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No surprise here , the IRS may not look kindly at New Jersey’s attempts to skirt Federal Tax law

irs

May 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, as expected ,according to the IRS , “Despite state efforts to circumvent the new statutory limitation on state and local tax deductions, taxpayers should be mindful that federal law controls the proper
characterization of payments for federal income tax purposes”.

No surprise here , the IRS may not look kindly at New Jersey’s attempts to skirt Federal Tax law , congratulations you’re screwed !

 

Guidance on Certain Payments Made in Exchange for State and Local Tax Credits

NOTICE 2018-54

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

This notice informs taxpayers that the Department of the Treasury (Treasury
Department) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) intend to propose regulations
addressing the federal income tax treatment of certain payments made by taxpayers for
which taxpayers receive a credit against their state and local taxes.
SECTION 2. BACKGROUND
Section 11042 of “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act,” Pub. L. No. 115-97, limits an
individual’s deduction under § 164 for the aggregate amount of state and local taxes
paid during the calendar year to $10,000 ($5,000 in the case of a married individual
filing a separate return). State and local tax payments in excess of those amounts are
not deductible. This new limitation applies to taxable years beginning after December
31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026.
In response to this new limitation, some state legislatures are considering or
have adopted legislative proposals that would allow taxpayers to make transfers to
funds controlled by state or local governments, or other transferees specified by the
state, in exchange for credits against the state or local taxes that the taxpayer is
required to pay. The aim of these proposals is to allow taxpayers to characterize such
transfers as fully deductible charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes,
while using the same transfers to satisfy state or local tax liabilities.
Despite these state efforts to circumvent the new statutory limitation on state and
local tax deductions, taxpayers should be mindful that federal law controls the proper
characterization of payments for federal income tax purposes.
SECTION 3. GUIDANCE TO BE ISSUED
The Treasury Department and the IRS intend to propose regulations addressing
the federal income tax treatment of transfers to funds controlled by state and local
governments (or other state-specified transferees) that the transferor can treat in whole
or in part as satisfying state and local tax obligations. The proposed regulations will
make clear that the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, informed by substance
over-form principles, govern the federal income tax treatment of such transfers. The
proposed regulations will assist taxpayers in understanding the relationship between the
federal charitable contribution deduction and the new statutory limitation on the
deduction for state and local tax payments.
SECTION 4. DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal authors of this notice are Mon Lam and Merrill Feldstein of the
Office of Associate Chief Counsel (Income Tax & Accounting). Other personnel from
the Treasury Department and the IRS participated in its development. For further
information regarding this notice, contact Ms. Lam or Ms. Feldstein at (202) 317-5100
(not a toll-free call)

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New Jersey , is taxing people out their homes

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file photo by Boyd Loving

May 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, shades of the Garden States future , Illinois is losing more citizens than nearly every other state, and according to reports, the biggest reason citizens are leaving is that they can no longer afford to live in the Land of Lincoln.

In Illinois like New Jersey , the major reason people leave  is because the state is simply taxing them out of their homes, according to Chicago’s WGN TV.Illinois lost 33,703 citizens to outward migration last year. In 2016, the state lost another 37,508 people. A report by the Chicago Tribune also noted that Chicago has been a net loser of its citizens for the last three years running. And the surrounding county were also a net loser of its population.

Changes in federal tax law , have made it exceedingly expensive to live in high tax states like  New Jersey .

Will Governor Murphy’s massive tax increases , and forced over development , be the straw to break the camels back and locally will the massive new $110 million school budget ,plus millions in school bond financing   finally force the last tax payers to head for the hills ?

Will this years school year end with massive flight from town?

 

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Village of Ridgewood Emergency Medical Services Week ,“ EMS STRONG-ALWAYS IN SERVICE”

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May 23,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Village Council of the Village of Ridgewood has proclaimed the week of May 20th through May 26th as Emergency Medical Services Week and
encourages the community to support Ridgewood Emergency Medical Services, as well as all of their programs, ceremonies, and activities. Ridgewood Emergency Services responded to 1631
requests for assistance in 2017 and is a vital public service. Emergency Services is the largest volunteer agency in the Village of Ridgewood. The members are are ready to serve those in need 24
hours a day, seven days a week. The members engage in countless hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance lifesaving skills.

The 2018 theme for EMS WEEK is “ EMS STRONG-ALWAYS IN SERVICE”. Please help Ridgewood Emergency Services live up to this theme by volunteering and joining our Department in
EMS or in Special Operations. Free Training. Help yourself, Help your family, Help your community. We need your help. Please contact us:[email protected] or by calling 201-670-
5570. Please stop by and see us at the Memorial Day Run where we will be supporting all the participants and visitors in Ridgewood.

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VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING AND PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA

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photo by Boyd Loving

Village Council Special Public Meeting
VILLAGE COUNCIL SPECIAL PUBLIC MEETING
MAY 23, 2018
7:30 P.M.

1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meeting Act
MAYOR: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall,by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call
4. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE
Ordinance #3649 – Redevelopment Plan – Block 3809, Lots 12 & 13 – Hudson Street Parking Lot – Establishes a Redevelopment Plan for Block 3809, Lots 12 & 13, also known as the Hudson Street Parking Lot

5. Adjournment

Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MAY 23, 2018
7:30 P.M.

1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
5. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
6. Discussion – Parking
a. Redevelopment Plan – Ordinance

7. Motion to Suspend Work Session and Convene Special Public Meeting
8. Special Public Meeting – See Attached Agenda
9. Motion to Adjourn Special Public Meeting and Reconvene Work Session
10. Discussion
a. Ridgewood Water
1. Award Professional Services – Water Rate Study
2. Resolution – Purchase of Elks Club Property

b. Parking
1. Timeline for Hudson Street Parking Garage

c. Budget
1. 2018 Estimated Tax Rate
2. Somerset County Cooperative Pricing – Fleet Services
3. State Contract Purchase – Police Department Carpet Replacement

d. Policy
1. Proposed Encroachment Agreement – Olive R. Twist LLC
2. Paint the Town Purple & Orange Ribbons
3. A Frame Sign Ordinance
4. Extension of Electronic Signs in Windows of the CBD
5. Authorization to Sign Seasonal Contracts/Agreements for Recreation Department
e. Operation
1. Authorizing the Historic Preservation Grant for the James Rose Center
2. Reject Bids – School Bus Transportation Services
11. Manager’s Report
12. Council Reports
13. Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
14. Closed Session
A. Personnel – Boards and Committees; Professional Appointments; Extension of Professional Services Agreement (Schedler)
B. Legal – WPCF-NSU; Proposed Settlement; Ridgewood Water Lawsuit
15. Adjournment

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Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Programs

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May 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Join Ridgewood Parks and Recreation for summer camps that are fun, informative, creative, educational and challenging. Find all program and registration details in the links below:
Tennis Instruction and Camps with All Pro Tennis (PreK to Adult)
Summer Arts & Crafts and Drawing with Mrs. C. (Grades 2-8)
Multi-Sports and Sport Squirts with US Sports Institute (Sessions ages 3-5 and ages 5-12)
Equestrian Introduction with PonyShare (PreK and elementary sessions)
Skateboarding Summer Camps (Ages 8 to 14)
Golf Camps with Skyhawks (Grades 1 through 6)
Rumble in the Jungle with Abrakadoodle (PreK and elementary sessions)
Robotics and Little Bits with Explore Science (Grades 2-5)
S.T.E.A.M. with Education Explorers (PreK and elementary sessions)
Lacrosse Camp with US Sports Institute (ages 5-7)
Register online via CommunityPass if applicable – www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass under Village Parks and Recreation (Visa/MasterCard), or in person/by mail to the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 (cash/check).
Don’t hesitate to contact the Recreation Office if you have any questions or if special accomodations are needed – 201-670-5560, weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

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New Jersey’s Fiscal Apocalypses May Finally Be Here

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

May 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, , In a new report, Moody’s Investors Service described New Jersey’s April income tax collections, which were down 1 percent from last year, as an outlier and “weaker than expected.” NJ Treasurer Elizabeth Muoio told the Assembly Budget Committee on Monday. “A reality check on the urgent need for new revenues.”

Both Democrat and Republican leadership in both houses of the state Legislature say they’re opposed to those tax hikes, and they’re now firmly in the position of having to come up with $1.5 billion in cash or slashing as much to keep the budget in balance.

The ugly reality is that increases taxes ill continue to erode the already shrunken tax base in New Jersey .

While the Murphy Administration has promised a wild spending spree with no visible budget cuts anywhere else and the pace of taxpayer exodus from New Jersey has quickened ,Holly Schepisi , New Jersey State Assemblywoman for District 39 , “While wanting to create programs such as free community college, expansion of financial programs and aid, raising salaries and providing retroactive pay increases may be laudable progressive goals of Governor Murphy, New Jersey is in a real financial crisis necessitating a combination of budget cuts, large scale reforms to our pension and health system and a restructuring of our entire tax code and school funding mechanisms. Our legislature must work in a bipartisan manner and have the intestinal fortitude to do what is needed in order for our State to become fiscally healthy. Then, and only then, should conversations regarding the Governor’s proposed increases in spending take place.”

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New Jersey Bureau of Securities Orders Three Online Cryptocurrency Promoters to Stop Offering Unregistered Securities in the State

Utah Software Engineer Mints Physical Bitcoins

May 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced that the Bureau of Securities (“the Bureau”) today issued three emergency orders to stop online cryptocurrency-related investment entities from fraudulently offering unregistered securities in New Jersey.

The Cease and Desist Orders against Bullcoin Foundation a/k/a Bullcoin Gold (“Bullcoin”,) Trident d/b/a Trident Crypto Index Fund (“Trident”,) and Springcryptoinvest were announced today as part of “Operation Cryptosweep,” an international crackdown on fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”) and crypto currency-related investment products.
More than 40 other state and provincial securities regulators in the United States and Canada are participating in the sweep, which is being coordinated by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Bureau is a member.

“New Jersey’s Bureau of Securities has been a national leader in proactively protecting investors against the significant threat of fraudulent activity involving initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency-related investment products,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Today the Bureau joins securities regulators across the nation and beyond in sending a message that we will vigilantly safeguard our financial industry from schemes and scams involving cryptocurrencies.”
Operation Cryptosweep has resulted in nearly 70 investigations and 35 completed or pending enforcement actions since the beginning of May. NASAA members are conducting additional investigations into potentially fraudulent conduct that may result in additional enforcement actions. These actions are in addition to more than a dozen enforcement actions previously undertaken by NASAA members regarding these types of products.
“New Jersey is proud to announce enforcement actions under Operation Cryptosweep to help raise public awareness of the risks associated with initial coin offerings and cryptocurrency-related investment products,” said Kevin Jespersen, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “The Cease and Desist Orders we issued today successfully shut down three online entities seeking to prey on New Jersey investors.”
The Bureau found that Bullcoin is offering investors an unregistered security in the form of an ICO of its Bullcoin Gold cryptocurrency (the “BCG token”) through its website and through various social media websites. The Bullcoin securities were not registered with the Bureau to be sold in New Jersey. Bullcoin further violated the law by failing to disclose key material facts to prospective investors, including its assets and liabilities, or financial information about the business; the risks associated with the BCG tokens; and the cryptocurrencies that the Bullcoin fund would invest. The Bureau also found that Bullcoin made untrue statements of material facts on its website, including that it is “the leading crypto-hedge fund,” an assertion that is either untrue or unsupported.

The Bureau found that Trident is offering investors an unregistered security in the form of an ICO of its Trident coins (“TDC Coin”) through its website and through various social media websites. The TDC Coins were not registered with the Bureau to be sold in New Jersey. Trident further violated the law by failing to disclose key material facts to prospective investors, including the identity of its principals; its physical address and principal place of business; its assets and liabilities, or financial information about the business; the persons or entities that developed the TDC coins; and the persons or entities that are buying and selling the cryptocurrency in the Trident Crypto Index Fund. The Bureau also found that Trident made untrue statements of material facts, including a statement on its website that in 2017 the Trident Crypto Index Fund had a return of more than 1400 percent but there is no evidence provided of these returns; and a statement on its WhitePaper that since the beginning of 2016 TDC coin has “gained by a factor of 154” but the Trident Website indicates that Trident was not founded until 2017.

The Bureau found that Springcryptoinvest is offering investors an unregistered security in the form of various investment packages through its website and through various social media websites. In order to invest with Springcryptoinvest, investors must open an online account through its website. After opening an account, investors are urged to fund the account by purchasing a plan using the cryptocurrencies Bitcoin, Litcoin, or payment websites PerfectMoney or Payeer. The Springcryptoinvest investment packages were not registered with the Bureau to be sold in New Jersey. Springcryptoinvest further violated the law by failing to disclose key material facts to prospective investors, including the identity of its principals; Springcryptoinvest’s assets and liabilities, and other financial information; and how investor funds are invested. The Bureau also found that Springcryptoinvest made untrue statements of material facts on its website by claiming it was incorporated in the United Kingdom in November 2002 with 04588340 as its registration number. However, United Kingdom registration number 04588340 is not assigned to Springcryptoinvest, and there is no United Kingdom registration number for the name Springcryptoinvest.

“Not every initial coin offering or cryptocurrency-related investment is fraudulent, but the risk of fraud is significant,” said Christopher W. Gerold, Chief of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities and Chair of NASAA’s Enforcement Section. “Since cryptocurrencies began attracting headlines last year, we have been warning investors to approach crypto-related investments with extreme caution and stay away from any investment that requires them to transmit funds to an unidentified online entity that fails to disclose who is behind its investment products, the financial status of its business, and the physical location of its operations.”
In April 2018, NASAA organized a task force of its member state and provincial securities regulators to begin a coordinated series of investigations into ICOs and cryptocurrency-related investment products. Regulators identified many cryptocurrency-related products and as part of its work, the task force identified hundreds of ICOs in the final stages of preparation before being launched to the public. These pending ICOs were advertised and listed on ICO aggregation sites to attract investor interest. Many have been examined and some were determined to warrant further investigation. A number of these investigations are ongoing and others resulted in enforcement actions announced today.
NASAA’s task force also found approximately 30,000 crypto-related domain name registrations, the vast majority of which appeared in 2017 and 2018.

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The Bergen County Historical Society Memorial Day Wreath Laying Ceremony

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May 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, At 10 am on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2018, the Bergen County Historical Society honors the veterans of all wars with a wreath-laying at the grave of General Enoch Poor in the burial ground of the First Dutch Reformed Church on the Green, 42 Court Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601. Excerpts from chaplain Israel Evans’ graveside funeral oration will be read at the ceremony, followed by a tour of the historic cemetery and Church on the Green!

Brigadier-General Enoch Poor, of New Hampshire, died at 44 years of age from either typhus fever or diptheria on September 8, 1780, while about 14,000 Continental troops were encamped on “a high Ridge of land in a place called Steenrapie,” the old name for the high ground extending from northern River Edge through Emerson. The main cantonment was situated between River Edge Avenue in River Edge to the vicinity of Soldier Hill Road, where Oradell, Emerson and Paramus intersect. While encamped at Steenrapie between September 4 and 20, 1780, the Continental army lost no fewer than twenty-three soldiers to disease. General Poor’s body was brought from “Paramus” to the Brower House on Main Street, River Edge, where it was placed in a mahogany coffin for burial in the churchyard of the Dutch Reformed Church-on-the-Green in Hackensack on September 10, 1780. Six generals served as pallbearers while officers of the New Hampshire Brigade followed the coffin, together with officers of the new light-infantry brigade, which General Lafayette assigned to General Poor’s command shortly before his death. General George Washington, who made headquarters in the Zabriskie-Steuben House at New Bridge, marched with other generals in the funeral procession. On July 14, 1825, General Lafayette stopped at General Poor’s grave in Hackensack on his return tour of the United States as the Nation’s Guest and last living Major General of the American Revolution.

Monday, May 28 at 10 AM – 11 AM
Next Week · 64–79° Rain Showers

First Reformed Dutch Church, Hackensack
42 Court St, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601

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RIDGEWOOD SUMMER DAY CAMP

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May 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Summer Day Camp will again offer a diversified program of swimming, arts and crafts, games, outdoor sports, special events, and trips for Village children entering grades 1 through 6.
The six week program will be conducted weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, June 26th, and ending on Friday, August 3, 2018. Activities will be held on the grounds of the Stable, The Community Center, Maple Park, Veteran’s Field, Graydon Pool and Leuning Park. Children are to bring their lunch and beverages. The cost is $550 per child which includes optional bus transportation from local elementary schools. All campers must also possess a 2018 Graydon Pool badge.

Please find details by clicking on the Day Camp Parent Manual and be sure to share inportant information with your camper.
Camp registration and Graydon memberships are available through Community Pass at www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass. The registration deadline for Summer Day Camp is Monday, June 11th. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560.

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Waterfront lifeguard training for a sand-bottom facility will be offered at Graydon Pool – both new and bridge/recertification classes available

Ridgewood Graydon Pool lifeguard

May 21,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Waterfront lifeguard training for a sand-bottom facility will be offered at Graydon Pool – both new and bridge/recertification classes available. Registration form/details in the link below:
Waterfront Lifeguard Training – New and Recertification/Bridging 2018
Register online via CommunityPass (under Graydon Pool) or in person/by mail to the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood NJ 07450 beginning April 1st.

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Tuna Fish Price Fixing

bumble bee tuna solid white in water1

May 19,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, A federal grand jury returned an indictment against Christopher Lischewski, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bumble Bee Foods LLC, for participating in a conspiracy to fix prices for packaged seafood sold in the United States, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

The indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco, charges Lischewski with participating in a conspiracy to fix prices of packaged seafood beginning in or about November 2010 until December 2013.

“The Antitrust Division is committed to prosecuting senior executives who unjustly profit at the expense of their customers,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “American consumers deserve free enterprise, not fixed prices, so the Department will not tolerate crimes like the one charged in today’s indictment.”
“This indictment demonstrates the personal accountability of senior leadership at corporations,” said Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett. “The FBI and the Department of Justice will hold corporate leaders accountable for criminal actions that defraud American families.”

The one-count felony indictment charges that Lischewski carried out the conspiracy by agreeing to fix the prices of packaged seafood during meetings and other communications. The co-conspirators issued price announcements and pricing guidance in accordance with these agreements. Bumble Bee has already pleaded guilty and been sentenced to pay a criminal fine of at least $25 million as a result of the government’s ongoing investigation.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Social Justice Group Files Lawsuit to Force New Jersey to Integrate its Schools

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May 19,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, a coalition organized as the New Jersey Coalition for Diverse and Inclusive Schools, including the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and the Latino Action Network, and Shiloh Baptist Church, the African American Chamber of Commerce and others, decried the existing, still unrectified educational divide in this state and have filed a lawsuit to force integration in New Jersey Schools.

The groups filed the suit yesterday on the 64th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v Board of Education decision, which ruled school segregation unconstitutional. They argue that New Jersey’s segregated school system violates the state constitution and ask the court to stop the further assignment of students solely on the basis of residency. They also ask that the Legislature and education commissioner be ordered to devise a different system for placing students in schools. It is the first lawsuit challenging statewide school segregation filed anywhere in the nation in more than a half century.

The suit is highly critical of the state oversight of charter schools, alleging that segregation in these schools occurs not only because they are predominantly located in communities with large minority populations, but also “results from the failure of the State Commissioner of Education to perform his statutory and regulatory duties.”

The state’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, also backs the effort.

“New Jersey’s public schools are as segregated by race and poverty today as they were in 1954,” said Ryan P. Haygood, President and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “Sixty-four years after Brown, we have important promises to keep and still others to make to New Jersey’s students. This case is about finally making good on our promises.”
Haygood noted that the state’s racial diversity and racial segregation, in combination with its extreme wealth and punishing poverty, has fostered some of the fiercest segregation by race, ethnicity, and poverty in this country:
The median net worth for New Jersey’s white families is $271,402—the highest in America.
The median net worth for New Jersey’s Hispanic and Black families is just $7,020 and $5,900, respectively, together totaling less than 5 percent of the net worth of white families in the state.
Of the approximately 585,000 Black and Latino public school students in New Jersey, 63% of them attend schools that are more than 75% non-white.
Nearly half of all Black and Latino public school students attend schools that are more than 90% non-white.
More than 40 percent of white students attend schools that are at least 75% white.
“New Jersey cannot fulfill the promise of Brown, or the promise owed to our kids, without this lawsuit,” said Haygood. “No amount of good will, well wishes, or optimism will accomplish the systemic relief and fundamental transformation that is required. Integration is possible, it is necessary, and it is long overdue.”

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/05/17/new-jersey-hit-with-major-lawsuit-arguing-it-must-end-school-segregation/

 https://www.gnjumc.org/2018-annual-conference/segregation-in-new-jersey-schools/nj-coalition-for-diverse-and-inclusive-schools-njcdis/

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/17/nyregion/new-jersey-school-segregation-suit.html

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Bergen County Historical Society : Celebrate Prinkster

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May 19,2018

the staff of the ridgewood blog

Riveredge  NJ, Experience history in one of the storied places where it was made! Pinkster is celebrated with a Maypole Dance at 1:30 & 3:00 pm with a participation session during the country dances. Ridley and Anne Enslow are featured on fiddle and hammered dulcimer.

This event features fun children’s activities including flower seed planting in clay pots to take home and lawn games in front of the Demarest House.
The 3 houses including the Steuben House a state-historic site and the barn are open for tours.
A new exhibit of 4 large historical paintings by B. Spencer Newman will be in the Steuben House. The Chariot Painting, 1830, by Marageta Van Wagoner of Oradell will be on exhibit. Broom making in the barn. Pinkster cake and raspberry punch are available in the Campbell-Christie House Tavern along with other refreshments.
Illustrated Talk at 2:30 pm: Treasures Through Time – The BCHS Collections

For well over one hundred years, the Bergen County Historical Society has been collecting artifacts of the famous and infamous, the exceptional and the everyday. Past President and Museum Collections Chairperson, Deborah Powell, takes us on a visual tour through centuries of Bergen life via its artifacts.

The Outkitchen cooks are demonstrating natural egg dyeing using vegetables and spices, and dyeing fabric and yarn with onion skins. If our weather is fair, we will make authentic old style onion rings, oliebollen (Dutch fried dough) and fried chicken legs using recipes from the outkitchen collection of 18th century recipes.
Event with something for everyone!

All 3 sandstone houses, including the Steuben House, a state historic site, are connected by an ADA compliant gravel walking path. Weather permitting the Westervelt-Thomas Barn will be open. Free parking is available or take a train on the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus via NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” train stop. Walk one block north & east. By car, HNBL is only 7 miles from the GWB.
Refreshments in the 18th century tavern (additional cost). Some folks come just for the cider and cider donuts!

Historic New Bridge Landing: American Revolutionary War Battleground including 3 Jersey-Dutch Sandstone Houses, exhibits of BCHS collections, tavern, gift shop, outkitchen & barn. $12 adults, $7 students, BCHS members free. (Become a member and support our efforts!, $20 individual / $30 household).
HNBL, 1201 Main St., River Edge, NJ.

Traveling by carriage from Newark to view the Passaic Falls in Paterson on June 6, 1797, William Dunlap noted in his diary, “The borders of the Pasaick [River] are colour’d by the Iris now in bloom. On the rocks near the [Great] Falls was the Kalmia [or mountain laurel], the wild Columbine & wood pink. The settlements along the river are Dutch, it is the holiday they call pinkster & every public house is crowded with merry makers & waggon’s full of rustic beaus & belles met us at every mile.”

The name of the holiday derives from the Greek word, Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth day,” which originally signified the ancient Jewish celebration of the first fruits of the harvest, arriving seven weeks after Passover. On the seventh Sunday after Easter, Christians commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The English identified this holiday with the white garments of baptismal candidates, calling it Whitsunday or “White Sunday.” Among the Jersey Dutch, a rose-colored Azalea blossom, known as the “Pinxter blomachee,” was the May bush.

Bergen County Historical Society
May 17 at 6:50am ·
Join us this Sunday for our next event!
Pinkster Fest
A Jersey Dutch Celebration of Spring
May 20, 2018, Sunday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 

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Reader Laments I think it is too late for NJ to recover and our house will be on the market very soon

for sale Ridgewood_Real_Estate_theRodgewopodblog

I think it is too late for NJ to recover and our house will be on the market very soon. NJ offers a lot to people who have good paying jobs but the high taxes just don’t make sense unless you are using the public school system. The debt burden is out of control and while It is not right that the state has not contributed to the public pension system, the public pension system needs an overhaul. Those promises and deals the union struck were unsustainable in the long run. Begin by eliminating the pension abuse of padding in the final years, payouts for unused sick time and eliminating eligibility for part time employees. Long gone are the days when public employees’salaries where lower to compensate for delayed remuneration in the form of a generous defined pension and medical benefits.

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Panel approves Rooney bill holding Superfund polluters accountable

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may 18,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wyckoff NJ, The Assembly Environment committee passed legislation today preventing public pension funds from investing in companies that are not meeting Superfund cleanup obligations. Corporations that file bankruptcy to avoid paying for environmental remediation are targeted by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney’s bill (R40) (A997).

The Superfund program is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in cooperation with individual states. In New Jersey, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program oversees the Superfund program. As of 10 March 2016, there are 105 Superfund sites listed on the National Priorities List (NPL). Thirty-six additional sites have been cleaned up and deleted from the list.

Rooney said ,“We cannot allow companies to benefit from state investment while they are walking away from an environmental disaster,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “This bill sends a clear message that irresponsible behavior and dubious tactics will not be tolerated. We will hold them accountable for poisoning our environment.”

A previous version of the bill (A4814) was unanimously approved by the Assembly and the Senate during the previous legislative session, but Gov. Chris Christie did not sign it.

Rooney drafted the measure after an American-based subsidiary of an Argentinian company declared bankruptcy to avoid paying $1.4 billion to remediate a heavily polluted stretch of the Passaic River. The Diamond Alkali Company, now known as Maxus Energy, owned and operated a facility in Newark manufacturing agricultural chemicals including Agent Orange and DDT. Over decades, chemicals were dumped into the river in what is now a Superfund site.
“This negligence had a devastating effect on the environment,” said Rooney. “Hundreds of thousands of gallons of dioxin were recklessly poured into the water. The poison is incredibly toxic and can take decades to degrade naturally.”
The parent company of YPF SA intentionally placed their subsidiary into bankruptcy just months after the Environmental Protection Agency announced a cleanup plan.

“These actions set a dangerous precedent,” continued Rooney. “New Jerseyans cannot be expected to clean messes made by those exploiting our system. Our state cannot afford it, and neither can our environment.”
The New Jersey pension fund owns more than 860,000 shares of YPF, valued at approximately $18 million.

The site is one of the most polluted stretches of water in the nation, and eating fish and crabs from the area is prohibited. The remediation plan is considered the one of costliest and most extensive projects ever undertaken.
The Senate approved the legislation in February.

Kevin J. Rooney represents the 40th Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly. Rooney was born in Paterson, New Jersey. He is a lifelong Bergen County resident and grew up in Upper Saddle River. He graduated from Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, New Jersey, and attended Ramapo College for Business and Cook College of Rutgers University for arboriculture.