Village Council Hit Over Lack of Transparency
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A public hearing/meeting held at Village Hall on Monday, June 8 at 7:00 PM, attended by four members of the Ridgewood Village Council, resulted in noteworthy backlash from several taxpayers, who all cited a seeming lack of advance publicity about the event (the most recent general public event-related notice was sent out on May 11).
The meeting/hearing was related to property assessments levied in connection with funding the new Ridgewood Business Alliance, which will manage enhancements/improvements within the Village’s Central Business District. The primary purpose of Monday’s event was to allow property owners who had voiced written objections to their assessments, to be heard publicly.
The event was NOT televised, nor was there an opportunity to participate remotely in any way.
Ridgewood Deputy Mayor Pamela Perron revealed that in order to “save money,” she
personally made the decision to forgo televising the proceedings. Her decision, of course, meant that any affected property owner wishing to voice an oral objection to their assessment had to show up in person.
Our staff is now left wondering if saving money was really the primary objective behind Ms. Perron’s request for a television “blackout.” Could it be instead that Council members hoped that fewer objections would be voiced if no remote meeting access was provided?
Limited pubic notice of the important hearing provided in the days leading up to it and no TV? Hmm.
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“save money” LOL
How much money did she save?
What a bunch of weasels.
Save money? Give me a friggin’ break! She must think that we are all morons like she is.
To which political party do you belong?
“The Village Council election is non-partisan. Consequently, my party affiliation is not pertinent.”
What do you think are the most important issues facing your constituents?
“Protecting our environment – The climate crisis causes flooding of homes and government properties.”
Why should someone choose you over your opponents?
(My accomplishments on the village council include) “Improving communications and transparency”
Yup, there’s your Deputy Mayor.
Councilman Evan Weitz publicly chastised critics of the Council’s “no timely public notice – no television” plan as being “disingenuous.” Seriously Mr. Weitz?
You mean all of a sudden hybrid access and transparency to residents isn’t important. More hypocrisy
Mayor has his enemies in CBD. They are being targeted.
Friends in CBD are getting a break.
He should know that someday (if not already) he will have more enemies than friends. And they are patient.
“Everybody pushes a falling wall.”
Ancient Chinese expression.
What I will say is and I find it amazing, the other night I’m watching the council meeting and the village managers actually going back-and-forth and arguing with the residence. This guy’s got some set of balls. He thinks he’s superior. Doesn’t he know he’s just another puppet. Once this mayor and council are changed gone,. It’s a revolving door I seen so many managers come and go they don’t last long in the village. That’s because of dirty politics. Some homeowners have certain proof of things that are going on. And the top doesn’t like it. They don’t like that some homeowners I’ve been around a long time have a lot of dirt and information on the town and they don’t like it. If this guy ever talk to me like that, I would knock a State down his throat. I don’t take that bullshit from anyone.