Village of Ridgewood - Page 359 of 375

Posted on December 6, 2014December 6, 2014 by James — 19 Comments

Ridgewood asks judge to dismiss Valley Hospital lawsuit

DECEMBER 6, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY MARY JO LAYTON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

The village of Ridgewood is asking a Bergen County judge to dismiss a lawsuit The Valley Hospital filed after its plan to nearly double in size was rejected, according to court documents filed this week.

The lawsuit, which hospital officials filed in October, targeted the Ridgewood Planning Board and the village, arguing the board illegally sided with neighborhood opponents rather than permitting a change in the hospital zone to upgrade “an inherently beneficial regional hospital.”

Valley’s expansion plans have been defeated twice in recent years and have triggered strong protest from some residents who spent more than $100,000 over several years to block the proposals.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/health-news/ridgewood-tries-to-halt-valley-suit-1.1147585

Posted on December 6, 2014December 6, 2014 by James — 11 Comments

Respectful behavior should go both ways

file photo by Boyd Loving

Respectful behavior should go both ways

DECEMBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

To the Editor:

On Nov. 24, the mayor held a meeting on civility. It appears that attendance was by invitation only, but because we are a small village, the word got out rather quickly. I wonder what the true purpose of this meeting was.

It seems the first thing that one would do if there was a perceived problem is to hold a public meeting so that all interested parties could attend and that all our council members would be included. Transparency is at the heart of all public discourse. If conduct at sporting events is an issue, then where were all the participants? As long as I have lived, there has always been an occasional out-of-control parent and/or coach, but I don’t see it as a new issue or one particular to Ridgewood.

To another point, I have attended and ran many meetings and hardly ever has civility been a problem. Where I have seen a breakdown of civility is at the council level, when at the dais personal attacks have been directed at other council members. We have guidelines to prevent this, Robert’s Rules of Order and the Open Public Meetings Act, but they were not always followed, and some meetings became very contentious.

Also, as a citizen coming to the microphone, it is an intimidating experience. It is very difficult to express a contrary opinion in such a setting. On rare occasions, a speaker may get personal, but the chairperson can properly silence that with a reminder of meeting protocol. But how do we stop it when it is coming the other way?

Last, while I have never observed a lack of civility at the Board of Education meetings, I believe its policy of not responding in any way to speakers at the microphone is incredibly rude. As one speaker recently said, it is like talking in a vacuum and the silence is deafening.

We elect our council and board members. We believe in a representative government. Public meetings need to be open and inclusive. As tax-paying residents of the village, we need to feel that are voices are being heard. Respectful behavior goes both ways.

Linda McNamara

Ridgewood

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/letter-respectful-behavior-should-go-both-ways-1.1146805

Posted on December 4, 2014December 4, 2014 by James — 9 Comments

IMPORTANT VILLAGE ROAD WORK NOTICE -PSE&G Paving – December 8 & 9

file photo Boyd Loving

IMPORTANT VILLAGE ROAD WORK NOTICE -PSE&G Paving – December 8 & 9

We have just received word that PSE&G will be paving the following streets on December 8 & 9 : Vesta Ct.; Down St.; Meadowbrook Ave.; Rose Ct.; Libby Ave.; Pearsall Ave.; Northern Parkway.

LEAVES ON THESE STREETS WILL BE COLLECTED ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH – Residents are asked to NOT put leaves in the street over this weekend.

Posted on December 4, 2014December 4, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

Historic Ridgewood parking studies have familiar findings

Historic Ridgewood parking studies have familiar findings

DECEMBER 3, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014, 10:32 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

They’ve been mentioned. They’ve been complained about. They’ve been disbelieved.

And now, for easy referral, all four of Ridgewood’s much-discussed parking studies – from 1945, 1967, 1971 and 2002 – are on the history page of the library’s website.

They were put online this fall by local realtor Bill Gilsenan, partly for the public’s research and perusal, and partly just to add urgency to what has been characterized by some members of the public as an increasingly tiresome parking conversation.

“They [the studies] were all around in different places, but they weren’t around in one central location … People don’t believe us when we say this has been going on forever,” said a half-laughing and half-exasperated Gilsenan.

Gilsenan, who owns Gilsenan & Company on East Ridgewood Avenue, scanned all the studies and worked with Ridgewood librarian and local historian Peggy Norris to get them online.

The realtor, who was in possession of the 1971 and 2002 studies, happens to have a personal connection to the studies: His uncle was president of Ridgewood’s Chamber of Commerce for many years and is actually mentioned in one of the studies, Gilsenan noted.

To complete the study package, Gilsenan obtained the 1967 study from longtime local businessman Tom Hillmann. The library had the 1945 document.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/business/historic-ridgewood-parking-studies-have-familiar-findings-1.1145306

Posted on December 3, 2014December 3, 2014 by James — Leave a comment

T’is the Season – join the Celebration in Ridgewood 2014

T’is the Season – join the Celebration in Ridgewood 2014

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Wishing everyone Happy Holidays

The Seasons is here!

Ridgewood presents its 29th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration and

Downtown for the Holidays.

Bring you family, friends and neighbors to share the excitement of this evening,

Friday, December 5th, 2014
5:30pm-9pm … enjoy
the music, lights, shopping, dining,
and (you bet) Santa!
Tree Lighting will happen around 7:30pmish!
For more details: [email protected]
201-445-2600 www.experienceridgewood.com
see you there!

Posted on December 2, 2014December 2, 2014 by James — 2 Comments

Ridgewood seeking volunteers for various boards

Ridgewood seeking volunteers for various boards

DECEMBER 2, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014, 1:21 AM
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Village officials are seeking volunteers to serve on a number of boards and committees.

The council needs residents to serve on the Community Relations Advisory Board; the Open Space Committee; the Library Board of Trustees; the Green Team Advisory Committee; the Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board; Project Pride; and the Shade Tree Commission.

The Community Relations Advisory Board deals with diversity issues in the village, while the Open Space Committee examines properties in Ridgewood for potential open space preservation.

The library trustees establish library policy, and the Green Team Advisory Committee promotes green initiatives. The Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board recommends rules for use and monitors recreation facilities. Project Pride plants and maintains flowers and plants in the central business district, and members of the Shade Tree Commission regulate trees in the village.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-seeks-volunteers-for-various-boards-1.1144601

Posted on December 1, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 7 Comments

Reader says Yard Signs are Hate Speech ?

Reader says Yard Signs are Hate Speech ?

James, I think people here are really more eager just to ban “hate lawn-signs”.

Ridgewood blog asks what qualifies as “Hate Lawn Signs” lol

Any lawn sign that criticizes a regionally significant inherently beneficial use of otherwise tax-revenue-generating chunk of real estate is a “hate lawn sign”.

your views are repulsive, and I am ashamed of you for propagating them. There are no “sensible restrictions on free speech,” and whoever thinks that stifling speech eliminates hatred, anger, and violence, is plainly wrong. The answer to hate speech is more speech, not less.

By the way, anyone who wishes to cling to “fire in a crowded theater,” just remember that the ruling was used to imprison Yiddish-speaking pacifists for handing out fliers to protest World War I. Is that “sensible,” #16?

brought to you courtesy of one of our nation’s finest institutions of higher learning (much more where that came from):

https://thedartmouth.com/2014/11/17/opinion/traynor-fixing-free-speech

Posted on December 1, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 3 Comments

Reader says People post and make comment on this blog when they want their cause championed but turn around and condemn this blog when they don’t need it anymore

Reader says People post and make comment on this blog when they want their cause championed but turn around and condemn this blog when they don’t need it anymore

Mayor Paul Aronsohn,Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck hosted the meeting and , Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, made comments. Well it sound like an open public meeting which was not posted in a timely manner ( Friday for a Monday Meeting) The next questions. Were there meeting minutes taken and if so when will they be available to the public?

“Baney also called out The Ridgewood Blog, a news and opinion aggregation website, for contributing to incivility.” Baney Who is a member of the anti Valley Hospital group had no problem when commenter on this blog blasted Valley Hospital. Where was she the?. These people are all cut from the same cloth.

Baney also called out The Ridgewood Blog, a news and opinion aggregation website, for contributing to incivility.

James you know what ironic. People send thing for you to post and make comment on this blog when they want their cause championed but turn around and condemn this blog when they don’t need it anymore or they disagree with other posters. Which ever way the wind is blowing like the Three Amigos.

Posted on December 1, 2014December 1, 2014 by James — 5 Comments

Reader suggests that if the Mayor would start representing the interest of Ridgewood the blog would be irrelevant

file photo by Boyd Loving

Reader suggests that if the Mayor would start representing the interest of Ridgewood the blog would be irrelevant

the 3 clowns Huey, Dewey, and Louie should focus on representing tax payers ,residents and the interests of Ridgewood and then people would not be criticizing them on this blog 24/7 .

Ridgewood is not Hudson County , nor do we have the demographic , Ridgewood is Ridgewood , best to pack up the Hudson County mafia and your developer friends and move back ..

Posted on December 1, 2014December 1, 2014 by James — 11 Comments

Reader suggest “Civility ” meeting was violation of NJ Open Public Meetings Act

file photo Boyd Loving

Reader suggest “Civility ” meeting was violation of NJ Open Public Meetings

Wait just a Ridgewood minute – Mayor Paul Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli, and Councilwoman Gwenn Hauck all participated in this meeting. Isn’t that considered a quorum in terms of the Village Council? If so, why wasn’t this billed as an offical meeting of the Council, with minutes taken and legal notice given? A violation of the NJ Open Public Meetings Act or not? Matt Rogers where are you?

Ms Hauck has been counted before even when she was not present . It is my understanding that there were two member of the council hosting the meeting on civility last Monday. What is confusing is that the Deputy Mayor was in the audience and even took part in the conversation so I been told. If true does this now become a official public meeting which should have been post in a timely manner ( not on Friday for a Mondaymeeting? ) Where there minuets taken and will they be available? Can someone shed some light on this. Did the Deputy Mayor speak ?

But the Deputy Mayor only introduced himself we are told , but its the spirit of the law that is still of concern?

Of course Mr. Pucciarelli was there, he is attached by a firm cable to Mr. Arohsohn Mr Arohsohn should keep his ATTACK DOG on a shorter leash. So was not the purpose of the Deputy Mayors presence to quell dissent , and intimidate people ?

The Deputy Mayor cannot for one moment pretend ignorance of the Sunshine Law. His adherence to the law was called into question early in his term – this gave him plenty of time to learn the law that he had been accused of breaking. The Village Attorney looked into the matter and decided that the DM had not violated the law at that time. Regardless, Mr. Pucciarelli knew full well that he should not speak last Monday night, but……………surprise surprise………….he spoke! Presto, the law was broken.

Edit

Posted on December 1, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 9 Comments

Reader says “Civility” meeting, What a bunch of nonsense.

file photo Boyd Loving

Reader says “Civility” meeting, What a bunch of nonsense.

The mayor is simply taking a page out of the resident’s playbook, calling for civility only after he and his minions have already distorted the public discourse, intimidated or demonized well-meaning political opponents, and generally done the damage he intends to do.

Even this event is nothing more than a belligerent shot across the bow to those who would come to public meetings in the future and dare to voice a contrary view at the public microphone, or otherwise level any well-deserved criticism the Mayor’s way.

To his mind, now that we’ve gone and taken the trouble of having a silly public meeting about the need for ‘civility in public discourse’, we have established a new norm, in accordance with which anyone who goes to the microphone to disagree with or criticize the Mayor or his friends is, by definition, engaging in a social ‘taboo’, and will therefore have voluntarily opened themselves up to immediate public abuse from the elected official DuJour, shamelessly served with a culturally toxic side-dish of relish, impunity, and maddening condescension.

Problem solved!

Posted on November 30, 2014November 30, 2014 by James — 3 Comments

Ridgewood Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration!

Ridgewood Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
Fri, December 05, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood NJ
Event Description

Come to Ridgewood to start your Holiday season!
Join us on Friday, December 5, 2014

SANTA arrives on Saturday, December 6, 2014..
comes up E. Ridgewood Ave. and goes to Columbia Bank 10am-1pm…pictures and gifts for all the kids!

Starting at 5:30pm
Santa in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square
Live Entertainment on E. Ridgewood Ave.

7:00-8:00pm
On Stage
Live Entertainment & Tree Lighting Celebration

8:00-9:00pm
Santa in the Park
Live Entertainment
more merriement!

Thank You Sponsors:
Columbia Bank,
The Valley Hospital,
Van Dyk Health Care,
The Ridgewood News,
Prestige Motors,
Camp Wekeela,
The Originals Salon
Atlantic Stewardship Bank
The Original Salon Inc.
Precision Orthodontics
From the Top Music Studio,
Art of Motion,
Porch Light Production,
Little Ivy Learning Center,
YMCA of Ridgewood
Janjigian Trading Co., Inc.
CareOne Ridgewood Avenue
West Bergen Mental Healthcare
Huntington Learning Center
C. C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home
Ulrich, Inc.
Duxiana
Huntington Learning Centers
Panico Hair Salon-Ridgewood
Daily Treat
Country Pancake House and Restaurant
It’s Greek to Me
Dr. Frances McGorty
Moxie Blowdry & Beauty Bar
Ridgewood Press
Please say “thank you” to these business for
keeping the “tradition” in Ridgewood.

Breakfast with Santa, The Office Beer Bar & Grill
Saturday 12/6/14 – 8am-10am
Saturday, 12/13 & 12/20 8am-12Noon
call for reservation 201-652-1070.

Store Specials during this event:
Alex and Ani with hot chocolate, holiday cookies and a gift with purchase of $75 or more.

For more details, please call us at 201-445-2600 or email [email protected] www.experienceridgewood.com

Posted on November 30, 2014January 20, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Open Houses November 30th 2014

$1,295,000 in Ridgewood

$425,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1443545
1103 E Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, C/C
Jane L. McGuire, Sales Associate
Coldwell Banker, Wyckoff/Franklin Lakes
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 11/30
4

$499,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1437935
347 Franklin Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Karen Boyle, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/30
24

$629,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1418631
436 Alpine Ter, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath, Col
Marylee Mullins, Sales Associate
Keller Williams Village Square Realty
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Sun. 11/30
15

$1,225,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1442898
269 Lotte Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
6 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Barbara Nudelman, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker, Ridgewood
Open House: 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Sun. 11/30
25

$1,295,000 in Ridgewood
MLS # 1443901
820 Morningside Rd, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
4 Bedroom, 4 Full Bath,
1 Half Bath, Col
Mary Tarvin Passaro, Broker Associate
Tarvin Realtors
Open House: 1:00 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. Sun. 11/30
– See more at: https://www.njmls.com/NJ/BERGEN/RIDGEWOOD-open-houses#sthash.SyywpI7B.2GMQRc7X.dpuf

Posted on November 29, 2014November 29, 2014 by James — 1 Comment

Santa Comes to Ridgewood

Santa Comes to Ridgewood

Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce

December 6, 2014 , 9am to 1pm Santa at Columbia Bank, 60 S. Broad Street – gifts and pictures for children 10:30 Am Free Movie at Bowtie Warner Cinema – ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ Breakfast with Santa – Call for Reservation 201/652-1070

Breakfast with Santa
Chamber of commerce

December 13, 2014 , Breakfast with Santa – Call for reservation 201/652-1070 Visit Santa in the Park – 12Noon to 3PM

Breakfast With Santa – Visit Santa House
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce

December 20, 2014 , Breakfast with Santa – reservations at 201/652-1070 Visit Santa in his house in the park Noon to 3PM www.experienceridgewoodnj.com

Posted on November 28, 2014November 28, 2014 by James — 11 Comments

Ridgewood leaf collection is starting to pick up

file photo Boyd Loving

Ridgewood leaf collection is starting to pick up

NOVEMBER 26, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014, 11:52 AM
BY LAURA HERZOG
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Village refrigerators post-Thanksgiving may tell a different story, but on village streets, there are fewer leftovers.

Leftover leaves, that is.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld has reported receiving positive resident input, and fewer complaints, thanks to Ridgewood’s new “no leaf left behind” program. The initiative includes the reintroduction of rakers and the outsourcing of pickups in the leafiest area of Ridgewood.

The ongoing effort is in response to residents’ chief complaint with village leaf pickup in past years: a mess of leaves left on the street.

Now, officials said, the village needs residents to help with the initiative, since many leaves have yet to fall.

So far this year, 13,933 cubic yards of leaves have been picked up. In 2013, the total number was 35,967 cubic yards, according to a Nov. 21 village email blast sent out by Sonenfeld.

“Most of our resident comments still relate to the schedule… As a reminder – if we get to your area earlier than we have indicated, we will be back,” she said. “The fact that the season is running better also has to do with each of you; following guidelines on what can be in the piles, as well as keeping the streets open so that we can work, makes us all more effective.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/village-leaf-collection-is-starting-to-pick-up-1.1141644

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