The BBC has been criticised by climate change sceptics Thursday July 21,2011 By Nathan Rao
THE BBC was criticised by climate change sceptics yesterday after it emerged that their views will get less coverage because they differ from mainline scientific opinion.
In a report by its governing body, the BBC Trust, the corporation was urged to focus less on opponents of the “majority consensus” in its programmes. It said coverage should not be tailored to represent a “false balance” of opinion if one side came from a minority group.
The report was partly based on an independent review of coverage by Steve Jones, Professor of Genetics at University College, London.
>Rick Perry Accuses Obama Of Leaving Astronauts To ‘Hitchhike Into Space’ July 21, 2011 3:03 PM
ABC News’ Michael Falcone (@michaelpfalcone) reports:
As America bids farewell to the space shuttle era on Thursday, likely presidential candidate Rick Perry appears none too pleased with the Obama administration, accusing the president of “leaving American astronauts with no alternative but to hitchhike into space.”
In a sharply worded statement issued by the governor of Texas — the state is home to the Johnson Space Center — Perry charges that the Obama Administration “continues to lead federal agencies and programs astray, this time forcing NASA away from its original purpose of space exploration, and ignoring its groundbreaking past and enormous future potential.”
>Splendore, James (J.A.) wrote: Ridgewood Resident,
Thank you for your note and for your support of Ford Motor Company’s products. I am also happy to hear that you have had positive experiences with Ken Smith Motors and hope that you continue to support them in the future.
I appreciate your comments regarding our dealer franchising network. I am sure that you can understand that the Company’s decisions regarding franchise locations is something we take very seriously and invest a significant amount of time and research to get it right. We feel that we are represented properly by all of our brands within Bergen County but we will continue to look at all opportunities. Thanks again for your comments.
Sincerely,
Jim Splendore New York Regional Sales Manager Ford Lincoln Sales Operations office (201) 512-7601 cell (201) 780-4731 [email protected]
>Scott Garrett : End of the Line: Our Last Chance for Spending Sanity By Rep. Scott Garrett July 19, 2011
Here we are, just days from a defining moment for this Congress and our nation as a whole – raising the amount of money the United States government can continue to borrow. Rarely in life do we have retrospective vision on failed policies as well as foresight to see an imminent disaster. It is equally rare to be handed an opportunity to correct those problems and make decisions, even if they are not popular, that will affect every future generation of Americans.
Of course, we all know President Obama is asking Congress for another blank check to borrow and spend as he wishes. We also know – from the comical budget he presented to Congress earlier this year – the president is not at all serious about addressing the reality of our $14 trillion national debt and the $188 million that we add to it every hour.
A lot has been said about the catastrophic consequences of not raising the debt limit. I agree, the debt ceiling must be raised, but I firmly believe that failing to immediately address federal spending presents the same risk to our country as failing to raise the debt ceiling. It is crucial that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle understand this is a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Maintaining good credit means more than raising your credit card limit.
I have yet to hear a convincing argument that can explain how taking money away from businesses and corporations as they begin to turn a profit creates jobs. With unemployment locked in above 9% nationally, it is amazing to think that anyone would even offer raising taxes as a feasible solution.
Every dollar the federal government takes out of the American economy is a dollar that cannot be used by American companies and entrepreneurs to create jobs and grow the economy. That is why I will not vote for a debt ceiling increase that involves any tax increases on any segment of the American population. Period.
My colleagues and I in the Republican Study Committee (RSC) have proposed a “Cut, Cap and Balance” solution to end our spending addiction and pay off our nation’s debt. This three-pronged approach would both rein in spending now and ensure we never end up with $14 trillion in debt ever again.
Here’s how it works:
The first step is making discretionary and mandatory spending reductions that would cut the deficit in half next year. This includes evaluating every aspect of the federal government, including entitlement programs.
The second step is setting enforceable caps to align federal spending with average revenues at 18% of GDP. This includes enforcing automatic spending reductions if the caps are breached in any given year.
Finally, the last step is passing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution. Congress’s past failure to produce balanced budgets is a major cause of the fiscal crisis facing the country. It is past time that Congress accepts a limit on its runaway spending so that the federal government can join the 49 states that already govern with some form of a balanced budget.
Of course, it will not be easy to convince my colleagues to support this plan. It involves making difficult decisions and confronting years of irresponsible behavior dating back to before many of us began to serve. Real solutions are not necessarily easy solutions. But given the dangerous condition of our nation’s fiscal health, and the long-standing desire to leave our country in a better state for the next generation, we must recognize that tough choices will be necessary.
No one wants to clean up someone else’s mess, but our constituents sent us to Washington to make difficult decisions. At the end of the day, every Member of Congress will be faced with the question: “What did you do to preserve economic freedom for future generations?
(July 19, 2011 – Newark, NJ) – As hot and humid weather once again grips the region, PSE&G has taken steps to meet the expected high demand for electricity. The state’s largest utility is monitoring weather conditions and the impact on its delivery system. Although PSE&G expects to have no problem delivering the additional power, utility crews are at the ready to respond to service interruptions should they occur. The company has been advised by PJM, the regional grid operator, that power supplies are expected to be adequate to meet the increased demand. PJM has not issued any request to cut back on power.
Customers can take the following steps to stay comfortable and conserve in heat situations:
• Turn off everything you’re not using, including TVs and computers. • If health conditions permit, raise your air conditioner to 78 degrees. You can save 3 to 5 percent on air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat. • Also use fans to circulate air. Portable and ceiling fans use a tenth of the electricity of an air conditioner and can make 78 degrees feel cooler than it actually is. • Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to block summer light and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently. • Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms. • Check to ensure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans, which will enable cooled air to circulate more frequently. • Cook and use other heat-generating appliances in the early morning and late evening hours whenever possible. To view demonstrations of how to save energy in your home, visit PSEG’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/psegvideo
For more energy saving tips and to conduct a free online home energy analysis, visit www.pseg.com/saveenergy. Click onto the “At Home with Energy Star” video podcast.
Most new charter schools not ready to open in September
When the Christie administration announced in January that it had approved 23 new charter schools, that number was celebrated as being the largest class of charters yet. Equally impressive, according to the administration, there would be close to 100 of the alternative schools operating this fall.
Six months later, it turns out only seven of those 23 will be ready to open their doors come September. Factor in two more schools, which had been approved in other application cycles, and that brings the total to nine new charters — for a grand total of 80 operating in the Garden State. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
State Red Tape Review Commission to meet Tuesday in Trenton
The state Red Tape Review Commission will meeting on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton to hear the concerns of small businesses and non-profit organizations on problems they might face in dealing with the state government.
The Christie administration has made eliminating what it sees as red tape a priority since assuming office in January, 2010. In September, Gov. Chris Christie created the commission by executive order. The panel is chaired by Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
Time runs out to use school aid windfall for property tax relief
When Gov. Chris Christie last week detailed his final state aid figures for 2011-2012, they included an extra $150 million for suburban school districts — money the districts were encouraged to use for property tax relief.
The governor should have added, “And hurry.”
In a follow-up memo late last week, the administration indicated that districts would need to move by tomorrow if they wanted to add the extra money to next year’s tax levy. Doing so would require local boards to meet beforehand, with 48 hours notice. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)
>The state should not be going door to door asking about the contents of people’s houses
Does anyone want to comment on the visits being made by representatives of the NJ state health department to Ridgewood households earlier this week, inquiring about pets in the house?
The gentleman who came to my house wanted to know about unregistered pets as well as registered pets. He seemed to be receiving cooperation from my neighbors, as his clipboard was full of information. Only after I told him that we had no pets did he reveal that he was canvassing for the state, rather than municipal government. I felt that was inappropriate.
The state should not be going door to door asking about the contents of people’s houses. Had I known at the outset he was from the state, I would probably have denied him any information and asked him to leave the premesis immediately.
>I’m not sure who has made the official determination that cell towers are the only option for providing cell coverage
I’m not sure who has made the official determination that cell towers are the only option for providing cell coverage, or why. Has anyone seen a rooftop installation, shielded by a screen? Probably not – it would be a true “stealth” design (not a 140′ “pipe cleaner” tree). Even more stealth than the non-stealth downtown rooftop installation that no one ever notices. Or, flush-mounted antennae, painted to match a building’s exterior with an interior equipment room? And, for tricky small spots, a mere “repeater” antenna that amplifies the coverage and aims it directly where the gap exists. How much discussion of these options has taken place? From the tone of this “either/or” tower debate, I’ll hazard a guess at very little, if any.
The only way that the full range of options across the Village can be considered is through a Village-wide approach to appropriate options focused on actual coverage gaps, not by these emotionally, physically and financially draining site-by-site battles pitting neighbor against neighbor against town. Neighborhoods shouldn’t playing “hot potato” with each tower proposal, tossing it on someone else’s doorstep, hoping that when it finally drops, it won’t be in their backyard. It’s a very risky game that may ultimately be lost, along with the goodwill of other neighbors who no longer wish to supported you when that potato drops in your yard – so why play it?
What independent entity has explored, much less confirmed, whether the goal of contiguous coverage necessitates only a monopole design at those identified sites? Or, is it merely the most cost-efficient option for the carrier? Perhaps is it simply the product of a lack of collaboration, patience, foresight and thoughtful evaluation of all needs and options?
Further, to the point that once one site is selected, it is more likely that only one will be built and therefore there aren’t really 3 sites – under what authority do you conclude that all legal rights related to those other sites vanish once one is selected? And, with any such rights come potential causes of action and legal remedies for damages – damages that, ultimately, may become a financial liability to us all.
Instead of trying find a way to pass along this perpetual problem to someone else, the special committee folks are actually looking to solve it. For everyone. I urge those who aren’t familiar with all the potential facility options to make themselves familiar. No resident’s property will benefit from a tower – though the degree of detriment will vary by proximity, of course. Although it is impossible to completely prohibit them across the board, if we collaboratively explore non-tower alternatives that work for all residents, the town and the carriers, where’s the problem? Does everyone own stock in monopole companies or something?
Starting from an uninformed position of “there’s a coverage gap, so that means a tower must go either here or there” only serves to polarize our community. We should start by saying, where is coverage needed, and what is the best (and least adverse) manner to achieve contiguous coverage? That should be the carrier’s main concern, not how they can squeeze towers into an available lot and then raise the height high enough to make it work just enough. Is cooperation and amicable resolution really so very difficult? It is in the best interests of all residents to get behind this – why not achieve your objective by helping your Village community and government out with solutions, instead of using that energy to simply move those problems to someone else’s doorstep?
Mission The Ridgewood Academy for Health Professions (RAHP) is an integrated, collaborative, academic college preparatory program designed to provide students with exposure to the vast array of career opportunities within the healthcare arena.
Program Description The Ridgewood Academy for Health Professions is a three-year program geared for students who have an interest in pursuing a career within health or medical professions. The Academy began in 2005 and will enroll 40 – 45 new sophomore students each year. The goal of the program is to integrate participating high school students’ academic college preparatory curriculum with real life learning opportunities within the health care setting.
RAHP Objectives The objective of the Academy is to provide a comprehensive, rigorous academic curriculum focused on applied and integrated learning, core program teachers, and the option to take college level classes. RAHP will create a small learning community that provides a challenging college preparatory curriculum tied to real life experiences and establishes strong relationships between students and healthcare professionals through internships and mentorships. Students will explore careers in medicine, science, and the allied health professions.
Learning Environment The school-learning environment combines classroom and laboratory experiences with an infusion of health care related projects, labs, and research experiences along with explorations, internships, and mentorships at The Valley Hospital throughout the three-year program. Optional classes at Bergen Community College are offered in the allied health field.
Real-World Experiences Students are introduced to real-world experiences through career explorations, internships, mentorships, field trips and speakers. The exploration year (sophomore) is designed to provide students with exposure to the vast array of career opportunities within the healthcare area. During the internship year (junior) students select rotations in four Valley Hospital department areas to experience practical realities of work in a health related field. The third year of the program, mentorship (senior), provides students with an opportunity to explore a health-related issue under the guidance of a mentor. The culmination of the program will be the presentation of a capstone project at a RAHP seminar symposium.
Steering Committee The Academy has a dedicated and qualified steering committee that acts as an advisory board whose mission is to provide input and direction to the Academy. The steering committee is comprised of representatives from the Ridgewood Public Schools, The Valley Hospital, and Bergen Community College. Members on the committee include administrators, coordinators, faculty and parents of enrolled RAHP students
>In letter to Governor, NJ businesses oppose subsidized power plant scheme
In a break with a few trade groups here, 14 businesses in New Jersey are calling on the Christie administration to halt its efforts to develop new power plants in the state through hefty ratepayer subsidies.
In a letter to Gov. Chris Christie, the executives of those firms argued the competitive wholesale and retail electricity markets are critical to their viability in tough economic times. (Johnson, NJ Spotlight)
>AMBER Ready: The Moonlighting Cop, The Wanna Be Mogul and The Killer App That Wasn’t
Editors Note: A link was added to the section referencing Fairview Police Chief John Pinzone.
Editors Note II: A paragraph discussing the indictment of former AMBER Ready CEO Kai Patterson was inserted, along with a link to the indictment and his comment about the matter.
A small company in Morris County, New Jersey is evidence the first of how very bad things happen to good ideas when Wall Street gets involved.
Like most Wall Street initiated disasters AMBER Ready (AMBER stands for Americas Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) began with some noble intentions. The backstory: In 1998, a veteran computer engineer named Kai Patterson witnessed firsthand the horror his secretary went through when her son was abducted by her estranged husband. Specifically, he was struck by law enforcement’s waste of time in trying to get recent pictures and accurate descriptions of the missing, a problem that virtually guaranteed a lower chance of safely recovering them. (The secretary’s son was found unharmed a year later.)
Fast forward to late 2008. Patterson has given up more lucrative corporate work and is now working full-time on the issue, having raised some capital from John Thomas Financial, a scrappy young investment-bank. Convinced that his old model of having a small army of marketers canvass malls, school fairs and PTA conventions for customers to sign up via personal computer is inefficient, he hired a mobile-phone applications developer called Blinglets. Unlike previous versions, this would enable any customer with a cell phone to download their children’s pictures and key identification data to a form AMBER Ready provided. In event of an emergency, within a few minutes police throughout the region could have everything they need to coordinate recovery operations.
The Christie administration released new school aid numbers Tuesday that detail Gov. Christie’s $850 million increase in state education funding.
The increase was disclosed last week with the governor’s $900 million in line-item vetoes on the fiscal 2012 budget passed by the Legislature, but the district-by-district breakdown was not.
The governor’s $850 million increase in school aid is less than the more than $1 billion the Legislature wanted but more than the $250 million increase Christie proposed in the winter.
>Amber Ready : It’s astounding that Fairview gave Frank time off to work at his other job
It is astounding that Fairview gave Frank time off to work at his other job “saving Fairview much needed revenue”. Someone should be investigating the politics in Fairview and why shortly thereafter Frank would be promoted to Chief. It seems the good taxpayers of Fairview have been paying for services and positions over and above what was required.
The following announcement was from Amber Ready as disclosed to BusinessWeek: “AMBER Ready Announces Executive Changes 07/14/2009
AMBER Ready Inc. announced new key leadership appointments to help support the company’s rapid growth and spur greater national awareness of the AMBER Ready Child Safety Initiative. Effective immediately, law enforcement executive Frank Del Vecchio, who has served as Senior Vice President of the company for the past year, has been named as Chief Operating Officer and is tasked with managing AMBER Ready’s day-to-day operations and growing workforce. The company has also welcomed Gregory Thomas, a nationally recognized school safety expert, who will guide and advise AMBER Ready’s executive management team on its strategic business development efforts. Del Vecchio has more than 20 years experience in law enforcement and also currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Police of the Fairview Police Department in Bergen County, New Jersey.”
Amazing that the “law enforcement executive Frank Del Vecchio” could be “tasked with managing AMBER Ready’s day-to-day operations and growing workforce” while working full time as the Deputy Police Chief, and within months Police Chief, of the Fairview Police Department.
Something is very wrong here. The “effective immediately” announcement was made 7/14/2009 yet it seems Frank took those weeks off several months later? Very wrong.
