Ridgewood to Participate NJ Tree Recovery Campaign

April 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey will be giving out free trees , in partnership with the NJ Tree Recovery Campaign, the state will be handing out up to 5 free tree seedlings per resident in Ridgewood : Sat., May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, Van Neste Square

The New Jersey Tree Recovery Campaign is providing some 102,000 free tree seedlings to state residents. The effort is a joint public-private venture between the New Jersey State Forest Service’s Community Forestry Program and State Forest Nursery, New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts, Sustainable Jersey, Arbor Day Foundation, Brothers International, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, and FedEx.

“Trees serve many important functions, including creating habitat for wildlife, stabilizing areas that are prone to erosion, conserving energy use, and beautifying our communities,” Commissioner Martin said. “The State Forest Nursery in Jackson is providing seedlings from more than 38 different tree species for the campaign, including a wide range of trees native to New Jersey such as oaks, dogwoods and maples.”

Although forests are the greatest land use in New Jersey, every county in the state is declared “urban.” As developed areas encroach on forested areas, we see an increase in land conversion, fragmentation, and parcelization. Development may degrade water, reduce wildlife habitat, increase disturbance, and even encourage invasive plants. Development also impacts the habitat of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. We protect our forest land from conversion to urban development to maintain the sustainability of our forest resource. (https://www.stateforesters.org/forest-action-plans/new-jersey )

Ridgewood : Sat., May 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial Park, Van Neste Square

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Studies needed at Ridgewood’s Schedler property

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House3

file photo by Boyd Loving

JANUARY 29, 2016    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Studies needed at Schedler property

To the editor:

As a resident of the Schedler neighborhood, I’m writing to thank the Village Council for all of their efforts seeking the best design possible for the Schedler property. Specifically, I’m thankful to our Village Council for the following: (i) Mayor Aronsohn and several Council members have toured the Schedler property with neighborhood representatives, and observed firsthand the loud volume of highway noise where the current design places home plate, first base and the bleachers; (ii) as a result of such visits, the Village Council has agreed to place on its agenda the retention of a noise expert to provide advice on abating the loud, Route 17 traffic noise, and (iii) adjourning consideration of retaining the noise expert from the crowded, Jan. 27 agenda.

Simultaneously, I wish to reiterate my request that the Village Council retain a comprehensive group of experts, including a landscape architect and a traffic and safety expert in order to design the best park possible.

It appears that the Village Council is seeking to “save” money by using the Village Engineer for these critical design tasks. As the mayor and other council members who toured the Schedler property discovered, the current design places home plate and first base within 30 feet of a major highway — and it is too noisy for the enjoyable use of the players, coaches and parents.

Can you imagine spending several million dollars of taxpayer dollars on a park, only to discover that it’s too noisy to enjoy. But for the input of the Schedler neighborhood, and our council’s willingness to tour the site to hear the noise firsthand, that scenario would’ve become a reality.

I encourage the council to avoid being pound wise and penny foolish. Let’s retain bona fide experts now in order to insure that the park is designed to the highest standards for the benefit of our athletes, their families, the neighborhood and the entire village.

Please note that the Schedler neighborhood has submitted a proposal for the intelligent design of the Schedler property. The proposal provides a logical roadmap for designing an excellent park at the Schedler property, including an athletic field, for the maximum benefit for all of Ridgewood. The proposal has been submitted to the Mayor, the Council, the Open Space Committee and to the RBSA.

I respectfully request that The Ridgewood News publish the proposal in order to keep village residents informed.

David Edelberg

Ridgewood

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Please Reschedule the Dangerously Rushed Garage Bonding (BCIA) Vote/Discussions & Give Schedler Discussion Earlier Agenda Placement at Later Date

village council meeting
file photo by Boyd Loving
Dear Roberta and Council members,
Thank you for rescheduling Schedler as the agenda is so jam packed that we were all looking at another marathon meeting.  I may not be an expert on anything but I do recognize when town issues have reached a critical mass level of concern.  With hundreds of people speaking out on multiple issues and the vast majority offering well thought out solutions, it is time to go back to the drawing board.  Had it not been for concerned residents speaking out on the garage we wouldn’t have known about the encroachment of all three options onto Hudson Street.  This revelation has altered the integrity of the present plans so dramatically that the entire project is open for reevaluation on design and financing.
Regarding Schedler, I urge you to refrain from the removal of structures or cleaning up of the woods until a fully vetted plan is in place with feasibility studies and financials that can be presented to the public for consideration.  I became aware recently that a private citizen paid for the tarp on the Zabriskie/ Schedler House and that no  town monies are available for needed repairs on said tarp.  I was under the impression that the town had paid for the original tarp and I feel that I and others were misled.
I can only say that having been involved with saving the Stable and getting a community center for the town, it is very shortsighted to disregard the value and the potential use of this historic house and property.  I can’t begin to tell you how important it is to save the woods, for humans as well as the bald eagles that are in the area.  We can have it all plus a smaller ball field.  Numbers show that more children are enrolled in RBSA programs than young adults .  The smaller field will get much use.  We might look at leasing/ renting field space in local towns.
Years ago, my kids played at Ramapo College fields, the Armory in Teaneck and the indoor arena in the Meadowlands. Not to leave out housing density changes in the CBD, Valley Hospital and the reported 600 leaf summonses that were given out and the large numbers who showed up at court in protest.  Change is sometimes about doing less but more effectively.  If ever there was a time to take a step back and examine the unintended consequences of massive change, it is now.
Sincerely,
Linda McNamara
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Readers say Village of Ridgewood Should Protect The Schedler Bald Eagles

bald eagle

Their natural habitats are shrinking and they are looking for nesting places all along the busy highways, turnpikes etc. where the can gather dead wood. They build huge nests. They check an area out long before they lay their eggs and maybe noise isn’t one of their concerns.

Thank you James for this article. Ever since I’ve learned about The Schedler Bald Eagles I have been reading up on them. In 1782 the Bald Eagle became the national/ bird symbol of the USA. It was chosen because it was native to North America and known for its ” majestic beauty, great strength and longevity.” In 1940, the Bald Eagle was protected under the National Emblem Act . During the years of DDT use, their numbers shrank at an alarming rate. They are now on the endangered species list and cannot be ” hassled, sold, killed or disturb their nesting sites.” I don’t know a single kid/ young adult who would choose a 90 foot field if it meant the loss of the woods that have become a possible home for two pairs of American Bald Eagles. We can have a smaller field, save the woods, protect the neighbors from noise and particle pollution and protect our national bird at a cost of nothing! What a great deal. Now to convince the council majority and the village manager.

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Reader says Videos BIG eye opener for Schedler development

Save Our Schedler Members & Friends at the Schedler House

file photo by Boyd Loving

The video evidence is a BIG eye opener, ear opening exposure of the unsafe location for a kids sports ball field to exist. A big strong crash resistant wall would have to be built along that stretch of route 17, and the responsible parties pushing for this ball field location should pay for that wall. A sound barrier wall would not be strong enough. How could anyone think of putting kids in potential harms way so closely adjacent to busy death highway route 17 heavily traveled by tracter trailer trucks? Are they out of their minds? One big accident lawsuit waiting in the wings. It would be like a ball park adjacent to an airport runway. I agree its not only dumb, its downright irresponsible!

Why Making The Schedler Property in Ridgewood Into A Ball field Is Dumb https://youtu.be/pIm_0V8mkYY

Charlie Nowinski at Ridgewood Village Hall – December 9, 2015  https://youtu.be/H6ezGJa9elU

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Why Making The Schedler Property in Ridgewood Into A Ballfield Is Dumb

Schedler Park ball field

Ridgewood NJ, The folks who live on the other side of town really need your help. Please watch this video and see what I learned from going over there.

https://youtu.be/pIm_0V8mkYY

Let’s do what neighbors do: stand up for one another in times of crisis. In this case, it means:
a) sharing this video
b) joining the Friends of Schedler FB grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/185935935083937/
c) writing to our Village Council

Charlie Nowinski at Ridgewood Village Hall – December 9, 2015

After watching this video, if you agree that having our tax money spent on converting the Schedler property to a baseball field is a dumb idea, please let our Village Council know by email:

Here are the email addresses for our VC:

Mayor Paul Aronsohn paronsohn@ridgewoodnj.net
Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli apucciarelli@ridgewoodnj.net
Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck ghauck@ridgewoodnj.net
Councilwoman Susan Knudsen sknudsen@ridgewoodnj.net
Councilman Mike Sedon msedon@ridgewoodnj.net

Thanks for being a good neighbor!

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Schedler property in Ridgewood : Any solutions should benefit entire village

Schedler Park

DECEMBER 11, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Any solutions should benefit entire village

To the Editor:

The “Officials face open space shortage” article on the Schedler property (The Ridgewood News, Dec. 4, page A1), exposes the perennial “zero sum” thinking that plagues village politics. It concludes: “…an unpopular decision in the eyes of one [or the other] group of people will have to be made.” The absence of a community-wide vision for our village perpetuates endless acrimonious interpersonal and intergroup relationships. Rather than focusing on special interest groups’ differences, we need a holistic approach that compares our community to surrounding ones, to North Jersey, and to our nation as a whole.

The obvious characteristics of our town are stark and too often ignored: 1) As this article states, we have the largest school system in Bergen County; 2) Ridgewood is one of the wealthiest communities in New Jersey with the one of the highest tax burdens; 3) We are universally [yes, the Internet] seen as a schooling magnet community so families move here; and 4) We have zero public policies designed to retain empty nesters, zero availability of over-55 housing, and zero assisted living facilities in the Central Business District.

We may want to believe we are “Lake Wobegon … where the men are strong, the women good-looking, and that all our children are above average,” but our denial of aging results in social engineering that ignores life stages and destroys a multigenerational family community.

Saying Ridgewood is exclusively a nuclear family-child raising community, lacks both a historical perspective and a desire to imagine the future. Well into the 1930s, smaller New England towns practiced “home relief” where aging homeowners unable to support themselves in retirement were maintained at the town’s expense, and when they died the sale of their homes reimbursed the town’s costs. Into the 21st century, Ridgewood is a powerful draw for upper middle class families from world cultures in which multigenerational families are the norm. Furthermore, a slower growth economy means all of our children will carry elder care obligations which are outside the range of what Social Security or Medicare can provide.

The Open Space worries reported here pale in the face of wider community concerns. Where 2,000 youths get to play baseball in a community of 25,000 is a valid special interest concern. Saving a complete forest as a barrier between a quiet neighborhood and Route 17 is also a valid special interest concern.

In reality, all the wooded areas closer to residential properties could be preserved while limited commercial development could take place preserving older growth trees. Taking up opportunities for commercial development that bring down taxes for all residents and help reverse the “aged cleansing” social engineering practice that characterize our town is the right thing to do for the majority of Ridgewood families. This is what leadership in a democracy should be all about.

Martin Walker

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-any-solutions-should-benefit-entire-village-1.1472086