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Pascrell Fails to Accept Responsibility for New Jersey’s Failed Fiscal Policies

Bill Pascrell

“Pascrell Lambasts Latest Republican Tax Outrage”

July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WASHINGTON D.C. ,  Today, Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, hammered the release of the so-called second phase of the Republican tax plan which announced that the egregious cap placed on federal deductions for State and Local Tax Deductions (SALT) would be made permanent.

“As New Jersey’s Yogi Berra liked to say, it’s déjà vu all over again. Another day, another attempt by congressional Republicans to stick it to Garden State. Already burdened with the highest property taxes in America, for years people in my state relied on the state and local tax deduction to provide their families with flexibility to pay their bills. Republicans took care of that, capping those deductions to help pay for a trillion-dollar tax cut for big corporations and big tycoons. Now Republicans are announcing the SALT cap is going to be made permanent to bedevil New Jerseyans for all time. We already know Republicans go out of their way to bring pain on the people of the Northeast. They said so themselves. But they keep trying to prove it again to us. We’ve had it with this garbage. The GOP tax scam should be overturned and the full state and local tax deduction reinstated. Let the top 1% pay their fair share and leave New Jersey the hell alone.”

Pascrell, made no mentions of the 50 or so years of unabated irresponsible fiscal policies of the state New Jersey or the “Garden State ” as he like to say. Pascrell like many New Jersey politicians likes to blame the abject failure of state policies on the federal government .

Pascrell has represented his district since January 1997 and in that time there has been massive flight of people and businesses out of the “Garden State” for far greener pastures .  New Jersey ranks at the top only in taxes and ranks near the bottom is business climate and quality of life . Perhaps he and his fellow  New Jersey representatives could spend far more time on the problems in the state of New Jersey and less time grand standing and name calling .

 

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Ridgewood Village Council OK’s Plan to Improve Schedler Park

Schedler Park

July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, lost in all the debate over school board elections  was that  the Village Council has  moved ahead with plans to develop the Schedler Park property ( 18-236 Approve Field Design for Schedler Park ).

The Village council approved a plan Wednesday night  to construct a multi-use athletic field, playground, a walking trail, bathrooms, and 44 more parking spaces to the tract of land on West Saddle River Road just off of  Route 17.

The athletic field will be the slimed down version , a 75 by 50 that could be used for soccer, lacrosse, and kickball games .

 

Schedler Park Back Ground Information:

Updated Schedler Grant Application Click Here
For the Bergen County response regarding the Schedler Grant Click Here
Below are the Site Development Plans prepared by the Ridgewood Engineering Department.
Click Here for Part 1A
Click Here for part 2B
Click Here for Part 3 C, D, E
Maps – Revisions
Schedler Map Rev 8 – October 7, 2015

Info Click Here for the Schedler Park and House Grant Timeline – as reported by the Village Manager at the September 16, 2015 Village Council Public Meeting. Wednesday, August 12th the Village Council discussed the use of the Schedler property.
They voted on the following resolutions:
Click Here for Schedler Property Resolution including House ,  Click Here for Resolution to apply for Schedler House Grant

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Upper Saddle River, Allendale, Saddle River and HoHo-Kus Join Forces for National Night Out

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July 25,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho Ho Kus NJ, On Tuesday, August 7th, residents throughout Upper Saddle River, Allendale, Saddle River and HoHo-Kus are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “35th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by USRA Coalition (www.usracoalition.org), will involve over 16,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 38.5 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime”. NNO 2018 corporate sponsors are Diet & Watson, Ring, Associa and Package Guard.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On NNO, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party.”

From 6 to 9 p.m. on August 7th, residents throughout Upper Saddle River, Allendale, Saddle River, and Ho-Ho-Kus are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening with Police Officers from your community at the Red Barn located behind Crestwood Lake in Allendale.

This free fun filled family event will feature a DJ, live music, games, crafts, ice cream, face painting, inflatable obstacle course, basketball and much more! A Variety of food items will be available for purchase from Cars, Mason Jar, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Carmelo’s Brick Oven Pizza and more. Pre-registration requested but not necessary for certain events. E-mail [email protected] with ages of children participating. Space is limited for certain events.

Pre-registration requested but not necessary for certain events. E-mail [email protected] with ages of children participating. Space is limited for certain events.

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New Jersey Revenue Certification Reform is Long Overdue

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July 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, This afternoon the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee held a hearing on SCR132, a constitutional amendment to overhaul New Jersey’s revenue certification process. SCR132 would take away the governor’s constitutional authority to certify revenues and create a joint legislative and executive branch panel to provide consensus revenue certification. New Jersey would become the 29th state in the nation to adopt this budget forecasting framework.

NEW JEREY POLICY PERSPECTIVE PRESIDENT GORDON MacINNES:

“This change to the budgeting process is long overdue and will bring more clarity, collaboration, and credibility to the state’s revenue projections. Consensus forecasting follows best practices from across the country and ensures economic factors – not political ones – set the parameters of the budget debate.

For the state to fully realize the benefits of this reform, the legislature should also pursue multi-year budgeting practices to better prepare New Jersey for the future. These changes could lead to a healthier, more democratic budget debate, boost public trust, and produce better results for a state budget that has suffered from years of politically convenient decisions.

However, while consensus revenue forecasting is an important change to the constitution, it should not be made with the same swift action that defines the last-minute budget practices the state seeks to reform.”

Full testimony by NJPP President Gordon MacInnes: https://www.njpp.org/budget/njpp-testimony-revenue-certification-reform-is-long-overdue

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Top Law Enforcement Officials Call On Sherrill To End The Witch Hunt On ICE Agents

ICE

July 34,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Whippany NJ,  Following a week where nearly 200 Democrats in the House refused to vote for a resolution in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon and Sussex County Sheriff Michael Strada are joining Jay Webber in calling on Congressional candidate Mikie Sherrill to reject her party’s effort to disband and tarnish the organization.

“I stand with the women and men who serve and sacrifice as ICE agents and employees,” said Webber. “It is important that our elected representatives support the law enforcement community, especially as we all work together to try and solve the opioid crisis. It is unconscionable that Mikie Sherrill actually organized a rally that called for the abolition of ICE, and refuses to back down from that indefensible position.”
Sheriff Gannon added, “Every branch of law enforcement is intertwined and reinforces one another’s responsibilities. In addition to identifying, investigating and prosecuting dangerous illegal immigrants, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) also plays an especially critical role in keeping drugs off of our streets, seizing hundreds of thousands of pounds of illegal narcotics every year. We need a Congressional representative who will protect the mission of ICE as we continue to battle the opioid crisis. Jay Webber has proven time and again that law enforcement can count on him, which is why I give him my full support. ”
“Mikie Sherrill is adding fuel to a very dangerous fire by sharing the stage with her radical supporters as they call for the abolishment of ICE,” said Sheriff Strada. “Every Sheriff’s office and local police department would be in a tough spot if we did not have Immigration and Customs Enforcement supporting us, and vice versa. If people want to send someone to Washington who will be tough on crime and have the backs of the law enforcement community, then they need to get out and support Jay Webber.”

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ICE: Busy Month for Illegal Immigrants Committing Heinous Crimes

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July 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, according to Judicial Watch,  As the separation of families pouring in from Mexico dominates the airwaves several disturbing cases involving illegal aliens shift the focus back to the devastating impact of America’s poorly guarded southern border. In the last few days alone, an illegal immigrant who had been deported eleven times attacked his wife with a chainsaw in front of their children, another got charged with a series of violent rapes and dozens were arrested for operating a major human and drug smuggling enterprise in a major U.S. city.

The gruesome chainsaw attack occurred in Los Angeles County, which has long offered illegal immigrants sanctuary. A man named Alejandro Alvarez-Villegas, deported to his native Mexico 11 times since 2005, tried to kill his wife with a chainsaw. In local media reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) refers to him as a “serial immigration violator,” but the agency fails to explain how that could possibly occur. Alvarez-Villegas has been charged with seven felonies and is being held without bail. One California newspaper worries that the assailant’s immigration status will fuel calls for a big wall on the border with Mexico and spark “illegal immigration foes to point to the U.S. immigration system as a failure in need of revamping.” The piece also quotes open borders advocates saying that domestic violence happens among Americans citizens too and that it’s not an “undocumented” problem.

Several hundred miles north in San Francisco, an illegal immigrant from Peru recently got charged with rape by force or violence and other crimes. The 37-year-old, Orlando Vilchez Lazo, was a driver for the ride-sharing company Lyft who somehow passed a background check. Lazo faces life in prison and is being held in jail in San Francisco on $4.2 million bail. San Francisco has long provided Illegal aliens with sanctuary and forbids it law enforcement agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials. Judicial Watch has sued the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department (SFSD) to prevent the use of taxpayer funds on policies that prohibit department personnel from cooperating with federal immigration law enforcement officials. Back in 2008 Judicial Watch investigated the SFSD’s handling of an illegal alien (Edwin Ramos) charged with the triple murder of three innocent American citizens. Ramos, who had been arrested on three prior occasions and convicted with two felonies, was never turned over to federal immigration authorities for removal to his native El Salvador under San Francisco’s sanctuary policies.

In the other recent case involving serious illegal immigrant criminal activity, 18 human smugglers and 117 illegal aliens got arrested in three stash houses in the area surrounding El Paso, Texas and southern New Mexico. Most of the illegal aliens—93—are from Mexico and the rest from Guatemala (12), Honduras (6), Brazil (3), El Salvador (2) and Peru (1). At least three of the illegal immigrants have serious criminal records, according to information released by ICE. A 32-year-old Mexican man busted in the ring has convictions for child endangerment and driving while intoxicated as well as being arrested for illegally re-entering the U.S. after being deported. A 30-year-old Mexican has ties to a drug cartel and was previously arrested for fraud and misuse of visas. A 34-year-old Guatemalan has an outstanding warrant in Florida for driving under the influence and has also been charged with illegally re-entering the U.S. after deportation, according to the feds.

Besides arresting the criminal elements, the feds also seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana in the El Paso bust, large amounts of U.S. and Mexican cash, nine vehicles and three tractor-trailers. Two American citizens were nabbed in the operation, including a 42-year-old man with prior convictions for aggravated stalking, kidnaping, possessing a deadly weapon and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute. The other U.S. citizen, a 25-year-old man, has prior convictions for escape from custody, possessing marijuana, assault and driving while intoxicated. While all this is going on, the overwhelming majority of immigration-related media coverage continues to focus on children being separated from their parents. A new national poll reveals that most Americans consider immigration the most important problem facing the nation.

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RIDGEWOOD TENNIS INSTRUCTION AND SUMMER CAMPS

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TENNIS INSTRUCTION AND SUMMER CAMPS
Registration continues for the summer session of tennis instruction with All Pro Tennis which starts next week.
Youth/Adult Instruction
Mondays – June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
Wednesdays – June 27, July (no 4), 11, 18, 25, August 1 and 8
(rain make ups will be announced as needed)
PreK & K – 5 to 6 pm
Grades 1 & 2 – 5 to 6 pm
Grades 3 to 5 – 6 to 7 pm
Grades 6 and up – 7 to 8 pm
Adults – 7 to 8 pm
Summer Camps
Camps, for grades 1 and up, run Monday through Thursday (Fridays are for rain makeups).
Weeks: June 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6 and 13
Choose from 9 to 10:30 am or 10:30 to 12 noon.
All sessions are held at the Somerville Courts on South Pleasant Avenue, Ridgewood
$120/6 week instructional session or for each camp (non-residents $130)
Participants must possess a 2018 Tennis Membership which may be purchased online via Community Pass, www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass.
Registration for class sessions and camps must be made in person or by mail to The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue. Please make checks payable to ALL PRO TENNIS. The registration form is attached for your convenience. Call the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560 with any questions or you may contact Barry Ruback, All Pro Tennis at 201-568-3946.

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Pro Arte Chorale will present two summer sings with our new and exciting music director, Bryan Zaros.

Pro Arte Chorale

July 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Pro Arte Chorale will present two Summer Sings with our new and exciting Music Director, Bryan Zaros. Please join us as Bryan takes us on these lovely musical journeys:
– Monday, July 30th, “Choral Treasures”, a variety of masterpieces from Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, and Palestrina
– Monday, August 27th, “Mosaic Mass”, a selection of magnificent works from Durufle, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart.
Pro Arte warmly welcomes you to these two enjoyable evenings to experience and sing with Masetro Bryan Zaros and the Chorale! 7:30- 9:00 pm at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ. $10 admission includes score rental and refreshments. No registration required. For more information visit www.proartechorale.org; or call 201-497-8400.

Mon, July 30, 2018
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 155 Linwood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Cost: 10.00

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Ridgewood YMCA CEO Explains Changes

Ridgewood YMCA theridgewoodblog.net 1

July 20, 2018

Dear Friend of the Ridgewood YMCA,

After a productive partnership spanning 70 years in their shared 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility, the Boards of Directors of the Ridgewood YMCA and YWCA Bergen County announce plans to restructure their joint operations.

While the Ridgewood YMCA will continue operations at 112 Oak Street, YWCA Bergen County will move its operations to a different location. The transition period will begin in August 2018 and be completed in September 2018.

The Ridgewood YMCA and YWCA Bergen County have decided this course of action to better serve our community while preserving the very important missions of our respective organizations. Our YMCA staff will be working diligently to ensure a smooth transition process is in place and we will continue to communicate updates to our members.

The Ridgewood YMCA will expand its operations at 112 Oak Street and provide the same high-quality services that all members have come to expect and enjoy in youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. A future capital fundraising campaign will be explored, and with the support of the community, much needed facility upgrades and improvements will be made.

Ridgewood YMCA and Bolger Fitness Center members in good standing will continue their membership unchanged. A Frequently Asked Questions section will be featured on the Ridgewood Y’s website (www.ridgewoodymca.org) and a FAQ information sheet will be available at the Welcome Center Desk.

Denis Salamone, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said “With improvements to the facility at 112 Oak Street and enhancements to programs, the Ridgewood YMCA will serve its members and the community better than at any other time in my 31 years as a YMCA volunteer.”

Brian Hughes, President of the Board of Directors commented, “My family and I have been members of the Ridgewood Y for 18 years. “All three of my children have been involved in the youth programs, camp and on the Breakers swim team.” “I know from personal experience what a positive impact the Y has made in our lives and I am thrilled with the restructuring of our organization and its potential for favorable changes and growth.” “I look forward to many more people of all ages being able to experience a healthy lifestyle and sense of community that the Y provides”.

Please visit Ridgewood YMCA (ridgewoodymca.org) on the web, and follow us on social media for information and updates.

Thank you.

Ernest Lamour, CEO

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Bergen County Man Admits Using Personal Information Stolen From U.S. Service Members To File Phony Tax Returns

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July 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fort Lee NJ,  A Fort Lee, New Jersey, man today admitted generating phony tax refunds using personal identifying information stolen from current and former members of the U.S. army, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Shope Oluwo, 33, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson in Trenton federal court to an indictment charging him with one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, access device fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From January through February 2016, Oluwo conspired with others, including Dermot Sutherland, 29, of Philadelphia, to obtain personal identifying information that was stolen from current or former members of the U.S. Army. Oluwo used that stolen information to create fake military identification cards and fraudulent W-2 forms bearing the victims’ names.
Oluwo provided the phony cards and W-2 forms to Sutherland, who posed as the victims and filed phony returns with a tax preparation company. Afterwards, Sutherland received debit cards from the tax preparation company that contained the ill-gotten refunds.

The conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The access device fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. The aggravated identity theft charge carries a term of imprisonment of two years which must run consecutively to any other prison term. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 26, 2018.

Sutherland previously pleaded guilty to his role in the scheme and awaits sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Leigh-Alistair Barzey; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos; and special agents of IRS–Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Bryant Jackson in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

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Never Forget Candidate Harwin was promoted by the Queen of overdevelopment state Senator Loretta Weinberg

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July 21,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, those residents who are concerned with the current level of over development in Ridgewood ,she remain vigilant .the village dogged a bullet during the last election no matter what the Aronsohn and Co. protors want you to think. Candidate Harwin was promoted by the Queen of overdevelopment state Senator Loretta Weinberg.

Don’t think this Village Council Election is all about high density house and forced over development ,think again ,Harwin is bragging all over the internet on her endorsement of “high density” Senator Loretta Weinberg.
Weinberg has continually promoted over development in Bergen County .
Harwin: So grateful to be endorsed by Loretta Weinberg, NJ State Senate Majority Leader and women’s leadership pioneer.
“Now, more than ever, we need to elect strong, progressive women, and it is in that spirit that I hope Alexandra Harwin gets elected to the Ridgewood Council. She’s smart. She’s thoughtful. And she would bring to Village Hall a welcome mix of energy, passion and integrity. Ridgewood is lucky to have Ali Harwin. I hope you vote for her on Tuesday, May 8.”
— Senator Loretta Weinberg — with Alexandra Harwin and Loretta Weinberg.

https://theridgewoodblog.net/weinberg-endorsement-of-harwin-key-to-high-density-development-efforts-in-ridgewood/

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Microirrigation the Next Big Thing

Sprinkler watering the lawn

July 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, July is #SmartIrrigationMonth. If you have you been thinking about installing a dripline system? Check out the article below to start saving money and water. #WaterConservation #Sustainability

Microirrigation is a low-pressure, low-flow-rate type of irrigation that can reduce the likelihood of overwatering a landscape. This form of irrigation delivers water directly to where it is needed most-the root zone of plants. It also delivers the water slowly and over a longer period of time, preventing runoff and reducing evaporation. Microirrigation systems use 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional sprinkler systems and can reduce residential or commercial landscape irrigation water use.
WaterSense has developed two guides to help irrigation professionals and homeowners understand the benefits of microirrigation. The guides also provide design, installation, and maintenance tips, which are the keys to an efficient irrigation system.

Adding Microirrigation to Your Services: A Mini-Guide for Irrigation Professionals(16 pp, 8 MB, About PDF) explains how designing, installing, or retrofitting an existing system with microirrigation can help your customers save water and enhance plant health.

Saving Water With Microirrigation: A Homeowner’s Guide(8 pp, 9 MB, About PDF) describes the types of landscapes where microirrigation works best and suggests how to work with an irrigation professional to design and install a system.

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Nearly three quarters of New Jersey certified public accountants surveyed believe the new state budget will harm our economy

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file photo by Boyd Loving

July 20,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, More than 75 percent of the 921 certified public accountants (CPAs) who were surveyed by the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJCPA) in July said that New Jersey’s 2019 state budget, which was signed by Governor Murphy on July 1, would have a negative impact on the state’s economy. Thirty-nine percent felt the economy would get “marginally worse,” and 37 percent said it would get “significantly worse.” Fourteen percent said it would have no impact, and only 10 percent said the economy would get either “marginally better” or “significantly better” under the new budget.

The budget consists of $37.4 billion in spending, to be funded in part by instituting a tax increase from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent on taxpayer income of more than $5 million. The budget also included several significant corporate business tax changes, including a surcharge of 2.5 percent for the next two years and 1.5 percent for the subsequent two years for corporations with income of $1 million or more as well as a new combined reporting system. No change was made to the sales tax rate though a tax will be levied on e-cigarettes and short-term lodging, such as Airbnb.

NJCPA survey respondents cited several reasons why the budget plan will not help the state’s economy over the long term. Taxing millionaires could lead to more residents in high-income brackets leaving the state, said respondents. As one noted, “the outward migration of wealth will continue, and the long-term effect will be disastrous.”

Survey participants also said the tax increases on corporations will not help the hiring process or provide incentives to remain in the state. It will likely make the state less friendly to investors and businesses.

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O’Scanlon Praises New Jersey Supreme Court’s Proposed Municipal Court Reforms

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July 18,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth County) today issued praise to the Supreme Court Committee on Municipal Court Operations, Fines and Fees for their comprehensive report which, after a 16 month investigation, “revealed a number of significant concerns where aggressive reform is needed. Many of those issues identified by the Committee undermine both the administration of justice and the independence of the Municipal Courts.”
“In law enforcement and judicial systems, profit is the mortal enemy of justice,” Senator O’Scanlon said. “We must take real steps towards reforming municipal court and ticketing procedures. Policing for profit is an unacceptable practice that tarnishes the reputation of all our upstanding police officers and often results in devastating consequences for petty infractions.”
“Municipal Courts should be about the administration of justice, not a profit center to plug holes in local governments’ budgets,” O’Scanlon continued. “In the twenty-five years since our Courts were last reformed, too many towns have come to rely on fines to fund their municipal operations and too many local judges have turned into de facto tax collectors. This is not justice and it has to stop.”
Among the reforms that O’Scanlon is considering are:
• Enhanced screening and training for municipal court judges
• Extending the terms and possibly create tenure for municipal court judges
• Reworking how fine revenue is distributed to remove direct profit motivation.
• Increased use of technology in administering local justice.
• Encouraging court consolidation.
“Policing for profit has become the norm for too many municipalities. It has become so accepted that many local officials don’t believe they’re doing anything wrong. Pressure to write more tickets and generate more revenue is routinely applied to police. When considering the hiring of judges there is open discussion of how aggressive candidates will be in generating revenue. That perverts our justice system and damages peoples’ faith and trust in our police. Neither the institution nor our dedicated cops deserve that. Our overarching goal should be the greatest amount of compliance and safety with the LEAST amount of punishment. Ticket revenue need to be used to modify behavior when necessary, not to balance budgets.”
O’Scanlon has been working with the Administrative Office of the Courts to ensure reforms are appropriate and effective. His reform plan announcement comes at the same time as the release of the Supreme Court Committee on Municipal Court Operations, Fines, and Fees report.
“We are grateful for the extensive work that the committee has done here in putting together forty-nine recommendations to address these serious issues. Many of the issues and policy ideas we are tackling in our reforms are addressed in the report. I look forward to continuing the process of implementing the Committee’s other recommendations and restoring faith in our justice system.”
O’Scanlon acknowledged that these reforms will be initially unpopular with municipal officials who have been using fines to balance their budgets. He challenges those officials to join him in continuing to reform government with greater efficiencies.
“When we implemented the two percent local spending cap eight years ago, many officials thought it was doomsday. But we also gave them the tools to do the job and the best and brightest got to work and created savings and efficiencies,” O’Scanlon said. “Now many towns are consistently passing budgets within the cap while maintaining services. We need to keep doing that and more, especially regarding this issue which is one of justice and fundamental fairness.”

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Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean : Murphy’s Diversion of NJ Transit Capital Funds is the Height of Hypocrisy

Ridgewood-Trainstation1_theridgewoodblog

July 18,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean released the following statement, in light of today’s news that the Murphy Administration has authorized New Jersey Transit to divert $511 million in capital funds to pay for operational costs.

“Governor Murphy swore to commuters that he would fix New Jersey Transit, without relying on financially-unsustainable practices. Today he broke that promise. His decision to use capital funds to cover up his complete inability to manage money is misguided.”

“Governor Murphy is using the very same practices that he campaigned against, by diverting money from the Clean Energy Fund, the Turnpike Authority and now, New Jersey Transit’s capital funds to plug holes in his budget.
New Jersey Transit’s capital budget should be used to make essential investments and expand services that benefit our commuters, such as one-seat rides. As someone who represents thousands of commuters, I am deeply disappointed to see Governor Murphy make the same mistakes that got us into this mess in the first place. I will continue to be a vocal advocate for ensuring people have a safe, easy and affordable way to get to work.”