New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the nation, a crushing burden to middle-class families and indisputably the top concern of voters.
It’s a problem that can’t be solved until we contain the salaries and benefits of public workers. That is not a liberal view, or a conservative view. It is about the math. And it’s up to the next governor to face it.
The first test is coming soon, when a law setting a 2 percent cap on salary increases for police and firefighters in arbitration settlements is set to expire in December. The Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, wants to renew the cap. But the front-runner, Democrat Phil Murphy, is keeping his options open.
Sheila McPherson is listed as a homemaker on an Internal Revenue Service report from the Democratic Governors Association. This year, Ms. McPherson donated $80,000 to the association, the first time, records show, that she gave to the national group. She also sent $10,000 to the New Jersey Democratic Committee.
Mrs. McPherson, who lists her residence in Rutherford, N.J., is married to Kenneth McPherson, a lawyer at a powerful firm, Waters, McPherson, McNeill.
Had her donations gone directly to Philip D. Murphy, the Democratic candidate for governor in New Jersey, it would have prevented her husband’s firm from getting any state contracts under a potential Murphy administration, the result of New Jersey’s strict pay-to-play laws. She also would have been able to give only $4,300 to Mr. Murphy directly.
Had she donated to any of the officials in counties where her husband’s firm has contracts, which total about $630,000, according to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, they too would have come under scrutiny for potential pay-to-play violations.
Ridgewood NJ, BOE regular public meeting Monday August 28,2017, 5pm-7pm .
At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 6:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 5:30 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda.
The second opportunity will occur at about 6:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.
At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics. At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times. Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds. Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.
Advisory: ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Berkeley Place – Carlton Place – Elmwood Avenue
ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE:
Berkeley Place – Carlton Place – Elmwood Avenue
On Monday August 28th milling will take place in preparation for paving. On Wednesday & Thursday August 30th and 31st paving will be done.
All vehicles must be removed from these streets by 7:30AM. Emergency No Parking Regulations will be enforced. Vehicles left on the street obstructing roadway repairs will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Access to these roadways during and immediately after paving will be limited. Residents should plan according.
Any question, please contact the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980.
Trenton NJ, New Jersey law will no longer require sleigh bells attached to horse-drawn sleighs on highways under legislation introduced by Assemblyman Ron Dancer. The legislator sponsors two bills removing antiquated sections of state law, “It’s like cleaning out your basement. You find some things that have outlived their usefulness and it’s time to let them go,” said Dancer (R-Ocean). “We don’t need a sleigh bell law. There was a place for it a long time ago, but now we’re discussing laws to regulate driverless cars.”
Dancer’s bill repealing the sleigh bell law (A5169) also abolishes a World War II-era statute legally defining the words “present war” as the military conflicts with Japan, German and Italy.
Another bill (A5170) rescinds two provisions from 1931 prohibiting the transportation of “any poor person” between counties. The Legislature created the State Pension Survey Commission in 1930. In its February 1931 report, the commission recommended that the county welfare boards assume responsibility for the administration of welfare programs, replacing municipal almshouses and poor houses. The purpose of the recommendation was to provide uniformity and efficiency in the administration of welfare programs.
“The archaic statutes are irrelevant and useless, and they should be retired,” said Dancer. “It’s time to bring our laws into the 21st century.”
Location: E. Ridgewood Ave. and Memorial Park, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce presents their….24th Annual Car Show
It has been said that this is the best night time car show in NJ.
Over 400 cars from all over the USA.
The parking is on a first come basis starting around 4:00pm.
Pre-registration will be available until 9/7/17 at $20. If you have pre-registered, put your car certificate on your windshield and you will be waved on.
On 9/8/17 all registration will be done at the show at $25. Enter to register on Walnut and Franklin Ave. (across from TD Bank).
You will be given a certificate for your windshield.
NO ONE will be allowed in without a car certificate.
For pedestrian safety, the police have told us NO-ONE is allowed to leave before 9pm…when they will open the streets.
This is a charity event, proceeds go towards scholarships for kids going to college.
Ridgewood NJ, Democrat Senator Bob Menendez is about to go on trial for corruption in New Jersey and a federal judge has ordered that the Senator physically remain in the court room throughout the entire process.
Senator Menendez countered by filing a request to the court asking if he could leave for votes in the Senate. Federal prosecutors filed a scathing opposition to the request and reminded him he isn’t above the law simply because he is a U.S. Senator.
“After being indicted twice for depriving the people who elected him of their right to his honest services, defendant Robert Menendez now demands that this Court disrupt his criminal trial so that he can perform his duties as a United States Senator. Defendant Menendez was indicted in 2015 and 2016 for bribery, conspiracy, honest services fraud, false statements, and violating the Travel Act. Those indictments allege a seven-year bribery conspiracy in which he traded the power of his public office for a lavish lifestyle that included private jet rides and vacations in Paris and the Caribbean,”
They continued , “The only reason defendant Menendez’s trial is scheduled for September 2017, almost two-and-a-half years after he was first indicted by a grand jury, is because he has spent that time pursuing a meritless argument that the Constitution immunizes him from prosecution—an argument that has been rejected by every judge to have considered it. Now he seeks to use his status as a United States Senator to pick and choose the dates on which his criminal trial will be conducted.”
Adding , “the Arrest Clause does not exalt Members of Congress to a status above the law:It is, therefore, sufficiently plain that the constitutional freedom from arrest does not exempt Members of Congress from the operation of the ordinary criminal laws,even though imprisonment may prevent or interfere with the performance of their duties as Members.”
Ending with ,”This is not the first time defendant Menendez has sought special treatment from this Court. At defendant Menendez’s very first appearance, he asked to be exempted from the routine requirement that defendants surrender their personal passports because of his status as a United States Senator,” the response continues. “This case began with defendant Menendez being treated like any other defendant, and it should end that way….only a United States Senator can try to hide behind the very office he corrupted to avoid accountability to the public for his actions.”
Advisory: ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: South Highwood Avenue – Highwood Terrance – Ferguson Place
ROAD CONSTRUCTION NOTICE:
South Highwood Avenue – Highwood Terrance – Ferguson Place
On Saturday August 26th milling will take place in preparation for paving. On Wednesday & Thursday August 30th and 31st paving will be done.
All vehicles must be removed from these streets by 7:30AM. Emergency No Parking Regulations will be enforced. Vehicles left on the street obstructing roadway repairs will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Access to these roadways during and immediately after paving will be limited. Residents should plan according.
Any question, please contact the Glen Rock DPW at (201) 670-3980.
HOW TO KEEP KIDS SAFE ON FACEBOOK, SNAPCHAT, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, ONLINE APPS + MORE
August 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, How can you keep children safe on social networks like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter, and protect their privacy on online apps? At what age should kids be allowed on these services? And what’s the best way to monitor their social media activity – as well as address any concerns that may come up?
You’ll find answers to these questions and more in new book , by author Scott Steinberg ,THE MODERN PARENT’S GUIDE TO FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL NETWORKS (https://www.AKeynoteSpeaker.com/Parents) – the ultimate guide to navigating today’s fast-moving social media landscape and keeping kids safe on the Internet – out today from bestselling keynote speaker and trends expert Scott Steinberg. Providing the answers that parents and teachers need to know to teach responsible social media habits, protect children’s privacy, and make social networks a more positive part of household and classroom life, THE MODERN PARENT’S GUIDE TO FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL NETWORKS offers crucial insights for equipping kids with all the tools that they to succeed in a connected world.
Designed to help kids and parents stay ahead of fast-changing online apps, and services, the book provides a vital resource for managing the use of high-tech devices and navigating today’s rapidly-evolving social media landscape. Important questions you’ll find answered inside include:
• How can you keep kids safe on social networks?
• Which types of information are OK to share on the Internet?
• What’s the best way to handle online and high-tech threats?
• How can you teach responsible online habits?
• What can you do to manage your family’s online reputation?
Want to keep your family safe? Know who your kids are connecting with? Teach positive online habits? Don’t miss THE MODERN PARENT’S GUIDE TO FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL NETWORKS – a must-read for any adult raising children in the digital and online age.
THE MODERN PARENT’S GUIDE TO FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL NETWORKS presents a groundbreaking guide on how to keep kids safe on social media services, how to protect their privacy online, and what parents need to know about popular social networks like Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and more. Designed to help kids and parents stay ahead of fast-changing online apps and services, it’s a vital resource for navigating today’s fast-evolving social media landscape. THE MODERN PARENT’S GUIDE TO FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL NETWORKS decodes the world of social media for today’s family and offers a complete range of expert hints, tips and solutions for ensuring that parents and kids alike can enjoy healthier and more rewarding experiences online. Topics covered include the use of social networks; keeping kids safe online; managing the use of high-tech devices and apps; and more.
Author Scott Steinberg was recently named the Master of Innovation by Fortune magazine, award-winning professional speaker Scott Steinberg is among today’s top trends experts and futurists, as seen in 600+ outlets from CNN to Time and The Wall St. Journal. The bestselling author of Make Change Work for You: 10 Ways to Future-Proof Yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed Despite Uncertainty and Millennial Marketing: Bridging the Generation Gap, he heads management consulting and market research firm TechSavvy Global, which helps clients identify and adapt to emerging trends. A top-rated keynote speaker and the host of Next Up on NewsWatch, he provides presentations and training workshops at events, meetings and conferences. His website is www.AKeynoteSpeaker.com
…I am a ‘new’ resident with non-school age children who has paid $120k in taxes over the last 4 years. And some ‘old’ 25+yr residents made a pretty penny when they sold their house to me to decamp to Florida….
Anyone who purchased property anywhere 25 years ago can sell it for more than they paid for it. BFD. Home values in 07450 did not outpace the increase of any other town. It’s called inflation. And the IRS allows a slight exemption to those selling, but does not index it for inflation.
So your point is moot. (Resident here since 1969 paying lots of taxes and never had any children in the schools). There has always been a gradual turnover/migration out of here when the typical resident moves after their kids graduate. The obvious point being made is that if you increase that level of seniors leaving (who subsidize those with school age children ) it will cost the remaining residents exponentially more.
Meet Kelly Kelly. She is a 36 year old mother of two who was found to have gallstones two years ago. She was on Medicaid. She had frequent abdominal pain that sent her to the ER many times. The solution for gallstones is removal of the gallbladder, but she could not find a surgeon who takes Medicaid. When she was diagnosed, she went to her primary Medicaid doctor and was told that having the gallbladder removed would increase her chances of getting diabetes. Another told her to eat hummus and couscous and take probiotics.
One ER physician told her that with her Medicaid “insurance” she would need to be dying to get an operation– which meant having the gallbladder be on the verge of bursting. Apparently, only a fever, high white cell count and elevated liver enzymes qualified for an admission and emergency surgery. Persistent gallbladder pain only qualifies for 5 days of pain meds.
She called the offices of many surgeons and was always rebuffed– “We don’t take Medicaid.”
Half the patients we see at the Zarephath Health Center are on Medicaid and cannot find a doctor. Most notably, patients who need psychiatrists, pain control specialists and those who need surgery on a non-emergent basis are out of luck. This is especially irksome since the taxpayers of NJ are paying $15 billion on Medicaid per year, up because most newly insured patients under the Affordable Care Act are on Medicaid.
We at the Zarephath Health Center work to find solutions. We called a local surgeon and offered to have the Zarephath Health Center pay a fair fee. The surgery is being scheduled for next week and we will follow up.
This demonstrates why we need NJ S239– the Volunteer Medical Professional Health Care Act. Tell Senator Vitale to bring it up before the NJ Senate Health Committee.
Ridgewood NJ, We are very excited to announce New Jersey Choral Society’s 2017-18 Jubilee Season Celebrating Linda Sweetman-Waters’ 30th Anniversary Season! We will be studying Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, join in song with a “Celebration of Carols” and launch our first Global Rhythms youth concert. We will be auditioning students grades 6-12 for two separate youth choirs this year, Choraleers (our treble ensemble) and Chorale (our SATB chorus).
Auditions will be held on Monday, August 28th from 4-6 pm at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 169 Fairmount Road, Ridgewood, NJ. (Please visit our website at https://njcs.org/current-njcs-si…/njcs-youth-chorus-auditions where audition materials are posted. Materials need to be emailed to the director at [email protected] and audition fees can be delivered at audition. Once forms are submitted, an audition time will be assigned by the director. Students must schedule an audition time prior to audition. Feel free to email with any questions you might have. Please share this opportunity with any friend or student that would benefit from study in our program!
One parent remarked after hearing a concert June 2016: “This experience has been amazing for [my daughter] and for us! She loves to sing but was reluctant in the beginning. That reluctance has turned into an absolute love of singing with NJCS and The Festival Youth Chorus!!!” At the conclusion of this concert year, six students were featured on Belle’s recent Pop Single entitled “Unified” (which can be viewed at https://www.bellesongs.com). A number of our families traveled to Italy to watch their students perform in Verdi’s Requiem at Teatro Sociale and remarked that it was a “life-changing experience.” It is our hope to impact the youth of Northern New Jersey in a similar and profound way.
Pj Blogger at Constitution Hall at the 1st Amendment
Court: Residents Can’t Mention “Islam” or “Muslim” At Public Hearing on Mosque Construction; Thomas More Law Center Files Federal Lawsuit
August 24, 2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog and the Thomas More Law Center
Bernards Township NJ, In a settlement agreement, which reads more like an instrument of surrender, Bernards Township (“Township”), New Jersey officials agreed that, in addition to a $3.5 million payment to Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (“ISBR”), residents and citizens of the Township are prohibited from commenting on “Islam” or “Muslims.” at the upcoming public hearing to approve the settlement. Astonishingly, a federal judge approved the prohibition as a fully enforceable Order of the Court.
As a result of this suppression of speech, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, yesterday, filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court on behalf of Christopher and Loretta Quick. The lawsuit was filed by TMLC affiliated New Jersey attorney, Michael Hrycak. Mr. Hrycak was assisted by TMLC staff attorney, Tyler Brooks. The TMLC is representing the Quicks without charge.
TMLC’s lawsuit alleges that Bernards Township’s settlement agreement constitutes a prior restraint on speech based on content, as well as, a violation of the Establishment Clause because it prefers Islam over other religions. The lawsuit asks the court to: declare that the settlement agreement is unconstitutional; and to enter a preliminary and permanent injunction against its enforcement.
Read TMLC’s entire Federal Complaint here.
The Quicks reside within 200 feet of the proposed mosque construction in a zoned residential area. Yet, the settlement agreement prohibits them from describing the many unique features of Islamic worship which will impact design of the building, traffic density, water and sewage, traffic control problems, road construction, and parking arrangements. According to the settlement agreement, ISBR is permitted to make statements concerning Christians and Jews and their places of worship, but in contrast, the Agreement prohibits commentary relating to Islam or Muslims. In fact, ISBR has previously discussed the Christian and Jewish religions and their places of worship.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented: “As we have previously documented, ISBR has taken the extraordinary step of concealing significant links on their website to a radical group named by the federal government as an unindicted co-conspirator in the largest terrorism financing trial in America history, the Islamic Society of North America (“ISNA”). ISNA is claimed by the Muslim Brotherhood as one of “our organizations.” According to internal documents seized by the FBI, the Muslim Brotherhood’s strategy is to engage in a “grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying Western civilization from within . . .”
Thompson continued, “While claiming that the Township had a religious animus against Muslims, ISBR hid from the public view its animus toward Christians and Jews, by not only hiding anti-Christian and anti-Semitic verses published on its website, but also hiding its significant ties to ISNA. Instead of standing up to defend its citizens against ISBR’s hate-filled anti-Semitic and anti-Christian bias, the Township colluded with ISBR’s “Civilization Jihad” by capitulating to payment of millions of dollars to ISBR, allowing the construction of the new mosque and Islamic center in violation of zoning codes, and now even suppressing speech concerning Islam or Muslims at a public meeting.”
In March 2016, ISBR filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Federal District Court alleging that Bernards Township had discriminated against the Islamic Society when it declined to approve the construction of a large mosque on a lot that was far too small to handle the contemplated structure. And in November 2016, the United States represented by the U. S. Justice Department filed a second lawsuit against the Township on similar grounds. The settlement agreement covers both lawsuits.
Read the entire Settlement Agreement and Court Order here.
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.
….The problem with weekends after Labor Day is that everyone has pushed past summer and is I to soccer practice and birthday parties and lacrosse and cross country, you name it. Weekends are booked from the moment the school bell rings. Sad, but true……
Glen Rock pool is open after Labor Day on weekends. Correct me if I am wrong.What about adults who want to use Graydon Sept. weekends. Oh, I get it , I am a senior who would love Graydon open anytime in Sept. after Labor Day, but I don’t count. Why is it always the kids and not the adults and NEVER the seniors who are taken into consideration for fun things. That crappy senior center, with dottering exercise classes and trips where the main event is a fattening lunch, SCREW THAT. No healthy senior would join that. I sure in hell wouldn’t. And I am in my mid seventies.
Erica JedynakPublished 11:28 a.m. ET Aug. 22, 2017 | Updated 1:54 p.m. ET Aug. 22, 2017
New Jersey’s pension system is failing, and it is going to take a lot of good people down with it.
That sad fact adds a touch of poignancy – along with a dash of frustration – to the latest bad news on the state’s finances. The Mercatus Center, a think tank based at George Mason University, recently rated New Jersey’s state finances as the worst in the country.
While some of the data might seem obscure to non-accountants, the problems are all too straightforward – over-promising and underfunding. Successive administrations and legislative majorities of both parties have made overgenerous commitments, then failed to fund them, leaving a tab that the state’s future taxpayers cannot possibly cover.
New Jersey’s public pension crisis is a stark case in point. With more than $235 billion in unfunded liabilities – $26,000 for every man, woman and child – the state’s retirement system is among the worst in the nation. And while you’re reading this, the problem – decades in the making – is getting worse.
