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>Mobile farmers markers would deliver the garden to the Garden State

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Mobile farmers markers would deliver the garden to the Garden State

Even in the densely populated Garden State, there’s still room for food deserts. The term, as defined by the state and federal governments, refers to areas with little access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods.
The problem affects cities across the state and low-income urban communities in particular. A lack of supermarkets and large grocery stores can mean a diet based on fast food and convenience market fare, which can ultimately lead to diabetes and other chronic diseases.
As of 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 360,000 people in New Jersey are “food insecure” (lacking in access to nutritious food).
The state Assembly passed a bill (A-3688) this summer to combat the problem, as well as to promote New Jersey farms and products. The measure calls for the state Department of Agriculture to develop a network of mobile farmers markets that will travel to underserved communities and sell fresh produce. The program will include a voucher system that will let low-income residents buy fresh food at a discount.
Although the specifics have yet to be sorted out, most likely community-supported and nonprofit farms will run the markets. The program also will include nutrition education for children.  (Knox, NJ Spotlight)
Ridgewood Farmers Market
Sun, June 26, 2011 – Sat, November 05, 2011
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: West side of NJ Transit Train Station, Ridgewood, NJ
Ridgewood will be starting up it’s farmers market on June 26th, and it will continue every Sunday until November 5th.
Rain or Shine

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>Getting your money’s worth from Trenton

>Getting your money’s worth from Trenton
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood $69,543,382.44 net tax liability and Ridgewood gets ZERO  back from the state .  Other towns in Bergen also share that dubious distinction.Saddle River $ 44958246.94, Tenafly $$44265641.38, Wyckoff $ 58698693.59 , Allendale $ 19785989.88 and many more all bring home nothing from Trenton. 21 towns in Bergen county all get nothing back while 29 get .10 cents or less on a dollar.

Maybe it time to start saying NO to Trenton ?

Send your Sympathies with Flowers & Gifts from 1800Flowers.com - 290x65show?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=216823

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>"It’s the economy again, stupid": New Jersey Legislature turns focus on new job-related bills

>“It’s the economy again, stupid”: New Jersey Legislature turns focus on new job-related bills


After a year in which budget battles, benefits changes, and Atlantic City revitalization have dominated Statehouse politics, an old issue is re-emerging as a renewed priority.

As former President Bill Clinton’s campaign might have said: It’s the economy again, stupid.
New Jersey politicians argue they have never stopped worrying about unemployment as they tackled other issues. But in the past two weeks, a chorus of federal and state officials have started focusing on jobs, issuing multiple proposals to stimulate the economy.

State Senate committees are scheduled to begin working on nearly a dozen jobs-related bills today.
The renewed activity comes as the economy continues to sputter more than two years after the national recession officially ended in June 2009.  (Froonjian, Press of Atlantic City)

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>Village of Ridgewood : Seeking Residents to Volunteer to Serve on the Historic Preservation Commission

>Village of Ridgewood : Seeking Residents to Volunteer to Serve on the Historic Preservation Commission

The Village Council is looking for residents who are interested in volunteering to serve on the Historic Preservation Commission as a “Class A” member. A “Class A” member is a person who is knowledgeable in building design and construction or architectural history.

The Historic Preservation Commission identifies, records, and maintains a survey and inventory of all buildings and sites of historical or architectural significance. The Commission also oversees the preservation of structures and properties which reflect the heritage of the community. The commission acts as an advisory board for the Planning Board, reviewing applications which are located in areas of the Village which are historical in nature.

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 and a biography or resume to:

Heather Mailander

Village Clerk

Village of Ridgewood

131 North Maple Ave.

Ridgewood, NJ 07451

Deadline for submission is September 23, 2011.

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>Pension Reform : Scamming the system?

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Pension Reform : Scamming the system?

Surrounded by angry union protesters in June, Orange Mayor Eldridge T. Hawkins Jr. boldly stepped to the table and testified, twice, at legislative hearings about why it was important to pass pension and benefits reforms.

“My pension is at stake in this, because I had a law enforcement background,” Hawkins told the Assembly Budget Committee. “It is the comprehensive reform we need, and if we don’t have legislation like this pass, layoffs will continue to occur.”

Hawkins, however, may never need to worry about his pension. His application for a full disability could be passed Monday — and Hawkins will receive two-thirds of his $77,818 police salary in tax-free payments for life because of a rear-end car accident, which resulted in little damage to the police cruiser.

Some officials say that a wave of disability pensions for police and firemen has swelled since the state Supreme Court loosened standards for the cases in 2007 and 2008 decisions. If nothing is done to stem the tide, they could destabilize the pensions for police and firemen despite recent reforms, they say.

“Everyone is getting out of a car, or walking down a hall in a correctional facility, they slip, and they’re collecting for the rest of their life,” said John Sierchio, a Bloomfield police officer who heads the state board overseeing pension benefits for police and fire departments.  (Method, Gannett)

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>Ridgewood Street Fair

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streetfair theridgewoodblog.net

photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

Ridgewood Street Fair
by Boyd Loving

The Ridgewood Street Fair, sponsored by the Village’s Parks & Recreation Department, was held today on East Ridgewood Avenue (between Maple and Oak) and in Van Neste Memorial Park.

Crafts, music, and delicious food were available from 12 noon until 5 PM.

The weather was ideal, which resulted in thousands of visitors to Ridgewood’s Central Business District.

If you missed this event, a similar street fair will be held on Rock Road in Glen Rock on Sunday, October 2nd.

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>Kendra Wilkinson, Jane Lynch and Dyan Cannon at BOOKENDS

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KendraWilkson theridgewoodblog.net

Kendra Wilkinson Wednesday, September 21st @ 12:00 Noon Star of the Reality series Kendra and The Girls Next Door, Kendra Wilkinson, will sign her new book, Being Kendra: Cribs, Cocktails, and Getting My Sexy Back. Books available Sept. 20th.

Janelynch theridgewoodblog.net

Jane Lynch **New Time Wednesday, Sept. 21st @ **5:00pm Star of GLEE, Jane Lynch, will sign her new book: Happy Accidents. Books available Sept. 13th.

DyanCannon theridgewoodblog.net

Dyan Cannon Thursday, September 22nd @ 7:00pm Famed Actress, Dyan Cannon, will sign her new book:  Dear Carey:  My Life with Cary Grant.  Books available Sept. 20th

Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.Please call the store for details.

Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ   07450   201-445-0726

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>Village Council Special Public Meetings Concerning Proposed Valley Expansion

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ambulane chasers theridgewoodblog.net



Village Council Special Public Meetings Concerning Proposed Valley Expansion

The Ridgewood Village Council will be holding Special Public Meetings concerning the proposed Valley Hospital expansion in the Ridgewood High School Campus Center, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, on the following dates: September 19, October 13, October 24, November 3, November 22, and November 29, 2011.

The meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m. The doors will open at 6:45 p.m. and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. The meetings will also be televised on Cablevision Channel 77 and through computer video streaming (limited viewers due to bandwith limitations). Agendas for each meeting will be posted on the Village’s website prior to the meeting.

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>NJ Transit Train Service : Main/Bergen County Line Service Adjustments due to Ongoing Disruption of the Port Jervis Line – Effective Monday, September 19 Until Further Notice

>Main/Bergen County Line Service Adjustments due to Ongoing Disruption of the Port Jervis Line – Effective Monday, September 19 Until Further Notice
September 16, 2011

Limited rail service is restored between Port Jervis and Harriman. Customers utilizing rail service will be transported by bus between Harriman and Ramsey-Route 17 stations.  For details on this service and additional options provided by Metro North, visit mta.info/pj and click on the Alternate Travel Options link.

To address overcrowdingthatresulted from the suspension of Port Jervis Line service, peak-period schedules are revised between Suffern and Hoboken.

Additional New Jersey schedules are temporary and subject to change concurrent with restoration of train service between Port Jervis and Harriman.
Click here for a complete morning peak period schedule.
Click here for a complete afternoon/evening peak period schedule.

Service changes are summarized below.  Please refer to pdf peak period schedules for times at specific stations and connecting train times.

AM Peak

Train 1142 will now depart Suffern two minutes earlier, at 5:15 a.m., and add a stop at Ramsey-Route 17 at 5:19 AM.
Train 1192 will depart Suffern at 6:56 a.m. and make all stops to Allendale, then operate express to Secaucus and Hoboken.
Train 1194 will depart Suffern at 7:32 a.m. and make all stops to Ramsey, then operate express to Broadway station, Secaucus and Hoboken.
To alleviate overcrowding conditions for Broadway customers using Train 1154, Train 1194 will stop at 7:57 AM, replacing Train 1154 at 7:50 AM.  Train 1154 will no longer stopat Broadway station.
Train 1198 will depart Suffern at 8:21 a.m.and make all stops to Allendale, then operate express to Secaucus and Hoboken.
PM Peak

Train 1195 will depart Hoboken at 5:40 p.m., Secaucus at 5:50 p.m., and operate express to Ramsey, Ramsey-Route 17, Mahwah and Suffern.
Train 1197 will depart Hoboken at 6:11 p.m., Secaucus at 6:21 p.m., and operate express to Allendale, then make all remaining stops to Suffern.
With the added express service, Train 1169 will resume its previous schedule and no longer stop at Ramsey-Route 17.
PM Trains 1209 and 1355:

Train 1209, the 4:15 p.m. departure from Hoboken, will terminate at Ridgewood and be renumbered as Train 1311.
Train 1355, the 4:29 p.m. departure from Hoboken, is extended to serve Ho-Ho-Kus and Waldwick. It will be renumbered as Train 1267.
Main Line Customers using Train 1209 for local trips Ho-Ho-Kus and Waldwick may transfer at Ridgewood to Train 1267.
Midday

Former weekday Port Jervis Line trains that continue to operate between Suffern and Hoboken only have been renumbered as follows.  No schedule times have been changed.
Train 62, the 12:54 p.m. Suffern departure, is renumbered 1136.
Train 66, the 4:39 p.m. Ridgewood departure, is renumbered 1292.
Train 68, the 10:53 p.m. Suffern departure, is renumbered 1182.
Train 45, the 9:47 a.m. Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1153.
Train 67, the 9:58 p.m. Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1179.
Train 41, the 12:40 a.m. Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1141.
Weekends
Connecting bus service will continue to operate between Port Jervis Line stations and Ramsey Route 17, until further notice.

Former weekend Port Jervis Line trains that continue to operate between Suffern and Hoboken only have been renumbered as follows.  No schedule times have been changed.

Train 70, the 6:12 AM Suffern departure, is renumbered 1702
Train 74, the 10:12 AM Suffern departure, is renumbered 1710
Train 76, the 12:12 PM Suffern departure, is renumbered 1714
Train 78, the 4:35 PM Suffern departure, is renumbered 1772
Train 82, the 10:12 PM Suffern departure, is renumbered 1734
Train 75, the 1:25 PM Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1769
Train 81, the 9:30 PM Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1785
Train 69, the 12:40 AM Hoboken departure, is renumbered 1791

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>Rasmussen Consumer Index : 11% Say Economy Getting Better, 65% Say Worse

>Rasmussen Consumer Index : 11% Say Economy Getting Better, 65% Say Worse
Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures the economic confidence of consumers on a daily basis, gained another two points on Sunday to 67.9. Consumer confidence is up six points from a week ago and up two points from a month ago. However, it is still down seven points from three months ago.

Looking at all of 2011, the Consumer Index is 25 points off its peak and just eight points above the year-to-date low.

Just 11% of adults think the economy is getting better, while 65% believe it is getting worse.

The Rasmussen Investor Index gained five more points on Sunday, capping a gain of 13 points in three days.  Still, despite the surge, the Investor Index is up just three points from a week ago and seven points from a month ago. It is down four points from three months ago.

These updates are based upon nightly telephone surveys and reported on a three-day rolling average basis.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members

https://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/business/indexes/rasmussen_consumer_index/rasmussen_consumer_index

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>ARTHUR LAFFER from June 2010: Tax Hikes and the 2011 Economic Collapse

>ARTHUR LAFFER from June 2010 :Tax Hikes and the 2011 Economic Collapse
Today’s corporate profits reflect an income shift into 2010. These profits will tumble next year, preceded most likely by the stock market.
By ARTHUR LAFFER
JUNE 6, 2010

People can change the volume, the location and the composition of their income, and they can do so in response to changes in government policies.

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the nine states without an income tax are growing far faster and attracting more people than are the nine states with the highest income tax rates. People and businesses change the location of income based on incentives.

Likewise, who is gobsmacked when they are told that the two wealthiest Americans—Bill Gates and Warren Buffett—hold the bulk of their wealth in the nontaxed form of unrealized capital gains? The composition of wealth also responds to incentives. And it’s also simple enough for most people to understand that if the government taxes people who work and pays people not to work, fewer people will work. Incentives matter.

People can also change the timing of when they earn and receive their income in response to government policies. According to a 2004 U.S. Treasury report, “high income taxpayers accelerated the receipt of wages and year-end bonuses from 1993 to 1992—over $15 billion—in order to avoid the effects of the anticipated increase in the top rate from 31% to 39.6%. At the end of 1993, taxpayers shifted wages and bonuses yet again to avoid the increase in Medicare taxes that went into effect beginning 1994.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/130059953_Tax_hikes__service_cuts_likely_as_Irene_costs_towns__61M.html

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>Tax hikes, service cuts likely as Irene costs towns $61M

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maplefield irene theridgewoodblog.net

Tax hikes, service cuts likely as Irene costs towns $61M

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2011  
BY STEPHANIE AKIN AND ZACH PATBERG
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD

Hurricane or not, Irene is on track to becoming one of the most expensive natural disasters in North Jersey’s history, with preliminary estimates from the region’s municipal governments totaling in the tens of millions of dollars, public records show.

With damage yet to be tallied in many of the hardest-hit towns, Bergen County’s public agencies had reported more than $19.3 million in damaged public buildings, buckled roadways, garbage pickup and other government expenses by late last week, according to numbers compiled by The Record. And those costs will be at least partly passed onto residents and taxpayers in the form of higher property taxes, service cuts or loss of use to public facilities that are not immediately repaired, officials in several towns said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/130059953_Tax_hikes__service_cuts_likely_as_Irene_costs_towns__61M.html

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>FORTY TOP NJ COUNTY COPS DO THE DOUBLE-DIP: HOW 16 SHERIFFS & 24 UNDERSHERIFFS POCKET MILLIONS IN PENSIONS PLUS SALARIES

>FORTY TOP NJ COUNTY COPS DO THE DOUBLE-DIP: HOW 16 SHERIFFS & 24 UNDERSHERIFFS POCKET MILLIONS IN PENSIONS PLUS SALARIES
Intro by Steve Lonegan AFP

(BERGEN COUNTY- NJ) In an investigative report released yesterday, Mark Lagerkvist of NJ Watchdog ( https://newjersey.watchdog.org/2011/09/14/xxx/) reports that “Forty of New Jersey’s top county cops are double-dipping from public coffers,” scamming the pension system and New Jersey taxpayers to the tune of $2.88M a year!

According to the NJ Watchdog exposé, sheriffs across 19 New Jersey counties are raking in anywhere from $134-$252 THOUSAND DOLLARS in combined pension and salary! Some 24 undersheriffs have also struck gold by scamming the system.


Earlier this year, Governor Christie and the Legislature passed a package of pension and health benefit reforms requiring public workers, including teachers, firefighters and police, to pay more towards their retirement and health plans.

These measures were a marked step in the right direction toward addressing New Jersey’s ticking pension time bomb. However, those reforms did nothing about preventing this kind of brazen and rampant abuse of a broken and massively underfunded pension system; nor were any steps taken to phase out the pension system in favor of defined contribution, 401k-style plans that would also put an end to such taxpayer rip-offs.

Instead, once again, New Jersey taxpayers find themselves on the losing end while the politically-connected enrich themselves at our expense.

Read more : https://newjersey.watchdog.org/2011/09/14/xxx/