Ridgewood NJ, “PissedOff” writes from Starbucks perhaps :
“I wonder why there is so much hate and criticism. The role of the manager is to act as a spokesperson for the Village employees and be a part of the council. The council is elected to be a fair judge between the village government and the residents. Now, there is no way everyone would agree with the way things were handled and they certainly will not be 100% in support of going forward.
It’s amusing to see how this blog is becoming a podium for people to anonymously shame, disrespect and disregard others. Bible says that the person who did no sin shall throw the first stone, and yet here we are.
I would love to see the blog writers to put their energy into somethings more productive and help the community in a better way rather than just trying to creat a controversy. Paying taxes doesn’t mean we own people. This blog needs to be reported Since it’s acting as a platform for stirring hate and making the collar environment so toxic. SHAME AND DISGUSTING, THIS IS A PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR REPORTING.”
Well……………We got nothing lol ???
According to the Village website, the role of the Village Council is to:
“…appoint a Village Manager to oversee the day to day operations of the Village, to handle personnel, citizen inquiries and complaints, and to handle the administrative duties of the Village.”
No where in that description does it state that the VM will “…be a part of the council”.
That’s a role to which Sonnenfeld arbitrarily self-appointed herself.
Since this was done without any approval by anyone of authority in the Village, the residents have every right o get pissed off at her arbitrary, capricious and dictatorial style and actions!
Nope, the VM is not an elected offical and is NOT part of the council. Sorry, you are wrong there!
Nope, that was not sent from Starbucks but from the American Bulldog Cafe where Roberta and Paul hang out constantly.
The Bible says???? Kind of like someone last night saying that she was raised in catholic schools and then she starts blasting people and ends with saying how good that made her feel. The Bible says?? Kind of like when someone accused the church of rigging a lottery to let the mayor win.
The Faulkner Act, or Optional Municipal Charter Law, provides for New Jersey municipalities to adopt a council–manager government.
The council consists of five, seven, or nine members elected by the public. One of the councilors – chosen either by at-large election or by a vote among the councilors – serves as the mayor, who is merely the head of council and has no special privileges such as veto power. The council hires a manager, who serves as the chief executive and administrative official. The manager prepares the budget, appoints and removes department heads, and attends council meetings, but does not have a vote.
As in all Faulkner Act municipalities, citizens in the council–manager system enjoy the right of initiative and referendum, meaning that proposed ordinances can be introduced directly by the people without action by the local governing body. This right is exercised by preparing a conforming petition signed by 10% of the registered voters who turned out in the last general election in an odd-numbered year. Once the petition is submitted, the local governing body can vote to pass the requested ordinance, and if they refuse, it is then submitted directly to the voters.
I agree This blog needs to be SHUT DOWN for spreading hate and making the Village so toxic.
First Amendment. Blog can’t be shut down. By whom?
Thanks for the alert–I will now never go to the American Bulldog Cafe.
“The council is elected to be a fair judge between the village government and the residents.” This statement is incorrect. The mandate of the village government is to serve the village and its residents, not to become an independent body that must be served by the village or have its own interests that are separate and apart from the village and its residents.
11:03. Long live THE BLOG. The blog gets everything done. Love the BLOG
11:03 You are wrong in so many ways. Admittedly this Blog has allowed some pretty nasty comments, but with out it the people of Ridgewood would have no idea about what was truly going on. You seem to prefer secrecy to transparency. The Village was made toxic by the secrecy and “misstatements” of our recently departed Council and Village Manager. I am willing to bet that you will see a huge increase in friendliness and accuracy with our new Council. And keep Heather! She has had so much experience that she doesn’t need the once required certifications.. (If we could hire Roberta without them, we should surely be able to hire Heather!) What’s the old cliche–a fresh breeze..
11:39 People would have no idea what is going on?????? 3/4 of the stuff posted on this website is GOSSIP! If you live your life believing everything that you read then I have to feel very sorry for you. I come on here to laugh at most comments and for entertainment.
And you do 12:21 !
Many things on The Blog are completely factual. When it comes to town politics , it is the only place to find out what is happening in the village and the issues. Many people posting attend and watch the meetings regularly. If to some it appears that Roberta and company have received bad press , it is because their behavior at times was indefensible and those of us who challenged it were treated with disdain and disrespect. There is a saying that you never know someone until you live with them, work with them or disagree with them.. I can tell you first hand that disagreeing with the previous council majority and VM resulted in total ignorance and worse. I will also be very happy never to be lectured again on civility by a council that did not know the meaning of the word.
Well said 8:53
The blog is a huge source of factual information and public opinion. It is a great way to get the pulse of village opinion. The Blog has tremendous power. Those who hate the blog should fear it, because the blog has power.
Thank you ! I appreciate you publishing my comment and letting people voice what they feel. Clearly, there are people who agree and disagree to what I have shared and that is completely alright. It’s fair for people to express themselves.
What’s a little unsettling is that disagreements are vocalized (in this case written) with such bitterness. I know that people in this town are extremely well qualified, educated and doing very well in their respective fields. If only everyone will stop pointing fingers and do their bit, we wouldn’t have this unrest. This is a beautiful town with a great history. Many people can only dream about living here someday. Funny how we take it for granted, complain and complain and do not value what we have today. Haters need to calm down and realize it’s doing no good for anyone!
Au contraire, 9:46. The angriest complaints are by those who do value what we have and deeply resent selfish, deceptive efforts to change it for the worse, for no good reason.
I agree with 11:03/ In fact, because this blog is so toxic, i never, ever read it or post a comment.
Dear Pissed Off, Many of us who post on The Blog are volunteers and love the village. We just get pissed off when we are treated so poorly as was the case with the previous VM and council majority. If you disagreed with them no matter how respectfully you were no longer listened to and your emails were ignored. That would piss any one off!
12:43 AM – if you disagreed with any of them they no longer listened, your emails were ignored……and they often screamed at you in public (even at church), and attacked you at public meetings.
Omg @10:59. You just made my day I can’t stop laughing…at you! You obviously read it and post. So confused but laughing!!!