Ridgewood NJ, Special Friends of the Library Donor Appreciation Event on Friday, May 11 at 6:30pm. Wine & cheese reception and live jazz followed by a live staged reading of the Tony Award-winning play ART and talkback with the cast: Diane Carlin Sims, Mark Kaplan and Ciaran Sheehan. *This is an invitation-only event. Invitations will be sent to Friends’ Donors; *registration is required. If you would like to donate to the Friends and be added to the invitation list, please visit the Friends webpage or stop by any Library service desk. https://www.ridgewoodlibrary.org/friends Questions: [email protected]
Ridgewood NJ, at Wednesday nights Village Council Meeting the Village council was expected to leave unchanged water rates going back to 2010 that were invalidated by a Superior Court judge last year in response to a lawsuit by the three neighboring towns. The towns, which are customers of village-owned Ridgewood Water, allege they were being overcharged.
In July, Superior Court Judge Lisa Perez Friscia ruled in favor of Wyckoff, Midland Park and Glen Rock, which are served by Ridgewood Water and had sued the village over rate increases between 2010 and 2012. The three municipalities argued that Ridgewood Water was using the excess fees to cover unrelated operating costs for the village. The judge, in her ruling, called Ridgewood Water’s rate hikes arbitrary, and told the village to recalculate the charges.
Ridgewood complied an in December Howard Woods, a consultant hired by the Village to recalculate the correct rates, released a 247-page “initial report” , stating that customers were instead undercharged for their water usage during the first two years covered in the lawsuit. An appeal by Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff of the July decision is pending. Beyond a recalculation of rates, the towns seek $13.4 million in refunds and $3.6 million in damages.
At Wednesday nights council meeting , there was a decision to delay action on the two ordinances by the Village Council . Representatives from the other three towns took to the lectern to lecture and attempt to pressure the Village Council for what they felt was a bold disregard for justice. The ugly reality for Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff is that the Judges ruling stuck the three towns with huge court costs .
Ridgewood NJ, according to Councilmen Ramon Hache, “The budget process is never easy, especially in an age of budget caps that are below the rate of inflation. Basically we have to, at a minimum, deliver the same level of services every year with a limited capacity of raising revenues to meet the increased cost of delivering those services.” Hache goes on , “Changes to federal income tax laws at the end of 2017 have adversely impacted many of our residents by sharply reducing the amount of state and local income taxes (“SALT”) they can deduct in determining taxable income. Mindful of this, we worked very hard with our department heads to come up with a budget that would not place an additional undue burden on our residents. On April 11, the Village Council will introduce a municipal budget with a property tax increase of 0.99% over 2017. Please note this is just the municipal budget and does not include the Board of Education or the county.”
Perhaps the two challengers running for Village Council should advance some ideas on what they would do to improve the Village if elected before engaging in mud slinging. There does not appear to be any substance to these two. Mrs. Knudsen and Mr Sedon have served the Village competently and honestly during their term in office. While I don’t agree with them on every issue, they have maintained a level of civility and professionalism that the two challengers completely lack. These two political wannabes are obviously surrogates of the previous Council majority that was essentially run out of town two years ago. Let’s not look back. Vote Knudsen and Sedon.
Mrs. Valdes, I believe James (and the “staff”) were pointing out the irony of the exclusivity inherent in the actions of the “inclusive” crowd, demonstrating how difficult it is to represent all citizens when you seek to divide them into aggrieved groups for purely political gain. I’ve got a unique idea, let’s just fly the American flag over Village Hall (quelle horreur!) as a symbol that all citizens of the Village are valued, not just those the Left values (in line with that “regressive” and antiquated, but truly inclusive “E. Pluribus Unum” thingy)? Honestly, I cannot even conceive of anything more trivial these matters are. The fact that we are even discussing this tripe shows how bad things will get if we elect “Social Justice Warriors” such as Harwin to the VC. The roads will still be bad, the same debates over parking, bloated school budgets and overdevelopment will rage, but we will be knee-deep in the divisive identity politics which has made normal social interaction stunted in this country. Why did we need to have this silly debate over a flag over Village Hall anyway? Are we going to fly flags in support on our non-LGBTQ citizens as well? Does Ridgewood have some history of anti-LGBTQ pogroms that I haven’t heard about? Thanks, but no thanks. I want the VC to stick to issues of improving quality-of-life issues, not wasting time on “Animal Farm” group pandering (I submit your INGSOC-esque “secondary marginalization” comment as a tiny preview of what we can expect) and speech codes to stifle legitimate debate by candidates using the Village as a stepping stone into state and national office.
Ridgewod NJ, reportedly during the meet and greets currently being held for Council Candidate Alexandra Harwin , Ms. Harwin refuses to answers questions .Instead she speaks for 20 minutes or so . The content of speech is limited to her background and career . Ms. Harwin does not address and of the issues currently facing Ridgewood .
It is also being reported the former Mayor Paul Aronsohn accompanies her to many of those meet and greets suggesting Ms. Harwin is being run for office instead of running for office. It also begs the question will the questions she receives at candidates night from the League of Women Voters be pre approved by Paul Aronsohn?
THE SPRING SEASON IS ALMOST UPON US, SO LETS KICK IT OFF WITH THE…………
RBSA OPENING DAY PARADE & FAMILY FUN DAY
APRIL 21, 2018
9AM – 2PM
Parade begins at the Ridgewood Train Station in Wilsey Square and marches to Veterans’ Field for Opening Ceremony and activities
Sample fare from the Metro area’s best food trucks
Browse the Vendor Corner
Hangout at the Entertainment on Wheels Zone
Dance to the Live Deejay
Lots of Inflatables
Participate in Baseball & Softball Instructional Clinics
Sports Demonstrations
Carnival Games for all ages
Raffles
Ridgewood NJ, last night at the Ridgewood Village Council meeting the Mayor Susan Knudsen addressed the comments made in public comment and the recent article in the Bergen Record . The mayor said the Village Attorney Matt Rogers is going to put out a legal memo on any alleged impropriety in the Village of Ridgewood’s hiring practices .
She reiterated that the simple fact is “Ridgewood is a state of New Jersey Civil Service municipality,” ,meaning candidates are ranked based on standardized test results. The list exists and any one can access it . In Ridgewood the village manager is the hiring authority for the village and is required to adhere to state of New Jersey hiring regulations. Council members are prohibited from any involvement.
The mayors son’s took the civil service exam in 2013 a full year prior to the mayor running for the Village Council.
The Mayor called the allegations of nepotism a lie and a fraud being perpetrated on the Village , and not only questioned the honesty of the conspirators but also challenged the competence of attorney’s who have not read the law it self and are totally unfamiliar with New Jersey Civil Service code.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police have issued a traffic alert for East Saddle River Road and Paramus Road Paving today. Linwood Avenue east bound traffic will be detoured at N.Pleasant Ave. to East Glen.
East bound Traffic on East Ridgewood Ave at Paramus Road is being diverted North on Paramus Road. Best route to Rt 17 is E.Glen Ave. or Grove Street to Midland Ave. Additionally the exit ramp from route 17 south onto East Saddle River Rd is closed and being detoured to Linwood Ave. please allow extra time or choose an alternate.
photos from Road Work on Paramus Road on Wednesday April 11,2018
Ridgewood NJ, the continued bogus nepotism attacks on the Mayors sons are doing nothing but undermining the authority of both the Ridgewood Police Department and Ridgewood Fire Department . Ridgewood is a state of New Jersey Civil Service municipality, candidates are ranked based on standardized test results ,dispersions to the contrary are nothing more than attacks on members of Ridgewood PBA Local 20 and Ridgewood Professional Firefighters FMBA Local 47.
According to the “Bergen Record” Councilman Jeff Voigt wondered how a fire chief or police chief would be able to properly supervise the mayor’s kids, even if she is not directly involved in overseeing the department. It raises thorny issues, he said. And again letting Voigt make fallacious assertions , “That puts them in an uncomfortable situation,” he said. “They [the kids] may even get preferential treatment.”
So Jeff Voigt , Rurik Halaby, Don Delzio, Janice Willett, Alexandra Harwin and the rest of their band of misfits followers all think the Ridgewood Police and the Ridgewood Fire Department are failing to adequately protect the public?
And In effect saying that the Chief of Police Jacqueline Luthcke and Fire Chief James Van Goor can not properly supervise their staff?
Ridgewood NJ, a reader said , “James you may be intimidated by a strong civil rights attorney but Harwin could be what’s in the best interest of those of us who actually own our homes and pay taxes.” Funny you should say that ,the staff got a giggle out of this one , you don’t know this blog very well do you ?
So as a “strong civil rights attorney” you really should address the overt racism implied by pushing the Village of Ridgewood to hoist a “white only rainbow flag in the Central business District but also at Ridgewood High School .
Philadelphia is redefining the LGBT pride flag. The city has a launched a new campaign, “More Color More Pride,” adding one black and one brown stripe to the traditional six colored rainbow. The new design will be, from top to bottom: black, brown, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.
“The black and brown stripes are an inclusionary way to highlight black and brown LGBTQIA members within our community,” said one source involved with the flag-raising event who asked not to be named. “With all of the black and brown activism that’s worked to address racism in the Gayborhood over the past year, I think the new flag is a great step for the city to show the world that they’re working toward fully supporting all members of our community.”
A spokesperson for the event would not confirm the new design, but in a statement described the flag reveal as “a special, can’t-be-missed unveiling and raising of a brand-new Pride flag which promises to be a step toward inclusivity, to spur dialogue within the community, and to impact the worldwide conversation.”
Lookin for input from the LGBTQ Black and Brown community. Will be introduced at Philly Pride this year. In 1978, artist Gilbert Baker designed the original rainbow flag. An iconic symbol of LGBTQ+ unity. So much has happened since then. A lot of good, but there’s more we can do. Especially when it comes to recognizing people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. To fuel this important conversation, we’ve expanded the colors of the flag to include black and brown. It may seem like a small step. But together we can make big strides toward a truly inclusive community. (Black Lives Matter Hudson Valley).
Let us call out the rainbow flag wavers for what they are – racists. No I am not kidding. And this is not a conservative accusation. PROGRESSIVES are calling the rainbow flag racist because it excludes minority LGBTs.
Philly has now added a brown and a black stripe to make the flag inclusive (see link below).
So let us call out those flying a rainbow flag without black and brown stripes in a white town like Ridgewood for what they are – racists.
I sense a huge opportunity for 4 members of the council to seize the initiative, call out the flag bearers for their bigotry and install an inclusive version of the flag.
Ridgewood NJ, NICHE ranked Ridgewood the number one place to live in Bergen County and 6th over all in New Jersey . Ridgewood Placed just a head of Haworth #8,Ho Ho Kus #11,Tenafly #17,Glen Rock #19, Allendale #20, and Leonia #24.
The NICHE 2018 Best Places to Live ranking provides a comprehensive assessment of the overall livability of an area. This grade takes into account several key factors of a location, including the quality of local schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics, and access to amenities in an attempt to measure the overall quality of an area.
Ridgewood placed 3 of 412 Best Suburbs to Live in New Jersey , 5 of 410 Suburbs with the Best Public Schools in New Jersey and 6 of 573 Best Places to Live in New Jersey . The Median Household Income is $144,734 . The Median Home Value is $724,400 and the Median Rent $1,960 .
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra presents ,Viennese Nights,Music by Mozart & Johann Strauss. Piano soloist: Felicia He.
Friday, May 4th, 2018, 8:00pm at West Side Presbyterian Church ,6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood, NJ.The Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra is a regional intergenerational orchestra composed of talented volunteer musicians located in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Supported by the surrounding communities and friends in neighboring areas, the orchestra serves the Northern New Jersey region with many musical and educational activities.
Artistic Director & Conductor Diane Wittry, is celebrating her third season as the orchestra’s Artistic Director and Conductor for the 78th Anniversary Season.
She is excited to be working with our dedicated and talented musicians as the organization celebrates the history and accomplishments of the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra over the past 78 years.
New family pricing available! For tickets, click here.
Meet the Instruments of the Orchestra
Join the orchestra members as they demonstrate and talk about the instruments of the orchestra, then stay for a portion of the RSO rehearsal.
Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 6:30pm
West Side Presbyterian Church
6 South Monroe St, Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood NJ, once again we turn to Councilmen Ramon Hache for an update on the Hudson Street Garage . In his recent new letter Hache stated that , “Following presentations from the four developers that responded to the Village’s RFP, the Village Council selected two of the four developers to continue negotiations. The negotiations began in March, with the goal of selecting a final proposal that balances the best fit, value, functionality, and design.”
The current council once again made a very smart decision designating the existing Hudson Street lot as an area in need of redevelopment in 2017. This has allowed them the opportunity to negotiate directly with the construction companies, instead of simply accepting or rejecting the bids. An additional benefit of the redevelopment zone designation is that the Village does not have to post the usual deposit for the bond which, for this project, could have been up to $600,000. The results of the negotiations will be discussed in Closed Session on April 11.
Ridgewood NJ, in his recent news letter Councilmen Hache said , “Without question, tragic events like the one in Parkland FL, compel us to reevaluate the safety of our children. Many states have even begun to shift education funds to school safety. Councilmen Hache says that he has always been in favor of having a School Resource Officer in our schools. SROs are commissioned law enforcement officers assigned to schools. In addition to responding to incidents on school grounds, they also work closely with faculty and staff to prevent crime, bullying and violence. SROs receive special training and can be a vital component in community building by building trust and opening lines of communication with students. We need SROs in our schools. ”
It is nice to see that at lest the Village Council takes school security seriously and is willing to put forward some concrete steps in stead of organizing “student led ” protests and other feel good measures that have little to no impact on the treats the schools could be faced with.
Hache is the Council liaison to the Board of Education and stated,”I continue to implore the Board to partner with the Village to bring SROs to our schools. The Village has offered to pay for half of the cost but allocate 70% of the SRO’s time to the Board of Education. When school is not in session (30% of the work year), the SRO will be on regular duty for the Village. I hope the Board will accept our generous offer.”
In the meantime, we have police officers rotating through our schools while we are working to install a full-time dedicated SRO.
![mudslinging[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mudslinging1.gif "Reader suggests the two challengers running for Village Council should advance some ideas on what they would do to improve the Village if elected before engaging in mud slinging")
