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Ridgewood residents continue challenges to proposed master plan change for downtown housing

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Ridgewood residents continue challenges to proposed master plan change for downtown housing

NOVEMBER 17, 2014, 10:16 PM    LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014, 10:16 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

RIDGEWOOD — Village residents on Monday night continued to question the possible fiscal impacts associated with a proposed master plan amendment that would set the stage for high-density housing downtown.

Blais Brancheau was back in the hot seat for Monday night’s Planning Board meeting, fielding queries from a handful of Ridgewood denizens who continued their collective cross examination of the village’s planner.

Two weeks prior, Brancheau presented his analysis of the proposed master plan change before endorsing it, adding the anticipated effects of any resultant housing complexes would be negligible.

The proposed change is being sought by three different developers. If approved by village officials, it could clear the way for the construction of a trio of high-density, multifamily housing projects downtown.  Public hearings are continuing and the issue still is some way from being formally considered by the full Planning Board.

More than 30 people attended the board’s meeting.

Brancheau has said that 300 to 500 units could be constructed in a built-out village, under the amended master plan. The village planner anticipated impacts on village schools and traffic downtown would be minimal.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-residents-continue-challenges-to-proposed-master-plan-change-for-downtown-housing-1.1135877

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Reader says Mr. Aronsohn’s, Mr. Pucciarelli’s and Mrs. Hauck’s continue to behave as though “rules are for others”.

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Reader says Mr. Aronsohn’s, Mr. Pucciarelli’s and Mrs. Hauck’s continue to behave as though “rules are for others”.

This is only the latest example of Mr. Aronsohn’s, Mr. Pucciarelli’s and Mrs. Hauck’s behaving as though “rules are for others”. They all accepted free tickets to Gov. Christie’s fundraiser from Mr. Saraceno in violation of the Council’s own gift acceptance policy. The 3 have also been caught meeting with developers in violation of the Sunshine Laws. Twice. Mrs. Hauck was allowed to cast her vote for Mayor from vacation but Mrs. Knudson was not able to vote remotely on another issue.

Just ask Mr. Richie, who these 3 tarred and feathered over the “perception of a conflict” when Mrs. Hauck publicly advocates for Valley Hospital’s expansion. Just ask our former Village Manager who was publicly ridiculed and dismissed over what these 3 considered to be his failure to follow the rules.

Never have I seen such blatant double standards. None of these 3 would ever have a shot at maintaining standards to which they hold their critics

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Ridgewood High School library gets 21st century update

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Ridgewood High School library gets 21st century update

November 17, 2014    Last updated: Monday, November 17, 2014, 11:20 AM
By Jodi Weinberger
Staff Writer | The Ridgewood New

School leaders last week celebrated the opening of the Learning Commons at Ridgewood High School, a project driven by a multi-year effort from residents and the district to upgrade the decades-old library.

For months during construction, students had been sitting on the floors and in the cafeteria during their free periods without a space to study, but school officials said the wait was worth it.

“A little inconvenience brings us a great facility for all our students at Ridgewood High School,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein.

The space doubles the amount of seating, to 200 for students, providing them with cubby spaces to work independently and conferences rooms to work in groups.

Curved tables in the Commons’ open area were designed for more than just aesthetic appeal. They can fit together like puzzle pieces to accommodate large classes and can be pulled apart for just one or two students.

There is bar-style seating where kids can do homework and oversized comfy chairs and large colorful couches for reading.

The light from the library’s existing windows was maximized by lowering the height of the bookshelves. Windows were created facing out into the hallway to make the space seem even bigger.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/library-gets-21st-century-update-1.1135261

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Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon Activates Missouri National Guard

Missouri Governor announces $500,000 for tutoring and enrichment services for students in St. Louis

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon Activates Missouri National Guard
November 17, 2014 2:19 PM

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon released the following news release:

“Gov. Jay Nixon today signed an executive order activating the Missouri National Guard to support law enforcement during any period of unrest that might occur following the grand jury’s decision concerning the investigation into the death of Michael Brown. The Governor said the Guard will provide support for law enforcement’s objectives of maintaining safety and protecting constitutional rights.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to plan and be prepared for any contingency, it is necessary to have these resources in place in advance of any announcement of the grand jury’s decision,” Gov. Nixon said. “These additional resources will support law enforcement’s efforts to maintain peace and protect those exercising their right to free speech. The National Guard is well-suited to provide security at command posts, fire stations and other locations as well as perform other functions that will free up law enforcement officers to remain focused on community policing and protecting constitutional rights.”

Gov. Nixon’s executive order also establishes that the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department will operate as a unified command to keep members of the public safe and protect property, while allowing citizens to exercise their constitutional rights. Under the executive order, the St. Louis County Police Department will have command and operational control over security in the City of Ferguson in areas of protests and acts of civil disobedience, should such activities occur.

“All people in the St. Louis region deserve to feel safe in their communities and to make their voices heard without fear of violence or intimidation,” said Gov. Nixon. “Public safety demands that we are fully prepared for any contingency, regardless of what the St. Louis County grand jury or the U.S. Department of Justice decides.”

The St. Louis County prosecutor has said publicly that an announcement of the grand jury’s decision will be made later this month. The United States Department of Justice, which is conducting both civil and criminal investigations of the death of Michael Brown, has not announced when its investigations will be concluded.

https://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2014/11/17/nixon-activates-missouri-national-guard/

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“California Über Alles” :Jerry Brown for President? Meets with Donors This Week

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“California Über Alles“ : Jerry Brown for President? Meets with Donors This Week

California Governor Jerry Brown, who was re-elected in a landslide earlier this month to what he says is his last term in office, will ask political donors on Monday to keep contributing, the Los Angeles Times reports. Brown defeated his opponent, Neel Kashkari, while retaining $20 million or more in his reelection account as of mid-October. However, Brown–who says he will not run for President–is still asking for cash.

The Sacramento reception asks for donations of $5,000 for a “private reception and sit down conversation” with Brown at Mulvaney’s B&L. Capitol Advocacy, a top lobbying firm, plans to attend; the firm will reportedly bring some of its major clients, including PepsiCo, Corrections Corporation of America, T-Mobile USA Inc., WellCare Health Plans, Pacific Compensation Insurance Co., and Diageo.

The Times, which secured a copy of the invitation, reports that Brown has spent little of his reelection funds since mid-October; he had told the Times that he was thinking of using any funds left over from his campaign to support ballot measures in his new term.

The Washington Post reported in October that Brown’s campaign said it had spent over $3.3 million on ads for Propositions 1 and 2. At that point he had not run a single television ad for his campaign.

https://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-California/2014/11/17/Jerry-Brown-Still-Collecting-Money

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Crisis helped to improve Port Authority bus terminal

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Still not buying this up beat assessment on the Port Authority Bus Terminal

Crisis helped to improve Port Authority bus terminal
November 16, 2014, 10:54 PM    Last updated: Sunday, November 16, 2014, 10:57 PM
By CHRISTOPHER MAAG

This summer, thousands of New Jersey commuters who use the Port Authority Bus Terminal felt trapped, helpless and doomed. Delays at the terminal were growing to crisis proportions, and nobody at the Port Authority seemed to care. In fact, the agency’s leaders had announced in February that the cramped, deteriorating bus terminal wouldn’t receive an overhaul for at least another decade.

Then came Sept. 15. Officials at the Port Authority, which owns the building, and NJ Transit, which operates most buses using the terminal, unveiled an intensive campaign to slice through the bureaucratic gridlock and get buses moving. The plan worked. Long lines of commuters and buses were largely curtailed.

The success shows how a handful of people can make big change by capitalizing on crisis, and viewing an intractable problem from the perspective of a changed political landscape. It’s a story of people working in the bowels of big bureaucracies who know exactly how to fix big problems, but who are hamstrung until their bosses finally come around.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/crisis-helped-to-improve-port-authority-bus-terminal-1.1134880

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The Perfect Storm – Battling the Prescription Drug and Heroin Epidemic

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The Perfect Storm – Battling the Prescription Drug and Heroin Epidemic
Presented by Ridgewood Public Schools

State of New Jersey Drug Initiative Coordinator Douglas Collier will address district parents and guardians next week on the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction among school-age children. The program, “The Perfect Storm: Battling the Prescription Drug and Heroin Epidemic,” will be presented on Tuesday, November 18 at Benjamin Franklin Middle School auditorium, 335 N. Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, from 7-9 p.m.

The program, which will include practical prevention strategies and resources, is free and open to the adult public. Mr. Collier works in the state’s Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice. He retired as a Special Agent in the Drug Enforcement Administration, Mr. Collier’s presentation is part of the 2014-2015 Curriculum Outreach Program for parents and guardians, developed by the Department of Curriculum,

Instruction and Assessment. The series consists of individual evening presentations throughout the school year, focusing on current topics in education. For more information, please contact the office of Cheryl Best, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment at 201-670-2700, ext. 10532 or [email protected].

Hotwire US

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Planning Board Amendment to Meeting Schedule – November 17th

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Planning Board Amendment to Meeting Schedule – November 17th

PLANNING BOARD

AMENDMENT TO MEETING SCHEDULE

Special Public Meeting: Monday, November 17, 2014

Change of Date and Location

In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act,” please be advised that the Planning Board has scheduled a special public meeting and work session for MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2014, in the RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CENTER, 627 E. RIDGEWOOD AVENUE, RIDGEWOOD, NJ beginning AT 7:30 p.m.

The Board may take official action during this Special Public Meeting at which time the Board will continue the public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the Land Use Plan Element of the Master Plan which would recommend changes in zone district classifications and boundaries within the Central Business District and surrounding area including AH-2, B-3-R, C-R and C Zone Districts.

The proposed master plan amendment and related exhibits are at the office of the Secretary of the Ridgewood Planning Board on the third floor of Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, New Jersey and are available for public inspection Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The amendment and exhibits are also posted as a courtesy on the Village’s website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.

All meetings of the Ridgewood Planning Board (i.e., official public meetings, work session meetings, pre-meeting assemblies and special meetings) are public meetings which are always open to members of the general public.

wine.comshow?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=209195

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Le Bon Choix Rotisserie and Cafe : Where chicken rules the roost

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Le Bon Choix Rotisserie and Cafe : Where chicken rules the roost

By Teresa Politano | The Star-Ledger
on November 16, 2014 at 7:00 AM, updated November 16, 2014 at 7:14 AM

The bread is from Balthazar, the chicken is from Goffle Road Poultry Farm in Wyckoff and the most popular topper is a fried egg.

Le Bon Choix is an homage, really, to the chicken, and it represents another unique restaurant addition to the village of Ridgewood, which is rapidly laying claim as one of New Jersey’s most distinctive foodie destinations.

On the menu? Rotisserie chicken, served with corn bread and sides (including butternut squash, potato au gratin, mac and cheese, and collard greens). Plus chicken sandwiches, such as the Lyon, which is chicken topped with white bean purée and
field greens, or the Cote du Rhone, which is rotisserie chicken in an espresso barbecue sauce, with Gruyère and coleslaw.

Or skip the chicken for the gussied-up grilled cheese, with Gruyère, Parmesan and goat cheese. And yes, a burger graces the menu.

It’s a French-inspired restaurant with Southern influences, says owner Ahmed Soliman.

The restaurant’s popularity (expect a line for weekend brunch) rests on its philosophy: Start with great ingredients, keep it simple. That, plus a casual atmosphere and the rooster cookies that are popular with the kids and on Instagram.

Le Bon Choix is also a gluten-free haven, says Soliman, who offers gluten-free bread for sandwiches, gluten-free French toast for brunch and a few homemade gluten-free options for dessert.

It took Soliman two years to secure a space in Ridgewood — it’s tough to get in, but it’s a terrific location for a restaurant.

https://www.nj.com/inside-jersey/index.ssf/2014/11/where_chicken_rules_the_roost.html

 

Le Bon Choix Rotisserie and Cafe
11 Godwin Ave
Get Directions
Phone number(201) 689-0400
www.lebonchoixcafe.com

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Executive order on immigration would ignite a political firestorm

illegal-immigrants

Executive order on immigration would ignite a political firestorm
By Chris Cillizza Reporter November 16 at 6:07 PM

Reports are rampant that President Obama will sign an executive order as soon as this week that will allow up to 5 million undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation. Signing such an order would have explosive political consequences — it would not only reshape the near-term fights in Congress but also have a potentially profound effect on the two parties’ national coalitions heading into the 2016 election and beyond.

Republicans have made it clear that if Obama goes forward, it would be the equivalent of giving the middle finger to their incoming majority — and, by extension, the American public, which helped the GOP gain seats in the House and Senate on Nov. 4.

At a news conference held the day after the midterm elections, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the incoming Senate majority leader, compared Obama’s signing of an executive order on immigration to “waving a red flag in front of a bull.” Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said Obama will “burn himself” if he moves forward.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/executive-order-on-immigration-would-ignite-a-political-firestorm/2014/11/16/f36951aa-6da3-11e4-8808-afaa1e3a33ef_story.html

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Ohio’s Unfunded Pension Liability More than $25K per Resident, $10K Above National Average

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wow I thought New Jersey needed Pension reform ?

Ohio’s Unfunded Pension Liability More than $25K per Resident, $10K Above National Average

Maggie Thurber / @Watchdogorg / November 15, 2014

Ohio’s public pension plans have so much debt that paying it off today would cost each resident $25,080.

According to a new report, “Promises Made, Promises Broken 2014,” by the nonprofit State Budget Solutions, the amount of unfunded pension obligations in Ohio has grown to nearly $290 billion, fifth highest in the nation.

That’s despite recent changes in the pension plans that were supposed to address the unfunded liability.

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“That’s a very scary place for Ohio. The national average is $15,000, so $25,000 is just terrible,” said Joe Luppino-Esposito, SBS editor and general counsel and the author of the report.

He said the $25,080 places Ohio third in highest per-capita debt. Alaska, in part because of its low population, was first, and Illinois was second.

Ohio has several individual plans — for teachers, police and fire, state employees, school employees and the state highway patrol. Participants and the public employer contribute to the plans just as non-public workers and employers contribute to Social Security.

The plans are categorized as defined benefits, with the amount of payment upon retirement based on the three highest years of earnings while working.

That’s part of the problem, Luppino-Esposito said.

It’s hard to know the exact amount the plans will have to pay out years in the future when current employees retire because there is no way to know for sure how much will be owed, he said. People are working longer and more likely to have higher earnings. They’re also living longer, so they’re collecting pensions for more years.

The methods states use to project how much money they need to contribute to the funds every year also contributes to the problem because estimates could be off.

Luppino-Esposito warned that the consequences of ignoring the unfunded liabilities could lead to a situation similar to Detroit’s.

“When the money starts running out and you have to pay more for pensions, you start cutting back on essential services,” he said. “The result in Detroit was bankruptcy for the city, and then pensioners had to end up taking a cut in benefits. The sooner the unfunded liabilities get addressed, the better for everyone.”

Read more at Watchdog.org

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Just say ‘no’ to apartments.Let the NYC people move back to manhattan

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Just say ‘no’ to apartments.Let the NYC people move back to manhattan

Bergen County’s suburbs embrace a touch of the city NOVEMBER 16, 2014    LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2014, 12:48 AMBY JOAN VERDON https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-s-suburbs-embrace-a-touch-of-the-city-1.1134517

Small movement in the right direction rather than a giant leap off a cliff – yes, that might be brilliant, or at least not stupid.

The full article (which I suggest you read) includes
“Ridgewood’s downtown, which during the worst years of the recession had dozens of vacant stores, is one of the most successful in North Jersey. The occupancy rate for storefronts along Ridgewood Avenue, the downtown’s main thoroughfare, is over 90 percent, according to the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, and empty stores tend to be re-leased quickly.”

The Chamber of Commerce can’t have it both ways.

My favorite part of the article is:

“Bruce Meisel, who is developing the former Valley Ford car dealership site in Westwood as a mixed-use project with 14 apartments above retail stores, said residential projects should fit the character of the downtown.

Meisel, who owns 20 properties in Westwood and is one of the leading downtown landlords, said he doesn’t believe a high-density apartment building is right for Westwood. “Just like Westwood’s stores are boutiques, the residential developments in Westwood are boutique in nature,” said Meisel.”

I wish we had landlords like this in Ridgewood.


How about a unique idea. IF you want a city..MOVE THERE.
The success and ‘draw’ of this place is a smaller town VILLAGE atmosphere, located close ENOUGH to the city for those who need to be there, but far enough away to not have the negative things that come along with large amounts of people crammed into living a foot from each other .

I could see allowing a current store size building to put one living unit upstairs (like the old shopkeeper living above his store)But to turn a nice place into Hackensack or Montclair..forget it.

PS. You are allowing speculators who bought property to have a winning lottery ticket if the change in zoning is allowed.

Esurance

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Reader says How about we get someone other than a builder, developer or spokesperson for the developer to write letters

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Reader says How about we get someone other than a builder, developer or spokesperson for the developer to write letters

How about we get someone other than a builder, developer or spokesperson for the developer to write letters. Then I might take you half seriously.

Would the author of this piece be the same Louis J Reynolds that owns LJ Reynolds construction in Ridgewood? The website mentions they are multi family property pros. If so, no conflict of interest here folks, move along, nothing to see.

https://ljreynolds.com/

WOW! You really can’t make this stuff up. Damn Hudson County contractor (specializing in multi-family conversions) newbie living in the Heights. Those of us who have been around a while and have put kids through RHS can tell you, with certainty, that many families move into rental units in Ridgewood for a limited duration just to have their kids go through RHS. My kids friends live in a one bedroom with two parents and a sibling. How? Two kids kids share the bedroom and mom/dad sleep on the pull-out couch, that’s how. And then they move on after 4 years or so.

Mr Reynolds, why did you move to Ridgewood instead of Hoboken? Did you like our low density feel, our good schools, etc? I didn’t move here for the urban vibe.

Esurance

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Federal drug agents launch surprise inspections of NFL teams following games

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Federal drug agents launch surprise inspections of NFL teams following games

By Sally Jenkins and Rick Maese November 16 at 7:13 PM  

Federal drug agents conducted surprise inspections of National Football League team medical staffs on Sunday as part of an ongoing investigation into prescription drug abuse in the league. The inspections, which entailed bag searches and questioning of team doctors by Drug Enforcement Administration agents in cooperation with the Transportation Security Administration, were based on the suspicion that NFL teams dispense drugs illegally to keep players on the field in violation of the Controlled Substances Act, according to a senior law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation.

The medical staffs were part of travel parties whose teams were playing at stadiums across the country. The law enforcement official said DEA agents inspected the medical staffs of multiple teams but would not specify which ones were inspected or where.

The San Francisco 49ers said they were inspected by federal agents following their game against the New York Giants in New Jersey but did not provide any details. “The San Francisco 49ers organization was asked to participate in a random inspection with representatives from the DEA Sunday night at MetLife Stadium,” team spokesman Bob Lange said in an e-mailed statement. “The 49ers medical staff complied and the team departed the stadium as scheduled.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/federal-drug-agents-launch-surprise-inspections-of-nfl-teams-following-games/2014/11/16/5545c84e-6da5-11e4-8808-afaa1e3a33ef_story.html

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MIT Professor Jonathan Gruber’s gaffes could derail Obamacare

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MIT Professor Jonathan Gruber’s gaffes could derail Obamacare

Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber — the MIT brainiac caught on video admitting the law’s “lack of transparency” was meant to dupe a gullible American public — could end up becoming Obamacare’s demolition man, with congressional Republicans threatening to hold hearings and experts saying his bombshell comments could impact the Supreme Court case challenging the Affordable Care Act.

“They can subpoena him and call him to testify about the way he used federal money because he got an awful lot of it,” said Dennis Hale, a Boston College political science professor, referring to reports yesterday that Gruber received hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal grants to help states implement Obamacare. “If he shows up to testify, it’s going to be pretty ugly.”

“This is the gift that keeps on giving,” Hale said. “If you’re selling a product that people don’t want to buy and then tell them they’re stupid because they don’t want to buy it, you get into trouble.”

Gleeful Republicans, who will dominate the House and Senate come January, have pounced on Gruber’s comments that the Obamacare law “passed because the American voters are too stupid to understand the difference.”

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) told The Washington Post, “We may want to have hearings on this.” And Arizona Sen. John McCain said the controversy “gives us ammunition to make fundamental changes to the law.”

The Gruber firestorm comes just a week after the Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging whether states enrolled in the federal HealthCare.gov portal — rather than creating their own exchanges — can dole out Obamacare subsidies.

https://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/11/mit_professor_jonathan_grubers_gaffes_could_derail_obamacare