Photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood preparing for Christie’s visit
Wednesday July 3, 2013, 9:54 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News
Gov. Christie’s anticipated appearance Wednesday night at a private fundraiser in Ridgewood is causing a stir, and it’s not all related to this year’s gubernatorial race.
Several village residents and motorists were surprised Tuesday morning when a portion of East Ridgewood Avenue, which cuts through the heart of the Central Business District, was closed to vehicle traffic for nearly 30 minutes. In the middle of the closure was a Ridgewood Fire Department truck, its ladder fully extended to help workers affix an American flag to the pole atop the former Bank of America building.
The building has remained vacant for several years but was recently purchased by Onyx Equities LLC. John Saraceno, a Ridgewood resident and Onyx co-founder, is listed as the host of Wednesday’s fundraiser.
Some residents were concerned that the village fire department and its equipment were being used to work on private property.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/214131751_Ridgewood_preparing_for_Christie_s_visit.html#sthash.FmdorElE.dpuf
The biggest scam in Ridgewood during 2013 year to date!
12 public safety employees and 7 VOR motor vehicles tied up for almost 30 minutes and Mr. Saraceno gets a bill from Gabbert for $150.
What an insult to the men forced to work that assignment under orders from Gabbert, and an even bigger insult to Ridgewood’s taxpayers.
1) Were the Mayor and Council advised in advance that this activity would take place? And were the Chamber of Commerce and Ridgewood Guild both advised of the planned closure East Ridgewood Avenue between Oak and Broad for a short duration during daytime business hours?
2) By my count there were twelve (12) members of our public safety staff dedicated to the repair job for 25-30 minutes. Two (2) PD patrol officers, one (1) PD supervisor, one (1) FD tour commander, two (2) FD supervisors, and six (6) FD firefighters. There were also three (3) firetrucks, one (1) FD tour commander SUV, one (1) PD supervisor SUV, two (2) patrol cars – a total of seven (7) VOR owned vehicles. How much is the owner of 58 East Ridgewood Avenue going to be billed for public safety personnel and vehicle use? Also, will he be compensating the Village for lost parking meter revenues?
3) What plans were put in place, if any, to ensure adequate fire protection was on hand in the event of a working fire requiring a ladder truck during the time the VOR ladder truck was dedicated to this repair job? By my estimate, it would have taken at least six (6) minutes to have made the ladder truck available for a working fire response. Seconds count when it comes to fire. Was it a prudent idea to tie the ladder truck up for this sort of work? Was a ladder truck from a member of our mutual aid group on standby at Ridgewood FD HQ?
4) Why was this job done during normal business hours? Commerce was disrupted on East Ridgewood Avenue between Oak and Broad during a busy time of day. Wouldn’t it have been more prudent to have done the work prior the opening of most businesses?
5) Was the Village Attorney consulted about this plan? Was a hold harmless agreement signed by the property owner? Is the use of municipal equipment for private purposes even legal? Call this a drill if you will, but a private property owner benefited from this work. Doesn’t that set a precedent of sorts? That is, may any business owner needing the use of aerial equipment now contract with the VOR for use of a firetruck and fire personnel so long as drill time for “ladder truck – fire fighters ladder replacement and ladder operations” is needed that month?
6) How often does the FD conduct drills on private property that result in a benefit to the property owner? How many instances do we have on record of such drills and how much have we collected from affected property owners over the last five (5) years?
7) Is it common FD practice to disrupt daytime commerce on Ridgewood’s busiest business thoroughfare for purposes of conducting a drill? Dates of occurrences during the last five (5) years, please?
8) Did the property owner, or owner’s representative, contact Dr. Gabbert directly, or did any elected official intercede on the owner’s behalf?
9) Was there no private contractor available that the building owner could have paid to perform this service?
Ok we get it. Your a flaming Democrat.
All of the personell were on duty.
Would you rather have them sitting around on their ass?
All the personnel were on duty? They were not working at protecting our town, patrolling our streets, available if a fire broke out, ready to help an injured person. What a stupid argument that they were all on duty anyway, and how insulting to suggest that they should be doing this instead of “sitting around.” Our emergency personnel work hard and it is unfortunate that they were ordered to take care of this political favor for Mayor Aronsohn.
So it was okay to screw up other people’s businesses to take care of this one building owner because he has juice with those who run the town?
Just shut up!!!
Can I get the FD & PD to block the street in front of my home and use the cherry picker to clean my gutters, all for $150?
Spot-on. Does not pass the smell test.
Stinks big time.
I would love to see a picture of our mayor with the governor
It was a no press allowed event.
Who cares!!!????