>SAVE THE WHALES!
From Saturday’s Record
Ridgewood lifts ban on signs of hospital critics
Saturday, July 7, 2007
By BOB GROVES
STAFF WRITER
Citing the right to free speech, Ridgewood officials have reversed a ban on lawn signs that say “Stop The Valley Hospital Expansion.”
Residents who had posted the yellow signs on their front lawns had received letters from the village ordering them to remove the signs. They were told the signs violated a village zoning ordinance.
But Anthony Merlino, Ridgewood’s construction official and zoning officer, said he changed his mind after he received “many sincere inquiries” and consulted with the village attorney.
“The village will not take any action to have the signs removed,” he wrote in a letter to residents.
A spokeswoman for the hospital declined to comment on Friday.
Many neighbors of The Valley Hospital have protested its proposed $750-million plans to add a one-story parking deck on Linwood Avenue, and to tear down two older buildings and replace them with three new structures up to 80 feet tall. The hospital campus is surrounded by homes and a middle school.
Residents who received notices to remove their signs were only further frustrated with the village. While Valley has presented its plans to town officials several times, opponents were told they must wait until September to argue their case against hospital expansion.
“I’m very upset about the letters,” said Patricia Ciliberti, who lives near the hospital. “They were attacking my free speech. I’m from the protest generation. I’m still upset.”
Despite being told to remove her sign, she never took it down.
Valley was “a small community hospital” when she bought her home in 1991, she said. “I don’t want them to get any bigger,” she said.
Jim Blinn, who lives directly across from the hospital, said he was relieved his sign could stay.
“I thought they had overstepped their bounds,” Blinn said. “I was taken aback. I thought it was intrusive.
“We left our sign up the entire time, to make other members of the village aware of this massive, mind-boggling project,” he said.
The “Stop Valley” signs are protected under non-commercial speech because they address a public issue, said Matthew Rogers, the village attorney. The same laws protect political campaign signs and placards promoting issues such as a local effort to remind residents to “Drive 25,” Rogers said.
“The courts, and a litany of case law on regulating signs in residential areas, have found that non-commercial speech is more protected than commercial speech, [such as] signs talking about a carwash going on,” Rogers said.
The “Stop Valley” signs can remain in place only if they meet certain criteria set by the village, Merlino said. They must not be larger than 18 inches by 24 inches in size, and they are limited to one sign per property, to prevent “visual clutter” in residential neighborhoods, he said.
The signs may not be placed on village property, or in public rights of way, including sidewalks or curb areas, and they must not obstruct the vision of pedestrians or drivers, Merlino said.
Otherwise, “we have to allow them if they’re on private property, and they’re for a cause, like ‘Save the Whales,’ ” he said.
>nice to know we still have free speech in new jersey
>Coming soon …
Save Math. Remove TERC.
>yes thats true pj.all I can say that vally helps the town in so manyways that so many of us dont ever see.I wish I had list of things that they did. ps.like maple park.
>…’not be larger than 18 inches by 24 inches in size, and they are limited to one sign per property, to prevent “visual clutter” in residential neighborhoods’ ok a sign is considered visual clutter in a neighborhood but a huge hospital expansion, requiring rezoning isn’t? At least the town recognizes that Valley Hospital is in a NEIGHBORHOOD, and not in a METROPOLIS!
>ps like maple park? maybe you have not taken a good look around…. they are so good, that they remind everyone what they have done 24/7. like everything else they do not give anything without a hefty price..and the expansion will not be a positive for the whole town not just the neighborhood…have you seen the county plans for north van dien and linwood… condemning properties for two lanes….
>was told by merlino’s office that a council member complained and ordered the signs down. hope it was not one of the members who practices law?
>What about Valley Hospital’s sign?
Question?
They rent more than a few houses, some on north van dien, do they pay taxes or are they also considered non -profit…
>hum.you no it is who you know not what you know.or did something change.
>boy o boy is that true.owell thats life.
>Why doesn’t Valley just knock down all those ugly houses on Van Dien and make a parking garage! 🙂 Then we wouldn’t have to hear about them being hypocrites when they complain about the lacking health service at Valley. Or Valley should at least put their political signs up saying, “Go to Hackensmack”.
Also, all I hear about the math program is “Wahhhhhhhhhhhh Wahhhhhhh”. You know so much about math then why don’t you run for board of ed? I will make sure to put my political signs on my yard supporting someone else.
Seems these rich stay-at-home-moms (or dads or even nannies — being p.c.) have nothing else to do than complain about junk. Small minorities should not run this town (please save me the rant of “I have hundreds of signatures”).
Peace my brothas and sistas.
>Also, all I hear about the math program is “Wahhhhhhhhhhhh Wahhhhhhh”. You know so much about math then why don’t you run for board of ed? I will make sure to put my political signs on my yard supporting someone else.
if you dont give a crap about your kids thats fine but the rest of us do..
>Small minorities should not run this town (please save me the rant of
you mean like they do now?
>9:23 sounds like a ranting of a college student living off parents or could be someone who is older and collecting a SS check. Maybe neither. I do think that the issues presented are extremely important and ones that won’t be solved by stating “why doesn’t……”
>Seems these rich stay-at-home-moms (or dads or even nannies — being p.c.) have nothing else to do than complain about junk. …you mean just like village employees
>”was told by merlino’s office that a council member complained and ordered the signs down. hope it was not one of the members who practices law?”
Nope; it was Deputy Mayor Betty G. Wiest.
>It seems to me it more a question of Valley being a good neighbor or not ,there seems to be a certain arrogance in the way they have gone about this expansion and trying to get people to take the “Stop Valley” signs looks like a red flag to any seasoned outside observer . I don’t live in the area; I have only had the very best experiences with the hospital but Valley may need to do a little damage control in the neighborhood..
>Arrogance on the part of the hospital? I have received two mailings at home from Valley — they’ve told us what they want to do in no uncertain terms. And I hardly think they care about a few feeble signs from the neighbors. Come on already — if you choose to live next to the second busiest hospital in NJ, you’re always going to be unhappy.
>If Valley is so busy as they are now- why on earth do they need to get any bigger? To bring in MORE people from gosh knows where??
>Hey- are all the preggers mommies going to like delivering their babies in the middle of a construction zone?? I think not….
>Hear, hear. I, too, feel that Valley has been up front…just because no one paid attention at the beginning, that’s not their fault. I agree — it is disingenuous to think you can live next door to a well-regarded hospital and not ever have them do improvements. I’m sorry, but it would seem that you took a gamble on that one…whether you see the result as a win or a loss depends on your attitude.
>To all those who assume that many moved into a neighborhood knowing that valley was already there. Enough with the hate. Well, there are still many of us who remember valley back in 1970. So you are wrong when you recite. “we should have thought of that”. This is not about making it better for the town; but about making more money for the few. Yes, it was not the second busiest hospital in the state? Enough is enough. The first expansion gave little resistance, the second some, the third was shot down and this should be too. They are big enough. They can add technogy from within the footprint.Take a look around. Traffic will continue to be an issue not only in this neighborhood but yours…
>Saw Audrey on wnjn last night. she is a far cry from the last hospital rep. She appears very unsure and insecure with responses. Audrey, you have put women’s rights back a generation. Changing the footprint means expansion..speak the truth.
>$750 million expansion, buying up property and they pay no taxes. council member law firm on payroll.. and they order villagers to take down signs (biased a bit), but your taxes are going up my friend. is this about the town or the hidden agendas of leaders.
>let us not forget the expansion of the intersection of north van dien and linwood…. condemnation of property. on four corners… thank – you valley for the added traffic to my town.
>Is that right? Condemnation of property on all 4 corners? See, these are facts that most of us (well, maybe I am just late to the party..) dont yet know. Agreed on the expansion and tax issues… You are taking homes off of the tax rolls… why??? Just take a look and see who is in Valley’s pocket.
BTW… I think the comment above was lost…. we should ALL support the homeowners in the area. Sure, its “Not in YOUR backyard..” but how about supporting your neighbors and the character of our village? Guess what.. someday, it might be in your backyard.
Get a good attorney. Sue the village. Valley’s attorney will love it, as hes on the clock, 24-7.
>Is that right? to validate my response go to Ridgewood Blog June 23. “Bergen County Dept. of Planning and Economic Development, recommended that council members partner with council officials to implement improvement”. not only linwood and south van dien but south pleasant and linwood… traffic, traffic, traffic,
all those cars turning onto neighborhood streets…
>Who ever said Audrey Meyers set the woman’s movement back a generation is ridiculous. In a field dominated by men, Audrey is one of the only women hospital CEOs in the country. One of a minority of women CEOs of major businesses at all in this country. What have you done recently? She is a true role model for any woman.
Are you even a woman? Do you even have a job that took half the amount of work and dedication to patient service it took her to reach the position she is in now? Or are you just one of Ridgewood’s many soccer moms who sits home with her kids living off her husband?
For that matter, why are you attacking her. She doesn’t run the hospital alone. There is no need to attack her character just because you are upset about the town, the hospital and your own situation. Shame on you!
>Audrey stop putting posts on this blog!
>Wow- a punt to the soccer moms who actually give enough of darn to GIVE UP careers and raise their OWN kids! Living off their husbands- that’s original – I guess working moms like Audrey live off the rich supporters of Valley hospital.
ps- Audrey does run the hospital alone- hence the title CEO- its her name and face on those lovely valley flyers we get and no one elses. If you can’t take the stay out of the kitchen- a place better left to traditional mothers anyway!
>Valley needs to get the outpatient services out of the hospital and off-site, e.g., their building behind Fashion Square with lots of parking. Valley Hospital on Linwood Avenue should be for inpatients. This would alleviate the parking problem and there would be no need to keep expanding. I’d rather drive to Paramus where there is lots of parking then have to deal with the parking problem at Valley now.
>Everyone keeps talking about how the hospital doesn’t pay taxes, but almost every hospital in the entire country is non-for profit and doesn’t pay taxes. It’s because of the community services they offer. Valley spends millions upon millions on free care and screenings alone. Those services are why hospitals are exempt. They only pax taxes in places like Paramus because those sites are only part of the system not a hospital themselves.
>Well, never thought I would think that mall rats (PARAMUS), were smart enough to have valley pay taxes.
Shame on Ridgewood, we complain about our taxes and valley keeps buying houses. Are those sites declared “only part of the system not a hospital themselves”. Does Valley pay taxes on all that property, too? Keep paying your taxes 6:00p.m. post.
By the way, shame on you. Envy is a bad thing. God bless all mothers , whether stay at home or work. Being a mother, is the hardest job in the world. Audrey’s appearance before the neighbor (women), on t.v. was bland. The neighbor was alert, bright and concise with her statements and p.s. i will bet that she is a stay at home mom. Let’s hear it for stay at home moms.!
>Talk about Valley and the traffic it causes. This morning big accident at Valley’s front door. Going to fast or coming out of the hospital without looking. Thank God that school was not in session. Heard the person on the motorcycle was near death. Valley does not need to be any bigger. stay within the footprint.
>…’not be larger than 18 inches by 24 inches in size, and they are limited to one sign per property, to prevent “visual clutter”
Real estate signs are most certainly larger, especially when they have the “Open House” or “Under Contract” appendage.
I don’t want those banners next to the train station reminding people to vote or that the farmer’s market is in town. Visual clutter on public property by the Village is OK?! Hypocrisy!
And those signs on the Rail-Road trellis. More clutter and hypocrisy…
>”But Anthony Merlino, Ridgewood’s construction official and zoning officer, said he changed his mind after he received “many sincere inquiries” and consulted with the village attorney.”
Merlino “changed your mind”?! Don’t do us any favors!
Actually, yes, do us one favor — do your job!
What kind of “officer” becomes a Council Member’s puppet on request?
If you can’t do your job then you should resign.
If we had a “tradition of excellence” and accountability, you should have been relieved of your duties.
Instead of wasting time writing unjustified letters to aggravate the residents who pay your salary; you should have known better and consulted the Village attorney immediately after receiving the request from militant Ms. Weist.
Make that your “lesson learned”
>Good Point, post 6p.m.
So why do most people move to ridgewood. i am sure it is not for the millions and million of free care and screenings… i love my neighbor but seem to think that most moved here to be away from those getting free care and screenings. have you been to that hospital lately. we should not have to support all of new jersey(patient i was with a few months ago came from spray beach) and upstate new york, too. You must be a better person than i but than again why did you move to ridgewood and maybe not a different kind of socio-economic town. ahhhh! or is this just a sanctimonious hypocrite’s view.
>Gee whiz! did not mean to offend. only told the truth. The last CEO’s head even bobbled better. Stick to the facts…. the traffic is horrible. heard there was a major accident friday and man died at valley’s entrance….
>does not valley own a large piece of property up toward mahwah on or near rte. 17? why don’t they go and build up there? just think of the facility that they could have?
>just think of the houses or condo’s that could be built? the tax revenue would be great.
>poor custodian going to work at bf killed by a car coming out of valley.. traffic, traffic, traffic…. tell me again, why the expansion is so great for this village? don’t think soooo.
>Valley is going to take over Ridgewood just like the banks and restaurants in town. There are more people in our town from out-of-town and that is exactly what’s going to happen with Valley. They want to be on an equal par with Hackensack Hospital and that is never going to happen. We are so screwed in this town if we keep allowing Valley to expand. Even though they say they are not expanding but remaining in the same footprint, they are expanding upwards. They also own buildings and land all over the place.
Also, I have heard their radio advertisements all the way up in upstate New York and Vermont. I bet those radio ads aren’t cheap. Someone on a previous posting said that Valley is like a cancerous growth. They got that right. We are so not the “Village” of Ridgewood anymore.
>So, Valley owns homes all around Valley. Our present board of education president was willing to sell them school land a few years back. You’re right 6:54 a.m., we’re screwed!
>instead of complaining we should find people to run against all who have hidden political agenda’s. Please in this democracy there should be someone who needs free health insurance for life from the vilage if only they stay in office for a set amount of time….. someone who has the town’s life support in mind and not their own…. vote out pfund, weist, bombace, etc.. someone must be out there?
>can’t stop free enterprise but can stop valley again… custodian who was hit by someone coming out of valley on friday was killed….to much traffic… next it will be another child…. bf and travell parents should respond like they did the last time. stop valley…..
>STOP DEATH VALLEY NOW!!!
>Seems like a vicious cycle. If someone gets injured or killed at Valley’s entrance then the victim is transported to Valley Hospital. Valley officials will then point out to the public that their services are needed. Sad to say, it will probably take the death of a Ridgewood child before residents say “enough” to Valley.
>Why is it that this tragedy occurred on Friday and yet NONE of the local papers even mentioned it Saturday OR Sunday?? God rest that man’s soul. Valley needs to be STOPPED! That traffic accident could
just have easily involved more people- even children! This hospital needs to expand, widen our streets and ADD over 400 PARKING SPACES as much as Ridgewood needs another bank downtown!
STOP VALLEY!!
>Notice this hospital wasn’t even equipped to handle this accident- the man had to be transferred to Hackensack- Valley is a COMMUNITY hospital and needs to stay that way. Enough with the identity crisis- it will never be a University hospital- that is unless the board votes otherwise. ALL residents, regardless of where they live need to support each other and stop this hospital from ruining more of this Village! No more name calling- this affects us ALL!