Survey: More Than 1 In 4 Car Crashes Involve Cellphone Use
National Safety Council: 26 Percent Tied To Use, But Only 5 Percent To TextingMarch 27, 2014 11:34 AM
STAMFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) — Texting and driving is dangerous but a new survey finds talking on a cellphone while behind the wheel may be even worse.
As WCBS 880′s Paul Murnane reported from Stamford, the National Safety Council’s annual reportfound 26 percent of all crashes are tied to phone use, but noted just 5 percent involved texting.
Safety advocates are lobbying now for a total ban on driver phone use, pointing to studies that headsets do not reduce drive distraction.
Some motorists said they support the idea.
“Everybody’s on a telephone. If people do cut you off, you look and they’re talking on the telephone. I think they are a problem.” a driver told Murnane. “Hands-free or not.”
Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary: ‘The Wealth in America Doesn’t Come from Government’
Israel Ortega
March 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm
In this clip, successful investor Kevin O’Leary from ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” eloquently and persuasively destroys many of the myths of the “1 percent” and describes in personal detail how many of the small businesses he works with have to spend nearly $20,000 to $30,000 a year complying with federal regulations.
O’Leary is spot on, confirming Heritage research finding that “during President Obama’s first four years in office, the annual regulatory burdens on Americans increased by nearly $70 billion.”
O’Leary challenges President Obama to hear for himself the adverse impact of federal regulations on America’s small businesses. These are the hard-working men and women, O’Leary says, who will create jobs.
State’s Deal with Verizon on High-Speed Internet Services Finds Few Friends in NJ
Cities, towns, rural communities — as well as Division of Rate Counsel — all argue that telecom company reneged on agreement to provide broadband to entire state.
The so-called stipulation settlement will not take effect unless approved by the BPU commissioners, w
State’s Deal with Verizon on High-Speed Internet Services Finds Few Friends in NJ
Cities, towns, rural communities — as well as Division of Rate Counsel — all argue that telecom company reneged on agreement to provide broadband to entire state.
The so-called stipulation settlement will not take effect unless approved by the BPU commissioners, who have not decided yet when to take up the issue, a source of controversy for years.
Opponents argue Verizon has not complied with a 1993 law, requiring 100 percent of its territory to be upgraded to high-speed broadband service by 2010. That failure has left some rural towns and poorer communities without access to meaningful broadband service, according to critics.
Verizon responds that New Jersey is the most wired state in the nation, with 99 percent of it having access to broadband service. New Jersey is one of only five states where 81 percent to 97 percent of the rural population has access to high-speed Internet service, the company argued in briefs filed in the case.
“Verizon has satisfied its regulatory commitment under Opportunity New Jersey,’’ said Lee Gierczynski, a spokesman for Verizon New Jersey, referring to the 1993 law.
Division of Rate Counsel Stefanie Brand contested that view, acknowledging a substantial part of the state has been wired, but more remains to be done to meet the 100 percent commitment made 21 years ago.
“The last part of it is less profitable,’’ Brand said, adding “A deal is a deal. The board should not accept anything less that what was bargained for and paid for by New Jersey ratepayers.’’
Under Opportunity New Jersey, Verizon won approval to deregulate many of the phone services it offers to its customers in exchange for providing 100 percent of its customers access to fast broadband service. Just what form that service would entail remains a big source of dispute. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)
ho have not decided yet when to take up the issue, a source of controversy for years.
Opponents argue Verizon has not complied with a 1993 law, requiring 100 percent of its territory to be upgraded to high-speed broadband service by 2010. That failure has left some rural towns and poorer communities without access to meaningful broadband service, according to critics.
Verizon responds that New Jersey is the most wired state in the nation, with 99 percent of it having access to broadband service. New Jersey is one of only five states where 81 percent to 97 percent of the rural population has access to high-speed Internet service, the company argued in briefs filed in the case.
“Verizon has satisfied its regulatory commitment under Opportunity New Jersey,’’ said Lee Gierczynski, a spokesman for Verizon New Jersey, referring to the 1993 law.
Division of Rate Counsel Stefanie Brand contested that view, acknowledging a substantial part of the state has been wired, but more remains to be done to meet the 100 percent commitment made 21 years ago.
“The last part of it is less profitable,’’ Brand said, adding “A deal is a deal. The board should not accept anything less that what was bargained for and paid for by New Jersey ratepayers.’’
Under Opportunity New Jersey, Verizon won approval to deregulate many of the phone services it offers to its customers in exchange for providing 100 percent of its customers access to fast broadband service. Just what form that service would entail remains a big source of dispute. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)
Bergen freeholder candidates play to local strengths in county-wide battle
By Mark Bonamo | March 26th, 2014 – 12:12pm
HACKENSACK – The nomination last week of Ridgewood Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh and Ridgefield attorney Robert Avery to run for two freeholder seats this year on the Bergen County Republican Organization line helped set up the chessboard pieces for the county-wide battle for control in November.
Walsh and Avery will go up against freeholder incumbents David Ganz, of Fair Lawn, who has been on the freeholder board since 2003, and Joan Voss, of Fort Lee, who has been on the board since 2012.
The freeholder electoral struggle will play out against the bigger battle for Bergen County Executive to be waged between Republican incumbent Kathleen Donovan, of Rutherford, and Freeholder Jim Tedesco, the former mayor of Paramus.
Bergen County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin felt that the GOP freeholder candidate picks from Ridgewood and Ridgefield “can only help” the Republicans’ chances in the fall.
“Ridgefield is in the heart of a Democratic area, yet the delegates picked somebody from that area, a former council president, who we believe can win,” Yudin said. “Ridgewood is not necessarily a Democratic town, but lately has voted Democratic. So running a candidate from Ridgewood is a good thing for us. Bernadette Walsh is an incumbent councilwoman, and she is a proven vote-getter.”
Become Part of the YWCA Team as a Summer Camp Counselor or Lifeguard WCA Bergen County will be holding a job fair in search of individuals who want to join our team as Summer Camp Counselors and Lifeguards.
Positions available for three of our Summer Camps throughout Bergen County as well as Lifeguarding opportunities at our camps and Englewood swim programs.
Job fair will be held from 6:30 – 9:30 pm on March 27, 2014 in the Salamone Room at YWCA Bergen County, 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood.
There will be information regarding summer camps, applications available, raffles and giveaways as well as on-site interviews with camp directors. For those interested in lifeguarding, there will be a FREE prerequisite water skills test occurring that night. Camp Counselors must be at least 18 years of age and available to work June 23 – August 22, 2014. Lifeguards must be at least 15 years of age and able to work May 24 – August 31, 2014. For more information, please contact Kerry Jannicelli at 201-345-1906 or visit www.ywcabergencounty.org
Deadline Nears for Residents Seeking to Volunteer to Serve on the PLANNING BOARD AND FINANCIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Deadline for submissions is March 28, 2014.
The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Planning Board and the Financial Advisory Committee.
The Planning Board reviews site plans and subdivision applications; prepares, adopts, and amends the Master Plan; makes recommendations to the Village Council regarding amendments to developmental regulations and the official map.
The Financial Advisory Committee assists in the review and understanding of the financial considerations necessary to the operation of the Village and the Village’s preparation of the Annual and Capital Budgets; provides review, advice and recommendations to the Village Council on Village financial and budgetary matters; and prepares an annual report for the Village Council to assist the Councilmembers in their budget preparation. Members will preferably have strong finance, accounting, government and/or business backgrounds.
All interested residents should fill out a Citizen Volunteer Leadership form (found on the Village website under “Forms”), and send it along with a cover letter indicating on which board/committee the resident wishes to serve, and a biography or resume to:
Heather Mailander
Village Clerk
Village of Ridgewood
131 North Maple Ave.
Ridgewood, NJ 07451
N.J. legislature to vote on extension of arbitration cap for police, fire pay hikes
Top Democratic lawmakers are rushing to extend the cap on police and firefighter pay raises that some say has helped keep property tax bills in check. But local officials say the bill expected to be voted on today in both the Assembly and state Senate includes too many loopholes to be effective.
Since 2011, raises for local police and firefighters have been limited to 2 percent if contract disputes were settled, as many are, through the state’s binding arbitration process. Statewide, the average property tax bill rose to a record $7,988 in 2013, but that rate of growth has slowed while this cap and another that limits overall increases in the local tax have been in place.
The salary cap expires on Tuesday, a deadline written into the original law as a compromise between the Democrats who control the Legislature and Governor Christie, a Republican.
Before the cap was in place, unions were often given raises of around 4.5 percent. That figure is now 1.9 percent after the cap, according to a recent report issued by a task force set up to study the cap’s effectiveness.
Without a full extension of the current cap, the local officials warn, cuts in services are likely. (Reitmeyer and Phillis/The Record)
Reader says Quit complaining about the criticism and tell this Council to get to work.
You call the Valley expansion and building high density housing “perceived ills?”
Nice job placing blame on the previous Council for everything that’s wrong with this one. Are you saying that inherited problems are not this Council’s problem? These democratically elected Council members chose to run – that means when you win, you get ALL the problems, not just the ones you cause yourself.
Quit complaining about the criticism yourself and tell whomever on this Council you are defending to get to work.
As for showing up at meetings and expressing opinions – look at what that got people that spoke up at the Valley hearings. Gail Price allowed Valley’s attorney to shout them down then told the Planning Board to ignore public comment when making their decision. Only the “expert testimony” paid for by Valley is to be considered.
Is it that hard to figure out why people are so angry?
Reader says “Chronic complainers” is the label they put on you if you disagree with their ideas of what they think is right.
If you dont give the “in crowd” , the “connected few” ,the “cool people” exactly what the want when they want it then you are branded “Chronic complainers”
NIMBY , “Chronic complainers” is it too much to ask for even a smidgin of originality
Be careful not to confuse expressing an opposing point of view with “complaining”. Most of the people you label that way are very involved in the community and have done their homework by attending meetings and volunteering their time.
As for issues with “this Council” I need only refer you to the series of embarrassing episodes that are well documented on this blog as well as in the mainstream media. I realize that the current Council and their apologists wish that these would all just go away. Those that seek public office are subject to public scrutiny.
MARCH 26, 2014 LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014, 1:28 PM
Ridgewood has signed an administrative consent order (ACO) handed down by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which cited the municipality last year for improperly discharging water from Graydon Pool into the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook. As part of the ACO, the village has agreed to pay the $25,000 fine linked to the infractions.
On two occasions last May, DEP representatives observed the village pumping water from the pool and into the nearby Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, a practice that Ridgewood employees said they have done for many years. Environmental officials noted that the discharge contained mud and other sediment, a violation of the Water Pollution Control Act.
Ridgewood engineering officials last fall explained that the first few minutes of flow from Graydon’s pumps are usually “quite turbid,” and that initial discharge was what led to the initial DEP citation. The DEP initially levied a $50,000 fine to the village, but appeals filed by Ridgewood cut the amount in half.
“We did try through various channels, but unfortunately they can’t reduce it more than 50 percent,” acting Village Manager Heather Mailander explained earlier this month.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/ridgewood-pays-25k-fine-issued-by-dep-1.751441#sthash.C22g5jXD.dpuf
Citigroup Fails Fed’s Stress Test as BofA Gets Dividend Boost
By Michael J. Moore and Elizabeth Dexheimer Mar 27, 2014 12:00 AM ET
Citigroup Inc.’s capital plan was among five that failed Federal Reserve stress tests, while Bank of America Corp. won approval for its first dividend increase since the financial crisis.
Lenders announced more than $60 billion of dividends and stock buybacks after the Fed approved capital plans for 25 of the 30 banks in its annual exam. Citigroup, as well as U.S. units of Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, HSBC Holdings Plc and Banco Santander SA, failed because of concerns about the quality of their processes, the central bank said yesterday in a statement. Zions Bancorporation failed after its capital fell below Fed minimums in a simulation of a severe economic slump.
The results show lenders may still face obstacles to boosting dividends and buybacks even as regulators say the firms have doubled their capital since the first public stress test in 2009. The Fed is increasing scrutiny of the industry’s controls and planning processes as concerns about capital levels wane.
‘Fragile’ Port Newark/Elizabeth weighs on N.J. economy
MARCH 27, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014, 12:28 AM
BY CHRISTOPHER MAAG
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
When the movement of cargo through the shipping terminals in Port Newark/Elizabeth seized up this winter, causing long truck lines that nearly spilled onto the New Jersey Turnpike, people at the port started pointing fingers. Truckers said the longshoremen were lazy. Longshoremen accused the truckers of being disorganized.
And everyone blamed the weather. This past winter’s snowfall “is the root cause of the delays,” said John Nardi, president of the New York Shipping Association.
But a closer look shows that crises at Port Newark/Elizabeth, often called simply Port Newark, are increasingly common and stem from a complex mix of factors, including manpower problems, antiquated procedures and turf battles. The port has closed or nearly closed four times in the last 15 months, twice when the weather was not in play.
“This port is fragile,” said Rick Larrabee, director of port commerce for the Port Authority.
GWB scandal: Gee Wiz, There was a traffic jam but was there a crime?
MARCH 25, 2014, 10:44 PM LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014, 10:45 PM
BY STEPHANIE AKIN
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
It was a traffic jam apparently created for political retribution — not an allegation of bribery or kickbacks — that set off the chain of events that has enveloped Governor Christie’s administration in a scandal that has threatened to derail his presidential ambitions.
Almost from the beginning of the scandal, there has been speculation about what laws may have been broken or what charges could be brought as the circumstances did not mesh with statutes typically called upon for political corruption cases.
In addition, all of the key parties have denied or are staying quiet about involvement. Christie has repeatedly said he did not know about the order to close the Fort Lee approach lanes to the George Washington Bridge. And an internal report commissioned by Christie and expected to be released shortly reportedly clears the governor of any involvement.
Morning Coffee: Flo’s Market to Open inside Ridgewood train station
MARCH 25, 2014 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014, 11:00 AM
In less than one month, rail commuters will have the chance to purchase their morning cup of java at the Ridgewood train station – a service that the busiest depot along New Jersey Transit’s Bergen and Main lines has operated without for nearly five years.
Last Wednesday, the Ridgewood Council awarded a two-year lease to Woodcliff Lake-based Be Power LLC, which will operate Flo’s Market inside the station building. The concession stand is an extension of Flo’s Market neighborhood store in Hawthorne.
According to acting Village Manager Heather Mailander, the company will pay the municipality $1,500 per month to use the recently renovated vending area. Mailander said the village requires that the operator open the business within 30 days of awarding the contract.
At an informal walk-through of the facility in January, six separate entities retrieved bid packages to run the coffee station from 5:30 to 10 a.m. during the weekday commute. Four bids were returned by the filing deadline, Mailander said.
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