photo by Travell Home & School Association
Travell School knocked it out of the park again this year with the best float by far in the parade.
They are always very creative and have a large contingent of students and parents marching.
Great school spirit. Great float.
(and for the record, I DO NOT have any affiliation with Travell school. I just admire their school and community spirit)
FACTS about the Schedler House:
NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Historic Preservation Office declared the Zabriskie-Schedler house eligible for New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. It’s an 1830s-style Dutch wood frame house. Located on the 7-acre wooded tract between West Saddle River Road and Route 17 North in Ridgewood NJ. The four separate parcels at the Schedler tract were also the site to a Revolutionary War battle and have yielded artifacts from that time.
The passing of the infamous bike path should be a cautionary and oft-repeated tale.
The bike path is a prime example of why Aronson dragged us down into the place where we are now. He wanted to “improve” the Village to suit his own myopic view of what a modern day town should look like. He neither sought nor obtained consensus, merely a chorus of well meaning but unbalanced followers who likened what Aronson was doing to the Seventeen Century rebuilding of France.
Don’t get me wrong, bike paths and accessibility are great ideas, but when you build a bike path, you should base it on the needs of the bike rider, not simply the whimsical fancy of a transient politician. When you do the former and not the latter, you end up exactly as we have ended up with a path to nowhere.
As someone observed, the bike path fiasco will be repaired.. The cost of this boon google is the hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax money spent on the project, the hundreds of hours of school and work commuters’ time spent on the Ridgewood avenue back ups, and the constant risk to public health and safety.
On the other hand, Aronson’s other pet projects inflict injury that might never be repaired.
Now, we face the same ills presented by the mutti-family apartment projects pushed through by Aronson. The addition of hundreds of new families downtown concentrated on two streets running along the train tracks and the train station, will increase our tax burden, strain our administrative resources and risk the health and safety of our school children and elderly pedestrians. All to satisfy the whims of a wanna-be politician and the motives of profit-driven developers. As with the bike path, we have the toxic blend of poor planning and mis-guided intentions. Sadly, the monstrosities about to be built will not be fixed as easily as a bike path.
The garage under consideration by the present council is similarly ill-advised , No one has really articulated why we need it, other than to whine about the need to drive around looking for a weekend space or to spout the fantasy that a parking garage will “save” our downtown. Yet, the current council seems inclined to go build for building sake – – exactly the same approach taken by the prior Council..
20170705 VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA FOR JULY 5
JULY 5, 2017
7:30 P.M.
7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Award of Contract – Lafayette Reservoir Improvements
Award of Professional Services Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Improvements
Parking
Train Station Parking
Municipal Complex Parking Lot
Budget
Authorize Release of Cash Bond
Acceptance of Donation – Board of Education – Stigma Free Initiative
Acquisition of Property
Blue & White Collar Salary Ordinances
Amendments to Salary Ordinances
Policy
Report on Ridge School Traffic Solutions
Enrollment of Unlawful Students in Ridgewood Schools
Fee for Use of Parks
Operations
Major Soil Permit – Chestnut Village7. Review of July 12, 2017 Regular Public Meeting Agenda9. Council Reports11. Resolution to go into Closed Session A. Legal – COAH; Valley Hospital
13. Adjournment
B. Personnel –
12. Closed Session
10. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
8. Manager’s Report
photos courtesy of Boyd Lovings Facebook
July 5 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Shortly before 9 PM on Monday, 07/03, all on duty Ridgewood PD units were dispatched to a physical altercation taking place inside of the Dim Sum Dynasty Restaurant, 75 Franklin Avenue Ridgewood. The first arriving units quickly located an adult male who was in need of immediate medical attention, having sustained an extremely serious eye injury. The victim was transported by a Ridgewood EMS ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center’s main campus with paramedic assistance from The Valley Hospital. One (1) adult male was observed being handcuffed at the scene and placed into the rear of a marked RIdgewood PD unit. Initial reports were that the altercation did not involve any employees of the restaurant, only patrons.
file photo by Boyd Loving
July 4th 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. The day’s full festivities include:
Flag Raising: 9:00AM
Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot)
Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910.
Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine)
Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’tmiss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.
Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM
Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood)
The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year –tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.
About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.
photo by Boyd Loving
July 3,2017
by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, Bike Lane Update: The Ridgewood Police Department (RPD) has recommended converting a significant portion of the two (2) dedicated (green paint) bike lanes connecting the intersection of North Broad Street and Franklin Avenue with the intersection of Garber Square and West Ridgewood Avenue to “shared use” lanes (no green paint). This would permit motor vehicle traffic to use space now reserved only for bicyclists. The recommendation came in the form of a presentation delivered by RPD Patrol Supervisor John Chuck and Patrol Officer Raymond Tarino during a Village Council Work Session held on Wednesday, June 28.
Specifically, the police department suggests that the westbound “shared use” lane begin shortly after vehicles round the bend prior to the Pease Library’s northern most property line, and the eastbound “shared use” lane begin just after vehicles round the bend prior to going under the train trestle. Supervisor Chuck and Officer Tarino believe that traffic backups would be significantly decreased if this plan were implemented as two (2) to three (3) additional passenger vehicles could be added into the turning que.
No action/decision regarding the matter was reached by Council Members following the presentation.
A Message From Acting Director Jared Maples
Dear New Jersey Residents and Visitors,
As we celebrate the anniversary of our nation’s independence this week, it is important to reinforce the need to be aware of our surroundings and report suspicious activity.
While there are no specific or credible threats to New Jersey at this time, we continue to emphasize the public’s role in maintaining the state’s safety and security. It is often your observations and reports that initiate investigations and thwart potential attacks.
You can report suspicious activity directly to our Counterterrorism Watch desk at any time by calling 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ (1-866-472-3365) or e-mailing to [email protected].
On behalf of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, I would like to wish all of you a happy Fourth of July. Please enjoy this time with your friends and family, and have a safe and happy holiday!
Thank you,
Jared Maples
Acting Director
New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook
July 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police Department uniformed and plainclothes officers, along with members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Identification, conferring at the scene of a reported dead body found in the rear of 121 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood on Monday morning, 07/03. The address is an active construction site for a new Starbucks drive through.
UPDATE: Due to an inadvertent omission of required information from the legal notice associated with Ordinance #3599 (the “tree ordinance”), the ordinance is invalid and a new ordinance will need to be voted on by Village Council members in July (likely to take effect in August). This was announced by Village Manager Heather Mailander during this past week’s meeting.
There are too many boards, committees, advisory councils etc. They all think they have so much power. The CRAB is a good idea, who would argue with their basic reason for being? But it has been politicized Jan Philips is a nasty woman who has grabbed “power.” It was laughable when her husband came to defend her. Was she even at the meeting? Perhaps sitting tearfully in the audience while Mr. Hans spoke about how civil and lovely she is. The CRAB should still exist, for sure, but with a defined membership that does not include anyone who is out-and-out nasty.
“…Ridgewood Police received a report of a man who felt threatened at the sight of a gun in a residence …”
What exactly does that mean?
.
Who was the man? Was he a guest? A mid-divorce spouse causing trouble? An Alzheimer patient who forgot that he owned a gun? A new homeowner who uncovered a gun stashed in a wall when he was doing some remodeling?
Also…
Was the gun just sitting there? was it holstered? was someone holding it? was it in a properly locked gun safe (but just knowing it was in the house was causing anxiety)?
Also…
Was there a legal registered gun owner in the building properly licensed for a this legal gun?
Also…
Was it a legal gun? was it a hand gun? a rifle? an illegal assault weapon?
July 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewiood NJ, The 2017 theme for the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is “Honoring Those Who Serve.” The parade will be held, rain or shine, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. This is the time line for the day’s festivities include:
• Flag Raising: 9:00AM Wilsey Square (Ridgewood train station parking lot) Short program followed by traditional flag raising: Although the parade and firework portions of the day have on occasion been cancelled, the flag raising has occurred without interruption since the start of the committee in 1910. • Parade: Beings at 10:00AM (rain or shine) Parade runs along Godwin Ave and onto Ridgewood Ave through downtown, turning right on Maple Ave past the grand stand at Village Hall and ends at Leuning Park Follow the line of chairs set up by residents securing their spot. Don’t miss the competitive elementary school float competition and the Grand Marshal for this year, Bob Paoli, American Legion Post 53 Commander.
• Evening Entertainment and Fireworks: Gates open at 6:00PM Veterans Field (on the corner of Maple Ave and Linwood) The field is the ideal place to see the fireworks, which have been named the best in Bergen County by 201 Magazine for 11 years running. Bands and food/beverage vendors keep you entertained until dusk. Tickets are sold in advance at various local stores for $10, tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 at the gate. Children five years and under are admitted for free. NEW this year –tickets available for sale online. Check the website for more details, rules and regulations.
About the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration
The Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration is organized by the Ridgewood Fourth of July Celebration, Inc., an all-volunteer, non-profit community group. All aspects of this annual celebration including fireworks, bands, evening performers, insurance, police and fire personnel are funded by voluntary contributions from local businesses and individuals. The Committee continues to require the generous donations from the community to keep the tradition alive. The Ridgewood tradition began in 1910 when the local papers, the civic section of the Woman’s Club and the Ridgewood Fire Department joined forces to create a “safe and sane” holiday with an emphasis on Patriotism.
July 3,2017
by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, During this past Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session (06/28), Ridgewood Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser reviewed options the Village’s Engineering Department has considered with respect to preventing closure of the Glenwood Road railroad crossing by the NJ Department of Transportation (NJDOT).
Options under consideration are: 1) The widening of Glenwood Road from Upper Boulevard to the railroad crossing. Likely not a viable option due to estimated construction costs and the need to obtain cooperation and funding from the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. 2) Construction of a bridge over the railroad crossing. Likely not a viable option due to estimated construction costs and the need to obtain cooperation and funding from the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. 3) Designating Glenwood Road one way eastbound between Upper Boulevard and the railroad crossing and constructing a “kiss and go” drop off area just east of Upper Boulevard (pedestrians then walking down to the Ho-Ho-Kus railroad station). The proposal most likely to be submitted to NJDOT.
Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen asked Rutishauser what steps might be taken to block bus, truck, and heavy construction equipment from using the Glenwood Road railroad crossing, thus avoiding the need for implementing the one way street proposal. Several ideas were discussed, however it was reported that NJ Transit is also concerned over the number of passenger vehicles that execute U-turns and K-turns at the railroad crossing, so Mr. Rutishauser is not confident that NJDOT will accept anything less than a complete street closure, or a conversion to one way eastbound.
Several residents spoke in opposition to any plans that would bring about full roadway closure, or a one way eastbound roadway.
More public discussion will be held at a later date.
June 30, 2017
Ridgewood NJ, In the event of a state government shutdown, NJ TRANSIT’s rail, bus and light rail services will not be impacted and will operate on their regular schedules. In addition, Access Link, NJTRANSIT’s paratransit service will maintain normal operations.
All NJ TRANSIT’s offices, terminals and stations will be open on their regular hours of operations to assist customers as they travel through the NJ TRANSIT system.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation’s largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 944,000 weekday trips on 255 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 18,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.
