Ridgewood intersection closed after car crashes into hydrant
OCTOBER 6, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014, 1:26 PM BY JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood major throughway South Van Dien Avenue is shut down between Hanks Avenue and Lotus Road after a car knocked a hydrant out of the ground this morning, sending water gushing out into the street.
At noon on Monday, police and safety officials were still trying to determine the scope of the damage caused when a car crashed into a fire hydrant at 9:37 a.m. at the corner of South Van Dien and Spring avenues.
“The intersection may be shut down for a while,” said Jeremy Kleiman, director of the Office of Emergency Management.
Police said the male driver refused medical attention following the accident and his car was towed away. Police could not answer why the accident occurred or if a summons had been issued.
David Scheibner, Ridgewood Water’s business director, said the village shut down the valves in that area, but that the shutdown would not impact the water supply to any homes.
Typically when fire hydrants are hit, they pop out with little damage to the ground below, said Kleiman, but this crash caused the water main to rupture and created a 6-foot deep crater in front of a Spring Avenue home.
“Our concern is about gas levels in the manholes. [Right now] the levels are fine,” Kleiman said. “Initially we thought we may have to evacuate.”
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/ruptured-water-main-closes-ridgewood-intersection-1.1103460#sthash.mTxMP3RN.dpuf
Parking lot crash in apartment complex damages 5 vehicles October 6th 2014 Boyd A. Loving 10:57 PM
Ridgewood NJ, A 17-year old male driver lost control of his 2005 4-door Honda Accord sedan while backing up in an apartment complex parking lot on Monday night (10/06) and crashed into four (4) parked vehicles. The incident occurred at 25 Heights Road in Ridgewood at approximately 10:00 PM. All of the damaged vehicles that were parked appeared driveable. The moving Honda Accord sustained heavy read end damage and can’t be driven out of the parking lot. The driver was not injured. Ridgewood PD is investigating the accident’s cause. One (1) summons was issued to the driver.
Pedestrian pinned under NJ Transit bus in Ridgewood October 6th 2014 Boyd A. Loving 8:23 PM
Ridgewood NJ , A NJ Transit bus struck a male pedestrian crossing Oak Street at the intersection of Franklin Avenue in Ridgewoodon Monday evening, 10/06 at approximately 7:15 PM. The victim was pinned under the driver’s side of the bus and remained there until freed by Ridgewood firefighters. The bus was operating on Route #752. The victim was conscious and alert as he was being placed on an ambulance stretcher. He was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center; injuries were reported to his leg and ankle. Oak Street between East Ridgewood and Franklin Avenues is closed while the accident investigation is being conducted. Franklin Avenue in the vicinity of Oak Street may be subject to closure as well. Ridgewood PD, EMS, FD, and Emergency Services personnel responded. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit was requested, as were members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit. NJ Transit PD was also requested.
Republican Bergen County sheriff withdraws endorsement of Democratic county executive, freeholder candidates
October 6, 2014, 11:20 AM Last updated: Monday, October 6, 2014, 3:17 PM
By JOHN C. ENSSLIN
staff writer
The Record
Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino – a Republican who won re-election last year – on Monday withdrew a videotaped endorsement he gave over the weekend to the Democratic candidates running for county executive and freeholder, calling it “a mistake.”
“In no way were my comments intended to be a public endorsement of any candidates for office this year.” Saudino said in a prepared statement.
“Regrettably, after watching a video of my comments, it is clear there is no other way to interpret it,” he added. “It was a mistake and for that I apologize.”
County Republican Chairman Bob Yudin said he saw the video on YouTube Saturday. It has since been taken down, he said.
Yudin said the tape showed Saudino endorsing Democrat James Tedesco for county executive and Democratic Freeholders David Ganz and Joan Voss.
They are opposed by Republican County Executive Kathleen Donovan and GOP Freeholder candidates Bernadette Walsh and Robert Avery.
“Kathe and Bob Avery and Bernadette Walsh are not running against the sheriff,” Yudin said Monday. “They are running against Tedesco, Ganz and Voss.”
“While I am saddened that the sheriff has done this, the campaign is against their Democratic opponents,” Yudin added. “We have moved on.”
Saudino’s withdrawn endorsement is the latest twist in an ongoing rift between Saudino and Donovan, who ran together as a team when they were first elected in November 2010.
The two Republicans have been feuding almost from the time they took office in January 2011.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/republican-bergen-county-sheriff-withdraws-endorsement-of-democratic-county-executive-freeholder-candidates-1.1103371#sthash.IOmrFgKi.dpuf
Father Greg Lisby, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood, blesses one of God’s smaller creatures at the 2013 Blessing of the Animals celebration. CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OFFERS “SECOND-CHANCE” BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS ON OCTOBER 12
Families and children of all ages are invited to a Blessing of the Animals celebration on Sunday October 12, 2014 at 3 PM, at Christ Episcopal Church, 105 Cottage Place in Ridgewood.
Everyone is invited to bring their favorite pets: dogs, cats, rabbits, goldfish, stuffed animals . . . any beloved “creatures,” great or small. A short service celebrating all animals will be followed by individual blessings of each animal. Refreshments will be served.
Some orphaned dogs and cats who are eligible for adoption from the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland will also be present.
The service will be held at the outside altar, which is by the entrance to the Nursery School on Franklin Avenue. In the event of rain, the service will take place inside the church.
Many churches hold Blessing of the Animals celebrations on the first Sunday in October, honoring St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, whose feast day is October 4. The Christ Church celebration on the 12th provides a second chance for anyone who missed the prior week.
Christ Episcopal Church is located at 105 Cottage Place, at the corner of Franklin Avenue, in Ridgewood, NJ. For more information, call the church office at 201-652-2350 or visit the website at christchurchridgewood.org.
Fall Fashion Sidewalk Sale Day in Ridgewood
Thu, October 09, 2014 – Sat, October 11, 2014
Time: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
East Ridgewood Avenue and sidestreet, Ridgewood NJ
FALL Fashion SIDEWALK SALE DAYS IN RIDGEWOOD!
October 9, 10, 11th
*WIN A $500 SHOPPING SPREE in Ridgewood
Ladies Day & Night Out
*Thursday, October 9, 2014 – OPEN Late
Pick-up your sale/punch card/map at
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave.
open 9am
Bring this card to all stores, card to be punched. Return to Bookends by 9:30pm Thursday night to be entered to win $500 shopping spree.
You do not have to be present to win.
The following stores are participating-details,
address promotions –
*Alba- Thr: food and Trunk Show 2-7pm, sales all 3 days inside/out sales,
10 S. Broad St.
*Aleana’s Bridal-Thr beverages-sales inside & out
46 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Alex & Ani -Thr Food.- special Give Away with Purchase of $100 or more, while supplies last.
134 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Anik-119 E. Ridgewood, Thr Food-3 sales days & Promotions.
*Ann Taylor-Thur food-3 days of sales
240 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Art of Motion- offering drop in discounted Pilates. Yoga, jazz and ballet classes for children/adults $10. call for schedule
17 Chestnut St. 201-652-5800.
*Arthur Groom-Thr Food-$100 gift cards for $80.
262 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Beauty Plus Salon-Thr food-3 sale days
25 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream-10% off all
purchases all 3 days
104 Franklin Ave.
*Biltmore Tuxedo’s – Special Sales
36 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Bookends-Get your sale punch card & Map here
on Thurs from 9am-9:30pm-3 sale days
211 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*D”Moni-Thr food-3 days sales
48 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Double Take Consignment-Thr food-3 sale days
189 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Duxiana-*Thur open late-3 sale days
63 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Eat Your Spinach-3 sale days
42 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Femmebot Clothing- Thur party-3 sale days-open late
203 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Fox’s-Thrs food-3 sale days
230 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Gardiner & Co. Thr only Specials close at 5:30pm
10 Van Neste Square
*Gattinolli Designer Thur Fashion Show 7-9pm –
3 day sales
256 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Gypsy Warrior Boutique-Thr food-3 sale days
125 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Interior Distinction-Thurs featuring pastries by Sook 4-6pm- 3 sale days
26. S. Broad St.
*Just Our Shoes/Mephisto-Thr. Food-Sales 3 days
16 N. Walnut St.
*Kate Spade-3 sale days-open late
202 E. Ridgewood Ave
*Leapin Lizards Thr food-3 sale days
250 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Learning Express-3 sale days-visit by Anna& Elsa
111 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Loft41 Jewelry Studio & more-Thr food & 3 day Specials
41 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Lucky Brand-3 sale days
67 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Markosian FAJ-5-9pm Thr food & beverages,
Specially priced “Fine Art Jewelry”-Cheers!
7 N. Broad St. Lower Level-take elevator
*Northeast Vein Laser Institute 2nc floor-rear entrance-*Thr Food & FREE Demo Viora Body sculpting skin tightening.
257 E. Ridgewood Ave.
P. Smith-3 Sale Days in store until 5pm
65 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Pangea Coins & Jewelry-6-9pm Special food-beverages – “Diamonds with David”- 3 sale days
35 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Panico Salon & Spa-3 sale days
185 E. Ridgewood
*Pink Bungalow-Thr Food-3 days of sales
185 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Northeast Laser Vein Institute-Thr Food/FREE Demo Viora body sculpting skin tightening treatments
257 E. Ridgewood Ave. Elevator to 2nd floor
*Red Velvet Luxe-Thr Food-3 sale days inside
59 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Ridgewood Bootery – Thur Food-3 sales days
200 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Ridgewood Running Company-Thr special program and sales 6-9pm
258 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Salon diLuna – Thr Food-3 day sales
44 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Savvy Chic Consignment-Thr food, special cookies inside & out Sales on 3 days
30 Cottage Place.
*Second Time Around-Thr Special Sales-open late
204 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Secret Studio Store-Thr food-3 sale days
11 S. Broad St.
*Shoe-Inn-3 sale days
53 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Suite 201- -3 Day specials
11 S. Walnut St.
Tapestry Hair Salon-Complimentary Blowout by
appointment-201-670-4416
30 S. Maple Ave.
*The Couture Baby-3 sale days
82 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*The GAP-3 sale days
235 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*The Travel Center/American Express-Thur Food
Specials in store.
50 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Town & Country Pharmacy-Thur Food-give aways & makeovers-food
60 E. Ridgewood Ave.
*Victor Men’s Store-3 sale days
55 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Wostbrock Rug & Interiors- Thur Food-Party 6-7pm- 3 sale days
225 Goffle Road-Ridgewood
College Club Luncheon, Meeting and Program
Tue, October 07, 2014
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood, 215 W. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: $35 per person
The Fiery Strings Sistas! are the heart and soul of the Fiery Strings Company, founded by cellist Nioka Workman. They are dedicated to promoting the work of female composers in jazz and world music, exploring the history, culture and passion of folk music while presenting dynamic and educational programs.
6th Annual Access For All Weekend – October 17 – 19
Ridgewood CAN !!!
Ridgewood Community Access Network
6th Annual “Access Ridgewood” Disability Awareness Program
Three-Day Program to Feature Education, Entertainment, Religious Services
The Ridgewood Community Access Network (CAN) will be hosting the 6th annual “Access Ridgewood” disability awareness program October 17-19.
“The purpose of this three-day program will be to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the special needs and special gifts of people with disabilities,” explained Ridgewood Mayor Paul Aronsohn. “In so doing, it will provide a great opportunity for our entire community to come together to learn, to share and to embrace an issue — disability — that affects every person and every family … either directly or indirectly.”
Among our special guests for the weekend will be U.S. Senator Cory Booker, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan and Bergen County Director of Disability Services James Thebery.
“I look forward to joining Mayor Aronsohn at this year’s ‘Access Ridgewood’ disability awareness program,” said Senator Booker. “This annual event is made possible by the generosity of so many, and it is a wonderful showing of how communities can come together to raise awareness and appreciation for people with disabilities.”
Below is the program for the weekend:
Friday, October 17
– Schools Program: All of our public schools will address the topic of disability through film, discussion or other means. The format for each school will vary, but most programming is expected to take place in the morning.
– Seniors Program: Seniors will be invited to a special program entitled, “When Clutter Becomes a Problem.” This event will take place in Village Hall at 10:00am.
– Family Party: Young children and their parents will be invited to a fun party at which they can create a mask with special art instructor Marcia Matthews, listen to music by Marlene Pillow and eat lots of fun food. This event will take place in the Library auditorium at 5:00pm.
– Teen Dance Party: Students – middle school and older – will be invited to a “Twilight” dance party with DJ and refreshments. This event will take place in Village Hall at 7:30pm.
Saturday, October 18
– Community Fair: The entire community will be invited to enjoy performances and a fashion show including children of different abilities. Local organizations will also be on hand to share information about programs and services. Food and refreshments will be served. This event will take place in the Village Hall courtyard and Library auditorium from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
At 1:00pm, Bergen County Executive Kathleen Donovan will kick-off the performances in the library, and Bergen County Disability Services Director James Thebery will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
At 1:40pm, U.S. Senator Cory Booker will kick-off the fashion show in the library, and NJTV’s Marie DeNoia Aronsohn will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
Sunday, October 19
– Interfaith Service: The entire community will be invited to an interfaith service at the First Reformed Church in Ridgewood. Led by Pastor Judy Broeker, the service will include clergy from various local houses of worship. This event will take place at 303 Prospect Street at 7:00pm.
Throughout the weekend, some of the other houses of worship will include a discussion of disability issues in their respective services.
This program is being made possible through the generosity and sense of community of many individuals, organizations and businesses. A full list of sponsors and volunteers will be available at a later date.
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Car hits fire hydrant triggering water main break & gas leak in Ridgewood
October 6th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:02 PM
Ridgewood NJ, The immediate area surrounding Spring and Van Dien Avenues in Ridgewood was flooded with water on Monday morning (10/06 @ 0945 hours) following an accident in which a HoHoKus driver struck a fire hydrant with his SUV. Ridgewood PD, FD, and EMS units all responded to the scene. The driver was uninjured, but his vehicle was towed from the scene by a flatbed tow truck. The broken hydrant triggered a major water main break; personnel from Ridgewood Water and Ridgewood firefighters struggled with a shutoff valve for more than an hour to bring the leak under control. Representatives from PSE&G were called to the scene when firefighters detected a strong smell of natural gas in the area. Four (4) nearby homes were temporarily evacuated while emergency crews checked for any signs of accumulated gas. The intersection of Spring and Van Dien Avenues will remain closed indefinitely while crews repair the leak(s).
Bergen County Zoo program shares insights on bears in N.J.
OCTOBER 5, 2014, 3:04 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014, 7:19 PM BY ANDREW WYRICH STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
PARAMUS — Waving your arms up and down, banging a can of nails or loudly ringing bells are the most effective ways to handle a possible encounter with a bear, a guest speaker from a New Jersey bear education group that teamed up with the Bergen County Zoo to host a “Bear Aware” event said Sunday.
The daylong event was aimed at educating both adults and children about the black bear population in New Jersey — something that has become increasingly important after a string of bear sightings in Bergen County and the death of a Rutgers student in West Milford, organizers said.
Held in the Education and Discovery Center at the Bergen County Zoo, the “Bear Aware” event was planned months in advance of the recent bear-related incidents, but organizers said teaching the public about the characteristics of the animals and what to do when encountered by one is always worthwhile.
“There has been a rise in bear sightings in our area over the last five years,” said Carol Fusco, the education coordinator at Bergen County Zoo and an event organizer. “It used to be that you’d only see bears in a few counties in the state, but now it’s safe to say that every county has had sightings. We feel that education, both for adults and children, is key.”
KATHLEEN DONOVAN FOR BERGEN COUNTY EXECUTIVE BOB AVERY & BERNADETTE COGHLAN-WALSH FOR BERGEN COUNTY FREEHOLDER
Avery, Republican Bergen County freeholder candidate, learned about politics at home
OCTOBER 5, 2014, 4:27 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014, 4:29 PM BY JOHN C. ENSSLIN STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
Politics came naturally to Robert Avery, a Ridgefield lawyer and Republican candidate for Bergen County Freeholder.
Avery’s late father, Henry, was once editor of the Hudson Dispatch, a now-defunct daily newspaper in Union City.
Because of his job, Henry Avery was often in contact with mayors, councilmen and state lawmakers, some of whom would stop by his house. Nor was it unusual for a governor to telephone the home.
“His life was so involved in politics that it often spilled over into household conversations,” Robert Avery said of his father in a Record Talk Radio interview in May.
“It seemed so interesting to me,” he said. “I had a comfort level with it that allowed me to transition into politics pretty easily.”
Avery still lives in the house where he grew up. He still has his father’s Underwood typewriter. He also has a collection of old business machines.
He has been a lawyer for 38 years, including a 16-year stint as a Ridgefield municipal judge. For 36 of those years, Avery has practiced law from an unassuming second-floor walk-up to an office that almost feels like a living room.
OCTOBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014, 1:21 AM BY CHRIS HARRIS STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Village officials unveiled several parking proposals they hope will attract visitors to the downtown business district and also ease parking for residents.
One proposal offered at Wednesday’s council meeting would standardize parking hours, fees and durations throughout the village.
“All downtown meters would run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,” according to the proposal, altering the current 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. range.
Also, all downtown meters would offer three- or four-hour parking, as opposed to the current limit of two hours.
“All downtown meters will cost 25 cents per half-hour,” the proposal states, adding existing 15-minute parking spaces would remain.
“This will make parking easier and simpler for shoppers and diners, enhancing the overall downtown experience,” according to the plan.
Another proposal seeks to restrict long-term parking passes — currently sold to residents and non-residents on an annual basis — to Ridgewood residents only. At present, about 120 out-of-town commuters pay the same amount as residents for long-term parking passes, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said. An alternative proposal would have non-residents pay twice as much for the long-term pass.
“There is a parking scarcity in this town,” Mayor Paul Aronsohn said at the council’s meeting Wednesday, adding it has taken out-of-the-box thinking to determine ways of improving it.
The issue of parking in Ridgewood has been front and center in recent weeks at public forums organized by Deputy Mayor Al Pucciarelli. At these gatherings, residents and business owners have keyed in on parking as the village’s biggest hindrance.
OCTOBER 6, 2014 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2014, 1:21 AM BY CHRIS HARRIS STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The new chief of the village’s Building Department starts today, months after the unit was overhauled.
Thomas Yotka has more than 25 years of experience in code enforcement and administration, according to Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld.
Yotka possesses all of the necessary state licenses and holds a zoning official certificate from Rutgers University.
“Prior to joining Ridgewood, Tom has served as construction official, building and fire subcode official and building and fire inspector in several municipalities where he spearheaded efforts to improve processes, enhance customer service as well as increase efficiencies by implementing performance and software technologies,” Sonenfeld said in an email to the staff.
Since 1999, Yotka has taught building and fire code courses for the state’s Department of Community Affairs at the County College of Morris, and two years ago was retained by the agency to provide continuing education seminars to licensed code officials and design professionals.
Valley conveys a clear message to the Village of Ridgewood ” they want what they want
feel that the lawsuit of Valley conveys a clear message to the Village of Ridgewood ” they want what they want” and will use their power and money to get it. The residents of this town have been go to meetings and spending their valuable time and money for 8 years.
Valley has presented their plans twice to the Village and they were both rejected. The process was followed and people presented their views for 8 years about how they have felt about this expansion. It has been 8 years of peoples time!! Enough is enough. Valley has not made much of a compromise on their site plans. And as a result, it has been voted against both times because at the end of the day the hospitals proposal is too BIG for this site surrounded by residential homes and a school.
For those who are claiming people do not want it in their backyard I ask you to take a good look at the Valley plans because I do not think you would want it in yours either!! If your neighbor wanted to rebuild their home to be double its current size and it was going to take years of construction, I think you would be against it as well. If I wanted to double the size of my house on my property, I would be told my lot is too small for the site and to come up with a plan that works in the space or find a new space.
This Valley renewal is not a expansion. Look at the plans… it is a rebuild of a hospital. Can anyone really say that a 94 foot building belongs in the middle of a residential area? It does not fit in the space. People seem to forget that the houses surrounding the hospital were here before the hospital! The hospital was built in a residential area. I truly believe that the people against the expansion are not against the hospital updating but this plan is ridiculous. 10 years of construction and more than doubling it current size! If Valley really cared about Ridgewood and its neighbors they would have come up for alternative plan to address the size of the buildings and set backs from the homes. It is sad that this will never be over until Valley gets their way!
Reader says The community is tired of Valley’s bullying, the wasting of our taxes and time .
By this action, Valley has proven to me and to residents of this village that it is nothing more than a self interested business entity without any true integrity or competent leadership. This attempt will fail because the associated issues don’t support such a audacious over development. The community as a whole is now aware and tired of their bullying, the wasting of our taxes and time .It has become clear to many in all sections that fears of them trying to turn this town into Valleywood is coming true. The Board of Valley should be embarrassed by their lack of proper management planning,. their double talking and miscue on PV and their disgraceful approach and tactics agaisnt a host that has subsidized them for ages. Valley has lost its way and much of the goodwill that it once had. I personally will disassociate myself with the institution.
