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Bergen County Celebrates Black History Month

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ,  Wednesday night, the County of Bergen hosted its annual Black History Month celebration. This year’s event recognized the national Black History Month theme “Black Migrations,” featuring remarks from the Honorable Felix R. Neals, retired New York Administrative Law Judge, and Junius Williams, the official historian of the city of Newark. Professor Reggie Pittman performed stunning trumpet renditions of the Negro National Anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner. Minister Fred Sullivan of the Mouth Olive Baptist Church offered an invocation. Reverend Dr. Edna Dismus, Vice Chair of the Bergen County African American Advisory Committee, opened the program, while Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco recognized Dr. Arnold Brown, retiring Chair of the African American Advisory Committee, for his years of service. The County recognized the 2019 Black History Month honorees: Nathaniel Briggs, Reverend Gregory Jerome Jackson, and Dr. Brown.  Freeholder David Ganz concluded the program and Minister Vickie Taylor of the Highway Holiness Church Ministries gave the benediction.

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Bergen Women Who Joined ISIS Denied Request to Return to the US

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, the Trump administration has denied a New Jersey-born woman’s request to return to the United States after she left to join the Islamic State group.

In a brief statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave no details as to how the administration made their determination.

“Ms. Hoda Muthana is not a U.S. citizen and will not be admitted into the United States,” he said. “She does not have any legal basis, no valid U.S. passport, no right to a passport nor any visa to travel to the United States.”

Hoda Muthana was born in Hackensack and raised in Alabama. She left the United States in 2014 to join the Islamic State in Syria after becoming radicalized.

Muthana wants to return to the U.S. with her young son, but that request was denied.

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Village of Ridgewood Snow Reminders

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ the Village of Ridgewood list of resident reminders during a winter snow event .

REMINDERS ABOUT VILLAGE SERVICES AND SNOW

We are experiencing a snow event today, which will change over to a mixture of snow/sleet/rain.  There is a high chance of roadways freezing tonight.  Tomorrow’s temperatures will be pleasant, so most of the snow/ice will probably melt during the day.  Please stay off the roads this evening, so that our crews can do their work. Overnight parking on the street will not be allowed tonight, Wednesday, February 20th.

REMINDERS ABOUT GARBAGE PICKUP DURING SNOW EVENTS

As a reminder, if it is snowing when you leave your home in the morning or if it is icy, please place your garbage cans at the end of your driveway for collection. The Village will resume rear yard garbage collection as quickly as possible after the snowstorm, but please continue to put your garbage cans at the end of your driveway until you have a clear path to them.  We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our Village employees safe.

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Somebody Had to Say it: Millions In Financial Aid For Illegal Immigrants Is Unfair To Those Who Do Things The Legal Way

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

VINELAND NJ, Republican candidate for state Senate in LD1, former Assemblyman Sam Fiocchi said today that recent news reports that New Jersey provided financial aid for more than 500 ‘undocumented immigrants’ to attend college is just one example of how sanctuary status hurts others.

“I, like many others living in our district, believe it is ridiculous the State provided over $1 million for those living here illegally to attend college,” Sam Fiocchi said, “Granted, many liberals and progressives will argue the students are ‘Dreamers,’ but what they’re really saying is these students, living in the country illegally, are being rewarded for the bad behavior of their parents.”

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Reader agrees , “I, too, think we should definitely vote NO on the budget”

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“I, too, think we should definitely vote NO on the budget. They are just throwing money away. However, in the past we have rarely voted NO and when we did, the Council felt sorry for them and cut out almost nothing. The budget has now reached an unbelievable total so I would hope they can cut more than just “a few thousand”. Cut the frills and leave in anything that is clearly a positive educational function. We don’t need to have every Superintendent’s Aide have an aide and that Aide have yet another Aide. We currently seem to have a system over filled with Administration and not geared to the students at all. You are right when you say the parents don’t dare complain for fear their children will receive some form of retaliation. That is standard to all schools. However, the teachers bear a huge burden in not snapping at the parents who believe that “their child can do no wrong.” My favorite comment came from a kindergartner who refused to follow any rules. He finally got angry and used several rather extreme cuss words. His mother was called and she asked “Well, what did you do to——- to make him angry?” Our daughter -in-law got taken to court by a parent because she had been unable to force a child to take something home which was then thrown out. It suddenly became extremely valuable . Fortunately the Judge literally laughed it out of Court. Teachers are expected to teach an interesting class while ignoring the potential distractions going on. So it is usually our School Board causing problems. “

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Governor Murphy Declares State of Emergency

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, Today, Governor Phil Murphy declared that New Jersey will enter a state of emergency beginning Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 5:00 a.m. ahead of the anticipated winter storm. The storm is expected to start tomorrow and continue throughout the day. Executive Order No. 57 declares a state of emergency across all 21 counties in New Jersey, allowing resources to be deployed throughout the state during the duration of the storm.

“As a winter storm is expected to impact our State, we are urging residents of New Jersey to drive with caution and use their best judgment during this time,” said Governor Murphy. “We are actively monitoring the storm and are prepared to deploy any resources available to ensure the safety of the roads.”

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New Jersey’s Economic House is Crumbling…So, let’s Slap a New Coat of Paint On It

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BettyLou DeCroce represents Legislative District 26 (Morris Essex & Passaic counties) and is a small business owner  

Roxbury Twp NJ, Many state policy leaders treat New Jersey’s economy as if it were a stately mansion to be admired. They pretend to noticed that the termites have eaten the columns by the front door, that the roof leaks and that the foundation has begun to crumble. If the state’s economy were a house for sale it would be listed as outdated and in need of significant structural repairs.

As the state’s chief “realtor” Gov. Murphy’s sales pitch for New Jersey is that the house just needs a coat of paint and all will be fine. The reality is the state’s economic house needs a lot more than cosmetic makeovers.

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New Jersey Attorney General Charging Windmills

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

TRENTON NJ, right on cue more virtue signaling ,money and time wasting ,Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today joined California and 14 other states in suing over President Trump’s decision to fund a border wall by declaring a national emergency and annexing billions of federal dollars earmarked for military construction projects and law enforcement drug interdiction efforts.

Would it be too much to ask that Trenton politicians focus on the seemingly insurmountable problems in New Jersey?

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Age Friendly Ridgewood Invites you to attend a Universal Design Forum

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photo by ArtChick

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Age Friendly Ridgewood in partnership with the Village of Ridgewood invite you to attend our

Universal Design Forum:
How To Make Your Home a Better Place In Which To Grow Older
Wednesday, March 6
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Ridgewood Public Library – 125 North Maple Avenue

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SUPER SCIENCE SATURDAY

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday, hailed as the “Greatest Science Extravaganza in Northern New Jersey,” brings fun and excitement to science through professional presenters and student projects. As a joint project of the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Super Science Saturday Volunteer Committee, we aim to bring all science lovers together for a day of fun and learning for all ages.

In an effort to make Super Science Saturday an even better experience, we have changed venues to Ridgewood High School, giving more space for student presenters in our “Hall of Science.” Our adult presenters will also have generous space throughout hallways, the Cafeteria, and the Campus Center.

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Governor Phil Murphy Puts Focus on Historic Preservation Tax Credit as Part of Incentives Reform Package

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PATERSON NJ, the Bergen County Historical Society says, “This could be a game changer when it comes to historic preservation in NJ. Saving historic structures that provide communities their identities makes sense.”

On a street lined with former silk mills, only blocks away from the Great Falls of Paterson, Governor Phil Murphy detailed a new historic preservation tax credit program as part of his vision for incentives reform. The Historic Preservation Tax Credit will serve to revitalize and fully realize the potential of New Jersey’s storied cities and towns.

“50 Spruce Street is one of hundreds, if not thousands of similar buildings in our state that have vast unfulfilled potential and can be restored to their former glory and repurposed for modern day use,” said Governor Murphy. “Historic preservation tax credits have helped other states preserve and utilize their historic buildings. These beautiful structures are often hidden in plain sight and are waiting for the right investor. We are here to help with that.”

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Time for a “NO ” Vote on the Ridgewood School Budget

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, after filing a lawsuit that offered no tangible benefit to Ridgewood taxpayers or school children . The Judge ruled that the terms of a board of education member cannot be shortened, thereby extending the term of some increasingly unpopular Board of Education members .

Since the Village is currently stuck with these “trustees” for a longer duration , the next best thing would be to vote “NO” on the school budget as a “NO CONFIDENCE” vote against current board members.

If past precedence is any indication there is limited risk to the school system . Time for residents to put their “Resistance” to a better more productive use and none better than improving a child’s education . Resist the BOE and just say NO to the gigantic $111,000,000 budget.

Contact The BoardContact the Board

Ms. Jennie Smith Wilson, Board President
[email protected]

Mr. James Morgan, Vice President
[email protected]

Ms. Sheila Brogan
[email protected] 

Mr. Cristopher Kaufman
ckaufman@ridgewood.k12.nj.us

Ms. Christina Krauss
[email protected]

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The 2019-2020 Ridgewood Public Schools $111 Million Budget Vote will be held on Tuesday, April 16 

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The following links go directly to pages on the Bergen County website.

How to:

Register to vote
The registration deadline is 21 days before an election. The deadline for registering to vote in the Annual School Election (April 16) is Tuesday, March 26.

Voting by mail

Click here to download the official Vote-by-Mail application.

A registered voter may apply for a Mail-in Ballot by mail up to seven days prior to the election, or apply in person until 3 p.m. on the day before the election. Mail-in Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received no later than 48 hours after polls close, or returned in person before the close of polls on Election Day. The deadline to apply by mail for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for the Annual School Election (April 16) is Tuesday, April 9. The deadline to apply in person at the County Clerk’s Office for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for the Annual School Election is Monday, April 15 at 3 p.m.

FAQs on voting
Answers to general questions on registering to vote and voting

Please note: The office of the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections is the primary source for full information on voting and elections. Please consult the Bergen County website for more information at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/about-superintendent-of-elections.

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Proposed Marijuana Legislation Leaves Employers in the Weeds

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While we hear a lot about the benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana—the business opportunities it provides, expungement of criminal records, where dispensaries will be located and the like—no one is talking about the human resource ramifications. Yes, decriminalizing recreational marijuana is a step forward in many ways, but there are holes in the legislation that leave lots of questions for businesses.

As recreational use of marijuana loses its criminalization and stigma, business owners and human resources need to be extra cautious as they prepare for implementation to manage risk and employee behavior.

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