Ramon M. Hache
Councilman-Elect
Village of Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, On June 21st, residents will be voting on a binding referendum regarding the bonding of $11,500,000 to finance the cost of building the Hudson Street parking deck. There is a high level of speculation and misinformation circulating, including print and video propaganda posted on the Village website. As a member of the next Council, I feel it is important to communicate my views regarding the overall parking issue.
I am, first and foremost, committed to improving the quality of life of our residents, public safety and the health and well-being of our Central Business District. I certainly recognize that bringing additional parking to our Village, if properly done, will enhance quality of life, public safety and the vibrancy of our CBD. Also, as I stated during my campaign, I am supportive of a parking deck on Hudson Street. It is also important to note that the next Council is committed to implementing a comprehensive parking solution, that includes a parking deck, but most importantly, will bring much needed parking relief to the entire CBD. A parking deck on Hudson Street, while crucial, only solves part of the problem. Ultimately we have a parking distribution problem in our CBD, not a parking deck problem. We have already begun planning for more cost-effective solutions that will require minimal expenditures.
Without knowing the outcome of the June 21st referendum, we are exploring all options including the impact and viability of a smaller deck on Hudson Street combined with a second deck/lot at the corner of Walnut and Franklin. While the Hudson Street deck will address the parking needs of commuters and patrons of the shops and restaurants within its immediate proximity, we also need to consider the parking needs of the rest of the CBD. Again, this is why solutions in addition to the Hudson Street deck are so crucial.
We will be working with an expanded group of experts, residents, board and committee members. We are fortunate to have a tremendous amount of intelligent and caring people in our community. We will leverage their knowledge, expertise and love of community to devise the right solution that meets the broader needs of our Village, not just of a selected few.
Ridgewood has waited 90 years for a parking solution, not just a parking deck. The notion that a single parking deck will solve our parking problem is in itself an outdated 90 year old idea. The Village needs a comprehensive and modern parking solution that is both innovative and reflective of the world we live in. Coupled with bringing a better mix of businesses, it should serve to enhance an already vibrant Central Business District.
Being fiscally conscious, we want to avoid unnecessary and costly expenses including changes in work orders. The Village Council has already spent over $600,000 of taxpayer money and we have not added a single additional parking space. The next Council will make final decisions regarding size, shape, and look of the Hudson Street parking deck. What the final comprehensive solution will look like, will depend on the outcome of the referendum. Therefore it would be premature at this time to communicate any specific plan but rest assured we are prepared for either possible outcome. As I had promised during my campaign, I will support whatever the people want to do and I will not direct residents on how to vote. It is my duty as a member of the Council, to listen to the voice of the people and act accordingly. I look forward to working for you, and with you, in moving forward on the various important issues our Village is facing.
Finally…..some leadership!!!
Well said and thanks for actually spelling out a rational solution.
Jeff & Bernie??????
you need to pay more attention everyone except for the 3 amigos are on board with comprehensive parking solutions with or without a garage
Now this makes a lot more sense !
well said. I look forward to your leadership
8:21am looks like you only read Ramon’s stuff. Jeff has provided these details already.
Well said Ramon. While I appreciate the diplomatic tone, I still think it’s important to vote NO on Tuesday. To allow the outgoing Council majority one more ounce of input on this or any other issue facing our Village would be doing a disservice to the 67% of the electorate that rejected their pro-development platform. I have to believe that your job going forward will be much easier and the project will be much less encumbered if this resolution is rejected. I believe that Jeff Voigt has come out saying that he’ll be voting NO as well.
Action speak better then words.Lets see what happens.
Thank you Ramon. Counting down to July 1st?
Mayor Hache on the case
9:08 Thanks for the correction. I like all the new council members and know they will do a better job.
It’s just time to remind everyone now before the vote and pile on the common sense.
We will see 9:08 or may just the names will change.
Hache and Jeff won the most votes and have shown true leadership unlike anyone on the current Council. Have never heard a single original idea from Mike or Sue.
perhaps you should pay more attention
Examples James? Sue took a $1000 donation from Jack Traina who lives across from Schedler, so protecting a bald eagle habitat is not an original idea when she’s conflicted like that
the Bald Eagle came on Ridgewood’s own property survey get your facts straight, btw who said the Bald eagle was some novel thought , its called an endangered species , some even proposing to kill one is subject to jail time , go ahead make my day
Mike and Susan are the voice of reason. You, 11:42, are the voice of ignorance.
So what is their comprehensive and modern parking solution that is both innovative and reflective of the world we live in?
Everyone should read the letter from the Financial Advisory Committee in Friday’s Ridgewood News. The June 21 vote approves funding but does not obligate the new Council to buid a garage.
Financial Advisory Committee has ZERO credibility
How much credibility would a guy that doesn’t know that bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list over 8 years ago have?
more credibility that proposing to kill one
Mayor Hache! Ha! Fireworks start early this year folks as the first battle royale of the “new improved council” sets up between Susan “I should have been mayor already, so it’s my turn” partnered with Bernie “I know I left but I’m back and I want my time served” against Ramon “Uh, let’s let the voters decide — and they decided they wanted me the mostest” and Jeff “never let the facts get in the way of a good letter to the editor.” Yeah, let’s be nice and leave Mike out of it. He prefers that.
great story , hows the Fiction career coming ?
Oh yes, the Financial Advisory Committee, which includes big time LOSERS Evan Weitz and Janice Willett. I did not even bother to read their letter. Didn’t read Pucciarelli’s letter either. Why would I give a flying F what losers say?