>that an electric generator owned by the
Village of Ridgewood, and provided by Ridgewood Emergency Services, was used
to power all operations of business located in Midland Park for up to 24
hours beginning sometime on Saturday, September 2nd. This business lost
their primary electric service during the intense storm that ripped through
northwest Bergen that day.
Questions: 1) Was the generator provided gratis? 2) Is there a written
policy permitting such use of equipment paid for by Ridgewood taxpayers? 3)
If not, was this use sanctioned by Ridgewood’s Village Manager? 4) If I
lose power in my house and/or business, can I expect that Emergency Services
will provide a generator for me? 5) Why did we provide power for a business
that isn’t even located in Ridgewood?
>The Generator was NOT provided by Ridgewood Emergency Services, although the equipment is maintained by the Emergency Services Department. Emergency Services DOES NOT support the use of this equipment for such a purpose. However, because the equipment was owned by “The Village of Ridgewood”, Mr. Tenhoeve ordered the equipment to be brought to Midland Park Deli against the strict Policies of its use for PUBLIC SAFETY use only. Emergency Services refused to transport the equipment because of its il-intended use, and Tenhoeve ordered the Ridgewood Fire Department to transport and setup the equipment at the Deli.
The Ridgewood Volunteer Emergency Services group follows a policy that the equipment is to only be used for ensuring uninterupted Public Safety for the Village of Ridgewood.
>What would have happened if we would have needed that equipment for a real emergency?
>Emergency Services had nothing to do with the decision to send OUR generator to a deli that RIPS us off every storm we have.
If you’re looking for a source of who made the decision, you can turn your head to the Village Manager James TenHoeve and OEM Director Bradford Mason. All the members including the officers were completely against the decision. This is why none of our members or our trucks took part in the transportation and setup of the generator.
Emergency Services generator is to serve the Village of Ridgewood and its residents in the best purpose possible. For example, a Nursing Homes, Hospital, Water Pumps, Traffic Lights, 911, Police, Fire, Ems and Other Services that effect the Village and its residence as a whole.
Emergency Services has been the bastard child of Public Safety in Ridgewood. We are 100% volunteer and consist of dedicated taxpayers and residents just like you. We haven’t received necessary equipment in over 4 years and this puts the public at risk. We operate the oldest vehicles, have a half built building that is without a certificate of occupancy and lack the financial support of the village budget. We are in desperate need of money, at the current rate we are going; we will eventually cease to protect the residents of Ridgewood and surrounding region as we have done for over 25 years. The village is constantly down-sizing our budget. We are now relying more on the residents themselves in the form of donation then on the village budget. You can thank your past and present council members when you call 911 when cant get an ambulance or an emergency services vehicle. If you think that won’t ever happen think again, we are near the point of ceasing to operate and were not kidding. If you don’t believe us, we can take you around our half-built building which is already falling apart and show you how much we are in need.
As to regard to the subject, you can further all future questions to the people who were responsible for the generator being ordered to the Deli.
James Tenhoeve, Village Manager
Bradford Mason, OEM Director
>Sounds like maybe the VOLUNTEER group is trying to stand up against the Drunk??? (or at least point the finger in the right direction)
About time someone does…. RIDGEWOOD needs a real Manager to run this town. I am tired of paying for the mistakes of past and present leaders. (Still frustrated about the Village hall Disaster)
Wait, does the deli sell alcohol? Maybe he couldn’t let the beer go cold?
>Just a point of clarification as not to put blame where it is not due. The generator was not transported by the Ridgewood Fire Department. It was transported by an Emergency Services vehicle that was operated by a police officer at the request of the Police Chief, Village Manager and OEM Coordinator.
>Mr. PJBlogger62 –
As an active Volunteer for Ridgewood Emergency Services, I am requesting if the 3rd Comment posted by “Anonymous” at 4:44 PM could be removed because it contains inaccurate information.
To answer your questions accurately, please contact OEM Coordinator Bradford Mason, Village Manager James Tenhoeve, or Police Chief William Corcoran. The Department of Emergency Services did not Sanction the use of Emergency equipment for the purpose it was used, but it would be best to let the decision makers listed above answer your questions or to provide an explanation.
Thanks,
Dedicated Volunteer in the Village of Ridgewood for over 10 years.
>Is this why Paul Gilard resigned his position as Director of Emergency Services?
>Was this really just for the deli or was it a favor to midland park to help support their municipality in an emergency? Is the cost of use, transportation, set-up, and operation going to be reimbursed by Midland Park?
I don’t mind helping out another town as long as ours is okay, and I know several residents went without power in Ridgewood.
Also, why weren’t village residents notified of this. Communication has been very poor from our elected officials notifying us of 1) A lawsuit against the water department employee for the road rage issue, 2) An armed robery 911 call under the train station almost a month ago where I believe the suspect was apprehended and then let go moments later. 3) Why our interim-superintendent resigned after coming out of retirement, etc.
The village should do a better job of communicating with its residents. I shouldn’t have to rely on The Ridgewood News, The Ridgewood Blog, etc. to learn about whats going on in my town… I should be hearing it from my elected officials, thats why we put them there. Why can’t I access village council meeting minutes on-line but agenda’s are readily available? Why are the village code’s and ordinances either out of sequence or missing from being available on-line?
Why do we have to contact the village manager to find out what happened? We should have been told.
>It’s a shame to lose Mr. Gilard if this is true, be I can’t blame him for being disgusted with the present and past administrations. Apparently that’s why he left the police department. Rumor has it that he spoke out against the improper promotion which resulted in another officer having to sue to get his rightful promotion and against other improper conduct by police and town officials. Unfortunately Mr. Gilard is not only village employee disgusted with they way the town is being run and the way they are being treated. We have lost several good people and may lose many more, if the rumors are true. It seems that the only way to get ahead or taken care as a town employee is to do cocktails and or golf with the manager and his flunkies. As far as that Deli, is it the one where many of the cops and town employees eat ?
>I hear the police department is still having problems. In fact the rumor is that a couple of officers are considering a law suit against the town. I wonder why?
>If it were not for the Ridgewood Blog, this blatant misuse of taxpayer paid for equipment would have been covered up by Village Hall.
Thanks again to the Ridgewood Blog and their volunteer staff of “Anti Government Grumblers” for keeping us up to date on the good news and bad.
>as far as i am concerned with this deli i have had better food and i challenge any of you ridgewood people to tell me otherwise so stop complaining things are corrupt write a letter instead of these blogs
>Yeah, these damn blogs, all this complainin’ and shar’n of information gonna make ya sick, boy! So ya juss writes up a letter and sends it to the man and then shuts up because we don’t wants to know anything about anything, especially yer complainin.
>And here he is the amazing, the incredible, the unbelievable and talented pjblogger. A man that can make mountains out of moll hills, pull facts out of thin air and make the truth disappear right before your eyes.
Now don’t try to confuse him with the facts. He doesn’t care. He just likes to perform his magic tricks like distorting the truth and fabricating false accusations. What talent! With all of his talent he will never stop amazing his public.
Keep up the good work pjblogger, I am sure you’re a legend in your own mind!
>Apparently PJ is a legend in your mind
>”pull facts out of thin air and make the truth disappear right before your eyes”
Gee, I thought that was the BOE’s gig…
>the facts are you will eat good.so stop
>Just some facts. Parkwood Deli is half in Ridgewood and pays taxes just like us. Second although I am not involved with the emergency services anytime the crap hits the fan in ridgewood Parkwood is always there and ready to open not matter what time or day. And No it is not a rip off. Personally I would rather have something good then crap from Wilkes
>you are rite about parkwood.it is much better then the crap from chestnut st.and the price of the food, come on way to much money for me.