Vill;age Of Ridgewood - Page 6 of 9

Posted on November 10, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 5 Comments

Will Fifteen-Dollar Minimum Wage put Ridgewood’s Restaurants out of Business?

Congressman Frank Pallone: Fifteen-Dollar Minimum Wage Is Critical for Economic Growth

$40 hamburger in your future ?

Where is the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce ?

On the eve of the national day of action for the “Fight for Fifteen” movement aimed at increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-6) and the healthcare-focused SEIU union held a phone in tele-townhall to discuss why they believe the proposed hike is a critical one. Currently the minimum wage in New Jersey sits at $8.38 per hour. Alyana Alfaro, PolitickerNJ Read more

The 7 Most Dangerous Myths About A $15 Minimum Wage
https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/08/04/the-7-most-dangerous-myths-about-a-15-minimum-wage/

Seattle sees fallout from $15 minimum wage, as other cities follow suit
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/22/seattle-sees-fallout-from-15-minimum-wage-as-other-cities-follow-suit/

We Are Seeing The Effects Of Seattle’s $15 An Hour Minimum Wage
Tim Worstall

Possibly the best starting point of this argument is this rather newer post here.

Some time back I wrote a piece entitled “We can predict the effects of Seattle’s $15 an hour minimum wage.” It’s here. And without going into boring detail it essentially said that we’d see what we would expect to see from a rise in the price of something, that is a fall in the demand for it. Ever since I’ve had comments from people insisting that human labor just doesn’t work that way. That if wages rise then actually more people are going to get employed. An example came in only this morning:

Between January and December of 2014, while Seatac’s business owners (and their customers) were absorbing the cost of paying minimum wage employees $15, unemployment decreased 17.46%, falling from 6.3% to 5.2%. It turns out that you CAN increase the minimum wage (even in large increments) and increase overall employment at the same time.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/03/16/we-are-seeing-the-effects-of-seattles-15-an-hour-minimum-wage/

Posted on October 21, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Village of Ridgewood : Staying Safe in Cyberspace

Community Outreach Series Focuses on Well-being: First up is Internet Safety Talk

Internet Safety for Parents. The program will take place on October 28, 7:00-9:00 PM, at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Ridgewood.

Staying Safe in Cyberspace – Internet Safety for Parents. Presented by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office.
The 2015-2016 parent/peers series consists of eight engaging presentations throughout the school year. Co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from The Foundation, adults are invited to attend these programs on creating balance in children’s lives.

Click here for details on the series.
Click here for the series flyer.

Posted on August 14, 2015September 3, 2021 by James — 26 Comments

Readers say “THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN”, got the shaft again

Well, we can be doggone sure that the three of them lost EVERY vote from the east side of 17, and many votes from the west side of 17. We lost this battle, but we won a war, because this for sure put the last nails in their coffins. They will never get reelected. And don’t tell me the sports people will be out in force. Albano was TROUNCED in the last election, Mr. sports had a terrible turnout .

Any Ridgewood voter living east of Paramus Road would be absolutely insane to cast a vote for either ARONSOHN, HAUCK, OR PUCCIARELLI in the future. This will go down as the biggest screw job in Ridgewood’s history.

That’s gonna have to be a biiiig fence along Rt 17. It’ll look like a driving range when it’s done.And yet again, we plunder green space money for sports fields.

2012 municipal election results District 14 “THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN”

Votes
Pucciarelli 103
Killion 69
Forneza 55
Aronsohn 115
Shnozuka 83
Hauck 84

This was a done deal before the property was even bought. What people need to understand is the way some residents get themselves on committees and boards precisely to do the opposite of what the board purportedly is for.

Despite what the Deputy Mayor said last night, I predict the following:

1) The house will soon be bulldozed to the ground.
2) There will be artificial turf.
3) There will be lights.
4) The property will be clear cut of all trees.

You voted them in ladies & gents of the Salem Ridge area. Now you must pay the price.

The Lawns residents should pay attention to what happened last night because Lower Hawes field was mention. That will be the next target for Fast Eddie and the RBA.

Posted on April 21, 2015April 9, 2020 by James — 4 Comments

N.J. pedestrian deaths rise , but the Village Seems a Safer Place to Walk

file photo Boyd Loving

April 21,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Road Warrior Reported in 2014 reported safer on the road but deadlier on foot

https://www.northjersey.com/news/road-warrior-2014-safer-on-the-road-but-deadlier-on-foot-1.1191509?page=all

Ridgewood NJ, In Ridgewood ,there seemed to be far less accidents involving pedestrians and automobiles this past year? I do not know the numbers .

So we asked Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward if we did have decrease what in your mind was particularly effective in mitigating pedestrian incidents. If we had an increase what policy can the Village , the Schools or the Ridgewood PD do to increase awareness of public safety and make our streets safer ?

The Chief took time out to respond , “We did have a decrease in pedestrian related accidents in 2014. I can say we have experienced a significant decrease in the level of injury to pedestrians. That being said in December (2014) we did have several but again still well below last year. As far as why, I can say we have increased our efforts in the areas of education and enforcement as well as the efforts in the area of engineering to enhance safety. As you know there are too many variables to attribute a causal nexus between our efforts and the reductions in pedestrian crashes , but one could argue that there appears to be a correlation.

While according to the Record there has been an increase state wide , the Chiefs efforts in Village suggest that simply “awareness ” from both drivers , walkers and cyclist may be the key .

N.J. pedestrian deaths rise; police look for reasons

APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 6:47 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD

Sad to say, each time you read your favorite newspaper, there’s a good chance you’ll learn about someone like Anila Lluka or Lisa Borsellino or Donna Marie Wine, whose lives were cut short at the rate of one every other day in New Jersey — twice a month in Bergen County.

These deaths happen so routinely that we often barely recognize their significance because the victims were doing something as common as crossing River Street in Hackensack, where Borsellino was struck down last October, or Paramus Road in Paramus, where Lluka was killed last November.

Tragically, such passings have become much more frequent lately, according to updated figures recently released by the New Jersey State Police fatal accident unit.

Pedestrian deaths totaled 169 statewide last year, including that of Ms. Wine, a beautician who was standing with others on Grand Avenue at an outdoor market in Hawthorne last August when a truck plowed into her. In Bergen, walking deaths peaked at 24 last year. Victims included Stephen Petruzzello, a 22-year-old Cliffside Park police officer who was run down crossing Walker Street two days after Christmas while on the job with his partner.

With Bergen now accounting for more pedestrian fatalities by far than any other county in the state, traffic cops in many of its 70 municipalities have begun digging into their files to find better ways to prevent such deaths.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/pedestrian-deaths-rise-police-look-for-reasons-1.1313666

Posted on April 11, 2015September 13, 2021 by James — 10 Comments

Black Bear Warning Goes Out to Residents

file photo provided by Dom Nizza

April 11,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police report that a black bear that was previously on the loose has been contained to a tree on Kensington Road. Tyco animal control is on scene and awaiting the arrival of the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The 175 pound black bear on Kensington has been tranquillized and removed by New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Several residents reported receiving Robo call bear warnings earlier in the day including Dom Nizza ,” Just received a robo police phone call a wild bear is roaming the Village ”

Former Mayor Kieth Killion told the blog he was no longer working with the international bear wrestling association , and needed to speak to his son .Councilmen Mike Sedon could not be reached for comment .

Posted on April 2, 2015June 27, 2021 by James — 39 Comments

BOMBSHELL REVELATION – Councilwoman claims information deliberately withheld from her

BOMBSHELL REVELATION – Councilwoman claims information deliberately withheld from her

April 1 ,2015
Boyd A. Loving
11:15 PM

Ridgewood Nj, During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Councilwoman Susan Knudsen revealed selected details of official correspondence related to the Village’s hiring practices, including a document in which a Village employee was reportedly directed (by an attorney employed by the Village) not to release publicly available information to Ms. Knudsen.

Councilwoman Knudsen also revealed that an unnamed employee or representative of the Village supposedly corresponded with the NJ State Civil Service Commission in February of this year to advise the Commission that several open positions (jobs) would not be filled until after Village Council members voted to change an ordinance related to preferential hiring treatment for Village residents (the plan is to remove any preferential hiring treatment for Village residents except applicants for public safety jobs – this ordinance change will be officially voted on during the Council’s April 8 Public Meeting).

According to Ms. Knudsen, Village Council members were reportedly never told that open positions (excluding pubic safety jobs) would not be filled until after the ordinance was changed.

Catch the full action/complete bombshell discussion beginning at 23 minutes 54 seconds into the linked broadcast below:

https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/60629688

Posted on March 6, 2015September 13, 2021 by James — 12 Comments

Reader says Sarcastic Retorts by Deputy Mayor Unwarranted and Unacceptable in the Village of Ridgewood

file photo by Boyd Loving Councilwoman Knudsen

Reader says Sarcastic Retorts by Deputy Mayor Unwarranted and Unacceptable in the Village of Ridgewood

Can we define how civil it was the way they treated Councilwoman Knudsen last night???? PUCCIARELLI was like a thug with his sarcastic retorts in the face of her comments.

I presume Councilwoman K. said something reasonable or supportive of what the average resident would expect the council to do, Councilman P. disagreed with her because of some personal agenda he’s got going, and, because he’s one of the three amigos, he had license to ridicule her in accordance with the “new normal” of civil discourse in Ridgewood. What got him spun up this time?

You have to watch it on the ustream. The meeting was so long that it is in two separate U-streams. Go to this one first: https://www.ustream.tv/recorded/59529870

Susan’s zinger begins at 2:16:20, but back it up a bit and listen to what Mike Sedon says about the fact that the local hiring law has been broken repeatedly in the past 25 years. Now the three amigos want to change the law to reflect the way it has been followed (illegally). In other words, they have been breaking the law all along, so let’s change the law.

Susan claims that the Open Public Meetings Act was broken last week when they made her leave the closed session and go home. At one point Albert actually got sarcastic about it, and Susan came right back at him for his snotty comment.

Susan and Michael were aces, absolutely on point and the other three were a total train wreck.

Ms. Knudsen appears to have been deceptively advised to recuse herself when the statute required no such thing.

This is uncivil in the extreme.

One’s mind further boggles at the inexplicable statement by Atty. Rogers that although for 25 years the town has been acting ‘inconsistent with the ordinance’ in failing to accord Ridgewood residents hiring preferences when the ordinance required such preference, this does not mean that the village has been ‘breaking the law’. What the heck is the difference between acting inconsistent with an ordinance, and breaking the law, other than using about five extra syllables to say the same darn thing? And the cure for this is to change the ordinance, not fix the hiring practice? You’re right, Mr. Sedon and Ms. Knudson, the real news story here is not a defective ordinance, but a systematic flouting of a law leading to a generation’s worth of Ridgewood-based applicants being improperly snubbed in favor of non-residents.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse. The village manager and village attorney sound concerned about improperly snubbed residents potentially seeking to undo some recent hiring decisions.

Posted on October 23, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — 11 Comments

No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel

No “Golden Toilets ” for Habernickel

Habernickel horse barn renovation scrapped for now – prefab building maybe
October 22,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:45 AM

Ridgewood NJ, Based on the recommendation of Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld, Village Council members have seemingly nixed plans to undertake an expensive renovation of the Irene Habernickel Family Park’s horse barn. The renovation project was being considered to satisfy a need for permanent restrooms and shelter from inclement weather at the expansive park located on Hillcrest Road.

Sonenfeld suggested that a prefabricated restroom may be a less expensive alternative, with preliminary estimates in the $60K – $90K price range. A $60K grant may help offset costs.

Many of you may remember that the restroom project at Vets Field wound up costing taxpayers almost $400K, and those commodes were constructed in an existing building.

Pay close attention to this one folks . . .

Posted on September 13, 2014August 14, 2021 by James — 2 Comments

Ridgewood in talks to allow parking at closed car dealership

Ridgewood in talks to allow parking at closed car dealership

SEPTEMBER 13, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014, 1:21 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Village officials announced a potential partnership with the owner of a former car dealership to provide more than 100 new parking spaces downtown — an attempt to alleviate the parking problem in town.

Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld cautioned that no deal had been signed, but said at a recent meeting she was excited about the potential arrangement, which Ridgewood officials continue to negotiate.

As proposed, the deal would see the dismantling of the building on the Ken Smith Motors site on Franklin Avenue. Under the plan, the village would handle selling parking passes for the lot to employees working in the Central Business District.

That would leave more parking for visitors to downtown Ridgewood.

In addition, Sonenfeld told the council she has been exploring ways for the village to fund its own parking garage.

An $8 million loan, she said, would cost taxpayers $600,000 annually for $20 years.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/lot-could-ease-parking-woes-1.1087300#sthash.uTQbxDeo.dpuf

Posted on May 29, 2014June 27, 2021 by James — Leave a comment

The Ridgewood Taxpayers’ Association is looking to reactivate

The Ridgewood Taxpayers’ Association is looking to reactivate

The Ridgewood Taxpayers’ Association is a non-profit corporation organized in the state of New Jersey in 1993 .

The purposes of the Ridgewood Taxpayers’ Association are as follows :

*To monitor and analyze of the Village and Board of Education ;

*To provide recommendations to the Village and BOE on how to operate
on a cost effective basis ;

*To monitor the actions taken by the state of New Jersey , Bergen County
the BOE and any governmental entity which has or may have an impact
on the taxes of the Village of Ridgewood ;

*To provide information to the citizens of the Village of Ridgewood on
the operation of their government and costs associated therewith :

*To promote local, regional and state legislation for the fair
taxation of Ridgewood residents ;

*To evaluate candidates for public office .

Membership is available to residents of Ridgewood or anyone who
maintains a business address in the Village of Ridgewood .

The Ridgewood Taxpayers’ Association is looking for Board Members and
those interested should email there resume and a short cover letter to: [email protected]

Posted on May 13, 2014September 13, 2021 by James — 6 Comments

Reader says Albano is the Mayors fourth potential sycophant to do his bidding

Reader says Albano is the Mayors fourth potential sycophant to do his bidding

Regarding Mike Sedon’s longevity as a resident, doesn’t anybody remember that Aronsohn had lived here for maybe a couple of years before running for council? He picked our town as a target, moved to it, and got himself elected by the innocent electorate that had never seen such politicking before. This was to be a steppingstone to higher office, but the big guys don’t seem interested, so he has stayed put.

For his next act he pulled in two bewildered residents who had never considered running for council as long as they would do his bidding. Sure enough, has had his 3-2 vote on countless important issues.

Now he has selected a fourth potential sycophant to do his bidding in a four-year term that would continue for a couple of years beyond the 2016 election, when he might personally be gone. And yes, with any luck at all he and his compadres will quit or be booted off the council two years from now and we can return to sanity in this town if they have not managed to destroy it completely.

Posted on March 29, 2014April 11, 2020 by James — 4 Comments

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT LATE THIS EVENING AND TOMORROW AM

file photo by Boyd Loving

FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT LATE THIS EVENING AND TOMORROW AM
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NEW YORK NY
406 AM EDT SAT MAR 29 2014

…HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING ARE POSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT INTO
SUNDAY…

…FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
EVENING…

THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR

* PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT…NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY AND
SOUTHEAST NEW YORK…INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS…IN SOUTHERN
CONNECTICUT…NORTHERN FAIRFIELD…NORTHERN MIDDLESEX…NORTHERN
NEW HAVEN…NORTHERN NEW LONDON… SOUTHERN FAIRFIELD…SOUTHERN
MIDDLESEX…SOUTHERN NEW HAVEN AND SOUTHERN NEW LONDON. IN
NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY…EASTERN BERGEN…EASTERN ESSEX…EASTERN
PASSAIC…EASTERN UNION… WESTERN BERGEN…WESTERN
ESSEX…WESTERN PASSAIC AND WESTERN UNION. IN SOUTHEAST NEW
YORK…NORTHERN WESTCHESTER…ORANGE… PUTNAM…ROCKLAND AND
SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER.

* FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

* AS LOW PRESSURE TRACKS FROM THE TENNESSEE VALLEY TODAY AND INTO
THE MID ATLANTIC STATES BY THIS EVENING…STEADY RAIN WILL
DEVELOP BY THIS AFTERNOON. THE RAIN SHOULD THEN BECOME HEAVY AT
TIMES TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING.

* RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 3 INCHES AND LOCALLY UP TO 4 INCHES
COULD CA– USE FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS…AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT
URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON
CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE
ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO
FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING
DEVELOP.

Posted on March 6, 2014April 9, 2020 by James — 11 Comments

Readers debate Urbanization of the Village

Readers debate Urbanization of the Village

Editors note : History has shown us the problem is the Village simply has “ZERO” credibility in its ability to plan ,manage and implement large projects and too many seem to have their vision clouded by personal gain.

No one wants to see empty lots in the CBD , nor do most want to live in the “next, next ” Hoboken .

Like the Train Station renovation before , there is a way for everyone to get something positive, add housing , improve infrastructure , take into account schools and of coarse parking.

Whats lacking is a vision for the future of the Village. A vision uniquely by Ridewood ,for Ridgewood. Not about people getting elected or speculators getting rich off government connections .

This Vision must include Valley Hospital, CBD housing ,retail and parking , traffic and the Ridgewood School district.

The Village with its excellent schools , parks ,CBD, cultural institutions and easy access to transportation offers a very unique opportunity .

If we chose to destroy the character of the town , the very character that has attracted so many to the Village over the years , we will lose the very thing that makes us who we are….

The people advocating for high density buildings (and for Valley Hospital over expansion for that matter) do not care about our town. They care about making money. Once they make their money, if they don’t like what the town is like they will be able to leave. There is no middle ground we can get to right now because they want maximum $$. They will first try for maximum $$ via high density, and only if we defeat them will they come down a notch and try for slightly less (see Valley Hospital). Maybe after several defeats we might get to a middle ground, but even that will be temporary. People like this do not give up. 10 years after we reach a middle ground solution (if we do) they will be right back at it (or their children will take the helm) seeking to make $$ by ruining our Village…..

I think that is what has to be discussed. But to right away jump to conclusion and think over night or even years Ridgewood would turn into any of your examples is foolish and not forward thinking.

You think modernization and growth and you assume that means higher crime, noise, traffic and every negative thing you can imagine… But it doesn’t have to be that way if you develop a sustainable plan for growth through a thoughtful process.

The contextual makeup of Ridgewood is not sustainable. Look every town around us…. Minus glen rock… We are a old folks home… And it’s sad because we have an opportunity to be an example of a modern town that still remains true to its roots.

It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing deal. What i am really saying is that we are going to expand… No way around it it will happen eventually, just being honest. I rather the people that do care about this towns and it’s history be the ones making the plans and not the (as number one stated) money Hungary investors that can up and leave if it fails.

What rather you have?…..

We don’t want to follow the path of Hoboken, Paterson, Hackensack or NYC. Is there a suitable model out there?….

Posted on January 25, 2014August 14, 2021 by James — 9 Comments

Readers Not buying Village’s Ignorance on Mobil Cell Tower

file photo by Boyd Loving

Readers Not buying Village’s Ignorance on Mobil Cell Tower

I’m floored that the Village hasn’t demanded the structure be removed immediately. If a resident had one of these in their driveway, all hell would break loose.

Rutishauser can spot an illegal 2′ x 4′ contractor’s sign on a front lawn from 6 blocks away and issue an immediate summons, but misses a 100 foot cell tower? I smell a deal being brokered between the Village and AT&T.

No one from the town noticed the tower which has been up over 4 weeks??.The town searches DAILY for the smallest violation like a sign on YOUR OWN LAWN. They missed a cell tower?? Something is going on here. By the way, make sure you get your garage sale permit too!!

Posted on December 18, 2013September 3, 2021 by James — 1 Comment

Flawed bid process will delay Maple Field cleanup in Ridgewood

Flawed bid process will delay Maple Field cleanup in Ridgewood
TUESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2013, 10:32 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Ridgewood Council has rejected the lone bid it received for the Maple Park turf cleaning job, a move that will delay a much-needed procedure at one of the village’s most used fields.

According to a council resolution unanimously passed last week, the village will put the project back out for public bid because the initial bid process was declared flawed.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/236204961_Flawed_bid_process_will_delay_Maple_Field_cleanup_in_Ridgewood.html#sthash.MGSmM45E.dpuf

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