Once again, the Council majority is trying to rush a construction agenda item through before any opposition can organize. Look for them to rush the “comprehensive impact studies” on the high density housing question through too. That vote will be scheduled immediately after the results are released so that the minimum number of people will have read them beforehand.
Apparently they only listen to rooms full of people with signs so let’s give them what they want.
Dear Members of Council and Manager,
There are many dissatisfied residents in town, and as our representatives, we urge you to listen to our concerns, not ignore them. We have lived in Ridgewood since 1968 and we don’t remember a time when legitimate concerns were given lip service and then ignored.
Marty & Ellie Gruber
Angela Turner Stoehr , does great job in explaining the problem with the current design. Hopefully watching your explanation will be an eye opener for many who think that some residents oppose all progress, and will come to the council meeting this Wednesday to request the council to come up with a design that fits the lot and not encroaches the street, and then bond it with our own bond, instead of going to BCIA, which will open up this lot mainly for out of town commuters because of the county funding and owning the garage.
https://www.tubechop.com/watch/7623263
Next the Village has to go to the BCIA to petition for the money next. That will be a public meeting and the freeholders have to vote on it.
What you forget is that planning board hearings that took place over several years and decided on high density housing.
As much as I am against high density I don’t think rabid opposition will help. The council will just say they agree with the planning board vote.
The best way to have opposed would have been to make it known that we who oppose the parking garage and high density housing will no longer spend our money in the central business district.
Please go to the council meeting Wednesday, jan 27th at 7:30, and urge the council not to go to the BCIA for funding. We should never want to give up part of our streets (as the design in the picture takes away 12 feet from the width of Hudson St). We also should never give up the power of something we own. If we bond with the BCIA, we will be entering into a leasing agreement, which will give them say over how the garage is run. We will no longer be able to charge more for out of town commuters. Our village commuters will get no benefit, while the village still takes all the risk for the bonding. This would clearly be a bad move for Ridgewood.
“Do you not know that Jonathan Gruber, blameworthy primary architect and shameless promoter of Obamacare, is the son of long time Ridgewood residents Martin and Ellie Gruber of South Irving Street in Ridgewood,
Is this true??????
It is but so what?
Ellie Gruber is among the most esteemed residents of Ridgewood. She works tirelessly for the good of the Village – especially in her efforts to protect and promote the Open Public Meetings Act and transparency in the way both past and present Councils conduct business.
It’s a disservice to the Blog as a legitimate forum, as well as simply a cheap shot, to start talking about her family. Whether or not you agree with Jonathan Gruber has ZERO to do with what we are facing here in town. Why even bring that up here?
No big deal. I actually like Jonathan Gruber because he’s not afraid to tell the truth.
“Lack of transparency is a huge political advantage. And basically, call it the stupidity of the American voter or whatever, but basically that was really, really critical for the thing to pass…Look, I wish Mark was right that we could make it all transparent, but I’d rather have this law than not.”
Was he talking about Obamacare or the Parking Deck referendum?
Gwen Hauck said something very interesting when she spoke at the end of the meeting.
Go back and watch the tape.
“We WON the vote, and that was not an easy thing to do”. (hope I got the wording close)
It wasn’t about a fair and open non-binding referendum.
It was about WINNING, and the 3 Amigos and the Villlage Manager did everything they could to WIN.
Lawn signs, emails, newsletters, handbilling at the train station. Vilifying the opposition.
Now they are going to WIN by going around the bonding law which requires a 4-1 vote by going to the BCIA.
It’s not about what’s right. It’s about WINNING.
10.41 is Right
so 10:41 and 5:06 you mean lets boycott its greek?
No boycotting just don’t go, period. Let the council know that you are not going to spend your money in a town where your concerns are not being addressed.
The out of town people will have to subsidize the CBD.
No signs, no formal making a scene. Just stop going. And let the council know through e-mails why and how you feel.
Money always talks.
Restaurants are sensitive to their reputation as a community house of sorts,
Photo proves that this Structure is a blockBuster that is so Ugly there shall be no Equal in the Hall of Shame architecturally .Even if the town was building a prison there ..if it don’t fit..you must Aquit ..