Ridgewood councilman pulls business with village
Thursday May 23, 2013, 7:40 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Ridgewood Councilman Tom Riche abruptly pulled his private telecommunications company from any future dealings with the village after he was pressed by his governing colleagues Wednesday night over an $8,000 payment discrepancy.
An anonymous letter sent last week to Mayor Paul Aronsohn alleged that Riche’s firm, North Haledon-based Extel Communications, was paid more than an approved amount by the Village of Ridgewood for services last year. The previous Village Council awarded a contract via resolution to Extel under state contract on June 13, 2012, for communications maintenance, repairs and upgrades in an amount not to exceed $24,000.
The contract was projected to include phone and software upgrades to the Toshiba systems at Village Hall, the water department and fire department headquarters. Extel is the only dealer listed on the approved state contract vendor list for Toshiba systems.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/208743801_Ridgewood_councilman_pulls_business_with_village.html
Ok now I’m really laughing “An anonymous letter sent to Mayor Paul Aronsohn”. This guy is really out of control. He expects us to believe now he’s receiving anonymous letters about Councilman Riche?
It’s getting more interesting day by day….. and it’s not even June yet.!!!!!!!!
I’ll bet when the dust settles, the village asked for other services above what was originally quoted in the bid. Just like every other vendor we use.
I’ve known Tom Riche my whole life. He is an honest man — unlike Paul Aronsohn who take his moral and ethical cues (not to mention his sleazy campaign tactics) from the leaders of the party of which he is a member (i.e., Obama, Reid and Pelosi).
Tom should know better….I’m sure everything was on the level but it’s just something his company should avoid doing based on principle.
Let’s move on to the next tempest….
Let me guess — Riche has indicated he might question either Valley or the downtown developments or some other pet project of one of the other council members?
Others on the council feel free to hawk and drool over the virtue of Valley Hospital, yet feel there is no impropriety in their positions. They remind me of Louie in Casablanca — absolutely shocked that someone else might create the appearance of impropriety.