The Ridgewood News Superintendent’s Corner
June 2014
by Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools 201-670-2700 ext. 10530
(fax) 201-670-2668
Round-up
The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on June 27, 2014.
Each June I reflect on the many great opportunities the Ridgewood Public Schools and the Village of Ridgewood provide our youngest citizens, culminating in the Ridgewood High School graduation at the close of the school year.
10 Year Old Ryan Leo Kamm asks ,How did coin thief get away?
Leo many in Ridgewood continue to wonder that same thing , the Village had for many year rejected modernizing its parking meters and even after a $40 million dollar renovation to the Ridgewood train station the old fashioned coin operated meters remained intact .Past mentions of upgrading parking meters were met with fallacious and hostile comments on this blog .
Ridgewood Parking Problems: oh those new fangled meters will never work here
https://theridgewoodblog.net/ridgewood-parking-problems-oh-those-new-fangled-meters-will-never-work-here/
Passion for Parking Meters
https://theridgewoodblog.net/passion-for-parking-meters/
Parking Economics 101 : Its called the Supply and Demand Curve
https://theridgewoodblog.net/parking-economics-101-its-called-the-supply-and-demand-curve/
I am only 10 years old, but I am wondering: If Rica stole 23,000 pounds in quarters, how could he walk out of a building carrying that amount with no pickup trucks available — even if he did it over several years — without being detected?
file photo Boyd Loving
“Manner of Addressing the Council” – Village of Ridgewood Ordinance 3-19
July 15 2014
Boyd Loving
Here’s the complete version of 3-19 as posted on the Village’s web site.
Read it before you go to the podium and comply while you’re up there, otherwise Aronsohn might personally give you the hook.
§ 3-19Manner of addressing Council.[Amended 1-11-1994 by Ord. No. 2442]
A. Persons other than Council members may be permitted to address the Council in the proper order of business. A person present may, upon recognition by the Chair, be heard either upon ordinances upon second reading or at the time of petitions and oral communications from the public and at such other times as the Council may, by majority vote of those present, specifically permit. No person shall address any remark or question to any specific Council member, nor shall any person be permitted to address the Chair while a motion is pending. A Council member may, through the Chair, respond to any communication or address received pursuant to this section.
B. Except upon consent of the Council, by the majority vote of those present, each person addressing the Council pursuant to this section shall be required to limit his remarks to five minutes and shall at no time engage in any personally offensive or abusive remarks. On a hearing on ordinances on second reading, a person who has previously addressed the Council on the issue may be permitted a period of no more than an additional five minutes, after all others desirous of speaking on the issue have had an opportunity to do so, provided the comments of the speaker are not repetitive. The Chair shall call any speaker to order who violates any provision of this section.
Reader says crime really does pay in Bergen County
Wow, crime really does pay in Bergen County. He just got off with no jail time, a “sorry”, and his initial downpayment was only $64,337.55, not the $69,000 agreed to in the initial plea deal. The check was handed to the Bergen County prosecutor, not any Village representative. How do we know we get the check ?
The deal calls for Rica, who also forfeited his $30,000 pension and $8,000 accumulated leave, to pay the village $2,000 a month for five years, for a total of $120,000. Ridgewood will also keep $4,000 it seized during a search of Rica’s home following his arrest.
That puts Rica’s restitution at $226,000, of which he’s only paying back $184,337.55; the rest comes from his forfeited pension and accumulated leave, and the $4,000 (16,000 quarters) seized during his arrest. He stole over $460,000, so the Village is out here $234,000.
How is this justice for the Village ? How did this guy get such a sweetheart deal ? Where are the other arrests if he did have leverage ? I hope the Record and Ridgewood News and the Village Council have answers for us.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ex-ridgewood-inspector-apologizes-for-stealing-nearly-half-a-million-dollars-in-quarters-1.1048475#sthash.OiBbpqsu.dpuf
Ridgewood Farmer’s Market Open every Sunday until November 2, 2014
Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Farmer’s Market, held every Sunday from June 22 to November 2, 2014 from 9AM to 3PM. Rain or Shine. Enjoy New Jersey’s own corn, tomatoes, blueberries, strawberries and baked goods! Further information from the Ridgewood Chamber – 201/445- 2600.
Ridgewood’s Nicole Parks Named to Ridgewood News All-Suburban Softball Team
JULY 4, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY GREG TARTAGLIA
SPORTS EDITOR
RIDGEWOOD — An historic softball season in The Ridgewood News All-Suburban area had it roots in the Big North Freedom Division.
Led by undefeated Bergen County and State Group 3 champion Indian Hills (34-0), four teams from the division combined to produce nine of the 18 players on this year’s first team. The Braves supplied four, Northern Highlands three, and Ridgewood and Paramus one each.
Bergen County runner-up Immaculate Heart (31-2) leads all schools with five representatives, and its Big North United Division rival Paramus Catholic placed one among the 13 seniors, three juniors, a sophomore and a freshman. Ramsey, Midland Park and Hawthorne garnered one spot apiece.
A whopping eight players repeat on the top squad, led by Steph Thomas of IHA, who completed the All-Suburban “cycle” with her fourth first-team bid. The three-time overall honorees are IHA’s Rachel Pollard (2012-14 first team) and Daniella Ibarra (2012 Sophomore of Year, 2013-14 first team) and Ridgewood’s Nicole Parks (2012 second team, 2013-14 first team).
So deep was the talent pool this spring that four others repeat on the second team: Ridgewood’s Kelly Skettini, Ramsey’s Jess Juhlin and Fair Lawn’s Sam Colca (2013-14) and Paramus’ Kelsey Settecasi (2012 and ’14).
Hallie Donofrio of Waldwick is the Sophomore of the Year, while Northern Highlands’ Chris Broking is the Coach of the Year…..
NICOLE PARKS, Ridgewood — This senior right-hander finally was able to put her full pitching arsenal on display and led the Maroons (20-7) to an eight-win improvement over last season. A first-team outfielder in 2013, she showed no signs of the ankle injury that kept her out of the circle and came back with an 18-6 record, 0.86 ERA and .155 opponent’s batting average. She struck out 249 in 150 innings and threw four no-hitters (including a perfect game against Bergenfield), upping her career mark to 24-9 with five no-hitters. Bound for the University of Albany, she hit .375 with three home runs, 22 RBI and had a .648 slugging percentage.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-softball/softball-stars-rewrite-history-books-1.1046366#sthash.rY5IfGZb.dpuf
Storm Update as of 9:00 PM
July 3,2014
Boyd A. Loving
9:08 PM
Reports from around Ridgewood –
Ridgewood NJ, The HoHoKus Brook has overflowed into the Graydon South parking lot, Vets Field, the RHS Athletic Field, and is beginning to encroach on the parking lot at the rear of Village Hall & the Ridgewood Public Library.
Several reports were received by Ridgewood PD that lawn chairs were seen floating down East Ridgewood Avenue into the intersection at Maple. Similar reports were received about chairs in the middle of the intersection of Franklin and North Maple Avenues.
Trees down on Corona Place, several motor vehicles were damaged.
Reports of tree limbs down on Waverley Place and Norman Drive.
No reports received yet about conditions along the Saddle River.
Stay safe everyone.
Village of Ridgewood Local Area Jobs
Ridgewood Art Institute is Seeking an Instructor for an Oil Painting for Young People
June 25,2014
Ridgewood Art Institute
4:12 PM
The Board of Directors of the Ridgewood Art Institute is seeking a qualified instructor for an “Oil Painting for Young People” class to be held on Wednesdayafternoons from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm in the West Studio.
If interested, please send a resume, brief class description and ten JPEG images of your most recent work to:
[email protected]
Joel Popadics
Education Chairman
The Ridgewood Art Institute
12 East Glen Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Please note, 6 original paintings (plus a hard copy of your resume and class description) will be needed for the Executive Board Meeting which will be held onMonday, September 8th.
Village of Ridgewood Employment Opportunities – Deadline June 30th
The following employment opportunities are available in the Village of Ridgewood Building Department – Zoning.
Click Here for description of the Part Time Assistant Zoning Officer
Click Here for Full Time Board of Adjustment Keyboarding Clerk 1
Send resumes to Michael Barker at [email protected] by June 30, 2014
Employment Opportunity – Building Dept Director – July 9 Deadline
Director of Building Department
Full-time position. The Village of Ridgewood seeks a Construction Official to act as the Chief Administrator of the Building Department; zoning license preferred. Seeking a strong leader and manager with a proven track record in implementing technology solutions and establishing streamlined processes that are driven by customer needs and compliance with NJ Uniform Construction Code. While actively enforcing the UCC, Village ordinances, zoning and property maintenance ordinances, the selected individual must also demonstrate their commitment to continual process improvement as well as optimizing customer satisfaction.
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Village of Ridgewood is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Send cover letter, resume and references to [email protected] or fax to 201/652-2318 by July 9, 20
July 1, 2014 Planning Board Reorganization Meeting
PLANNING BOARD
AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE
SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board will hold a special public meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in the Village Hall Court Room, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The purpose of the meeting is to hold the Annual Reorganization Meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. A regular business meeting will follow.
All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.
Jane Wondergem
Secretary to the Board
Reader says Congratulations Vaed Eagle service projects are everywhere in our community
Congratulations Vaed. Scouting is a great program and Mr. Prasad and his parents, leaders, sponsors and mentors should all be very proud. There’s a reason only 4% of boys who start scouting make it to Eagle . . . . the Trail to Eagle is not easy.
If anyone wants to truly understand the contributions of Eagles to society, they should read “Four Percent: The Story of Uncommon Youth in a Century of American Life.” It’s a fascinating read.
The sheer number of service hours contributed by these boys is amazing. The Eagle service projects are everywhere in our community – painting classrooms and churches, seating areas at RHS, improving Dunham Trail, Grove Park, Habernickel Park, streambank restoration along the Saddle River, Ampitheater at Orchard School, building blue screens for BFMS, planting at Somerville, outdoor seating at West Side Presbyterian, vegetable boxes to allow a food bank to grow fresh food. Too many to remember!
Sincere thanks to Darius Amos for doing such a great job covering BSA in Ridgewood.
Congratulations from this Eagle Scout Mom!
Ridgewood Police Issue Residential Burglary Alert and Remind Residents on Summer Vacation Precautions
June 25,2014
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood police Department responded to a home on Van Emburgh Ave near Route 17 on Tuesday 6/24/14. Entry was made to the home between the hours of 10:30am and 5:30pm by removing the first floor window air conditioner and climbing through the window. We remind our residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Ridgewood Police Department. If you have a first floor window air conditioner it is a good idea to make sure it’s properly secured. Anyone with information please contact the Ridgewood Police Detective Bureau 201-251-4537.
With summer vacations approaching we remind residents to take some basic steps to prevent your home from becoming the target of a burglary.
• Have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers.
• During an extended vacation, make arrangements to have someone mow your lawn or trim your bushes.
• Leave lights on automatic timers.
• Notify the Ridgewood Police Department that you will be away.
• Ask a neighbor or friend to stop by your house periodically; have them open and close blinds, turn on different lights.
• Let your neighbors know when you are leaving and when you plan to return home and if you are expecting anybody at your house while you are away.
• Burglars want easy access to your home. Make sure all trees and shrubs are trimmed near all doors and windows where intruders might hide. Add exterior lights and consider lights that are activated by motion sensors.
• Burglars like to work quickly, so try to slow down their path into and around the house. You can accomplish this with:
1. deadbolt locks
2. window locks
3. bars placed in the tracks or track locks on all sliding glass doors and windows (if they would not impede your escape in an emergency)
4. locks on all doors and windows
• Don’t place the fact you are gone on your telephone answering machine.
• Don’t broadcast the fact that you’ll be away on Twitter, Facebook, craigslist, in your blog or anywhere else on the Internet.
• Don’t hide your keys on your property.
• A nosy neighbor is a burglar’s worst enemy. Get to know your neighbors and work out an arrangement to watch each other’s houses. Let them know when you will be gone and whether any deliveries are expected during your absence.
• Store jewelry and other valuables in a safe hiding place, such as a safety deposit box.
Go through each room and write down a list of possessions, including serial numbers. Take pictures of your valuables and keep them in a safe place or with a friend or relative. This will help in the event of a burglary.
If you would like a crime prevention survey of your home, contact the Ridgewood Police Department community Policing unit.
201-652-3900
Lt.Todd Harris [email protected]
Lt.Glenn Ender [email protected]
Village of Ridgewood Employment Opportunity – Director, Building Department
Director of Building Department
Full-time position. The Village of Ridgewood seeks a Construction Official to act as the Chief Administrator of the Building Department; zoning license preferred. Seeking a strong leader and manager with a proven track record in implementing technology solutions and establishing streamlined processes that are driven by customer needs and compliance with NJ Uniform Construction Code. While actively enforcing the UCC, Village ordinances, zoning and property maintenance ordinances, the selected individual must also demonstrate their commitment to continual process improvement as well as optimizing customer satisfaction.
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Village of Ridgewood is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Send cover letter, resume and references to [email protected] or fax to 201/652-2318 by July 9, 2014.
file photo Boyd Loving
Reader says be careful what you wish for with changes to the building department
Change in leadership ,while many readers ecco this sentiment : Be honest, has any one who has ever dealt with him ever dealt with someone who is more ill-suited for his job? It is unbelievable that we allow this pale imitation of building inspector to hold the wealth and safety of the Village in his hands. I think that might be part of the reason that Valley and the apartment project developers figure that they can get away with what they want.
One reader points out ,The reason this municipality looks as good as it does from a conformity to zoning regulations/building code standpoint is because Tony Merlino gives a damn about his work.
Some may view him as a nitpicker who works too slow, but that is exactly the kind of guy I want watching what’s being built and who is building it.
Mark my words, if we replace Tony with someone who just rubber stamps anything put in front of him/her, this place will look like shit in a few years.
Author and Chef Christine Nunn to open Picnic on the Square in Ridgewood
June 24,2014
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, According to Bergen food blog Boozy Burbs, Christine Nunn is bringing her new restaurant Picnic back to Bergen County. The new restaurant called “Picnic on the Square,” will be located at 26 Wilsey Square.
Nunn closed the restaurant’s Fair Lawn location in January of 2013 and has since written a cookbook called the The Preppy Cookbook and taken over as the executive chef at Grange in Westwood.
Nunn a sommelier will offer diners a French-inspired menu when the restaurant opens, likely later this summer.
Photo credit:Boyd A. Loving
The Village Faces Morning After Clean up from storm damage
June 14,2014
Boyd A. Loving
10:06 AM
Ridgewood NJ, Morning after storm damage photos taken in the Willard School area of Ridgewood on Saturday, 06142014.
Photo credit:Boyd A. Loving
