Insight: Falling home prices drag new buyers under water
By Tim Reid
Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:12pm EDT
(Reuters) – More than 1 million Americans who have taken out mortgages in the past two years now owe more on their loans than their homes are worth, and Federal Housing Administration loans that require only a tiny down payment are partly to blame.
That figure, provided to Reuters by tracking firm CoreLogic, represents about one out of 10 home loans made during that period.
It is a sobering indication the U.S. housing market remains deeply troubled, with home values still falling in many parts of the country, and raises the question of whether low-down payment loans backed by the FHA are putting another generation of buyers at risk.
State puts together $55 million fund for CHP and fuel cells
The state is looking to hand out up to $55 million in grants to encourage the building of combined heat and power systems and fuel cells to help business and industrial customers drive down their energy costs.
The program, a top priority of the Christie administration’s Energy Master Plan, is soliciting applications through June 25, 2012. It is being overseen by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the state Board of Public Utilities. Up to $20 million will be allocated in the first award. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
Gov. Bobby Jindal to attend school voucher summit in New Jersey
Gov. Bobby Jindal will travel to New Jersey next week to speak to a pro-voucher group, only two weeks after the Louisiana governor signed a bill that creates a statewide voucher program that will use tax dollars to send children to private schools.
The American Federation for Children said Monday that Jindal is participating in its 2012 national policy meeting, which is set for May 3 and 4. (Associated Press)
HURT: In this bad economy, U.S. needs border fence — to keep Mexicans in
Well, that’s one way to stem the tide of illegal aliens streaming across the border from Mexico.
Jack up unemployment rates to near double digits, dunk America into a double-dip recession and put us so deeply into hock with the Chinese communists that it will take generations for us to recover.
After long enough, living and working and trying to eke out bare survival in America becomes even worse than trying to get by in Mexico.
A new study from the highly esteemed Pew Hispanic Center says the millions of Mexicans who risked their lives crossing the desert to get here to the promised land for a better life have given up on the U.S.
This is no small feat. Have you ever been to Mexico? Not the ritzy beach towns with the gated resorts, but Nuevo Laredo? The dusty streets are filled with bony children selling gum and candy for just a few spare pennies.
A statewide effort to force school districts to consolidate officially has been tabled, but at least one county is still moving ahead with a plan to trim back on local districts.
The consolidation plans had been authorized under an earlier state law and initially carried out under then Gov. Jon Corzine’s administration. But acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf acknowledged Monday they were on hold. (Method, Gannett)
It was a privilege to serve this outstanding district for the last nine years. I will apologize to my four former colleagues for leaving you with unfinished business, but as we know all too well an artificial time constraint is not in anyone’s best interest especially in light of the financial crossroads that this district faces. It is that unfinished business I would like to talk about.
I hope you will indulge me.
We all have heard that our teachers have felt disrespected by the action this board took by not including any salary increase in our 2011-12 operating budget. I’d like to take a moment to outline the many steps this Board took to avoid that action.
60% of you were not board members 3 years ago when we requested that the REA make a minor concession to help us balance the budget and save some programs. They were not so inclined to honor that request. The sitting board made the necessary program cuts so that we could meet our contractual obligations of teacher salary increases despite an incredibly difficult recession.
60% of you were not board members 2 years ago when in light of budget issues exacerbated by the elimination of all of our state aid, the board again made a request of the REA for concessions. Again, the REA declined, instead directing that sitting board to make the tough decisions. That full board made those tough decisions which again resulted in program cuts. I believe it is very safe for me to say that all of us felt that those cuts began the dismantling of the Ridgewood Public Schools as our parents and students had come to know them. But again, we met our contractual obligations for annual teacher salary increases and health benefits.
60% of you were not board members in October 2010 when the sitting board commenced its preparation to enter negotiations with the REA, a full nine months before the contract would expire. The board, based on the previous two years I just described, desired to stop the dismantling of our school system and thus, our contractual obligations with the REA needed to be sustainable inside the 2% state-mandated cap. Plus from that same recent history we knew that the REA was not inclined to make concessions during the period of a contract, thusly we had one bite of the apple and it had to be fiscally responsible.
Just to digress for a moment – in light of the economic times during those two years, perhaps the taxpayers of Ridgewood felt somewhat disrespected by the REA. Families were making cuts, balancing tighter budgets, watching spending closely, and yet the REA would not make a single concession. Speaking from personal experience, my family was living that due to my own unemployment situation from June 2010 to April 2011. From my own networking, my situation was not the exception. One could said that there is simply a disconnect between what the majority of Ridgewood taxpayers face in their day-to-day employment and what the REA expects from this Board.
Back to the topic at hand. 60% of you did not have to work through those times, and to the best of our collective ability, the 2011 – 2012 budget presented to the public a stable, fiscally responsible budget which was balanced without any teacher salary increases, significantly helped by a partial restoration of state aid – otherwise program cuts would have been much worse. That budget reflects our current year of operations, 2011-2012. In response to the Union’s directive to make tough decisions, our Board made and implemented those tough decisions.
People have asked me why I refer to the REA as an association or a bargaining unit. My immediate response is, quite frankly, to be nice. Maybe I don’t have to be nice anymore, but at the very least, let’s be honest when we discuss these topics. The REA is a union. As with any union, it is there to fight for the best economic deal for its membership. That is its sole purpose, to the exclusion of all others. Their questioning of science kits, Ipad expenditures, roof replacement on this very structure and alike is simple — the union wants every dollar possible for its membership.
But the Board of Education does not serve the REA, it serves every stakeholder in our schools – from parents to students, administrators to taxpayers. The Board has a higher calling to be trustees of the total system. The two of you with whom I have had lengthy service and all the others over the last nine years have done that, and done it well. I have no reservation in making that statement.
For the three of you falling into the 60% category, I have a request of you. Listen to and learn from those of the 40% variety — nearly 20 years of experience and multiple past negotiations with the REA. I believe they have an invaluable background of knowledge to share. There may be an easier path, but it is not the one of a higher calling that serves all the different groups who have a stake in the success of Ridgewood Public Schools.
I suspect that if anyone has been listening they know I have now covered 100%. I have one more number to share before I close.
Most recently a chorus has been heard directly focused at the Board – settle with the teachers now. Rarely, if ever, is a chorus ever directed at the REA. Why is that? Are there not two sides to any negotiation?
Maybe my last number will shed some light on why that chorus is limited in its numbers. It happened to me prior to my tenure on the board. The number I wish to share is one.
I would hope that my family is the only one which has ever received a letter from a ranking member of the REA directed to and reprimanding my eldest son for his writing of a letter to the editor stating his ideas and opinions regarding teachers’ salaries and benefits which was contrary to the REA position during the turbulent negotiations of 2002. At that time my eldest son, the writer, had just completed his freshman year of college. This same letter included a veiled threat at my youngest son and I quote: “I also hope that as Tommy begins high school, the teachers will not associate him with your negative comments.” It made my family think twice about the good faith of the union, and whether they are acting to serve the students or merely their own membership.
I will leave you with that and simply say thank you for your service to this community and be on my way. It is my hope that all Board trustees, both now and into the future, understand the tradition, the trusteeship and responsibilities that are yours.
Is Paul Aronsohn Village councilmen a union shill?
In a recent letter to the Ridgewood News , Paul Aronsohn was called the ‘sole voice of reason’ but one look at past political contributors to Paul an it raises more questions than it answers and perhaps sheds some light as to the on going feud with Village manager Ken Gabbert. Readers wonder if Paul is really the sole voice of municipal unions not reason and continue to speculate as to his real political agenda.
Paul Aronsohn (D)
Political Action Committee Total Contributed
Teamsters Union $10,000.00
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers $10,000.00
United Auto Workers $6,500.00
Carpenters & Joiners Union $5,000.00
American Fedn of St/Cnty/Munic Employees $5,000.00
National Air Traffic Controllers Assn $5,000.00
Sheet Metal Workers Union $5,000.00
Laborers Union $3,500.00
AFL-CIO $2,661.00
American Federation of Teachers $2,500.00
Operating Engineers Local 825 $2,500.00
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union Local 475 $1,000.00
Service Employees International Union $1,000.00
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union Local 274 $1,000.00
Plumbers/Pipefitters Union Local 9 $500.00
Operating Engineers Local 542 $250.00
CONCERNED RESIDENTS OF RIDGEWOOD ENDORSES KILLION, SHINOZUKA AND ARONSOHN FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL
April 23, 2012, Ridgewood, NJ – Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR) has endorsed Keith Killion, Jane Shinozuka and Paul Aronsohn for Ridgewood Village Council, to fill the three open seats to be decided on May 8th 2012.
“Residents must know that the push to prevent the massive expansion of Valley Hospital is not finished. The outgoing Council unanimously rejected the Ordinance that would have permitted the ‘Renewal’ in its current form, but the makeup of the Village Council could materially change with this election. As long as the Planning Board’s Master Plan Amendment for the H-Zone, from June 2010, remains on the books, a new Council could approve ‘Renewal’ without modification.” stated Pete McKenna, president of CRR , the grassroots organization that has opposed this massive expansion of Valley Hospital at their Ridgewood location.
“We can’t overstate the importance of electing candidates to this Council that can be relied upon to approach this situation rationally and with the best interests of the resident taxpayers at the forefront. Valley’s ‘Renewal’ is simply too much building for that fifteen acre site, in that location, and since the Ordinance’s rejection last fall, there has been no modification of that plan offered by Valley. Voters must go to the polls on May 8th, and vote for candidates Killion, Shinozuka and Aronsohn, who are the only candidates to consistently, publicly say that ‘Renewal’, as proposed and approved by the Planning Board, was wrong for Ridgewood”, Mr. McKemma added.
“To ensure that an expansion the size of Paramus Park Mall (not counting the proposed parking deck) does not get built on this site, it is as critical as ever that we elect candidates who will firmly oppose such a permanent change to our Village. As long as the 2010 Master Plan Amendment for the H-Zone remains in place, a Council biased towards advancing Valley’s ambitions could resurrect ‘Renewal’, and Valley is counting on that. It is critical that everyone that feels the needs of the residents are at least as important as the ambitions of Valley, needs to get out the vote, and vote in a council that will help put this matter behind us once and for all,” commented Mr. McKenna.
CRR has consistently stated it understands Valley’s need to modernize and even modestly expand its building. Having said that, our basic research indicates Valley could achieve all of its stated objectives in a building 400,000 square feet smaller than ‘Renewal’. Ridgewood voters have elected every candidate that has been endorsed by CRR, but nothing would please us more than to be irrelevant in future elections. It is our sincere hope that this is the last Village election where Valley Hospital’s business desires have to be considered by Ridgewood voters,” he added.
“Keith Killion established fair stewardship over the H-Zone ordinance hearings, which allowed the vastly negative impacts of ‘Renewal’ to finally come to light. This contribution during Mayor Killion’s current tenure is a vital legacy of the current Council”, according to McKenna.
Jane Shinozuka, while not an incumbent, has publicly stated her opposition to a large expansion that would alter the residential character of the Village, and she has valuable experience as a member of the current Planning Board in addition to her other volunteer positions for the Village.
Paul Aronsohn continually asked pointed and critical questions of the experts during Council’s recent hearings and was part of the unanimous vote to reject the H-Zone ordinance that would have irreversibly damaged our village.
Mr. McKenna stated that CRR invited all six Village Council candidates to meet individually with a committee of the organization. The goal was to discuss issues ranging from the central business district, Village spending and personnel, Village services, land-use and development, pedestrian safety, Graydon Pool and the existing Master Plan Amendment that would allow ‘Renewal’. “To those who think we are one-issue people, ask the candidates how well prepared we were on all of these topics,” Mr. McKenna said.
“While our primary concern as CRR is the balancing of resident needs against Valley’s desires, we are Ridgewood taxpayers and residents too and would only endorse candidates we feel will serve Ridgewood well for years to come. If you care about these issues, we urge your continued support by going to the polls and voting for candidates Killion, Shinozuka and Aronsohn in two weeks.”
PSE&G prepares for spring storm; crews and equipment on hand to restore service in the event of outages
(NEWARK, NJ – April 22, 2012) Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) Company is preparing for heavy rain and potentially damaging wind gusts that are expected to affect its service territory beginning late tonight into tomorrow morning. The state’s largest utility is ensuring that additional crews and equipment are available to respond to outages that may occur as a result of the spring storm.
Electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority” customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment. At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.
Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
If outages are widespread, the utility will activate its Twitter page to keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress.
DOWNED POWER LINES
Heavy rain and strong winds can cause power lines to come down. Downed wires should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.
GENERAL TIPS:
Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:
A battery-powered radio.
A corded telephone (cordless phones will not work if the power is out)
Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
A first-aid kit.
Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
A non-electric can opener.
Matches and candles with holders.
Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
Historic homes appeal to a smaller, but enthusiastic, market
SUNDAY, APRIL 22, 2012
BY KATHLEEN LYNN
STAFF WRITER
Living in a 1678 stone house allowed Marlene Casey to “take something that has been in existence for hundreds of years and lovingly restore what needs to be restored and preserve it for future generations,” she said.
But after raising two sons in the house, Casey is ready for a smaller, one-story place, and has put her home — the Jacobus Demarest Homestead in New Milford — on the market.
The property, one of the oldest in Bergen County, is among a number of pre-1900 properties for sale in North Jersey. Finding the right buyer for these unusual homes can be a challenge, experts say.
In Nothing We Trust
Americans are losing faith in the institutions that made this country great.
by Ron Fournier and Sophie Quinton
Updated: April 21, 2012 | 5:43 p.m.
April 19, 2012 | 4:00 p.m.
MUNCIE, Ind.—Johnny Whitmire shuts off his lawn mower and takes a long draw from a water bottle. He sloshes the liquid from cheek to cheek and squirts it between his work boots. He is sweating through his white T-shirt. His jeans are dirty. His middle-aged back hurts like hell. But the calf-high grass is cut, and the weeds are tamed at 1900 W. 10th St., a house that Whitmire and his family once called home. “I’ve decided to keep the place up,” he says, “because I hope to buy it back from the bank.”
Whitmire tells a familiar story of how public and private institutions derailed an American’s dream: In 2000, he bought the $40,000 house with no money down and a $620 monthly mortgage. He made every payment. Then, in the fall of 2010, his partially disabled wife lost her state job. “Governor [Mitch] Daniels slashed the budget, and they looked for any excuse to squeeze people out,” Whitmire says. “We got lost in that shuffle—cut adrift.” The Whitmires couldn’t make their payments anymore.
Passaic County probes execs’ overtime, totaling more than 210k
SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2012, 1:30 PM
BY ZACH PATBERG
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
Two of the top executives at Passaic County’s One Stop Career Center received more than $210,000 in unauthorized overtime, according to state records.
The discovery has triggered an investigation by the county prosecutor and demands by the state for reimbursement — money that might have to come from county taxpayers, state and county officials said.
“It concerned me enough to have some real legal questions,” said Bruce James, a county freeholder who is also a board trustee for the corporation created by the county to run the center.
Details for image : Individuals in photo are left (with reflective vest on): Ridgewood Police Chief John Ward, right: Robert G. Lahita, MD, Medical Director of Ridgewood Emergency Services who pronounced the victim dead.
BREAKING: Person Killed By NJ Transit Train, Ridgewood Station
04/19/2012
by Boyd A. Loving
10:15 PM
(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) Shortly after 8:45 PM on Thursday, April 19th, Ridgewood PD received a telephone report from NJ Transit Operations of a person who was struck by a Port Jervis Bound train at the Ridgewood train station. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Responding were Ridgewood PD, Ridgewood Emergency Services, NJ Transit PD, Glen Rock PD and Bergen County PD.
Obamanomics: States asked to apply for unemployment test plan
By JIM KUHNHENN | Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is looking for states that will experiment with unemployment insurance programs by letting people test a job while still receiving benefits.
The plan is a key feature of a payroll tax cut package that President Barack Obama negotiated with congressional Republicans in February.
The Labor Department will open the application process Thursday for 10 model projects across the country. Any state can apply for the “Bridge to Work” program.
The plan is modeled after a Georgia program called “Georgia Works.” Under the plan, workers who have lost jobs can be placed in other temporary jobs as trainees for short periods to retain their skills or gain new ones while receiving jobless assistance. About a third of the time, those workers wind up getting hired full-time.
Every year since 1955, the Ridgewood Fire Departmentproduces an annual report. Click Here for Annual Report.https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2011ReptRidgewoodFire.pdf
Dear Dr. Gabbert,
It is once again my honor to present the 2011 Ridgewood Fire Department Annual Report. This report summarizes activities of the Fire Department from January 1, 2011through December 31, 2011. In this document, you will learn about the personnel,facilities, equipment, and programs that serve you and our residents. The Ridgewood Fire Department is a highly trained and professionalorganization, providing
quality service, based on the department’s core values ofrespect, trust, and support.
The fire department has made tremendous strides in the areasof emergency response, training, disaster preparedness, fire, and life safety. As you will see in this document,the Ridgewood Fire Department has onegoal in mind, providing the best level of customer service possible. It is tothe credit of such a fine group of individuals that we are able to effectivelymeet all of the increasing demands for service. The members of this departmenthave dedicated their lives to serving their community and do so with strength,honor, and compassion. It is these beliefs that have become the cornerstonesfor which we provide our services, including fire prevention, public education,fire suppression, emergency medical services, and technical rescue. I thank themembers of this department for theirunparalleled service. The coming year promises to bring more positive changesto the organization and we will continue our focus on customer service andtraining. In February 2011, The Ridgewood Fire Department was awarded a grantfrom the Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grant Programadministered by FEMA in the amount of $348,000.00.
Chief James Van Goor along with FF. Harvey Weber applied forthe grant which was used to hire threenew Firefighter/EMT’s. Due to futureretirements over the next few years, the cost of these new hires will have noimpact on the village for the duration of their career. With this grant and contract negotiations,the fire department has been able to maintain the same budget for the lastthree years.On behalf of all of the Career and Volunteer Firefighters and theAdministrative Staff of the Fire Department, I would like to thank you, the Village Council, and the residents of Ridgewood for their continuedsupport. Without this support we wouldnot be able to carry out our mission.It is my pleasure to serve this communityas Fire Chief. If you have any questions regarding your fire department, pleasecontact me at (201) 444-8822 or e-mail at [email protected].
In Nothing We Trust
Passaic County probes execs’ overtime, totaling more than 210k
Photo credit: Boyd A. Loving
Obamanomics: States asked to apply for unemployment test plan
