Sounds like the high school administrators and the soon-to-be student protest “leaders” were working hand in glove to bring Ridgewood residents a slick, smoothly produced protest event. But wait…isn’t this the same Principal Gorman who on Monday, 3/12 referred to the anticipated student walkout as a “powderkeg?” You can’t have it both ways, Principal Gorman. So which was it? Why would you characterize it as a powderkeg if you had such a significant hand in bringing it to fruition? And how does all of this square with your solemn responsibilities as the leader of one of the biggest high schools in the county?
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Historical Society presents “THE THREAD OF LIFE—Exploring the fabric of family over the centuries through fashion and style”.
According to the Ridgewood Historical Society , “Much of our life and personal history is woven into the fabrics of an era. This exhibit recreates the intimate journey of an imagined New Jersey family as they navigate the milestones of life: birth (christening dresses), marriage (wedding gowns), and death (mourning attire)—and many familiar events in between. For this exhibit we showcase some of our most priceless antique garments, and accompany them with historic artifacts and ephemera from our own collection.”
“This is a beautiful presentation of generations of a family’s milestones illustrated by the clothing they wore and the artifacts that surrounded them. We will arrange special group tours and we encourage all teachers to bring their classes. Contact us at 201-447-3242.”
Schoolhouse Museum
650 E Glen Ave, Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
I am a liberal and I think the term, “ The Three Amigos” is too good a label for the infamous three. As far as it having racist connotations, that is really a stretch. I think of Steve Martin, Martin Short and Chevy Chase. They were funny. I don’t think Paul, Gwenn and Al have a sense of humor and they definitely are not funny.
“The ban on political campaign activity by charities and churches was created by Congress more than a half century ago. The Internal Revenue Service administers the tax laws written by Congress and has enforcement authority over tax-exempt organizations. Here is some background information on the political campaign activity ban and the latest IRS enforcement statistics regarding its administration of this congressional ban.”
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
.
Civil Action No. 95-0724 (PLF)
.
BRANCH MINISTRIES, INC., et al., Plaintiffs,
v.
CHARLES O. ROSSOTTI,
Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service, Defendant.
.
Opinion
.
This case is about the decision of the Internal Revenue Service to revoke the status of plaintiff Branch Ministries as an organization exempt from taxation pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). Before any discovery was conducted, the government filed a motion to dismiss or for
summary judgment. Plaintiffs sought discovery on their claim that they were victims of selective prosecution, and the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion to compel. The case now is before the Court on the renewed motion of the government for summary judgment and on plaintiffs’ cross-motion for summary judgment. Upon consideration of the cross-motions, the Court concludes that the government has established that there are no material facts in dispute and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
.
…
.
3. Political Expression Claims
.
Plaintiffs argue that the IRS engaged in content-based viewpoint discrimination in
violation of their Fifth Amendment right to equal protection and in violation of their First Amendment right to free speech. The Fifth Amendment equal protection claim mirrors plaintiffs’ Fifth Amendment selective prosecution claim.
.
Plaintiffs contend that the IRS targeted the Church for revocation because the Church had expressed its political views. Because plaintiffs have failed
to provide any evidence of similarly situated churches that have not had their Section 501(c)(3) status revoked, see supra at 11-14, plaintiffs’ Fifth Amendment claim fails.
.
“Congress is not required by the First Amendment to subsidize lobbying.” Regan
v. Taxpayers With Representation, 461 U.S. 540, 546 (1983). Plaintiffs contend, however, that churches are different. Plaintiffs maintain (1) that churches are open fora, (2) that the IRS decision to revoke the Section 501(c)(3) status of the Church constitutes viewpoint
discrimination, and (3) that the IRS therefore must demonstrate a compelling interest in order to
justify the revocation. See Perry Educ. Assn. v. Perry Local Educators’ Assn., 460 U.S. 37, 45-46 (1983). There are a number of problems with plaintiffs’ argument. First, it is not at all clear that private churches in fact can be deemed open public fora. See id. (citing, as examples of open fora, numerous public or government spaces).
.
Second, even if a church is an open forum, that would be irrelevant to the revocation at issue in this case. The Section 501(c)(3) status of the Church was not revoked on the basis of any expressive activity that occurred on the property of the Church, the purportedly
“open” forum. Instead, the Section 501(c)(3) status was revoked because the Church took out a full-page advertisement advocating against a partisan political candidate. In this case, the relevant forum is the channel of communication, the newspaper advertisement itself, rather than the
property of the Church, the messenger. See Cornelius v. NAACP Legal Defense and Ed. Fund, 473 U.S. 788, 800-02 (1985) (“in defining the forum we have focused on the access sought by the
speaker. . . . [where plaintiffs] seek access to a particular means of communication,” the channel of communication rather than the physical site is the relevant forum). Even if the property of the Church itself is considered an open forum and the IRS could not constitutionally revoke the
Section 501(c)(3) status of a church on the basis of statements made in the church, the IRS clearly may revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that publishes an advertisement in
opposition to a candidate for public office. See Regan v. Taxpayers With Representation, 461U.S. at 546.
.
Finally, plaintiffs contend that the IRS viewed the Church as “militant right” and
that revocation of its Section 501(c)(3) status therefore constituted viewpoint discrimination. See Pls’ Motion for Summ. J. at 30. As discussed supra at 14-16, however, plaintiffs have
provided absolutely no evidence that the IRS revoked the Section 501(c)(3) status of the Church on the basis of its political views. Plaintiffs therefore have failed to establish a First Amendment violation. An Order consistent with this Opinion shall be issued this same day.
.
SO ORDERED.
.
PAUL L. FRIEDMAN
United States District Judge
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood JOLT is being accused of hijacking the “student led” protests with the help of a sympathetic school administration and principle Tom Gorman . The new poster boy for the group is Laurence Fine who is 14. He finished eight grade at the Solomon Schechter of Westchester and is entering ninth grade at Ridgewood High School, where he will be on the cross-country team.
He runs a politically themed Instagram account, @Democrats_for_2020, which doesn’t mention his age or name, and bills itself as “This liberal news feed supports Democrats for 2020 and resisting GOP agenda. Together, we can take back the House, Senate, and presidency!” He was instrumental in getting Alexandra Harwin to speak at the school and rounded up many kids to help on her campaign.
Ridgewood JOLT according to there Facebook page is a community organization activating citizens to JOIN ORGANIZE LEAD and TEACH. Our mission is to protect and fight for our democracy through active participation in upcoming elections, monitoring and acting on legislative activity, educating ourselves and others as to our rights and our laws, and using the power of our purse to affect change and require accountability from corporations dependent on our economic participation.
They are the same people looking to push the anti conceal and carry the , “Oppose Legislation for H.R. 38 and S. 446 – Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 ” .
The fact is it is another far left organization looking to get Paul Aronsohn and his group of unloved misfits back into control of the Village of Ridgewood and continue the job of destroying the town for profit that they started.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen and Assemblyman Chris DePhillips paid a visit to the Eagle Scout Court of Honor, to congratulate Eagle Scout Max !
Ridgewood NJ, The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held tonight Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be aired live on television, FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77, and streamed via the “Link in Live” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Meeting webcasts are generally posted to the district website within 48 hours.
Date and Time
March 19 2018 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Location Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center
Ridgewood NJ, Director of RHS Bands Jeffrey Haas announced that four RHS musicians were selected for the New Jersey Region I Jazz Ensembles. They will perform in concert on Sunday, April 22 at Sparta High School.
Region I Senior Jazz Ensemble:
Evan Goler, 11, Tenor Saxophone
Decklan Spencer, 9, Lead Trombone
Stefanie Haas, 10, Trombone
Region I Junior Jazz Ensemble:
William Stewart, 9, Lead Tenor Saxophone
(William also placed first on bass)
emmanual baptist church holds a community peace and justice forum Tue, March 20, 2018 Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Location: Emmanual Baptist Church, 14 Hope Street, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
March 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Emmanuel holds a Community Peace and Justice Forum to discuss High School Student Action Against Gun Violence.
Emmanuel Baptist Church will hold a Peace and Justice Forum entitled, “High School Student Action Against Gun Violence” on Tuesday, March 20th at 7:00-8:30pm in the Peace Lounge. Laurence Fine and Alana Benson, Ridgewood High School Student Leaders, will speak followed by a discussion.
The Forum is preceded by a non-fundraising Community Pasta Dinner, which starts at 6:00pm in Heritage Hall. Suggested donation is $4 per adult and $2 per child. Since there is limited space, it is suggested that you reserve your seat by calling the Church office at 201-444-7300.
Emmanuel, founded in 1891, is celebrating its 126th Anniversary Year and maintains a tradition of community outreach. Emmanuel is located at 14 Hope Street, at the corner of Hope Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ. The building is ADA accessible and all are invited to attend.
parlance chamber concerts presents danish string quartet Sun, April 08, 2018 Time: 3:00 PM Location: West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood NJ 07450 Cost: 40
March 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Parlance Chamber Concerts Presents Danish String Quartet: On April 8, it will be a thrill to introduce the sizzling Danish String Quartet to our community. The Danes’s rare combination of rock star charisma, ensemble perfection, and consummate artistry have made them one of the most in-demand quartets of our time. Their All-Beethoven concert will feature three masterpieces from his early, middle and late periods.
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in D, Op. 18, No. 3
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in F, Op. 59, No. 1
Ludwig van Beethoven String Quartet in C# minor, Op. 131
Ridgewood NJ, Students of Rebecca Leer and Bill Angressano have been invited to submit three framed pieces of artwork for the first in a series of exhibits, showcasing student work done in classes here at the Ridgewood Art Institute. Students enrolled in both classes, may have submitted up to three pieces for EACH class. All levels of expertise will be represented, as classes at the Art Institute are taught on an individual basis and each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. Work will either be offered for sale, or not. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to see the beautiful work that is being generated here at the Ridgewoood Art Institute.
What better way to inspire others to join our RAI Family…
And quite frankly, what better way for our members to inspire each other?
The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at anytime. Our two unique north lit studios as well as our 3 galleries are just a part of what RAI offers. We also sponsor events and workshops throughout the year, that are of interest to artists and art enthusiasts alike.
Why wait? Come see why RAI has become a treasured haven to so many, for more than 80 years.
Ridgewood NJ, Village of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen and Deputy Mayor Mike Sedon celebrated St Patrick’s Day in the Village with the JIG Factory home to Ridgewood Irish Dance .
Perhaps Principal Gorman can organize a field trip of the entire RHS and drive through destroyed and still-empty homes, buildings and businesses in Newark from the ’68 riots if he wants to be a do-gooder. Yesterday, he lost his role of leader and is subjugated to role of hashtag activist enabler. Of course, it would take more stones to address the bullying, shaming and drug use that still go on despite decades of “inclusion” talks. You can be pro-gun control and see this for what it’s worth – a feeble attempt to hop on bandwagon because it’s news-of-the-day.
