Ridgewood’s former public works inspector who stole nearly half a million dollars in loose parking meter quarters from the village was seen on Thursday working in the Village. Yes Thomas Rica working at a job site on Valley View Avenue in Ridgewood, on Thursday afternoon, (11/16/2017).
For those who do not remember Rica said he stole $460,000 and received no jail time, according to a plea deal he reached with the county prosecutor’s office. A judge later upheld the agreement for five years’ probation, which disappointed local officials and taxpayers . Rica was forced to pay back at least half of the money .
Auditors later found that nearly $850,000 was in fact stolen from the now-infamous coin room where collected parking meter quarters were stored. Reader pointed out at the time that the “coin boy” stole the equivalent of 50 lbs of quarters a day from Village hall. This fact made it hard to believe that he acted alone ,but not coconspirators ever came to light.
It appears as though Rica drove the dump truck pictured here and was observed operating the mini-excavator. The equipment is owned by Della Rica & Sons, Inc. of Glen Rock, a company we believe is owned by Thomas’s brother Randy. So although there were rumors that Thomas got a job as a pipeline inspector, it appears as though he’s working locally for his brother.
Police were on the scene because of the open trench and work taking place in the roadway was being done without the proper notification to the police department (generally the contractor is billed for a police officer to guard the excavation on an overtime basis , we guess Randy somehow didn’t know that?).
Ridgewood NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announced the arrests of HECTOR RIVAS (DOB: 1/22/1992; single; and employed as a dishwasher) of 32 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ and VICTOR MARTINEZ (DOB: 4/15/1989; single; and unemployed) of 23 John F. Kennedy Drive, Bloomfield, NJ on charges of Distribution of Cocaine. The arrests are the result of a month-long joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Ridgewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Jacqueline Luthcke, and the New Jersey State Police under the direction of Acting Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan.
In October 2017, members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task received information that RIVAS was trafficking cocaine in Ridgewood, NJ. In the weeks that followed, RIVAS began distributing cocaine to undercover detectives.
On November 15, 2017, RIVAS negotiated the sale of eighty bags of cocaine, which were delivered to an undercover detective by MARTINEZ. RIVAS and MARTINEZ were placed under arrest following the drug transaction.
RIVAS and MARTINEZ were each charged with one count each of Distribution of Cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(2), a 2nd degree crime; and one count of Distribution of Cocaine within a Drug-Free School Zone, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a 3rd degree crime. RIVAS received additional charges of Distribution of Cocaine, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5B(3), a 3rd degree crime; and Distribution of Cocaine within a Drug-Free School Zone, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-7, a 3rd degree crime for an October 23, 2017 sale. RIVAS and MARTINEZ have a first appearance Bergen County Central Judicial Processing Court for on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 8:30 A.M.
Prosecutor Grewal states that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Ridgewood Police Department and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance in this investigation.
It is called the Hazlett Nature Sanctuary. The area is now open to the public.
Dead trees in Schedler which attract insects provide food for birds and are called snags. They could be allowed to lie along the ground, if pose a danger of falling.
But there are enough residents in town who want to destroy Schedler.
After all there is plenty of open space, around town right, around Bergen County, around the country around the world. Who needs it. Above all and most importantly WHO NEEDS NATURAL BEAUTY, nature. If you want beauty go the the central business district in Ridgewood and see all the stuff that is for sale.
Oh do not forget, BE SURE to add a Starbucks on the Schedler property when you develop it properly.
Ridgewood NJ, Congratulations, to Mike ,Susan and Heather Village of Ridgewood and the Ridgewood Village Council received the 2017 Innovation in Governance Award, honored by the National League of Cities and Sustainable Jersey Silver certified!!
Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support communities as they pursue sustainability programs. By supporting community efforts to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental equity, Sustainable Jersey is empowering communities to build a better world for future generations.
The Sustainability Champion award recognizes municipalities that have scored the most points in the Sustainable Jersey certification program in three population categories (large, medium and small).
“The Sustainable Jersey municipal awards recognize the outstanding work being done at the local level,” said Randall Solomon, who co-directs Sustainable Jersey with Donna Drewes. “We are extremely impressed by the innovative and effective sustainability programs and initiatives of these towns. They deserve to be commended for their accomplishments.”
Ridgewood NJ, once again the Schedler Property in Ridgewood seems to be in play. Rumors are swirling on the east side of route 17 ,that the current tree clearing is really to make way for more ball fields .
Jacqueline Hone commented on Facebook on Ridgewood History, “There has been an ongoing debate about the Schedler property in Ridgewood. Artifacts dating back to the Revolutionary war were discovered on this property. Here is a British Lieutenant’s sword, dated 1747, found at Schedler. Also, a letter written by the same man describing his approach to battle on this site. Our Village Stewards are moving towards converting this historical, untouched, wooded area into another ball field. Many felt the area should be preserved historically and left as a nature/discovery walk. How do you feel about this? Does anyone have pictures, stories or artifacts related to Schedler?”
Mayor Susan Traina Knudsen also commented on Facebook saying , “The previous plan for a 90′ field required clear cutting the lot to accomodate a 300′ outfield, plus a practice area, seating, parking lot, bathroom/concession and more. That plan also included the removal of the historic house plus a 60’H x 300’L errant ball net along route 17….my recollection of the size.
This Village Council unanimously voted to repeal the plan for the 90′ baseball field at the location and subsequently appointed an ad hoc committee to look at how to best proceed with the property.
It is fair to say the Schedler neighborhood is very well represented on the Ad hoc committee. Other members include two VC ,VoR staff, representation from both Wildscape & parks/rec, and residents.
This Village Council is committed to doing better and preserving one of the last remaining historic Dutch frame houses in New Jersey…the Zabriski/Schedler house has a Certificate of Eligibility for historic recognition and is listed in the Historic element of the Village of RIdgewood Master Plan.
To date, no new plan has been presented for VC review; however, I anticipate one or more plans will be forthcoming in December.
Matching grant money has been awarded for both the house restoration and property. Work on the house requires appropriate historic restoration and will begin early spring-ish 2018. Non-historic structures will be removed including the garage and severly damaged shed. Additionally dead and fallen trees will be removed allowing for new, healthier growth on the ground beneath the tree canopy.
I hope and anticipate a compromise will include a neighborhood children’s playground, a smaller practice/playing multipurpose field, and walking nature paths – all while maintaining a healthier, densely wooded lot.
Doing nothing leaves a blank slate for future plans. Development and implementation of a thoughtful plan, accomodating a variety of interests, is important for the entire community.
In closing, there has been significant resident input in this process including council meetings, public meetings, public hearings at both the Village and county level, emails, neighborhood meetings and more.”
Why Making The Schedler Property in Ridgewood Into A Ballfield Is Dumb
Ridgewood NJ, looks like Christopher Rutishauser Village Engineer has had his share of troubles parking in the Village Hall parking lot . So in order to keep his special spot available an over night sign change was needed and there we go special parking for motorcycles, even closer to the Village hall the handicapped spaces .
The signs were not approved and parking has gone rogue with the entire Village Hall back lot has now been converted into a everyman for themselves.
Residents have to pay up to $1500 a year for parking permits in the Village. The main question is should be why is Chris Ritishauser given preferential treatment and above the law? All employees should park at the rear of the lot or somewhere else. Across the field. What’s good for the CBD should be good enough for Village employees.
I get a kick out of all the liberals talking about “fairness”.
How is it fair that senior citizens on fixed incomes who never had children in the schools or singles with no children are supposed to pay for the education of someone else’s children?
I shouldn’t have to subsidize the education of the children of someone (typically a wealthy wall streeter) who earns a lot more then me,
I guess it become “fair” due to the liberal mantra of sticking someone else with the bill.
Still need to digest this – the cynic in me says – read the fine print – are we truly getting what we want or is there a loophole/compromise in this solution that will end up leaving us worse of.
Agreed it looks good on the surface, but I do not advocate celebration nor letting our guard down just yet…
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Patrol Officer Brandon Donnelly rescued a small dog that had been trapped on the lower roof of a Queens Court, Ridgewood home for over eight (8) hours on Thursday, 11/15. A next door neighbor who reported that the dog had been barking since approximately 8:00 a.m. said she only realized the dog was trapped in the roof after returning home from picking up her children from school late in the afternoon. The roof’s condition prevented Officer Donnelly from climbing up on it, so he coaxed the dog over to edge by using two (2) crackers provided by the neighbor. The seemingly uninjured animal was taken into custody by a representative of Tyco Animal Control Services, hopefully to be freed from captivity when its owner returns home and finds a note that Officer Donnelly left behind on their front door. Access to the lower roof was likely made via a rear deck with missing railings.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water is reminding people that , “Your Toilet is a Water Thief” – Check your toilet for leaks to save water and money. Free testing tablets are available at the office of Ridgewood Water.
Longer term readers of the Ridgewood blog know the Village has had its fill of “Golden Toilets” .
Given the current state of water restrictions in the Village of Ridgewood and the rest of Ridgewood Waters service area begs the question, can no flush Fridays be far behind?
We’ve had a decade or more of helicopter parents, participation trophies and general coddling of anyone who needs to be considered “special”. As a society we have failed these kids by not teaching them how to both win and lose with dignity or to be accountable for their behavior. Once the kid grows beyond his parents’ ability to fix everything for him, the kid is faced with the harsh reality of natural consequences to his actions. The real world is not a kind place and we have raised a generation of kids that are wholly unprepared to face it.
Ridgewood NJ, yes its that time of year again , its cold out there . In an article 8 Facts and Myths About Warming Up Your Car in Winter https://www.yahoo.com/news/bp/8-facts-myths-warming-car-winter-201000465.html the writer admits old habits die hard, and one of the oldest-still rigorously enforced by many drivers-is that “warming up” the car for a few minutes is necessary to avoid some kind of unspecified damage.
Alex Scaperotta, created an anti-idling campaign with a classmate when he was in fifth grade in Wilton, Connecticut, and came up with a slogan that was used on bumper stickers and websites: “If you’re stopped for more than 10, turn it off and on again.” Sounds like good advice.
So we spelled out the 8 Facts and Myths About Warming Up Your Car in Winter :
1. Driving Warms the Car Faster than Idling.
If your concern is not the health of the car, but simply your own creature comforts, Bob Aldrich of the California Energy Commission points out that “idling is not actually an effective way to warm up a car – it warms up faster if you just drive it.” The coming electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, will incorporate a wonderful feature that allows the owner to use a cellphone to tell the car (which is plugged into the grid) to pre-warm or pre-cool the interior. No idling necessary. (Photo at right by Mika / Corbis)
2. Ten Seconds Is All You Need.
Environmental Defense Fund, which produced the Idling Gets You Nowhere campaign, advises motorists to turn off their ignition if they’re sitting stopped for more than 10 seconds. “After about ten seconds, you waste more money running the engine than restarting it, said Andy Darrell, deputy director of the EDF Energy Program. “Switch the car off at the curb and you’ll be leaving money in your wallet and protecting the air in your community.”
3. Idling Hurts the Car.
According to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation’s Anti-Idling Primer, idling forces an engine “to operate in a very inefficient and gasoline-rich mode that, over time, can degrade the engine’s performance and reduce mileage.”
4. Idling Costs Money.
Over a year of five minutes of daily idling (which causes incomplete combustion of fuel), the “Anti-Idling Primer” estimates that the operator of a V-8-engined car will waste 20 gallons of gasoline, which not only produces 440 pounds of carbon dioxide but costs at least $60. (Related: How to Cut Your Gas Bill in Half)
5. Idling in the Garage Can Kill You.
Idling a car in a garage, even with the door open, is dangerous and exposes the driver to carbon monoxide and other noxious gases. If the garage is attached, those fumes can also enter the house. (Related: Learn these 6 Surprising Sources of Indoor Air Pollution)
6. Block Heaters Beat Remote Starters.
Lori Strothard of the Waterloo Citizens Vehicle Idling Reduction Task Force in Canada says, “Remote starters can too easily cause people to warm up their cars for five to 15 minutes, which is generally unnecessary. A block heater, which is designed to heat the engine and can cost under $30, on a timer set to start one to two hours before driving does the trick in very cold climates.
7. Quick Errands Aren’t Quick Enough.
Natural Resources Canada points out that “quick errand” idling is another way to waste gas and pollute both your town and the planet. “Leaving your engine running is hard on your pocketbook, produces greenhouse gas emissions and is an invitation to car thieves,” the agency says.
8. Idling is Bad for Your Health (and Your Neighbor’s Health).
According to Minneapolis’ anti-idling ordinance, “Exhaust is hazardous to human health, especially children’s; studies have linked air pollution to increased rates of cancer, heart and lung disease, asthma and allergies.” Isabelle Silverman, who runs EDF’s anti-idling campaign, says that car idling “is the second-hand smoking of the outdoors. One of the problems is that cars idle close to the
If the parents and the School Board would limit their dreams to what is NECESSARY to get a good education, the taxes for schools would be reduced. Kids don’t care about windows (except to look through them when they are bored in class.) nor golden fixtures in their bathrooms. If the fixtures work, leave them until one actually needs fixing. (and the new low-water toilets develop problems much sooner than the older ones did. Particularly in costly water leaks.) The furnaces are obviously not being fed coal, so leave them alone. Small repairs can usually fix anything that is wrong with them. Concentrate on hiring good teachers, not an excess of “support staff”, and all would be well in our system. (Which has fallen from high national ratings to mediocre state ratings in the time we’ve been here and support staff has increased drastically!)
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood High School Administration has completed its investigation into the serious incident that occurred two weeks ago. According to its investigation, the Administration has concluded there were two (2) fights between the same two (2) students: the first on Friday, October 27, 2017, and then on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Both fights occurred after school hours on school property. One student was injured. The fights were mutually conducted and were fueled by social media, with a genesis dating to this past August.
The District is aware that the Ridgewood Police Department has completed its investigation and has charged two students for their roles in the fights.
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
The Ridgewood Board of Education and Administration are concerned that the students chose to resolve their dispute with violence rather than to report their issues to school officials or an adult who could have taken action. Students regularly bring their concerns to school administration and that is why we have a low incidence of fighting and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB). We are a school district and understand that students make mistakes in action and judgement and it is our job to administer consequences when necessary, teach better behavior, provide therapeutic counseling when warranted and accepted. Our schools regularly educate and counsel our students to make good decisions. We are proud of our students, but they need redirection when they make mistakes. Accordingly, the High School Administration will utilize it’s a variety of interventions, including the use of education, counseling and school discipline to discourage such behavior in the future.
District Administration is open and transparent whenever possible. However, due to student privacy laws, the Administration is unable to discuss individual students and disciplinary consequences that may be imposed.
While an investigation is ongoing, every attempt will be made to dispel rumors, but our focus must be on a thorough investigation and certainty of the final determination. Only the administrators and the police, when necessary, who are conducting the investigation know the pertinent facts. We would like to remind the public to be aware that the misuse of social media impedes an investigation when misinformation and falsehoods are disseminated. When working with children and adolescents, serious incidents sometimes occur. Our staff excels at dealing with serious situations and does so with compassion and care. While people might point fingers and make false accusations when students make poor decisions, we assure you our administrators always work towards resolution and a goal that students will learn from the experience. School officials and counselors are available to support and assist all students in learning from this unfortunate event.
A reminder of the initial demands that were made on posts across multiple groups on Facebook. And there is evidence (in the form of Facebook comments) of a LOT of people agreeing with all of this.
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This is the position that should be taken
1. ALL kids that were involved in setting up the fight, especially the one that beat him and the pervert with the pictures, should be expelled immediately, whether they threw a punch or not (only one is known to have hit my nephew on the 27th and 28th, I don’t know if there were other altercations): and
2. ALL who have these/this photo of (this girl) a minor on their phone or other device should also be expelled. There should be ZERO tolerance.
3. ALL who attended either fight, whether friend or foe of my nephew, on Friday or on Saturday must be suspended. There should be ZERO tolerance for this sickening and barbaric behavior of gathering for a fight, if this were an arranged dog or chicken fight, all present would be charged: and,
4. I also believe the RHS wrestling season for 2017 should end today. It does not matter how many are involved, ALL should be disciplined.
