
I am a lifelong resident of the Willard School area and might happily live the rest of my life without going near the Valley Hospital except when I need its excellent services or am visiting nearby friends.
That said, I don’t accept the “greater good”argument you raise. I am gravely concerned with the effect of ten years of construction on our school children at BF and Travell as well as on Valley’s immediate neighbors. And, yes, perhaps one could say I am not being entirely altruistic – – but that’s because I realize if you hurt part of the whole without good cause, you hurt the entirety of the whole.
For example, as property prices decline near Valley due to construction and expansion, so do prices throughout the entire town. And even if the reduction in real estate value is confined to that portion of town, that means the rest of our taxes go up to make up for the shortfall resulting from the reduction in real estate prices. And think of the young couple that has heard great things about Ridgewood and for the first time pulls down Linwood avenue to go see their realtor. At the first traffic light they come to, they will be greeted by a 1,700 car garage. Does that garage foster the image of a town they want to move into, or does it cause one of them to turn to the other and say, “honey, take a right over to Glen and let’s go check out Waldwick and Ho-Ho-Kus?”
And in terms of three “minds being made up,” I think Voigt hit the nail on the head when he noted at the debate that he just met this week with the Valley CEO, its director of communications and its legal counsel. He went alone to discuss the construction and see what compromises might be reached. If you listened to the debate, you heard he did not get much of a response. Hache, too, spoke eloquently regarding his affinity for the Hospital in contrast to his concerns over the expansion. So, I don’t think the they (or Walsh) are closed to the notion of compromise and discussion. In fact, I think the three have demonstrated just the opposite.
I can’t think of a single person who wants to see Valley shut down. But, by the same token, are the goals of the Valley expansion worth sacrificing the standards of living for a whole section of town? I view Voigt, Hache and Walsh as three candidates who are not willing to sacrifice that part of town, or any part of town for that matter, in the pursuit of some undefined goal of “progress.”
That’s why this election really is all about where we live and how, and whether we want to maintain the vibrant vestiges of our Village life or change into something else. Perhaps I am being selfish here, and not thinking of the greater “regional good,” but don’t years and years of tax payments lead all of us to vote for candidates who want to preserve the Village for Villagers?
Thanks,
Kevin Mattessich
The hospital is a done deal. I live across from the hospital, so I care very much and fought against the expansion with money, letters and speaking at mic. for years, since Paul Gould headed CRR.
That being said, the issue that is not a done deal is the Ridgewood water issue. Bernie Walsh said she does not drink Ridgewood water.
When I very carefully made the decision to drink Ridgewood water, I considered the reports that said you don’t know what is in the bottled water, you don’t know if their claims are true and that bottled water is safe. I have read that Poland is no longer safe, and Deer Park is, for example. But who knows.
I believe we must keep Ridgewood water safe and drinkable, for us and future generations by investing in whatever technology, it takes , like water filters as in Fairlawn. Only if need be. We must ensure that water dept. employees are competent and know how to do correct billing. and so on.
We must retain control of our water. If we sell it we don’t know if the buyer will invest in what is needed to keep Ridgewood water clean and safe. Clean water is an endangered species all over America, due to pollution or drought. We must do our utmost to ensure that it does not become extinct.
This is the most important issue on the table. I would vote for candidates who, like Hache want to invest in Ridgewood water.
Valley is a business first and foremost. This is purely a business decision.
To keep Pascack closed Valley argued that there was a glut of hospital beds in this area. Now that there is additional competition they are positioning themselves as a boutique spital. Valley is not critical to healthcare in this area. I would go there for some things but like most people I shop around.
Now they need to expand their customer base and attract regional customers. I was in the ER for 10 long hours with a family member (she was eventually admitted). Met a family from Middletown NY that drove all the way to Valley for a nonemergency ER visit. Advertising paid off. Valley made $$
They advertise their business quite a bit, because they have to. HUMC is better, does not need advertise nearly as much.
Well, maybe readers don’t buy it but the judge sure does!!
In the case of “Valley v Ridgewood” if you will. The whole point of the “greater good” argument is to balance a vocal neighborhood’s fear of change and decreased home values with the present and future healthcare needs of a wide swath of people throughout northern NJ. It’s neither here nor there if “readers don’t buy it” or not. It also doesn’t really matter if people think Valley isn’t as good as HUMC or a “bad neighbor” or Audrey Myers is an awful person.
For better or worse, it looks as if a judge is going to have outsized influence over the project going forward.
I enjoyed reading Mr. Mattesich’s thoughtful and well written piece, even though as a supporter of Valley’s Renewal, I disagree with many of his conclusions. To say that the rebuilding will cause Ridgewood’s real estate prices to collapse stretches the point to the breaking point. Also the supposed ill effect on the children. Makes you wonder if Valley was turning itself into some smoke belching smelter.
If I were a neighbor who has concerns about the Renewal, the first thing I would do is to fire CRR’s management. They wasted so many great opportunities. They could have concentrated on talking to Valley instead to themselves through the Echo Chamber.
Lastly, there is NO way the courts wil not support Valley’s Renewal. It is not just for the Greater Good but for the good of a every one of us in Ridgewood. Here, in our backyard, is one of the top hospitals in New Jersey. Let us rejoice and not whine.
12:36- Does “outsisized influence” mean that this expansion is a done deal ? And assuming you are a Ridgewood resident, how does the TOWN, not the neighborhood, the TOWN benefit from the “greater good” theory ? And although there a lot more questions that every Ridgewood resident should be asking of any Valley supporter that actually resides here, why would you be in favor of playing Russian Roulette( as in Morristown, for eg.) with the town by letting them expand rather than modernize ?
Hackensack is superior in every way, as are most hospitals in NYC a mere 25 or so miles away. Valley is a nice community hospital and should stick to it’s core competencies.
Why are we so scared of getting sued? Judges are not blind to residents and legitimate concerns of health, safety and unfitting overbuilding in already dense towns. I have seen many cases recently where towns were sued and the result was far better than if they just agreed to every hostage demand. Enough is Enough.
Rurik: Although I really don’t expect you to respond based on your prior track record, the three questions I asked 12:36 I also ask of you. Regarding your comments concerning Mr. Mattesich’s letter, which I agree is very well written, I don’t really see a “collapse” of real estate prices either, but I can certainly see a no growth, gradual decline similar to what happened to Morristown, which, as everyone knows at one time was compared to Ridgewood as an upscale, above average place to live. Not any more, in large part due to the expansion of it’s hospital. It might be worth a ride to see what could easily happen in Ridgewood.
“Ill effect on children ?” Really nothing more than common sense: How could a construction project this size, in very close proximity to two schools, not have some negative consequences for children ? You would want your kid’s, or your grandkids, if you have any, walking, or being educated, in that atmosphere for however long it is ? Really, that just defies logic.
And finally, if ANY management, past or present, should be questioned it should be Valley’s. Good management adjusts and goes with other options when they should, and for whatever reason(s). Correct ? Then why hasn’t Valley ? Their predictions about healthcare, including what to do with their main campus before and after every renovation, have been embarrassing. Why should Ridgewood have to pay for poor, but very “convenient,” management decisions ?
Who knows, maybe Judge Perez Friscia will read this blog and rethink her position. One could only hope.
https://links.e.mycustomemail.com/servlet/MailView?ms=ODgyMjgzOQS2&r=MjM5ODc0MzMzNTIS1&j=OTAyMjY3NzY2S0&mt=1&rt=0
Bill H. And Anon 5:23 See above. Valley was ranked in the top 5 in the state. No it is NOT a community hospital. It is and has been since its inception a regional hospital.
A mere 25 miles away? You know how long it will take you and how it will cost for tolls, parking, etc. And I pray for you that if you have an emergency you end up going to Valley and not Hackensack, especially during rush hour.
Expand rather than modernize Bill H.? Isn’t modernizing what Valley’s Renewal all about?
not bad for a tier 2 hospital ??
3:34. You miss the point. Valley is not a part of the greater good. They offer medical services to people with the correct insurance. Nothing to help the ininsured and underinsured.
If you have insurance then you are Valley’s favorite type of customer.
Well Mr. Halaby, yet again while I DO DISAGREE on most of your post I do admit that you nailed one thing dead center IMHO. CRR’s reliance on the amen corner (like this blog) as a cheerleader doomed the effort for a REASONABLE compromise… now it’s in the judge’s hands… My only question is what do you think the impact will be on the middle school kids during construction… think 3 cycles of kids getting ready for RHS… regards, “Pete: 🙂
Rurik: Well, true to form, you didn’t answer any of the questions. But maybe you can clarify something regarding the propaganda you attached. How come Valley went from being voted the best hospital in New Jersey to being in the top five ? Thanks for the update, though. And thanks for the clarification regarding them going from a ” community hospital” to a “regional hospital.” Does that mean they’re getting more patients (which they are, by the way,) from Rockland County , or wherever ? Please, help us all understand this.
As for going to Valley vs. Hackensack as an emergency patient, well for one thing you could go to the place in Westwood that Valley, for some strange reason , did not purchase but Hackensack did. Or, you could be transported to a real trauma center in Hackensack ( you know, the kind Valley would like to become). Either way, by ambulance it sure as hell won’t be taking you 25 min., even in rush hour. And what about by helicopter ? I don’t think tolls or parking would be an issue with either mode of transportation, do you ?
Finally, this is all about keeping their well paying and convenient jobs right here in prestigious Ridgewood, nothing more. And as far as not being able to tell the difference between “modernization” and “renewal,” one could certainly say it’s all in the meaning. Well, now that we all know that it meant expanding the property until it’s bursting at the seams, AND insulting the intelligence of every man, woman, and child with the B.S. associated with questionable PR, we find that, once again, Valley cannot be trusted. Pathetic.
Pete, I mean Paul, please call me Rurik. Mr. Halaby is an “unkind” reminder of my chronological age which is at least twice as big a number as I think I am old. Just kidding.
Regarding the children, Valley will continue to operate and anything harmful to the kids will be harmful to the patients. Valley heals people, it does not hurt them. And any danger to the kids from trucks driving in and out, will pale in comparison to the horrible Ridgewood drivers, driving their huge SUVs while distracted with their texting, etc.
James, Tier 2 hospital? So now you are an expert in ranking hospitals? May I suggest you, as a supposed newsman, concentrate on improving your English.
look it Rurik , Valley is a tier 2 hospital- Horizon Blue Cross look it up
Well Rurik, if you look at the study endorsed by Audrey you would see them at #5. However, if you look at US News you will find them at #12. https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/nj?page=2
9:03 AM, what is a nonemergency visit to an emergency room? (not being sarcastic–please explain.)
12:36 PM, why should any of us give a darn about “the present and future healthcare needs of a wide swath of people throughout northern NJ”?
We all need to stop drinking the Kool-Aid of the nefarious expression “It’s a done deal.” Ain’t over until the judge says it is.
Yep, it ain’t a done deal at all. In fact, it was so poorly executed, its probably an undone deal if challenged in court.
They’ve gone after HBCBS’s Omnia plan that puts them in tier 2… Wow, if you’re an attorney for Valley you must be really rakin’ in the bucks these days…
A question about Brooks – – since his wife is the planning board attorney who steered the Valley expansion through the Planning Board, will he ever be able to vote on a Valley related matter one way or the other? Won’t there always be a conflict of interest presented by the concern that he is merely voting to prop up and validate her advice to the Board during their deliberations?
For that matter, will Brooks ever be able to vote on any subject whatsoever that has been addressed by the Planning Board? Isn’t he going to have to sit on the sideline during the next couple of years? Even if she and her firm were to resign now from the planning board, the big decisions of the past few years are going to be fine tuned and acted on by the council over the next couple of years.
In that case, electing Brooks would equate to electing an empty chair.
Valley has wasted 10+ years pushing its preposterous expansion plan, while failing to pursue options that wouldn’t ruin a whole section of our town. In all this time, we’ve never heard why Valley hasn’t considered a split-campus option – which has worked very well in Princeton.
I live near the hospital and have a view similar to that of BF children during the school day. I hear the noises they hear, as they’re trying to learn – and the construction hasn’t even started! Valley is now using 5 shuttle buses to cart employees around the East side of town. All day long, we hear the BEEP BEEP BEEP of these vehicles backing out (it never occurred to Valley people that this might be maddening to neighbors). I work from my home office, and have had to start wearing earplugs. Just imagine what the sound will be like with heavy construction machinery moving about all day long. This is what Valley has in mind for our middle school kids. Valley has already proven that they care nothing for the neighborhood. The “greater good” – please!
If this goes as planned, why would anyone want to send their kids to BF, or Travell, for that matter ? Can parents insist on sending the kids to another school on the west side ?