Waimea, Hawaii yesterday an emergency alert was sent at 8:07 a.m.,”BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL,” the emergency alert read.
Hawaii says ballistic missile threat alert was false alarm. Residents of Hawaii were thrown into a panic Saturday morning after the state sent an emergency alert warning of a ballistic missile threat. But officials minutes later said that it was a mistake.
“NO missile threat to Hawaii,” the state’s Emergency Management Agency tweeted at 8:20 local time (1:20 ET) , but the follow-up alert to state that it was a false alarm wasn’t sent until 8:46 a.m, ouch…
Ridgewood NJ, The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today presented Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, with the association’s “Emergency Assistance Award” for outstanding work assisting customers impacted by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The award is presented to EEI member companies to recognize an outstanding response in assisting other electric companies in power restoration efforts after service has been disrupted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process, and the awards were presented during EEI’s Winter Board and CEO Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In the wake of Irma, PSE&G dispatched 154 employees and 84 vehicles to assist Florida Power & Light power restoration efforts. The PSE&G contingent included line workers, managers, engineers and support personnel.
“When disaster impacts a region, electric companies from across the nation are called on to assist impacted companies in need – mutual assistance is a hallmark of our industry,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “When Hurricane Irma struck, PSE&G answered the call to help. PSE&G’s assistance to restore service to impacted customers is a terrific example of mutual assistance in action.”
PSE&G’s Senior Vice President of Electric and Gas Operations John Latka said, “We were fortunate to be in a position to assist FPL. We know the importance of getting the lights and power back on as quickly as possible so people can begin the process of rebuilding their lives.”
Ridgewood NJ, The Central Business District Advisory Committee invites you to their first forum. Its purpose is to engage in an open dialogue with our business owners. Come Learn about the various initiatives they have undertaken. This committee wants to hear directly from you. They want to understand the challenges business owners are facing and the opportunities that stand before us. They also want to hear success stories and any suggestions for improving our Central Business District. The Mayor and other Councilmembers will also be participating.
Central Business District Community Forum Wed, January 17, 2018 Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Ridgewood Village Hall, 131 N Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood NJ, Health Department Director, Dawn Cetrulo announced that January has been designated as National Radon Action Month in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Radon Program. During Radon Action Month, the Village of Ridgewood will provide radon information and test kits free of charge to Ridgewood residents at the Ridgewood Health Department, 131 N. Maple Ave., 5th level from 8:30 am until 4 pm.
“The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., dedicated his life to a vision: that all Americans would live free from injustice and enjoy equal opportunity as children of God. His strong, peaceful, and lifelong crusade against segregation and discrimination brought our Nation closer to the founding ideals set forth in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Today, as we come together to honor Dr. King, we know that America is stronger, more just, and more free because of his life and work.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Dr. King, who was tragically assassinated on April 4, 1968. As we approach this solemn milestone, we acknowledge our Nation’s continuing debt to Dr. King’s legacy. Dr. King advocated for the world we still demand — where the sacred rights of all Americans are protected, rural and urban communities are prosperous from coast to coast, and our limits and our opportunities are defined not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. We remember the immense promise of liberty that lies at the foundation of our great Republic, the responsibility it demands from all of us who claim its benefits, and the many sacrifices of those who have come before us.
Too often, however, we have neglected these ideals, and injustice has seeped into our politics and our society. Dr. King’s peaceful crusade for justice and equality opened our Nation’s eyes to the humbling truth that we were very far from fulfilling our obligation to the promises set forth by our forebearers.
The Reverend’s devotion to fighting the injustice of segregation and discrimination ignited the American spirit of fraternity and reminded us of our higher purpose. Through his words and work, he compelled us to hold ourselves to standards of moral character and integrity that are worthy of our Nation and of our humanity.
Dr. King once said: “We refuse to believe there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this Nation.” We must work together to carry forward the American Dream, to ensure it is within reach not only for our children, but for future generations. As your President, I am committed to building and preserving a Nation where every American has opportunities to achieve a bright future. That is why we are expanding apprenticeship programs, preparing Americans for the jobs of our modernizing economy. We are also working every day to enhance access to capital and networks for minority and women entrepreneurs. With all we do, we aim to empower Americans to pursue their dreams.
Importantly, in paying tribute to Dr. King, we are reminded that the duty lies with each of us to fulfill the vision of his life’s work. Let us use our time, talents, and resources to give back to our communities and help those less fortunate than us. Particularly today, let us not forget Dr. King’s own tireless spirit and efforts, as we work, celebrate, and pray alongside people of all backgrounds. As one people, let us rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans, and as people who share a common humanity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 15, 2018, as the Martin Luther King, Jr., Federal Holiday. I encourage all Americans to observe this day with appropriate civic, community, and service programs and activities in honor of Dr. King’s life and legacy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second.”
Ridgewood NJ, FCC’s chairman, Ajit Pai, became the subject of almost daily persecution by left wing loons and bigots. It seems no figure has been as controversial since Al Gore discovered the Internet in the early 90’s.
It all started with the FCC’s decision to scrap an Obama-era rule implemented in 2015 deemed “net neutrality.” The end of net neutrality will allow internet service providers to, if they choose, privilege the content of providers that they own or support. Pai has been since the target of a campaign of harassment that amounts to a national scandal.
HBO lefty host John Oliver was among the first mainstream cultural figures to organize a net-neutrality campaign, which he dubbed “Go FCC Yourself.” He encouraged followers to bombard the FCC’s website with comments supporting the regulation, and so they did.
According to the NY Post , “Those comments were peppered with claims that Pai was a pedophile, a “dirty, sneaky Indian” who should self-deport and reminders that anonymous online hordes maintain the “power to murder Ajit Pai and his family.” Oliver was eventually compelled to release a video urging his followers to dial back the racism and death threats.”
Matt Rooney of the Save New Jersey blog , ” the Internet survived (and thrived) from the day Al Gore invented it up until 2015 when the Obama Administration imposed so-called ‘net neutrality.’ I suspect it’ll function just fine now that the FCC is rolling back those regs.”
The fact is Net neutrality is misnamed. There’s nothing “neutral” about it. The government controls it. The government regulates it. If you like government regulation, if you like how government regulation retards things, slows things down, gums things up, causes mistakes to be made, then by all means support net neutrality. Net Neutrality was an attempt by the federal government to regulate and control your internet browsing and control your internet feed and curtail the number of independent information outlets like the Ridgewood blog.
“Net Neutrality” was nothing more than using “Big Brother” as a gate keeper for the internet.Protesting for Net neutrality is like protesting for high taxes , for less freedom , perhaps a trip to social paradise Venezuela will warm you heart instead.
The law suit alleges the famed “double dipper” and “party changer” Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino retaliated against Frank Carrafiello and other officers who investigated the soil remediation project. The suit names not only Saudino, but the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office , the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bergen county government .
The suit claims that Sheriff Saudino demoted officers, forced others to retire and changed the assignments of those officers who investigated the remediation.
The New Jersey Sierra Club and Mahwah officials outlined the contamination at the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Institute. They also said the county allegedly announced lead bullet casing and other potentially toxic materials to be dumped on the site for about a year.
Jeff Tittel, executive director of the Sierra Club, said the materials oxidized and broke down, possibly seeping into the groundwater and nearby streams, the Ramapo River and the Ramapo Aquifer, which provides drinking water to thousands of people.
A Bergen County spokeswoman claims in April that County Executive James Tedesco’s administration “took swift and immediate action upon learning of the potential environmental issue at the Law and Public Safety Institute shooting range located in Mahwah.”
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Hospital employees and volunteers recently came together to fulfill a patient’s wish to marry his partner right here in the Hospital!
Mark DeBenedectis expressed to Cheel 4 Neuro Charge Nurse Michelle Bower, RN, his wish to marry his partner, Greg, before he was scheduled to have major surgery.
With his surgery taking place just two days away, the entire team jumped into action, transforming the Terrace into a beautiful wedding venue the very next day, complete with decorations, flowers, a harpist, a photographer to memorialize the day and a chaplain to officiate the service. The day was complete with family and friends present to witness the joyous occasion.
Linwood NJ, After a cooperative investigation between the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and multiple law enforcement agencies, eight individuals have been charged in connection to the murder of April Kauffman, as well as, conspiracy and racketeering, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced.
James Kauffman and Ferdinand Augello are charged with Murder in connection with the death of Radio Show Host April Kauffman, in addition to Racketeering, related to the illegal distribution of narcotics through Kauffman’s former medical practice. Additionally, Ferdinand Augello is charged with Conspiracy to Commit the Murder of James Kauffman.
On Thursday, May 10, 2012, at approximately 11:29 a.m., officers from Linwood Police Department responded to a 911call at a private residence located at 2 Woodstock Drive, Linwood. There was a report of an unconscious, non-responsive female at this location. Upon arrival, responding police and emergency medical services personnel were met by the resident of the home, James M. Kauffman, who reported finding his wife, April Kauffman, 47, deceased inside the second floor bedroom of their residence. Inside the second floor master bedroom of the residence, police and emergency medical service personnel discovered April Kaufman unconscious and lying face down on the floor. At 11:45 a.m., April Kauffman was pronounced dead. Atlantic County Medical Examiner Dr. Hydow Park, was notified and responded to the scene, at which time it was ascertained April Kauffman had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Through an ACPO investigation, it was determined that a long term alliance between members of the Pagan Outlaw Motorcycle Gang and former doctor, James Kauffman, was created for the mutual financial gain through the use of Kauffman’s medical practice for illegal drug distribution which culminated on May 10, 2012 with the ‘murder for hire’ of April Kauffman. Prior to 2011, James Kauffman and Ferdinand Augello had a relationship which centered on James Kauffman’s medical practice. In the summer of 2011, James Kauffman solicited Ferdinand Augello to murder Kauffman’s wife, April Kauffman. This appears to be for numerous reasons largely centered on April Kauffman’s threats of divorce. James Kauffman stated he would sooner kill April than grant the divorce and lose “half his empire.”
As a result of his objection to a favorable divorce settlement, April Kauffman threatened a number of actions to obtain divorce. In addition to her attempt to spend as much money as she could until a divorce was granted, April also threatened to expose the fraudulent and unlawful practices taking place at her husband’s medical office. Ultimately, James Kauffman made the decision to kill April Kauffman and, based on information and belief, Kauffman told Augello that April threatened to expose the illegal OXY distribution network they had established.
The illegal drug distribution network was set up in a typical pattern of hierarchy. James Kauffman and Ferdinand Augello were at the top. James Kauffman would give free scripts to those individuals sent by Ferdinand Augello. Ferdinand Augello had at least two individuals recruiting for him to obtain the scripts. In turn, those individuals then recruited additional people to receive the OXY scripts. Ferdinand Augello would receive either a cash payment of $1,000 per script or a predetermined number of pills once the script was filled. If an individual did not have insurance, they were required to pay $100 per visit. Those that would receive the scripts would either resell them or use them.
Ferdinand Augello propositioned a number of individuals to murder April Kauffman. These individuals were all Pagans, former Pagans or associated with the Pagans. He was unsuccessful for almost a year and James Kauffman was getting restless when Ferdinand Augello found Francis Mullholland. Mullholland was the cousin of a Pagan associate Joseph Mulholland and member of the drug enterprise. It is believed that Francis Mullholland received a ride to the Kauffman residence in the early morning hours of May 10, 2012. The doors were left open and Francis Mullholland was given a gun. He went inside, shot April Kauffman twice, killing her, and then left. It is believed there was payment made to both Francis Mullholland and his cousin Joseph Mulholland. It is unknown if this payment was in the form of cash, drugs or both. Francis Mullholland has stated that he received approximately $20,000 in cash for his role, though this number has been speculated at being higher. The money was picked up on the day of the murder by Ferdinand Augello’s ex-wife, Beverly Augello along with additional scripts. The scripts were used to obtain drugs that day and the money was given to FA.
Following the murder, the drug enterprise continued for five additional years. Those receiving pills did change during that time; however, every person to be involved in the drug enterprise was a Pagan, former Pagan or an associate of a Pagan. The enterprise folded in June of 2017 with the arrest of James Kauffman.
On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, with the assistance of agents from the FBI and local police agencies, executed a search warrant on both the business and the residential addresses of Kauffman. Upon executing the search warrant on June 13, Kauffman displayed a Ruger 9mm handgun. Ultimately a hostage negotiator was successful in getting Kauffman to surrender to authorities. He was taken into custody at the Psychiatric Intervention Program for monitoring. Kauffman was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and obstruction of the administration of law.
On July 31, 2017, the state Appellate Division upheld Kauffman’s pretrial detention, following an appeal filed on June 22, 2017, after Kauffman was detained on June 19, by Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury.
In September 2017, Kauffman was indicted on the following charges:
Second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon-Handguns without Permit
Second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon-Handguns without Permit
Second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose
Fourth degree Obstructing the Administration of Law or Government Function
Kauffman remains in custody at the Atlantic County Justice Facility, where he has been detained since June 13, 2017. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy is prosecuting the case.
FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher advised that “The FBI will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners in an effort to bring to justice those responsible for this horrific crime and equally important, to provide answers and closure to the family and friends of April Kauffman.”
Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Sgt. James Scoppa Jr. and FBI Special Agent Daniel A. Garrabrant are the lead investigators on the case.
The investigation and arrests were the result of a joint operation between the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, Linwood, Egg Harbor Township, Somers Point and Lower Township police departments and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ridgewood NJ, With cryptocurrencies continuing to attract headlines, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Bureau of Securities, which is within the Division of Consumer Affairs, today reminded New Jersey investors to be cautious about investments involving cryptocurrencies.
“Cryptocurrencies may be the new rage when it comes to investments, but there are significant risks associated with transactions involving these predominantly unregulated currencies,” said Attorney General Porrino. “Investors should fully understand the types of currency and transactions being pitched to them before agreeing to invest.”
Cryptocurrencies are a medium of exchange that are created and stored electronically in the blockchain, a distributed public database that keeps a permanent record of digital transactions. Current common cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. Unlike traditional currency, these alternatives have no physical form and typically are not backed by tangible assets. They are not insured or controlled by a central bank or other governmental authority, cannot always be exchanged for other commodities, and are subject to little or no regulation.
A survey of state and provincial securities regulators by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), of which the Bureau of Securities is a member, shows 94 percent believe there is a “high risk of fraud” involving cryptocurrencies. Regulators also were unanimous in their view that more regulation is needed for cryptocurrency to provide greater investor protection.
“Because of the high risk of fraud and some projections of huge returns, investors must be on alert and not be tempted to invest in cryptocurrency-related investments without first vigorously vetting any transaction,” said Sharon M. Joyce, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Understanding what is being sold is the best armor an investor has against fraud.”
Last month, NASAA identified Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrency-related investment products as emerging investor threats for 2018. Unlike an Initial Public Offering (IPO) when a company sells stocks in order to raise capital, an ICO sells “tokens” in order to fund a project, usually related to the blockchain. The token likely has no value at the time of purchase. Some tokens constitute, or may be exchangeable for, a new cryptocurrency to be launched by the project, while others entitle investors to a discount, or early rights to a product or service proposed to be offered by the project.
“Transactions involving cryptocurrency are often complicated and confusing with an unproven track record. They are not designed for investors with a low tolerance for risk or volatility,” said Christopher W. Gerold, Chief of the Bureau of Securities. “The best advice we can give is for investors to be completely aware of the risks before investing and act accordingly.”
NASAA offers a short animated video to help investors understand the risks associated with ICOs and cryptocurrencies. NASAA and its members first alerted investors of the risks associated with cryptocurrencies in 2014.
Common Cryptocurrency Concerns
The following are some common concerns investors should consider before investing in any offering containing cryptocurrency:
Cryptocurrency is subject to minimal regulatory oversight, susceptible to cybersecurity breaches or hacks, and there may be no recourse should the cryptocurrency disappear.
Cryptocurrency accounts are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insures bank deposits up to $250,000.
The high volatility of cryptocurrency investments makes them unsuitable for most investors, especially those investing for long-term goals or retirement.
Investors in cryptocurrency are highly reliant upon unregulated companies, including some that may lack appropriate internal controls and may be more susceptible to fraud and theft than regulated financial institutions.
Investors will have to rely upon the strength of their own computer security systems, as well as security systems provided by third parties, to protect purchased cryptocurrencies from theft.
Common Red Flags of Fraud
The Bureau of Securities also reminds investors to keep watch for these common red flags of investment fraud:
“Guaranteed” high investment returns. There is no such thing as guaranteed investment returns, and there is no guarantee that the cryptocurrency will increase in value. Be wary of anyone who promises a high rate of return with little or no risk.
Unsolicited offers. An unsolicited sales pitch may be part of a fraudulent investment scheme. Cryptocurrency investment opportunities are promoted aggressively through social media. Be very wary of an unsolicited communication—meaning you didn’t ask for it and don’t know the sender—about an investment opportunity.
Sounds too good to be true. If the project sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for exaggerated claims about the project’s future success.
Pressure to buy immediately. Take time to research an investment opportunity before handing over your money. Watch out for pressure to act fast or “get in on the ground floor” of a new tech trend.
Unlicensed sellers. Many fraudulent investment schemes involve unlicensed individuals or unregistered firms. The Bureau of Securities can help investors research the background of those selling or advising the purchase of an investment.
University of Chicago faculty tell Obama to move ‘socially regressive’ library
Letter from Faculty Concerning the Obama Center
We members of the University of Chicago faculty who sign this letter support the idea of establishing the Obama Center in our neighborhood, in the South Side. However, as details of the plans have become public we share concerns expressed by neighborhood groups throughout the South Side. The neighborhood groups are diverse. They include the Community Benefits Agreement Coalition whose active members include the Black Youth Project 100, the Bronzeville Regional Collective — which itself includes Blacks in Green — the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, the Poor People’s Campaign, the Southside Together Organizing for Power, UChicago for a CBA, the Westside Health Authority and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights; and whose allied members include the Chicago Teachers Union, Chicago Women in Trades, Friends of the Park, Metropolitan Tenants Association, Woodlawn East Community and Neighbors, Chicago Jobs Council, Chicago Rehab Council, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and many others. Other groups opposed to the current plans include the Midway Plaisance Park Advisory Committee, Save the Midway, Jackson Park Watch, and South Shore Nature Sanctuary. The concerns of these groups are different. But taken together they form an intelligible whole.
First, there are concerns that the Obama Center as currently planned will not provide the promised development or economic benefits to the neighborhoods. Because the current plans place the Center next to the Museum of Science and Industry and across the street from the University of Chicago campus, there is no available adjacent land in which to start a new business, set up a new café or restaurant, bring another cultural center to the neighborhood. It looks to many neighbors that the only new jobs created will be as staff to the Obama Center, hence the widespread support for a Community Benefits Agreement.
Second, the current plan calls for taking a large section of an historic public park and giving it to a private entity for development. Jackson Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most important urban parks in the nation. Construction of a permanent architectural monument violates Olmsted’s vision of a democratic urban park. On the current plans the intrusion into the park is huge: twenty-one acres, the size of two large city blocks. At a time of increasing complexity and pressure in urban life, Chicago should be dedicated to preserving our public parks as open areas for relaxation and play for all its citizens. We also note that the Obama Center has abandoned its original plans to be a Presidential Library. It will be a private entity with no official connection to the National Archives.
Third, because of the planned location of the Obama Center, the Obama Foundation plans to take over a section of another historic, public park — Midway Plaisance, also designed by Olmsted — and turn it into an above-ground parking garage. They have to date rejected many pleas of neighborhood groups to place the garage underground. The planners say they need the parking lot there so that visitors can walk directly across the street to the Obama Center, but that raises problems of its own. (1) The planners also intend to close Cornell Avenue to traffic, thus making Stony Island Avenue the only major north-south thoroughfare on the South Side, other than the Interstate Highway. So every visitor who comes by car or by Metra will have to cross the busiest street on the South Side. And those of our neighbors who depend on driving north or south for their livelihoods will inevitably be significantly held up. This is a traffic-jam in the making. (2) Those who can walk straight across the street to the Obama Center can also walk straight back to their cars and go home. Given the location, if they do any visiting at all it is overwhelmingly likely they will visit those areas that are already well developed, the Museum of Science and Industry and the University of Chicago campus. (3) A parking lot, of course, privileges cars and those who can afford them. Parking is expensive, and though public lands are being given away, all the profits from this parking lot will go to the Obama Foundation. None of the funds will go back to the City to improve train lines and public transportation infrastructure. Overall, this is a socially regressive plan (4) Again, this is a precious, historic urban park that ought to be preserved for future generations not given to a private entity for development into a parking lot.
Finally, it is the taxpayers of Chicago who are going to be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for this project, according to estimates by the Chicago Department of Transportation. The required widening of Lake Shore Drive alone is estimated to be over $100 million. Not only are public lands being given to a private entity but the public will pay to have Cornell Drive closed and Stony Island Avenue and Lake Shore Drive widened. We are concerned that these are not the best ways to use public funds to invest in the future of Chicago.
We University of Chicago faculty who sign this letter are ourselves a diverse group and different issues will matter more to some of us than to others. But we share with so many of our neighbors the belief that the current plans need significant revision. We are concerned that rather than becoming a bold vision for urban living in the future it will soon become an object-lesson in the mistakes of the past. We urge the Obama Foundation to explore alternative sites on the South Side that could be developed with more economic benefits, better public transportation, and less cost to taxpayers. We would be pleased to support the Obama Center if the plan genuinely promoted economic development in our neighborhoods and respected our precious public urban parks.
(Please sign below. The list of signatures will be updated each day.)
Jonathan Lear, Professor, Social Thought and Philosophy W. J. T. Mitchell, Professor, English, Art History, and Visual Arts Tara Zahra, Professor, History Richard Strier, Sulzberger Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, English Martha Feldman, Professor, Music and Romance Languages Mark Siegler, Professor, Medicine William Mazzarella, Professor, Anthropology Bruce Lincoln, Caroline E. Haskell Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Divinity School Michael Geyer, Samuel N. Harper Professor Emeritus, History Jessica Stockholder, Professor, Visual Arts Rosanna Warren, Professor, Social Thought Matthew Jesse Jackson, Associate Professor, Art History and Visual Arts Emilio Kourí, Professor, History Marshall Sahlins, Charles F. Grey Distinguished Professor of Anthropology Emeritus Frances Ferguson, Professor, English Linda Zerilli, Charles E. Merriam Distinguished Professor, Political Science Elizabeth Helsinger, John Matthews Manly Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, English Gabriel Lear, Professor, Philosophy and Social Thought Robert Pippin, Evelyn Steffanson Nef Distinguished Service Professor, Social Thought Susan Gal, Professor, Anthropology and Linguistics Susan Goldin-Meadow, Beardsley Ruml Distinguished Service Professor, Psychology Jonathan Levy, Professor, History Dipesh Chakrabarty, Professor, History Daniel Brudney, Professor, Philosophy Robert Richards, Morris Fishbein Distinguished Service Professor, History Catherine Sullivan, Associate Professor, Visual Arts David Wellbery, LeRoy T. and Margaret Deffenbaugh Carlson University Professor, Germanic Studies and Social Thought Wendy Doniger, Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of the History of Religions, Divinity School David Levin, Professor, Theater & Performance Studies and Germanic Studies Haun Saussy, University Professor, Comparative Literature Eric Santner, Philip and Ida Romberg Distinguished Service Professor, Germanic Studies Nathan Tarcov, Professor, Social Thought Elaine Hadley, Professor, English Annie Dorsen, Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice, Theater and Performing Studies John Muse, Assistant Professor, English and Theater & Performance Studies Steven Rings, Associate Professor, Music Heidi Coleman, Senior Lecturer, Theater and Performance Studies Thomas Pavel, Professor, Romance Languages Florian Klinger, Associate Professor, Germanic Studies Anne Robertson, Claire Dux Swift Distinguished Service Professor of Music; Dean, Division of the Humanities Françoise Meltzer, Professor, Comparative Literature (Chair) and Divinity School Philip Bohlman, Ludwig Rosenberger Distinguished Service Professor in Jewish History, Music Danielle Roper, Provost’s Career Enhancement Postdoctoral Scholar, Romance Languages Nicholas Rudall, Professor Emeritus, Classics Richard Neer, William B. Ogden Distinguished Service Professor, Art History James Conant, Chester D. Tripp Professor of Humanities, Philosophy Catherine Baumann, Director, Chicago Language Center Margareta Christian, Assistant Professor, Germanic Studies Andrew Abbott, Gustavus F. and Ann M. Swift Distinguished Service Professor, Sociology Kimberly Kenny, Senior Lecturer, Norwegian Studies Michael LaBarbera, Emeritus Professor, Organismal Biology & Anatomy Andrei Pop, Associate Professor, Social Thought Salikoko Mufwene, Frank J. McLoraine Distinguished Service Professor, Linguistics Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, Associate Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures, HLBS Ben Laurence, Lecturer, Philosophy David Finkelstein, Associate Professor, Philosophy Itamar Francez, Assistant Professor, Linguistics James Wilson, Assistant Professor, Political Science Daisy Delogu, Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures Lauren Berlant, George M. Pullman Distinguished Service Professor, English Patrick Jagoda, Associate Professor, English and Cinema & Media Studies Charles Lipson, Peter B. Ritzma Professor, Political Science Loren Kruger, Professor, English James Chandler, Barbara E. and Richard J. Franke Professor, English Aaron Turkewitz, Professor, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Mark Berger, Collegiate Assistant Professor, Humanities Adom Getachew, Assistant Professor, Political Science Amy Dru Stanley, Associate Professor, History Mario Santana, Associate Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures Kristen Schilt, Associate Professor, Sociology Spencer Bloch, R.M. Hutchins D.S. Professor Emeritus, Mathematics Adrian Johns, Maclear Professor, History Bozena Shallcross, Professor, Slavic Languages and Literatures Francois Richard, Associate Professor, Anthropology Petra Goedegebuure, Associate Professor, Oriental Institute Norma Field, Robert Ingersoll Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, East Asian Languages and Civilizations Elena Bashir, Senior Lecturer, South Asian Languages & Civilizations Veronica Vegna, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Romance Languages and Literatures Lucia B. Rothman-Denes, A. J. Carlson Professor, Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology Choudhri Naim, Professor Emeritus, South Asian Languages & Civilizations Christopher Skelly, Associate Professor, Surgery William Sites, Associate Professor, School of Social Service Administration Joel Isaac, Associate Professor, Social Thought Na’ama Rokem, Associate Professor, Comparative Literature and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Howard Stein, Professor Emeritus, Philosophy Daniel Yohanna, Associate Professor and Interim Chair, Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience William Sewell, Frank P. Hixon Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, Political Science and History Laura Letinsky, Professor, Visual Arts Leora Auslander, Arthur and Joann Rasmussen Professor of Western Civilization, History Paola Iovene, Associate Professor, East Asian Languages and Civilizations David Orlinsky, Professor Emeritus, Comparative Human Development Moishe Postone, Professor, History Michael Bourdaghs, Robert S. Ingersoll Professor, East Asian Languages and Civilizations William Tait, Professor Emeritus, Philosophy Anna Mueller, Assistant Professor, Comparative Human Development Hans Schreiber, Professor, Pathology Michael Silverstein, C. F. Grey Distinguished Service Professor of Anthropology, Linguistics, and Psychology Fred Donner, Peter B. Ritzma Professor, Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations and Oriental Institute Matthew Boyle, Professor, Philosophy James Hopson, Emeritus Professor, Organismal Biology & Anatomy Allan Rechtschaffen, Professor Emeritus, Psychiatry and Psychology Jim Lastra, Associate Professor, Cinema and Media Studies Joshua Scodel, Helen A. Regenstein Professor, English Janet Johnson, Hull Professor of Egyptology, Oriental Institute and Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations Jennifer Cole, Professor, Comparative Human Development Godfrey Getz, Emeritus Professor, Pathology Seth Brodsky, Associate Professor, Music Elizabeth Asmis, Professor, Classics Nicole Marwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Service Administration Salomé Aguilera Skvirsky, Assistant Professor, Cinema and Media Studies Daniel Morgan, Associate Professor, Cinema and Media Studies Robert L. Kendrick, Professor, Music Jason Grunebaum, Senior Lecturer, South Asian Languages and Civilizations Janel Mueller, Dean of Humanities Emerita, William Rainey Harper Distinguished Service Professor Emerita, College Daniel Johnson, Professor, Pediatics John Woods, Professor, History Rachel DeWoskin, Lecturer, Creative Writing George S. Tolley, Professor Emeritus, Economics, and former Director of the Center for Urban Studies Anna Di Rienzo, Professor, Human Genetics Michael I. Allen, Associate Professor, Classics John McCormick, Professor, Political Science Ralph Austen, Emeritus Professor, History Neil Harris, Preston and Sterling Morton Professor Emeritus, History Joel Snyder, Professor, Art History Kenneth Warren, Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor, English Eve Ewing, Provost’s Postdoctoral Scholar & Assistant Professor, School of Social Service Administration Catherine Kearns, Assistant Professor, Classics James Shapiro, Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Travis A. Jackson, Associate Professor, Music Mark Bradley, Bernadotte E. Schmitt Distinguished Service Professor, History Douglas Bishop, Professor, Radiation and Cellular Oncology Jessica Baker, Assistant Professor, Music Christian Wedemeyer, Associate Professor, Divinity School Patchen Markell, Associate Professor, Political Science Hussein Ali Agrama, Associate Professor, Anthropology Andreas Glaeser, Professor, Sociology Alida Bouris, Associate Professor, School of Social Service Administration Joseph Masco, Professor, Anthropology Wadad Kadi, The Avalon Foundation Distinguished Service Professor Emerita, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Miguel Martinez, Assistant Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures Julie Orlemanski, Assistant Professor, English Darryl Li, Assistant Professor, Anthropology Cornell Fleischer, Kanuni Süleyman Professor of Ottoman and Modern Turkish Studies, History and Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Yali Amit, Professor, Statistics Maria Anna Mariani, Assistant Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures Jennifer Scappettone, Associate Professor, English, Creative Writing, Romance Languages and Literatures Elissa Weaver, Professor Emerita, Romance Languages & Literatures Gary Herrigel, Paul Klapper Professor, Political Science Larissa Brewer-García, Assistant Professor, Romance Languages and Literatures Colm O’Muircheartaigh, Professor, Harris School of Public Policy Jenny Trinitapoli, Associate Professor, Sociology Chad Broughton, Senior Lecturer, College George Tolley, Emeritus Professor, Economics, and Former Director, Center for Urban Studies Ross Stolzenberg, Professor, Sociology Kaushik Sunder Rajan, Professor, Anthropology
Ridgewood NJ, Find out what’s happening with the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce. The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 8pm at 27 Chestnut St., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL’S PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA JANUARY 10, 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)
Discussion
Ridgewood Water
Bond Ordinance – Carr GAC Treatment System
Award of Professional Services Contract – Public Policy Consultant
Award of Professional Services Contract – Change Order – Booster/Transfer Station Improvements
Award State Contract – Chlorine Analyzers and Supplies
Bid Rejection – Cedar Hill Rehabilitation
Award Contract – Cedar Hill Rehabilitation
Bid Rejection – 2018 Well Improvements
Parking
Discussion of Extension of Deadline for RFPs for Hudson Street Parking Garage
Budget
Award of Second Year of Contract – Maintenance of Irrigation Systems and Water Fountains
Amendment to Contract Previously Awarded– Two Police Vehicles
Bond Ordinance – Paving
Award of Bergen County Cooperative Purchasing Program – Rock Salt
Award of Professional Engineering Services – Phase I Security Improvements at Village Hall
Award Contract – Document Management System
Policy
Approve Mutual Aid Plan and Rapid Deployment Force
Discuss Compliance with Federal Civil Rights Requirements
Discuss Donations to Parks and Recreation Department – Community Center & Landscape Elements
Approve Continued Participation in Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Project
Encroachment – Enclosure for Restaurant Entrance
Continuation of Suspension of Ordinance for Certain Illuminated Signs
Municipal Charitable Deductions
Operations
Discuss Burbio Calendar App
Major Soil Permit
Report of Independent Arborist – Sycamore Tree at Graydon Pool
Improvements to Kings Pond Park
Review of December 13, 2017 Public Meeting Agenda
Manager’s Report
Council Reports
Public Comments (Not to Exceed 5 Minutes per Person)
Resolution to go into Closed Session
Closed Session
Personnel – Appointments to Boards and Committees; Re-Appointment of Registrar
Contract Negotiations – Elks Club
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood and Glen Rock Host 36th Annual Martin Luther King Day Observance is a Free Community Program will Feature The Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson, Student Speakers and Outdoor March .The Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson will deliver remarks addressing the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now!” as The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee of Ridgewood and Glen Rock hosts its 36th annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy.
The community is invited to attend this free event, which will take place on Monday, January 15, 2018 at the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, 100 Dayton St., in Ridgewood, New Jersey, starting at 10 a.m.
Rev. Sampson, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in New York, will be the guest speaker during an interfaith worship service, which will be followed by a march through downtown Ridgewood and a light lunch. The program also will 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 Mt. Bethel Baptist Church.
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Rev. Sampson has served as President of the Westchester County chapter of Operation PUSH, which was founded by Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1971 to improve the economic status of African Americans. Rev. Sampson also was chairman of the Westchester Church Community Campaign of the United Negro College Fund, and has been the host of the “Westchester Church News” radio broadcast on WVOX. He holds a Bachelors degree of Divinity and a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling from New York Theological Seminary, and received the LLD (Doctor of Laws for pastoral work in the ministry) from Lynchburg College.
“During the past year, there has been a growing sense of urgency around our country’s continued struggle for racial and social justice,” said Alice Newton, committee co-chair. “In Dr. King’s words, ‘This is no time for apathy or complacency,’ and we welcome Rev. Sampson’s insights and inspiration at a time when deliberate and thoughtful action is needed to achieve progress.”
The annual Ridgewood/Glen Rock Martin Luther King Jr. celebration began in 1983 in an effort to unite area residents, regardless of faith or ethnic background, in worship and action as they work towards peace and justice for all. More than 20 religious groups, local government and civic organizations participate in and support the event each year. For more information contact Alice Newton at 201-951-9903; email [email protected]; or follow Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Glen Rock/Ridgewood, N.J. on Facebook.
The committee also is co-sponsoring “Going Deeper: Exploring African-American Experiences, Challenges and Contributions in Ridgewood and Vicinity,” which will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ridgewood. The community is invited to join this important open dialogue led by Rev. Mack Brandon, Metropolitan AME Zion Church, and Rev. Lemuel Brown, Mt. Bethel Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Ken Gill of Emmanuel Baptist Church will moderate the discussion, which will be preceded by a Community Pasta Dinner at 6 p.m. To reserve a seat at the dinner, please call 201-444-7300
Ridgewood NJ, in his latest letter Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools promotes the value of the Global Classroom . While the blog has always been opposed to the idea of “small town small mind “, Perhaps after the recent run of events at the schools the superintendent’s time would be better spent focus on the problems of the here and now and addressing those issues ie fighting ,bullying , name calling and worst favoritism .
The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on December 29, 2017.
Over the past decade, I have had the pleasure of representing the United States on trips to different countries to learn about other educational systems and cultures. For example, I was fortunate to visit China the summer they hosted the Olympics and was surprised to see what looked like a semi-market economy. In Japan I visited the Hiroshima memorial site and witnessed firsthand how that country recovered post WWII. Finally, I was impressed on a trip to South Korea by how that country rose up from the ashes of the Korean War into a modern world economic power that is grateful to the USA for our intervention into that conflict.
These enriching trips were wonderful experiences that provided me with close-up and personal opportunities to observe a variety of educational practices in operation and learn about amazing countries and their beliefs, arts and traditions. They have also provided the district the opportunity to reciprocate and host representative educators around the globe back home in Ridgewood, for just as we have much to learn from our fellow educators abroad, our international colleagues wish to visit the USA because they want their school systems to emulate ours, too.
We are also fortunate to be able to offer several opportunities for our Ridgewood students and educators to travel abroad and engage with their fellow learners and educational professionals around the globe.
Here is a representative list of destinations, with brief program descriptions, that are made available to our Ridgewood students:
Ecuador, Iceland and Nicaragua RHS students travel on expeditions to Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Iceland with World Challenge School Expeditions. By managing important aspects of the entire experience, students gain life skills such as leadership, decision-making and teamwork – skills that are not easily taught in the classroom. EDUCATION CENTER 49 COTTAGE PLACE RIDGEWOOD NJ 07450 www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Australia and Sweden RHS Global Classroom Club is part of an international organization. The students spend the year doing research on a particular educational topic supplied by one of the member countries. Selected club members then travel to that country’s host school and present their findings at the Global Classroom Conference. The countries involved in this organization are Australia, New Zealand, The Czech Republic, Germany, The Shetland Islands, Sweden, South Africa, and the United States.
France, Germany, Japan, Spain, China and Italy RHS students have the opportunity to experience other cultural traditions and languages by participating in homestay visits with host families in international countries. RHS families have also hosted families from Germany, France, and Japan.
Switzerland RHS physics students visit the international European Organization for Nuclear Research, also known as CERN, as part of a trip to Switzerland. CERN is a research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
In sum, travel opportunities for our students and staff provide us all a chance to experience and better understand the world in which we live. They also help us expand our mission of excellence beyond our Ridgewood borders. I find that as we broaden our perspective of the world, we are better able to reflect on home and what makes us great as a country, state and community. These reflections then lead to being better role models.
Although we have very little control over the rhetoric on the national and global level, we do have influence on what happens in our community, our homes, our school district and classrooms. Travel, and exposure to other cultures and practices, helps us build respect for others that are so critical for our children to learn. If they are surrounded by good behavior, they will behave in a manner in which they are immersed.
During the holiday season, when we tend to reflect on the year that is coming to a close, I hope you are able to say that many good things came your way in 2017. I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools
