file photo by Boyd Loving
December 8,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, After years of on again off again probation culminating in the seizure of the property and a lengthy court battle, by Executive order the Charter of the Ridgewood Lodge has been revoked .
Basically , the Grand Elks found the Ridgewood lodge had violated too many lodge rules such as meeting times and missing audit deadlines as well as it committed bad business practices leading to the lodges insolvency .
It’s a sad demise to a long time Ridgewood Institution . The Ridgewood blog will be keeping our ears open to see who wants the building and liquor license and follow the money.
Manipulative local busybodies will now convert the elks lodge into a public shrine of adoration to statist dem Arohnsohn. He is so jealous of Gottheimer for defeating Garrett for the 5th Congressional District house seat.
Jeff mentioned last night at the council meeting that he is working with library board of trustees and Arinsohn cronies in Financial Advisory Committee to plan a multi million dollar renovation of the library.
This has Nancy Greene written all over it.
Very sad to see the Elk’s go. Was a favorite hangout. I still dont understand who in Ridgewood could possibly influence the decisions of the National Elk’s club.
Truly sad. This Lodge while once in not the best of shape was making improvements by leaps and bounds. A new group of dedicated and excited officers took charge and were taking a no prisoners approach in their efforts to get the Lodge back on track. They had won awards for membership gains (I believe over 40 new net new members in a year), started an Antlers group that was very active in the community, had won several community awards for their local efforts. Looking at the decision from the GF, losses were cut by 81% in a single year (yes a single year) which by definition means revenue was significantly higher (by tens of thousands actually). All signs that the lodge was on the rise in a major way.
This Lodge could have been salvaged. When objectively looked at they were one, maybe two years at the most away from meeting all the requirements of an All American Lodge. That is how far they came in a very short amount of time. Can you imagine that story in the national magazine?
Just look at the effort they put into saving their charter to see how much love and dedication they felt for their Lodge. They never gave up on the Elks or what the Elks stood for. They worked hard to right all the past wrongs, they put their hearts and souls into the place and were making real and accountable progress.
Yes, a sad day that another Elks lodge is gone but even sadder that this one could have been rescued and then been held out as an example that when a team works TOGETHER anything is possible. I say this is an opportunity lost to showcase a potential success story of how to climb that mountain and reach the top.
Probably a scheme to grab the liquor license and the money it brings
Nothing but a land grab. National Elks see that the value of land it sits on is far more worth than the money they collect from members, fundraising. In other parts of the country Elks clubs sit on property worth $5,000, $10,000 etc. Ridgewood Elks is worth hundreds and thousands of dollars. Interesting also, is that a couple of years ago the Elks got “help” in lowering their yearly tax burden; therefore devaluing their assessment. How convenient for whoever will now be purchasing this property. Stay tuned to see who will be purchasing this land grab. Any guesses who??