Political signs in the village-owned planters and in the sidewalk cutouts (for the shade trees) in the Central Business District were unheard of in Ridgewood until someone (as yet unidentified) paid to have the “Vote Yes” signs printed, assembled, and distributed around the Village last Fall in time to influence the Parking Garage vote. And now we are told that there is some kind of regulation in place for political signs that permitted these kinds of signs to be put up in this manner?
What is the text of that regulation as it appears today? How did it appear last fall when the “Vote Yes” signs were erected? What earlier iterations of that regulation existed by which these kinds of shenanigans were completely prevented in the past? Or are we just now seeing the results of a creative interpretation on an old, unchanged regulation by an enterprising new election lawyer or cynical political operator? If that regulation was changed in such a way as to permit or encourage this kind of nonsense, what was the “before” and “after” of this change, and exactly how and when did it occur?
The guiding hands of Councilwoman Hauck, Mayor Aronsohn, Deputy Mayor Pucciarelli, and the Village Manager so clearly appear to be behind this unfortunate development that nobody should ever accept an explanation that does not implicate them. If we want to revert back to a non-partisan form of local government, which we are supposed to be guranteed under the Faulkner Act, nobody that supported the Three Amigos in their misbehavior in recent years, or who is currently receiving political support from them, should ever be elected to Village Council, even by mistake.
And like Pfund they will move on leaving disaster in their wake.
Roberta needs to go. Village manager is not a political role. Can’t wait for July 1.
She’s far and away more competent in the role than the previous two Managers, and unlike them, at least she actually cares about the Village and the QOL here.
8:56 – competency and care doesn’t matter. She needs to understand that village manager is NOT a political role or she needs to go.
competency??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
This definitely has the smell of the CHAPS (Crew of Hauck, Aronsohn, Pucciarlli and Sonnenfeld) all over it.
As to Sonnenfeld, show me how she’s competent? I’ve yet to see proof or demonstration of that.
James 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂
I heard the signs were from the C. of C., although the council could have nixed them.
These signs are embarrassing. Time to stop doing it. Let’s get a reasonable ordinance on the books after the election.
856 – – The mere fact she stays sober during the day does not make her more competent than her predecessors. Look at the half a million she wasted on the Hudson garage site before obtaining a consensus. Look at the discord she is now sowing on that issue. Look at her incompetency in dealing with the hundreds of apartments we are going to build in town. Yes, she placates Vagimous, Saraceno and others business people but she does nothing for the average citizen.
8:56 – Huh?
Here is a “reader says” story for you James. Take it if you like it:
Richard Brooks and Evan Wetiz are running on joint ticket sponsored by Rurik. Ridgewood news has published full page ads where footer suggested that those ads were paid for by “Progress Ridgewood”. Rurik’s address was used in these ads as the address of progress ridgewood group.
Progress RIdgewood Group recently uploaded two videos with messages from Brooks and Weitz. Both with the same background and same setting. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRZHBgmFO5y7g30tg-Fsm-A/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0
This confirms that both of these candidates are supported and sponsored by Rurik Hallaby. Now why this is so interesting?
Rurik has been a long time supporter of Valley. He has spent good chunk of money on this cause. Richard Brooks is spouse of the planning board attorney Gail Price. Gail Price played major role in convincing the planning board members to approve valley deal. Next step for the valley deal is village council. Rurik now wants to get Richard Brooks and Evan Weitz appointed to the council – so they can finish the work which Gail Price started.
Watch the video of Evan Weitz carefully. He thinks the decisions taken by the council yet are not “bold enough”. He wants to be even bolder than Paul, Albert and Gwenn and build even a higher density and give Valley even more than what they have gotten so far.
https://www.nfoic.org/new-jersey-foia-laws | https://www.nfoic.org/new-jersey-sample-foia-request
Bernie and Jeff have agreed to not place signs in town. Jeff has taken his down that are in the main CBD. They are the real deal and care about this town.
Classy move Bernie and Jeff.
100%, we all must vote for Walsh and Voigt, If #1 you care about Ridgewood and quality of life here. If you agree that the garage needs to be scaled down and garage should be garages (another one at Ken Smith, second level behind BOE or Hillman side). The hospital needs to scale back 50-75%, from 2010, 2014, or 2016 sizes, renew from within with small bump outs and push ups to be done June-Sept, while children not affected. High density housing down from 36 units to 24. We need leaders who make sense and can steer these issues properly. I so appreciate Jeff Voight’s comments on the Opinion page in TRN. I did not know of him until saw this. I will have a nice maroon sign on my lawn soon. I need a Bernie sign also, not Sanders Walsh! Thank you, for returning to save our town!
Was wondering about that, thanks 12:02pm.
Jeff had a sign in EVERY PLANTER IN TOWN.
Virginia, please read the comments above before posting. That can save you some embarrassment.
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What about voting for Hache. I like his idea about shared services. They should be expanded to include a many services and departments with other itty bitty selfish towns where too many officials are collecting our tax many.
I am definitely voting for Hache.
Brooks has a Weitz sign on his lawn
We need Voight, Hache, and Bernie. They are the three independents who don’t owe anyone anything. They are all capable, intelligent, organized and willing. We as a Village are fortunate that they are willing to run and take control of the total mess the Village has become.
Albert has a weitz sign in his yard. Weitz, Willet and brooks are a continuation of the three amigos legacy. They are all connected and were handpicked by those three before they decided to not run. They are not independent and to me we
Need independence and no block biting to solve our problems.
@2:31. There was because he is efficient and got first spot. He also realized it was not in the best interest of our town and removed them voluntarily, because again he realized it was not in the best interest of our town to have signs splattered everywhere. Go Jeff!!
lol voting. no block voting. Biting is also bad.
Roberta has been ‘liking’ nasty posts on Facebook. Looks like gloves are completely off with her and she is fully in campaign mode. This is the lowest point in village history that I have seen in over 15 years. Village Managers have never been so much active in politics and elections.
7:31: biting? It hasn’t come to that yet, but who knows?
I am so grateful for this piece! The signs all over the CBD were really bumming me out. So tacky! Signs on lawns say, “this household supports this candidate!” Signs in planters say, “look at me, look at me! I am in your face without permission – aren’t I clever?!” Enough is enough! Spring has sprung! Plant flowers, not lawn signs for pushy candidates! Thank you, Jeff, for removing yours. Hopefully others will follow your lead. You have my vote!
Signs are still there people…. Please come look b4 you post. That can save you some embarrassment.
People get a grip..its issues and positions
not Signage…. Rome is Burning Ridgewood..Hello…Time for school… blog posters..nightmares might be over soon..get the rears in gears for critically needed changes.