Ridgewood Nj, the Ridgewood Historical Society presents ,History Hunt booklets . Kids can enjoy visiting the Schoolhouse Museum with our new scavenger hunt for the current exhibits. Come by Saturdays from 1pm-3pm and Sundays from 2pm-4pm. They provide the pencils, you provide the little sleuths! See you there!
The Ridgewood Historical Society is housed in a one-room schoolhouse at 650 East Glen Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The schoolhouse was built in 1872 and was an operational school until 1905. It now serves as a museum of historic artifacts and is maintained by the Ridgewood Historical Society. Formerly District School No. 45, the Museum features exhibits that emphasize the historic Saddle River Valley area in the 18th and 19th centuries, an area that was primarily Dutch when first settled.
Please visit our website for more information and to donate:
Days/times open:
Thursday and Saturday.: 1pm to 3pm
Sunday: 2pm to 4pm
Governor Murphy Wants to Slash Homestead Benefit Program After Campaigning to Increase Rebates
March 31, 2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,Senator Michael Doherty said that Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for 2019 is looking even worse as more details are revealed, including his plan to cut property tax rebates by more than 50 percent next year.
Sen. Mike Doherty slammed Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposal to cut property tax rebates by more than 50 percent next year. (SenateNJ.com)
“It’s sickening that Governor Murphy wants to reduce property tax rebates further despite promising during his campaign to restore cuts imposed by Democrats in the current budget,” said Doherty (R-23). “With the highest property tax bills in the nation, New Jerseyans need more property tax relief, not less as Governor Murphy has proposed.”
According to the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget in Brief provided by the Murphy Administration (see page 18), the governor has chosen to perpetuate a 50 percent cut to the Homestead Benefit Program in the current year’s budget that was to be fully restored in 2019.
This proposal directly contradicts his campaign pledge of “restoring rebates to low-income, seniors and disabled residents.”
“Not only has Governor Murphy chosen to prevent the restoration of funding to rebates, which would have doubled this important form of property tax relief in 2019, he has proposed cutting another $12.5 million from the Homestead Benefit Program,” Doherty said. “It’s a gut punch to property taxpayers.”
Doherty said the Governor has a constitutional obligation to increase property tax relief, given a projected budget surplus of $800 million to $1.5 billion that’s tied to larger than expected income tax collections.
“The New Jersey Constitution requires income tax revenues collected by the State to be dedicated to property tax relief,” added Doherty. “The Governor is trying to cut Homestead rebates when he should be increasing them. It looks like Governor Murphy has some explaining to do to property taxpayers.”
Ridgewood NJ, In a letter to the editor published in The Ridgewood News’ March 30, 2018 edition, FORMER Deputy Mayor Albert Pucciarelli provides a clear indication of one thing that is likely to happen if Pucciarelli, Paul Aronsohn, and Gwenn Hauck backed candidates (Alexandra Harwin and Janice Willett) are seated and gain majority control of the Village Council during this year’s municipal election.
Pucciarelli’s letter calls for the reinstatement of repealed Ordinance #3532, which prohibited the audio/video recording of PUBLIC meetings conducted by Boards & Committees, whose members are appointed by the Village Council. Ordinance #3532 was repealed in October of 2016 by Ordinance #3549.
The repeal was driven by public outcry over the restrictive (and possibly unlawful) ordinance (3532), which was drafted and approved by Pucciarelli, Aronsohn, and Hauck following an incident in which FORMER Mayor Paul Aronsohn was caught on videotape berating a citizen who was legally video taping a meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission.
Here are the meeting minutes associated with Village Council discussion leading to the repeal of Ordinance #3532. Discussion took place on September 7, 2016:
7.) Discussion of Ord. 3532 – Regulations of Audio/Visual Recordings at Public Meetings
Mayor Knudsen stated that this ordinance prohibiting the videotaping of meetings without authorization had been passed a short time ago. There is still confusion surrounding the ordinance, which has prompted a review of this ordinance. Councilman Sedon stated that the videotaping was done at a public meeting which means there is no expectation of privacy. Councilman Voigt characterized the ordinance as “overkill”, and he added that people should treat one another with respect. He concluded that the ordinance should be repealed.
Councilwoman Walsh said that decorum is the key, and in this instance the resident intended to videotape for future reference and not to embarrass anyone. Councilman Voigt agreed and said that this ordinance is treating people like children.
Mr. Rogers said that this ordinance could be defeated at the upcoming public meeting, where it is listed for consideration. Village Councilmembers indicated their agreement with Mr. Rogers’ suggestion.
Easter in the Park – weather permitting Sat, March 31, 2018 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Memorial Park, E. Ridgewood Ave., Van Neste Square-Business District
March 29,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Easter in Ridgewood 2018.
Weather Permitting.
You do not need to be a Ridgewood resident to attend….no fees…
Join us for…
Events for the day:
8:30-10:30- Have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Office Tavern & Grill. Please call for reservations at (201)652-1070.
11am-2pm Easter Bunny arrives – weather permitting. Families can take pictures with the East Bunny.
11:15am Ben & Jerry’s sponsoring their famous
Easter Egg Hunt for 4-7 year old children.
This traditional event will take place in
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square and
E. Ridgewood Avenue.
We need to thank our Chambers member
who have sponsored this event:
BEN & JERRY’S
CONNECTONE BANK
PRECISION ORTHODONTICS
Santoni’s Pizzeria
Pinot’s Palette
ZoomRides
HealthBarn USA
Freedom Bank
Pearl Restaurant
Park West Tavern & Loft
In the park – fun provided by:
Al Price Toys, Feel Your Best Coach, Boiling Springs Savings Bank, Brainstorm Learning, Clemente Orthodontics, Corefire, Curtain Up Studios, Doctor’s Urgent Care, Freshcoat Painting, Goldfish Swim School, HoHoKus Living, Huntington Learning Center, JackRabbit, Little Nest Portraits, LINK Concierge, Little Nest Portraits LuLaRoe, Riverside Medical Group, New York Life, Piano Workshop Bergen Co., Primerose, Racefaster, Ridgewood Party Rental, Ridgewood YMCA, SHARE, Spiva Spa, Sweet & Sassy, Taekwondo All In, YWCA of Bergen County, House of Glam, Racefaster, The Fitness Academy, Vintage Fusion Restorations, The Zamir Group-KW
In the park you will have fun with the Easter Egg Hunt, please children 4-7 years old only.
FOR ALL AGES -With your cameras, we will help you take pictures of the children with the Easter Bunny. Dress them up to meet and greet.
Also in the park, there will be music, fun games arts and crafts and much more…
Get your map of the stores that are participating
with arts & crafts and sweet treats.
Keep checking for the participating stores.
All welcomed.
More information to come.
For details you can contact us at 201-445-2600 or e-mail us at [email protected]
Participating stores on E. Ridgewood Ave.-
#store Address/section on the map.
Arthur Groom – find the gems –
Bookends – games
California Closet- treats
ConnectOne Bank – arts & Crafts
Double Take Consignment – treats
DPARZ- treats
Eat Your Spinach- treats
E-Travel- treats
Femmebot – egg hunt in the store
Fox’s-treats
Gigi’s Boutique- treats
Hot Jewelry Box-treats
Jack Rabbit – something special
Little Nest Portraits
Lucky Brand
Kilwins-sweet treats
Learning Express-treats
Oasis-Treats
Peachy Keen-treats
Racefaster- treats
Ridgewood Bootery-treats
Samba Bowl- Egg with treat and coupon
Shoe-Inn-treats
The Ridgewood Man
Town & Country -Mini Easter egg hunt & tattoos
Victor’s men’s store – treats
Woofgang Gang Bakery, Grooming & Spa
treats for furry & non-furry friends
West Side of train station-worth the walk through the train under pass.
Lora Celli Salon-39 Godwin Ave.,
FREE Service for children & adults, “Spring Inspired Hair Color”. These will be multi color designs that wash out the same day.
Serving Cake Pops.
Enter to win a” Surprise Package from Lora Celli Salon.
Whole Foods-44 Godwin Ave.
Try all the samplings of food throughout the store. Get your $10 coupon.
SMOKED – 2 Godwin Ave.-restaurant, just won
best BBQ in Bergen County…tasting for the entire family and treats.
Ridgewood NJ, All Village offices will be closed today March 30th, in observance of Good Friday. There will be no garbage or recycling pickup on this day and the Recycling Center will also be closed. The Police Department, on the second floor of Village Hall, will be open on this Holiday.The Recycling Center will be open on March 31st from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please share this information with your neighbors. For continuing updates, please see the Village website at www.ridgewoodnj.net.
The Parks and Street Departments have finished Area A and Area B for the special pickup for the tree limbs/branches. The pickup in Area C will begin on April 2nd. If you live in Area C, please have all of your tree limbs/branches at the curbline (not blocking your sidewalks) by this date. Once all streets in Area C have been picked up, the crews will then move on to Area D. Please do not place yardwaste at the curb during this pickup, because it will not be picked up. Yardwaste collection begins on April 16th. Please check the Village website, under My Village Services, to determine your yardwaste collection day.
As a reminder, the crews will remove the limbs and branches from every street in each section only once and after this pickup has taken place, there will be no additional pickups for these tree limbs and branches.
The restoration work on the stairs from Corsa Terrace to Pease Library has begun. The stairs will be closed during this restoration work, which means that pedestrians must walk down Corsa Terrace to West Ridgewood Avenue while the work is being done. This restoration work will continue on a daily basis (excluding weekends), weather permitting. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Early bird discounted registration for Graydon Pool will take place April 1st through April 30th. Please click on the picture of Graydon Pool at the top of the Village website to register at discounted prices.
Ridgewood NJ, S.H.A.R.E., Inc. is excited to be celebrating Nancy Petrie’s 100th birthday at the Unitarian Society located at 113 Cottage Place in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The special celebration will be in honor of S.H.A.R.E. resident, Nancy Petrie.
On Sunday, April 15th, 2018, the Unitarian Society will welcome Nancy’s friends, family and the community. The event will be held from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. There will be a special cake cutting highlight around 5:30 p.m. Along with local entertainment, light fare and refreshments will also be available. Some of Nancy’s watercolor paintings will be on display as well.
Nancy Petrie is a well-known member of the Unitarian Society and many other groups such as the North Jersey English Country Dancers. Over the years, many of Ridgewood (and surrounding town’s) residents have had the pleasure of meeting Nancy through her social activities. She has also had her beautiful watercolor paintings shown at various events and spaces. On behalf of Ms. Petrie, S.H.A.R.E. will be collecting canned and boxed goods to be donated to the Center for Food Action in Mahwah. (Donations are welcomed, but not mandatory.)
Trenton NJ, multistate lawsuit over “citizenship census question ” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal all but admits states like New Jersey are allowing illegal aliens to vote ,receive federal benefits , federal funding and federal representation.
In his press release Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal cited the Voting Rights Act and the apportion seats in the House of Representatives.
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced today that New Jersey will join a multi-state coalition in suing the federal government to block the inclusion of a proposed citizenship question in the 2020 decennial Census.
“Notwithstanding the Administration’s rhetoric, we don’t need a citizenship question on the 2020 census. And the reality is that such a question would only do harm,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Particularly in the current national climate, a citizenship question will obviously cause great consternation and discourage participation in the census. That lack of participation will inevitably have far-reaching, negative effects – particularly in New Jersey, where we have the third largest percentage of immigrants in the country.”
The impending multi-state lawsuit, which is led by New York’s Attorney General, will name the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau as defendants.
The complaint will challenge addition of the citizenship question as a violation of the U.S. Constitution, and assert that such a question threatens the fair representation of states with large immigrant communities in Congress and the Electoral College, as well as cost those states billions of dollars in critical federal funds for programs like Medicaid.
Under the Constitution, the federal Census Bureau has an obligation to determine “the whole number of persons in each state.” However, the states’ lawsuit will assert, adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census – an idea four prior census directors appointed by Presidents from both parties have advised against — will limit participation in the census among immigrants. That lack of participation will inevitably result in a population undercount that will disproportionately harm states and cities with large immigrant communities.
“We are glad to stand with New York and the other participating states in challenging this unnecessary question regarding citizenship status – both to protect New Jersey residents and ensure a fair and accurate census,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Our objective is to have this citizenship question – which arbitrarily ignores decade after decade of our nation’s regular census practices – not included in the 2020 Census.”
On December 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice requested that the Census Bureau include a citizenship question on the 2020 census form sent to every household in the United States, even though the Census is supposed to count all persons—citizens and non-citizens alike. The Department of Justice argued that the collection of such information was necessary to ensure an accurate count, consistent with proper enforcement of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The multi-state lawsuit argues that a citizenship question would have precisely the opposite effect by driving down participation in immigrant communities—a concern that is even more acute in today’s political climate. The resulting undercount would deprive immigrant communities of fair representation when legislative seats are apportioned and district lines are drawn.
To the extent that the Voting Rights Act requires a calculation of the number of eligible voters in a given jurisdiction, the Census Bureau provides an adequate—and far less intrusive—source of citizenship information based on sampling, including the American Community Survey, the participating states maintain.
The decennial census is used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives, and to determine the total number of delegates each state receives in the Electoral College. As a result, an undercount of population in states that are home to large immigrant communities will impair fair representation, a principle fundamental to the fabric of our democracy, the multi-state lawsuit contends.
Ridgewood NJ, in 2017 Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, today unveiled a proposal for the second phase of its natural gas infrastructure modernization program. If approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), the program will enable PSE&G to continue to accelerate the replacement of its aging cast-iron and unprotected steel gas pipes – installing 1,250 miles of new gas mains over a five-year period. The proposed cost is about $540 million a year, or $2.7 billion in total.
While many readers have constantly complained about Village and County roads the fact is that PSE&G has just under 4,000 miles of cast-iron gas pipes, which is more than any other utility in the nation. At the pace proposed today, the utility can replace in 20 years its cast-iron and unprotected steel pipes with new, modern plastic pipes.
Pipes installed before 1960 are the most leak-prone. They make up 25 percent of PSE&G’s network, yet account for 65 percent of leaks, excluding third-party damages. The five-year pipe replacement program would reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 43,000 vehicles off the road.
Benefits of the work include improved safety and reliability of gas service, reduction in methane emissions and creation of jobs. Since 2009, PSE&G’s residential customers’ gas heating bills are down 50 percent because of the lower cost of natural gas.
When infrastructure is not updated you end up with the same situation we have with Ridgewood Water , just imagine power rationing , like we currently have with water rationing ?
The upgrades will take place across PSE&G’s service territory in 11 counties, concentrating on urban areas established in the early 1900s, where much of the utility’s cast-iron and unprotected steel gas pipes are located. PSE&G works with municipalities to determine when replacements will be done.
In addition to ensuring the continued safety and reliability of the gas system, the proposed program would create almost 3,000 full time jobs per year for the duration of the program.”
Enhanced safety is an important benefit of the work. When lines are replaced, gas meters located inside the home or business are moved outside. This allows PSE&G and other first-responders to shut off gas more quickly in the event of an emergency, facilitates routine safety inspections and provides easier access for meter readings. Also, excess flow valves are installed in the individual lines that run from the mains to customers. These valves automatically shut off gas when a service line is damaged.
The upgraded lines will operate on elevated pressure to support the expanded use of high-efficiency appliances, improving customer satisfaction, and reducing customer’s energy bills and emissions through improved efficiency.
Roberta harassing the petitioners
March 28,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, former village manager Roberta Sonnefeld is out endorsing Janice Willett and Alexandra Harwin for Village Council . Sonnefeld left in a cloud and being accused of attempting to carry forward the previous failed agenda of the prior administration .
Sonnefeld tenure was most notable for the amount of financial catastrophes brought to the village . The so called “breath of fresh air” manager signed off on the HealthBarn giveaway lease to a personal friend , she also signed off on huge parking fees charged by Park Mobil , she appeared to threaten and interfere with a legal petition process . Sonnefeld also claimed to have a $100,000 check from the RBSA to develop a 90 foot baseball field at Schedler ,which never materialized . Sonnefeld signed of on the ridiculous ADA ramp in Graydon which ran over budget and is too slippery to use and well as the traffic easing under the railroad trestle which effectively cut off the Westside of town from the Central Business district.
Not to mention that Paul Arohnson, the former mayor, and Roberta Sonenfeld, the former village manager, were found guilty of ethics violations ,when they used village funds to produce a video that promoted the building of a parking deck, which was the subject of a town-wide referendum in 2016.
Anne LaGrange Loving said on Facebook ,” Ms. Sonenfeld, as Village Manager, ignored Resolution 15-52 regarding Park Mobile which clearly stated that there would be NO ADDITIONAL FEES, and yet there was something like $140,000 in additional fees. And then candidate Willett went to the microphone at a council meeting a couple of months ago and hotly defended the fact that these additional fees were acceptable. The resolution clearly states that this is not the case. We do not need “financial integrity” such as Ms. Sonenfeld espouses and Ms. Willett defends.”
Saurabh Dani said on the Facebook page , It Takes a Ridgewood Village. she ” authorizing construction documents for garage BEFORE it was approved, and thus wasting 600,000 $ of our money.”
Anne LaGrange Loving also said on the same Facebook page , “a full-time position WITH BENEFITS for a new employee to manage part of the Village Manager’s responsibilities…..and then hiring a friend into that position. And Ms. Sonenfeld had the audacity to write about nepotism in a recent letter, when she hired her friend to do the job that she (Sonenfeld) was being paid to do. Remember when Deputy Mayor Sedon asked whether Sonenfeld’s salary would be reduced proportionally in order to compensate for the fact that someone else was going to be performing the human resources aspect of the Village Manager’s job?”
20180328 Village Council Work Session
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
MARCH 28, 2018
7:30 P.M.
7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
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.”
Roll Call – Village Clerk
Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 3 Minutes per Person – 40 Minutes in Total)
5A. Presentation – Special Projects Task Force – Report on SEM Energy Rate Cost Savings
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Yearly Renewal of Mapping Software – Geographic Information System (GIS)
Parking – None
Budget
Update on Status of New Tub Grinder
Award Contract – Replacement of Interior and Exterior Main Entrance
Doors at Village Hall
Policy – None
Operations
Declare Property Surplus – Miscellaneous Equipment – Police Department
Declare Property Surplus – 1998 Auto Packer – Streets Department
Increase Fees for Correcting State Records
Memorandums of Understanding – Health Department
Planning Board Recommendation for Master Plan Visioning Processing Consultant
Authorize NJDEP Treatment Work Permit Application Processing for Carr Well Facility
Declare Property Surplus – Graydon Pool Inflatable WIBIT Aquatrak
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Personnel – Boards and Committees
Adjournment
Ridgewood NJ, despite many assurances the decision more than a year ago to move Ridgewood Schools to an all-day kindergarten format may finally catch up with residents to the tune of a $500,000 tax increase this year.
During that time there was heavy debate as to the value of full day kindergarten ,which seemed to amount to no more than a convenience for parents personal schedules. Lately the schools have been under pressure due to a well publicized bullying incident , falling academic rankings and use of school time for administration sponsored protests .
This is looking like another poor decision by the Ridgewood BOE is going to cost Ridgewood ‘s over taxed residents .
Trenton NJ, One bright spot in education policy changes . Governor Murphy told audiences during his campaign that he would end PARCC tests “day one,” a promise that could not be kept due to state and federal requirements to use assessments to measure student progress and evaluate schools. It would be unrealistic to think that PARCC assessments would be eliminated this spring with no plan to replace these state tests. Acting Education Commissioner Lamont Repollet issued a memo on March 6 to school districts informing them that he will establish an advisory group to study the next generation of assessments and schedule a listening tour to meet with students, teachers, administrators, parents and community members in every county.
Commissioner Repollet affirmed his commitment to transition away from the PARCC tests and to improve NJ’s assessments. Understanding that this will take time, the PARCC tests will be administered this spring as planned.
Repollet stated that “ There are many issues to take into consideration when transitioning an assessment system, including the amount of time needed to procure a new vender, the fiscal and operational impact of assessments, and continued alignment of our NJ Student Learning Standards. Additionally, as state and federal law require all states to use assessments as one method to gauge and compare progress of students and student groups and to evaluate how schools support learning, we need to ensure our next generation of assessments provides a fair and accurate picture of student progress towards the mastery of the skills we expect them to achieve.”
TRENTON NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced the following new law enforcement policies designed to identify and address problematic behavior and illegal drug use by police officers:
Random Drug Testing Policy – Attorney General Directive 2018-2 establishes a uniform policy requiring all law enforcement agencies statewide to conduct mandatory random drug testing of all sworn officers and requires that officers who test positive for illegal drug use must be suspended immediately from all duties pending termination of their employment.
Early Warning Systems Policy – Attorney General Directive 2018-3 establishes a uniform policy requiring all law enforcement agencies statewide to establish early warning systems to identify officers at risk for harmful behavior and mandate remedial programs for them before their conduct escalates.
The Attorney General’s Office developed both of these policies in close collaboration with stakeholders, including law enforcement leaders, community leaders, and advocacy groups. Indeed, the new statewide policies improve upon and standardize protocols that a great number of law enforcement agencies have already implemented as part of their efforts to not only improve officer and public safety, but also the public’s confidence in law enforcement.
“For our police to perform their jobs effectively, they need the trust of all of the communities they serve,” said Attorney General Grewal. “These policies promote that trust by assuring the public that police are going to be proactive in addressing internal problems. A majority of our police departments already have implemented random drug testing and early warning systems to identify at-risk officers, but these directives make these important programs universal in New Jersey. We support our officers in their difficult jobs, and at times that means intervening with a troubled officer to protect the public, the individual officer, and his or her fellow officers.”
“These are commonsense policies to promote safety and build trust in police-community relations,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Police officers are granted extraordinary authority to protect us and enforce our laws, including authority to use lethal and non-lethal force, and we must ensure that those who wield such power are individuals of sound mind, body and judgment. An officer who uses illegal drugs or has repeatedly shown poor judgment cannot be trusted to make rational decisions and exercise appropriate discretion.”
Random Drug Testing
Testing of law enforcement officers in New Jersey for illegal drug use is governed by the Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Drug Testing Policy (“AG Drug Testing Policy”). That policy was established in 1986 and has been regularlyreviewed and updated over the years. The AG Drug Testing Policy already included a requirement that applicants and trainees be tested, and that individual officers be tested when there is reasonable suspicion that they are using drugs illegally. That does not change under the new directive.
With respect to random drug testing, the policy previously encouraged such testing, but did not require it. The new directive issued by Attorney General Grewal, Directive 2018-2, amends the AG Drug Testing Policy to require, at a minimum, that every police agency in New Jersey conduct random drug testing at least once in 2018, and at least twice in every subsequent calendar year, and that at least 10 percent of the officers within an agency be tested each time. Each agency must ensure that its random drug testing policy is consistent with the procedures set forth in the AG Drug Testing Policy.
The AG Drug Testing Policy is found at this link: www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/drugtest2012.pdf
In the event of (1) a positive drug test by an officer, (2) a refusal by an officer to take the drug test, or (3) administration of a reasonable suspicion drug test to an officer, the law enforcement agency’s chief executive or a designee shall provide a confidential written notice to the county prosecutor or a designee within 10 days. Upon completion of any disciplinary action, each agency shall report the discipline to the county prosecutor or designee.
Early Warning Systems
Early warning systems are designed to monitor officer conduct using objective measures that indicate a potentially escalating risk of harm to the public, the agency, and/or the officer. They are intended to increase public safety and public confidence, while assisting officers through early intervention. While such systems previously have been adopted by individual police departments and mandated by certain county prosecutors, Attorney General Grewal’s directive is the first statewide mandate that all police agencies in New Jersey must implement them.
Under Directive 2018-2, the following performance indicators are required to be included in all early warning systems:
Internal affairs complaints against the officer, whether initiated by another officer or by a member of the public;
Civil actions filed against the officer;
Criminal investigations of or criminal complaints against the officer;
Any use of force by the officer that is formally determined or adjudicated (for example, by internal affairs or a grand jury) to have been excessive, unjustified, or unreasonable;
Domestic violence investigations in which the officer is an alleged subject;
An arrest of the officer, including on a driving under the influence charge;
Sexual harassment claims against the officer;
Vehicular collisions involving the officer that are formally determined to have been the fault of the officer;
A positive drug test by the officer;
Cases or arrests by the officer that are rejected or dismissed by a court;
Cases in which evidence obtained by an officer is suppressed by a court;
Insubordination by the officer;
Neglect of duty by the officer;
Unexcused absences by the officer; and
Any other indicators, as determined by the agency’s chief executive.
Under the policy, if an officer engages in conduct involving three separate instances of performance indicators within any 12-month period, then the department’s early warning system review and intervention process will be triggered. If one incident triggers multiple performance indicators, that incident shall not be double- or triple-counted, but instead shall count as one performance indicator. The agency’s chief executive may, in his or her discretion, adopt additional performance indicators tailored to the department and the community it serves and determine that a lower number of performance indicators within a 12-month period will trigger the intervention process. Each department is required to adopt a tracking system to enable it to identify officers who display the requisite number of performance indicators necessary to trigger the early warning system review process.
The agency’s chief executive must assign personnel to conduct the early warning system function, typically members of the internal affairs unit. Supervisory officers in the subject officer’s chain of command also will be directly involved in any early warning system review process. Once an officer has displayed the requisite number of performance indicators necessary to trigger the review process, assigned supervisory personnel must initiate remedial action to address the officer’s behavior, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:
Training or re-training;
Counseling;
Intensive supervision;
Fitness-for-duty examination;
Employee Assistance Program referral; and
Any other appropriate remedial or corrective action.
Early warning system personnel must continue to monitor the subject officer for at least three months, or until the supervisor concludes that the officer’s behavior has been remediated, whichever is longer. Early warning systems generally are focused on corrective actions to remediate officer behavior and to provide assistance to the officer. They generally do not address disciplinary actions (to include termination of an officer) that might be warranted against an officer, which remain within the purview of the agency’s internal affairs function.
The agency’s chief executive must notify the county prosecutor in writing regarding any officer who triggers the early warning system, both at the initiation of the review process and upon completion of that process. The written notifications are to include information on the triggering performance indicators, the outcome of the review process, and the remedial steps planned/taken for the officer.
If any officer who is or has been subject to an early warning system review process applies to or accepts employment at a different law enforcement agency than the one where he or she underwent such process, it is the responsibility of the prior or current employing law enforcement agency to notify the subsequent employing law enforcement agency of the officer’s early warning system review process history and outcomes.
New York New York, In an a scathing op-ed published Friday in the Wall Street Journal, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York lamented that the Democratic Party’s shifting principles have effectively shut out and alienated orthodox Catholics.
Dolan cited the Democrat’s current opposition to school choice programs and tax credits for education, along with their unwavering support for abortion rights, among the reasons why he is disappointed with the party in its current state. Dolan said believes that the Democrats of today have abandoned many of the tenets that made the party attractive to Catholics generations ago.
Dolan was particularly critical of a proposed New York law titled the “Reproductive Health Act,” which he says would “morbidly expand” the “most radical abortion license in the country.” The New York State Assembly is overwhelmingly Democrat.
“For instance, under the proposed Reproductive Health Act, doctors would not be required to care for a baby who survives an abortion. The newborn simply would be allowed to die without any legal implications,” wrote Dolan.
What’s more, Dolan explained, is that he feels the Democrats are making it harder for low and middle-class children to get an education at a Catholic school.
“In recent years, some Democrats in the New York state Assembly repeatedly blocked education tax credit legislation, which would have helped middle-class and low-income families make the choice to select Catholic or other nonpublic schools for their children,” said Dolan. The cardinal said this type of legislation impedes the mission of these schools to serve poor, often immigrant, children.
Dolan admitted that while he has “ had spats and disappointments” with politicians from both major political parties in the United States, he is particularly upset by the Democratic Party’s swing in a direction that excludes people like his grandmother.
“But,” he said. “It saddens me, and [it] weakens the democracy millions of Americans cherish, when the party that once embraced Catholics now slams the door on us.”
The Cardinal, 68, said DNC Chairman Tom Perez insisted in 2016 that pro-life candidates have no place in the modern Democratic Party.
“The ‘big tent’ of the Democratic Party now seems a pup tent,” he said.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Open Secrets a government watchdog , the NRA is nowhere near the top lobbyist in Washington DC . Even though , “the NRA reported $779,000 in individual contributions in February. It was the most money raised in 11 months and more than the total raised in November, December and January combined.”
US Chamber of Commerce $82,190,000
National Assn of Realtors $54,530,861
Business Roundtable $27,380,000
Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America $25,847,500
Blue Cross/Blue Shield $24,330,306
American Hospital Assn $22,074,214
American Medical Assn $21,535,000
Alphabet Inc $18,150,000
AT&T Inc $16,780,000
Boeing Co $16,740,000
Open Society Policy Center $16,110,000
DowDuPont $15,877,520
National Assn of Broadcasters $15,460,000
Comcast Corp $15,310,000
Lockheed Martin $14,464,290
Amazon.com $13,000,000
Southern Co $12,970,000
National Retail Federation $12,890,000
NCTA The Internet & Television Assn $12,790,000
Oracle Corp $12,385,000
Data for the most recent year was downloaded on February 28, 2018.
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