Newark NJ, At a briefing in Newark this morning, Governor Phil Murphy vowed to resolve cancellation problems plaguing NJ Transit, .Instead of offering any solutions Murphy spent the entire press conference focusing blame on the Christie Administration .
Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union) issued the following statement following Gov. Phil Murphy’s press conference at NJ Transit:
“New Jerseyans are tough, fair-minded people but they need information every morning to plan their day. Commuters have not received that information as to the status of trains and train delays. Blaming Chris Christie seven months into the new governor’s term does not provide the needed information for our commuters.”
Mahwah NJ, On July 11th, Mahwah Township Clerk Kathy Coviello, who serves as the Recall Election Official, notified the Recall Committee and Mayor Laforet that verification of the Recall Petition was complete and there were sufficient valid signatures to proceed to the next step in the process.
On July 25th, the mayor filed an objection to the Recall with Ms. Coviello.Yesterday, August 6th, Ms. Coviello responded to the mayor’s objections. In short, Ms. Coviello stands by her prior determination that the Recall Petition is compliant with statutory requirements and has the necessary number of signers.
If the mayor chooses to challenge the determination of the Recall Election Official, he has 10 days to file for relief in New Jersey Superior Court.
photo courtesy of the Bergen County Historical Society
August 8,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, the Bergen County Historical Society :School of Interpretation & Volunteer Meeting will be Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at The Demarest House Museum.
A typical house of Bergen County in the early days of the Republic, the Demarest House provided a snug home to several families and even an artists’ club before being moved to New Bridge Landing in the 1950s. Historian and educator Peter Prato explores the history, architecture, and unique artifacts of the house in August’s School of Interpretation, a valuable and informative session for our new and veteran event volunteers.
For anyone interested in becoming a member and volunteering at Historic New Bridge Landing events as a docent, greeter, operations personnel, or living-history interpreter in period dress, the Bergen County Historical Society sponsors the School of Historical Interpretation to hone communication skills, familiarize volunteers with Bergen’s unique history, provide insight into the material culture of the past, and train volunteers in historical presentation.
Port Newark NJ, In light of Governor Phil Murphy’s designation of the Office of International Trade and Investment, Senator Gerry Cardinale announced his plans to reintroduce legislation he has long-sponsored that would codify this program, by establishing a permanent global trade division within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJ EDA.)
Senator Cardinale noted his bill would improve upon the steps Governor Murphy took last week to create a new Office of International Trade and Investment. Sen. Cardinale’s legislation is essential to ensuring that this new office continues to operate during future gubernatorial administrations as well.
“Small Businesses owners who are looking to expand abroad often do not have the legal resources to navigate foreign trade laws,” Cardinale (R-39) said. “By fostering partnerships between local mom-and-pop stores and international advocates, we can promote ‘Jersey Made’ products around the world. The future of our state’s economy depends on a permanent Office of International Trade, right here in Garden State.”
Currently, there are 1,100 multi-national businesses and 270 foreign headquarters in New Jersey.
Senator Cardinale’s bill would establish an Office of International Trade and Protocol within the NJ EDA. The division would encourage and assist New Jersey businesses entering into the international market.
The bill will officially be introduced in the Senate at the next Senate Quorum. Cardinale’s district mate, Assemblywoman Holly T. Schepisi, has already introduced an identical version of the legislation in the Assembly.
“It is essential that New Jersey businesses are provided with the right tools to remain competitive in today’s global market,” Cardinale said. “The establishment of an international trade office will spur commercial growth and generate career opportunities for our residents. I am glad to see that Governor Murphy is taking positive steps towards diversifying our economy. I hope that my colleagues in the Legislature will take immediate action to advance my bill, so that future generations of local business owners can benefit from this program as well.”
Ridgewood NJ, the Nation Weather Service issues a HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT WEDNESDAY…
* HEAT INDEX VALUES…95 to 100.
* TIMING…In the afternoon and into the early evening through Wednesday.
* IMPACTS…The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
A Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees
for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.
To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks
in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke
is an emergency! In cases of heat stroke call 9 1 1.
AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS EVENING
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Action Day for the following counties…
Bergen…Essex…Union…Hudson.
This is in effect until 11 PM EDT this evening.
An Air Quality Action Day means that Ground Level Ozone within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
For additional information…please visit the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Web site at… https://www.njaqinow.net
PRINCETON NJ , Republican 12th District Congressional Candidate Daryl Kipnis announced his plan today to help some 42 million college students with an estimated $1.3 trillion in loan debt.
The Student Debt Relief and Reform plan Kipnis will sponsor in Washington, D.C., will help those students truly in need of student debt relief, put into place checks to make sure rising tuitions are needed, and that students and families are better educated about all of their options before taking on these large financial burdens.
“We must act now to avert the impending cataclysm of more than $1.3 trillion in current student debt before it destroys the financial health of an entire generation,” Kipnis, who is running in New Jersey’s 12th District against Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, said. “Unless we ease the financial burden of these loan debts for some 42 million students now, the future financial impacts will be devastating to our overall economy.”
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, student loan debt more than doubled from 2007-2017 from $516 billion to more than $1.3 trillion.
The number of students owing money increased from 28.3 million to 42.6 million during the same period, according to the data.
“When elected, I will proudly sponsor a comprehensive bill expanding loan assistance programs, refinance options, income-based modification of loan balances, and most importantly, the ability to discharge student loans in bankruptcy for those most in need, which is greatly needed to take people who are badly struggling financially and place them in a position where they are empowered to grow our economy and live the American dream,” Kipnis, who owns his own law practice in Somerset, said. “For many of our youngest, and most promising citizens, student debt has forced almost an entire generation into a form of indentured servitude. Their debt runs in the thousands to more than $100,000, giving them the equivalent of a mortgage payment before most of them even have a job.”
Kipnis said that he sees the economic hardship this issue causes when young people come into his office and ask for help to ease the struggle with handling the debt.
“Many of the degrees students eventually obtain do not lead to jobs and salaries that allow them to significantly pay the debt down to manageable levels,” he said. “I don’t imagine many of us, especially in New Jersey, would be financially successful carrying this kind of debt right at the start of our professional lives.”
In addition to legislation to help students with existing debt, Kipnis also wants to work on reforming the system that causes students to borrow way beyond their means.
Those solutions include; tightening the requirements for getting student loans to align with the student and family’s ability to pay, as well as making sure the student is getting good enough grades to demonstrate an ability to successfully complete the degree program in a timely manner.
Kipnis also wants to see more accountability from colleges and universities that are continually hiking tuition and related costs dramatically.
“Because these loans are, for the most part, guaranteed by the government and easy to get, the institutions have little incentive to be competitive and run on a cost-efficient basis,” Kipnis said. “This makes it almost impossible for free market forces to work, bringing costs down and delivering the product of education to the masses at a reasonable cost.”
His plan includes regulations on schools accepting the federal loans to ensure any increases in tuition are warranted and necessary, similar to rent control protections in place in cities and towns across the nation.
This part of the plan will not only protect students with these loans, but all students facing a debt burden for attending them.
It also will make the schools think more critically about how they spend resources and make it more difficult for them to finance discretionary capital projects, like stadium upgrades or other renovations that do not directly impact academic performance, on the backs of students.
Another avenue is to fully educate students and parents about the true costs of attending college, the alternatives, and what kind of return on their investment they can realistically expect.
Kipnis said he also wants to expand availability of stackable credentialing, defined by the U.S. Department of labor as: ‘part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to build up an individual’s qualifications and help them move along a career pathway or up a career ladder to different and potentially higher paying jobs,’ as an alternative to traditional 4-year degrees, as well as encourage enrollment in vocational and technical post-secondary education programs and create better relationships between employers and educational institutions to fill employment needs.
By helping students with existing debt, and taking on the root causes of the problem, Kipnis wants to ensure future generations of students have the tools to make attending college the bright gateway to achievement and prosperity it was intended to be.
“Students should be looking to the future to pay for cars, homes, weddings, children and retirement, not worrying each month where their student loan payment is coming from,” he said. “It may seem like a lot of money today but easing or eliminating this indebtedness will pay big dividends in the future, allowing the entire economy to prosper.”
District residents can learn more about Kipnis’ campaign at www.kipnisforcongress.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KipnisForCongress, or on Twitter at @Kipnis4Congress.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education
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Ridgewood NJ, the state of New Jersey currently has a total of 391,428 vacant housing units, according to Census data, with the highest concentration in Newark.
In a recent report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy the report noted that abandoned properties have a devastating effect on the fiscal health of the town. They pay little in taxes and generate little revenue. By devaluing neighboring properties, they reduce property tax collections.
Additionally, the government bears substantial costs to deal with these properties. The report calls them “a massive drain on public resources, hitting hardest those cities already struggling to meet payrolls and invest in their future.”
Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi noted , “Currently, New Jersey has a total of 391,428 vacant housing units, according to Census data, with the highest concentration in Newark. These numbers are staggering particularly as we build hundreds of thousands additional units of court imposed housing in New Jersey. Why aren’t we converting even a fraction of these homes into affordable housing rather than building on every last remaining parcel?What is wrong with this State?”
Ridgewood NJ, Citizens For Swimming raises funds to host children from Paterson, NJ at a public pool for swim lessons and summer fun.
photo courtesy of Citizens For Swimming
Since 1968, Citizens for Swimming has hosted summer day campers from Paterson for 9 days of swim lessons and fun in the water.
The children we host have little access to swimming. C4S provides them with a few weeks respite from the summer heat, and swimming lessons that build water safety skills. Swimming is not just fun in the sun, it is a practical skill that many of these kids have limited access to. African American children ages 5-19 drown at rates more than 5 times higher than their white counterparts. YMCA swim instructors provide Citizens for Swimming kids with skills and experiences that will serve them for a lifetime.
We spend $110 per child for our 9-day swim program. This includes bus transportation to and from Paterson (by far our biggest expense), discounted Graydon Pool admission, and supplies like bathing suits and beach towels. Some of our kids arrive the first day wearing shorts instead of a bathing suit and carrying one of their mom’s good bath towels. We provide a bathing suit and a beach towel to every child who needs one.
Make a monetary donation: https://www.youcaring.com/citizensforswimming-1090500
Donate supplies! We need new and gently used beach towels and suits for 90 campers, plus beach toys, goggles, and sunscreen. Why not clean out your closets or hit the sale racks for Citizens? Donations can be dropped at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood office (yellow house), located at 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. We have a donation box on the porch marked “Citizens for Swimming”. Or, please bring your donations to Graydon Pool during camp hours. For your convenience you can also order from our Amazon Wish List and have your donation shipped directly to us.
Like our Facebook page, and share it with your friends!
For more information, please contact us by email at[email protected].
20180808 – Village Council Public Meeting
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL REGULAR PUBLIC MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2018
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over 2018 Statewide Crackdown
Declare September Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Declare September National Preparedness Month
8. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
9. Village Manager’s Report
10. Village Council Reports
11. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
12. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
13. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
18- Award Partial Contract – Southside Reservoir Rehabilitation (NTE $450,000)
18- Amend Current Contract – Pipes, Appurtenances, and Service Materials (NTE $250,000)
18- Award Professional Services Contract – Passaic Valley Water Commission Pipeline Project ($149,175)
18- Award Professional Services Contract – W-4 Licensing Coverage for Ridgewood Water
14. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3662 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking Meter Times at Train Station
3663 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking on Overbrook Road
3664 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Establish Multi-Space Kiosk in New Locations
3665 – Amend Capital Ordinance – Reappropriation of Funding for Stretcher for EMS
3666 – Capital Ordinance – One Hook Lift Body with Accessories (NTE $58,000) – Parks Department
3667 – Capital Ordinance – Reappropriation of Funds – Reconfiguration of Train Station Parking Lot ($330,000)
3668 – Establish Licensing of Sellers of Electronic Smoking Devices
3669 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Allow Displays in Central Business District
3670 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Permitted Encroachment of Stairs into Rear Yard
3671 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Front Yard Setback in B-2 District
3672 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Bus Stops
15. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3653 – Amend Valet Parking Ordinance
3654 – Amend Chapter 105 – Animals – Establish Position of Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officer
3655 – Amend Chapter 244 Smoking
3656 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – No Left Turn – In to and Out of the Driveway at 121 Franklin Avenue (Starbucks)
3657 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – No Turn from North Maple Avenue into Exit Driveway of 305 East Ridgewood Avenue (Jersey Mike’s Subs)
3658 – Amend Ordinance – Enforcement for Dead/Dangerous Trees
3659 – Amend Outdoor Café Ordinance – Enforcement of Rules and Regulations
3660 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Parking Meter Times
3661 – Amend Chapter 145 – Fees – Parking Meter Fees
16. RESOLUTIONS
18- Title 59 Approval – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Bisulfite Solution and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution
18- Award Contract – Furnishing and Delivering Sodium Bisulfite Solution and Sodium Hypochlorite Solution – Water Pollution Control Facility (NTE $49,040)
18- Title 59 Approval – Furnishing Laboratory Analysis Services – Water Pollution Control Facility and Graydon Pool Facility
18- Award Contract – Furnishing Laboratory Analysis Services – Water Pollution Control Facility and Graydon Pool Facility (NTE $15,773.15)
18- Award Contract Under State Contract – Portable Radios – Police Department 18- Award Contract Under State Contract – Two 2018 Chevrolet Tahoes (NTE $72,649) 18- Award Contract Under State Contract – Emergency Lights and Equipment for Police Tahoes (NTE $34,864)
18- Award Contract Under State Contract – Two UHF Mobile Radios for Police Tahoes
18- Award Contract Under Bergen County Contract – Western Star Chassis (NTE $109,051) 18- Award Contract Under Bergen County Contract – Toro Groundmaster Lawnmower (NTE $26,027.33) 18- Award Contract – HVAC Upgrades at Village Hall (NTE $251,400) 18- Approve Agreement, Authorize Execution of Contract, and Designate Redeveloper – Hudson Street Parking Garage (NTE $10,992,000)
18- Declare Property Surplus – Police Bulletproof Vests
18- Appoint Municipal Humane Law Enforcement Officers
18- Response to Resolutions from Township of Wyckoff and Borough of Midland Park Regarding Ridgewood Water
17. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
18. Resolution to go into Closed Session
19. Closed Session
20. Adjournment
New York NY, Thirty-two individuals were arrested Friday on narcotics and gambling charges following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, working jointly with The New York City Police Department (NYPD). The investigation, being prosecuted out of New York City’s Special Narcotics Prosecutor’s Office, uncovered a large-scale alleged cocaine and heroin distribution network centered in the East Village and a related gambling operation located in a busy commercial district near West 11th Street and Avenue of the Americas in the West Village.
Beginning early Friday morning, 32 individuals were arrested in New York City, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida. An indictment filed by the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor (SNP) for the City of New York follows a long-term wiretap investigation by HSI and NYPD’s Narcotics Borough Manhattan South, Gang Squad Manhattan South and Vice Squad.
“Those arrested today are not just alleged to have been involved in selling highly addictive drugs on city streets, but they are also connected with a sophisticated underground gambling operation right here in Manhattan,” said Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent in Charge of HSI New York. “Law enforcement always seeks to build on their investigations, consistently seeking to connect the dots. As we continue to work jointly in these operations, HSI and NYPD are able to combine intel and resources to takedown criminal networks like this one.”
Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said, “The illegal behavior outlined in today’s indictment will never be tolerated in New York City by the NYPD or any of our law enforcement partners. I commend the attorneys and the investigators at the Office of Special Narcotics Prosecutor and Homeland Security Investigations, along with our Narcotics, Gang and Vice detectives, for demonstrating time and again that we are patient, and that our collaborative forces have a long reach. We will continue to be relentless in our mission to dismantle these types of illicit operations and bring the criminals who run them to justice.”
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said, “The disparate criminal schemes orchestrated by this sophisticated and treacherous organization shared a single motivation: greed. Both the gambling operation and the narcotics enterprise charged in the indictment unsealed today preyed on vulnerabilities. While it may be tempting to discount these schemes as victimless crimes, we have learned that drug addiction often leads to overdose and gambling debt to suicide.”
The investigation began with cocaine and heroin trafficking and ultimately led police to a sophisticated illegal gambling operation that catered to a clientele of New York City professionals. The indictment identifies David Diaz as the head of both the narcotics distribution network and the gambling operation, which included the Poker House located at 446 Avenue of the Americas and an online gambling business. DIAZ allegedly ran these interconnected narcotics and gambling operations with assistance from two top associates. Defendant Benjamin Guerrero, maintained an alleged drug stash apartment in a residence occupied by family members at 536 East 5th Street in the East Village and oversaw the packaging and sales of narcotics. Guerrero also served as a “pit boss” for the West Village Poker House. Defendant Geeta Singh, aka “Mira,” served as a manager and promoter for the gambling operation.
Early Friday, NYPD officers and HSI agents conducted court authorized searches in 19 locations, including the alleged drug stash location at 536 East 5th Street and the Poker House at 446 Avenue of the Americas. Police recovered a handgun, a shotgun, an air rifle, a kilogram of suspected cocaine (over two pounds), quantities of heroin, several pounds of marijuana and approximately 2,000 pills of suspected Xanax. Approximately $125,000 cash, multiple money counters, gambling records, thousands of poker chips and two vehicles were also seized during court authorized searches.
Narcotics Operation
At the outset of the investigation in November of 2017, defendants Anthony Delea and Lewis Castro, both alleged members of the Diaz narcotics operation, made multiple narcotics sales to an undercover NYPD officer. On more than one occasion, members of an NYPD surveillance team observed Delea and Castro exit 446 Avenue of the Americas in possession of narcotics prior to making a sale to an undercover. Only later did narcotics investigators learn the address housed a gambling operation.
A clear picture of two interrelated narcotics and gambling schemes emerged once the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor and the NYPD initiated a four-month wiretap investigation with assistance from HSI New York and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The wiretap investigation initially focused on Castro and expanded to include Guerrero, Diaz and alleged narcotics suppliers Dante Rodriguez, Moliek Hudson and Edward Aigbojie.
As detailed in the indictment, a total of nine defendants are charged with engaging in 25 narcotics sales with undercover officers and additional sales to other individuals. Defendants used coded language to discuss narcotics transactions by phone. While several undercover sales took place in the vicinity of the West Village Poker House, the majority occurred in the vicinity of 536 East 5th Street drug stash apartment and elsewhere in the East Village. Defendant Luis Chevres, aka “Presulo,” allegedly sold narcotics to an undercover officer on multiple occasions at a barbershop located at 2nd Avenue and Houston Street. Several of the larger drug sales involved undercover officers purchasing nearly $5,000 in cocaine and heroin at a time. In all, the defendants sold approximately $50,000 in narcotics to undercover officers.
Diaz and Guerrero allegedly received drug deliveries Rodriguez, who resides in Yonkers, N.Y., Hudson, who is based Deltona, Fla., and Aigbojie, who resides in Brooklyn. AIGBOJIE allegedly served as a middleman for Hudson and was also an avid gambler at the Poker House.
Gambling Operation
While the narcotics-related investigation was underway, an NYPD undercover officer with the VICE Squad successfully penetrated the West Village gambling house and participated in poker games with the regular clientele. As a result of the combined efforts of the undercover operation and the wiretap investigation, police were able to identify the hierarchy and methods of the gambling operation.
As charged in the indictment, Diaz allegedly oversaw the entirety of the gambling operation, while Guerrero serving as “pit boss” on multiple nights per week. Guerrero’s brother, defendant Alberto Guerrero allegedly held accounts associated with the Poker House in his name and received income from the gambling operation. Alberto Guerrero, who resides in Amherst, Mass., and Diaz are charged with money laundering in the second degree.
The Poker House operated from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. and consisted of two floors that accommodated approximately 30 players at a time. Players at lower stakes tables on the first floor were required to purchase a minimum of $200 in chips, while higher stakes players upstairs were required to purchase $500 in chips. Each game lasted two hours, enabling tens of thousands of dollars to change hands in a single night. Players who left before the two hours were up forfeited their chips. Proceeds of the illegal gambling operation were used to fund further narcotics trafficking.
The entrée for Poker House clients was through defendant Geeta Singh, aka “Mira,” who managed and promoted the gambling operation remotely from her residence in Atlanta, Ga. and oversaw a related online poker business. Among the methods Singh allegedly used to draw high stakes clientele were event listings through the online service Meetup. Clientele for the poker games were thoroughly vetted and were required to show a text message from Singh in order to gain entrance to the Poker House.
I grew up in Ridgewood during the 40s, 50s, and early 60s. Ridgewood is an entirely different town now. I feel sad about the changes. When my generation passes on, no one will be left who remembers what it was like. Some of the comments replying to this post clearly reflect what Ridgewood has become.
I think that entire part of the country has been ruined both by developers and by the ever expanding levels of government required to manage the tangled mess they create and leave behind.. There is no going back to the standards and values of a bygone era. My Dad used to say we lived there at the last good time. From what I have seen firsthand and from what I have read on this blog, I think he was right.
Those who can do so are leaving New Jersey; it is not hard to see why. It is The Garden State no more.
Ridgewood NJ, Call to Artists, Members and Friends of The Ridgewood Art Institute! Save this Date: September 16, 2018
Please join us for our 2nd Annual Plein Air Paint Out!
This year we will be hosting in our gardens at The Ridgewood Art Institute.
The Ridgewood Craft and Art Street Fair is 12-5pm that day and we are just a short walking distance away.
• Live costumed models with props and inspiring still life set ups, will be provided. Further details to be announced
• Artists should bring their own easels and paint supplies
• There is no registration fee – but donations will be appreciated!
A great opportunity to share the day with family and friends too!
Come meet our members and see why The Ridgewood Art Institute is such a treasured haven for so many!
The Ridgewood Art Institute is a non profit organization providing the finest instruction in Classical Realism in a variety of mediums. Classes are offered on an open enrollment basis, and can be joined at any time.
Each student is taught in direct relation to their personal skill level. For more information on class scheduling, this and future events please visit ridgewoodartinstitute.org
We wanted to provide an update concerning the upcoming NJ DOT restoration project on the route 495 helix. A meeting was held yesterday with the PABT, NJ DOT, and all bus carriers. It was announced that the construction will commence on Friday August 10th however the lane closures on 495 will not occur until Monday August 20th. The project is anticipated to last for 2 1/2 years. The dedicated bus lane will remain active through the life of the project, but regular vehicular traffic will be reduced from 4 lanes to 3 in either direction. Although the bus lane will be open in the morning, we do anticipate delays getting to the bus lane at the junction of the NJ Turnpike. It is still anticipated that traffic going into the City in the afternoon will be most impacted by the restoration project. The Port Authority additionally anticipates that westbound traffic on 495 will be minimally impacted throughout the course of the day.
We will unfortunately not know the true impact this project will have on the daily commute until the construction begins however we will remain in constant communication with the PABT & NJ DOT throughout the project. We again encourage you to visit restorenj495.com for further information and you can also sign up to receive email alerts related to the project on that site as well.
Thank you for your time.
Adam Rodriguez Operations Manager Rockland Coaches, Inc.
I’m sure many of you have heard about the upcoming NJ DOT restoration project on the route 495 helix. As such, we would like to take the opportunity to advise you on the information we currently have, and give you some insight on what we’ll be doing to ensure that our service is impacted as minimally as possible. NJ DOT has not finalized a start date but all indications are that the work will commence in Mid July and could potentially go on for 2 years. The dedicated bus lane will remain active through the life of the project, but regular vehicular traffic will be reduced from 4 lanes to 3 in either direction.
Although the bus lane will be open in the morning, we do anticipate delays getting to the bus lane at the junction of the NJ Turnpike, Route 3 and 495. Based on information received from our partners at the Port Authority of NY and NJ, it’s anticipated that traffic going into the City in the afternoon will be the most impacted by the restoration project. The Port Authority additionally anticipates that westbound traffic on 495 will be minimally impacted throughout the course of the day.
In anticipation of delays and potential additional ridership we are committed to the following:
The safety of our customers and staff will not be compromised with these changes
Improved real time information to be shared amongst operators and customers
Pooling of Coach USA regional resources to provide additional support on high passenger volume and gridlock days
Close engagement with our public partners so we can provide valuable feedback and potentially improve service levels
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available. In the interim we encourage you to visit restorenj495.com for additional information and updates.
Kean States the Obvious “Free” Community College is not “Free ” at all
August 3,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westfield NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said that a pilot program announced by the Murphy Administration that would shift the cost of tuition and fees for some community college students to New Jersey taxpayers is misguided and unaffordable.
“Free community college sounds great, but nothing is really free,” said Kean. “The Governor’s plan simply shifts $20 million of tuition costs for a handful of students to New Jersey taxpayers who are already overburdened. It’s a huge and unnecessary expense that the State cannot afford to assume.”
Kean warned that the $20 million cost of the Pilot program could become an annual expense of $200 million to $400 million if the program is fully implemented statewide.
“The Governor just told taxpayers that New Jersey is in such dire financial straits that he had to raise taxes by nearly $1.5 billion,” said Kean. “The truth is that the higher taxes Governor Murphy implemented this year on families and businesses were only necessary to fund new spending on unnecessary programs like ‘free’ community college. He hasn’t told us yet which taxes he’ll propose raising next to pay for the full cost of this scheme.”
To support the State’s FY 2019 budget plan, which included funding for the pilot program, the Governor and legislative Democrats raised both personal income and corporate business taxes. They also implemented a new Internet sales tax and taxes on sharing services, including Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb.
Kean noted that the Governor’s misguided tuition plan fails to address the underlying problem of escalating costs at our community colleges that have driven tuition to levels that are unaffordable for many students.
“Our community colleges should be an affordable option for every student who chooses to continue their education,” said Kean. “Unfortunately, the Governor’s tuition scheme merely papers over the problems that have led to tuition growth without fixing them. That virtually ensures that the cost to taxpayers for ‘free’ community college will grow well beyond the already expensive estimates.”
