>Whether we are talking about our fire department, police department, other VOR departments, or our school system, it seems nepotism is alive and well in Ridgewood or is it? It seems that this topic has ruffled some feathers.
Some families in the village have a proud history of public service but offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job, would be considered a form of nepotism.
Hundreds of applications are received when an opening occurs in our fire department, police department or in our school system. When a relative is hired for one of these open positions it is only natural to question whether or not he/she was the best candidate.
Does knowing someone or being related to someone get you the job? Does nepotism create an environment conducive to preferential treatment to family members? When relatives work in the same department or unit do work-related issues arise that can negatively affect that department or unit? Or is it simply a matter of good people looking to carry a tradition of public service ?
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>repost…Nepotism is the least of the village’s problems. When it comes to preferential treatment or promotions, it whether your one of the chosen, the golf or bar club members, or what council person you’re tight with. Civil Service doesn’t matter the town has repeatedly circumvented the proper promotional process, from passing over qualified people on promotional lists to creating directors positions when their chosen one could not pass the test, and of course there is the creation of positions to take of there chosen ones in many departments. The council and manger have created a climate of “its not what you know but who you ———“ where employees are encouraged to use back door politics to get ahead. These many of these same council members have been around for and approved the creation these unnecessary positions and improper promotional practices. Now they claim to be physically responsible and demand audits and accountability. There laws that a supposed to prohibit council members from interfering with the day to day operations and personnel of the various agencies, yet that is what’s been happening for a long time now. The bottom line for getting ahead in Ridgewood, is not necessarily about being related, rather its more about being connected.
>Repost…IT IS BOTH — BEING RELATED AND BEING CONNECTED.
I find it very hard to believe that out of 200-300 applicants not one but two brothers will be hired (whether its the RFD or RPD). No wonder our little village is all f–cked up.
>The Fire Chief got up at a Board of Ed meeting and supported his brother’s board…that kind of felt a little unethical.
The Police Chief didn’t come to the meeting and support the BOE.
The Mayor didn’t come to the meeting and support the BOE.
Only the brother of the president, the fire chief, in full uniform.
And there’s one of your problems with this type of nepotism.
>There are not hundreds of applicants combined for the entire village let alone the police and fire departments. Even when there is an opening, only the top scoring test takers have the possibility of the job. Hopefully, the young Mr Bombace will take the fire test and based on his veteran status (gained for overseas wartime service in the Marine Corps) will be number 1 on the civil service list as per the guidelines of the State of New Jersey. By the way if any of the complainers would like a rewarding career in public safety for the village, feel free to take the tests for the fire department or the police department. Check the NJDOP website for test dates and applications at
https://www.state.nj.us/personnel/public_safety/index.htm
>I remember reading articles about the number of applications for police, fire and school job openings. It was in the hundreds. Now you say it isn’t. Is that because you don’t advertise for openings? You keep it quiet so there are fewer applicants thus making it easier for your relatives or friends to climb aboard?
>okay we get it. mark bombace’s son is a war hero and will become a firefighter in ridgewood. the bombace dynasty will live on for ever and ever. hoo hah.
>Hey PJ, can we get a list of all related employees for the fire, police, school district, etc.?
>Do the fire and police departments teach to the test? Are their friends and relatives shown old tests? In other words, are they coached? Do they have an unfair advantage over other applicants who know no one or aren’t related to some one in the department?
>I would hope that the firefighters in Ridgewood would take one look at who is the chief, the captain, and who will be joining their squad next year and realize that they will never climb the ladder to the top because a Bombace will be there ahead of them.
>How many businesses around have friends and family members working for the same company? How many readers of this blog have been asked to “help out” a friend or relative by passing on a resume? Why should public service be any different?
The problem here, and anywhere for that matter, comes when these friends and family members are “direct reports.” This is where there is a conflict of interest that most businesses prohibit. While many businesses allow fathers and sons, husbands and wives, or brothers and sisters to work in the same company, they would not allow them to be Lieutenant and Patrol Officer, or Chief and Captain. This is where Ridgewood needs to reevaluate its hiring policy.
>can someone for ONCE simply NAME NAMES of WHO GOT PASSED OVER despite their NUMERICAL standing??? Just the FACTS instead of whining. (ps..apparently NONE to back up the whining)..if you dont like the particular ‘lineup’, then TAKE THE TEST,encourage your friends to take the test, have your children TAKE the test. but apparently some of the posters here seem to have it OUT for a particular family (that i do know personally know)
>Families tend to share interests, and, even in the 21st century, relatives sometimes stick around in the same area and live near each other.
It’s a positive element of our nation’s culture that would be sad to lose.
Families can’t be expected to be randomly spread out all over creation and to all have different careers.
So you have to be careful when accusing anyone of nepotism.
>Did 3:11 really just question the difference between private industry and public service? What happens if a father/son business isn’t making money? They go out of business.
What happens if public service isn’t staffed with the best people available? Our taxes go up.
Now our Police and Fire are great, but seriously, saying there is no difference between private and public?
>Considering that it’s well-known that almost half of the Ridgewood PD and Fire Department employees make six-figure salaries, the number of applicants per year must easily number in the high hundreds. Hell, I’m tempted to apply for a job that pays six figures for you to hang out in front of the occasional road work/utility crew and give tickets to motorists for failing to give right of way to pedestrians. Of course, you do risk the occasional beatdown from some teenager selling drugs behind Starbucks.
>3:12 Good point does anyone actually have proof that the people who are being publicly accused of nepotism are not in fact the best qualified for the job. Before you crucify someone should you have all the facts or is this just another witch hunt?
>This is an absolutely pointless debate that has degenerated into name-calling and character assassination. What’s the point, other than to give a miniscule percentage of the village workforce a chance to take a free (and anonymous) shot against the Village? Life? Please get one.
>More attacks on one of our brave soldiers fighting in Iraq?
How sad
How very, very sad
>My mother’s father was a fireman. My uncle was a fireman. His son is a fireman. They all grew up in a culture of public service. Each generation was expected to continue that public service. A family tradition based on public service is something to be very proud of. Many in this monied enclave do not understand the meaning of public service. How many in the Village can be proud that their child or children are doing what their country asks by joining the military? We can probably count them on one hand. The monied class does not and never will understand or encourage public service in their families. It was self service that got them rich. Right on, PD and FD. Keep up the good work!
>to 3:41 thanks for not including FD menbers for traffic duty.I am sure the FD is always ready to respond, not from a PSEG job.That should not be their job.
Six figure!?! Please
>With a six figure salary, retiree medical, a large pension and little higher education requirements – aren’t the PD and FD part of the monied class?
Also, I don’t think anyone is malinging police officers and fire fighters – instead it seems like a suggestion that there may be a few hundred other people who would like the chance to do the job.
>A previous poster said that this also goes in in the private sector, and so, what’s the big deal. Well, I’ll tell you. Private companies can hire who they like. They can hire all the relatives they want. I don’t care. The reason being is that the private companies are owned by private individuals. If they are happy with the arrangement, it’s their business. If the shareholders are okay with it, so be it. It’s their risk to take. Now when you get this thing happening in the public sector, we’re talking public money. Tax-payer money. My money. Do I need to explain further?
>I do recall reading a published letter to the editor of The Ridgewood News from a longtime resident by the last name of Ballesteros who had applied for a police position. If I’m not mistaken, in his letter he was #1 on the written and had passed his psychological and any other tests with no problems. He was upset because he was passed over.
>& the Bombace-bashing continues
some folks here really need to GET A LIFE
>Unfortunately, New Jersey has a long history of questionable (trying to be nice) government practices. The concept of home rule above all else doesn’t help. If you surveyed the 560-odd municipalities in this state, you would probably find a lot of the same thing. Add to that school districts, regional school districts, agencies, utility authorities, counties, state gov’t, etc…..
>i know the bombace boys and amoruso boys and i dont believe for a second that they were #1 on the testing. a little creative scoring maybe? regardless, you here to stay and i’m sure your looking forward to your big fat pensions.
>The hiring practices are being attacked here. Those who got their jobs because they knew the right person or had a relative to help them get the job are upset because we are all talking about it. Get over it.
>7:10 PM I do remember that letter to the editor about a resident not getting on the police force. I don’t remember his name but I do remember the letter.
>BTW – how did the wife of the RBSA president get picked to run the new community center? Was that job even advertised? Or is it that she’s connected?
>Hey,
Would the fire chief suggest cutting his brother’s pay, perks and pensions? I think not.
As this practice continues, watch our taxes rise!
>How is it an “attack” to discuss family members working in our town government and for our town services? My taxes PAY the salaries of these people and I’m supposed to not talk about how they got their pension packed jobs. NJ has more public employees per capita than ANY STATE IN THE NATION. WE HAVE A HUGE PENSION BILL THAT WILL BANKRUPT FUTURE FAMILIES.
Get real. Get a thick skin or get a job that’s not dependent on your brother, sister, father, mother, aunt, uncle, etc.
Pray, let the conversation continue Public service is not a holier than thou activity. It’s just a job with a very nice pension, health care, vacation, sick days, etc. that we (taxpayer suckers and union hostages) kill ourselves (in the private sector) to pay for.
>Again, pointless blather. Please folks, there really are more important things going on on Ridgewood besides this crap. If any Village employee is so pissed about their position in life, just quit and move on. The populace will really not notice your absence.
>”there really are more important things going on on Ridgewood besides this crap.”
What? Fixing the horse farm dam? Replacing lampposts in town? Controlling our geese? Selling a liquor license? Purchasing a new sign for the courthouse/police station?
>Yeah, 8:54, that’s the kind of stuff I was talking about. What’s wrong with you malcontents? If you want to change things in Ridgewood get off the Blog and your asses and DO something.
>2:09, you couldn’t be more off-track. I would bet if you went down to the high school, you’d have the same number of applications when you left as when you arrived. With the emphasis people in this town put on being “formally educated”, civil service is probably the last thing on young people’s minds. 2:17, there is no way to use “old” tests to help candidates, they change it every cycle. It’s administered by the State, not the RFD and has to be approved by the Department of Justice. On top of that, there’s pressure from minority groups to make sure the tests are “fair and balanced”. In addition, there are preparation courses available for both the fire and police tests to help candidates do better. Bottom line is that the candidate that wants the job will go the extra mile. That means, more time at the gym, more time cracking the books. 3:41, your ignorance is some of the worst on this forum. Yes, the salary is certainly nice but it’s also based on what is involved in the job. It’s more than “risking the occasional beatdown” as you so intelligently put it. It’s walking into domestic disputes, which are far and away the situation where the most police officers lose their lives. It’s dealing with the stress of the job day in and day out. You may think this is just the perfect little town, but it’s got just as much filth as any other. Have you ever had to tell a parent their child is dead of a drug overdose? How much would you want to be compensated each year for that responsibility. What would you charge to spend a career worrying about frivolous lawsuits from people pissed about getting a speeding ticket or DUI? How about the fact that firefighters are more prone to heart failure, and sometimes don’t live very long past retirement? 6:33 – Monied class? It’s earned with years of hard labor protecting strangers. It’s earned by missing countless family events and working in the worst conditions. Stop biting the hand of the ones who watch over you while you sleep. And that goes DOUBLE for slandering a young man with his butt in the sand helping to liberate a nation that endured DECADES of tyranny. Don’t punish the brave young Marine (not soldier) because you don’t agree with his father or uncle.
>You could not pay me enough to walk into a burning building. You could not pay me enough to walk into a domestic dispute or crime scene. I sure as hell am not brave enough to fight in that sh*thole Iraq. I have the utmost respect for our brave firefighters, police officers and soldiers and I thank you for choosing your given professions. I’ll take my high paying desk job in Trump Tower any day.
That being said, except for one disingenuous poster, I do not see anyone questioning the work ethic of our men and women in blue or camouflage. PJ’s topic is about nepotism. It is no secret that there are several members of the same family working in our schools and working in our fire, police and village hall departments. It is no secret that there are hundreds of applicants for these positions. I, too, wonder how many highly qualified, highly educated and highly motivated individuals are being passed over for these positions in order for a relative or friend to be hired? Based on the overly sensitive and defensive nature of some of these postings, I can only deduce that nepotism is indeed alive and well in Ridgewood.
>Familys having a tradition of service in the FD or PD is one of the endearing traditions of those services.
I’d rather my tax money pay theses dedicated public servants more than for it to pay for the back rubbing going on in our school district.
TERC and CMP are bad.
They seem to cost so much.
WHAT is Botsford and Ives gaining from this?
– kickbacks? dont know but wonder just what OTHER curriculum publisher can have its sales person visit our district besides the good ol folks from Pearson
– noteriety? a little google shows Ridgewood being promoted as a CMP district way back in May 2007 – and YET we had NOT even finished ONE year of CMP
see slide 27 … RIDGEWOOD listed first
yeah, complain about our police (they do keep us safe), complain about our FD (they do put out the fires and answer the alarms)
but sit on your hands and quietly while those in the school district play their game
and the teacher …. as a good teacher she probably has reflected on her craft all along the way and pulled (as they all try to do) whatever she could from her resources to teach her classroom of kids
but the true believers are off selling their goods … slide 27 people — Botsford and Ives want the FAME
https://www.westex.org/temp/connectedmathBaggs052107.pdf
>No one is punishing your brave young Marine, Mark.
>Further down on this blog someone posted, “Last year, the RFD had to hire from an out-of-town list because the list of residents was too short…”
Do Ridgewood residents have top priority for RFD jobs?
Do you have to be a Ridgewood resident to work at the RFD?
Is the same true for our police officers?
>Well, it seams that 10:53 has their panties in a bunch over this posting.
One is left to ponder the wisdom of a young marine spouting off about joining the FD when his father is captain and his uncle chief. It looks tacky. Yes, it is a family tradition. And fireman and policeman have had a long line of family members enter the force.
However, that was because of discrimination. These practices go way back to the 19th century and when the Irish were discriminated against in employment. Once they got a hold of Tammany Hall, they “took care of their own.”
Now, it has become tradition. Like many children who follow their parents into trades and professions. Kind of like the old English names – “Baker,” “Smith” and “Porter.”
I wouldn’t be too hard on the Marine for his comments. I am sure he will make a fine fireman, if he so chooses thus honoring the tradition of his family.
>We would not be discussing nepotism today had it not been for Fire Chief James Bombace and Fire Captain/BOE President Mark Bombace. James came to a board of education meeting in full uniform (glad he left the axe back at the station) speaking at the microphone defending his little brother Mark (cute when you’re 12). He then shows up at a math chat to make sure no one speaks badly about his little brother Mark (again cute when you’re 12).
For anyone out there uncomfortable with this discussion on nepotism, you can thank the Bombace boys (the Brothers Grimm)for bringing it to the forefront.
>9:13 the blog is a way to “change things” in Ridgewood. your use of the word malcontent is a prime example of why YOU are a malcontent, not those who engage in a free and unfettered discussion of issues. maybe you have a LIST of what you approve for people to discuss…dictator!
>10:53 you are seriously off the deep end. no one “slandered” (your?) son. No one. Making such unfounded accusations over a conversation on this blog renders you a defensive nut. Obviously, you are part of Ridgewood’s public service family and can’t stand being called out on it.
>Nice point 1:47. I’d add that we should all be lucky that when the fire chief showed up in full regalia to support his younger brother and intimidate the opposition that he didn’t bring along his fire axe.
>Why do some people in public service think only their jobs are hard and somehow believe that only they are making sacrifices? That is the height of hubris.
–if you didn’t spend countless hours getting a college degree, then go look up the word.
>You need to go to this website to learn the hard facts:
https://northjersey.com/_tr/runawaypay/index.html
The median police officer in Bergen County (ignore the fact that Ridgewood is paid even more than the average officer in Bergen County) make more than $27,000 per year than the median household in Bergen County.
As to missing family gatherings, when every one has to go the same gathering, someone has to be on patrol or manning the station.
10:53 – You are an idiot for continually bringing up slander. Besides the fact that no one has defamed any soldiers here, the concept you are looking for is libel.
>10:53 p.m. Please give one example where Mark Bombace’s son the Marine has been slandered.
>if u didnt think nepotism was so wrong u wouldnt be so upset.
>hubris: wanton insolence or arrogance resulting from excessive pride or from passion.
That’s a good SAT word.
>There has been plenty of nepotism in the schools over the years. A few examples:
The administrator at the education center whose secretary/assistant was his wife. Parents could never reach the administrator because the wife protected him. Administrator gone.
The principal who hired his daughter’s college roommate as a teacher. Crappy teacher, parents complained. Both principal and teacher gone.
The principal who hired another principal’s daughter to be a teacher. Both princpals gone.
>10:53 PM you say “Stop biting the hand of the ones who watch over you while you sleep.” I suppose we could turn that around and tell you to stop biting the hand of the ones who pay your salary.