Tag: shop Ridgewood

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Village Council Explores the Idea of Using Ridgewood Open Space funds to restore and repair Maple Turf Field

maple+field1-300x19911

March 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Village council has decided to take a look at using Ridgewood Open Space funds to restore and repair Maple Turf Field. The Council debated on funding to fix the field , the $600,000 of open space funds have been sitting for some time , and the Village manager pushed the idea of raiding the unused open space funds then bonding afterward. Councilmen Hache said there were some grant options and councilwomen Walsh focused on the shared responsibility to maintain the field.

The council will look to sports groups for regular maintenance funds and to enforce rules that extend the life of the fields.

While the Ridgewood blog and others warned about the fiscal dangers of installing a turf field in a flood plain , the fact is the field is there ,it can not be currently used in its present condition and the money is available . Sorry its a little late to cry over open space funds for turf fields and it would be better for the Village to deal with the reality we presently have than fantasizing about what could or would have been.

Once again this is a learning experience on how voters are stuck with the long term consequences of their actions. Like the high density housing the Turf Field is part of the Village and must be maintained as such and again you can not blame the present council for the mess that others created.

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Ridgewood Water Looks to Raise Rates for the First Time In Three years

water meter theridgewoodblog.net

March 14,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Water told the council that they need to raise water rates. The utility has not raised rates in over 3 years . The utility used the Woods study which concluded that Ridgewood Water charges were low and the distribution of the charges were inefficient. Fixed charges for 5/8 meters, the meters most common in Ridgewood Households should bring in 20% of utility expenses and currently they were bringing in 16% .The increase to about 18,000 or so customers effected will be about $7.41 per quarter increase .

As many readers know in July of 2017 Superior Court Judge Perez Friscia ordered Ridgewood’s water-rate ordinance invalid and that the matter be remanded to the village so the rates could be recalculated. The ruling came after Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park, sued the utility, claiming in a class action lawsuit that Ridgewood Water inflated its costs, by comingling Village expenses and unlawfully raised its rates.

Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park sued Ridgewood Water over a 31-percent rate increase from 2010 to 2012.The suit, filed on behalf of ratepayers in 2011 . Ridgewood representatives claimed the increase was necessary for the utility to stay solvent.

In a court-ordered report that the utility had a revenue shortfall of more than $400,000 from 2010 to 2012.The report concluded that the rate charged by the village’s water utility undercharged ratepayers for 2010 and 2011.

While the report was called ridiculous and self serving .The ruling left the plaintiffs to pay their massive legal fees .

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Reader suggests “walkout-movement-funds” Is a backdoor fundraising for upcoming council elections

harwin

photo , one click and 4000 were notified that Alexandra Harwin was running for office

  • They changed the title of the campaign – Earlier it was “walkout-movement-funds” which is still the URL – but now the title says – “Student Activism Club Funds”.
  • lauren and john saraceno – $100. Is this a backdoor fundraising for upcoming council elections?
  • Supporting Harwin, from Voigt to Aronsohn, Pucciarelli, Sonenfeld, Hauck, HalabyX2…..does any right-minded person think she would be good for the town?????
  • Isn’t Harwin the one all over Facebook that took private e mails from 15 year olds during school hours to push her agenda? That is sneaky and scary to me. I have children in that school and do not need that kind of agendas being pushed!! Unethical!
  • In addition to collecting the home addresses of minors who attended her presentation, she also collected their e-mail addresses. What is going to be done with this data? Who will these e-mails be passed along to?
  • Wasn’t Ms. Harwin’s spouse, Rabbi Noah Fabricant, collecting the e-mail addresses of Jewish children in Ridgewood, allegedly to notify them of bias incidents?
  • Both spouses collecting the e-mail addresses of minors? Something doesn’t seem quite right with this.
  • Ms Harwin has removed her membership from a Facebook Page that was asking legitimate questions about her appearance at RHS yesterday. She does not want to see what people are saying. She does not want to respond to people’s concerns. What a gal. She surely does not think she can represent the entire village if she is only willing to hear what her supporters have to say.
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Dr. Semendinger letter regarding an incident at Hawes on February 28th

Hawes School

Paul Semendinger, Ed.D. Principal

March 8, 2018

Dear Parents & Hawes Community,

It has come to my attention that there is a news article that was posted that speaks of an incident that occurred after hours at Hawes last week. This letter explains the situation.

On Friday, February 28, at about 7:45 p.m., a man entered the lobby of Hawes while a recreational sporting event was taking place in the gym. The man seemed to be looking for directions. A parent, who also happens to be district employee, addressed the person and asked him to leave the building. The man complied. Since the man appeared in distress, the employee called the police who were on the scene immediately.

Based on reports from the police to both Dr. Fishbein and myself, there was no danger involved in this incident. The stranger did not enter the building while school was in session, nor was he on the property or vicinity during school hours. He was cooperative and followed the district employee’s directions.

As has been shared previously, we take the safety of the school, the students, and the staff very seriously. At Hawes, all of the doors are locked and closed during school hours. There is no access to the building during the school day except through buzzing the main office. As any who have come to the school in recent weeks know, before our secretaries give permission to enter the building, they ask for the person’s name and the reason for wishing to enter.

The safety and security of our students and staff are always our main priority.

My Best, Paul Semendinger, Ed.D. Principal

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Ridgewood Parents Raise Money for “Student led Walkout” ?

students-protest-guns-nra-1-gty-thg-180307_12x5_992[1]

March 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood parent group pushes financial support for “student led ” protest or walkout . According to a Facebook post , “Since the Village would rather that parents not be present to support our students, we can support them financially (so what else is new???). If you would like to stand in solidarity with our students, join them in one of the marches on March 24th.”

https://www.gofundme.com/walkout-movement-funds

On the gofundme page it says, “These funds are needed for the Students Demand Action high school club. We are Ridgewood High School students from Ridgewood, NJ and are comprised of over 100 diverse students, who have come together and are determined to make a change after one of the most recent school shootings in Parkland, Florida. Although most of us are not directly related to the victims of the shooting, we, just like the students in Parkland are just that. Students. Kids. Teens. We want to be able to go to school and feel safe- we do not want to have to constantly worried that our family or our friends or even us could be gone in a heartbeat just because the wrong person has a gun. We are planning a rally for the 24th of March and need to reach our goal of $5,000 as soon as possible. These funds will be used to ensure a safe rally with police and canine presence as well as to help pay for the venue, insurances, permits, food, advertising, technology (speakers, lights, etc.), and anything else that may come up. When this money is withdrawed it will go to paying these expenses and any money left over will be either used for a future rally or donated to a Victim’s Fund. We have already received such an outstanding amount of support from our teachers, district, and town hall, and to reach our goal would help us make great strides in the school safety movement and lead to a safer tomorrow. For everyone. ”

So what exactly is this group , Students Demand Action high school club going to do with the $5,000 ?  While some suggest , “Maybe they are trying to get money to pay for the cops and fireman.  This march/rally has nothing to do with curriculum. Why should taxpayers pay for this?  What a mess this is and the roots go back to the 3 Amigos  and their politics.  ”

Other suggest “bail money” .

 

 

 

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Comparisons – rates & hours parking in “high end” municipalities with train stations

parkmobile_meter (1)

Taken from the internet:

Montclair, 8-7 M-Sat, 1.00 per hour street, .75 per hour off street
Millburn, ?-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Summit, 8-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Westfield, 10-6 M-Sat, .50 per hour
Red Bank, 9-6 M-Sat, 1.00 per hour street, .50 per hour off street
Princeton, 8-7 M-Sat, 1.25 per hour
Morristown, complex plan – depends upon where in City

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Reader says Kids concerned that peers and teachers will look at her differently if they stay in classroom

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My kid is in HS and doesn’t feel like she wants to go for the walkout. However she asked me what she should do as she is concerned that peers and teachers will look at her differently if she stays in classroom. See what happens? What am I supposed to tell her? I want her to follow her heart but I am also concerned that she may be subject to repercussions. This walkout shouldn’t happen during school hours. Either after hours or weekends. This way kids would be free to act as they wish without concerns of being watched. This administration is ruining the kids with political siding.

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Councilmen Ramon Hache has Consitantly Promoted the Same Positions

ramone hache

Ramon Hache last campaign flier 

March 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, recently we have had a spat of emails and comments voicing concern over councilmen Ramon Hache changing his positions on key issues affecting the Village of Ridgewood . So the Ridgewood blog investigated if the criticism was valid or not and came to the conclusion is was not .

Ramon was against the oversized garage that was proposed by the “3 Amigos” . That garage over flowed the property line into the street a fact well hidden by the former administration.

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Village Council elections will be held on May 8th and there are 4 candidates competing for two village council seat

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

March 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Village Council elections will be held on May 8th and there are  4 candidates competing for two village council seats. There are two challengers , Janice Willett and Alexandra Harwin
and two current incumbent council members Susan Knudsen and Mike Sedon.

Ridgewood Council candidates -Two four-year council seats

Janice Willett

Susan Knudsen

Alexandra Harwin

Mike Sedon

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Reader says there will be two “student led” Protests on March 14th

Ridgewood Police RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving

We are aware that many RHS students will be participating in the student-led national walkout on the one-month anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. On March 14 at 10:00 A.M., students will assemble on the front lawn of the high school to participate in speeches, songs, and a moment of silence. After 17 minutes, they will return to the building to resume class. The event is organized by Students Demand Action, a newly formed club at RHS. The students will pay tribute to the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and express their desire for safer schools.
Simultaneously, another newly formed student-led group will assemble in the Campus Center to advocate for safer schools and Second Amendment rights.
If a student does not wish to participate in these assemblies, he or she may remain in class with the teacher or, if on a free period, in the building with designated faculty members.

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Reader asks will Ridgewood Police and Fire personnel ensure everyone’s safety and have security measures in place for this day

Ridgewood Police at RHS

file photo by Boyd Loving

Is Boyd Loving available to record this event?
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The police and fire department personnel Principal Gorman is summoning “to ensure everyone’s safety and have security measures in place for this day”. Will they be used solely to assemble barricades and prevent public access?
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What is the name of the faculty member assigned to supervise this newly-formed “Students Demand Action” club?
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What trustees of the Board of Education, what district administrators, what members of the faculty, what members of the Village Council, police or fire department brass will be in attendance, given that ordinary members of the public are specifically banned?

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RHS administration is endorsing (enforcing?) a “17 minutes hate” ?

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RHS administration is endorsing (enforcing?) a “17 minutes hate” (see Orwell’s 1984) dressed up as a KumBaYa moment.
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Who’s to say that, after the predetermined 17 minutes of blatant virtue signaling on the “front lawn”, they’ll obediently return to class, Gorman old boy? Stripped of responsible supervision (“We are aware…”), perhaps they will choose to adjourn to YOUR office and refuse to leave until YOU agree to resign. Will you oblige?
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No student has the right to “walk out” of class without disciplinary repercussions. You are complicit in this misbehavior as a principal who thinks he is entitled to suspend the rules as long as the “cause” is sufficiently politically correct. We will remember this outrageous surrender of adult authority
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Hey, hell, why not bring an enormous rainbow flag out to the “front lawn” protest? Just say it was meant to “display solidarity” with the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shootings.
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What’s next week’s school-endorsed walk-out “cause”, Principal Gorman? A demand for a parking garage for student parking? Where does this end?
__________
March 12, 2018
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Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), Students, Faculty, and Staff:
.
We are aware that many RHS students will be participating in the student-led national walkout on the one-month anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. On March 14 at 10:00 A.M., students will assemble on the front lawn of the high school to participate in speeches, songs, and a moment of silence. After 17 minutes, they will return to the building to resume class. The event is organized by Students Demand Action, a newly formed club at RHS. The students will pay tribute to the victims of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and express their desire for safer schools.
.
Simultaneously, another newly formed student-led group will assemble in the Campus Center to advocate for safer schools and Second Amendment rights.
.
If a student does not wish to participate in these assemblies, he or she may remain in class with the teacher or, if on a free period, in the building with designated faculty members.
.
Students involved in the walkout will not be penalized for their actions provided they follow RHS school rules, act in a respectful and dignified manner, and return to class after the event is held. We ask parents to speak with their children about the walkout and the issues pertaining to school shootings.
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We are working with the Ridgewood Police and Fire Departments to ensure everyone’s safety and have security measures in place for this day. With that in mind, we want this event to solely be one by and for the students. We ask for all outside groups and parents to respect their wishes and not visit RHS during this time.
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Sincerely,
.
Thomas A. Gorman, Ed.D.
Principal

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Village Council Candidate Speaks At Ridgewood High School

Alexandra Harwin

file photo by Boyd Loving

March 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, village council candidate Alexandra Harwin spoke at Ridgewood High School. No other candidates or councilmembers were invited , Ms Harwin spoke about running for council in Ridgewood  for a full 40 minutes asking the kids for their addresses to post yard signs of her candidacy .

When questioned by angry parents superintendent of Schools Daniel Fishbein said in an email , “this is a student run organization. It appears that you may know one or more of the students who are part of the organization, based on your knowledge of their ages. I suggest that you or other village council members reach out to see if they can be invited. As I stated, this is a club activity and not an academic class. ”

Funny that no sitting council member with experience  has been asked , yet a new candidate who has been to one council meeting for a total of 50 minutes is now an expert. Its also another interesting use of the taxpayer funded $105,000,000 Ridgewood School budget . And interesting to watch a Village Council candidate bully children into compliance.

All the moms  who questioned the events have asked to remain anonymous and are concerned about being booted from Home & School Association membership if their names are exposed regarding this matter .

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Ridgewood Education Association Supports Student Walkout

Ridgewood Education Association , Suports Student Walkout ,

March 13,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood

Ridgewood NJ, Adults using children to further their political aims  .The Ridgewood Education Association shared an event : NEA & AFT Wear Orange to Support Women’s March & 17 Min. Walkout . March 14th – the Women’s March has announced a National School Walkout in which school communities will walk out of their schools for 17 minutes to honor the lives lost in Parkland. NEA will join with AFT in encouraging educators throughout the country to wear orange on this day.

Nice to see a $105,000,000 school budget put to good use .

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Valley Hospital Recognized for Promoting a Safe Work Environment

TEDDY-AWARD-2017-[1]

March 11,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Valley Health System has earned the 2017 Theodore Roosevelt Workers’ Compensation and Disability Management Award for their efforts to promote a safe work environment. The award was given by Risk & Insurance® magazine.

Valley was one of only four national winners, which included Delta Air Lines, Massachusetts Port Authority and Rochester Regional Health. Companies in all industries and of nearly all sizes were allowed to apply for the award.

Award recipients were selected based on how their companies have improved their employee safety through employee engagement and advocacy, performance, sustainability, innovation and teamwork. Two initiatives that made Valley’s workers’ compensation program standout among all other companies included the Code Atlas crisis management team and ALICE protocols (active shooter response training), as well as decreasing work-related injuries.

“Valley is proud to be a recipient of the 2017 Theodore Roosevelt Workers’ Compensation and Disability Management Award,” said Barbara Schultz, Director, Employee Health & Wellness. “Valley employees are truly embracing a culture of workplace safety by following guidelines outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. They have taken it to heart to take care of themselves and each other.”

Photo above: Valley Health System earned the 2017 Theodore Roosevelt Workers’ Compensation and Disability Management Award, given by Risk & Insurance® magazine, for their efforts to promote a safe work environment. Pictured: Valley employees Daniel Coss, Director, Security and Public Safety, and Barbara Schultz, Director, Employee Health & Wellness.