Ridgewood’s ‘Open Space’ Tax Exposed? Turf Battle Heats Up, Puts League of Women Voters on the Spot
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the political temperature in Ridgewood, NJ, is soaring as the controversial topic of artificial turf fields and the Village’s Open Space Trust Fund takes center stage. A recent statement by the League of Women Voters (LWV) regarding the turf expansion has drawn significant public criticism, leading many to question the transparency and accountability of local political groups and committees.
The LWV’s Stance: Misinformed or Politically Motivated?
The League of Women Voters is under fire for publishing a statement that suggests the artificial turf expansion is “still up for a discussion.”
Critics are asking: Who exactly is on the LWV board, and why would they issue such a comment? The statement is seen by many as either completely clueless about the Village’s documented plans to expand turf to properties like BF Middle School and other non-flood zones, or, more concerningly, as a sign that the group has become a political puppet.
This lack of clarity has fueled speculation of a “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” political environment, where support for projects—like the turf fields strongly backed by figures like Mayor Paul Vagianos—is exchanged for reciprocal political favors, with little regard for taxpayer interests or the environment.
Open Space Funds: Fact vs. Fiction
A core part of the controversy revolves around the Open Space Trust Fund and the referendum vote.
Local officials, including Deputy Mayor Pam, recently provided a critical clarification at a Council meeting:
- Fact: Open Space Funds have been legally used for artificial turf projects in the past, including as recently as 2018, and this use is common across New Jersey.
- LWV/Open Space Committee Claim: These funds can only be used for land acquisition.
This official clarification exposes the public posts and statements by the LWV and certain Open Space Committee members as misleading. By spreading the narrative that the money is strictly for land purchases, critics argue they are obscuring a broader, more flexible—and some say, more problematic—use of the taxpayer-funded levy.
The Open Space Fund: A Budget Slush Fund?
The debate intensified with a recent exchange during a Council meeting that cast the Open Space Fund in a new, concerning light.
During a discussion about replacing trees, Council Member Weitz, who is up for re-election next year, reportedly asked Village Manager Mr. Kazmark if Open Space Funds could be used for the tree replacement instead of impacting the general tax budget. Mr. Kazmark’s alleged response: “Sure will do.”
This interaction has led to the public perception that the $300,000 Open Space tax increase is, in practice, a “slush fund”—a readily available pool of money used to plug holes in the general budget, particularly for expenditures that politicians prefer not to cover with general tax increases, especially in an election year. This alleged practice directly contradicts the fund’s stated purpose of ‘preservation’ and fuels taxpayer mistrust.
A Call for Accountability Before the Referendum
The looming referendum question on the Open Space tax increase has become inextricably linked to this debate.
Residents are urged to cast their vote with a critical eye, focusing not just on the tax hike itself, but on the principles of transparency and honesty. The priority, according to frustrated residents, must be to hold local organizations and committee members—especially those like the LWV and members of the Open Space Committee—accountable for disseminating information that has been publicly proven to be inaccurate or highly misleading.
The debate is clear: Is the Open Space Fund truly for “preservation” and “park improvement,” or is it a political tool to finance controversial projects like artificial turf and quietly balance the Village budget?
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LWV another hack democrat activist group hiding under the cloak of “non partisian”
Memo to taxpayers:
Bored housewives are not your friends.
Seriously…they’d be better off learning how to plat Mah Jongg or Bridge over at Bergen CC.
Why can’t these people find hobbies that don’t cost me money?
No doubt
They helped drive the 1 vote initiative that eliminated our right to vote on the annual school budget…yet their mission stmt claims: we are a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights
Winograd is the former Director..that says it all!
“grassroots”
When I hear that word I want to reach for……………………………..
It is becoming so increasingly obvious when someone steps forward to speak on behalf of the council or on something they are trying to push through. People step up and speak, it is generally like they are reading for a script that Vagianos has written for them. So staged and fake, it is really something everyone should bear witness to. Obviously the League is just another group of Vagianos puppets who are willing to gloss over to get votes.
This practice dates back to at least the time of Paul Aronsohn, when this happened all the time. It was actually embarrassing. Those reading their scripts were not good actors.
urs made of people who are Vagianos puppets and likely benefitiaries of the monies he’s spending on different projects using your tax dollars.
Your tax dollars are being used to fill pockets of Vagianos puppets.
It is unbelievable that this LOWV was so vocal. Definitely secured a no vote from me after hearing about it on behalf of the League. 100% disappointment and a group I would not want to support if this is how they are going to behave.
Ridgewood LWV has been a disaster for years doing the bidding of Winograd Vagianos Perron and others of similar ilk
Take a look at their website why no mention of board members
Their partisan propaganda has been a disservice and disaster for Ridgewood
The League lost its way when it allowed Paul Aronsohn and his minions to join all at once and proceed to take over.
The group’s pronouncements and recommendations must now either be ignored or inspire voting in the opposite direction.
The candidates’ debates before Village Council elections have been very poorly run for a long time and are no longer worth attending or watching.
It is a sad end to a once-respected organization.
I am voting NO to this referendum solely because I don’t trust the people who will be handling the funds. I have never voted for any of them, for good reason.
It’s a scam. Don’t fall for it. Vote NO on the open space cash grab.
Follow the money…
We are all painfully aware of Vagianos’ desire to have puppets all over the village. Now the LWV have succumb. Oh well it used to be a lovely place to live but with a developer minded Mayor (oh just wait, he is creeping in) he and his cronies will take away any of the small charm that existed.