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Readers debate Gail Price’s actions during the Valley hearings

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Readers debate Gail Price’s actions during the Valley hearings 

Gail Price , her body language last night appeared to indicate discomfort (due to bias? – hard to say).

Would be curious to know what instructions she gave the planning board in the closed door session prior to the vote. Have heard rumors but cannot confirm.

Also, could be wrong but I heard her bid for the renewal of her Ridgewood job was extremely “reasonable” compared to the other applicants. Since when has an attorney been known to be reasonable? Why does she want to keep it so badly?

Just Google her name + Ridgewood and other posts come up that lay out more specifics.

I would urge the town to consider motivations before resigning her and make sure they are consistent with “doing the right thing”………..

………At some point in this process, the PB knew that this proposal was going to be denied. In any deliberative process, at that point you try to protect the record in the event of appeal by leaning over backwards to the losing side on procedural issues so that on appeal you limit the issues they can complain about. 

The PB attorney was undoubtedly aware of this. I cannot say what was in anybody’s head or heart but by limiting the procedural grounds for appeal by VH, she was doing her job. Was that her sole motivation? I don’t know, but something to consider.
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Valley Hospital’s next step is critical after expansion plan’s defeat

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Valley Hospital’s next step is critical after expansion plan’s defeat

JUNE 19, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2014, 12:57 AM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood is at a critical juncture, stung by the rejection of its plan to double in size yet still in need of upgrades that will keep it current in a highly competitive health care market.

After an eight-year battle that has polarized the village, the hospital’s expansion plan was shot down by the Planning Board on Tuesday night. To make the defeat more bitter, all the other hospitals in the area have added a new building or completed major renovations in the years since Valley began asking for permission to build.

“This has been a painful blow, and it now has to face alternatives,” said Don Malafronte, president of Urban Health Institute, a private health care consulting company. “If it wants to continue to be a premier institution, it will be very difficult given the vote.”

Valley, according to others in the health care field, faces critical decisions in the coming months: Should the hospital — which has the state’s most desirable patient population and best bottom line, as well as a solid medical reputation — take the village to court? Should it relocate, possibly expanding operations at its satellite campus in Paramus? Can the hospital develop a new plan that will appease the residents who have fought the expansion for years?

Valley officials refused requests for an interview on Wednesday. At the many hearings on the expansion plan, their representatives often spoke about how the hospital’s survival depended on the expansion, which called for all private rooms and larger operating suites.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/valley-hospital-s-next-step-is-critical-after-expansion-plan-s-defeat-1.1037579#sthash.9X7xrtgv.dpuf

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Ridgewood Planning Board “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,”

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Ridgewood Planning Board  “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,”

JUNE 17, 2014, 9:00 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2014, 10:54 PM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS AND CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — In a surprising and resounding defeat for The Valley Hospital, the Planning Board on Tuesday night voted against the hospital’s plan to nearly double in size.

The audience erupted in cheers after each vote against a master plan amendment that would have allowed the expansion. When the voting was done, the count was 5 to 2 against and residents who have opposed expansion for eight years were rejoicing in the auditorium of Benjamin Franklin Middle School, where the meeting was held.

“It’s a great decision for Ridgewood,” said Thomas McAndrews. “It would have strained our quality of life if it were allowed to go through.”

Most of the board members who rejected the plan used the same word — “detrimental” — in explaining the impact of the proposed expansion on the village.

“It’s Valley’s burden to show that change is warranted and I don’t believe Valley has met that burden,” said Mayor Paul Aronsohn, who is also on the Planning Board and cast a vote against the amendment. “I don’t think the proposal will serve the best interests of the community.”

Kevin Reilly, another board member who voted against the plan, agreed. “The impacts from this amendment are detrimental to the community,” he said.

Valley executives declined to comment after the vote, instead issuing a short statement: “While we are disappointed by the Planning Board’s vote, we remain committed to serving our patients with award-winning care and developing a long-term facilities solution to ensure we can meet that commitment.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/update-ridgewood-planning-board-votes-against-valley-hospital-expansion-plan-1.1036876#sthash.GZmAZi25.dpuf

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Ridgewood Planning Board Rejects Proposal That Would Double Size Of Valley Hospital

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Ridgewood Planning Board Rejects Proposal That Would Double Size Of Valley Hospital
CBS News
June 17, 2014 11:23 PM

RIDGEWOOD, NJ(CBSNewYork) — A proposal to expand a New Jersey hospital has been voted down.

Ridgewood residents cheered as a planning board voted against Valley Hospital’s proposal to nearly double in size, CBS 2 reported.

Resident called the planning board process ‘one sided,’ NJ.com reported.

The project would have included building demolitions, the construction of a 94-foot-tall building, and a large parking garage, the report said.

The hospital has been pushing for years to expand, saying that it needs to keep current in a competitive environment.

https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/06/17/ridgewood-planning-board-rejects-proposal-that-would-double-size-of-valley-hospital/

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Reader says Planning Board thinks you don’t care about stopping Valley Hospital’s unreasonable expansion

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Reader says Planning Board thinks you don’t care about stopping Valley Hospital’s unreasonable expansion

Ridgewood residents, the Planning Board thinks you don’t care about stopping Valley Hospital’s unreasonable expansion because not enough of us show up to these meetings. Yes, on election day we sent a message by electing Village Council members who are opposed to Valley’ Hospital’s massive expansion plans, but it is not enough. Everyone in town should care about this issue, but most of all those of you who will have kids at B.F. over the next 6-10 years (do you want you kids walking past a massive construction site on their way to school everyday or having to spend the day trying to learn with destractions that a massive construction project will create?). And those of you who may not have kids going to B.F. but live near Valley Hospital you should care given that your home values will be negatively impacted by the expansion. And those of you will live anywhere in Ridgewood should care as a massive Valley Hospital in Ridgewood will alter the character of the entire town, and it is hurting your fellow Ridgewood residents who are your friends, neighbors, etc. Can you spare any time at all (even if you must leave early) to support us?

Please show up and support us, even if for only 1/2 hour. Thanks.

Powered by Passion! Shop WorldSoccerShop.com Today.

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Ridgewood planners set to vote on Valley Hospital’s expansion

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Ridgewood planners set to vote on Valley Hospital’s expansion

JUNE 16, 2014    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014, 2:09 PM
BY BARBARA WILLIAMS
STAFF WRITER
THfE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — After 16 months of hearings, the Planning Board is set to vote Tuesday on The Valley Hospital’s proposal to nearly double in size, a project that has polarized the village and pitted the medical center against a vocal group of residents.

This round of hearings is the latest push in Valley’s eight-year effort to expand. The meetings have been heated, frequently tedious and sometimes downright ugly, with residents yelling and booing a combative attorney who represents the hospital.

“These meetings have all been one-sided — Valley’s side,” said Jody McCambridge. “I just hope they make a wise choice and keep the hospital the size it is now.”

Valley officials are seeking an amendment to the village master plan for the expansion. Their plan calls for the hospital to grow from 562,000 square feet to 995,000 square feet, with one building that will rise 94 feet high. The expansion will include a 245,000-square-foot parking garage.

Hospital executives declined to comment. Supporters of the project said the hospital needs to expand and renovate to keep current in a highly competitive market.

“You have to decide whether Ridgewood wants access to a first-class medical center,” Gene Cornell, president of Ridgewood Residents for Valley, told the Planning Board this month. “The need for renovation is clear.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/health-news/board-set-to-vote-on-valley-plan-1.1035834#sthash.m2tBpKDu.dpuf

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Planning Board – Meeting Schedule June 16 & 17 – Valley Hospital Application

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Planning Board – Meeting Schedule June 16 & 17 – Valley Hospital Application

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meetings: June 16 & June 17, 2014

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled special public meetings for:

Monday, June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will receive instructions regarding the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time there will be Board deliberation and vote only concerning the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m.; all ingress into the auditorium will be limited to the doors located at the rear of the auditorium. 

The Board may take official action during these Work and Public Meetings. 

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Jane Wondergem

Secretary to the Board

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Don’t let Valley bully Ridgewood

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Don’t let Valley bully Ridgewood
Cathy Benson
Ridgewood, June 11

At this week’s Ridgewood Planning Board meeting, representatives of The Valley Hospital made clear that the village of Ridgewood is its opponent. The gloves are off. Valley’s attorney, Jon Drill, attempted to deliver blow after blow.The opening salvo was Drill’s attempt at intimidation by reminding the Planning Board of its loss in court to Valley back in 1985. This was followed up by his threat that Ridgewood would lose $1.7 million in property taxes from properties owned by Valley due to conversion to non-profit status and that the hospital would withhold money for improvements at the intersection of Van Dien and Linwood avenues despite the fact that Valley is a major contributor of traffic, if the amendment is not approved.

Next was his assertion that the single bus line stopping in front of Valley (20 trips a day, no service on Sunday) carries the full significance of “access to public transportation.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/the-record-letters-to-the-editor-monday-june-16-1.1035848#sthash.ABwdlnLZ.dpuf

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Reader says The future of our village rests in the hands of our neighbors on the Planning Board

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Reader says The future of our village rests in the hands of our neighbors on the Planning Board

Planning Board, please don’t do this to our neighborhood, our children and our town. Tell Valley “no”. Even if you think there will be no harm in the short term or long term (which I don’t understand how you could think that) there are always unintended consequences. Giving Valley what it wants is not worth the risk. The future of our village rests in the hands of our neighbors on the Planning Board:

Charles Nalbantian – Chairman
Richard Joel – Vice Chairman
Paul Aronsohn – Mayor
Albert J. Pucciarelli – Councilman
Morgan Hurley
Nancy Bigos
Kevin Reilly
Cyril Grant
Wendy Dockray
Michele Peters – Alt.1
Trisha Connors – Alt. 2

Please do the right thing.

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Reader says This time around Ms. Price has been bent on “sticking it” to Valley’s opposition

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Reader says This time around Ms. Price has been bent on “sticking it” to Valley’s opposition

Unfortunately, Valley is going to get its way with this Planning Board since it appears that they will be given two choices to vote on – both of which have been proposed by Valley.

Previous writers have neglected to mention the very personal bias that Gail Price has brought to this proceedings. Remember that the CRR lawsuit was based on the last Planning Board’s failure to follow proper legal procedure. In other words, Ms. Price failed to do her job. This time around Ms. Price has been bent on “sticking it” to Valley’s opposition. As the attorney, she is supposed to advise the Board on procedural issues yet she has acted both as emcee and Valley’s mouthpiece for the past 18 months. She has allowed Valley’s attorney to disrupt, interrupt, shout down and otherwise muzzle everyone from little old ladies to expert witnesses to members of the Planning Board itself.

Just about the only tolerable aspect of these most recent hearings has been watching Ms. Fraser squirm as her employer commits one PR disaster after another. Valley has exposed itself for what is truly is – an organization that has nothing but contempt for our Village. Think about how disingenuous they have been with us since 2006. Their experts and representatives have committed perjury, their management has lied to us repeatedly and their supporters (including one Councilwoman) have turned a blind eye because they can’t bear to even watch the behavior of their beloved Valley.

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Reader says Almost 30 years ago Valley was told that they had reached their max on their current site

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Reader says Almost 30 years ago Valley was told that they had reached their max on their current site

Almost 30 years ago Valley was told that they had reached their max on their current site. They have chosen to ignore that and have had Two more expansions. They, have had ample time to develop a business plan that would allow them to modernize this facility while expanding in other areas. Yet, they chose to develop their Renewal plan and then when that got derailed by the Village Council and CRR this current plan is their attempt at compromise without taking a foot off the bulk of the building. Who is kidding who? They have shown contempt for the residents of this town without paying a dime in taxes. Yet, there are people in This town that still think the residents are the unreasonable ones. The residents have spent countless hours siting in boring meetings, being ridiculed and told to keep silent and also they have spent more than $100,000 fighting this. It is time for the planning board to do the right thing and finally turn Valley down.

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Common sense should dictate board’s vote

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Common sense should dictate board’s vote
June 12, 2014    Last updated: Thursday, June 12, 2014, 5:40 PM
John Hersperger


To the editor:

Residents might argue the merits of Valley Hospital’s master plan amendment request, but can’t we all agree that when our Planning Board deliberates on the expansion next Tuesday, it should consider its potential effect on the Ridgewood we know and love? Some members may envision changes that are mostly detrimental, others may see more benefits. This might all sound so obvious you are probably asking why I’m even writing this, but at the close of Wednesday’s Planning Board meeting, what seemed obvious came into question.

In what may have been a legal threat, Valley attorney Jon Drill argued that the Board would be “in error” if it uses existing conditions as the baseline for evaluating the marginal benefits and detriments of the 2013 proposal. Instead, he claims the board can debate only whether the 2013 amendment is superior to the 2010 version, which our Village Council unanimously declined to codify in 2011. And because the current plan is somewhat smaller in scope than its predecessor, Mr. Drill says the board can’t legally say “no” to it. So according to Mr. Drill, the board can’t consider how the new plan might affect existing conditions such light, space, traffic or quality of life, and moreover, must consent to Valley’s new plan. Does any Ridgewood resident believe we have ceded our zoning power to Valley?

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-board-should-use-common-sense-when-making-decisions-1.1034642#sthash.mBPEzMcD.dpuf

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Hospital officials are misleading

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Hospital officials are misleading


JUNE 12, 2014    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014, 5:43 PM
Melinda Wagner

To the editor:

When my husband and I began attending Planning Board meetings years ago, we were deeply annoyed with Valley Hospital, whose officials had already drawn up elaborate plans to double in size while neglecting to consult the taxpayers who would have to endure years of construction, and its permanent aftermath (to date, residents have yet to be consulted).

More than eight years later – after countless meetings, thousands of dollars, and numerous, stressful hours, my family is no longer annoyed. We are furious!

Valley wants to place a structure the size of Paramus Park Mall in the middle of a neighborhood of single-family homes, three schools, and playing fields – an area traversed by many hundreds of children daily. In order to get their way, Valley officials have spun, sliced and diced the “facts,” treated residents with disrespect, and have consistently failed to address the matter at hand. It is this last point that I find most infuriating. Indeed, every single argument in support of this gargantuan project has been specious, beside the point, and misleading – no matter how compelling, heartwarming or dire.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-hospital-officials-are-misleading-1.1034647#sthash.RXWCtLb6.dpuf

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If you remember, Valley started this ambitious push in September 2006

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If you remember, Valley started this ambitious push in September 2006

As the June 17 Ridgewood Planning Board meeting about Valley’s proposed Master Plan changes approaches, it is worth considering what this fight is really about and what Ridgewood has already been through.

If you remember, Valley started this ambitious push in September 2006, with bold move to get what they wanted through a change to the Village’s Master Plan. It was clear then that Valley had been developing their strategy years before this 2006. Having been thwarted by the Ridgewood Council in 1983, the highly paid Valley legal team decided to do an “end-around”; by passing the elected council by using a tactic that more commonly used by developers on the Jersey Shore to push through high-rise developments.

Also in 2006 Valley believed that they had a sympathetic Major in the person on David Pfund, who had a long history of family connections with the hospital. Many members of the Council and the Planning Board chaired by David Nicholson were also tainted by Valley through, work, family or membership of the elite Valley Foundation social club. Even the members of the Ridgewood BOE seemed to be sympathetic to Valley, refusing to take a stand against Valley’s proposal on behalf school children and their teachers through their spokesperson Sheila Broga, first in 2009 and again in 2013. Instead the BOE took the attitude that the development was going to be approved so the school community needs to adapt!

All would have gone according to Valley’s plan, except for some Ridgewood Residents who noticed that there were some unusual proceedings occurring on at Council and the Planning Board.

Once Valley tactics became known, people from all over Ridgewood began to organize against the plans for mega hospital. The gang of three, that later become known as the Valley Girls (Meyers, Frazer and Goldfischer) hastily went it damage control. Do you remember the newsletter and cards we all received in the mailbox from Valley? It was a campaign that was built on a perceived personality cult centered on Audrey Meyers. In the fliers Mrs Meyers was photographed perpetually sporting a fixed smile under a thick fringe of black hair, “Its alright, trust me…trust Valley what could we possibly do to hurt the Village?”

Of course the forced folksy facade was exposed when the first public hearings started in September 2007. More and more of the monstrous facts emerged and within a short time Mrs Meyers stopped attending the public meetings. We can assume that she was advised not attend as she drew too much heat. Instead the residents of the Village sat through weeks of hearings watching the spectacle of Frazer and Goldfischer in the audience chatting and laughing during many, many sincere and heart felt speeches against the Valley’s plans.

Then there was Mr Collins the local legal hack for Valley who’s only job seemed to be to disrupt proceedings as much as possible.

Despite Valley’s attempts at intimidation, stalling, legal maneuverings and costly PR campaign the opposition to the Mega Hospital continued. All sorts of tactics were used. Valley supporters formed a front-group to try and convince Ridgewood people that there was also a grass roots organization that supported Valley. It was seen for what it was. Donations to the BOE from Valley increased and Mrs Frazer, VP of Marketing of Communications for Valley, became a director of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce; a strange situation as the chamber was formed to support Ridgewood’s small businesses.

After hearings that dragged on for years, the planning board approved the Master Plan amendment in favor of Valley at a tumultuous meeting held in August 2010 at GW middle School. Three police districts were in attendance to control the crowd that could not fit into the building and there as an attempt by a Valley supporter to prevent people parking at the adjacent church.

While the Ridgewood Council finally decided not to approve the ordinances that would be needed support the Master Plan, it still left the Master Plan in place. It then took the Concerned Residents of Ridgewood CRR to take Valley to court try and remove the time-bomb of the altered Master Plan that still remained supporting Valley’s Mega hospital.

Thanks to court proceedings won by CRR, the residents and village have had to spend more time before the Planning Board through the last 12 months.
Now 8 years from 2006 when Valley first tried to tamper with Ridgewood Master Plan, the Planning Board will again look at the Master Plan. Since 2006 Audrey Myers the CEO of the non-profit Valley Hospital has seen her salary rise by over one million dollars from $787,000 (2007) to $1,988,369 (2013). The highly paid driving force behind 8 years of turmoil in Ridgewood. Meanwhile CRR and its supporters have had to spend well over $100,000 to defend the Village against Valley.

Hopefully next week and for the last time the Ridgewood Planning Board will finally put an end to this madness.

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Planning Board – Meeting Schedule June 16 & 17 – Valley Hospital Application

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Planning Board – Meeting Schedule June 16 & 17 – Valley Hospital Application

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meetings: June 16 & June 17, 2014

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled special public meetings for:

Monday, June 16, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time the Board will receive instructions regarding the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey, at which time there will be Board deliberation and vote only concerning the proposed H-Hospital Zone amendment to the Master Plan. Doors will be open at 6:30 p.m.; all ingress into the auditorium will be limited to the doors located at the rear of the auditorium. 

The Board may take official action during these Work and Public Meetings. 

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

Jane Wondergem

Secretary to the Board