New Jersey spent $18,047 per pupil in public schools last year
Wednesday April 10, 2013, 5:08 PM
BY LESLIE BRODY AND DAVE SHEINGOLD
STAFF WRITERS
The Record
New Jersey districts spent an average of $18,047 per pupil in 2011-12, up 4 percent from the year before, the state said Wednesday.
That figure comes from the third annual “Taxpayer’s Guide to Education Spending,” which uses a method devised by the Christie administration to give residents a full picture of the price tag for schools from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12. New Jersey spends more per student than the vast majority of states, and also racks up some of the best test scores.
This guide’s calculation includes costs that were excluded in the past when comparing districts, such as transportation, debt service, capital outlays for equipment, federal aid and employee benefits paid by the state.
Among regular Bergen districts, total per-pupil spending ranged from a high of $25,938 in the small, wealthy and high-achieving district of Alpine to $13,317 in the immigrant, blue-collar community of Fairview. The Bergen County Special Services district, which serves severely disabled children, spends $87,588.
Among Passaic County regular districts, the top spender was Passaic, one of the state’s poorest cities, at $20,374. The lowest spender of all countywide was the Classical Academy Charter of Clifton at $7,924. Charters have long expressed frustration that they don’t get facilities funding from the state.
PHILADELPHIA — Former NFL players trying to sue the league over concussion-linked injuries argued in court Tuesday that the NFL “glorified” violence and profited from damaging hits to the head.
Players’ lawyer David Frederick also accused the league of concealing the emerging science about concussions over several decades, even after creating a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury committee in 1994.
“It set up a sham committee designed to get information about neurological risks, but in fact spread misinformation,” Frederick argued at a pivotal federal hearing to determine if the complaints will remain in court or be sent to arbitration.
PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama’s IOUs start coming due
By CALVIN WOODWARD
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential campaigns are long in the making, quick to be forgotten. But one part of them lives on for years: the victor’s promises.
President Barack Obama paved his path to re-election with fewer promises than in 2008. The ones he did lay down, though, are meaty, legacy-shaping for him and consequential to ordinary lives today and for generations to come, for better or worse.
They also are extraordinarily difficult to achieve in a time of gridlock grief and budgets that are tight when they are not paralyzed.
He’s promised to set a course in law against global warming, stop Iran from gaining the ability to make nuclear weapons, slash America’s use of foreign oil, restrain college costs, take a big bite out of the national debt even while protecting the heart of the big entitlement programs and overhaul immigration law.
He’s promised to make health insurance not only universally accessible, but “affordable,” through a 2010 health care law that is finally entering prime time and will soon be tested
Time for New Jersey Politicians and Media to take the current state economic calamity far more serious
April 8,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Could there be anymore proof of the continued cluelessness of Trenton politicians and the New Jersey media that covers them ,than the following blog by Matt Friedman.
With over 10% unemployment and New Jersey rated one of the highest taxed and least hospitable states for business in the US , one can only wonder who gay or straight can afford to get married if you don’t have a job.
Gays , straights or undecideds will not live anywhere there are no job prospects , no economic opportunity and a very high cost of living .
New Jersey continues to lose population as residents flee for better job prospects almost anywhere . Mean while state politicians in Trenton spent almost a year debating seat belts for dogs , led by non other than Barbra Bruno herself.
The state faces a serious financial crisis , with Governor Christie offering after almost 4 years in office one of the only sane voices in the state . It is high time for the state to take the current fiscal calamity that begun back with the Whitman administration and accelerated through Corzine in a far more serious fashion.
Could gay rights be Buono’s key to defeating Christie n gubernatorial race
TRENTON — There will be plenty of time to talk about property taxes and jobs closer to November.
On Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office will partner with local law enforcement to host a countywide Gun Buyback at various places of worship across the county.
The 2013 Gun Buyback is being held in conjunction with local law enforcement in light of the recent acts of gun violence that have taken place across our nation. Funded by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office with money seized from criminal activities, the initiative will take place at the following places of worship conveniently located all across the county:
April 13 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Garfield
Our Lady of Mount Virgin
St. Joseph’s Center
188 MacArthur Avenue
Hackensack
Mount Olive Baptist Church
260 Central Ave
Hackensack
Rhema Worship Center Church
156 Passaic Street
Maywood
First Presbyterian Church
401 Maywood Avenue
Park Ridge
Our Lady of Mercy Church
46 Pascack Road
April 14 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Englewood
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
90 West Demarest Avenue
Hackensack
Trinity Baptist Church
218 Passaic Street
Hackensack
New Hope Baptist Church
214 Berdan Place
New Milford
Saint Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
225 Center Street
Teaneck
First Baptist Church
1592 Teaneck Road
Individuals can turn in firearms to receive up to $300 for each firearm surrendered. Compensation varies by firearm type: $20 for non-operational weapons, $80 for rifles and shotguns, $100 for handguns, and $300 for automatic assault weapons and machine guns.
On April 13 and 14, BCSO firearms experts and officers will examine and secure all firearms upon arrival at each surrender site. An officer will assist each individual in completing a voluntary surrender form that includes a general description of each firearm, time and date of surrender, and amount of compensation provided. Complimentary trigger locks and gun safety information will also be provided at each location.
All firearms should be carried unloaded and contained in a closed and fastened case, gun box, securely tied package, or locked in the trunk of the automobile in which they are being transported. Ammunition should be transported in a separate container. Officers will be on hand to assist individuals with carrying weapons safely into each Buyback location.
For more information about the Bergen County Gun Buyback, please contact BCSO’s Community Outreach Unit at 201-336-3540.
Open Houses in Ridgewood, NJ
Starts: 04/07/2013 01:00 pm
Duration: 3 hours:
Ridgewood, NJ
07450 Michael Shetler is a local resident and NJAR Circle of Excellence recipient (2009, 2011) who is happy to serve you in this area. For more information about any of these local homes for sale please call Michael at 201.421.0506 cell or 201.445.4300 office.
Address List Price Bedrooms List Broker
1 610 ROBERT ST $430,000 4 WEICHERT REALTORS RIDGEWOOD
2 651 WALL ST $539,000 3 TARVIN REALTORS
3 580 NORTHERN PKWY $599,900 4 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
4 380 N MONROE ST $625,000 3 KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE REALTY
5 639 ALBERT PL $665,000 3 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
6 119 N WALNUT ST $669,900 4 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
7 525 N MONROE ST $699,000 3 KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE REALTY
8 220 N PLEASANT AVE $719,000 4 KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE REALTY
9 695 WALL ST $725,000 4 REALMART REALTY, LLC
10 624 FOX CT $729,000 5 PROMINENT PROPERTIES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY-RIDGEWOO
11 22 LENOX AVE $759,000 5 TARVIN REALTORS
12 415 OAK ST $776,000 4 WEICHERT REALTORS RIDGEWOOD
13 520 HILLCREST RD $799,900 4 RE/MAX PROPERTIES-SADDLE RIVER
14 170 LINCOLN AVE $799,900 4 COLDWELL BANKER, MAHWAH
15 217 WAIKU RD $849,000 3 KELLER WILLIAMS VILLAGE SQUARE REALTY
16 355 GLENWOOD RD $850,000 3 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
17 252 MIDVALE ST $869,000 4 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
18 384 HAMILTON RD $869,000 4 TARVIN REALTORS
19 801 N MONROE ST $884,000 4 WEICHERT REALTORS RIDGEWOOD
20 213 MELROSE PL $948,000 5 PROMINENT PROPERTIES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY-RIDGEWOOD
21 137 COTTAGE PL $979,800 4 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
22 730 UPPER BLVD $999,000 4 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
23 380 BEDFORD RD $1,024,999 5 COLDWELL BANKER, RIDGEWOOD
24 210 SPENCER PL $1,049,000 4 MARRON GILDEA REALTY, INC.
25 245 W RIDGEWOOD AVE $1,150,000 5 TARVIN REALTORS
26 421 HAWTHORNE PL $1,199,000 5 PROMINENT PROPERTIES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY-RIDGEWOO
27 851 HILLCREST RD $1,379,000 5 TARVIN REALTORS
28 140 COTTAGE PL $1,475,000 5 WEICHERT REALTORS RIDGEWOOD
29 565 UPPER BLVD $1,750,000 5 TARVIN REALTORS
30 237 MOUNTAIN AVE $2,549,000 6 SOLUTIONS REALTY, LLC
31 76 HEIGHTS RD $2,950,000 5 TARVIN REALTORS
Jay-Z and Beyonce Blasted by Cuban American Groups for ‘Ignorant and Insulting’ Cuban Vacation
April 5,2013
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Jay-Z and Beyonce Blasted for ‘Ignorant and Insulting’ Cuban Vacation. The headline says it all .TMZ is reporting that musics power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce are being blasted by Cuban American groups as “clueless about the tortures happening in Cuba, and it’s insulting they chose to visit the communist country for a celebration ”
Mauricio Claver-Carone, the D.C. director for the US-Cuba Democracy PAC — a group committed to fighting for democracy in Cuba told TMZ the A-listers should’ve educated themselves about what’s really going on there before taking photo ops. Read more: https://www.tmz.com/2013/04/05/jay-z-beyonce-cuba-anniversary-trip-criticized/#ixzz2PlSndxGE
Meanwhile in Congress, several Miami-area representativesare outraged by the increased travel. to Cuba . Miami Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, also a Republican, told NPR the Cuba travel programs verge on “indoctrination,” . https://www.theimproper.com/58899/beyonce-jay-z-travel-cuba-u-s-lawmaker-protests/
Opportunities remain scarce for young people after years of debt-fueled government spending
Washington, DC – (4/5/13) – Generation Opportunity, a national, non-partisan organization advocating for Millennials ages 18-29, is announcing its Millennial Jobs Report for March 2013. The data is non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) and is specific to 18-29 year olds:
The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year olds specifically for March 2013 is 11.7 percent (NSA).
The youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old African-Americans for March 2013 is 20.1 percent (NSA); the youth unemployment rate for 18-29 year old Hispanics for March 2013 is 12.6 percent (NSA); and the youth unemployment rate for 18–29 year old women for March 2013 is 10 percent (NSA).
The declining labor force participation rate has created an additional 1.7 million young adults that are not counted as “unemployed” by the U.S. Department of Labor because they are not in the labor force, meaning that those young people have given up looking for work due to the lack of jobs.
If the labor force participation rate were factored into the 18-29 youth unemployment calculation, the actual 18-29-unemployment rate would rise to 16.2 percent (NSA).
Evan Feinberg, President of Generation Opportunity and one of the first Millennials to run for Congress, issued the following statement:
“March was another lost month for my generation. Young people are finding fewer opportunities and are being saddled with the costs of our country’s unsustainable deficits.
“Some people will try to blame the laughably small cuts to government spending known as the sequester – but aside from the Post Office, government actually added 9,000 jobs last month.
“After years of deficit spending and government meddling in the economy, 1 in 6 of us don’t have a job. Half of us are doing no better than a part-time job. All the while, we are all stuck with a bill that keeps getting bigger. It’s like we’re the last one to leave the bar and everybody else ran out without paying their tab.”
Obama budget looks to raid retirement accounts
By Bernie Becker – 04/05/13 11:45 AM ET
President Obama’s budget, to be released next week, will limit how much wealthy individuals – like Mitt Romney – can keep in IRAs and other retirement accounts.
The proposal would save around $9 billion over a decade, a senior administration official said, while also bringing more fairness to the tax code.
The senior administration official said that wealthy taxpayers can currently “accumulate many millions of dollars in these accounts, substantially more than is needed to fund reasonable levels of retirement saving.”
Under the plan, a taxpayer’s tax-preferred retirement account, like an IRA, could not finance more than $205,000 per year of retirement – or right around $3 million this year
Tax Freedom Day® 2013 is April 18, Five Days Later Than Last Year
April 02, 2013
By William McBride,Kyle Pomerleau,Elizabeth Malm
What is Tax Freedom Day?
Tax Freedom Day is the day when the nation as a whole has earned enough money to pay its total tax bill for the year. A vivid, calendar based illustration of the cost of government, Tax Freedom Day divides all federal, state, and local taxes by the nation’s income. In 2013, Americans will pay $2.76 trillion in federal taxes and $1.45 trillion in state taxes, for a total tax bill of $4.22 trillion, or 29.4 percent of income. April 18 is 29.4 percent, or 108 days, into the year.
Why is Tax Freedom Day later this year?
Tax Freedom Day is five days later than last year, due mainly to the fiscal cliff deal that raised federal taxes on individual income and payroll. Additionally, the Affordable Care Act’s investment tax and excise tax went into effect. Finally, despite these tax increases, the economy is expected to continue its slow recovery, boosting profits, incomes, and tax revenues.
When is Tax Freedom Day if you include federal borrowing?
Since 2002, federal expenses have exceeded federal revenues, with the budget deficit exceeding $1 trillion annually from 2009 to 2012. In 2013, the deficit will come down slightly to $833 billion. If we include this annual federal borrowing, which represents future taxes owed, Tax Freedom Day would occur on May 9, 21 days later. The latest ever deficit-inclusive Tax Freedom Day occurred during World War II, on May 21, 1945.
When is my state’s Tax Freedom Day?
The total tax burden borne by residents of different states varies considerably, due to differing state tax policies and because of the steep progressivity of the federal tax system. This means higher income states celebrate Tax Freedom Day later: Connecticut (May 13), New York (May 6), and New Jersey (May 4). Residents of Mississippi will bear the lowest average tax burden in 2013, with Tax Freedom Day arriving for them on March 29. Also early are Louisiana (March 29) and Tennessee (April 2).
How has Tax Freedom Day changed over time?
The latest ever Tax Freedom Day was May 1, 2000 – meaning Americans paid 33.0 percent of their total income in taxes. A century earlier, in 1900, Americans paid only 5.9 percent of their income in taxes, meaning Tax Freedom Day came on January 22.
Who calculates Tax Freedom Day?
Tax Foundation economists calculate Tax Freedom Day using federal budget projections, data from the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and projections of state and local taxes. Tax Freedom Day was conceived in 1948 by Florida businessman Dallas Hostetler, who deeded the concept to the Tax Foundation when he retired in 1971. Tax Freedom Day by state has been calculated since 1990, when sufficient data became available. Learn more about Tax Freedom Day at www.TaxFoundation.org/taxfreedomday.
Americans will work 25 days to pay their payroll, or social insurance, taxes—those taxes dedicated to funding social insurance programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
Americans will spend 14 days working to pay sales and excise taxes, 12 days to pay property taxes, and 7 days for other miscellaneous taxes (such as car taxes, severance taxes, and estate taxes).
Americans will spend more in taxes in 2013 than they will on food, clothing, and housing combined.
Individual income taxes represent the largest component of Americans’ tax bills. All but seven states levy a state income tax on top of the federal income tax. Paying these taxes together takes Americans about 40 days of work.
Individual income taxes represent the largest component of Americans’ tax bills. All but seven states levy a state income tax on top of the federal income tax. Paying these taxes together takes Americans about 40 days of work.
Multi-Agency School Response and Active Shooter Training
April 6th 2013
the Ridgewood Police
Ridgewood NJ, During school breaks in February and March of 2013, 80 officers from Ridgewood, Midland Park, Ho-Ho-Kus, Waldwick, Washington Twp., Bergen County Police and Upper Saddle River participated in multi-agency, multi-discipline active shooter training.
This cooperative shared services training program, involved training in Bomb/IED Awareness and Reality Based Simunitions scenarios in a school environment. Officers from the participating agencies trained together on room entries, threat identification, active threat response, and shoot/no shoot decision making as well as IED/Bomb threat identification and awareness.
These training sessions were conducted over 8 days in locations in Ridgewood & Midland Park. The training is a result of an ongoing coordinated effort by the area Police chiefs and departments to provide effective training for their personnel for critical incidents, in the face of new economic realities, to address emerging threats/challenges.
Additionally each department realizes that critical incidents such as potential active shooter situations will require multi-jurisdictional response/assistance. Therefore training opportunities such as these are critical for coordinated and effective responses to major incidents.
Last year Ridgewood coordinated its active shooter/Simunitions training with Glen Rock Police and members of Midland Park Police, conducting training in locations in both Ridgewood and Glen Rock.
This year we were able to expand our training efforts to include additional surrounding police departments. We look forward to integrating additional personnel into future training sessions.
I would like to thank the following chiefs and departments for their continued support and cooperation to ensure that each of our community’s police forces are better prepared to respond to and handle potential critical incidents within our various communities;
Chief Michael Marra & the Midland Park Police Department
Chief Brian Higgins & the Bergen County Police Department Bomb Squad
Chief Mark F. Messner & the Waldwick Police Department
Chief John Wannamaker & the Ho Ho Kus Police Department
Chief Randy Ciocco & Washington Twp. Police Department
Chief Frederick P. Stahman & the Glen Rock Police Department
Chief Patrick A. Rotella & the Upper Saddle River Police Department
The members of the Ridgewood Police Department
Respectfully
Chief John M. Ward
Ridgewood Police and the DEA have scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
April 5,2013
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Ridgewood Police Department has again been selected as a collection site. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications.
In the four previous Take-Back events, DEA in conjunction with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than 2 million pounds (1,018 tons) of prescription medications were removed from circulation.
The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications.
The Valley Hospital Receives 10th Consecutive Inpatient Care Award from J.D. Power & Associates
April 4,2013
RIDGEWOOD, NJ, The Valley Hospital announced today that it has once again been honored for service excellence as part of J.D. Power & Associates Distinguished Hospital ProgramSM. For the tenth consecutive year, the hospital has been recognized for its strong commitment to providing “an outstanding inpatient experience.”
This distinction was determined by surveying discharged patients about their perceptions of their hospital visit and comparing those results to J.D. Power & Associates’ national benchmarks. Research among Valley patients focused on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction: speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support.
The Valley Hospital consistently exceeds the national benchmark score for inpatient satisfaction. The hospital routinely receives high ratings for the care provided by doctors and nurses during inpatient stays. More than three-fourths (77 percent) of inpatients reported they feel loyal to the hospital, while 80 percent said they “definitely will” recommend The Valley Hospital to a friend, relative or colleague.
“We are committed to clinical quality and patient satisfaction,” said Audrey Meyers, president and CEO of The Valley Hospital. “These outstanding recognitions are a demonstration of the priority Valley staff and physicians place on achieving the highest-quality clinical outcomes, while delivering the most compassionate care.”
Reader Reports Overnight, Has The Valley Hospital Becomes Ridgewood’s Largest Taxpayer?
Overnight, Has The Valley Hospital Becomes Ridgewood’s Largest Taxpayer?
It is being widely reported that The Valley Hospital became Ridgewood’s largest taxpayer overnight as a result of their recent purchase of 1200 East Ridgewood Avenue from the Hartz Mountain Corporation.
The reported purchase price was $25 million; possibly 30% down, the rest to be financed.
The property in question last sold in 2004 for $25 million. It is currently assessed at $23 million.
Property taxes in 2012 were $558,935.94.
The multi-tenant office building, built in 1985, sits on just over 6 acres.
It is believed that The Valley has no plans for the property other than to continue leasing space out to physicians and other medical service providers.
The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents that it is important to get proper identification from contractors
April 4,2013
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Police Department would like to remind residents that it is important to know any contractors that are working in your home. Please make sure that you know the company they work for at a minimum.
When hiring contractors or cleaning people from websites like Craigslist please make sure that you get proper identification from them and good contact information. If the person does not wish to give you the information please be cautious hiring them. Many crimes are reported each year that the suspects are people that were in the home but can’t be identified.
Reminder: Commercial Power – Landscaping and Tool Regulations
Reminder: Ridgewood Code Chapter 221-1: The hours for the commercial operation of power tools including landscaping equipment are 7:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday. No use is permitted on Sunday. (Ordinance #2772)
