The Preserve Graydon Coalition endorses
Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh
Ramon M. Hache
Jeffrey Voigt
for Ridgewood Village Council
We believe that Bernadette (Bernie) Coghlan-Walsh, Ramon Hache (pronounced Ra-MONE Ha-SHAY), and Jeffrey (Jeff) Voigt are the candidates most likely to heed residents’ concerns about our village’s morphing into the type of urban environment that many moved here to escape.
Bernie, Ramon, and Jeff have been endorsed by other grassroots groups in town, including Concerned Residents of Ridgewood (CRR), protesting the near-doubling in size desired by Valley Hospital; Citizens for a Better Ridgewood (CBR), concerned about the results of proposed high-density housing downtown; and the Schedler neighborhood, working to preserve the woods and historic house just east of Route 17. We believe that those who favor what we love about the village would be the most likely to preserve Graydon as well.
Jeff, Ramon, and Bernie are not running as a team, nor do they agree on every issue. They would cooperate to resolve issues without falling into lockstep. Independent thinking from the dais is much missed and sorely needed.
In contrast, the other three candidates have clearly been working in sync, prematurely speaking as “we,” and have been publicly endorsed by the “council majority” (mayor’s voting bloc), who have installed their campaign signs on their front lawns. In addition, the mayor has placed placards for two of these candidates on the rear deck of his car.
Of the candidates favored by the mayor, one, who moved here a few years ago, said at Candidates Night* that his long working hours and family obligations prevented him from attending past council meetings. Another would welcome the larger school population resulting from the high-density housing she supports. The third faces potential conflicts of interest as the husband of the longtime attorney for our Planning Board.
* Video: Candidates Debate, League of Women Voters, April 20, 2016 (2 hr 10 min):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Bernie, Ramon, and Jeff would seek “more pragmatic and sensible development,” as Voigt describes his goals in a video on his website. Hache said at the League of Women Voters’ Candidates Debate that his vision included “a town with officials protecting their community from the wrong type of development.” None would override valid resident concerns to push preconceived agendas.
Our group’s name contains the key word “preserve.” We wish to preserve not only our natural, historic swimming amenity but also the small-town ambience that we moved here to enjoy. Conserving and increasing unbuilt, truly open space must be a priority of those we endorse for Village Council.
We were gratified by the warm feelings for Graydon expressed by all the candidates. We hope and anticipate that whoever is elected will remain a strong advocate for preserving Graydon and enhancing its natural beauty.
Our choices on election day will affect Ridgewood for decades to come. We urge all residents to encourage friends, neighbors, and children ages 18+ to vote in the municipal election on Tuesday, May 10. Polls will be open from 6 AM to 8 PM.
Four years ago, a handful of votes locked in the current “council majority” that has controlled the village agenda. Every vote counts.
To have a lawn sign delivered to your door or to offer to help, contact:
Bernadette Coghlan-Walsh
website: bernadettewalsh2016.com email: walsh4ridgewood@gmail.com
Ramon Hache
website: ramonhache.com
Jeffrey Voigt
website: voigtforourvillage.com email: meddevconsultant@aol.com
Please vote on May 10.
Swimmingly,
Marcia Ringel and Alan Seiden
Co-Chairs, The Preserve Graydon Coalition, Inc., a nonprofit corporation
info@PreserveGraydon.org PreserveGraydon.org
Yes, indeed, Hache Walsh Voigt are the three we need. All concerned groups have supported these three, with the Preserve Graydon Coalition being one.
Hache Voigt Walsh on May 10. For our Future.
Graydon is the least of our problems…
We must get out the vote, we are fighting a very well organized group. It’s Clintonian Entitlement at it’s best (worst).
If 17 more people got up and voted 3 years ago for Keith Killion we wouldn’t be in this mess…
I love Graydon and buy about 8 badges a year but I ended my membership in Preserve Graydon when they came out against providing access for senior citizens and the disabled. Mobi-chair??? Really?
The organization would have a much stronger voice if it focused on its primary objective–preserving Graydon, rather than all these other issues. For instance, High Density Housing would help Graydon because there would be more people without pools who might join. I think it is sad that the Graydon group did not base its endorsement on Graydon but rather on other issues in the Village.
Citizen’s groups have to understand that they lose power when they “just say no” instead of focusing on finding partners for their specific causes.
the mobi chair was a great solution , its used in Allendale , whats wrong it did cost enough ??? instead we build an over budget ramp that no one uses
Brain – we have 28000 people. Don’t need more. We need to improve the services for the ones that are already here and cut costs.
“we have 28000 people. Don’t need more. We need to improve the services for the ones that are already here and cut costs.”
True! which is why we do not needs thousands of new residents or a costly new garage that will jack up our street parking rates to have our CBD thrive. We need to encourage those already living here to spend their dollars here. No new parking needed either. Make parking free on Broad, Dayton, Prospect around Mt. Carmel. Reduce rates at underutilized Cottage street lot and re-stripe tree streets. Start there and re-assess…
What more/improved services can you possibly want? They pick up the garbage in the back yard! Services are excellent. We need to cut costs which like her or not Roberta is doing pretty well in contract negotiations.
As for parking–66% of the voters agree we need parking. The “Just Say No Crowd” has to recognize that people do not like spending time looking for parking and that businesses cant get loans when they can’t show there is parking available. While the minority on this blog seem to be able to magically find parking the vast majority of residents have trouble finding parking and want a garage.
James–I have young kids and spend most weekends at Graydon. That ramp gets used all the time. Lots of seniors use it to avoid having to climb over the walls. It is totally unobtrusive and was largely paid for by county money. The ramp is a perfect example of why “just say no” is a failed style of leadership.
send pics
Is “Brian” a nom de blog and are you a troll for the Aronsohn crew? Everything you say is wrong. Two points for consistency!
I have posted on here for a while now. I am just a guy who is bored at work who enjoys reading all the local goings on.
James–I will be sure to take pictures every time I see someone using the ramp this summer…that wont be too creepy :-).
i will post them here , no one believes you
Just say no? I just named solutions and you (more importantly the council) has not said yes to 1. Why haven’t they repainted to create slanted spaces/more parking on the tree streets?? that would not need a bond and could have been done yesterday if =they deemed it worthy. Do you not see they are purposely avoiding any other solutions except for building the largest garage possible??
Let the library review their mission statement and start cranking the numbers.
Who uses the library? Story time, ESL and tutors.
How many residents use the services? How often? There are probably some regular visitors but I don’t know anyone who goes there.
I have access to online databases and I have Kindle books. The library is a huge expense and I have heard that they want to remodel, AGAIN! There is a Village “service” that can be cut back.
We need to stop developing every piece of nature
James – you’re setting yourself up to get staged photos… when you get the photos, verify who the people are… are they friends of the ramp crowd? were the “bussed in” (were they one day guests)? etc… or are they legit?