Village of Ridgewood - Page 324 of 375

Posted on June 13, 2016June 13, 2016 by James — 17 Comments

Teachers Union and Supporters Continue to Attack Ridgewood Residents

Teacher supporter claims :

Average private sector wage increases for 2015 were above 3%. Pay raises for people with college degrees are fairing even better than that. Are there people who aren’t seeing wage increases? Yes. But perhaps that says something about the person or the job rather than the economy.
Teachers have been taking home less money each year for a number of years.
Teachers will never get bonuses, no matter how good the economy gets.
Teachers will never get company cars, club memberships, or any other perks that are seen in the private sector.
Teachers will NEVER get anything more than a mediocre pay raise because of the 2% cap.
So when teachers fight for the scraps from the table it shouldn’t be a surprise.

Do you really want to devalue the profession to the point that nobody will ever want to be a teacher? There is already a teacher shortage, which will only get worse.

But keep up with the lies about teachers who don’t care. Teachers who earn $200,000 a year. Teachers who won’t write recommendations. Teachers who only work 181 days a year. Teachers who only care about taking from taxpayers while doing nothing. Keep up with these lies and tell the potential future teachers that it is not the best career path. Why would anyone subject themselves to such outright lies and hatred?

Reader responds …..What planet are you on???? Private sector wage increases above 3%??? Please provide your source because no one I know got more 3%. I got 1.5% after 4 years of 0%. My wife got 2% after getting .5% last year and 0% fand additional 4 years. Really, name your source. Everyone is taking home less and bonuses have shrunken. There are no company car, club memberships, expensive meals, expense accounts, perks. Keep lying dear teacher. There is no teacher shortage in Ridgewood; I can assure you that you can be replaced on a moments notice.

Perks? I guess if you define 12-14 hour days 12 months a year, putting hours on the weekend, long commutes, conference calls with other parts of the world at 2am, being “penalized for taking sick or personal time, skyhigh contributions to marginal healthcare perks, then I am lucky.

Posted on June 12, 2016June 12, 2016 by James — 1 Comment

What if everyone in Ridgewood read the same book?

Ridgewood Library Foundation Organizes 'One Village One Book'

June 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, What if everyone in Ridgewood read the same book? What conversations could we spark?This summer the Ridgewood Public Library Foundation invites its community to read one book, the same book, and connect through a shared reading experience.

The Boys in the Boat Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown If you live or work in Ridgewood, we hope YOU participate in Book discussion groups, activities, contests and events will be offered July through September.

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics is a non-fiction book written by Daniel James Brown and published on June 4, 2013.PlotThe non-fiction book is about the University of Washington eight-oared crew which represented the United States in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, and narrowly beat out Italy and Germany to win the Gold Medal.There are two backstories. One illustrated how all nine members of the Washington team came from lower middle class families and had to struggle to earn their way through school during the depths of the Depression. Along with the chronicle of their victories and defeats in domestic competition, the reader learns the importance of synchronization of the eight rowers as they respond to the commands of the coxswain and his communications with the stroke, consistent pacing, and sprint to the finish so that all team members are left completely exhausted and in pain at the end of a competitive race.The second backstory begins with a depiction of Hitler decreeing construction of the luxurious German venues at which the Games would take place. Along the way, the book also explains how the Nazis successfully covered up the evidence of their harsh and inhumane treatment of the Jews so as to win worldwide applause for the 1936 Olympic Games, duping the United States Olympic Committee among others.All comes together with a description of the final race. During the 1930s, rowing was a popular sport with millions following the action on the radio. The victorious Olympians became national heroes. In accordance with the strictures of amateur athletics, the boys sank into relative obscurity after their victory, but were still better off than their parents, and for the rest of their lives proud of their accomplishment.
FROM WIKIPEDIA, THE FREE ENCYCLOPEDIA

Click our activities calendar.https://www.ridgewoodlibraryfoundation.org/#!one-village-one-bookrn

Posted on June 12, 2016June 12, 2016 by James — 2 Comments

Ridgewood Open Houses for June 12,2016

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

$4,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1623965
210 Hillcrest Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, House
Sang Koo Han, Sales Associate
Top Realty

Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12
Open House: 12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 6/19

$399,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1610771
19 High St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Rose Hueneke, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$529,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1623436
453 Cherry Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, S/L
Frances Ekblom, Sales Associate
Tarvin Realtors

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$598,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1619284
24 S Pleasant Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, S/L
Tisha Ramge, Broker Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$598,888 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1536927
676 Kingsbridge Ln, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Ranch
Susy Shin, Sales Associate
Realty 7, LLC

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$619,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1622658
553 Farview St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Barbara Masarky, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$649,900 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1622744
300 Van Emburgh Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, C/C
Glenn Hefferan, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$670,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1617025
687 Howard Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Carolyn Strittmatter, Sales Associate
Weichert Realtors Ridgewood

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/19

$699,000 in Ridgewood

MLS # 1624150
156 Spencer Pl, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath,
2 Half Bath, Col
Marilyn Nuber, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty

Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 6/12

$699,900 in Ridgewood

Posted on June 12, 2016June 15, 2016 by James — 1 Comment

Ridgewood Lax Player Recovering Well From Adam’s Apple Surgery

June 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,as previously reported a Ridgewood High School sophomore LAX player is recovering well from a Friday procedure at Hackensack University Medical Center after being hit in the neck with a lacrosse ball. Ridgewood High School’s Jack Kennedy was in the ICU after a procedure that repaired his cracked Adam’s apple and three other fractures in his throat, according to his aunt, Laurie Alessi of Ridgewood.

Laurie Alessi gave this update on Facebook : “Dr was in and although he is progressing he is still very internally swollen and bruised. Drainage tube is out. Vocal chord still not moving but his voice is actually ok. Time will tell on that. Not much can be done about that right now . He can talk but isn’t supposed to for at least a week preferably 2 to aid in the swelling coming down. Imagine a 16 year old not talking! He isn’t where he needs to be in order to come home safely. So we are looking at Wednesday now. Not what we were hoping for but better to be here and be safe than sorry. Keep those prayers coming thank u for the outpouring of love we have received this past week. We truly appreciate everything everyone has done for our family ! Way to many names to list!”

Posted on June 12, 2016June 12, 2016 by James — 6 Comments

Ridgewood Elks the Recent Back Ground and History

June 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog with a little help from our friends

Ridgewood NJ, The Elks has been under probation for many years. As with other Elks clubs closing, it is for a lack of memberships. Many are combining.My Elks in Florida has a thriving membership, but as the years went on, it dwindled and was merged with another lodge.Per the bylines of the Elks, they do have the right to take all assets under that Lodge.But, and this is a big but, the leadership in Ridgewood may have the rights to the building. As many know, our town hall was the original Elks. Ridgewood gave the the Elks and one stipulation. I think was that it would not be a private club. I believe the Ridgewood Elks is 1 of only 2 lodges in Jersey that is open for non-members. July 4th was always great there to see the parade.

According to a member, Ridgewood Elks grew membership 43% in the last 3 years and closing the lodge was a “done deal” no matter how well they were doing. The trumped-up charges are being appealed by members in an Elks Grand Forum case and the building ownership is being contested in a Superior Court litigation. The property is owned by a separate Holding Corporation. There is recent legal precedence fighting the Elks Grand Lodge successfully in a similar case – Elks Building Corp. of Norwood vs. BPOE. Austin TX Elks, now “The High Road”, is also successfully suing Grand Lodge for their property.

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Posted on June 12, 2016June 12, 2016 by James — 14 Comments

Village of Ridgewood Illegal Election Propaganda

June 12,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Regarding the video on the Village website combined with this pdf posted under click here for “Special Election Information” –

It is not legal to use public funds to urge people to vote one way or the other, or to send out materials that do not present the facts evenhandedly.
When Justice Brennan was on the NJ Supreme Court, he made this point in Citizens to Protect Pub. Funds v. Bd. of Educ. of Parsippany-Troy Hills Twp., 13 N.J. 172 (1953),

Village Manager says Matt Jessup, bond attorney, gave the green light to repost.

Matt Jessup is a bond attorney who has a serious conflict of interest in weighing in here…this is a bond referendum, i.e. Matt Jessup stands to make a boatload of money depending on the outcome of this election.

And where is Matt Rogers? What does he think?

Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — 2 Comments

Will Josh Gottheimer Denounce Hillary Clinton’s Private Server?

June 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Now that Josh Gottheimer “family member” Hillary Clinton has declared herself the Democratic Party nominee, constituents of the Fifth District deserve to know where Mr. Gottheimer stands on Mrs. Clinton’s policies and priorities.

Does Josh Gottheimer Support “Family Member” Hillary Clinton’s Use of Her Private Email Server?

Clinton’s Claim That Her “Predecessors Did The Same Thing” With A Secret Server Has Been Rated As Mostly False By PolitiFact. “Clinton said, regarding her State Department email practices, ‘my predecessors did the same thing.’ This is a misleading claim chiefly because only one prior secretary of state regularly used email, Colin Powell. Powell did use a personal email address for government business, however he did not use a private server kept at his home, as Clinton did. We rate this claim Mostly False.” (Lauren Carroll, “Hillary Clinton Said ‘My Predecessors Did The Same Thing,’ With Email” PolitiFact , 3/9/16)

NBC News Headline: “Clinton Broke Federal Rules With Email Server, Audit Finds” (Ken Dilanian, “Clinton Broke Federal Rules With Email Server, Audit Finds,” NBC News, 5/25/16)

Reuters Headline: “Clinton Email Server Broke Government Rules, Watchdog Finds” (Jonathan Allen, “Clinton Email Server Broke Government Rules, Watchdog Finds,” Reuters, 5/25/16)

The Associated Press Headline: “State Dept Audit Faults Clinton In Emails” (Michael Biesecker and Bradley Klapper, “State Dept Audit Faults Clinton In Emails,” APNewsBreak, 5/25/16)

The Washington Post Headline: “State Dept. Inspector General Report Sharply Criticizes Clinton’s Email Practices” (Rosalind Helderman and Tom Hamburger, “State Dept. Inspector General Report Sharply Criticizes Clinton’s Email Practices,” The Washington Post, 5/25/16)

The New York Times Headline: “Hillary Clinton Is Criticized For Private Emails In State Dept. Review” (Steven Lee Myers, “Hillary Clinton Is Criticized For Private Emails In State Dept. Review,” The New York Times, 5/25/16)

NBC News Headline: “Clinton Broke Federal Rules With Email Server, Audit Finds” (Ken Dilanian, “Clinton Broke Federal Rules With Email Server, Audit Finds,” NBC News, 5/25/16)

Reuters Headline: “Clinton Email Server Broke Government Rules, Watchdog Finds” (Jonathan Allen, “Clinton Email Server Broke Government Rules, Watchdog Finds,” Reuters, 5/25/16)

CNN Headline: “State Department Report Slams Clinton Email Use” (Ryan Browne and Evan Perez, “State Department Report Slams Clinton Email Use,” CNN, 5/25/16)

Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

CANCER SURVIVOR CREATES THE PERFECT TOOLKIT FOR CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS

A water bottle to hydrate. Headphones to unwind. A journal to escape.

June 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood bog

Ridgewood NJ, Cancer survivor Amanda Fredericks stored these essential items and several others inside of a purple, waterproof bag that, in spring 2015, usually remained tucked away in a corner of her home.
But every other Wednesday, Fredericks – who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer – loaded the bag into her car and headed toward the hospital for chemotherapy treatment.

Her story is, unfortunately, not a new one, but her bag of “necessities” was unique. “I went into chemotherapy scared and unsure of how my body would react” said Fredericks, who spent 16-weeks in chemotherapy before undergoing a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries. “A dear friend sent me a list of the things that helped her through her battle with cancer. I took that list and created the first ever Necessity Bag that went with me to every chemotherapy appointment – it felt like my little bit of armor against the disease. “
But now, Fredericks is packing Necessity Bags for more than herself. “After my experience, I recommended a similar bag to friends when they were diagnosed with Cancer. The reaction I got was so overwhelmingly positive that I wanted to help more people heal and get through the process. That was when I created the Necessity Bag.”
The bags themselves are washable, tip-proof BOGG bags, which are lightweight and waterproof and come in multiple color options.

Fredericks and business partner, Megan Leto, pack each bag with a cozy blanket, an aluminum water bottle, a journal, a bookmark, headphones, a cotton beanie, soothing essential oils, throat lozenges, hot/cold packs and organic lotion.

The pair is selling the bags online at www.necessitybag.com and plan on donating 20 percent of the revenue to grassroots organizations four times a year.

The bags are intended to be gifts to patients or a gift from patients to themselves.

Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

Dparz Announces Grand Opening in Ridgewood for it’s Flagship Store

June 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Please join Dparz for their Grand Opening on Saturday June 11 at 1 pm 12 S Broad St.

Long gone are the times when shoes were just an accessory. Nowadays, shoes are the focal point, the stars, or should we say the “Dparz,” of every outfit. A sophisticated modern woman can easily put together a “traffic stopping” ensemble around a pair of killer shoes.

Shoes are our world. “Dparz” is an online boutique specializing in high quality, affordable, fashionable footwear; thus enabling the stylish ladies of the 21st century to fulfill their every fashion desire.

We are proud to be the first exclusive distributor in the USA of renowned Brazilian designers such as; Tanara, Raphaella Booz, Capodarte Maythe, and Dumond.

Our shoes are not only beautiful, but made of 100% genuine leather. Good looks and quality in every pair; for what more could a woman ask?

“Dparz” will be opening its’ flagship location in Bergen County NJ shortly.

Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — Leave a comment

The 2016 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting the Special Olympics of New Jersey made its way through Ridgewood

photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

June 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The 2016 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting the Special Olympics of New Jersey. made its way through the Village of Ridgewood on Friday, June 10, 2016.

Runners stopped at the Willard and Ridge Elementary Schools for photo opportunities.

“Flame of Hope” is being carried across nearly 1,000 miles stopping at or passing through just about every town in Bergen and Passaic counties.

The final destination is the College of New Jersey in Ewing, where the torch lights a cauldron officially launching the Special Olympics New Jersey 2016 Summer Games around 7:30 p.m.

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Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — 5 Comments

This is the Hudson Street lot at 9:20 Friday morning in Ridgewood

June 10,2016

by Anne LaGrange Loving

Ridgewood NJ, This is the Hudson Street lot at 9:20 Friday morning. I do not know how many Village Council meetings I have attended at which members of the Chamber of Commerce stated that this lot is filled to capacity first thing in the morning every morning with commuters and restaurant workers. My crummy little camera does not show the scope of how empty the lot was. Please vote NO on June 21. We might (operative word is “might”) need a small increase in parking, but we certainly do not need the gigantic garage that Aronsohn, Roberta, Hauck and Pucciarelli are continuing to promote in the waning days of their time in “power.”

Posted on June 11, 2016June 11, 2016 by James — 7 Comments

911 Call leads to the Confiscation of Plastic Swords by Police at Ridgewood High School

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook

June 11,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, A Ridgewood Police Department Patrol Patrol Officer and two (2) police department supervisors responded to Ridgewood High School (627 East Ridgewood Avenue) shortly after 11 AM on Friday, 6/10 in response to a 911 telephone call from a school employee reporting dozens of students running amok in the school’s main hallway with plastic swords in their hands. Police confiscated an undisclosed number of swords and reported damage to at least one (1) classroom’s windows. No immediate arrests were apparent.

Posted on June 11, 2016June 10, 2016 by James — 3 Comments

Ridgewood Council Elect Jeff Voigt says NO to ordinance No. 3521 on June 21

VOIGT IS VOTING ‘NO’ ON JUNE 21

To the editor,

On June 21, the registered voters in Ridgewood will be asked to vote on the following referendum:

“Shall ordinance No. 3521 submitted by referendum petition providing for the Council of the Village of Ridgewood to issue $11,500,000 bonds or notes to finance the cost of constructing the Hudson Street parking deck, be adopted?”

As those who voted for all three of us (Bernadette Walsh, Ramon Hache and me) know, we are in favor of a parking deck on Hudson. It is unclear however, whether this bonded amount addresses funding for the current garage design – Version D. The way this referendum is worded obfuscates this issue. I personally am not in favor of Version D which includes 5 levels/4 stories and; results in a diminution in the width of Hudson St from 3 lanes down to 2 (eliminating parking on the North side of Hudson) – it is just too large and out of character with the surrounding community. A smaller garage (e.g. one level and story less) would be more in keeping with the look/feel of the surrounding buildings and could fit the footprint better without taking away street width. The Financial Advisory Committee which studied all sizes of garage designs found a smaller garage (e.g. 4 levels/3stories) to be financially feasible.

Further, the Hudson Street garage should not be examined in isolation. One of the main purposes of this rather large garage (Version D) is to help satisfy parking issues that would result from high density housing being built at the Brogan and Ken Smith sites. This does not help other issues the downtown faces vis-à-vis parking in other areas of the CBD, traffic, and public safety. In other words, the Hudson St garage addresses a symptom but not the disease.

We as a community need to examine the totality of parking, traffic, and public safety within the CBD (i.e. a more comprehensive plan). A more comprehensive plan should include such issues as additional parking (including the Hudson St garage); possible diagonal parking on reconfigured one way streets in the CBD (which would increase the number of spaces and parking revenues); mobile apps for finding parking; and new lights and signaled crosswalks at some of the major intersections (for improved traffic flow and public safety). The new council should take this up at its earliest convenience and; my guess is it likely will.

I am voting no (to not adopt ordinance No. 3521) on June 21. As a Village, let’s put together something that makes sense, is clear as to what our monies are to be used for, and makes our CBD more user-friendly.

Jeff Voigt

Ridgewood

Councilman Elect

Posted on June 10, 2016June 10, 2016 by James — 3 Comments

NJ Lawmaker proposes civics test as high school graduation requirement

Ridgewood_-4th_of-_July_theridgewoodblog

By LINH TAT

06/09/16 05:44 AM EDT

As the New Jersey Board of Education deliberates whether high school students should have to pass certain math and English exams to graduate, one state lawmaker wants to throw another subject into the mix.

Assemblyman Jay Webber, a Republican from Morris County, is sponsoring legislation to require students to pass a civics test, using the same set of questions asked of immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship.

His bill (A3894) is nearly identical to one introduced during the last legislative session by then-Assemblyman Charles Mainor, a Democrat. Mainor’s bill (A4226) never made it out of committee.

Under the latest proposal, students would have to correctly answer at least 60 of 100 questions. Students would be asked, for example, what the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution are called (answer: Bill of Rights), who becomes president if both the president and vice president can no longer serve (answer: Speaker of the House) or what stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful (answer: checks and balances).

Students would first take the test in ninth grade. Those who don’t pass would retake the exam each year until they passed. Local school boards would decide the method and manner in which the test is administered.

Posted on June 10, 2016June 10, 2016 by James — 3 Comments

State Sen. Kevin O’Toole Makes Fallacious accusations against Rival Republican Paul DiGaetano

June 10,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, we have to laugh at this one , NJ.COM is reporting that State Sen. Kevin O’Toole (R-Essex) claims that a threat was made in 2005 by Paul DiGaetano, then a leading Republican assemblyman dreaming about a long-shot bid for governor against him. In the article O’Tool claimed that he was threatened by Paul DiGaetano in a meeting over his endorsement of DiGaetano for Governor.

Wow is this a case of the pot calling the Kettle black !

The funny thing is that State Sen. Kevin O’Toole is a well know political bully who has threatened his opponents in the past and gone as far as calling their bosses at work claiming they were campaigning on company time and trying to get them fired.

O’Tool has also threatened the Ridgewood blog and it founder , in that instance he made threats from his car on Route 17 north near the Bendex Diner and only backed off when a blog staff member pulled out a camera.

O’Tool is also rumored to be plotting with with Democrat soon to be Former Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn to make a run for the current seat held by Rep.Scott Garrett (R).

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