photo courtesy Dana Glazer
May 10th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Based on the poll numbers around 3pm, Ridgewood Blog is predicting at least 40% more turnout compared to last municipal election which was held in 2014.
May 10,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in case you have been out of the country ,Village Council Election day ,the polls are open from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M.
This is a pivotal for the future of the Village of Ridgewood .
Weitz Willet and Brooks signed the Paul Vaggianos development pledge , which is a continuation of current movement to turn Ridgewood into Union city . And signifies they will be working for special interests instead of the residents of Ridgewood .
Weitz has never voted , or been to a council meeting because he is “busy”.
Willets husband moved to Florida with out her.
Weitz Willet and Brooks are backed by the current council majority (3 amigos), developers and Progress Ridgewood the pro development group ie double the size of Valley hospital ,build ,build ,build .
CRR, CBR and Preserve Graydon groups as well at the Ridgewood Chinese American Association all endorsed Voigt ,Hache,and Walsh .
Most importantly Walsh, Voigt and Hache all understand the unique nature of what Ridgewood is all about unlike the current council majority ,who think Ridgewood is a small Union city waiting to happen. https://theridgewoodblog.net/the-ridgewood-blog-endorses-jeff-voigt-bernie-walsh-and-ramon-hache-for-village-of-ridgewood-council/
The unsubstantiated, unhappy comments above are designed (as usual) to further confuse the public and upset good people.
Ask any/all seniors that I spend time with if I have ever told them who to vote for, or if I have ever distributed any
campaign fliers to them. They will tell you the Truth.
It was Voight, Hache and Walsh campaigners who targeted senior citizens leaving my non-political luncheon at the last one
I would ever have (already a sad and poignant day for me) with their campaign literature as they boarded their senior bus.
I treat senior citizens as people, not as votes. I would not target senior citizens as a voting block, like they did.
A few days ago I refrained from commenting on the total fabrications written on the blog about who really behaved poorly during my luncheon, but the insults cannot go undefended when they just keep coming, and coming, and don’t relent.
You can bet that the anonymous comments posted on the Blog are ghost-written by the same mean and angry people – and worse than being unkind, they are also untrue.
file photo by Boyd Loving
I enjoyed reading Ms. McWilliams’ letter. I applaud her courage in expressing her views openly and not hiding anonymously behind James’s apron strings. I also think she writes well, which makes me think she should be hired to edit the Ridgewood Pravda, I mean Blog, with its 5th Grade English.
Having said that I disagree with most of the opinions she expressed. Let’s start out with the three candidates she is supporting:
Bernadette Walsh: I like Bernadette and I think she is sincere. But let us not forget the 7% tax increase happened under her watch. As did the disappearance of $500,000 in quarters from the town coffers. She also supported keeping the part time Village Manager who ran the most inefficient Village Hall in Ridgewood history. Compare that to where we stand with Roberta’s capable management.
Ramon Hache: Kennedy once said beauty is grace under pressure and here Ramon buckled under pressure. His braggadocio in wanting to take Valley to the mat legally is pandering at its worst. Ramon, face reality, the courts will not let Valley not renew. You are burning our money on a useless legal crusade.
Jeff Voigt: A very bright person who can do a lot for Ridgewood if he was wasn’t out to out-Trump with his Trumpian appeal to the basest of people’s instincts. What miserable pandering.
Yes, I support Rich Brooks, Evan Weitz, and Janice Willett. As I mentioned in a letter to the editor, they represent the decent Ridgewood we moved to 47 years ago.. They also have the integrity, intelligence, capability, and courage to move us with confidence into the future. Yes, let us think Ridgewood 2020 and not just fight these rear guard actions. That does no one any good.
Regarding Ms. McWilliams comments re Valley, the apartments, the garage, etc., I think they ring hollow. I don’t see how these issues could have been discussed more openly allowing EVERYONE an opportunity to express their views. Face it, the Vocalantis are against any change and they think they can preserve Camelot by soaking it in formaldehyde. Believe me that is the best way to ensure killing it. To preserve you have to renew, and renewal and adjusting to change can be painful. But then a painless society is a dead society. Read America’s history. We are not where we are because we have avoided painful choices.
There has been no better opportunity than now to unite all Village neighborhoods. Citizens for a Better Ridgewood has its roots on the West Side and favors slower growth in high density housing. The Concerned Residents of Ridgewood is based in the Travel/BF/Somerville neighborhood and favors a smaller-scale modernization effort by the Hospital. Friends of Schedler are in the neighborhoods east of Route 17 and favor preserving the woodlands on that property. Most recently, a group of tax payers from all over town that favors a 4 level garage over a 5 level garage has successfully petitioned to bring that issue to a vote. After 4 years of a “Council majority” that has claimed to know what’s best for the rest of us and has insulted anyone that has disagreed with them, it looks like we might actually be able to take the town back from special interest groups and Council members with personal agendas.
Candidates Bernie Walsh, Jeff Voight and Ramon Hache have the very unique opportunity to unite these neighborhoods in our quest to preserve our property values and the charm of our Village. Please vote for them on May 10.
Dear Neighbors,
I am writing not simply to express my support for 3 candidates in the council election, but to endorse record participation in the election process.
I am vocally in support of candidates Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh (line 4), Jeff Voigt (line 1), and Ramon Hache (line 8). I have spent a great deal of time speaking with them, and getting to know them. I have a tremendous respect for each one, as do a great number of people who’s opinions I hold in a very high regard. Additionally, I support these 3 because I have personally spoken to them at length regarding the pressing issues that Ridgewood is facing.
Multi family housing, which will affect our schools tremendously, our infrastructure, our water, our police and fire, fields, and village programs. That building at this density and in the proposed locations, is not at all in keeping with the character of this village, and how can we mitigate the irreversible damage that will be caused if, and when, it is completed.
Valley Hospital, and its proposed expansion. It’s utter disregard for the neighborhood that it resides in, and it’s community as a whole. How the hospitals need to modernize must be done while respecting that it is a community hospital residing within a residential neighborhood tucked next to elementary and middle schools.
Being a life long Ridgewood resident, these issues, in conjunction with so many others, weigh heavily on me. Being residents here for decades themselves; the importance of these issues hits home to these 3 as well.
Ramon, Bernie, and Jeff are not a group. They’re not a bloc. They don’t agree with me about everything, they won’t agree with YOU about everything, and they don’t agree with each other about everything, and I like that.
I like to see that they will have to, and have had to, engage in actual conversation with each other, and I know they will welcome conversation with residents. Something that has been deeply, and purposefully lacking in the last 4 years of council interaction.
Unlike the other 3 candidates in this election who have chosen to run as a trio, Bernie, Ramon, and Jeff are beholden to no one. They’re not bought and sold. They’ve signed no pledges making any promises to ANYONE. This is not because they don’t want to see certain projects completed. On the contrary! They would like to see, for example, the garage built. BUT, they’re unwilling to sign a pledge to anyone to make promises. They have the integrity, and the intelligence to know that NO one should ask that of them, and even more importantly, the integrity and intelligence to say no.
I’ve seen them dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to this election process while still being dedicated to their families, friends, and jobs. I know when elected they will see it through. We can expect positive changes. We can expect the sun to come out after 4 years of storms. I, for one, am looking forward to it.
Ultimately, I hope my neighbors and friends DO simply find the time to get out and vote. This election, and its outcome, are crucial to our future, our kids future. What happens in the coming few years will have the ability to change the landscape of this town forever. The history here is so precious, and we are supposed to protect it. Staying home, forgetting, or not participating on Tuesday is leaving that history, and so many of the qualities that make living here special, vulnerable to damage that we can, and should, prevent. I feel it’s our responsibility to vote- even more than a right-It’s our duty. It pains me to know that 2 other candidates running in this election, have either NEVER exercised that right here in town, or have done so less than 5 times in decades of residency. It’s simply too important to have your voice heard, and to use your vote to effect change.
Growth is necessary- responsibly. Revitalization is a good thing- when handled by careful, thoughtful people. Please, please come out and vote on Tuesday and elect Voigt, Walsh, and Hache to be those people for us.
Polls are open on Tuesday 6am to 8pm. Remind your neighbors, remind your friends. Take an elderly family member to the polls, but please, please don’t stay home.
Sincerely,<
Melanie Hooban McWilliams
Don’t forget to vote May 10, 2016!!
Voigt, Walsh, Hache!!!
pic of Bernie on the 84th Floor Freedom Tower
May 7,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Village Council Candidate Bernie Walsh comments on Ridgewood News reporting of the elections, “So my experience with the Ridgewood News this week. And the ensuing poorly written article. The reporter was demanding my age – like that matters in an election. Told me he had no opinion of what happens in Ridgewood because he lives in Wayne – even though he works and reports here every day. Talked to me for over a half hour and put three totally out of context quotes in the article. I was the one who kept telling everyone they were wrong that the Ridgewood News could be unbiased. In my 51 years (yes I finally told him my age) I’ve never seen such horrible journalism. Oh and by the way, he had no idea about many of the items I referred to in our conversation. Hopefully, he’ll know more before he writes any more articles.”
Folks the Ridgewood blog would welcome the opportunity to host any letters in support of candidates ,even on election day it self email [email protected] Fyi the blog traffic nears 20,000 unique visits per month thank you
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
From the Facebook page It Takes a Village , “Before you read the Ridgewood News tmrw, please know this-We, Lorraine and I, were interviewed by a smart, new reporter recently employed by the Ridgewood News who was excited to report our side of the story on the garage petition, certification and special election. We had an hour long conversation and she even was speaking to our attorney to share her response.The reporter called me today to apologize and tell me they will not be printing the article due to “space constraints”. Maybe next week she said. I told her we know it was not her decision, and encouraged her to find a new job at a real newspaper. I have cancelled my subscription.” , Gail McLaughlin McCarthyIt is also being reported that Janice Willet’s campaign manager is a long time employee of the North Bergen Media Group (who owns the Ridgewood News), Pam Wyne. Big surprise.!The inequity of the media coverage in our area is disgraceful. I hope everyone cancels their subscriptions to all of their publications immediately and sends them the message loud and clear that we do not tolerate bias in our journalism, period. Laurie Bender
If you do a quick search on line there are many instances of this-bias newspapers are part of our culture and are protected-they can turn ads away all they want if they don’t adhere to the publishers bias-and of course editorial content is under their discretion. The real problem is that ALL our local news outlets are owned by the same people-this is an issue worth examining. Ellen D’Arcy Simpson
Ridgewood NJ, the May 4th work session Gary Cirillo of Project Pride proposed an idea for an ordinance that would keep campaign signs 15-25 feet from the curb and out of the planters: if the village owns the property, you can’t use it in the CBD. Aronsohn supporter Jim Griffith said,” signs are an inexpensive expression of our rights.” They don’t crush flowers in planters when there are no flowers planted.”
A special public work session was called to discuss minute changes in closed session meetings that Ms. Knuden felt were important to better address some statements that didn’t fully express the intended sentiment. This all came up due to an OPRA request. Albert recused himself, and so Paul and Gwenn tried to make an issue out of it. In the end the vote was 2to2 as was expected and it was up to Matt Rogers who advised the council to allow the amended minutes to be released as the unofficial minutes. The vote this time was 3 to 1 with Paul being the dissenting vote.
Next on the agenda was a request from members of the Chamber of Commerce to allow A Frame signs in front of businesses. Ed Sullivan, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and present member of board of trustees stood in front of the Council tonight and made his pitch of A frame signs or billboard to be allowed in the CBD Although there is a long standing ordinance on the books preventing them, enforcement seemed to begin as of April 1st. There is a good case for their value in attracting walking shoppers to come into the stores which is good for business. The council is currently looking at a Princeton ordinance and it was decided that at the next public meeting, enforcement would be rescinded for a period of time while the council discussed a new ordinance and businesses could continue the practice of A Frame signs for advertisement. It seems an easy way to help our CBD.
The down side is now not only do he have signs post on ever corner with the stores name we have vote for the parking garage , political signs and A-frame signs in front of the stores. Will the sidewalks in the Central Business District now be turned into a obstacle course. Is this ABA complaint ? Will the Village be liable if some should fall into one of these signs because it is the Village right of way. People can just about walk on the sidewalk now with all the tables and let not forget the Greek to Me planters.What is the right balance between promoting access and quality of life? Residents remain skeptical this council majority can come a proper resolution.
For many, the most interesting part of the meeting came in closing Public Comment when resident Jackie Hone came to the mic to state all the inconsistencies in Roberta Sonenfeld’s manager’s report regarding Schedler Park. Jackie spoke of all the emails many of which were published on this blog that she has sent to the council and village manager to discuss her findings that went unanswered. Roberta’s recollection of recent meetings with the Bergen County Trust Fund Staff were a bit misleading. The council majority may not have been required to take action, and by not they are clearing hindering the process of historical preservation. One can obey the law and still not do the right thing. Case in point: the Bergen County Historic Preservation Society has stated that the Schedler/ Zabriskie house is eligible for registry but no steps have been made by the village to request the forms to register the house.
Infrastructure was next and there were a few water facility expenses reported on and about a disintegrating pipe on Dayton Street which was releasing sludge.
file photo by Boyd Loving (the 3 amigos)
Reader says “The current Council majority has used the same tactics that the current slate of pro development candidates and their new team of apologists are using now. They’re quick on the attack but then whine when people use such uncivil tactics as facts and logic to retort. I think it’s safe to call out Ron Simoncini by name at this point – he’s the classic bully/victim. He drapes himself in “The Truth” but bristles when people point out that he’s the PR guy for one of the developers and has a huge personal financial stake in the outcome of this election. Sorry Ron, but “The Truth” cuts both ways. And anyone who’s taken Marketing 101 knows that when the PR guy becomes part of the story, he’s failed as a PR guy.”
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.
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.
(I also strongly support Ramon Hache and Bernadette Walsh!)
Bill McCabe
Ridgewood NJ
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.
file photo by Boyd Loving
So our Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli was pontificating about the signs on Wednesday night in his usual condescending manner, about how they can legally be planted all over public property and of course pretending he has no idea who might still have signs up. And what does he say in the midst of his sermon?: “I think we are getting perilously close to having our say about who’s good and who’s not.” Say what Mr. Pucciarelli? Were you trying to say that this would be a terrible thing (the word “perilously” certainly implies such). You were saying that sitting council members should not say “who’s good and who’s not” from among the candidates? This was on Wednesday night, and your ridiculous letter of support for Willett Weitz and Brooks was already on file with the Ridgewood News for publication on Friday. So clearly you have absolutely no problem whatsoever with a sitting (although thank god lame duck) council member stating which candidates he prefers. You are so two-faced Mr. Pucciarelli, so smug and superior, so arrogant and assholic. Oh my God I cannot wait until you are gone. You and the two idiots you are aligned with.
