>Ridgewood : Just a Me, Me, Me, town; maybe we need a pep rally for the parents
I am always amazed at how little consideration we have for each other in this town. Selfishness seems to rule. There is no empathy, everyone wants what they want and to hell with everyone else.
The HS had a great pep rally last week. The students really enjoyed the sense of unity. Maybe we need a pep rally for the parents. The parents seem to be fighting with each other every day of the week. Usually online, because we would never have the nerve to speak to each other the way that we blog.
No empathy. It is a sad thing. It is the Me, Me, Me, town not at all like it used to be. Parents teach it to the kids and the kids bully, It is a sad statement on the town.
I was born and raised in Ridgewood, still live in Ridgewood. I am 56 years old and have always had great pride about being from Ridgewood. Now things have changed, we are a selfish, all about me town. When did this happen? When we started to hire outsiders to run the town. I don’t know but I don’t really tell people where I am from anymore.
>Michael Roberts, a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines said TSA security measures are ineffective (CNN) — A pilot who refused to submit to a full-body scan or the alternative pat down going through airport security said the procedures violate his rights.
Michael Roberts, a pilot for ExpressJet Airlines, refused a full-body scan last week at a Transportation Security Administration check point at Memphis International Airport in Memphis, Tennessee.
Opting out of scanning is permitted, but those who opt out must receive an enhanced pat down from a TSA employee.
“Pat down is misleading,” Roberts said. “They concentrate on the area between … the upper thighs and torso, and they’re not just patting people’s arms and legs, they’re grabbing and groping and prodding pretty aggressively.”
Roberts said TSA security measures are ineffective, and cited concerns for his rights and privacy in refusing the procedures.
“I was trying to avoid this assault on my person, and I’m not willing to have images of my nude body produced for some stranger in another room to look at either,” Roberts told CNN.
> Kathe Donovan : The Days of Wine & Roses in Bergen County are about to come to an end Republican candidate for County Executive Kathe Donovan pledged today to take personal responsibility for the official actions of every agency and office of County government adding, “my opponent incumbent Dennis McNerney’s greatest failing is his refusal to be accountable for the reckless conduct of his administration.”
According to Donovan, “Mr. McNerney has attempted to distance himself from charges of corruption and incompetence at the Bergen County Improvement Authority suggesting that the agency is independent of his office. That’s simply not true. The County Executive can assert total control over the BCIA by vetoing the agencies minutes. Mr. McNerney never registered a veto in his eight years in office and the result is hundreds of millions of dollars of bonded indebtedness, a hundred million dollar cost overrun at one park where a toxic landfill may have been created by lack of oversight or sheer incompetence, tens of millions of dollars of consulting and other contracts to politically connected friends and runaway spending on easy to manage issues like expense accounts.”
Ms. Donovan said that in addition to using her veto power whenever appropriate she will appoint herself or her designee to serve on every County board and agency. “It’s the responsibility of the County Executive to guard against abuses and lapses in judgment. Agencies will not be responsible if they are not accountable and the best way to achieve this is for the County Executive to be an ongoing presence. Absentee management will no longer be the norm in County government.”
She continued, “Through strict governance we will end the corrupt practices uncovered and reported by the Record which cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars in questionable contracts to consultants and vendors with close political ties to the County Executive. Our Office of Asset Recovery will for the first time aggressively review all contracts and seek cost recovery when warranted. If consultants were paid for a service we will want proof that the service was provided. Without proof of service we will move to recover those ill-gotten gains.”
Donovan added, “McNerney’s failure to take responsibility and allow reckless practices has allowed the County’s debt to more than double to $1.1 billion leaving each Bergen County family a bill for over $5,000. I have taken responsibility for the running of the County Clerk’s office and been fully accountable. As a result, we have managed savings amounting to $300 for every Bergen County family. That’s the difference been McNerney and me.”
She concluded, “On the day I announced for the office of County Executive I said that the days of wine and roses would soon be over. By requiring accountability and assuming responsibility taxpayers should have every confidence that I will produce on that commitment.”
Valley’s latest PR salvo in the war over the Master Plan is a “personal” letter from a Doctor in Glen Rock sent to many Ridgewood homes.
The letter states that expanding to single patient rooms is in the interests of patients, calling the expansion an “imperative” for Valley.
While many people support the single patient room argument, the letter ignores the obvious point that Valley is trying to shoe-horn such a large construction into the residential Village of Ridgewood. If a seven storey building is approved and built, there is no turning back.
There are alternatives that the Village Council has control over via the ordinance process. Since Pascack Valley Hospital closed in 2007, patients from nineteen villages have been forced to travel across Ridgewood streets to visit Valley and overstress the emergency room. This was a financial windfall for Valley enriching already healthy annual surpluses in its accounts.
Over the last three years, Valley has argued at public meetings and before the PHV bankruptcy court that there are too many beds in Bergen County. The obvious solution to preventing the proposed over development in Ridgewood and the additional traffic created by PVH closing is for PVH to reopen its 128 beds and Valley to become a single patient room 350 bed hospital. Remember Valley was a very profitable operation before PVH closed. Denying the people of Pascack Valley access to local surgical facilities is unconscionable.
The Ridgewood Village Council has the power to make this happen so make your vote count on November 2 2010 and vote for a candidate that supports a reasonable compromise.
>Kathe Donovan Disgusted by Allegations of Bullying, Intimidation and Reprisals Against County Employees
Vows that public employees will never have to fear political pressure in a Donovan Administration
Republican candidate for County Executive Kathe Donovan said today that asking Dennis McNerney’s handpicked, political county administrator to investigate serious allegations of bullying, intimidation and reprisals against county employees “is like inviting Bonnie & Clyde to review county ethics practices and BCIA expense accounts.”
Ms. Donovan referred to a complaint filed by county employee Domenick Spitaleri who has charged that after refusing orders from superiors to make political phone calls for Mr. McNerney he was retaliated against. Mr. Spitaleri’s allegations have been sent to the United States Attorney.
According to Ms. Donovan, “Asking County Administrator Dacey to review these serious allegations is eerily familiar to Mr. McNerney asking a Democrat crony from Middlesex County to investigate allegations of corruption at the Bergen County Improvement Authority. There has been no public disclosure of findings from that “phantom investigation.”
Ms. Donovan said that no public employee will ever have to fear political pressure and reprisals during her administration. She added, “This is another example of Mr. McNerney refusing to be accountable or to take responsibility. He is a disturbing reminder of Captain Renault (Claude Raines) refrain from Casablanca, ‘gambling? I’m shocked that there’s gambling in this establishment.’
Ms. Donovan said she was delighted to receive a campaign contribution from the County’s blue collar labor union in the wake of the allegations of abuse, harassment and reprisals lodged against Mr. McNerney.
“Unfortunately, these latest charges of harassment, abuse, bullying and reprisals lodged against County Executive McNerney and his administration are consistent with reports that have circulated throughout the County since the beginning of this campaign. These are serious charges which should be fully investigated by appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies.”
“Mr. McNerney’s treatment of public employees as chattels of his campaign is consistent with his flagrant, cavalier use of public money to illegally fund his reelection effort. These desperate, despicable efforts to save his position are evidence that he does not merit reelection.”
Ridgewood Christmas Tree Fund Paul and I at a recent Ridgewood Guild meeting thought out loud about returning the tree to its prior location and kicked around the idea of collecting some cash to get the job done….I’m happy to report that we have been successful in securing a $2500.00 donation from my employer, Capital One and Paul has secured the balance…we have formed a non profit, the “Ridgewood Christmas Tree Fund” and are currently accepting donations for any additional cost overruns this year and to fund the tree placement in the future…if you would like to contribute please send your donation payable to the Ridgewood Christmas Tree Fund C/O John Kiernan Capital One Bank 9 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood NJ 07450…Paul and I are looking forward to a fantastic celebration this year and we ask that you and your family join us for the holidays…
John Kiernan
Ridgewood Christmas Tree Fund C/O John Kiernan Capital One Bank 9 E Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood NJ 07450
(Reuters) – President Barack Obama faced some skeptical questions from young people and defended his policies, from job creation to immigration, on Thursday in an effort to rev up Democratic voter enthusiasm for the November 2 midterm elections. (Zengerle, Reuters)
The Jersey Shore Tea Party along with Ocean County Citizens For Freedom, the Colts Neck Tea Party and several individuals have filed a 15 count lawsuit in NJ Federal Court against members of the Obama Administration over the sweeping health care legislation signed into law in March. (Isherwood, PolitickerNJ) https://www.politickernj.com/tea-party-sues-over-health-care
>Reader says CCR will back Wellinghorst and Train will bow out
I’m sorry to tell you Mr. Train that regardless the amount of information and passion you’ve demonstrated on your opinions here and elsewhere the CRR will announce that after “much thoughtful consideration” they have backed Mr. Wellinghorst. I’m sure it will happen in about two or three weeks.
Then someone you’ve met in the last month will tap you on the shoulder and suggest that if you believe in the issues you support it would be much better for you to bow out.
So I guess that leaves the question: why not just save your time? Just throw your support to Mr. Wellinghorst today and get it over with.
>My name is Steve Wellinghorst and I’m running for Ridgewood Council in November. I am writing to the Ridgewood Blog to introduce myself, set forth some of my positions and address inaccuracies recently posted. A little about myself.
I am a lawyer.I realize that due to past local experiences lawyers are viewed with certain skepticism in town. Understood and seemingly warranted. However, neither my veracity nor my character are shaped by my chosen profession or my colleagues. I make my own decisions based upon experience, common sense and also benefit from good counsel of my wife. Those that know me will understand my discomfort in extolling my virtues to convince my neighbors to vote for me, however I placed myself into this race and therefore I have an obligation to get my message to the electorate. I am a former prosecutor and municipal court judge. As such, I was vetted and deemed qualified for those public trust positions.
Those that know me understand that if I say I am going to do something I do it. No waffling or “bait and switch”. However talk is cheap, especially in these times. When you see me engage me in conversation, look me in the eye and draw your own conclusion. I try to live my life with common sense and lead by example.
As some of you may know, it was reported last week that my wife Liz, lists Valley Hospital as a client on her website. Liz is a freelance Public Relations consultant. The listing has been on her website since she last freelanced for Valley four years ago in 2006. She wrote four articles for the in-house newsmagazine. She is proud of her work product. Those articles were pre-expansion plans. She has had no further contact with Valley since then, and for clarity, I have never represented Valley.
When the election takes place on November 2nd, I believe I have the obligation of making sure each voter has a full understanding of my positions and what my agenda will be if I am privileged to be selected to represent them. Therefore I would like to share with you some of my concerns and ideas.
Valley Expansion:
I have been reviewing the three years of meetings and filings for the Valley “renewal”. While I’m not quite an expert yet (although I was the Planning Board Attorney for West Paterson and I did serve on the Zoning Board of Adjustment here in town), I do believe that I have read enough to conclude that the project should be called a “major expansion” as opposed to a “renewal”. When Giants Stadium was torn down for a new one, it wasn’t called a “renewal”. I am concerned that the project will potentially affect the residential character of the neighborhood, which will, in turn, affect the entire town. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big fan of the hospital as currently constituted. My children were born there. However this Village has a long history of protecting its residential character – and its residents.
Preserving Graydon:
Next, I can unequivocally state that I am a firm and committed supporter of preserving Graydon. Graydon is a treasure. If elected I will fight to preserve it’s charm. We can and will improve it, but not at the expense of losing it’s identity. This past summer proved Graydon is not only recreationally and aesthetically viable, but economically as well. It must be preserved.
Downtown:
As a former downtown business owner (my firm was at the corner of Broad and Franklin from 2006-2010), I am aware of the parking problems. We need to increase available downtown parking and make downtown more attractive to the business owners and shoppers. I am an ardent supporter of business and understand what it’s like to run a small business – I do it every day.
Also of great concern is the crosswalk situation. Too many incidents.As a judge, I was particularly interested in this issue.It doesn’t only effect downtown either. I was my daughters to school every day and we have to cross East Glen. Drivers disregard the signs. Police need a regular presence and the fines need to be taken seriously. Imposition of maximum fines and penalties will get the word out.
Property Taxes/BOE:
The taxes we pay to live in this town are out of control. Simply put, wepay too much. The largest municipal expense is by far education. If we can’t educate our children with $89,000,000 a year, perhaps we should encourage the electorate to let someone else try. We all know that health care is a major driving factor in the budget. I pay for my own family health care insurance which just went up 37%. I know many of you share my frustrations because you’ve related similar stories to me and the results of last years’ BOE budget rejection confirms it.
These are serious, tough issues that affect us all. I know not all of you will agree with everything I suggest. I never had any intention of seeking public office, but the time for complaining has evolved into a need for serving. I would be humbled to serve you all.
>SKATEBOARD – Best Trick Contest ! October 9, 2010
Ridgewood Recreation Program Ridgewood Parks and Recreation Announces, “The Best Trick Contest,” at Ridgewood’s Skate Park On Saturday, October 9th Ridgewood Parks and Recreation is sponsoring, “The Best Trick Contest,” at the Ridgewood Skate Park. This event is open to all skateboarders who have pre-registered. The rain date is October 10th. The event hosted by Ketan Malhotra will begin at 11:00 a.m. The contest schedule is as follows: Beginner Level 11:00-11:30 Intermediate Level 11:30-12:00 Advanced Level 12:15-12:45 Prizes will be awarded to top contestants. The cost to enter the contest is $20. All entrees must be received by September 22. Stenciled tee shirts are included in the price of registration and must be noted in the registration application in sizes: Child Medium, Child Large, Adult Medium or Adult Large. Registration is in person or by mail at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Ave, Ridgewood, NJ. For more information or assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560. (photo by ArtChick.biz)
>Rep Scott Garrett : Uncertainty , Our Greatest Obstacle
With summer now in our rearview mirror, perhaps now would be a good time to reflect on President Obama’s “Recovery Summer.” According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 49 of 50 states have lost jobs since the Democrats passed their stimulus bill in February 2009. In New Jersey, the Obama administration projected that the stimulus would create 100,000 new jobs through December 2010. In actuality, the real change in jobs for New Jersey through August 2010 resulted in a net loss of 89,500 jobs.
What’s been the cause of all this job loss? One of the major reasons is business uncertainty. American businesses do not have the certainty they need to grow their businesses and create jobs for Americans. Faced with looming tax hikes to pay for ObamaCare to the distinct possibility that Democrats will allow the Bush tax cuts to expire in January, businesses can’t be certain they’ll have enough money to keep their doors open – much less hire employees.
The high levels of government spending and deficits, along with political uncertainty over the Democrats’ policies is creating a hostile business environment that discourages financial institutions from lending and small business owners from investing, expanding, and hiring new workers. Unsure of what costly mandates are coming from Washington next, businesses are hunkering down in the near term instead of moving forward with business growth plans.
When it comes down to it, businesses can maneuver, adapt and survive in a free market economy as long they are certain about the future. Right now, no one knows what the future will hold for the business community. President Obama can keep trying to convince Americans that his policies are working, or he can start embracing policies that actually work.
One of the ways to create the certainty needed to grow our economy is to do what members of both parties have been asking for – have an up or down vote on extending the Bush-era tax cuts. Speaker Pelosi and President Obama have expressed their desire to reach out to Republicans to find common ground; this is their chance. Over 30 Democrats in Congress have implored the Democrat leadership to bring this tax-cut extension to the House floor but there has been no response.
Job creation is paramount and no one can afford a massive tax hike right now. Mandates and regulations are squeezing the life out of businesses of all sizes while unemployed Americans are suffering. It is time for the government to act responsibly and bring certainty back to our economy.
>Donovan Proposes Major Reform to Protect Taxpayers from Official Corruption Thursday, September 23, 2010
PLEDGES TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY FOR GOVERNMENT ACTIONS
Kathleen A. Donovan, Republican candidate for County Executive, said today that she will bring accountability to all county independent agencies including the notorious Bergen County Improvement Authority by taking full responsibility for their actions. Ms. Donovan contrasted this to incumbent Dennis McNerney who, in her words, has “knowingly or incompetently allowed these agencies to run wild and unchecked during his eight years in office.”
Ms. Donovan said that the first step to bringing the independent agencies and authorities under control will be to change their governance and require that she or her designee serve as a voting, ex-officio member of each board. Ms. Donovan said that her presence (or that of a designated senior member of her administration) “will make us responsible for the actions of the boards.” Adding, “in a Donovan administration there is no way that the BCIA or any other agency will increase its debt from $15 million to $450 million, spend tens of millions on consulting contracts to political cronies and allow spending to go unchecked. We will be accountable and responsible.”
Referring to McNerney’s appointment of a long time Democrat contributor to “investigate” the BCIA, Ms. Donovan said, “You don’t protect taxpayers by appointing a political crony to review or investigate the actions of a runaway agency after the proverbial horse has left the barn and the damage is done. Taxpayers can only be protected by public officials who take full responsibility. That’s a major difference between McNerney and me. He hides out while his political allies disregard prudency and plunder for the benefit of their pay to play cronies. I’m a proactive leader who takes her oath to protect taxpayers seriously.”
Ms. Donovan noted that during her tenure as County Clerk she has saved each Bergen County family more than $300 through management efficiencies. She compared this to McNerney who during his eight years in office has increased government spending by over $34 million while overall county debt has spiraled to over $1 Billion, an increase of over $600 million during McNerney’s tenure. “While I am putting money back in the taxpayers’ pockets, Dennis is taking it out…tenfold”, said Donovan.
Ms. Donovan noted that in addition to ongoing federal investigations of the BCIA, the Board of Trustees of Bergen Academies, appointed by McNerney, has also come under strong rebuke by the State Department of Education.
>More people moved out of New Jersey than all but four other states between 2000 to 2008, underscoring broader demographic shifts and, some say, a decline in the state’s attractiveness.
Many in New Jersey taking an exit
Friday, September 17, 2010 By Leslie Kwoh Star-Ledger staff
More people moved out of New Jersey than all but four other states between 2000 to 2008, underscoring broader demographic shifts and, some say, a decline in the state’s attractiveness.
Even with a constant influx of newcomers, the Garden State had a net loss of nearly 304,000 residents throughout the eight-year-period, who took combined annual incomes of $12.3 billion with them to other states, according to figures accessed through a database launched Thursday by the Tax Foundation, a policy research group in Washington, D.C. that advocates for lower taxes.
The data confirms residents are leaving for states like Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and the Carolinas faster than they are being replaced Ð a phenomenon that economists attribute to factors such as climate, high taxes and a lack of job opportunities.
“People are being pulled out, and they’re being pushed out,” said Joseph Seneca, a Rutgers University economics professor who studies migration. “They’re pulled because of retirement and climate reasons. They’re pushed by taxes and costs and Ð through this decade Ð a relative lack of economic opportunities in terms of job growth.”
New Jersey trails only New York, California, Illinois and Michigan for outmigration, according to the database, which tracks domestic movement by tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The number of residents moving were calculated based on tax exemptions, and incomes were adjusted for inflation.
Because one state’s loss is another’s gain, New Jersey’s outward trickle is troubling, Seneca said. And while departures appear to have waned in the last few years after peaking in the middle of the decade, he said it is most likely a temporary lull brought on by the recession.
Members of the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce have asked the Village Council to move the tree lighting ceremony back to the train station, sparking questions from one council member and prompting the mayor to call for resident input.
Chamber officials said they raised about $7,500 in three hours Wednesday afternoon to finance the expenses associated with cutting down, transporting and putting up a large evergreen tree in the original spot at the train station, where the tree lighting took place up until two years ago. In 2008, the council made the decision to plant a live tree near the back of Van Neste Square Memorial Park and use that for the annual holiday celebration.
“This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Chamber of Commerce tree lighting ceremony,” said Paul Vagianos, a Chamber board of directors member and business owner speaking as the “voice” of the issue. “As you know, for more than two decades the tree had been located at the train station. We think it’s a good idea to bring the tree home.”
The council would have to include the item on the agenda for its next work session on Sept. 22, and Mayor Keith Killion asked anyone interested in voicing their opinion to contact council members.
“If anybody is listening, please e-mail us … what you feel, because we need the input,” Killion said. “I don’t know any other way of doing it other than sending an e-mail to all of us at the village website so we can get the public reaction.”
The village website, which lists e-mail addresses for council members, is ridgewoodnj.net.
