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Reader says many parents feel intimidated by these Ridgewood teachers

REA, ridgewoood teachers

We have fought against Valley and garages and numerous other issues in this town. It is time to fight for our children, but so many parents feel intimidated by these teachers. They will be marching in their red outside before you go into the meeting. They have put us down. They tell us we are not educated that we don’t know the facts. The FACT is that we can not open our mouths because as soon as we do, you crush our opinion. We all see the signs around town, but maybe the teachers and the BOE should be looking at the how many houses don’t have signs…Unfortunately only two scenarios exist…the first the contract is settled which means the BOE gave into the bullying tactics of our teachers and unions. The only benefit to us is our children won’t be punished anymore…The second scenario is the contract doesn’t get signed in which case we will be living through hell. The disrespect these teachers have shown the students and parents is unacceptable. The days of teacher appreciation are over.

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N.J. Republican breathes new life into Christie’s pension overhaul

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon

 

A Republican state lawmaker has introduced legislation to pay for billions of dollars in upcoming public pension bills by reducing state and local health care spending on government workers. Samantha Marcus, NJ.com Read more

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Pension Meeting Ends in Cliffhanger

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It was supposed to be another staid meeting of the board that oversees New Jersey’s $71 billion public-employee pension system. It ended with a dramatic deadlocked vote on a key policy issue — how heavily pension assets should be invested in hedge funds — and an equally dramatic threat from one veteran board member to immediately tender his resignation. John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotligh Read more

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Legislature Approves Atlantic City Takeover Compromise

gambling-addiction

 

After months of delays and mutual recrimination between the city and state, the state Assembly and Senate approved an amended Atlantic City rescue package Thursday. The successful bill would give the city 150 days to balance its nearly $100 million budget shortfall for 2017, then hold it accountable for doing the same over a period of five years in order to avoid a state takeover of its finances. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJRead more

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Whelan: Atlantic City Botched Negotiations Long Before Assembly Talks

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As the two sides in the legislative debate over a state takeover of Atlantic City negotiate on a compromise between two dueling bills from Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and Assembly Speaker Vince Prieto (D-32), the gaming capital’s state Senator said Monday that he places the blame squarely on the city’s shoulders for not approaching Sweeney with a counter-proposal weeks ago. Mayor Don Guardian and members of the city council have allied themselves with Prieto in pushing for two more years before the state takes over the city’s finances. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more

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State of the Takeover: AC’s Assets and the Botched Assembly Vote

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After one of the most turbulent weeks in New Jersey politics since the North Jersey casino expansion vote earlier this year, Atlantic City’s assets are one step closer to being sold off as part of a state takeover championed by Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3), Governor Chris Christie and South Jersey Democratic boss George Norcross III. Opposition to that takeover plan hit a major roadblock on Thursday as three state Assembly members stayed home, leading Speaker Vince Prieto (D-32) to delay posting his alternative takeover bill until he could secure a 41-vote majority. JT Aregood, PolitickerNJ Read more

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An Atlantic City bankruptcy:promising for taxpayers, bad for politicians!

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An Atlantic City bankruptcy:promising for taxpayers, bad for politicians!

By Matt Rooney

Doomsday predictions were leveled, Save Jerseyans, but over one year removed from the Detroit, Michigan bankruptcy – the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history –the Motor City is shaping up and making substantive progress. It can pay its bill and streets are being repairs. Sad as it is to stay, that’s huge.

You’re only surprised if you don’t trust the framework established by our Framing Fathers. Specifically, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 4 of the U.S. Constitution which authorizes Congress to enact “uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States.”

And, of course, if you’re a politician fighting over Atlantic City like lions or hyenas battle over the scraps of a rotting carcass
Continue reading…

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Christie Says AC Debacle Proves Public Sector Unions Running Assembly

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After a press conference on lead remediation and testing in New Jersey public schools, Governor Chris Christie answered some questions from press about the topic that is front and center of the current political discussion in NJ: the impending default of Atlantic City and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto’s alternative takeover bill that will be posted for a vote on Thursday. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

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New Jersey Transit Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Union Rejects Deal with New Jersey Transit

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May 1,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Members of a union representing some New Jersey Transit rail workers have decided not ratify the new contract with the agency.

The New Jersey Transit Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen announced its decision to say No in a statement posted Friday on its website.The Vote tally was undisclosed.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen was part of an 11-member coalition that reached deals with New Jersey Transit in March averting a strike . Eight other unions have ratified their deals, while the two remaining unions planned to vote Saturday.

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Should Atlantic City mayor and other top officials take pay cuts during crisis?

Atlantic City ILA delegation in Trenton

 

As the debate continues over how to save Atlantic City from its financial crisis, a city councilman is proposing that the mayor, fellow council members and other local officials help out by taking a 20 percent pay cut. Brent Johnson, NJ.com Read more