Newark NJ, the U.S. Department of Justice says that it intends to retry Sen. Robert Menendez’s bribery case, which previously ended with a hung jury.
In a letter the DOJ wrote to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, “The United States files this notice of intent to retry the defendants [Menendez and Dr. Salomon Melgen] and requests that the court set the case for retrial at the earliest possible date.”
Both Menendez and Melgen, a longtime friend of the senator, were on trial last year after being accused of running a bribery scheme between 2006 and 2013 in which Menendez allegedly lobbied government officials on Melgen’s behalf in exchange for luxury vacations and flights on Melgen’s private plane.
Menendez also was charged with making false statements on his Senate financial disclosure forms.
At that time jurors were unable to come to a unanimous verdict after about a week of deliberations.The judge then declared a mistrial.
Newark NJ, Reality television personality Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino and his brother, Marc Sorrentino, pleaded guilty today to violating federal tax laws, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department’s Tax Division, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito for the District of New Jersey and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) Special Agent in Charge Jonathan D. Larsen.
According to documents and information provided to the court, Michael Sorrentino, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and Marc Sorrentino, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return.
“Today’s pleas are a reminder to all individuals to comply with the tax laws, file honest and accurate returns and pay their fair share,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Zuckerman. “The Tax Division is committed to continuing to work with the IRS to prosecute those who seek to cheat the system, while honest hardworking taxpayers play by the rules.”
“What the defendants admitted to today, quite simply, is tantamount to stealing money from their fellow taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Carpenito. “All of us are required by law to pay our fair share of taxes. Celebrity status does not provide a free pass from this obligation.”
“As we approach this year’s filing season, today’s guilty pleas should serve as a stark reminder to those who would attempt to defraud our nation’s tax system,” stated Jonathan D. Larsen, Special Agent in Charge, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office. “No matter what your stature is in our society, everyone is expected to play by the rules, and those who do not will be held accountable and brought to justice.”
Michael Sorrentino was a reality television personality who gained fame on “The Jersey Shore,” which first appeared on the MTV network. According to documents and information provided to the court, he and his brother, Marc, created businesses, such as MPS Entertainment LLC and Situation Nation Inc., to take advantage of Michael’s celebrity status.
Michael Sorrentino admitted that in tax year 2011, he earned taxable income, including some that was paid in cash, and that he concealed a portion of his income to evade paying the full amount of taxes he owed. He also made cash deposits into bank accounts in amounts less than $10,000, in an effort to ensure that these deposits would not come to the attention of the IRS.
Marc Sorrentino admitted that for tax year 2010, he earned taxable income and that he assisted his accountants in preparing his personal tax return by willfully providing them with false information and fraudulently underreporting his income.
U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton scheduled sentencing for April 25. Michael Sorrentino faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for tax evasion. Marc Sorrentino faces a statutory maximum sentence of three years in prison for aiding in the preparation of a fraudulent tax return. Both also face a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. Gregg Mark, the accountant for the Sorrentino brothers, previously pleaded guilty in 2015 to conspiring to defraud the United States with respect to their tax liabilities.
Washington DC, On January 16, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report revealing that three out of every four, or 402, individuals convicted of international terrorism-related charges in U.S. federal courts between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2016 were foreign-born. Over the same period, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed approximately 1,716 aliens with national security concerns. Further, in 2017 alone DHS had 2,554 encounters with individuals on the terrorist watch list (also known as the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database) traveling to the United States.
This report was prescribed by Executive Order 13780, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, which declared that “it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, including those committed by foreign nationals,” and directed a series of actions to enhance the security of the American people.
The actions directed by Executive Order 13780 have—among other things—raised the baseline for the vetting and screening of foreign nationals, improved our ability to prevent the entry of malicious actors, and enhanced the security of the American people.
“My top priority as Secretary of Homeland Security is to ensure the safety and security of the American people,” said Secretary Nielsen. “This report is a clear reminder of why we cannot continue to rely on immigration policy based on pre-9/11 thinking that leaves us woefully vulnerable to foreign-born terrorists, and why we must examine our visa laws and continue to intensify screening and vetting of individuals traveling to the United States to prevent terrorists, criminals, and other dangerous individuals from reaching our country. Without legislative change DHS will continue to see thousands of terrorists a year attempt to enter the United States, and while we must be right every time, the terrorists only need to be lucky once. Therefore, DHS has personnel deployed around the world and along our borders working with our global and domestic law enforcement partners to stop terrorists before they enter the homeland.”
“This report reveals an indisputable sobering reality—our immigration system has undermined our national security and public safety,” said Attorney General Sessions. “And the information in this report is only the tip of the iceberg: we currently have terrorism-related investigations against thousands of people in the United States, including hundreds of people who came here as refugees. Our law enforcement professionals do amazing work, but it is simply not reasonable to keep asking them to risk their lives to enforce the law while we admit thousands every year without sufficient knowledge about their backgrounds. The pillars of President Trump’s immigration policy—securing our porous borders, moving to a merit-based immigration system that ends the use of diversity visas and chain migration, and enforcing our nation’s laws—will make their jobs easier and make the United States a safer place.”
The report reveals that at least 549 individuals were convicted of international terrorism-related charges in U.S. federal courts between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2016. An analysis conducted by DHS determined that approximately 73 percent (402 of these 549 individuals) were foreign-born. Breaking down the 549 individuals by citizenship status at the time of their respective convictions reveals that:
254 were not U.S. citizens;
148 were foreign-born, naturalized and received U.S. citizenship; and,
147 were U.S. citizens by birth.
According to information available to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), since September 11, 2001, there were approximately 1,716 removals of aliens with national security concerns.
As mentioned above, in FY 2017, DHS encountered 2,554 individuals on the terrorist watchlist (also known as the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database) traveling to the United States. Of those individuals, 335 were attempting to enter by land, 2,170 were attempting to enter by air, and 49 were attempting to enter by sea. Where consistent with the law, such individuals are denied entry into the United States, while in some cases law enforcement authorities are notified and can take appropriate action.
From October 1, 2011, to September 30, 2017, a total of 355,345 non-U.S. citizen offenders, were administratively arrested after previously being convicted of an aggravated felony, as defined in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(43), or two or more crimes each punishable by more than one year (felony offenses). During that same period, a total of 372,098 non-U.S. citizen offenders were removed from the United States after conviction of an aggravated felony or two or more felonies.
Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate shows that between 2007 and 2017, USCIS referred 45,858 foreign nationals who applied for immigration benefits to ICE for criminal or civil enforcement action, based on information indicating that such foreign nationals had committed egregious public safety-related offenses within the United States.
Between FY 2010 and FY 2016, CBP identified and prevented the boarding of 73,261 foreign travelers on flights destined for the United States, who may have presented an immigration or security risk.
In October, the Trump Administration sent to Congress a list of legislative priorities that would enhance our national security—such as eliminating the diversity visa lottery and extended family chain migration, funding the wall, closing loopholes in our asylum system, combatting visa overstays, and closing other loopholes in existing law that potentially benefit aliens who pose threats to our national security.
photo TIME FALSELY reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Oval Office.
January 18,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, President Trump presented the highly-anticipated “2017 Fake News Awards” last night on twitter of coarse . The GOP website listing the Fake News Awards crashed due to overwhelming public interest .
For those of you who missed it the Ridgewood blog has rounded out the top 10 . See if any of your favorites made the list. My personal favorite grabbed the number one spot . The New York Times’ Paul Krugman who has become emblematic for why so many people look down at the profession of “economist” . Once again he made a major fool of himself and his readers . For years Krugman has been the gold standard of ,what not to do . While even a broken clock is right twice a day Krugman has managed to underperform even that sad comparison.
So it is with great delight the Ridgewood blog presents the winners of President Trump’s 2017 Fake News Awards:
1. The New York Times’ Paul Krugman claimed on the day of President Trump’s historic, landslide victory that the economy would never recover.
2. ABC News’ Brian Ross CHOKES and sends markets in a downward spiral with false report.
3. CNN FALSELY reported that candidate Donald Trump and his son Donald J. Trump, Jr. had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks.
4. TIME FALSELY reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. from the Oval Office.
5. Washington Post FALSELY reported the President’s massive sold-out rally in Pensacola, Florida was empty. Dishonest reporter showed picture of empty arena HOURS before crowd started pouring in.
6. CNN FALSELY edited a video to make it appear President Trump defiantly overfed fish during a visit with the Japanese prime minister. Japanese prime minister actually led the way with the feeding.
7. CNN FALSELY reported about Anthony Scaramucci’s meeting with a Russian, but retracted it due to a “significant breakdown in process.”
8. Newsweek FALSELY reported that Polish First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda did not shake President Trump’s hand.
9. CNN FALSELY reported that former FBI Director James Comey would dispute President Trump’s claim that he was told he is not under investigation.
10. The New York Times FALSELY claimed on the front page that the Trump administration had hidden a climate report.
11. And last, but not least: “RUSSIA COLLUSION!” Russian collusion is perhaps the greatest hoax perpetrated on the American people. THERE IS NO COLLUSION!
Ridgewood NJ, This past Monday the Martin Luther King, jr. interfaith celebration was held. It was intended to be a celebration of the teachings of Dr. King and was to include Rev. Sampson, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in New York as the guest speaker, followed by an outdoor rally and a light lunch. The program was also to feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir and Men of Umoja chorus.
Much of the event was beautiful until Aronsohn and Gottheimer turned it into their own personal soapboxes.
It turned into a political rally of sorts. After Pastor Mack Brandon introduced Rep. Gottheimer and welcomed him to the podium, suddenly FORMER Mayor Aronsohn shoved his way to the front, all but pushing Gottheimer back down. Aronsohn then proceeded to give an unscheduled speech (unscheduled, but not unplanned, because he had a paper in his hand as he bulldozed his way to the altar). Following this ridiculous display, Aronsohn himself went on to welcome Gottheimer to come and speak, even though Gottheimer had already been invited to the microphone by Pastor Brandon a few minutes earlier. People were kind of shocked by Aronsohn going off-script and just inserting himself into the event. Gottheimer then proceeded to give a political rally type of speech, not one honoring Dr. King and his principles and teachings, but one that was self-promoting, all about him and his agenda.
Politicians (or wannabe politicians like Aronsohn) should be banned from speaking at such an event. It was a disgrace.
Washington DC, He kick-started Americas economy and got the stock market soaring; he cut taxes, slashed bureaucratic red tape and trash-canned reams of needless government regulations; he bombed the heck out of ISIS and sent them running home to live in their parents basements; and he very likely set the unofficial world record for most Tweets in a first term by a US President: These are just some of the many reasons why the publishers of Floridas Boomerz Magazine have announced Americas 45thPresident, Donald J. Trump, as their magazines choice for Man of the Year.
The President had an amazingly productive first year, but with so much fake news circulating about his activities, a large segment of the population is misinformed about his actual accomplishments, says Boomerz founder/editor/publisher, Frank Allen. We thought it would be very useful if Floridians could view the Presidents achievements since taking office everything from his tightening of border security to renegotiating unfair trade agreements all laid out in a special four-page insert to be included in our January 2018 issue.
Allen says his objective in publishing the Man of the Year issue is to show support for the president and his team and help keep the nation moving in the right direction.
I believe that Boomers should lead younger generations by example, by respecting our president, whether or not we are in agreement with any or all of his ideas or actions, says Allen. Americans need to stand together as one.
About Boomerz Magazine
Boomerz Magazine is a monthly publication that caters to the Woodstock generation,
those born from 1946-1963. Each issue features a Boomer year and takes a look back
at what happened in that year most popular car, what things cost, famous television
Ridgewood NJ, As 2018 begins, the RHS Alumni Association is thrilled to provide our first video for your viewing pleasure. According to the the RHS Alumni Association Board of Trustees , “We are so thankful for all the alumni who appeared in, filmed and edited this film. Classes ranging from 1970 to 2015 had a hand in its creation. Please enjoy it, pass it along to friends, or even post it on line so we can connect with more alumni.”
Trenton NJ, Gurbir S. Grewal became the 61st Attorney General of the State of New Jersey following the inauguration of Governor Phil Murphy today, January 16, 2018. He was confirmed unanimously by the New Jersey Senate this afternoon.
“I am honored and humbled to assume the role of Attorney General at this critical time for our state and country. I am grateful to Governor Murphy and the Senate for the trust they have placed in me and I look forward to continuing my service to the state of New Jersey. There’s much to do, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Attorney General Grewal.
Prior to his selection as New Jersey Attorney General, Grewal served as Bergen County Prosecutor, the chief law enforcement officer of the most populous county in New Jersey and home to nearly 1 million residents living in 70 municipalities.
Grewal worked as an Assistant United States Attorney (“AUSA”) in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey from 2010 to 2016. While at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he served as Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit from 2014 to 2016 and oversaw the investigation and prosecution of all major white collar and cybercrimes in the District of New Jersey.
Before becoming a federal prosecutor in New Jersey, Grewal also served as an AUSA in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York from 2004 to 2007, where he was ultimately assigned to the Business and Securities Fraud Unit. As an AUSA in the Eastern District of New York, he investigated and prosecuted a wide range of narcotics offenses, white collar crimes, and terrorism cases. His significant matters included the successful prosecution of 12 men charged with providing material support to the Tamil Tigers terrorist organization.
In addition to his work as a federal prosecutor, Grewal has also worked in private practice, including at Howrey LLP (from 1999 to 2004 in Washington, D.C., and from 2008 to 2010 in New York, N.Y.). While at Howrey LLP, he counseled clients on a range of matters including securities, trademark, antitrust and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues; represented individuals and companies in government investigations and criminal proceedings; conducted internal investigations for public corporations; and conducted civil trials.
Attorney General Grewal graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in 1995. He obtained his law degree from the College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law in 1999.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Councilmen Ramon Hache’s latest news letter , the Village Council rescinded the 2015 resolution that included a 90 ft. baseball diamond and a 120 x 75 yard multi-purpose field. To be clear, a 90 ft. diamond refers to the distance between the bases, not the depth of the outfield. The 2015 plan would have led to the clear-cutting of most of the trees on the property and the athletic fields component would have taken up more than 4 acres (total size of the property is 7 acres).
The Councilmen states, ” The Schedler property presented a few challenges, some of which were immediate and some required some planning into the future. There were numerous dead trees, hanging limbs and leaning trees that had to be removed immediately since they posed a liability. The cleanup was authorized in October. In order to move forward on planning for the future use of the property, the Village Council created an ad hoc committee to propose a development plan. The ad hoc committee met regularly and also reached out to residents and sports groups for input regarding their respective needs.
The ad hoc committee presented its recommendation to the Village Council in December. The new plan is significantly scaled down compared to the 2015 plan. It strikes a balance between the needs of the neighborhood, and sports groups, while taking consideration of historical preservation and passive recreation. The new plan does not include a baseball diamond and the proposed 50 x 75 yard multipurpose field only takes up a little over ¾ of an acre. The plan includes parking, a playground, walking trails, and bathrooms with a built-in overhang that can provide shelter from lightning. The next phase of planning will involve cost estimates. Only then will the Village Council be ready to move forward on a final plan.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
JANUARY 17, 2018
8:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute and Moment of Silence
5. Acceptance of Financial Reports
6. Approval of Minutes
7. Proclamations
A. Jamboree Days
B. Super Science Saturday
8. Swearing-in of Police Officers
A. Hector Perez
B. Miguel Torreslopez
9. Comments from the Public (Not to exceed 3 minutes per person – 40 minutes in total)
10. Village Manager’s Report
11. Village Council Reports
12. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION – RIDGEWOOD WATER
3631 – Bond Ordinance – Granular Activated Carbon Treatment System – Carr Well Field ($3,570,000) – Appropriates this money for a Granular Activated Carbon Treatment System for the Carr Well Field which will remove certain Perfluorinated Compounds from the well water
13. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING – RIDGEWOOD WATER
NONE
14. RESOLUTIONS – RIDGEWOOD WATER
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-02 THROUGH 18-09 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
18-02 Award Contract Under State Contract – Chlorine Analyzers and Supplies (NTE $58,236.36) – Awards a Contract Under State Contract to Hach Company, P.O. Box 608, Loveland, CO
18-03 Award Professional Services Contract – Public Policy Consultant (NTE $13,600 for 4 months) – Awards a no-bid Professional Services contract with Morford Drulis Associates, 308 West State Street, Trenton, NJ for four months, on a trial basis. The required Pay to Play forms have been filed with the Village Clerk’s Office.
18-04 Authorize Change Order – Booster/Transfer Station Improvements (NTE $11,971.45) – Authorizes a change order to the original contractor, D.J. Egarian & Associates, Inc., 271 Route 46 West, Suite G208, Fairfield, NJ. This change order was necessary due to the fact that approvals were needed from Midland Park, which were not originally anticipated, resulting in re-design of one of the facilities.
18-05 Reject Bid – Cedar Hill Reservoir Rehabilitation – Rejects the bid received from Fred Devens Construction for this project, based on prior negative experience with this company
18-06 Title 59 Approval – Cedar Hill Reservoir Rehabilitation – Approves the plans and specifications for Cedar Hill Reservoir Rehabilitation prepared by the Ridgewood Water Department
18-07 Award Contract – Cedar Hill Reservoir Rehabilitation (NTE $324,800) – Awards a contract to the lowest responsible bidder, DN Tanks, Inc., 11 Teal Road, Wakefield, MA
18-08 Reject Bid – 2018 Well Improvements – Rejects the sole bid for this project due to the fact that it exceeds the Project Engineer’s cost estimate
18-09 Authorize Temporary Water Capital Budget – Approves a temporary Water Capital Budget to appropriate money for the down payment for the water capital bond ordinance which includes a Granular Activated Carbon Treatment System for the Carr Well Field
15. ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION
3632 – Bond Ordinance – Street Paving and Streetscape ($2,160,000) – Appropriates this money to allow for the paving of various streets in the Village of Ridgewood
16. ORDINANCES – PUBLIC HEARING
3626 – Amend White Collar Salary Ordinance
3627 – Amend Blue Collar Salary Ordinance
3628 – Amend Management Salary Ordinance
3629 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – CBD Employee Parking – Cottage Place Lot
3630 – Amend Chapter 265 – Vehicles and Traffic – Prohibit Overweight and Over Length Vehicles – Glenwood Road
17. ORDINANCES – CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
3625 – Amend Chapter 190 – Land Use and Development – Allow Certain Illuminated Interior Signs in the Central Business District
18. RESOLUTIONS
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS, NUMBERED 18-10 THROUGH 18-29 ARE TO BE ADOPTED BY A CONSENT AGENDA, WITH ONE VOTE BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL. THERE IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION BESIDE EACH RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. EACH RESOLUTION WILL BE READ BY TITLE ONLY:
18-10 Authorize Tax Assessor/Tax Collector to File Appeals and/or Settlement Stipulations – Authorizes the Tax Assessor and/or Tax Collector to file tax appeals and/or settlement stipulations with the Bergen County Board of Taxation for the purpose of correcting assessment errors for the year 2018. This resolution also authorizes the Assessor, in conjunction with the Village Attorney, to conduct settlement negotiations in matters pending before the Tax Court of New Jersey in 2018.
18-11 Approve Renewal of Liquor License – Rocco Berardi – Approves the annual renewal of
the plenary retail consumption liquor license held by Rocco Berardi for the years
2017-2018 and 2018-2019 pursuant to the required Special Ruling issued by the Director of NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
18-12 Award of Contract – Maintenance of Irrigation Systems and Water Fountains (NTE $17,000) – Awards the second year of a two-year contract to Tanz, Inc., 3 River Edge Road, River Edge, NJ
18-13 Award Contract Under County Contract – Rock Salt (NTE $56.11/ton) – Awards a contract under County Contract to Cargill, Inc., 24950 Country Club Boulevard, Suite 450, North Olmsted, OH
18-14 Award Contract Under State Contract – Software for Document Management System (NTE $41,148.50) – Awards a Contract Under State Contract to SHI, 290 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ
18-15 Award Contract Under National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance Contract – Phase 1 Security Improvements at Village Hall (NTE $143,922) – Awards a contract under the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance Contract to Secure Watch 24, 70 Moonachie Avenue, Moonachie, NJ
18-16 Amendment to Award of Contract – Emergency Equipment for Two Police Vehicles (NTE $27,000) – Amends Resolution #17-286, which originally awarded this contract, to correct the vendor’s name. The correct vendor is Emergency Accessories & Installation, Inc., 250 Haddonfield-Berlin Road, Cherry Hill, NJ
18-17 Accept Donations for Community Center from Various Groups and Individuals – Accepts donations to upgrade the Community Center from the Community Center of Ridgewood Foundation, various groups, and individuals totaling $35,302.70
18-18 Accept Donations for Landscape Elements – Accepts a donation of landscape elements which include iron gates and a sandstone rock pile, with a total value of $15,000, from Ridgewood resident Julie Tung
18-19 Approve Use of Burbio App and Authorize Village Manager to Assist in Implementation – Approves the use of the Burbio App in the Village of Ridgewood and authorizes and directs the Village Manager to assist in its implementation
18-20 Grant Major Soil Moving Permit – Ridgewood Dayton – Grants a Major Soil Moving Permit for Ridgewood Dayton, LLC for a project at 100-152 South Broad Street, which has already been approved by the Planning Board. This approval is granted, subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Village Planning Board’s resolution and those contained in the Village Council’s resolution, with the requirements in the Village Council’s resolution taking precedence
18-21 Accept and Authorize Execution of Bergen County Open Space Grant – Improvements to Kings Pond Park – Accepts and authorizes the Village Manager to execute the grant agreement for the Bergen County Open Space grant in the amount of $34,000 for improvements to Kings Pond Park including delineating the official park property with shrubbery; creating 20-25 parking spaces; and creating an ADA accessible path from the parking lot to the water’s edge. The Village is responsible to provide at least $34,000 towards this project since it is a 50/50 matching grant.
18-22 Extend Suspension of Ordinance for Certain Illuminated Signs in Central Business District – Extends the suspension of the ordinance for certain illuminated signs in the Central Business District to June 1, 2018
18-23 Certify Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements – Certifies that the Village of Ridgewood’s hiring practices comply with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s “Enforcement Guidance on the Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964”, as amended, pertaining to the consideration of an individual’s criminal history. This is required under P.L. 2017, c. 183 which requires that this be certified prior to the Village submits its approved annual budget to the NJ Division of Local Government Services.
18-24 Authorize Removal of Sycamore Tree at Graydon Pool – Authorizes the Village of Ridgewood’s Parks Department to remove the sycamore tree at Graydon Pool, due to the fact that two arborists have recommended its removal for safety reasons
18-25 Authorize Temporary Capital Budget – Approves a temporary Capital Budget to appropriate money for the down payment for the general capital bond ordinance for the 2018 road paving and streetscape program
18-26 Appoint Registrar of Vital Statistics – Appoints Dawn Cetrulo as the Registrar of Vital Statistics, for a three-year term, which shall expire on January 25, 2021
18-27 Appoint Members to Project Pride Committee – Appoints Gary Cirillo (Chairman), Alyssa Becker, Tonia Cohen, Barbara D’Amato, Donna Dorsey, Ann Leahy, Debbie Higgins, Janet Fricke, Kay Connell, Katherine Cirillo, Mary Ann Sage, Ann Schott, Holt Family, Jeanette Vadeika, Julie Fischer, Carolyn Angelosante, Saltalmacchia Family, Stott Family, Tara Cirillo, and Quinn Stott (student liaison) to terms which will expire 12/31/18
18-28 Approve Renewal of Liquor License – Maple Avenue Liquors, LLC – Approves the annual renewal of the plenary retail distribution liquor license held by Maple Avenue Liquors, LLC for the years 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and
2019-2020 pursuant to the required Special Ruling issued by the Director of NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control
18-29 Appoint Members to Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board – Appoints Richard Brooks and Michael Winograd to terms which shall expire December 31, 2020
19. Comments from the Public (Not to Exceed 5 minutes per person)
20. Adjournment
Trenton NJ, while Governor Phil Murphy pushes forward to turn New Jersey into a sanctuary state , Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen confirmed Tuesday that the department has asked federal prosecutors to see if they can lodge criminal charges against sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal deportation efforts.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing what avenues may be available,” Ms. Nielsen told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
This came on the heels of California’s new sanctuary law went into effect Jan. 1, severely restricting cooperation the state or any of its localities could offer.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Tom Homan says those policies put his officers and local communities at more risk because they have to arrest illegal immigrants out in the community.
Director Homan told The Washington Times last July that he wanted to see local officials charged as complicit in human smuggling if they shielded illegal immigrants through sanctuary policies.
The FAC is dead, keep it that way. No offense, but financial experience in the private sector does not equate at all to experience in the public sector. They are very different animals and the previous FAC was completely clueless on village operations and department function in hopes of saving pennies. Yet overlooked major holes such as the parking authority, human resources (remember that mess) and a manager who was living in candyland. We elect council members to oversee the operation, if they are doing their job there is no need for a FAC.
And lets be honest with each other, the zoo that needs a cleaning is on Cottage Place. If the FAC has no authority to give opinion on that money pit, then whats the point. Pennies saved on property taxes isnt worth the insane opinion of so called experts. Been There…. Done That.
Ridgewood NJ,Back for the 30th year! Super Science Saturday is March 3. Take the 2048 Future Challenge! Details at www.supersciencesaturday.org.
Super Science Saturday was started in 1989 by Mr. Jim Wallace, a sixth grade science teacher at Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Middle School. What began solely as a science day for students has evolved into a broad experience for children, adults, and families from all over the tri-state area. Now in its 28th year, Super Science Saturday is an annual, half-day, non-competitive event providing a showcase for the variety of scientific explorations and applications that are alive in our community. Not only do professional science presenters share their work, it is unique in that students present alongside them, learning from adult presenters as mentors and peers.
Though Mr. Wallace has since retired from the Ridgewood Public Schools, his small idea has grown to a day that brings over 1,500 area residents together to celebrate science. As we look to “reinvent” Super Science Saturday this year, we increasingly rely on the community to provide support before and during the event. Parents, students and teachers have all taken a role in making this day a success. Please find out how you can get involved by visiting our volunteer page.
On Monday, January 15, the Ridgewood community will celebrate the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a full schedule of activities beginning at 10 am at the Ridgewood Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street.
The event will begin with a 10 a.m. interfaith service with the Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson.
The service will be followed by an outdoor march through downtown Ridgewood and a community lunch. The program will also feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir, Men of Umoja Chorus and The Young Voices of Mr. Bethel.
Please communicate the value of this remembrance celebration to your children. I look forward to joining you on Monday, January 15.
Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal announces the expansion of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office’s (“BCPO”) Community Affairs Unit (“CAU”) and the designation of a new press contact. Prosecutor Grewal created the CAU in June 2017 with a mission to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the community, increase public safety, and deter crime through developing programs that increase community engagement, build public trust, and promote transparency. These programs include a two-week Youth Police Academy which is run in cooperation with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, multi-disciplinary conferences, a quarterly Community/Clergy Academy, and partnerships with local and county law enforcement agencies and non-profit organizations. The CAU also supports and promotes local law enforcement community programs, education initiatives, and day-to-day operations through social media and public promotion.
This model has proven successful, and the BCPO is committed to prioritizing positive relations between law enforcement and the community. Under the direction of Assistant Prosecutor (“AP”) Section Chief Elizabeth Rebein and Lieutenant Jeff Angermeyer, six administrative, creative, and Detective personnel have been assigned to staff the Unit. Along with the expansion of the Unit, Prosecutor Grewal has restructured certain duties, including AP Rebein as the point of contact for all media inquiries.
The BCPO’s community initiatives and programs will appear on the BCPO social media accounts, namely Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the username @BCPONJ. Additionally, many events will be live-streamed using these social media platforms to broadcast segments online, as they happen, where they happen.
![mike-sorrentino-gty-mem-180117_12x5_992[1]](https://theridgewoodblog.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/mike-sorrentino-gty-mem-180117_12x5_9921.jpg "The Jersey Shore's Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and His Brother, Marc Sorrentino, Plead Guilty to Tax Evasion")
