Ridgewood Mayor’s Corner: Weathering The Storm
by Paul Aronsohn on Nov 2, 2012 • 12:00 am No Comments
Ridgewood News
By Paul Aronsohn
Welcome to the November edition of the Mayor’s Corner – my monthly column in The Ridgewood News used to answer questions, address topical issues and provide information on upcoming events. The purpose of this column is to help make Village government more transparent, more accessible and more responsive.
Storm update: Hurricane Sandy’s impact on Ridgewood was substantial: More than 500 tree/limb /power line events; more than 70 percent of the community left without power; and numerous road closures and days off from school. The damage has been widespread and extensive.
However, Ridgewood‘s response has been just as substantial, just as robust.
Led by Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Kleiman, village staff went above and beyond doing what they do best: provide for the safety and well-being of Ridgewood residents.
Early, smart preparations. Strong, rapid actions during and after the storm. Clear, consistent communications throughout. Taken together, village staff delivered.
Similarly, residents – those directly impacted as well as those spared any real hardship – rose to the challenge of the storm and demonstrated the community spirit for which Ridgewood is known.
Neighbors helping neighbors. Neighbors helping staff. The residents’ leadership and cooperation have been exemplary.
Going forward, please remember the following:
* The streets in many locations are still very dangerous. Exercise extreme caution with any downed trees or power lines.
* No branches should be placed in or near the street. They, too, pose a serious public safety risk.
* Many of our friends and neighbors are still without power and experiencing real difficulties. Our prayers and continued support remain essential. For those with heat/power, please open your homes and businesses to family, friends and neighbors.
Council agenda: The council will meet twice this month – Nov. 7 and 28. Among the issues to be discussed and/or decided: the capital budget, Graydon accessibility and downtown parking,
All residents are encouraged to attend our meetings. We not only welcome your input, we depend on it.
https://www.paularonsohn.com/writings/ridgewood-mayors-corner-weathering-the-storm
With time constraints keeping me from the mayoral coffee klatsch, I was wondering if you might be able to provide insight into the proposed construction at the KEN SMITH location. Supposition is swirling about as to the project and its participants. Perhaps you could assure the residents that you and other Village Council members have not already struck a deal with Paul Sarlo and Terminal Construction (that Woodridge connection just won’t quit) to install a 6-story behemoth in exchange for downtown parking spaces. Parking spaces? Really?…future political favors would be my motivation but I know you’re just in this for “the people”. That would be wrong on so many levels not the least of which is the ethical conundrum of meetings taking place between a majority of the concil and developers and no “sunshine”. I deplore OPRA paperwork, but if I must, well……
Could you also let us know why the “Sealfon’s” development proposal you are involved with (Saraceno et al–there’s Woodridge again) should be more acceptable to the taxpayers (who would have to bond it) than the proposal made several years ago by a firm that was fully funding it privately at no expense to the citizens of Ridgewood? Seems to me that a “serious” solution was made and entirely ignored because the principals were not contributiors to a certain political war chest.
That would then lead to my final question (for now) Mr. Mayor, have any of the individuals involved in that development contributed to your political campaign? Additionally, I would extend that query to any member of your “Tiger Team” including our new municipal judge.
Duty calls, but many more questions remain…..0% BUDGETING was the battle cry while campaigning but post election 4% raises to union library employees (and 2% for non union….so very generous with other people’s money. Couldn’t Onyx (Saraceno, this time wearing his library trustee hat) have paid that instead of village seniors and those struggling to pay their mortgages? Using Dr. Gabbert’s raise as political fodder when you knew it was promised for the good work he did in cutting payroll and future union packages is not only deceitful, but the worst kind of political pandering.
It seems one question begets so many more. Looks like I’m going to have to get to a Village Council meeting. Coffe klatsches are nice, but I’d like my questions “on the record” and with input from your colleagues.
Your fellow residents await your reply and I look forward to seeing you at the next meeting,
Michele Robins
What a great post and spot on.
yes so true, all the village dept’s are doing a great job in the storm clean up and repair work in the village.
a big thank you too all of them.
we all think they should get some kind of plate like they got in the storm of 1999 .
they are all full of poop. they are all in it for the perks. we all would like to know how much was the bill for the clean up by using downs tree service and davids tree service. we all would like to see the bill’s. it must be big money. that money should of been used to buy trucks for the town so they can do the clean up. last years storm and know this year. both storms the village must of gave away a good 300000 grand in out side tree guy’s.
and how much was kicked back to some people.hummmmmmm.
If you think there are kick backs call the attorney general office. They would be glad to investigate. You don’t even have to give your name.
can the mayor and council meet with all the workers in town all ready . come on . unless you don’t like the real truth . if you do we all need to seat down.
thanks.
Why don’t you get all the Village employees that have any balls and show up at a Council meeting. You can plead your case at the open comment section of the meeting.Let see what he says when you put him on the record.
yea they will tell us like last time keep to 3′ min spots.
Where are the meeting from the meetings? Why aren’t they posted? I know they exist.