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Dueling strategists assess Bergen County Exec’s race as Dems turn to Tedesco

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Dueling strategists assess Bergen County Exec’s race as Dems turn to Tedesco

HACKENSACK – The battle lines in the Bergen County Executive’s race became more sharply drawn this week when the Bergen Democrats lined up behind Freeholder James Tedesco’s candidacy in advance of their March convention. But Kathleen Donovan, the Republican incumbent, is expected to be tough to beat in a county where she has been a public servant for decades and has high name recognition.

Two partisan strategists spoke to PolitickerNJ.com on the condition of anonymity to assess the relative strengths and weaknesses of their respective candidates.

“Kathe Donovan has great name recognition. Do people know Lou, I mean Jim, Tedesco? It’s an honest mistake,” said a Bergen Republican strategist. “This is his first year as a freeholder, and now he’s running for county executive. There are 70 towns in Bergen County, and Kathe Donovan has been a hard campaigner in every one of them.” (Bonamo/PolitickerNJ)

Dueling strategists assess Bergen County Exec’s race as Dems turn to Tedesco | Politicker NJ

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New Jersey gets $9 million in federal funds for improving schools

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New Jersey gets $9 million in federal funds for improving schools

Poorly performing public schools in New Jersey can apply for part of $9 million in federal “turn around” money awarded to the state on Thursday.

In all, nine states will receive more than $71 million in School Improvement Grants, the federal education department announced. It is the third round of funding for the program, which began in 2010.

School districts must apply by April 1 for the money, which can be used for such things as staff changes, teacher training, technology and curriculum improvements.

About 20 schools in urban New Jersey have participated in the program including Schools 4 and 10 in Paterson, which have each received about $6 million, according to the state education department’s website.

Paterson will apply on behalf of two other schools this go around, said Terry Corallo, spokeswoman for the district. She declined to say which schools. (Alex/The Record)

https://www.northjersey.com/news/New_Jersey_gets_9_million_in_federal_funds_for_improving_schools.html#sthash.Q8XxQqiR.dpuf

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40,000 tons of New Jersey’s rock salt still stuck in Searsport

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40,000 tons of New Jersey’s rock salt still stuck in Searsport

NEW YORK — Rock salt was in short supply in the Northeast on Tuesday after successive winter storms led to critical shortages in Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania, while New Jersey scrambled to secure a huge shipment stuck at a port in Maine.

The shortages come as the East Coast was slammed by a third winter storm system in a single week, leaving many states over budget for snow removal and running low on critical supplies, such as rock salt, which is used to help melt ice- and snow-packed roads and public areas.

The 40,000 tons of rock salt remained in Searsport, Maine, days after New Jersey was denied a waiver of federal shipping rules that would have allowed an available foreign-flagged vessel to bring it into a Newark port.

Instead, efforts to get the ice-melting material to New Jersey remained stymied by the 1920 Maritime Act, also known as the Jones Act, enacted to protect the American shipping industry from foreign competition.

“It’s very frustrating. We could have had that shipment here by this past weekend,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesman Joe Dee. Salt supplies were running so low in the state that crews were “scraping the bottom of the barrel,” he said. (Cavaliere/Bangor Daily News)

https://bangordailynews.com/2014/02/18/news/state/40000-tons-of-new-jerseys-rock-salt-stuck-in-searsport/

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Report: Farmers’ Almanac more accurate than government climate scientists

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Report: Farmers’ Almanac more accurate than government climate scientists

This exceptionally cold and snowy winter has shown that government climate scientists were dead wrong when it came to predicting just how cold this winter would be, while the 197-year old Farmers’ Almanac predicted this winter would be “bitterly cold”.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) predicted temperatures would be “above normal from November through January across much of the lower 48 states.”

This, however, was dead wrong. As Bloomberg notes, the CPC underestimated the “mammoth December cold wave, which brought snow to Dallas and chilled partiers in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.”

Read more: https://dailycaller.com/2014/02/20/report-farmers-almanac-more-accurate-than-govt-climate-scientists/#ixzz2twsPJjZA

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FAC: “The status quo in Ridgewood is unsustainable from a financial perspective,”

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FAC: “The status quo in Ridgewood is unsustainable from a financial perspective,” 

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2014, 10:36 AM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Now that Ridgewood and Glen Rock have scrapped plans for a shared municipal vehicle repair facility, a team of economic gurus is advising the village to step back and conduct larger studies and explore more alternatives.

In its annual report to the Ridgewood Council, the Financial Advisory Committee acknowledged that the village’s existing fleet services building on Chestnut Street is in “decrepit condition,” and options other than constructing a new facility might be available.

Over the past year, an ad-hoc committee comprised of Ridgewood and Glen Rock officials had investigated moving the public works operations of both towns to a new shared facility. Last month, however, the site of the proposed project, which is located adjacent to the village’s water treatment plant in Glen Rock, was deemed too small to meet the needs of the two municipalities.

At a council meeting last month, Roberta Sonenfeld, FAC vice chair, recognized the ad-hoc committee’s desire to move quickly on the fleet services project, but she advised that even more research is required.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/246159931_Plan_for_Ridgewood_municipal_garage__highlights_report.html#sthash.Y5PZTm5L.dpuf

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The Official Forecast of the U.S. Government Never Saw This Winter Coming

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The Official Forecast of the U.S. Government Never Saw This Winter Coming

By Peter Coy  February 18, 2014

Surprised by how tough this winter has been? You’re in good company: Last fall the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that temperatures would be above normal from November through January across much of the Lower 48 states. This graphic shows just how wrong the official forecast of the U.S. government was:

The big red blotch in the top map represents parts of the country in which the Climate Prediction Center forecast above-average temperatures. The frigid-looking blue blotch in the bottom “verification” map shows areas where temperatures turned out to be below average.

“Not one of our better forecasts,” admits Mike Halpert, the Climate Prediction Center’s acting director. The center grades itself on what it calls the Heidke skill score, which ranges from 100 (perfection) to -50 (monkeys throwing darts would have done better). October’s forecast for the three-month period of November through January came in at -22. Truth be told, the September prediction for October-December was slightly worse, at -23. The main cause in both cases was the same: Underestimating the mammoth December cold wave, which brought snow to Dallas and chilled partiers in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.

https://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-02-18/the-official-forecast-of-the-u-dot-s-dot-government-never-saw-this-winter-coming

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Grand jury in N.J. indicts alleged leader of multimillion-dollar ATM-skimming ring

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Grand jury in N.J. indicts alleged leader of multimillion-dollar ATM-skimming ring

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2014, 3:45 PM
THE RECORD

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted the alleged leader behind a large-scale ATM skimming operation that siphoned more than $5 million from bank customers in Bergen and Passaic counties and across the tri-state area, authorities said.

Marius Vintila, 31, a native of Romania, fled the New York area as investigators began arresting members of his ring last July. Two months later, he was caught in Sweden and subsequently extradited to the United States to face charges.

A grand jury in Newark indicted Vintila on six counts: conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, conspiracy to possess and possession of 15 or more counterfeit and unauthorized ATM cards, and conspiracy to possess and possession of card-making equipment. If convicted on all counts, he could face up to 69 years in prison.

Authorities allege Vintila headed one of the largest skimming operations ever uncovered by law enforcement. To date, 12 others, also mostly Romanian citizens who lived in Queens, N.Y., have been charged in New Jersey in connection with the schem

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/Grand_jury_indicts_alleged_leader_of_multi-million_ATM-skimming_ring_.html#sthash.cD7gCzLO.dpuf

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CBO says minimum wage bill would cost jobs, boost income

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CBO says minimum wage bill would cost jobs, boost income
February 18, 2014, 01:41 pm
By Erik Wasson

President Obama’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour would cost 500,000 jobs in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.

The report also found raising the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour to $10.10 would significantly boost income for about 16.5 million workers, raising their income by $31 billion and potentially pulling nearly 1 million people out of poverty.

The White House and economic groups on the left immediately pushed back at the CBO’s conclusions on jobs, arguing its findings ran counter to other research.

“CBO’s estimates of the impact of raising the minimum wage on employment does not reflect the current consensus view of economists,” Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Jason Furman wrote in a blog post. “The bulk of academic studies, have concluded that the effects on employment of minimum wage increases in the range now under consideration are likely to be small to nonexistent.

Furman also highlighted the positive findings of the CBO report, starting with the estimate that 16.5 million workers would see their incomes boosted.

He told reporters that the CBO report is an overall a positive for raising the minimum wage and would not diminish the idea’s popularity.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/economy/198605-cbo-minimum-wage#ixzz2tiHUbJBC

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Village should say ‘no thanks’ to high-density housing

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Village should say ‘no thanks’ to high-density housing

Monday February 17, 2014, 11:45 AM
The Ridgewood News

Village should say ‘no thanks’ to high-density housing
Francis H. Schott

To the editor:

Over the past decade, Ridgewood has made great progress in improving our citizens’ quality of life. Our schools have been enlarged and modernized to make them adequate for our 5,800 students, a number that has steadily grown over the decade. Our recreational space, although still below state and federal standards, has been substantially augmented for the first time in generations by the acquisition and development of Habernickel Park and the purchase of the Schedler property as well as the enlargement of Citizens Park.

Admittedly we are still struggling with parking and traffic problems downtown, but the positives outweigh the negatives of the early 21st Century by a wide margin.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/245838491_Letter__Village_should_say__no_thanks__to_high-density_housing.html#sthash.bUE3N6wk.dpuf

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Village services should be shared

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Village services should be shared

Monday February 17, 2014, 11:42 AM
The Ridgewood News

Village services should be shared
0Wilkin Santana

To the editor:

As per current village ordinance, the police department table of organization calls for 30 patrol officers.

It is my opinion, a council’s public safety committee should have heard in advance about the intention of the police chief to extend an offer of employment to two individuals, especially when one of them, as reported by the media, is related to a former councilman and mayor and this action will increase the table of organization as per village code. All legal, ethical and managerial considerations should be first made at the village council’s committee level before attempting to support a last minute retroactive amendment to the code. There are legal, cost, ethical and managerial implications to increasing the size of any department.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/245838171_Letter__Village_services_should_be_shared.html#sthash.673b9oDf.dpuf

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Village Business owner Paul Vagianos, mayor face off

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Village Business owner Paul Vagianos, mayor face off

Monday February 17, 2014, 11:45 AM
The Ridgewood News

Business owner, mayor face off

To the editor:

I’ve got a bone to pick with Mayor Aronsohn. No, it’s not about multi-family housing, Valley Hospital or the ramp to Graydon Pool. It’s about something important. At the Huddle Zone celebration that took place at the old Bank of America building the day before the Super Bowl, Mayor Aronsohn and I engaged in a “friendly” game of ping pong. Now, I’ve always felt that he and I were friends (perhaps I was lulled into a false sense of security by that nice name of his – the first name, not the last – thinking we were kindred spirits of a sort). But apparently, that is not the case. I always thought he was a different kind of politician, but apparently I was wrong. He will do anything to win.

Yes, he beat me that day and went on to shout it from the rooftops in his “Mayor’s Corner” column in The Ridgewood News (I’m surprised it wasn’t in the headline – “Mayor Crushes Greek Restaurant Owner.”) Well, let’s set the record straight about what really happened that day. Despite the fact that Mayor Aronsohn didn’t give me any time to warm up, after having played several games himself that day, I pulled out to an early lead and kept it the entire way. And then, when I was ahead 15-12, something happened. I’m not sure how he did it but, all of a sudden, I couldn’t seem to find the ball as he was hitting it over the net. It was as though the ball just disappeared. He scored nine consecutive points to win 21-15. Maybe he slipped something into my drink or somehow reflected the sunlight off his wristwatch, blinding me. (Yes, I know it was indoors, but that building has big windows!) Something happened at that point in the game, and I was helpless before him.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/245838501_Letter__Business_owner__mayor_face_off.html#sthash.PPFbGaLo.dpuf

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Ridgewood manager post to be filled in March

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file photo Boyd Loving

Village manager post to be filled in March
Monday February 17, 2014, 11:33 AM
BY  DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
The Ridgewood News

More than five months have passed since Ridgewood had a permanent municipal manager, surpassing the period in 2009 when the village was last between full-time chief administrative officers.

But the search for a new manager is reaching its end, Mayor Paul Aronsohn said last week, telling The Ridgewood News that he expects the Village Council to make a decision “by early March.”

Over the past year, governing bodies throughout Bergen County have witnessed changes in their administration for reasons such as inflated salaries and poor decision-making.

In addition to Ridgewood, towns including Hackensack, Emerson and Bogota either lost or removed administrators and managers in 2013.

It was unclear this week whether any of those former administrators applied for the job in Ridgewood.

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/245837231_Ridgewood_manager_post_to_be_filled_in_March.html#sthash.uvfrA2In.dpuf

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A President’s Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen

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A President’s Day Message from Bergen County Executive Kathleen
by Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan

I want to take a moment to wish you a happy President’s Day and to offer you some of my thoughts on why I believe this is a day that deserves to be commemorated by more than car sales and shopping discounts.

Only 44 people in nearly 240 year-old history of the United States have earned the right to be called President.

Among the 44 men who have scaled the highest achievement in American politics a few stand out: They include Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan

While these and other great leaders deserve to be remembered for their role in advancing America, two Presidents in my mind stand out above the others and both happen to be born in February.

George Washington, born February 22, 1732, shaped the newly formed nation and laid out the framework for the office of President of the United States.  He gave substance and meaning to a position that never existed until he took the oath of office on April 30, 1789.

For eight years he piloted the America ship through uncharted waters as the world looked on — doubtful that this new experiment in democracy and self-determination would survive. It not only survived, it flourished.  And after 8 years Washington relinquished his grip on power – voluntarily, and handed off the reins of leadership to his elected successor.

One of those successors was the inestimable Abraham Lincoln. A common back-woodsman born February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky, Lincoln ascended to the presidency against the backdrop of a bitter national fight over slavery and state’s rights. Over the course of four of the most troubled years in our nation’s history, Lincoln miraculously steered the nation on a course that would save the union and shepherd America to its most crowning achievement – the end of slavery. The democratic republic survived and a more powerful nation rose from the ashes of civil war.

Besides a remembrance of great leaders, President’s Day is a celebration of something unique in the world – the  peaceful transition of power.  America has enjoyed a line of 44 democratically elected chief executives for nearly 240 years.

In a world where national leaders are often toppled by revolution and bloody coups, American democracy has remained a constant steadying force – allowing our nation to prosper and be a beacon for other countries

So while you are enjoying your holiday, take a moment to be proud that you live in a nation that has produced some of the greatest leaders the world has known.

God Bless you, your family and our great country-the greatest country on the face of the earth.

Kathleen A. Donovan

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RFP – Concession Refreshment Services – Cafe at Graydon Pool – Opening March 5th

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RFP – Concession Refreshment Services – Cafe at Graydon Pool – Opening March 5th

Request for Proposals

Request for proposals will be received by the Village of Ridgewood’s Department of Parks and Recreation, up to 3:00 p.m. prevailing time on Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at The Stable, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, for the following:

CONCESSION REFRESHMENT SERVICES – 2014 THE WATER’S EDGE CAFÉ, GRAYDON POOL

Proposal instructions may be obtained from the Department of Parks and Recreation, 259 North Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., telephone 201-670-5560, by

Email request to [email protected]. Prospective professional responders requesting proposal documents be mailed to them shall be responsible for providing their own postage/delivery service remuneration.

Prices quoted must be net and exclusive of all Federal, State and Local Sales and Excise Taxes. Proposals may be submitted prior to the due date in person or by mail, addressed to the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Village assumes no responsibility for loss or non-delivery of any proposal sent to it prior to the proposal opening.

Each proposal must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the name of the responder thereon and endorsed, “Concession Refreshment Services 2014 – The Water’s Edge Café, Graydon Pool”.

All professional service responders are required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).

The Village of Ridgewood reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any informalities or to accept a proposal which, in its judgment best serves the interest of the Village. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of sixty-days (60) after the date and time set for the opening of bids.

“Professional Responders are required to comply with the requirements of P.L.1975, C. 127. (NJAC 17:27) regarding Affirmative Action, and Executive Order No. 11246 regarding equal employment opportunity, as amended”.

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Reader says Responsibility of Village Governance lies with the Village Council

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Reader says Responsibility of Village Governance lies with the Village Council

If we were a Faulkner Act (N.J.S.A. § 40:69A-1, et seq.) municipality then proposed ordinances could be introduced directly with the signatures of 10% of the registered voters who turned out in the last election in an odd numbered year. However, in Ridgewood it looks like all ordinances and resolutions need to be prepared for the consideration of the Council by the Village Attorney upon written request of any member of the Council or of the Manager. They then need to be introduced and sponsored by a member of the Council, then called up for action on motion of a member of the Council. Finally, no ordinance may be adopted without the affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the Council or such greater number of affirmative votes as the Charter may require.

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