>Q. What does the hospital need to begin?
A. Current Ridgewood Village zoning does not permit this renewal without seeking approval from the Board of Adjustment. This approach, which has been used by the hospital in the past, is being set aside in favor of developing a broader, more appropriate solution: recognition of a modern hospital zone by the Planning Board. The Village is currently undergoing a master plan review, including evaluating development standards for the hospital zone. We believe the time is right to establish the modern zone. If we can establish the modern zone, Renewal can begin.
The bottom line: The Valley has no intention of applying for zoning variances. Instead, they will lobby heavily to have the existing Hospital Zone (H) ordinance amended/revised to fit their expansion plans. All amendments/revisions to Village ordinances must be approved by the Village Council.
Link to Valley Hospital’s official web site presentation of their “Renewal” program
https://www.valleyhealth.com/valleyRenewal.asp
>Slick strategy.
1) saves tons in legal fees; 2) eliminates the opportunity for neighbors to object at zoning hearings; 3) instead of trying to schmooze the neighborhood masses, all they have to do is convince the 5 Village Council members.
Slick; very slick. Valley’s attorney, Charles Collins, should be quite proud of himself. I guess that’s why Valley pays Charlie the big bucks though.
If you plan on objecting to the expansion, don’t waste your time talking to anyone else but a Council member. The entire future of The Valley is now in their hands.
>So now Ridgewood taxpayers know EXACTLY why Ms. Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Health Group, trotted herself out to this week’s Village Council Work Session to deliver what was billed as a “courtesy” presentation.
“Courtesy” presentation my ass. Ms. Meyers completely understands the game objective; pull out all stops to get every Village Council member in favor of the expansion project.
I always thought that Audrey Meyers was a very classy, upstanding businesswoman. Now I know that she’s nothing but a sleezebag like many others in this town.
>You can tell a lot about a person just by what they write. For instances take a look at the comments made above…it is evident that this individual has anger issues, which are most likely derived from their childhood. This anger, which is clearly directed at women, probably developed from a troubled relationship with their mother. If a male presented the same plan he would be called a crafty and knowledgeable businessman. Hopefully this individual will seek the services of a good psychologist.
>You have got to be kidding! You seriously believe that the comments about Ms. Meyers were entirely driven entirely by the poster’s anger toward women? What a stretch! You’re the one who should see a good psychologist. Perhaps Ms. Meyers can recommend someone from her staff.
>Ok, you’re so intelligent; you explain why the poster resorted to calling names (sleezebag) rather than just state their opinion?
What if anything did name calling add to his argument?
I will tell you what NOTHING?
Maybe you need a bit of an education before you make foolish comments about things that you obviously know nothing about.
>Just out of curiosity, how do you know for sure that a man posted the “sleazebag” comment? Perhaps you have suppressed anger directed at men and blame every comment you don’t like on them.
In this case, “unscrupulous” & “self-serving” might be more appropriate descriptors of Ms. Meyers’ appearance before the Village Council.
>Great, online diagnosis from Sigmund Fraud. Maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself and stop with the psudo-intellectual drival. To save you some time, no I don’t have anger issues or mommy issues. I do have issues with idiots that try to psyco-analyze people online though.
>Honestly, what is so wrong with an executive doing her best for her company? Of course Ms. Meyers “understands the game objective.” That’s her job, duh. How does making a presentation to the governing body that will approve or disapprove her company’s plans make her a “sleazebag?” Why can’t you express your opinion with facts and thoughtful commentaty and not with paranoid, angry, blathering?
>Apparently neither of you can answer my question!
What if anything did name calling add to this argument?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Or would you like to go for double jeopardy where the questions are harder?
>Sounds like yall have anger issues.
>The defined legal process is for The Valley to present before Ridgewood’s Zoning Board of Adjustment or Planning Board. The Valley’s attorney is very familiar with the proper procedure.
Ms. Meyers’ attempt to inappropriately influence the Village Council prior to such presentations is what qualifies her as a sleazebag.
Fortunately, Mayor David T. Pfund knew what she was up to, and that is why he directed Council members were to make no comments, nor ask any questions before, during, or after her presentation. Any slip of the lips could have created cause for legal action by opponents at a later date.
Way to go Dave!
>Actually, I believe a better definition of “Sleaze bag” is someone who goes onto a blog anonymously and makes disparaging, unsubstantiated and sanctimonious comments all with out giving their identity away…Now that is a real sleaze bag!!!
Your friendly Village Idiot
>And your name is?
>If you prefer reading the opinions only of those who identify themseleves, may I suggest that you confine your reading to the Ridgewood News’ Letters to the Editor section.
99.9% of the posters on this blog choose not to identify themselves publicly. If that bothers you, stop reading this blog.
Based on reports carried here and in the Ridgewood News regarding Ms. Meyers’ presentation, and from information taken directly off of The Valley’s own web site, it would appear The Valley was indeed trying to inappropriately influence Village Council members.
If the shoe fits, wear it.
>It would be my pleasure to provide you with my name, when and where would you like to meet?
Regarding the suggestion about reading the Ridgewood News’ Letters to the Editor section, Thanks, I already read that newspaper along with a few others.
I am well aware that 99.9% of the posters on this blog choose not to identify themselves publicly. However, I don’t remember saying that that bothered me…. Does it bother you?
As you know (and I hope you do) Valley Hospital sent their presentation to every resident of the Village of Ridgewood, which happens to include the mayor and council.
This presentation was done in public at a public meeting not in some back room behind some magical curtain. I wonder… if Valley didn’t make this presentation and only sent out their plan to the residents of the Village of Ridgewood, including the mayor and council, I am willing to bet you would still be making the same allegations of this being an inappropriate influence of Village Council members. Sounds to me like you just want to make claims of wrong doing no matter what.
Based on your analysis then I guess the Valley Hospital is trying to inappropriately influence each and every resident too. A bit of a stretch!
Your friendly Village Idiot
>I am not concerned about The Valley’s advertising/public relations campaign directed at citizens of our community. The Valley is entitled to spend their money as they wish. I would fully anticipate they would seek to gain public support for this project.
What concerned me was The Valley’s attempt to circumvent the prescribed process of presenting to either the zoning board of adjustment or planning board. The Village Council deals with zoning matters, by way of introducing new ordinances or amending existing ones, only upon the recommendation of either the zoning board of adjustment or planning board.
Translation: There is an established process for pleading your case with respect to zoning matters in Ridgewood, and no individual/organization, except governmental agencies, is exempt from this process – not even The Valley.
>1) saves tons in legal fees; 2) eliminates the opportunity for neighbors to object at zoning hearings; 3) instead of trying to schmooze the neighborhood masses, all they have to do is convince the 5 Village Council members.
Slick; very slick. Valley’s attorney, Charles Collins, should be quite proud of himself. I guess that’s why Valley pays Charlie the big bucks though.
If you plan on objecting to the expansion, don’t waste your time talking to anyone else but a Council member. The entire future of The Valley is now in their hands.
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RE this first comment…. How can Valley Hospital and their attorney skirt the Village Ordinances???
Why have law in place if you can just write a check to have whatever you want changed in your favor? How does the Planning Board consider these and other changes that are pushed by insiders of our Village Gov?
All about who you know and how much you pay! Any other laws we should change to protect a few important taxpayers? What a joke!
>Money talks, nobody walks . . .
‘Twas always thus, especially in Ridgewood.
>”Any other laws we should change to protect a few important taxpayers?”
For the record, The Valley pays no property taxes for their campus at Linwood and Van Dien. Zip, none . . .
>Good point. Shall we list the ways that Valley Hospital impacts the local economy? Maybe they can move the Hospital.. then sell the land to developers? That will generate some property taxes! Oh, but wait… how to zone it? Review by the proper authorities? Nahhhh… lets have it re-zoned by our Friends in the Executive Branch.
>Without a doubt, losing The Valley would have a significant negative impact on Ridgewood’s economy. Many of us like living near such a good hospital; you just never know when you might need their services.
However, regardless of all that is good with The Valley being in Ridgewood, let’s not just roll right over for them.
>Looks like people are beginning to wakeup about the Valley Hospital H-zone proposal. Look at https://www.stopvalley.com