After 12 years we had to clean up our data base which took about 36 hours ,it is like cleaning an attic after spending a life time in a house . Apparently we had bats in the belfry and as you may have noticed we have had a rash of technical issues in recent days .
The next step in our upgrade is going to be migrating to a faster and more robust data base and the third and final step will be to clean up a few software problems and cliches.
In the mean time , try our new url : www.ridgewoodblog.net as well as the older , www.theridgewoodblog.net if you are having any trouble getting connected .
Washington DC, Judge Michael R. Barrett signed off on Wednesday the settlement between the IRS and hundreds of tea party groups, closing out the last major legal battle over what all sides now agree was unwarranted and illegal targeting for political purposes. This week’s decision closes out five years of litigation .
Who does Mena know in RW? Why is this even being posted here? Just to get sympathy? Money? What?
Reader responds , “Ummm, probably because the RW Blog covers local, STATE, and national news? Up there at the top in the header right under the giant title “The Ridgewood Blog”. Also, because it’s a human-interest story, one in line with the laissez-fairs perspective, which is also in big letters up top? Maybe TRWB is just damn good at finding and sharing interesting current events. Also, why does someone have to have an ulterior motive for wanting to conduct themselves peacefully on their own property? If you’re cool with the government coming down on you and your family and your neighbors arbitrarily, then move along. What’s your ulterior motive for presupposing an ulterior motive?
Ridgewood NJ, as has been previously reported on the Ridgewood blog , the Ridgewood Public Library is looking to embark on a major renovation . While the renovation was described in glowing terms , the staff noticed the absence of any mentions of books .
So we asked reader and an old friend who happens to be a librarian and a voracious reader Jason Vigorito the Reference Librarian at Eastern Monroe Public Library in Stroudsburg, PA. a few questions about books and libraries . Jason has been there for two years and has worked in Libraries for a total of 7 years .
TRB : what is the purpose of a public library?
Jason , “A public library’s purpose is three-fold: it’s an information repository for print, digital, video, audio, and other published mediums; it’s a community center for local residents to gather for various activities; and, it provides community assistance in a variety of ways, including literacy promotion, general education development, charitable work, and connections between various individuals and organizations. ”
TRB : has that purpose changed?
Jason , “Libraries, in the formal community-accessible modern sense, have been around for over a hundred years. Their three-fold purpose has always been standard, however the focus within each has shifted and widened considerably given how times have generally changed. For example, focus on certain forms of print–like newspapers and microfiche–has shifted in a dramatic decrease while digital databases have literally begun from scratch and widened into many niches and accessibility options. ”
TRB: why do people use a library ?
Jason, ” People unfamiliar with libraries tend to think that patrons visit them basically just to borrow books and maybe read newspapers or magazines. That’s only a small percentage of why people patronize libraries. The list is extensive. Some of the many other reasons include: to find a quiet place to study; to grab a coffee and snack (if your library has a cafe, as mine does); to watch performances by musicians and artists; to take a class (like on how to do your taxes, or on personal finance, or work toward a GED, or how to navigate social media); to research local history or one’s family tree; to buy books and other materials at sales; to meet with government representatives in forums; to participate in charity drives; to attend fun activities whether for adults or the whole family; to watch films; to access computer programs and the Internet when they don’t have them at home; to seek refuge when natural disasters hit; and on and on and on.”
TRB : what is the value of books?
Jason , ” If you do an online search, you’ll find some pithy quotes on the power of books. My personal favorite is Dr. Who’s: “You want weapons. We’re in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room’s the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!” The original Twilight Zone tv show had some great episodes on the subject, as well. It’s possible that books’ value can be broadly applied in two ways:
First, they are travel guides–they take you from the here and now and transport you to the there and/or other times;
Second, they are teachers–they expose you to new ideas and perspectives. Books are the torches that pass ideas down through the ages of otherwise dark ignorance.
In other words, a book’s value is in creating deeper, more cultivated value within its readers. Learning is always forward-moving, and you can’t unlearn what you learn.”
TRB : why do we need books?
Jason , ” We need books in order to prevent history from repeating itself while simultaneously continuing to advance civilization. History shows that with greater accessibility to books in general, society progresses more rapidly and expansively. The best example is Gutenberg and the advent of his printing press–it incontrovertibly proves that civilization took a massive leap forward in every respect thanks to the printed word. Without books, we might very well regress back to some forgotten yet frightening times; just take a look at societies where books were reproached by, or outright prohibited to, the people.”
River Vale NJ , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi rolled out a list of what will happen if the state of New Jersey shuts down . In parenthesis we editorialized a look on the bright side .
“For my N.J. friends, the likelihood of government shutting down at the end of this month is becoming a very likely scenario. What does a shutdown mean?
1. All non essential state agencies such as DMV will be closed. Therefore if you need to register a vehicle or get a license renewed do so within the next 2 weeks.
2. Courts will close ( cant go to jail)
3. State beaches & parks may close ( visit the Hamptons )
4. Non essential state employees will be furloughed. (they get a summer vacation)
5. Non emergency road projects will stop. ( less traffic jams )
Statement from Governor (Tax Everything )Murphy on Budget Negotiations (Blame Christie )
“For the past eight years, Governor Christie cut irresponsible budget deals that weakened New Jersey’s economy and hurt our middle class, resulting in 11 credit downgrades. These budgets shortchanged permanent priorities like NJ TRANSIT and our public schools by resorting to short-term gimmicks.
“I refuse to do that. When it came to making the hard choices to fix our problems my predecessor kicked the can down the road – I won’t. New Jersey deserves a real budget that offers real solutions.
“I have a simple approach: Fix what’s broken and make sure that everyone is paying their fair share. New Jersey didn’t elect me to paper over problems with the same failed policies of the past.”
The real question raised by our friend Chris Rogers for the people of NJ:
Will Chris Christie still be able to use the state owned beach house?
Ridgewood NJ, from time to time over the years the Ridgewood blog has been criticized for providing a forum for anonymous free speech. Over the years some of the criticism has admittedly been valid ,but most of the time its part of a which hunt looking to punish and take out the poster .
The experience and fate of the Ridgewood “Math Moms “, having their children attacked and being almost driven from their homes , is one of the more egregious examples in semi recent Ridgewood history . While maligned in Ridgewood , the so called “Math Moms: who where not good enough to discuss education policy in the Village , but were invited to meet the President of the United States in the White House to discuss domestic education policy .
In recent history this blog has documented time and time again peoples businesses being targeted or bulled by coward and low life politicians who think that bullying the public is a legitimate political option .
Fact is “anonymous free speech” protects many who challenge the orthodox view in town , and lends airs to ideas that would otherwise often be suppressed because the person who mentions them is not considered “important enough” by the powers that be.
But more importantly Anonymous speech was a frequent feature of Founding father Alexander Hamilton’s life , and of the very founding America it self. Arguably the single most influential piece leading to American independence was signed simply “Common Sense,” Thomas Paine’s pen name. Just over a decade later, Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay co-wrote the Federalist Papers as “Publius.”…
Anonymous free speech was also used heavily in the deep south during the civil rights struggles and was integral in keeping supporters of civil rights from being lynched .
Halaby does not understand that the blog is alive. It is an organism. It cannot be controlled. It has a life of its own, a mind of its own. It is fed by people who wish to speak their opinions but fear backlash from friends and neighbors. When someone posts on Facebook, people go after them relentlessly if they disagree. It intimidates well-meaning people from ever speaking their minds. But here on the blog, people can say what they really mean. And it is hugely beneficial to both the posters and the readers. The blog serves an outstanding purpose. Hell, even those who criticize it are reading it all the time. Even in CRAB meetings where so-called “civility” is the order of the day, the members obviously read the blog relentlessly, quote the blog, and take actions based on what they read on the blog. Thank you James Foytlin for providing this forum. LONG LIVE THE BLOG
Ridgewood Nj, the Ridgewood Blog Will Be Undergoing Technical Upgrades of the next week or so , we are working on improving the speed and security of the site.
What a riot! I just saw Boyd Loving in Rite Aid and he told me that many of the same people who are furious with him posting accident photos are clamoring to have more information and photos posted of the strange looking dude the cops grabbed near Ridge School. Can you believe these people.
This was in part prompted by an incident in which someone taking photos of an accident in Glen Rock (involving adults only with very minor injuries) was verbally assaulted by a woman who claimed to be a relative of one of the accident’s victims. Despite being told by police officers that the person had a legal right to take photos and to leave the individual alone, she continued with her verbal tirade. She was finally ordered by a Glen Rock police sergeant off the sidewalk into a waiting ambulance with her supposed relative. Turns out the woman is a Ridgewood resident and a practicing attorney. So much that fancy law degree from Fordham. Hopefully neither she nor her parents spent their life savings on it. A big Amen to freedom of the press and to freedom of assembly.
Hahahaha, the “pompous anonymous” poster wants everyone else’s anonymity revealed. Maybe old Halaby can coin a phrase for such a person….POMPANYMOUS. Guess what, you can’t know who all the anonymous posters are, even though we have pretty much figured out who YOU are. hahaha
Apparently you do not understand the word ANONYMOUS. The entire success of The Blog is that it enables people (like YOU) to post ANONYMOUSLY. Clearly you do not want to be identified, you just want to send out anonymous snarky comments. But you are reading the blog, you are posting on the blog, so obviously you enjoy the blog. You have heard the old expression that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Well, you cannot post anonymously and expect everyone else to be identified. There is a word for people like you, In fact there are are a few words for people like you. At the risk of being impolite while I post anonymously, let me just say that you are apparently not a rocket scientist.
hahaha, you would be surprised, very surprised, at some of the individuals who write for the blog. All sorts of people contribute news and information and write stories for THE BLOG. And commentators – people who HATE the blog contribute anonymously and try to pretend on facebook that they hate the blog. The “haters” posture and preach on Facebook how horrible the blog is, and all the while they are drawing attention to it and hoping everyone will read it so their own nasty posts can be seen and digested. A certain councilman who will not be named (but you all know who he is) checks the blog many times a day and comments on his own behalf. The husband of a former councilwoman abonymously posted slamming lies about another councilman. The blog is an organism, it is alive, it , Who knows, might even be YOU!
Beverly NJ, In a recent report , “The Great Tech Panic: Trolls Across America” , WIRED magazine cited Beverly, New Jersey as home of the country’s most active internet commenters.
The WIRED article says that Beverly, a tiny city on the Delaware River between Trenton and Philadelphia with a population of 2,513, has 114 residents that were responsible for 150,151 comments in a 16-month period. That’s an average of 1,317 comments each., wow !
While the Ridgewood blog thrives on “comments ” and at times comments have been criticized for being highly controversial in nature , the exchange of information has had a net positive effect in the Village . The debate often centers around the balance between what is appropriate , politically correct and whats just too far .
The Administrators try to balance free expression without letting commentators devolve into 3rd grade name calling.Sometimes it works and sometimes not. With most of the egregious comments coming from allies of the former mayor ,who also happen to be the biggest complainers about the blog.
The Ridgewood blog has been criticized at times for not posting certain comments and of coarse the blog has its share of trolls and creepy stalkers . Several local stalkers seem to be suffering from deep physiological mental disorders and or drug and alcohol abuse issues.
Experience and data have demonstrated that often a troll on a particular topic , is a quality poster on many other topics.
The Wired article analyzed 92 million comments over a 16-month period, written by almost 2 million authors on more than 7,000 forums and did seem to have the traditional media bias .
Teaneck NJ, NJTPC Special Guest Speaker James Foytlin of the Ridgewood blog , 650 American Legion Drive, Teaneck NJ – Jine 20, 7PM (Don’t forget to bring a pantry item for the American Legion food drive-support our veterans’ good works) We are pleased to have as our guest speaker, James Foytlin of “the Ridgewood blog” www.theridgewoodblog.net
You will learn the story of how the blog transformed, and:
What is a blog How to set up and run a blog How to survive as a conservative blogger How and where to source info…. How to get paid $$$
The Ridgewood blog https://theridgewoodblog.blogspot.com was founded in March of 2006 by James J Foytlin aka PJ Blogger . Mr. Foytlin was born and raised in Ridgewood ,New Jersey.
After many years living in New York City, Mr. Foytlin returned to Ridgewood after the tragic events of 9/11. Once he settled in he noticed a lack of sufficient news coverage of local events. How could this be? Ridgewood is a picturesque upper middle class village of around 25,000 located in Bergen county in northern New Jersey. Founded by Dutch settlers before it became an English colony. The town or village as its called is steeped in rich history and tradition .Known for a large amount of Victorian era housing , a quality school system and a family friendly atmosphere.
In 2004 the Village of Ridgewood had finally completed it’s much anticipated and long delayed renovation of the Village hall which had been flooded out due to Hurricane Floyd. The renovation was marred by huge cost over runs and lengthy delays. In 2005 it opened with great fan fare, was once again flooded with the very first rain . Mr. Foytlin was more shocked by the abject lack of responsibility taken by elected officials than the fact that the $9 million dollar renovation had to some extent been a failure . That was the breaking point and Mr. Foytlin had had enough so he decided to give citizen journalism a go and created the Ridgewood blog in March of 2006.
If you have a message to be heard…..come and find out how…do you want to have your voice be heard with a blog? Maybe you want to do the same but need to understand more. Come and learn that ‘more’. Everything begins with that first step…………
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