Dear Editor,
I recently received an invitation from Paul Vagianos, local Ridgewood business owner, on behalf of Progress for Ridgewood, inviting me to participate in a candidate forum at the Park West Tavern on May 2 nd . I was rather surprised to learn that the price of admission to the forum,however, was a signed pledge to support the immediate construction of a five level (Design D)parking garage at the Hudson Street site. It would be inappropriate for me to make any pledge about matters to be decided shortly in an upcoming Village referendum. What are candidates to do if the referendum vote doesn’t come out in their favor, and they are elected? Not honor the referendum?
While I agree Ridgewood needs more parking and; even agree that an appropriately sized garage at this location should be built (i.e. one that fits with the surrounding character of the neighborhood and does not impact traffic adversely), we should also look at other parking solutions throughout town. The Riche and Associates 2002 report (the only recent study done on parking) even stated that traffic would be an issue at the Hudson Street location and;recommended other sites as more appropriate for a garage (i.e. Ken Smith site and North Walnut St). Lastly, based on Ridgewood being designated as a transportation hub (as part of the $20 billion Gateway project essentially linking Bergen County to NY Penn Station), as time goes on, we likely will require more parking options that fit with our Village.
Also, this election is about multiple issues; not just one issue. It is more appropriate to focus our efforts on comprehensive master planning and inclusive governing for all of Ridgewood. If elected, it is my intention to respect the results of the garage referendum vote and to work with my fellow council members to address all issues efficiently and effectively. Needless to say I declined the invitation, keeping instead my pledge for open, transparent leadership working with all interests in the community. This is the most effective way to ensure the best outcomes for our village.
Paul Vagianos needs to carefully re-consider what he is asking: Seeking a pledge from the candidates that will pit prospective council members against one another – those who will sign on his demand vs those who won't – even BEFORE the election. It is exactly this type of divisive and binary thinking that has created the current toxic climate. It has to stop; enough is enough.
Like all the candidates, I have my views, they are well formulated and clear, and I am open to listening to the other side. However, I want no part of any organization that proposes a restrictive litmus test for those who would seek to serve in public office.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Voigt
Candidate for Village Council
Vaggianos is vapid and vacuous.
Don’t spend your money at this restaurant.
Good Luck Jeff. There are a lot of not-so-vocal people in town that support you.
thanks for being upfront and keeping an open mind. Just goes to show you how far Vagianos will go. I hope the taxpayers of Ridgewood will keep this in mind when they go to vote
Is Vagianos owner of Greek to Me?
Many people on this page seem to think it will be a magnet for homeless and have never had trouble finding a spot downtown.
Jeff–Do you plan to build a garage at the Hudson site? Do you agree we need more parking downtown?
Is Vagianos insane? How can you invite prospect politicians to join a forum and make them pledge alliance to your business interests? Is this even legal?
These elections are vital for Ridgewood’s long term existence. Bring people out to vote, talk with your neighbors. I am appalled at the number of residents who have no clue who is in the race and what they stand for.
Tell Paul what he can do with his loyalty pledge!
Bravo Jeff for standing up for your beliefs and for us! I agree – enough is enough! This council has divided this town and literally turned neighbors against each other all in pursuit of their own greedy agenda. shameful
Jeff: I hope that you sent this to The Ridgewood News as a “letter to the editor.” And I hope someone posts Jeff’s letter on one or more of the Facebook forums. Everyone needs to know what kind of guy Vagianos really is.
Why didn’t Vagianos or Saraceno run for office? They do a poor job working the puppet strings.
They should stand up and run on theor own and stop manipulating the candidates.
Thank you Jeff Voigt. This letter is amazing, right on point!
Vagianos did run for office. He lost his bid for the NJ State Assembly last November.
Vaggianos and Saraceno are manipulating the candidates, but they are the losing candidates whose names will soon be forgotten.
8:50 AM: yes, and more.
Vagianos as told people that he does not want to run for local office because it may hurt his restaurant. So now you know he put business ahead everything. So thats his Achilles Heel. BOYCOT GREEK TO ME
spread this message
Vagianos not only owns Its Greek to me but also the building directly adjacent to the proposed parking garage….
He should have patrons of Greek to me take a loyalty pledge not to eat elsewhere.
I ate there once when it first opened and never went back, simply because I didn’t like the food or service. Now I wouldn’t go in a million years because of the way he co-opted the sidewalk. Here’s hoping the next council calls him on ordinance violations and reclaims the sidewalk for whoever needs to walk by. The ordinance allowing sidewalk tables was not specific enough and has allowed tables and chairs to stick out into the pathway. I would recommend a complete rethinking of this during the summer while sidewalk tables are out in force and rewriting the ordinance with more specifics, announcing the new rules in the fall, and following up strongly next spring, with warnings quickly followed by fines. We have cut-outs on street corners to make it easier for people with wheelchairs, strollers, crutches, or whatever to get from the street to the sidewalk and back, but if the sidewalk itself is an obstacle course, that doesn’t help much.
Follow the money…
I love Greek food, and It’s Greek to Me is a family favorite for us, but I do agree that the sidewalk is cluttered and difficult to navigate. This has nothing to do with Mr. Vagianos, his view on the parking garage, or the pledge he required attendees to his campaign event to sign, but I had to say it. It’s been a pet peeve of mine for years now. I’m not sure how he gets away with it.
Wow, it is amazing to read this with the perspective of a year and a half of Jeff Voigt’s horrible reign of terror. What a liar, sneaky, slimy, smarmy snake he turned out to be. He sure did fool a lot of people.
Apparently Jeff is still fooling them…
Look at all the supportive comments based on one letter, ignoring his actions on the village council.
You people are so easily fooled…
His letter is dead on balls accurate! However, his council actions may not! IT happens!