Search Results for: ration

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Manufacturers’ Optimism Hits 20-Year High in NAM Survey

Trump thumbs up

As Manufacturers Meet President Trump to Talk Regulations, Taxes and Infrastructure, Industry Is More Confident in Improving Business Climate

by Jennifer Drogus
March 31, 2017

Washington, D.C., Fresh off the heels of the third straight month of manufacturing job growth, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today released the first Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey since President Donald Trump took office. The survey shows a dramatic shift in sentiment, with more than 93 percent of manufacturers feeling positive about their economic outlook. This is the highest in the survey’s 20-year history, up from 56.6 percent one year ago and 77.8 percent in December.

The NAM’s release of the survey coincided with a meeting of small and medium-sized manufacturers at the White House today.

“Across America, manufacturers’ optimism is soaring, in no small part because of President Trump’s laser-like focus on pursuing bold action, particularly on rethinking red tape to address regulatory reform, to accelerate a jobs surge in America,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons.

“As the survey shows, manufacturers of all sizes are now less concerned about the business climate going forward because they are counting on President Trump to deliver results. Small manufacturers—more than 90 percent of our membership—are among the hardest hit by regulatory obstacles. Regulatory costs for small manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees total almost $35,000 per employee per year—money that could otherwise go to creating jobs. It’s encouraging to see an administration so focused on providing regulatory relief to spur manufacturing growth.

“We are grateful for the chance to meet with the president today as we continue to tell the White House directly which regulations are still the biggest obstacles to a manufacturing surge. There is much work to be done, and manufacturers have the solutions on regulatory reform as well as on infrastructure investment, workforce development, bold comprehensive tax reform and a host of other issues.”

The survey shows not only a positive outlook but also that concerns about the business environment have dropped. When manufacturers were asked to identify top challenges to their business, concerns about the business environment fell to third place. This had previously been respondents’ top concern since the question was added to the survey in 2011.

For the past 20 years, the NAM has surveyed its membership of more than 14,000 large and small manufacturers to gain insight into their economic outlook, hiring and investment decisions and business concerns. The NAM releases these results to the public each quarter.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

It was the hardest year yet to get accepted into Princeton

princeton

By Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on March 30, 2017 at 5:26 PM

PRINCETON — Flooded with a record-high 30,056 applications, Princeton University accepted just 1,890 students in its Class of 2021, a record-low 6.1 percent admission rate, the university announced.

The decisions, available for students to track online beginning at 5 p.m., leave thousands of top students rejected. More than 12,000 applicants had a 4.0 GPA in high school, according to the university.

Princeton accepted 6.4 percent of applicants last year.

“The admitted students will bring extraordinary talents, achievements and motivation to the Princeton community,” Dean of Admission Janet Lavin Rapelye said. “Their diverse range of skills, ideas, backgrounds and beliefs were evident to the committee as we gave careful consideration to each application.”

 

https://www.nj.com/education/2017/03/princeton_incoming_freshman_class_is_most_selectiv.html#incart_river_home

Posted on by — Leave a comment

FINE PRINT: LONG-SOUGHT COMPROMISE WILL INCREASE NJ PROPERTY-TAX TRANSPARENCY

Ridgewood_Real_estate_theridgewoodblog

file photo by Boyd Loving

JOHN REITMEYER | MARCH 31, 2017

An investigation originally undertaken by NJ Spotlight pays off as new property tax data will be posted on state’s governmental services website

What is going on: High property taxes have long been a top complaint of New Jersey homeowners, and a new law enacted by Gov. Chris Christie earlier this month following a compromise with lawmakers aims to help residents gain a better understanding of how their bills come together — and how state property-tax relief programs may help to offset them.

Thanks to the compromise, information about the state’s most popular property-tax relief program, as well as others, will be added to the comparative property-tax figures that are published each year on the website of the state Division of Local Government Services.

How we got here: The origins of the bill that was signed into law by Christie following an initial conditional veto go back to 2014, when lawmakers grew upset that Christie’s administration decided to remove a column from the DLGS website that depicted “average net-property taxes” being paid by homeowners in every town in New Jersey. The change was made as Christie, a second-term Republican, was preparing to run for president, and as he faced criticism for not doing enough to combat the property-tax burden, especially for low-income homeowners and seniors and the disabled.

Lawmakers took action after NJ Spotlight first reported on the change. Earlier reporting also tracked increases in average net-property taxes that occurred during Christie’s tenure.

The issue with average net property taxes: The state for years had calculated average net-property taxes by subtracting the average property-tax rebate provided through the state’s popular Homestead benefit program from the average property-tax bill that was paid on an annual basis by homeowners in every town. The information was released for each year on the DLGS website along with reams of other data, including detailed tax rates and property valuations broken down by county and town.

But Christie’s administration argued that the average net-property tax category was based on faulty math, since not every homeowner in every community qualifies for the Homestead benefit, which was converted from a rebate into a direct credit on property taxes shortly after Christie took office in 2010. The net property-tax bill was also determined using the average property-tax bill for all homeowners in a given town, and not using an “apples-to-apples” comparison of just the average property taxes paid by recipients of the Homestead program.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/03/30/fine-print-long-sought-compromise-will-increase-nj-property-tax-transparency/

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Ridgewood Historical Society : 100 Years ago this Friday, the U.S. entered WWI and declared War on Germany

world war one
March 31,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Following a vote by Congress approving a declaration of war, the U.S. entered World War I, 100 years ago this Friday, on April 6, 1917. Though the war had started years earlier in Europe, the U.S. had managed to stay neutral up to this point, but events finally forced it to join the Allies, Russia, the U.K. and France, in fighting the Germans.

More than 4 million American men and women went to Europe during this conflict; soldiers, nurses and doctors. On the home front people bought Liberty Bonds and started Victory Gardens. More than 17 million soldiers died in this conflict, more than 117,000 of them Americans – including 14 from Ridgewood.

The Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “From the American Revolution to the 1960’s Revolution”commemorates WWI with actual artifacts, weapons, equipment and uniforms from this period.

To see the WWI display as well as displays highlighting other significant events during this time, from wars, to the roaring twenties to the rocking 60’s; as well as histories of prominent Ridgewood residents, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, on East Glen Avenue. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturday 1-3pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org. for more information

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Ask Away: Why Are New Jersey Property Taxes So High?

ridgewood real-estate

3-30-17

By Michael Aron
Chief Political Correspondent

New Jersey is famous for saddling its homeowners with high tax bills. That prompted Paul Waters from Brigantine to ask, “Why are New Jersey property taxes some of the highest in the nation?”

There is not one answer.

Most obvious is that New Jersey has 565 municipalities, down from 567 — that’s 565 mayors, councils, town governments.

New Jersey also has more than 600 school districts, 586 of which are operational, each with its own superintendent and administrative structure.

Then there are the 21 county governments and their bureaucracies.

Public worker salaries and benefits are relatively high in New Jersey thanks to aggressive public sector unions.

Throw in the generally high cost of goods and services in the New York-Philadelphia region and you begin to see why our property taxes have been the highest in the nation for years.

https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/ask-away-new-jersey-property-taxes-high/

Posted on by — 22 Comments

Register Early and Save 2017 Graydon Pool membership begins on this Saturday, April 1

graydon-pool-kiddie-area-june-16-2011-www-preservegraydon-org
March 31,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Early registration for 2017 Graydon Pool membership begins on this Saturday, April 1, with a discount offered to Ridgewood residents who register during April.

Placemats for children to color can be found now at The Daily Treat, The Country Pancake House, Renato’s, Baumgart’s, and elsewhere. They were designed by Councilman Ramon Hache!

17632302 1960599120837525 6982159747950855910 o
Purchase Graydon Pool memberships beginning April 1st.
SAVE – Residents can enjoy a 10% discount on adult and child badges through April 30th.
Visa/MasterCard accepted.

CONTACTS
Pool Manager’s Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7002 (in season)
Badge Office – 201-670-5500, ext 7003 (in season only)
Recreation Office at The Stable- 201-670-5560
[email protected]

Parks, open space, facilities, year round recreational activities to meet the needs of all residents. All Village parks and recreational facilities are now smoke free.GRAYDON MEMBERSHIP RATES – On sale beginning April 1st

RESIDENT GRAYDON POOL MEMBERSHIPS
Village priced memberships are available to Ridgewood residents, non-residents who pay local property taxes to the Village of Ridgewood, and employees of the Village of Ridgewood and Board of Education.  Proof is required.
ADULT – $120.00     Purchase between April 1 and April 30 and save 10%
CHILD – (ages 2-15, under 2 free) $110.00     Purchase between April 1 and April 30 and save 10%
SENIOR – $30.00 (62 and older)
PERMANENT DISABLED – $30.00
LATE SEASON ADULT MEMBERSHIP – $60.00  (available August 1st)
LATE SEASON CHILD MEMBERSHIP – $55.00 (available August 1st)
DAILY PASS – $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

NON-RESIDENT GRAYDON POOL MEMBERSHIPS
The Village Council and the Ridgewood Department of Parks and Recreation are pleased to invite all families in the surrounding area to join the Graydon Pool facility for the 2017 summer season.
ADULT (ages 16 and up) – $200.00
CHILD (ages 2-15) – $175.00
GUEST PASSES (must be accompanied by 2017 season member)- $10.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

TENNIS BADGES
RESIDENT ADULT – $35.00
RESIDENT CHILD – $30.00
NON-RESIDENT ADULT – $45.00
NON-RESIDENT CHILD – $40.00
DAILY PASS – $5.00
BADGE REPLACEMENT – $5.00

Tennis Rules/Regulations and Badge Memberships

Purchase all badges from the comfort of home via CommunityPass (Visa and Mastercard accepted).  In person assistance is available daily at the Graydon Badge Office, on site at the pool facility.  Hours vary by season dates.

GRAYDON POOL AMENITIES

Pool features include a shaded playground, water play fountains, shade kites, Adirondack chairs, a picnic area with charcoal grills, a sheltered pavilion, and the Water’s Edge Cafe.  Additional amenities include volleyball, basketball, ping-pong, shuffleboard, four-squares, hop-scotch, backgammon, a lending library and for the little ones, “Storytime” under the Graydon pavilion.

SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Applications are being sought for the many summer positions available with the Parks and Recreation Department including Day Camp Administrators, Day Camp Counselors, Graydon Pool Lifeguards, Security Attendants, and Badge Sale Attendants. Concession Attendant applications will be shared with the Water’s Edge vendor. NOTE: Day Camp staff attendance is mandatory for the full six week program, June 26 to August 4, 2017.
Applications will be considered for experience, interests, and accomplishments.

Mail completed applications to The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
2017 Seasonal Employment Application
2017 Waterfront Lifeguard Employment Application for Graydon Pool

WATERFRONT LIFEGUARD TRAINING – NEW AND RECERT

WP 20160702 037 1

file photo by Boyd Loving

Waterfront lifeguard training for a sand-bottom facility will be offered at Graydon Pool – both new and bridge/recertification classes available.  Registration form/details in the link below:

Waterfront Lifeguard Training – New and Recertification/Bridging 2017

Register online via CommunityPass (under Graydon Pool) or in person/by mail to the Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue, Ridgewood NJ  07450 beginning April 1st.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

PSE&G to paving in Ridgewood

Road_work_theridgewoodblog
March 30,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, After PSE&G upgrades the gas lines in your neighborhood, we first wait for the ground to settle and then return to restore roads with permanent paving in accordance with each town’s ordinance and paving requirements. Our goal is to complete this work with minimal impact to customers. Police will be directing traffic, and residents will be able to drive on the roads once paving is complete. You will have access to your driveway throughout the work.

If you have any questions about the restoration process, you may call and leave a voicemail (Oakland Gas District 201-337-2519)

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to complete these important upgrades to your gas service – ensuring the safety and reliability of your gas service now, and for many years to come.

The streets below are scheduled to be paved, with an approximate start date of March 28th and completion date of April 4th. Please remember that this work is weather dependent and the schedule may be adjusted if necessary.

Alpine Terrace

East Glen
West Glen
Posted on by — 5 Comments

TRUMP ENDS YEARS OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH

16601639 10155056993625799 6819157838572236604 o

“Any regulation that is outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers, or contrary to the national interest will be scrapped.” – Donald J. Trump

YEARS OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH: President Donald J. Trump has inherited the bloated regulatory regime of the past Administration.

According to the American Action Forum, the regulations from the Obama Administration cost United States taxpayers a total of $873 billion.

The Obama Administration issued 3,037 finalized regulations.

GETTING GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY: Today, President Trump signed legislation to help eliminate unnecessary, harmful, and job-killing regulations.

Earlier today, President Trump signed four bills under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), in one of the few times the CRA has been used to cancel Federal regulations.
House Joint Resolution 37 will roll back the “blacklisting” rule that empowers big law firms to get rich by suing American companies and workers who contract with the Federal Government.
House Joint Resolution 44 removes the Bureau of Land Management’s “Planning 2.0” rule to prevent further centralization of Federal land management decisions at the expense of local citizens.
House Joint Resolutions 57 and 58 eliminate layers of bureaucracy that could have cost State and local school systems millions of dollars, while encouraging freedom and innovation in our schools.

CUTTING RED TAPE ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT: President Trump has signed Executive Orders and legislation to cut regulations that get in the way of Americans.

President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
President Trump ordered agencies to create Regulatory Reform Task Forces to identify costly and unnecessary regulations.
President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing Federal agencies to minimize the burden of the Affordable Care Act on Americans while he works to repeal and replace it.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 41, to eliminate a costly regulation that threatened to put American mining and energy companies and their employees at an unfair disadvantage.
President Trump directed the Secretary of Commerce to develop a plan to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturers.
President Trump signed an Executive Order expediting the environmental review and approval processes for domestic infrastructure projects.
President Trump directed the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a full review of the burdensome regulations required by the Dodd-Frank Act.
President Trump ordered a re-examination of the Department of Labor’s “fiduciary rule,” to make certain that it does not harm Americans as they save for retirement.

KEEPING HIS PROMISES TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE: President Donald J. Trump has promised the country he would cut needless regulation.

While campaigning for President, Donald Trump promised to cut regulations massively.
While campaigning for President, Donald Trump vowed to cut any regulation that is outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers, or contrary to the national interest.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Trump Pushes Energy Independence

Trump Signs 3 Sweeping Executive Orders

“I am going to lift the restrictions on American energy, and allow this wealth to pour into our communities.” – Donald J. Trump

MUCH NEEDED REFORM: The past Administration burdened Americans with costly regulations that harmed American jobs and energy production.

The previous Administration’s Clean Power Plan could cost up to $39 billion a year and increase electricity prices in 41 States by at least ten percent, according to NERA Economic Consulting.
The Clean Power Plan would cause coal production to fall by 242 million tons, according to the National Mining Association.
27 states, 24 trade associations, 37 rural electric co-ops, and 3 labor unions are challenging the Clean Power Plan in Federal court.

AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE: President Donald J. Trump’s Energy Independence Policy Executive Order reverses the regulations on American jobs and energy production.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs the Environmental Protection Agency to suspend, revise, or rescind four actions related to the Clean Power Plan that would stifle the American energy industry.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs the Attorney General to seek appropriate relief from the courts over pending litigation related to the Clean Power Plan.

President Trump’s Executive Order rescinds Executive and Agency actions centered on the previous administration’s climate change agenda that have acted as a road block to energy independence.

President Trump’s Executive Order lifts the ban on Federal leasing for coal production.
President Trump’s Executive Order lifts job-killing restrictions on the production of oil, natural gas, and shale energy.

President Trump’s Executive Order directs all agencies to conduct a review of existing actions that harm domestic energy production and suspend, revise, or rescind actions that are not mandated by law.

Within 180 days, agencies must finalize their plans.

President Trump’ Executive Order directs agencies to use the best available science and economics in regulatory analysis, which was not utilized by the previous administration.

It disbands the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases.

By revisiting the federal overreach on energy regulation, President Trump is returning power to the states – where it belongs.

FREEING AMERICA’S POTENTIAL: President Trump has worked tirelessly to free American industry and ingenuity from the constraints of Government overreach.

President Trump has signed four pieces of legislation to clear burdensome and costly regulations on energy production from the previous Administration.
President Trump has required that for every new Federal regulation, two existing regulations be eliminated.
President Trump has directed each agency to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to identify costly and unnecessary regulations in need of modification or repeal.
President Trump has directed the Department of Commerce to streamline Federal permitting processes for domestic manufacturing and to reduce regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturers.
President Trump signed legislation, House Joint Resolution 38, to prevent the burdensome “Stream Protection Rule” from causing further harm to the coal industry.
President Trump ordered the review of the “Clean Water Rule: Definition of Waters of the United States,” known as the WOTUS rule, to evaluate whether it is stifling economic growth or job creation.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum and gave a Presidential permit to clear roadblocks to construct the Keystone XL Pipeline.
President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum declaring that the Dakota Access Pipeline serves the national interest and initiating the process to complete its construction.

FULFILLING HIS PROMISE: By taking action on the Clean Power Plan, President Trump is fulfilling his promise to the American people.

As a candidate, Mr. Trump promised “we will eliminate… the Clean Power Plan—these unilateral plans will increase monthly electric bills by double-digits without any measurable improvement in the climate.”

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Commentary: Jersey plan would exacerbate pension problems

Village Council Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

Updated: MARCH 28, 2017 — 11:19 AM EDT

by Steve Malanga

State legislators worried about New Jersey’s deep pension debt are contemplating turning over administration of one of the largest retirement funds to workers and retirees. The idea behind the move sounds simple: Workers and retirees, who are beneficiaries of the system, can be relied on to run it well.

The only problem is that this has already been tried around the country and has helped create some of the nation’s biggest pension fiascos, as workers and unions have managed pensions for their benefit, leaving taxpayers on the hook for huge losses. This is not the kind of reform that Jersey residents facing tens of billions of dollars in pension debt need.

The Legislature has already passed a bill, now awaiting Gov. Christie’s signature, that turns over management of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), run by the Treasury Department, to a 12-member board of trustees dominated by beneficiaries. One justification for the bill is anger that the State Investment Council, which directs pension fund investing, has been paying Wall Street firms big fees, but returns haven’t lived up to expectations.

https://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20170329_Commentary__Jersey_plan_would_exacerbate_pension_problems.html

Posted on by — Leave a comment

the Ridgewood Police Department is pleased to announce the 4th annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy

Ridgewood Police

March 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police Department is pleased to announce the 4th annual Chief Michael Feeney, Jr. Police Academy scheduled from Thursday June 23rd through Friday June 30th 2017, at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. The Academy is open to Ridgewood residents entering 6th 7th and 8th grades in the fall of 2017.

Last year’s academy featured demonstrations from The Ridgewood Police Department, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and Bomb Squad, Police Motorcycles, Ridgewood Emergency Services, FBI, Ridgewood Fire Department, State Police Helicopter landing, Tactical driving, as well as demonstrations from various other agencies. A field trip to the Bergen County Law and Public Safety Complex in Mahwah is also scheduled.

Applications will be available online in community pass or at the Ridgewood Police Station 2nd floor police desk after April 15th 2017.

For more information contact Lt.Glenn Ender
[email protected]

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Bergen County Sees Uptick in Leptospirosis, Disease That Can Kill Dogs

ridgewood 4th parade rescuedogs theridgewoodblog.net

March 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital On February 14, 2017, the New York City Department of Health announced three human cases of Leptospirosis, two with pulmonary hemorrhage and one fatal as a result of infection. Recently there have also been outbreaks in Chicago and Arizona, where dozens of dogs have been infected.  Now, there have been reports of 6 cases in New Jersey, including 5 dogs in Bergen County.

NBC explained , ‘Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection dogs can catch from wildlife like squirrels and rats. The disease passes through urine, which pets may lick up when drinking from puddles or other standing water.’

The Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital  the symptoms in dogs may be any of these: lethargy, loss of appetite, depression, fever, dehydration, weakness, diarrhea, and vomiting. Leptospirosis can become life threatening in a very short period of time.

The best protection is prevention, and there is a canine vaccine for Leptospirosis. While cats can also be infected, there is no vaccine for cats at this time.

If you are not certain if your dog is protected, you can see your dog’s vaccination status through Pet Portals on our website: www.ridgewoodvet.com. If you are not registered, you can register there as well.

If your dog has never been vaccinated against Leptospirosis, or is overdue, please call our office to be scheduled immediately. If overdue, only one vaccination is required. If never vaccinated, a series of two is required.

If your dog is due within the next 60 days, we recommend giving the vaccine now to insure maximum antibody protection during this increased risk period as opposed to minimal protection possible at the end of the vaccine period.

Please call our office now to schedule an appointment if your dog is overdue, never had, or due within 60 days for the Leptospirosis Vaccine.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Christie dares NJ sanctuary cities to risk losing federal funds

Chris_christie_theridgewoodblog

By Sergio Bichao March 27, 2017 7:39 PM

Gov. Chris Christie told the mayors of the state’s two largest cities to “have at it” by declaring themselves “sanctuary” cities after the Trump administration once again threatened to cut federal funding.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Monday said such cities — which refuse to use municipal resources to enforce federal immigration laws — risk losing grants that already have been awarded.

“People should just comply with the law,” Christie said Monday during his monthly appearance on New Jersey 101.5’s “Ask The Governor.”

After Trump signed an executive order in January that would defund cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration authorities, Christie advised municipalities to take Trump at his word.

Christie also has vowed to veto any measure that would use state dollars to reimburse sanctuary cities for lost federal funds.

On Monday he called Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka by name.

“If they engage in voluntary conduct — which means sanctuary city is not mandated by the state; it’s voluntary conduct — then they think it’s important enough for their taxpayers to pick up the tab. Their call.

“Mayor Fulop, Mayor Baraka — have at it.”

Read More: Christie dares NJ sanctuary cities to risk losing federal funds | https://nj1015.com/christie-dares-nj-sanctuary-cities-to-risk-losing-federal-funds/?trackback=tsmclip

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Sessions takes aim at ‘dangerous’ sanctuary cities, warns on funding

sen-jeff-sessions-2012-reuters-640x480

Published March 27, 2017 FoxNews.com

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired a broadside at so-called “sanctuary cities” Monday, telling reporters local policies of noncooperation with immigration authorities are “dangerous” and will cost communities federal funding.

In the Trump administration’s most pointed warning yet, Sessions said federal law allows withholding of federal funding to sanctuary cities, and signaled that such measures will soon be taken. Sessions, who took the podium at White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s regular media briefing, warned of a pending crackdown by the administration.

“Such policies cannot continue,” he said. “They make our nation less safe by putting dangerous criminals back on the street.”

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/27/sessions-takes-aim-at-dangerous-sanctuary-cities-warns-on-funding.html

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood High School Bands to Hold Annual Spring Concert

RHS Band

March 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, On Wednesday, March 29, the Ridgewood High School Bands will perform their annual Spring Concert. The concert, which will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church, begins at 7:30 PM and admission is free. This concert will feature the school’s three curricular bands – the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble – and will feature a varied, exciting program.

The Symphonic Band, under the direction of John Luckenbill and Jeffrey Haas, will begin the concert with William Owens’ celebratory fanfare Festival Proclamation. The beautiful Highbridge Excursions by Mark Williams, follows in the program with a nod to the Scottish folksong style, and Karl L. King’s famous American march Gallant Marines closes their portion of the program. The RHS Concert Band, also led by Luckenbill and Haas, will continue the program by opening with the up tempo overture River Valley Celebration, by David Gorham. Goddess of Fire, Steven Reineke’s epic programmatic work depicting the legend of Pele is next in the program, followed by John Philip Sousa’s popular march, The Fairest of the Fair.
Finally, under the baton of Jeffrey Haas, the RHS Wind Ensemble will perform the exciting Exultation, a fast-paced opener with rhythms borrowed from Latin dance genres, Life Dances, an overture celebrating the various stages of a person’s life, and Alfred Reed’s masterpiece Russian Christmas Music, a piece written for and originally performed at a concert held in 1944 as a means of easing Russian-American tensions during World War II.
The Ridgewood High School Band Program is Bergen County’s largest, comprised of more than 230 students who participate in no fewer than 15 varied musical ensembles. The curricular bands, marching band, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, winter color guard and twirlers have been acclaimed locally, regionally, and nationally for superior performance. Individually, members of the Ridgewood High School Bands are chosen annually to perform in honor ensembles at the county, regional, state, and national levels.