Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving Minor arm injury following car vs. pedestrian collision in Village parking lot
September 7th 2014
Boyd A. Loving
10:55 AM
Ridgewood NJ, A woman sustained a minor arm injury on Friday afternoon after she was struck by a vehicle backing out of a parking space near The Gap on East Ridgewood Avenue. Ridgewood PD, EMS, and FD units all responded to assist the injured party. Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward was one of the first to arrive at the scene and personally escorted the victim to a waiting ambulance. Police on the scene would not say whether any summonses were issued in connection with the incident.
Phone scams getting more common, complex in North Jersey
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, 11:43 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, 11:57 PM BY ABBOTT KOLOFF AND ANDREW WYRICH STAFF WRITERS THE RECORD
Police in North Jersey say at least four people were targets in the past 10 days of a so-called virtual kidnapping scam that federal authorities say has its roots in Mexico and has been a growing problem in Texas even as other scams have been spreading across the nation.
Typical scams
E-ZPASS: Someone sends an email purporting to be from E-ZPass saying you failed to pay a toll and provides a link to an invoice where you are told you can make payment. The Better Business Bureau warns that clicking on the link could unleash a virus on your computer that will steal your personal information. Authorities say that E-ZPass never sends such notifications by email. IRS: Someone claiming to be from the IRS calls and says you owe unpaid taxes to the government and asks for payment by credit card. The IRS says it always sends notifications about unpaid taxes by mail. If you believe you owe taxes, you may call the IRS at 800-829-1040. If you believe you were the target of a scam, you may call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484. JURY DUTY: Someone calls saying he or she is a law enforcement officer and you owe a fine for failing to appear for jury duty or a court appearance. Threatening to have you arrested, the caller asks for immediate payment by credit card or for you to purchase a money card and to provide information that would allow the caller to access it. Anyone with information about such a scam may call the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office at 201-646-2222. VIRTUAL KIDNAPPING: Someone calls saying he or she has kidnapped a loved one and demands you pay a ransom, often by wiring money to a location in another part of the country. In some cases, the callers say they are members of drug cartels, and someone can be heard screaming for help in the background. The FBI suggests requesting to speak to the victim, asking questions that only the victim would know, and asking to have the victim call back on his or her cellphone.
Wyckoff police said on Thursday that a 49-year-old resident began wiring $900 to people who told him they had kidnapped his brother. Fortunately, he was able to stop the money transfer last week after calling police, who arrived at his home in time to pick up the phone when he was called a second time.
“I was just kidding,” the person on the other end of the phone said after the officer identified himself, before quickly hanging up, Wyckoff Police Chief Ben Fox said.
Police reported that two Westwood residents were targeted in separate incidents over the Labor Day weekend, with another incident reported in Saddle Brook on Aug. 28. The Wyckoff incident occurred on Aug. 30. None of the four Bergen County victims paid the purported kidnappers, authorities said.
Police say virtual kidnappings are an outgrowth of similar scams that crop up for a time, then fade away, such as one targeting senior citizens who were told their grandchildren were in trouble and needed money. The most popular scams over the past few months have involved emails telling people they owe money to E-ZPass and people pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service asking for payment of overdue federal taxes.
In May, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office said it uncovered an organized ring operating from a Georgia prison that swindled money from people across the country. Callers pretended to be law enforcement officers asking for payment of fines for missing jury duty or court appearances. Sheriff’s detectives arrested two people in Georgia, a corrections officer and an inmate, and said the ring involved perhaps hundreds of other inmates.
Grease spill cleanup continues near Ridgewood Sewer Treatment Plant September 5th ,2014 Boyd A. Loving 11:17 PM
Ridgewood NJ, Employees from the Village of Ridgewood’s Water Pollution Control Facility at 561 Prospect Street, Glen Rock cleaning up remnants of a grease spill that entered a tributary of the HoHoKus Brook on Friday afternoon, 09/05/2014.
Approximately 200 gallons of gases, oils, and watery fats spilled when a truck transfer line burst earlier in the week. Some of the material escaped efforts to contain it, and drained into streams that feed the nearby Brook.
Record 92,269,000 Not in Labor Force; Participation Rate Matches 36-Year Low
September 5, 2014 – 9:07 AM
By Ali Meyer
(CNSNews.com) – A record 92,269,000 Americans 16 and older did not participate in the labor force in August, as the labor force participation rate matched a 36-year low of 62.8 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The labor force participation rate has been as low as 62.8 percent in six of the last twelve months, but prior to last October had not fallen that low since 1978.
BLS employment statistics are based on the civilian noninstitutional population, which consists of all people 16 or older who were not in the military or an institution such as a prison, mental hospital or nursing home.
In August, the civilian noninstitutional population was 248,229,000 according to BLS. Of that 248,229,000, 155,959,000—or 62.8 percent–participated in the labor force, meaning they either had or job or had actively sought one in the last four weeks.
Washington, DC – (9/5/14) – Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan youth advocacy organization, is announcing its Millennial Jobs Report for August 2014. The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18-29 year olds:
The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds, which adjusts for labor force participation by including those who have given up looking for work, is 15 percent (NSA). The (U-3) unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds is 10.1 percent (NSA).
The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.946 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.
The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans is 22.4 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 19.6 percent (NSA).
The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics is 15.8 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 10.6 percent (NSA).
The effective (U-6) unemployment rate for 18-29 year old women is 12.8 percent (NSA); the (U-3) unemployment rate is 9.9 percent (NSA).
Patrice Lee, Director of Outreach at Generation Opportunity, issued the following statement:
“15% of young people are still out of work and it’s no secret why- government is too big, spending levels are too high, and opportunities for us are limited.
“As we continue to work hard to create opportunities, politicians in Washington continue to impose policies that harm us.
“More than ever, we need to work to elect officials that will fight for the interests of my generation and not continue the policies of generational theft that have prevailed under the current administration.”
2014 ASHBY AWARDS, TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AWARD ANNOUNCED
Ridgewood Schools
September 5th 2014
Two recently retired veterans of the Ridgewood Public Schools are recipients of the 2014 Ashby Award. Former Hawes School Art Teacher Judy Malholtra and former Willard School Principal Marianne Williams were announced the winners at All-staff Convocation on September 2. A new honor, the Tradition of Excellence Award for Support Staff, was also given to longtime staffer Maryjane Moynihan for her contributions to the district as Benefits Coordinator.
Ms. Malhotra started with the district in 1981 as a substitute teacher, then taught art at Orchard School since 1996. Known as an accomplished artist and master teacher, she is responsible for the conception, inspiration and development of the Orchard School’s Community Art Garden, as well as the collaboration with Music Teacher Drew Kreismer on the garden’s newest addition, a musical sculpture inspired by a piece at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ.
Ms. Williams retired in July after serving with the Ridgewood district since 1981, starting as a Supplemental Instructor and Gifted and Talented Teacher, then teaching for 14 years at Somerville School before serving as Willard’s Acting Principal in 1997 and then Principal. Her legacy at Willard includes the implementation of several innovative educational programs, the day-to-day management of Willard during its first major expansion since it was built, and the year-long observance of the school’s centennial celebration. During her tenure, Willard School was also named a National Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence by the United States Department of Education, a distinction that is earned by very few schools.
The Ashby award was established in 1966 to honor former Superintendent Lloyd W. Ashby and his wife, Lois, for their distinguished service to the community. The recipient is selected annually from nominees submitted by staff members and is someone who, in the opinion of his or her peers, has carried on the fine tradition of service and contribution. The Ashby Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a staff member. In recognition of this honor the names engraved on brass plates are placed on a plaque and is mounted in the lobby of the Education Center.
Photos: Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein congratulates 2014 Tradtion of Excellence Award winner Maryjane Moynihan (L) and Ashby Award winner Judy Malholtra (R). Ashby Award winner Marianne Williams was not present for the photo. Below, the former Willard School Principal was photographed when the school’s media center was named in her honor in 2014.
NJ GOP gets fundraising solicitation from Cake Boss for Christie’s birthday cake
HOBOKEN – Celebrity baker Bartolo “Buddy” Valastro, Jr., the head baker at Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, is also known as the “Cake Boss.” Famous throughout New Jersey from his reality television show on TLC, Valastro has made his support of Gov. Chris Christie clear, endorsing him for re-election in 2013 and allowing the Republican governor to campaign in his famed store on Washington Street in Hoboken. (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)
Tickets on sale for Ridgewood H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame banquet
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, 12:31 AM BY BRIAN FARRELL SPECIAL TO THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame chairman Jeff Yearing is encouraging people who are intending to purchase a reservation to the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014 induction ceremony to do so as soon as possible.
Thirteen new inductees will be recognized for their accomplishments on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Brick House on Godwin Avenue in Wyckoff. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. with a social hour. Appetizers will be served along with a cash bar. Induction festivities along with dinner are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
“The Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame wishes to recognize athletes, coaches and special contributors from all eras of the interscholastic athletic program,” Yearing said, “emphasizing their accomplishments, so that others may clearly see, and be inspired by, lives lived in the pursuit of excellence.”
The RHS Athletic Hall of Fame is self-supporting. It is sanctioned by the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Ridgewood Public Schools but receives no supporting funds from the district.
Since inductions began in 2004, the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame has welcomed 58 individual athletes, eight coaches, four special contributors and one team. This year’s class will add 10 individuals, one coach, one athletic team and one special achievement (multi-year group of teams).
Ridgewood set to honor Roger Wiegand voice of public input
Any one have a Favorite Roger Wiegand Story ?
SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2014, 1:21 AM BY CHRIS HARRIS STAFF WRITER THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Week after week for years, Roger Wiegand would stand at the lectern in Village Hall with arms folded to address the council.But the voice at the podium made his final comments to Ridgewood’s governing body last fall, after which he soon took ill. Wiegand, a lifelong resident, died in April. And since his death, the council has been considering ways to honor him.
Now, along with members of Wiegand’s family, village officials will gather tonight in the council chambers for a brief reception honoring his memory.
The Village Council also plans to name a portion of South Irving Street “Wiegand Way.”
During the event at 5:30, the speaker’s lectern — Wiegand’s platform — will be affixed with a plaque honoring the outspoken resident.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014, 3:26 PM BY JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER
At the annual all-staff convocation event at Benjamin Franklin Middle School on Tuesday, the theme of “Celebrating Change” was given a bittersweet embrace.
A backdrop on the stage used the metaphor of a caterpillar transitioning to a butterfly to highlight the theme, but those at the event seemed less convinced that the transformation of curriculum to meet the new state standards would end as beautifully.
Each person who spoke had something to say about the three biggest changes in the district: the one-to-one Chromebook initiative, Common Core and standardized tests.
“This year’s convocation theme is ‘Celebrating Change,’ and to be perfectly frank, this is not something that comes naturally to me,” said Michael Yannone, president of the Ridgewood Education Association (REA). “I am a bit of a traditionalist; I am a history teacher after all. If it has worked successfully in the past, why change?”
His speech gave a scathing criticism of the way education reform happens in America.
“The current educational reform movement is not about spending money to address the needs of schools and students, it is about making money,” Yannone said. “Perhaps I am too cynical, but the playbook seems obvious to me. Step one: Make Americans believe that their public schools are bad by bashing teachers and cherry picking faulty data. Politicians then get involved and support costly one-size-fits-all solutions that their donors stand to make a nice profit from.”
Yannone said the REA plans to partner with a new parent-led advocacy group, Ridgewood Cares About Schools, whose members have urged the district not to adopt the Common Core curriculum and oppose the increase in standardized testing for students.
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2014, 3:38 PM BY BY JODI WEINBERGER STAFF WRITER
The future of North Walnut Street is in the hands of a developer, but don’t count on getting any clues from a fortune teller about what’s to be built.
“Carnival enterprises, such as palmistry, phrenology, astrology and the like” are just some of the businesses banned from the Central Business District, according to the Request for Proposals and Qualifications (RFP) for the redevelopment of the North Walnut Street area published last month.
Drive-through windows, car sales lots and auto repair shops are also on the “prohibited” list in the 42-page document that will guide the look and substance of the 2.07 acres to be redeveloped.
On Oct. 8, the village will hold a meeting where RFP responders can ask questions or make comments about the document. Plans must be submitted by Dec. 1. By Feb. 4, concepts will be presented to the Village Council, which will choose one, if any, of the firms in March.
The rest of the timeline, like acquiring vacant property and beginning construction, is “to be determined.”
Village to conduct physical review of all sidewalk cafe layouts
September 4,2014
Boyd A. Loving
12:49 PM
Ridgewood Nj, Are many sidewalks in the Central Business District (CBD) impassable to those with disabilities, particularly those confined to wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters, because of sidewalk cafes, or is the problem limited to one or two locations?
During Wednesday evening’s Village Council Work Session, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld promised that Village officials would soon conduct a walking tour of the CBD to assess the situation, and then recommend/suggest changes if and where they are appropriate.
This taxpayer wonders why no immediate action, in the form of summonses or written warnings, is being taken if a complaint has been filed about a specific location, and non-compliance with the sidewalk cafe ordinance has been verified?
All photos accompanying this post were taken on 9/4/2014, the day following Ms. Sonenfeld’s announcement.
Ridgewood NJ, At the Wednesday night Village Council Work Session, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld announced, in the form of “breaking news,” that she had just that afternoon received an update about the “Mike Sedon Election Issue,” as she called it. Readers will recall that this past Spring, someone sent an anonymous e-mail to Councilman Mike Sedon’s employer. The purpose of the e-mail was to derail Councilman Sedon’s campaign, suggesting that he could not serve in a public office and also work as a reporter for The Staten Island Advance. After Councilman Sedon filed a complaint with the Ridgewood Police Department, the matter was referred to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office for investigation.
At the September 3 Village Council Work Session, Ms. Sonenfeld said she had called the Prosecutor’s office for an update, and has learned that the matter has been transferred to the State Board of Elections. She will be getting a name from the State Board, will be following through on this important matter, and will keep us updated. Although Councilman Sedon was elected by a wide margin and is now serving as a member of our Ridgewood Village Council, the fact remains that someone tried to prevent him from being elected. The victim of this malicious act was not just Councilman Sedon; it was our entire community and our clean election process. When the coward who sent this e-mail is revealed, the stain on our Village’s reputation will be erased.
Fed: Under Obama, only the richest 10 percent saw incomes rise
By Jennifer Pompi – The Washington Times – Thursday, September 4, 2014
Under President Obama, the richest 10 percent were the only income group of Americans to see their median incomes rise, according to a survey released this week by the Federal Reserve.
The Fed data covered the years 2010-2013, during which period Mr. Obama constantly campaigned against income inequality and won re-election by painting his Republican rival as a tool of Wall Street plutocrats.
“Data from the 2013 [Survey of Consumer Finances] confirm that the shares of income and wealth held by affluent families are at modern historically high levels,” the report said in noting that the median income fell for every 10-percent grouping except the most affluent 10 percent.
