Tag: Village Council Elections

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Character Development

Ridgewood NJ election

this blog post echos a lot of sentiment now in Ridgewood 

from the

THE MUSEUM OF PERIPHERAL ART blog

by Drew Martin
Never in my life did I expect to put political signs outside my house, but there they are: Voigt, Walsh, Hache. I have always been withdrawn from politics but what changed me very recently was having attended a public meeting over urban-scale development in our small town where I have lived with my family the past 16 years.

https://museumofperipheralart.blogspot.com/2016/05/character-development.html

 

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Reader takes issue with Ridgewood Planning Board Attorney’s Comments

village-hall-theridgewoodblog

Mrs. Price is not correct that there are two blocs. There is one bloc running, and there are also three independent candidates. Three candidates have intentionally aligned themselves together, that is Brooks Willett and Weitz. They made it very clear that they are together, and even ran a full-page ad in the Ridgewood News to this effect. The other three candidates are not a bloc. They are independent of each other. The fact is that many MANY people support the three of them, Walsh, Hache, and Voigt. That does not change the fact that the three of them are running independently.

Next, the Attorney for the Planning Board is paid by taxpayer dollars and as such that person works for the Village. You can depict it any which way you want, but the fact remains that the Planning Board Attorney is paid for by us. So there is nothing inaccurate or twisted in stating that one of the candidates, Richard Brooks, is married to the Planning Board Attorney and as such this looks like a conflict. Granted most of the Planning Board business does not come to the Village Council for consideration or action……but some things do. And there are two representatives from the Village Council who serve on the Planning Board. There would be a potential for husband and wife to be together in this. I’m sorry, if it looks like a conflict and it smells like a conflict then it must be a conflict.

Next, the comment about “tradespersons” possibly making more than $125 an hour…..this is wrong on so many levels. Now correct me if I’m wrong here, but it sure sounds like Mrs. Price thinks she is superior to “tradespersons” and therefore her measly $125 an hour should be increased because maybe a plumber or carpenter makes more. Kiss my A*** Mrs. Price Brooks. You don’t like your hourly wage? Then don’t take it. We can get another PB attorney, and we would be lucky to be rid of such a disgruntled one. You think lowly tradespersons should not make as much as you? I’m betting they do a much better job than you do!

HACHE VOIGT WALSH are the three to elect. Save us from four more years of this systematic destruction of Ridgewood.

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The Ridgewood Blog Endorses Jeff Voigt, Bernie Walsh, and Ramon Hache for Village of Ridgewood Council.

ridgewood a new begining
May 2,2016

PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood blog wholeheartedly endorses Jeff Voigt, Bernie Walsh, and Ramon Hache for Village of Ridgewood Council in the May 10th, 2016 elections.

The key word is “Village” in Village of Ridgewood .Technically 25,352 residents makes Ridgewood a bit larger than a Village ,but its the state of mind that is far more important. There is a uniqueness to Ridgewood that all three candidates recognize and the current council majority clearly does not. Ridgewood affords everyone an opportunity to find their own level , to contribute and to excel.

The Village of Ridgewood is chartered under the Faulkner Act offers four basic plans (mayor–council, council–manager, small municipality, and mayor–council–administrator) and two procedures by which the voters of a municipality can adopt one of these plans. The Act provides many choices for communities with a preference for a strong executive and professional management of municipal affairs.

Originally enacted in 1950, the Faulkner Act provided for three forms of government: mayor–council, council–manager, and small municipality. Within each form, letter codes designated predefined aspects of each form and its individual arrangement of options, such as partisan or nonpartisan elections, concurrent or staggered terms, all at large or a combination of ward and at large seats.

Ridgewood until recently has always been nonpartisan town with nonpartisan elections, whatever your ideology it was left at the train station before commuting home each evening.

The town operated basically in a “bubble” with great community spirit , a “can do” attitude  and very high standards and expectations for what was required of its citizens . Neighbors were expected and did step up helping out, investing ,donating and doing what was necessary to preserve the special character of the Village . Everyone contributed in their own way and was glad to do it.

Citizen’s Park was bought by neighbors and donated to the Village for neighbors, Some donated property or trusts , like Pease Library or the Lester Stable.  While others who were not so blessed financially would give their time coaching teams , hiring teenagers  for summer jobs or just doing what ever they could and because so many contributed so much ,it was like a raising tide ,it lifted all boats.

Don’t get me wrong it was far from perfect and while change came slowly ,change occurred positively impacting everyone. We still see this today with so many opportunities  for so many ; Ridgewood Sports , the Tree lighting , 4th of July celebrations, Graydon Pool , Vets Field , Super Science Saturday, Ridgewood Schools, Special needs programs, charitable giving , vibrant churches , girl scouts, boy scouts and on and on . Even today residents lead by a special needs adult Doug are raising money to rebuild La Bella Pizza after it was destroyed by a recent electrical fire . Many Village children continue to excel beyond anyone’s wildest dreams  like Sammy Cermack, former Ridgewood star, drafted in first-ever professional women’s lacrosse league , long distance swimmer Charlotte Samuels or Broadway Trailblazer Ali Stroker just to name a very few . They are all products of that very unique Village of Ridgewood way of life.

Somehow around the time of the Village Hall renovation fiasco things seem to change. Doubt was cast and the Village began to change for the worse. Formerly great schools where and we quote a BOE member “glad to beat Newark” , mediocrity began to spread . The attitude became more of taking than giving ,of cronies and profiteers, special interests and special issues.The latest council majority is nothing but a product of the lowest base greedy attitudes that so typify the rest of New Jersey and their partisan supporters . It didn’t start with three but they are the product of the precipitous decline in the quality of life in the village.

Any doubt as to the decline of the Village ,take one look at the pledge being asked of the candidates to sign supporting various development in the central business district. Signed by three of the candidates Weitz, Willett and Brooks making them whole unqualified to lead Ridgewood anywhere but down the drain. The same three candidates received dubious endorsements by the Mayor and his flunkies .

Deal making against the better interest of the voters was just not done in Ridgewood , till Mayor Aronsohn and his machine politics moved into town , The fact is most people move to Ridgewood to get away from that type of back door dealing.
And most people in town realize their very large property investment ,their home is now in jeopardy of declining in  value along with the rest of the town.

As a reminder the Ridgewood blog warned residents as to the dangers of Pucciarelli , Hauck and Aronsohn taking over the council. We warned  of over development, Valley’s arrogant expansion plans and turf fields in every corner ,yet 66% of Ridgewood voters put their property values in danger by voting in this disastrous trio.

So here we are another election but this time the whole town is at each other throats ,name calling and threats are at a fever pitch . Three sitting council members are not even running for reelection and the mayor as predicted by this blog is hot footing it out of town.

Folks its time to take out the trash . Vote for Jeff Voigt, Bernie Walsh, and Ramon Hache all three understand the uniqueness the Village of Ridgewood and are honored to be part of it. They understand the complex issues the Village  faces , the mess that needs to be cleaned up and the trust that needs to be rebuilt.

While we know Bernie for some time , we had the pleasure of meeting Jeff and Ramon for the first time and were very pleased to see they understood the concept of Village of Ridgewood and were both grateful to have an opportunity to represent  the Village and its distinctive way of life .

Understanding the Village was key to our endorsement and in the words of Edward I Koch former mayor of NYC,  ”If you agree with me on 9 out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist.” we could not agree more . We were looking for a diversity of opinions that reflected the values of the community at large and in Jeff Voigt, Bernie Walsh, and Ramon Hache we are certainly we found it.

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The Progress Ridgewood group Weitz, Willett and Brooks Event tonight at Park West

Paul V garage pledge

May 2,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The progress Ridgewood group has an ad in the paper saying those are the 3 that will be at the candidates forum at Park West Loft on May 2nd.

The Progress Ridgewood group is clearly the developer sponsored group .You can only go, if you signed the pledge, so i guess that means they signed it. Nice to know that 3 of the candidates have already decided to be exclusionary, and not listen to others that may have a different opinion then them.

At the candidates debate, all 6 candidates said the current council has been too divisive. Some of the language from the 3 that signed the pledge said “all groups need to be included and involved”, “the council works for everybody. Everybody needs to be informed”, “lead by example”, “public discourse needs to be lifter to a higher level”, “inclusiveness, solutions, and a united approach to figuring out where we’re going, and how to get there”.

Nice to know that the 3 have already shown us that their words don’t mean much, since their actions have proven to be the opposite.
If you want your village government to be exclusionary, then you know who to vote for, Weitz Willet and Brooks.

If you want your village government to be individually thinking people, with varying backgrounds, who are willing to discuss the issues with anyone, you need to vote for Voigt, Hache and Walsh.

Anyone who would like to challenge Weitz, Willett and Brooks on any or all issues should make themselves known at Park West Tavern tonight, 7PM. There is a Happy Hour sponsored by Progress Ridgewood. Maybe you’ll get a free beer and a handful of nachos for your troubles.

Anyway, here are the bullet points that came with the invite:

Each of these experts can bring financial, legal and communication skills to Ridgewood’s Village Council.
They will be the most thoughtful stewards of your tax dollars.
They can successfully negotiate necessary compromises.
They are constructive, not de-constructive.
They epitomize character.

Weitz Willet and Brooks signed the Paul Vaggianos pledge.Bernie Jeff and Ramon refused, that says it all .

A reader says, “Personally, I would not lower myself to drinking their free beer. It would make me feel like Louie at that last scene of Casablanca where he looks down and sees that he has been drinking Vichy water and he tosses it out in disgust.
Tonight’s event was the set up they tried – – the “debate” where you had to pledge allegiance to the developers – – let it be poorly attended. they are trying to whitewash the fact these candidates are for massive overbuilding in our downtown. Their party line at the public debate was “call me an optimist, I am sure the developers will do just fine” and “bring on those additional school children to our overcrowded schools.”

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Ridgewood Residents : The public has a right to criticize the people who govern them

village-hall-theridgewoodblog
May 1 2016
Derek Schnure

I want to remark on a few comments in this group that imply that somebody is being defamed by the discussion on the candidates. I think that individual is trying have a chilling impact on the critical review of the council members vying for a seat in the village election next week.

Firstly, a statement must be false or it’s not considered damaging. If a statement can’t be proven false it is not defamation. According to nolo.com, “Public officials and figures have a harder time proving defamation. The public has a right to criticize the people who govern them, so the least protection from defamation is given to public officials. When officials are accused of something that involves their behavior in office, they have to prove all of the above elements of defamation and they must also prove that the defendant acted with “actual malice.” People who aren’t elected but who are still public figures because they are influential or famous — like movie stars — also have to prove that defamatory statements were made with actual malice, in most cases.”

Therefore, I don’t see it as unreasonable if the citizens question connections between candidates and employees/contractors of the village and Planning Board.

Secondly, certain individuals have criticized discussion arenas like the Ridgewood Blog. The Blog is not a newspaper. It’s a collection of published articles from other sources and an open discussion forum. It provides a valuable service in the discovery and dissemination of facts in this town and of the happenings in the government. Contrary to some opinions, most of the information happens to be true. There obviously are speculative opinions on the blog but it definitely serves a valuable purpose in that people can discuss goings on anonymously (more openly) without fear of retribution. I think more honest discussions can be held there. A lot of people have opinions that aren’t posted in this forum because they don’t want to ruffle feathers or appear at odds with their neighbors.

Just my two cents….

comments taken from “It takes a Village Facebook page “

Gail Price “Please exercise extreme caution as falsehoods continue to be spread and reputations are maligned”

Gail Price “There’s no vested interest – there’s no conspiracy- there’s nothing sinister or underhanded at play. The most decent civic minded intelligent person who happens to be my husband has announced his candidacy for Village Council. But rather than allowing people to run on their merit, some of you are compelled to fabricate absolute non-issues and to create fire where there is none. The anonymous evil, rude and malicious commentary that has been released by a group of people who clearly are unhappy with their lot in life is most unbecoming to our Village. I don’t have a vote on the Planning Board and people should stop insinuating anything to the contrary. Here’s a fact, people may think they can say whatever they feel like saying about anyone at any given moment. However, uttering false or malicious statements has very real consequences. Making those statements that in turn impact people’s lives Is not without ramifications. Our schools have strict anti bullying policies. It’s remarkable that those policies don’t seem to apply to certain adults. Focus should be on facts and real issues rather than on spreading gossip and trying to Instill fear.
If people don’t know what’s going on in their town, then shame on them. Read the paper, attend meetings, volunteer — lots to do. But I guess it’s just easier to take pot shots at people than to put oneself out in front of things and to take personal responsibility for pitching in to make this Village a better place to live. In the 33 years I have lived here (not the handful of years that some have been living here) I have never witnessed the utter and sheer lack of respect being displayed. It’s unrepresentative of the kind of town we used to be. Self entitlement is so inappropriate.
I have no intention of engaging with anyone on these points and I don’t “jump” when someone expects a reply on here. I will however not hesitate to protect my reputation and my family.”

Gail Price wrote this sad commentary on Facebook. Her husband is running for office and she believes that he is being libeled. No doubt that she loves her husband but they are not cut out for politics.

Brooks has gone on the record as being for the “council knows best” garage. He has to live with that public statement writted by a PR firm, and MANY disagree with him. Like Vaggianos he will not win. I am sorry to se that they talked him in to running for office. He is being used. Nice guy, coach. And leave it at that.

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Vote for Voigt So I Can Go Back to Just Being a Ridgewood Dad

clock_cbd_theridgewoodblog

Until last year, I attended only one Village Council meeting in my entire life growing up in Ridgewood. In 1982, I watched in awe as my older brother, Ed, in his red, hand-me-down blazer, represented Orchard School during the “Meet the Mayor” ceremony hosted by Mayor Butler. Ed had a very important issue to address with the Mayor that night – namely, why our neighborhood pals couldn’t use the Bellair tennis courts as our after school street hockey rink. Those were simpler times in Ridgewood, when parents and kids mainly focused on family meals, school work and sports. We didn’t have to worry about whether our elected council members were doing what was best for our Village.

My lack of attendance at Council meetings ended this past September when I rushed from Willard’s “Back to School Night” to the Village Hall meeting about the construction of high density housing. Since then, I have attended or watched every Council meeting – mostly in shock about the “supersizing” of Ridgewood. Like many, I’ve become an “activist” out of pure necessity, meeting with fellow residents, discussing the challenges to the way we live, raising funds, and strategizing about how to preserve everything special about Ridgewood. We skip baseball practices, miss family dinners and go to work bleary-eyed from attending marathon Village Council meetings.

The truth is, I don’t want to do any of it. I want a Ridgewood where my elected Village Council members work together and compromise to make wise decisions that benefit the Village today and in the future. I think Jeff Voigt is the perfect candidate to do just that. I know Jeff and his family as both neighbors and fellow Mount Carmel parishioners. Jeff is very bright. And I admire that he’s also an independent thinker who isn’t running on a ticket. Jeff is very accessible and always willing to have a coffee or chat to hear different points of view. Jeff is honest and pragmatic.

I strongly endorse Jeff Voigt for Council. He will keep our Village a village. He will support sensible growth. He will choose residents over developers. He will give me the comfort that our Village is in good hands so I can go back to just being a dad, husband and coach.

www.voigtforourvillage.com

(I also strongly support Ramon Hache and Bernadette Walsh!)

Bill McCabe

Ridgewood NJ

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A Ridgewood Council candidate for public office should not be signing a pledge from a special interest group

Ken Smith Ridgewood

April 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A candidate for public office should not be signing a pledge from a special interest group. This is just wrong and I am surprised that candidates need to be told this.

If you support garage design D that is fine, just say it. This information is helpful to voters.
In NJ conflict of interest includes:

5) No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee should undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity and independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties.
(6) No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee should accept any gift, favor, service or other thing of value under circumstances from which it might be reasonably inferred that such gift, service or other thing of value was given or offered for the purpose of influencing him in the discharge of his official duties.
(7) No State officer or employee or special State officer or employee should knowingly act in any way that might reasonably be expected to create an impression or suspicion among the public having knowledge of his acts that he may be engaged in conduct violative of his trust as a State officer or employee or special State officer or employee.

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The truth behind ‘progress ridgewood’ and ‘the truth behind ridgewood page’

Ken Smith Ridgewood

photo by Boyd Loving

April 29,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, There is a new facebook page called ‘the truth behind ridgewood’. It’s founder is running sponsored ads against Bernie, Jeff and Ramon and is also running ads in favor of Weitz, Willet and Brooks. The founder has also posted that he is a contributor to “Progress Ridgewood” group. The progress ridgewood group is supporting Weitz, Willet and Brooks They have recorded campaign videos for all three with same background at the same office and posted on same youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRZHBgmFO5y7g30tg-Fsm-A

Here is the truth about the founder of “the truth about ridgewood” facebook page, who is backing these three candidates. What favors will he expect from them after they are in the office?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdBw1bCMTfE

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The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood encourages every registered voter to be a part of the upcoming Village Council and Primary Election

VOTE_theridgewoodblog

Mail in Ballots due The last day is May 3 for Village Council Election : Here is the link, but tell them to send it in TODAY, and put on postage or else it will be returned.

https://www.njelections.org/form_pdf/vote-by-mail-forms/vote-mail-ballot-bergen-english.pdf

Attention Ridgewood voters!

The League of Women Voters of Ridgewood encourages every registered voter to be a part of the upcoming Village Council and Primary Election.

Some important election dates to remember:

NONPARTISAN MUNICIPAL ELECTION

• May 3, deadline for Mail-in-Ballots to be received by the County Clerk (no

reason needed) . Mail in Ballot Applications are available at Village Hall or

downloaded at njelections.org

• May 10 Village Council Municipal Election

PRIMARY ELECTION

. May 17 Last day to register or change voting address for Primary Election

• . May 31 Deadline for mailed application for a vote by mail ballot to the county clerk for Primary Election

• . June 7 Primary Election Day If you are an independent voter, you may declare a party at the polls the day of a primary election.

(It is now too late to change from one party to another)

 

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“The Truth About Ridgewood” Facebook Page Developer Propaganda

Ridgewood Train station theridgewoodblog.net

April 23,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a reader points out that the Facebook site “The Truth About Ridgewood” is a censored page created by Ron Simoncini. He does PR work for the developers.

It is a censored site, only positive messages about the garage and high density housing. It supports Richard Brooks . It is creepy, written in the first person but it is difficult to locate Ron’s name. Thinks the lawn signs are great. He also thinks that residents have moved on from the parking issue and are now focusing on Graydon! In his dreams!

There is no positive dialog, just his PR ramblings. There are no Comments. Maybe the only comments were too negative so he censored them.

They did an email blast this morning. Don’t know where he got his mailing list but HS parents think that he may have used the school directory. Lots of unhappy recipients. Man he needs to hire a social media person.

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Reader asks Was Evan Weitz planted in Ridgewood by special interest groups?

Ridgewood Yard Signs

Hi James – here is a reader says story for you. Please take it if you find it interesting. I was surprised to find this fact and thought the voters should know:

Was Evan Weitz planted in Ridgewood by special interest groups?

It is a widely known speculation that our current mayor was sent to Ridgewood to bring Hudson County politics to Ridgewood. He ran for the office as soon as he moved to Ridgewood and has strategically placed the right people in different committees over the years to get the job done for developers and politicians. Rumors are that he is already renovating his house and preparing to move out once his task is done.

We looked at the council candidates for 2016. All but one are long term residents. Something VERY interesting came up for Evan Weitz. He moved to the village in late 2012 and in 2015 he was appointed to Financial Advisory Committee and made it’s CHAIR by resolution 15-301. We DID NOT find any other committee or volunteering experience from Evan before his role in Financial Advisory Committee and when he was made the chair, Janice Willet was Vice Chair of the committee already. She wasn’t promoted to the CHAIR of the committee and instead he was brought in and made the chairman. He has no prior experience with municipal financing in other towns or any experience with how Ridgewood works and our village’s finances or resident needs. He has not served in any other committee. Evan is an attorney by trade and has no experience or degree in Finance. This was evident with his answers in council meeting when he was cross examined.

So the reader asks what is the rationale for bringing a new comer to Financial Advisory Committee and bring him as the chair. Who brought him in? Who are his backers? This is he representing there? Is he being planted to complete some work that PA could not complete?

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Readers take on Ridgewood’s East Side vs West Debate

maple+field1-300x19911

 

“Ms. Hauck got elected last time because the West side of Ridgewood voted and the Eastside did not. Check the records. I believe this “committee” came into existence after that election. Most of those in administration, on the board, and doctors from Valley that live in Ridgewood are also from the West side, and, I would be willing to bet, most of this front they call a Financial Advisory Committee live on the West side. Get it ? It is nothing more than a power play by a relatively small group of people with big money and egos that could care less about the overall well being of Ridgewood. And you are right 1:44, that could easily happen, but not just to that neighborhood.”

While others say , ” please don’t make this a West v. East thing. That tears a community apart and it’s insulting. I happen to live on the West side, within spitting distance of the East side – the argument that we are 2 separate groups doesn’t fly.”

Lets face it , “that has been the undercurrent for several years and now with all of the disputes going on, especially with the so called “crown jewel”, a lot of people are making this an east side west side thing… and some postings implying people living near the hospital are suckers, selfish, nimby etc. has done wonders to cement that feeling…and yes it is unfortunate but it is becoming a huge reality…”

“I’ll stick to my original comment for which I think I’m entitled after 33 yrs. It’s a power play, pure and simple. I have not said anything that people who have resided here have not said privately, trust me. But if nothing else, maybe it will get the people in this town to wake up, vote these people and their friends out, and stop the train wreck. That’s what the statement was intended to do. Sometimes being “politically correct “”does not work.”

“I live on the west side and I have email from Gwenn saying the previous administration did not take care of the west side and she and the current administration are making sure that west side is not neglected. So, she definitely tried to play that card.”

 

 

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Rurik Halaby For the Record Plants a Tree in Ridgewood

Rurik Halaby

file photo by Boyd Loving

by Rurik Halaby

Amazing scoop, worthy of Woodward and Bernstein. A Pulitzer in the offing?
For the record, I am personally supporting Rich Brooks, Evan Weitz, and Janice Willett. Rich I have known since he and Cynthia were active in the Red Cross. Evan and Janice I have only met recently.
For the record, I have not contributed a red cent to their campaign, and I have no plans to do so.
For the record I never interviewed them before I endorsed them and so I don’t know their positions on Valley, the Apartments, the Garage or Schedler.
For the record I am supporting them because they are people of the highest integrity, who embody the decent Ridgewood we moved to 47 years ago. People with vision and intelligence to help us meet the challenges of the future.
For the record, I don’t have a foggy idea who Valley is supporting if they are supporting anyone. I support Valley’s Renewal because the interests of Ridgewood’s Residents are best served with a world class hospital keeping up to date. And yes, wake up and smell the coffee, the courts will no BUT support Valley, Ridgewood’s Crown Jewel. And No, Valley does not pay me. It does not pay my wife either. She is a long-term volunteer who would be rich if she got paid minimum wage for every hour she spent volunteering there.
For the record, for you miscreants who criticize my wife: Ask the 1,000 people who enjoyed yesterday’s Daffodil Festival what they thought of the event which she organized. If every one of you misfits would spend a minute volunteering for every hour you spend belly aching, Ridgewood would be the proverbial Camelot you think you live in.
For the record for you ignorami who criticized my wife for planting daffodils and day lilies in the CBD, the topic of the Festival was to protect the pollinators. She was able to obtain a large supply of milkweed seed which grade school kids are planting at Twinney’s and elsewhere.
For Anon 1:16:
Rurik Halaby is a long-term resident who cares about the future of Ridgewood. Identify yourself and I will be pleased to discuss what Ridgewood is going through.
Rurik Halaby is the person who paid out of his own pocket for two mailers to go out to every household in Ridgewood encouraging people to vote. And to vote for whoever. But to vote.
Rurik Halaby, 75 years old, believes in the old Greek proverb: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”

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Whats the Role of the Ridgewood Financial Advisory Committee in Raising Taxes

VillageHall_floods_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

April 18,2016
the satff of the Rmidgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, from the “Take Back Ridgewood ” Facebook page,put forth a very taxing matter. According to “Take Back Ridgewood ” , “Our taxes are going UP this year. Public hearings on the new tax rates are not scheduled until May 11th (May 10th is the election date).

Since “two council candidates Evan Weitz and Janice Willett and ranking members of the Financial Advisory Committee;
when they knock at your door to ask for your vote, please remember to ask them about their role in Financial Advisory Committee and raising our taxes.

Also ask them why the news about tax increase is not being shared with the residents until May 11th. Please share and spread the word, so everyone can make an informed decision on May 10th.”

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All Major Village of Ridgewood Business should be Postponed till after the Village Council Elections

3 amigos in action Ridgewood NJ
February 28,2016
PJ blogger
Ridgewood NJ, with the announcement that the citizens group has gathered enough signatures to force a binding referendum on BCIA funding of the garage . Mayor Paul Aronsohn has already announced his intention to go back to Village financing for the project .
With a council election just around the corner it makes sense to postpone any action on the garage until the next council . Recent verbal and physical attacks on residents have crossed the line and the public no longer feels comfortable with the current council. Lets face it ,the entire project is now suspect and the public has lost all confidence and trust in the current Village Council.
Key information like the Maser report appears to have been withheld from the public and some council members as well as the conclusions in the Walker report seem to have been misinterpreted,with the reality being the garage has little chance of paying for itself.The projects design and financial impact on the village , as well as increases in parking rates appear to be left to chance by the current council majority .
Other projects are waiting in the wings , like the high density housing for the central business district, negotiations with Valley Hospital and the Ridgewood Water suit  all  of which will force major changes to the Village of Ridgewood .
Common sense should prevail and all major decisions about the Village and Village business should be postponed until the new council takes over in June and restores the public’s confidence in the Village council’s ability to represent the residents of Ridgewood .