Reader Responds to Mayor Paul Aronsohn’s recent blog post.
With time constraints keeping me from the mayoral coffee klatsch, I was wondering if you might be able to provide insight into the proposed construction at the Ken Smith location. Supposition is swirling about as to the project and its participants. Perhaps you could assure the residents that you and other Village Council members have not already struck a deal with Paul Sarlo (that Woodridge connection just won’t quit) to install a 6-story behemoth in exchange for downtown parking spaces. That would be wrong on so many levels not the least of which is the ethical conundrum of meetings taking place between a majority of the concil and developers and no “sunshine”.
Could you also let us know why the “Sealfon’s” development proposal you are involved with (Saraceno et al–there’s Woodridge again) should be more acceptable to the taxpayers (who would have to bond it) than the proposal made several years ago by a firm that was fully funding it privately at no expense to the citizens of Ridgewood? Seems to me that a “serious” solution was made and entirely ignored because the principals were not contributiors to a political war chest. That would then lead to my final question (for now) Mr. Mayor, have any of the individuals involved in that development contributed to your political campaign? Additionally, I would extend that query to any member of your “Tiger Team” including our new municipal judge.
Duty calls, but many more questions remain…..0% BUDGETING was the battle cry while campaigning but post election 4% raises to union library employees (and 2% for non union….so very generous with other people’s money). Couldn’t Onyx have paid that instead of village seniors and those struggling to pay their mortgages? Using Dr. Gabbert’s raise as political fodder when you knew it was promised for the good work he did in cutting payroll and future union packages is not only deceitful, but the worst kind of political pandering.
It seems one question begets so many more. Looks like I’m going to have to get to a Village Council meeting. Coffe klatsches are nice, but I’d like my questions “on the record” and with input from your colleagues.
Looking forward to your response and to seeing you at the next meeting,
Michele Robins
You can’t stop him now . He was the top vote getter in the last election and with his dream team he is going to do what he wants. He doesn’t need your or that fact anyone approval. It would be wise to move out of Ridgewood if you don’t like what going on. The Mayor and his two colleagues have 4 years and the majority vote.
Couldn’t agree more #1.
The talk of the town is all the blue and white collar groups. The would like to meet the mayor and counsel regarding finalizing the contract.
You don’t have to meet with all the Council. you only have to meet with Paul,Al and Gwen. Their running the show. They will be sure to listen to your concerns.
Are you hittin’ the bottle Anon #1? Move out of Ridgewood because of a guy who will be mayor for 24 months?? How about we find out if the Mayor and his dynamic duo have been meeting with developers without consent of the remainder of the board or in full view of the village. I know those who care to can use private email for conversations that they’d rather not have their public privy to, but OPRA isn’t just a talk show host…Additionally, let’s see if Kleimann, McGinley, Amos et al aren’t merely stenographers and cheerleaders for our Mayor and will actually do some investigative work as it relates to all the various development projects (especially those involving Saraceno/Onyx and Paul Sarlo/Terminal) and how ALL those tie into the Mayor’s campaign coffers….it’s an intriguing story that every taxpaying Ridgewood resident would love to follow in that fish-wrapper known as for the Ridgewood News.
I hope so . because this is bull s,./t. we all feel that the top dogs are not telling u all what is really going on. you need to get the right info. not some b s story. you have no idea who is running things and it’s not who you think. the mayor and some of the counsel need to sit down and get this info now. in the past none of the managers would let the workers of the town talk to the mayor or counsel . well it’s time for the right scoop.
Your spinning you wheels #4. The Mayor is innocent until proven guilty. Get over it. We welcome a new Ridgewood. The Mayor is working politics as it is meant to be worked. He is cutting through red tape by meeting with developers. Just so you know he will be Mayor for 4 years.
For those who of you who have so many unanswered questions why not simply confront the Mayor directly. He makes himself available to all comers on two Saturday mornings each month in the Village Hall courtroom. Come one, come all……..he is there and he can’t dodge you. No one can say Paul is not available or reachable. Heck, during the storm he even gave out his personal cell phone number so residents could reach him directly.
Everyone on this blog and the Patch and the other blog need to realize that if you don’t show up to a council meeting and make a comment or ask a qustion your just wasting your time. You have to be on public record for anything to count in this town.
Meeting Mayor during his Saturday stoke session is not public record it is not recorded nor is there minutes taken. He can tell you what you want to hear without any record. Plus he is only on person with a title you need three votes to get anything done. #8 is right!
JUST SO WE’RE QUOTING #6 ACCURATELY (& sorry for their atrocious spelling, hope they’re not a RHS grad)……”Your spinning you wheels #4. The Mayor is innocent until proven guilty. Get over it. We welcome a new Ridgewood. The Mayor is working politics as it is meant to be worked. He is cutting through red tape by meeting with developers. Just so you know he will be Mayor for 4 years.
WOWZER! I guess life in “a new Ridgewood” has our mayor “working politics” and “cutting through red tape” at the expense of legal, ethical behaviour. And, just so YOU know, political winds are quite unpredictable. I wouldn’t hang my hat on 4 years…..2 will be plenty for all the rattling skeletons to fall out of the closet.
#10 If you believe our Mayor is doing something illegal and you have the proof then I suggest you call the Attorney General office and if you believe he is doing something unethical in sure if you look hard enough you will find a office in the state that will take your complaint. Why don’t just move out of the way of progress. Our Mayor is going to bring back Ridgewood to it glory days.
Coincidentally, paperwork is in the pipeline, didn’t need to look hard at all to find that “office”. You may alert the mayor, Mr. Pucciarelli (who, as an attorney, really should know better) and Mrs. Hauck, 2013 should be very exciting. And PLEEEASE, can you proofread your postings, they are simply horrific. Your english teacher should have their tenure revoked.
I’m “waitin on a miracle” for those “glory days”, Bruce……
” In the pipeline” Please. I think your having a “Pipe dream “