The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
>Doherty launches TSA anti-screening petition
Determined to curb what he calls invasive security screening by the Transportation Security Administration, Sen. Mike Doherty has launched a petition to collect support for his effort. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ)
https://www.politickernj.com/back_room/doherty-launches-anti-screening-petition
>More local towns pushing unions for concessions
Southern New Jersey municipalities, squeezed by tight finances and facing grim forecasts, have slashed budgets, laid off workers, furloughed staff and closed public buildings to avoid raising taxes and keep some fiscal control. (Barlas, Press of Atlantic City)
>Today in History: November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot
On Friday, November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot as he rode in a motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas; he died shortly thereafter. The thirty-fifth president was forty-six years old and had served less than three years in office. https://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov22.html
more :
https://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical%2BResources/JFK%2Bin%2BHistory/Death%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPresident.htm
The presidential party left the hotel and went by motorcade to Carswell Air Force Base for the thirteen-minute flight to Dallas. Arriving at Love Field, President and Mrs. Kennedy disembarked and immediately walked toward a fence where a crowd of well-wishers had gathered, and they spent several minutes shaking hands. The First Lady was presented with a bouquet of red roses, which she brought with her to the waiting limousine. Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie, were already seated in the open convertible as the Kennedys entered and sat behind them. Since it was no longer raining, the plastic bubble top had been left off. Vice President and Mrs. Johnson occupied another car in the motorcade.
The procession left the airport and traveled along a ten-mile route that wound through downtown Dallas on the way to the Trade Mart where the President was scheduled to speak at a luncheon. Crowds of excited people lined the streets waving to the Kennedys as they waved back. The car turned off Main Street at Dealey Plaza around 12:30 p.m. As it was passing the Texas School Book Depository, gunfire suddenly reverberated in the plaza. Bullets struck the President’s neck and head and he slumped over toward Mrs. Kennedy. The Governor was also hit in the chest.
The car sped off to Parkland Memorial Hospital just a few minutes away. But there was little that could be done for the President. A Catholic priest was summoned to administer the last rites and at 1:00 p.m. John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead. Governor Connolly, though seriously wounded, would recover.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical%2BResources/JFK%2Bin%2BHistory/Death%2Bof%2Bthe%2BPresident.htm
>TSA has met the enemy — and they are us
By ADAM GELLER, AP National Writer Adam Geller
How did an agency created to protect the public become the target of so much public scorn?
After nine years of funneling travelers into ever longer lines with orders to have shoes off, sippy cups empty and laptops out for inspection, the most surprising thing about increasingly heated frustration with the federal Transportation Security Administration may be that it took so long to boil over.
The agency, a marvel of nearly instant government when it was launched in the fearful months following the 9/11 terror attacks, started out with a strong measure of public goodwill. Americans wanted the assurance of safety when they boarded planes and entrusted the government with the responsibility.
https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101121/ap_on_re_us/us_airport_security_backlash/print
>N.J. companies throw lavish parties during League of Municipalities convention
Statehouse Bureau Staff
ATLANTIC CITY — While the talk of the League of Municipalities convention that ended Thursday was how towns could tighten their belts, some companies opened their wallets wide, throwing lavish parties to court their business.
Telecommunications corporations, engineering firms, waste disposal companies, accountants and banks took advantage of having thousands of municipal, county and state officials in one place this week, drawing them into hotel ballrooms with entertainment, booze and finger food.
read more:
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/11/nj_companies_throw_lavish_part.html
>Even in a sweeping victory, Bergen’s GOP still at odds
By Timothy J. Carroll
November 18th, 2010 – 12:28p
Todd Caliguire was the political thorn in Kathe Donovan’s side for a few years; now he’s heading up the transition team for Donovan’s freeholder compatriots.
The first question many observers are asking is this: Since when does a freeholder board have a transition team, usually reserved for executive offices that require strategizing, staffing, and large-scale planning?
“I don’t know how it’s been done in the past,” said Bergen’s GOP chairman Bob Yudin, who orchestrated the freeholder campaign. Is it a first? “That I know of, yes.”
https://www.politickernj.com/43028/even-sweeping-victory-bergen-s-gop-still-odds
>Having kids spend 3 hours per week practicing in elementary school is excessive. Those 3 hours would be a lot better spent on academics.
In my town, which was in the Midwest, youth sports (5th grade and under) practiced 1 day/week and had 1 game/week when I was a kid. I agree that the number of practices per week ramped up in middle school, but even then, it was not 5 days/week.
Having kids spend 3 hours per week practicing in elementary school is excessive. Those 3 hours would be a lot better spent on academics. Your child is much more likely to be an engineer, lawyer or an investment banker than a pro soccer player. Besides, focusing on a single sport with elementary school kids is a bad idea, because they could end up being too big or small to succeed at the chosen sport once theyhit their growth spurt in junior high and high school.
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Stop in for Hot Coffee , Hot Chocolate or Even Hot Apple Cider
Downtown For The Holidays ,Sponsored by Chamber of Commerce
Friday, December 3 from 5:30PM to 12AM, Ridgewood Annual tree lighting ceremony celebrates its 25th Anniversary! Bring the whole family and all your friends for this special evening, featuring live musical and theatrical performances, food, games and lots of holiday cheer! Lighting of tree takes place at 7:30PM.
Bagelicious
19 N Broad St
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 652-9421
>Bank of Cascades strikes a deal to raise $177 million
Bank of Cascades parent company has announced a deal that will provide the community bank with $177 million in capital.
Officials with the Bend-based Cascade Bancorp said the deal with a group of prominent investors will make it one of the best capitalized community banks in the nation. The bank had been ordered by federal regulators to raise its capital ratios.
Cascade Bancorp has entered into agreements for the purchase and sale of approximately $177 million of shares of its common stock. Private placement investors who have entered into separate agreements with the company include:
• David F. Bolger an affiliate of Lightyear Fund II L.P.
•Private equity funds affiliated with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P.
•Private equity funds affiliated with WL Ross & Co. LLC.
>Congressman Scott Garrett Joins ACLJ in Filing Amicus Brief Challenging Health Care Law Individual mandate forcing Americans to purchase health insurance violates the Constitution
WASHINGTON, November 19, 2010 – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) today joined the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) in filing an amicus brief with a federal court in Florida challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law. As Founder and Chairman of the Congressional Constitution Caucus, Garrett has long been an outspoken critic of the health care law, particularly the individual mandate. Most recently, Garrett introduced H.R. 4999, the Reclaiming Individual Liberty Act, which would repeal the individual mandate on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
“The federal health care law isn’t just bad public policy, it’s unconstitutional. As countless constitutional scholars have pointed out, our founding fathers never envisioned a federal government with such expansive powers,” said Garrett. “Forcing Americans to purchase health insurance under penalty of law represents an unprecedented power-grab by the federal government and would set a dangerous precedent for the future. If we were to give Congress this power under the Constitution, then there would be virtually no limit on its authority to compel our country’s citizens to comply with the whims of future congressional majorities. I submit that the federal health care law will be found unconstitutional when it is litigated in our courts.”
The ACLJ filed the amicus brief in the U.S. District court for the Northern District of Florida, Pensacola Division on behalf of 63 members of Congress and more than 70,000 Americans who oppose the individual insurance mandate in the federal health care law. The ACLJ contends that the federal health care law is government over-reach and violates the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution
>Library Staff Ignores Advice Provided by Medical Professionals
Due to large number of children who are likely allergic to nuts, for years pediatricians have recommended not to distribute peanut butter and/or peanut butter cookies in public settings where children gather (e.g., schools).
Despite this well known warning, The Fly observed peanut butter cookies being distributed recently in the Children’s Room of the Ridgewood Public Library.
Parents, beware!
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Village Christmas Tree Returns to its Rightful place
Holiday tree moved to the train station
Thursday, November 18, 2010
BY MICHAEL SEDON
The Ridgewood News
Staff Writer
https://www.northjersey.com/news/109021329_Holiday_tree_moved_to_the_train_station.html
Downtown for the Holidays, an event sponsored by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce, will feature the return of the village Christmas tree to the train station for the 25th annual tree lighting celebration.
For the past two years, the tree lighting ceremony took place in Van Neste Square Memorial Park with the decorating and lighting of a live tree purchased and planted by the village. The switch was made to eliminate the expense of transporting a donated tree to its original spot at the train station.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/109021329_Holiday_tree_moved_to_the_train_station.html
>Scott Garrett : Honoring Our Angels in Adoption
This week, I was pleased to go to the floor of the House of Representatives to recognize November as National Adoption Month and commemorate the anniversary of National Adoption Day on November 20th. Now in its eleventh year, National Adoption Day is a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the 123,000 children in foster care who are eligible and waiting for adoption, as well as honor families that have chosen to make a lasting difference in the life of a child through adoption.
Since its inception in 2000, more than 30,000 children have been connected to their new families as part of National Adoption Day activities. Last year alone over 4,800 children were adopted, and in 2010, it is hoped that almost 5,000 adoptions from foster care will be finalized nationwide. As your Congressman, I’m proud to report we have many families in the Fifth District that have changed the life of a child by choosing to adopt. Through the commemoration of the 11th Anniversary of National Adoption Day, I’m confident we will inspire many others to open up their hearts and homes to children in need of loving families.
This year, I would like to honor Shea and George Campbell of Waldwick for their tireless dedication as a foster family and adoptive parents. For more than thirty years, the Campbells have welcomed over 121 foster children into their home and have gone on to adopt several more to become full-time members of their family. Although many children have come in and out of their lives, George and Shea continue to be a haven of support, an invaluable resource for mentoring and source of inspiration for Americans across the country. Shea and George Campbell have given so many children the hope of a brighter future and I am proud to recognize them as “Angels in Adoption” as we celebrate National Adoption Day.
As we celebrate the 11th anniversary of National Adoption Day, it is important to remember that many children remain in foster care and are looking for a family to care for them and a place to call home. It’s my hope that we can continue to raise the awareness of National Adoption Day well into the future and inspire the next generation of families to open their homes to children in need of a family.
Sincerely,
Scott Garrett
>Are Ridgewood Schools a place where some of the kids in Ridgewood get the idea that they can freely criticize and bully others
I can see where some of the kids in Ridgewood get the idea that they can freely criticize and bully others.
You should examine his/her own cruel attacks and why he/she feels comfortable making fun of a teen on this blog. We are talking about a child here – 16 years old. You should not post hurtful opinions about him to make your point. Get help before your kids adopt your insensitive mind. Really? You did not like his choice of Halloween Costume? Grow up.
Sadly this post reveals, once again, there are bullies, who call themselves teachers, right here in Ridgewood! I wish Matt would out the teacher(s) that participated in the taunts against him. Past posts on this blog have openly discussed the names of bullies who are being paid big dollars to teach our kids! How can anyone expect kids to reject bullying when over and over teachers lead the charge.
Out the teacher bullies and fire them. The same teachers are complained about every year for the bullying tactics they use against our kids! I hope Matt Zimmer reads this and I hope he names the teacher(s)!
>Lightgate: BOE hoodwinked Neighbors
There are more issues than the lights potentially shining in a neighbor’s bedroom. Issues such as increased traffic, street parking and noise have an impact on the surrounding neighborhoods. While this is a typical NIMBY situation, the neighbors feel they never even had a chance to protest before it was a done deal….they were essentially hoodwinked.
The B.O.E. knew this would be controversial and that is why they did not include it in the original bond referendum, although they will claim it was a matter of cost at the time. The B.O.E. knew that sports groups would later come up with the funding for lights. The B.O.E. knew exactly what it was doing in an attempt to bypass neighborhood protests and the Village Planning Board was either ignorant of the issues or in cahoots with the B.O.E. Shame on the B.O.E. for its deception and the Planning Board for its lack of diligence.
